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https://www.wikihow.com/Sell-an-Idea | How to Sell an Idea | If you have a great idea that you'd like to sell, create a pitch, or a story that tells someone the details of your idea. In particular, your pitch should cover the problem you're trying to solve, how your idea solves that problem, and how to implement your idea. Before you deliver your pitch, decide the least amount of money you're willing to take and any other boundaries that are important in your negotiations. Make a list of potential buyers, and be persistent in trying to pitch your idea until you find someone who's interested. | Research your industry. Your idea's feasibility relies upon its uniqueness, newness, and relevance. Talk to industry experts you know in person or via professional networks, read professional journals, and catch up on the latest industry news. You should have answers for the following questions: Has someone already implemented my idea? If they weren't successful, is my version better? What are top industry competitors concerned about? How large are the profits and markets of this industry? How fast does this industry make decisions and change? What other industries or products are related to this industry? Do I like this industry? Is it worth my time? Know your idea inside and out. By fleshing out your idea, you make a more consistent and realistic product to sell. Create a list of bullet points of answers to the questions below. Use the answers as a foundation for selling your idea. The problem you're solving: What problem does your idea solve? How many people could benefit from your idea? What other solutions currently exist? The strengths and weaknesses of your idea: Why is your idea better? What do you need for your idea to be successful? Why might it fail? The opportunities and threats to your idea: How large is the market for your idea? How profitable is your idea? Who are your competitors? Know the law. Your idea must be legal to sell for others to buy it. Contact intellectual property and patent lawyers to understand how to use the law to protect and sell your idea. Lawyers can help you get a nondisclosure agreement, which disallows individuals from sharing information you told them "patent pending" status, which allows you to retain your idea for a shorter period while you try to sell it. Test run your idea. This step proves whether your product can be executed and has any value. Test runs also show you how to improve your idea as a profitable product. Depending on your idea, a test run could mean anything from iterating on a functional prototype to starting a small business in your hometown. Create a timeline for yourself. Do you want to accomplish these test runs in a few days? A few years? Use mistakes as opportunities to improve your idea. Does anything need to be fixed? If so, fix it now, or understand why you cannot fix it, before selling it. Record your mistakes and how you learned from them: an inventor's logbook proves the idea and each iteration are legally your own, as well as gives a history and context to your idea. Even if you think you have a good idea, try to see if you can make a better one. If not, then you can explain to others that you have the best idea possible. Create a rough draft of your pitch. A pitch is the story behind your idea and its significance. All pitches that you end up delivering should be a conversation with your client, but for now, create a story behind your idea to give yourself some working material. You could write it down, talk it over with a trusted advisor, make a presentation, or even craft an abstract storyboard. A pitch addresses what problem you want to solve how your idea solves that problem how to implement your idea what you expect the payoff of this implementation to be Write down your hard boundaries. These are limitations that you are not willing to overstep to sell this idea, including your reservation price, which is the least amount of profit you are willing to make before you walk away from a deal. Hard boundaries might include A timeline: how much time are you willing to dedicate to this idea? Industries: are there any companies or industries you are not willing to work with? Finances: how little money will you be happy with, and how much money are you willing to take? Values: what of your idea and beliefs are you willing to change to sell? Do you care most about the impact, profit, or relevance of your idea? Start a list of potential buyers. You can find them through word of mouth, online research, industry connections, and personal connections. Keep the longer list of potential buyers in case you have to go back and adjust your strategy Keep an open mind. Look at companies who are growing or failing. Use personal connections to open conversations with buyers. Know whether you plan to sell your idea once to one buyer or multiple times to competing buyers. Research your list of buyers and edit it accordingly. Personal connections help a lot, including the industry experts who helped you earlier in the process. Cold calling and emailing can also be effective. Listen to the opinions of those who turn down your product and see if you need to improve your product or target different buyers. Be persistent. Selling is hard, and selling a young idea is harder. Especially when you are trying to sell to a stranger or large company, you should continue to try to sell your idea even in the face of rejection. Set up a meeting. Once you are in contact with an interested buyer (either another individual or a firm), you can communicate further about your idea and its value. This meeting should be in person, or over video chat if applicable, and will be an opportunity for you to start selling your product. Schedule a meeting in a neutral and appropriate zone. This could be anywhere, from the conference room in a company's building to a coffee shop. Schedule a time so that you can arrive on time and prepared. Research your particular buyer as much as possible. You want to know as much as possible about your buyer so that you can showcase the buyer's perspective when selling your idea. You want to know the answers to the following questions: What is this buyer's market and price point? Who are this buyer's competitors? What does this buyer want in the next 5-10 years? What are this buyer's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats? Acquire all necessary documents and materials for your meeting. This could include A nondisclosure agreement or similar legal paperwork Your inventor's logbook or other proof of concept Business and operations documents that show projected profitability, market size, cost of implementation, and other benefits for the buyer Practice your pitch. Go back to your written down ideas about your product, and create flexible explanations and arguments about your product. A pitch is a conversation, not a presentation. Practice incorporating your buyer's unique perspective into your argument for your idea. Practice out loud and with a friend. Practice with appropriate material. If you need documents detailing market value, expected growth, sample advertisements, images of a full-fledged product, or legal paperwork, then use them during practice. Practice until you are confident that you know your material and can manipulate it comfortably in a dynamic conversation. A speech is not engaging; a question and answer session is. Practice negotiations skills in particular. Revisit your hard boundaries. Have you crossed or gotten near any of them? Have any of your hard boundaries changed? If so, redefine your hard boundaries before your meeting so that you can make good decisions during the meeting. Dress appropriately. You want to wear clothing that either is similar to your buyer or speaks to your product. Show that you understand your client and product. Look online. Is the CEO of this company wearing jeans in his picture on the homepage? If so, you can probably also wear jeans. Check out the meeting venue before going there, if applicable. Is everyone else dressed in business casual? Consider dressing in business casual. Think about the impact of your idea and product. Are you pitching your product as a cutthroat tool for the most professional industry experts in traditionally operated firms? If so, consider wearing business formal. Be on time. This means, be at least five minutes early. Give yourself time to travel to and get situated wherever you're having the meeting. If you need to use the restroom, do so before the meeting. If you need to give yourself a confidence pep talk, do so well before the meeting. Have relevant paperwork and electronics with you. To sell your idea, you probably need some experiential aid: a video, slideshow, print-out, or other mixed media. Make sure you have all your materials with you, including a prototype if applicable. Sell yourself. You are the only voice for your product at the moment, so your attitude and personality are integral to selling your product. You should be professional and confident, while still showcasing your personality and passion for your idea. Keep your pitch simple and straightforward. Avoid overly-technical jargon, especially when your audience will not understand it. Tell a story by incorporating numbers. For example, you can tell a story about a potential consumer needing your product in his or her everyday life, then add in statistics to show how many consumers in Europe would find that story, and your product, applicable. Stick to your hard boundaries. If you cannot sell without crossing a hard boundary, do not be afraid to walk away. There are other buyers you can convince if your boundaries are reasonable. Do not accept an offer immediately. Ask for as much time as you think you need to process the offer before signing anything. Consider and communicate with other buyers Read the fine legal print and have a lawyer look over it Communicate with the buyer about changes. This can take multiple meetings. Accept or reject the buyer. This step can also take multiple meetings and conversations. Know that a rejection does not mean failure for your idea, and a successful sell does not necessarily mean a successful idea. Keep your line of communication open with the buyer in case a future opportunity opens If the deal or sale is successful, document it with signatures and official papers. Have proof of the sale and its terms for both yourself and the buyer. | Research your industry. Know your idea inside and out. Know the law. Test run your idea. Create a rough draft of your pitch. Write down your hard boundaries. Start a list of potential buyers. Research your list of buyers and edit it accordingly. Be persistent. Set up a meeting. Research your particular buyer as much as possible. Acquire all necessary documents and materials for your meeting. Practice your pitch. Revisit your hard boundaries. Dress appropriately. Be on time. Have relevant paperwork and electronics with you. Sell yourself. Stick to your hard boundaries. Do not accept an offer immediately. Accept or reject the buyer. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Change-a-Keg | How to Change a Keg | To change a keg, first, turn off the CO2 line, if there is one, then lift the coupler handle at the base of the tap and rotate it counter-clockwise to remove the empty keg. When you're ready to connect the new keg, remove the plastic cap and line up the lugs on the tap with the slots in the well of the keg. Then, keeping the coupler handle raised, fit the tap onto the keg and twist it clockwise until it's snug. From here, you can secure the new keg by pressing the coupler handle down to its locked position. Before you use the new keg, make sure to turn the CO2 canister back on and open the faucet to expel excess foam. | Check to make sure your keg is empty. You'll know that your keg is empty if you open the faucet of the tap and either very frothy beer comes out or none does. Look to see if your keg has a CO2 line. Some kegs will have a CO2 tank that provides pressure inside the keg to help dispense beer. The gas also helps the beer hold its natural carbonation. If the system you're using has a CO2 line, turn it off. Lift the coupler handle at the base of the tap where it joins the keg. Grasp the coupler and rotate it counter-clockwise until it won't move anymore, usually just a half-turn. Pull the coupler off the empty keg. Move the empty keg aside. Put the fresh keg in a refrigeration unit or in a tub of ice. Remove the plastic cap from the top of the keg. The cap will show the brand of the beer and its freshness date. Ensure that the well of the keg is clean. Line up the lugs on the base of the tap with the slots in the well of the keg. Keep the coupler handle raised and fit the tap firmly onto the keg. Twist the tap a half-turn, in a clockwise direction, until it is snug. Press the coupler handle down to its locked position. Turn the CO2 canister back on. Open the faucet fully to expel excess foam that is often built up in freshly tapped kegs. Make sure the beer flows through the faucet and there are no obvious leaks. If the beer doesn't flow, repeat the process. Check the gauge of the CO2 canister to make sure the cylinder is empty. The gauge should read 0. Other signs that you may need to replace your CO2 canister are that no beer flows from the faucet, or the beer is flat. Shut off the valve at the top of the canister by turning it clockwise until it won't go any further. Use a spanner, or specialized wrench, to slowly disconnect the reducing valve from the cylinder to let the remaining gas escape. This will reduce the pressure inside the valve. Set aside the empty canister. Install the new CO2 canister. Remove the protective tape from the replacement canister's outlet valve. Connect the new cylinder, tightening it with the spanner. Be sure to install a new plastic washer each time you change your gas canister. Turn the valve back on, twisting it counter-clockwise. Turn it until the hissing from the canister stops and the knob won't turn any further. Make sure the gauge shows pressurization. | Check to make sure your keg is empty. Look to see if your keg has a CO2 line. Lift the coupler handle at the base of the tap where it joins the keg. Pull the coupler off the empty keg. Move the empty keg aside. Put the fresh keg in a refrigeration unit or in a tub of ice. Remove the plastic cap from the top of the keg. Ensure that the well of the keg is clean. Line up the lugs on the base of the tap with the slots in the well of the keg. Keep the coupler handle raised and fit the tap firmly onto the keg. Press the coupler handle down to its locked position. Turn the CO2 canister back on. Open the faucet fully to expel excess foam that is often built up in freshly tapped kegs. Make sure the beer flows through the faucet and there are no obvious leaks. Check the gauge of the CO2 canister to make sure the cylinder is empty. Shut off the valve at the top of the canister by turning it clockwise until it won't go any further. Use a spanner, or specialized wrench, to slowly disconnect the reducing valve from the cylinder to let the remaining gas escape. Set aside the empty canister. Install the new CO2 canister. |
https://www.wikihow-fun.com/Be-Bad | How to Be Bad | To be bad, prioritize having a good time over everything else and try to avoid responsibilities like being on time and following a dress code. Speak loudly when you're in public, use plenty of curse words, and make sure your resting face is a scowl so everyone around you feels uncomfortable. Change up your wardrobe to emphasize black clothes and alternative fabrics like leather, vinyl, and PVC. You can also get a tattoo or facial piercing to amplify your badness! | Be the life of the party. If you're going to be bad, having fun needs to take the front seat. Ambitions, responsibilities, and high seriousness can take a backseat to grabbing life by the fun buttons. As a bad kid, you've got to always be looking for the scheme, the party, the angle. Always be laughing and having a good time. When you walk into the room, your friends should all be equally glad to see you and terrified. Everyone should take notice of your attitude, your walk, and your style. You've got to ooze danger. When you walk into a classroom, never hustle right to your seat and sit down quietly. Poke your friend in the ribs, say "What up, teach?" and burp before you sit down. Put your feet up on the desk. You're bad. Don't take on new responsibilities. It's hard to be a rule-breaker if you're worried about getting back to your dorm room to feed your roommate's fish, or if you have to walk your little sister home from school every day after school. A bad kid will flat-out refuse to take on unnecessary responsibilities. You've got only enough energy and attention to look out for one person - yourself. Don't take on unnecessary responsibilities that will keep you from doing more important things. Like napping. It's important to be responsible for yourself. If you absolutely have to do something, do it. You're not being responsible for your own fun if you get in trouble and have to stay home all day. If someone else is depending on you, come through. Then cause trouble. Be late for everything. Being on time is for dorks, brown-nosers, and teachers' pets. The bell's ringing for class? So what? Your coffee break is over at work? Who cares? There's no sense in being on time. The party starts when you walk in the door anyway. They'll wait. A bad kid never shows up to a party until it's in full swing. Roll up late, a couple hours after it was supposed to start. Never be the first one to show up. Break small rules to assert your badness. Little rules are meant to be broken. That's how people will know you're one of the bad kids and not some rule-abiding citizen. Find little things that you can do wrong without getting into serious trouble and you'll quickly get a reputation as a rule-breaker and a bad kid. Break the dress code by wearing jewelry, or the wrong colors on the wrong day. Always chalk it up to a mistake. "I didn't know," should be your catch phrase, followed closely by, "What'd I do?" There's a difference between acting bad and being a real-life trouble-maker and criminal. Don't break laws or engage in dangerous illegal activity that could get you into serious trouble. Relax in bad ways. Being bad is hard work. You've got to learn to relax and be evil at the same time. Never let up on your bad ways. When you've got some free time, consider the following hobbies: Play golf and lose badly, then blame your teenage cabbie. Berate the kid and complain about him to the manager. Get him to quit. Go for relaxing Sunday drives on the interstate at rush hour. Let your rage bubble. Cut people off. Safely, of course. No sense in denting your Corolla. Hunt big game. Go on hunting expeditions to exotic locations and kill large beautiful animals that have absolutely no way of defending themselves. Save their heads and put them on your wall. Assemble a team of miscreants. From wolves to teenagers, the bad travel in packs. Find a wolf-pack of other bad kids and form a little gang. If you want to be all greaser about it, you could even get leather jackets with patches on the back and make it official. Walk and snap, buddy. Walk and snap. Pretend you don't care about punishment. If you're bad enough, you're going to end up spending a considerable amount of time being punished. When you're a kid, that might mean going straight to bed without supper, being sent to time out, being suspended from school, or even worse punishments. As you get older, the punishments will get more severe. Whatever the consequences, face them with icy and stoic poise. Be cool in the face of your punishment. When you learn your punishment, say something cool, like "Sounds fun." You'll take all the wind out of your punisher's sales. You always need to be aware of the consequences of your actions. Never break a rule you're not willing to pay for. Find gainful villain employment. If you're going to be bad full-time, it's a good idea to find some kind of job that will allow you to put your hard-earned skills to good use. Some good career fields for bad kids might include: Working in media as the propaganda tsar for a logging corporation. Be the face of forest destruction. Work in a slaughterhouse. Kill cute pigs, cows, and other farm animals for a living. Strong stomachs required. Be a trial lawyer and only defend criminals. The worse their crimes, the more satisfied you are when they walk off free. Be a mall cop or a security guard. Find a tiny kingdom and lord over it with extreme badness. Wear sunglasses. Criticize instead of complimenting. When you're talking to someone, never pay them any compliments. Instead, find reasons to point out things they've done wrong. Point out little failures and big disappointments. Go off topic if necessary. Never let anyone else succeed. Practice the back-handed compliment: "You're so good looking. I bet you wish you were smarter, though." Practice the humble brag: "Oh you went to France, huh? I went there like five years ago. It's ok I guess. I was kind of bored. I guess you like it though." Never start conversations, but end them with negativity. You should be like a black hole for other peoples' ability to communicate. Sit with a scowl on your face and never contribute anything to conversation. If a topic comes up that you're interested in, just sneer and scoff. People will steer clear of you eventually, but that's part of the gig, buddy. Don't keep up your end of talking. Don't ask questions or act like a good listener. Just stay focused on yourself. Play “Debbie Downer.” If someone brings up their recent vacation to the Philippines, talk about Ebola. If someone talks about the wonderful meal they just had at an upscale restaurant, talk about e. coli. Talk loudly. When you do speak, it should be uncomfortably loud and intrude on other peoples' conversations. Pay no attention to personal space and the noise level appropriate for the occasion. Speak loudly, shouting at your friends even when you're sitting right next to them. Bonus points for bad breath. Make your conversations drastically inappropriate for the place. If you're in church, talk about death metal and Call of Duty with your brother. If you're at a Young Liberals meeting, start talking about the "welfare state" and how much you like Ayn Rand. Use four-letter words whenever possible. Good as adverbs, adjectives, and interjections, curse words are pretty useful for the bad kid. Befriend them and use them in as many different ways as possible. Watch Scorsese movies for creative suggestions. Ignore the body language of others. Don't forget the nonverbal methods of communicating badly. If you notice other people around you looking uncomfortable, as if you've offended them, of they're put off by something that you're talking about, that means you're on the right track. Keep talking about whatever it is. It's doing the bad trick. Make your resting face a scowl. Practice this in the mirror: furl your eyebrows into a scrunched up scowl, as if you were concentrating really hard. Turn your nose up like something smells terrible. And frown. Turn your smile upside down, like you had two fishhooks hanging from the corners of your mouth. Beautiful. Make this face at all times. Avoid eye contact. Bad kids never look anyone in the eye. That communicates that you're willing to talk and you're interesting in them as a person. A bad kid is never interested. Look over people, as if you're bored by what they're saying, or focus on the floor. Look anywhere but in another person's eyes. Alternatively, if someone challenges you–another bad kid, or an unsuspecting goodie-goodie–then you've got to stare them down. Lock eyes and channel your death rays. Be an alpha. Use closed body language. A bad kid should look totally unapproachable. That means crossed legs, crossed arms, slouching, and a drooping head. Look as if it's physically painful to sit up straight. If you have to sit next to someone, sit as far away as possible from them, as if the idea of physical contact would make you nauseated. Smirk instead of smiling. No matter how bad you are, eventually–somehow, someday–you're probably going to crack a smile or two. Something will be funny, especially the misfortune of others. But when someone slips and falls on the ice, or you learn about a terrible school bus accident, you can't smile like a doofus: ya gotta smirk. Learn to smirk instead of smiling. Try this: imagine you've got a fishhook through one corner of your mouth, and someone's pulling it up. Now squint your eyes and nod slowly, as if you're totally satisfied with what you're seeing, but can't be bothered to really care about it one way or another. Perfect. Dress like a bad kid. Bad kids make friends with the color black, especially if it's black leather. Learn to start dressing like a bad kid and giving yourself a nasty reputation instantly. For boys, black metal band t-shirts, leather jackets, and combat boots are a quick way to look bad. You could always rock some camo pants if you want to get a commando thing going. It should always be dark and severe. For more of a corporate look, wear a tight-fitting suit and constantly talk about how expensive it is. Don't let anyone touch it. For girls, styling your hair in a-symmetrical fashions and using severe make-up is a good way to stand out as a rule-breaker. Bright red lipstick, dark eye make-up, and chunky Doc Martens under a baby-doll dress. Put some safety pins in your jacket and you're ready for the punk show. Consider a tattoo or a facial piercing. No bad kid can complete the image without some ink and some metal. If you're of the right age, or can get parental permission (or better yet, an older brother who'll sign for you), you can get a tattoo to make your badness permanent. Good tattoos for bad kids: skulls, panthers, anything sharp and barbed-wire-like. Sailor Jerry tattoos are popular, as well as Japanese-style ink. Any combination of the above is also acceptable. Good piercings are typically facial piercing. Eyebrow, nose, or lip are common bad-kid piercings. Instantly iconic and recognizable. If you've got your ears pierced, add a second for increased danger cred. If anyone asks, it didn't hurt. | Be the life of the party. Don't take on new responsibilities. Be late for everything. Break small rules to assert your badness. Relax in bad ways. Assemble a team of miscreants. Pretend you don't care about punishment. Find gainful villain employment. Criticize instead of complimenting. Never start conversations, but end them with negativity. Talk loudly. Use four-letter words whenever possible. Ignore the body language of others. Make your resting face a scowl. Avoid eye contact. Use closed body language. Smirk instead of smiling. Dress like a bad kid. Consider a tattoo or a facial piercing. |
https://www.wikihow.pet/Not-Scare-a-Cat | How to Not Scare a Cat | The best way to avoid scaring a cat is to keep it away from loud noises, such as the vacuum cleaner, hair dryers, power tools, and loud voices. If someone needs to use the vacuum cleaner, take the cat to another room and pet it to make it feel more safe. Additionally, when you play with your cat, try not to stare into its eyes. This can be seen as an act of aggression and might make the cat nervous. If the cat appears fearful, try squatting down to seem smaller and less threatening, and offer your cat treats to encourage it to approach you. | Avoid loud noises. Cats are frightened by loud noises such as thunderstorms, the vacuum cleaner, hair dryers, power tools and loud voices. When possible, avoid causing a lot of noise or disruptions that will frighten the cat. For example, have a friend or family member vacuum in a neighboring room while petting the cat. Over time, you can open the door or bring the vacuum cleaner closer to help desensitize the cat and ease their fears. Don’t make sudden movements. Avoid quick movements such as uncrossing your legs, standing up, or reaching towards them. The cat may interpret these as attempts to interact with them, which cats don't always enjoy. Make your movements as slow and deliberate as possible until you can ease your cat into feeling comfortable with these behaviors. Use behavior modification exercises to make the cat feel safe. Find a movement that usually startles the cat, and act it out at a starting speed with which the feline is comfortable. Each time you make this move, reward the cat with a treat when he or she does not react with fear. Up the intensity or speed, rewarding the cat each time they remain calm. If you notice anxiety, simply reduce the intensity until he or she is no longer afraid. Repeat until the feline becomes acclimated to your movements. Try not to stare into their eyes. Cats use eye contact as a form of dominance, so sustained eye contact can be seen as an act of aggression. If you don't know a cat well, it's best to avoid staring or it could make the cat nervous. Instead, try looking at the cat and blinking slowly to win them over. You can tell that a cat is fearful because they will get a “mad look” in their eyes which is caused by dilating pupils. The cat may also wiggle their back legs in preparation to launch. It is best to avert your gaze and to give the cat some space if you see any of these behaviors. Make yourself appear less intimidating. If the cat appears fearful, try squatting or sitting down so you seem smaller, and less threatening. Allow the cat to approach you instead of attempting to encroach on the animal's space. Offer rewards. Try offering the cat a small reward to win him or her over. Try shaking his or her food bag, opening a can of food, or tapping their dish on the floor. This may coax him or her out for long enough to make them feel comfortable. Even if they remain at a distance, you're still making progress. Food is often a great motivator for felines, so always give feeding duty to the person who most intimidates the cat. Avoid putting the cat in a strange environment. When possible, try not to bring strange animals or people into the environment in which the cat is accustomed. If you are assisting a cat with getting used to a new home, allow a few weeks for them to adapt to their new environment. Let them get used to you as the provider of food, shelter, and love. Keep the cat totally indoors for at least a month. Make sure doors and windows are kept closed and that screens are secure. Calm the cat during stressful events. Certain events, such as traveling in a carrier or a trip to the vet, can be stressful for cats. Try to calm the animal by speaking in soft, soothing tones (while avoiding whispers), rewarding good behavior, and avoiding harsh tones and punishments. When transporting a cat, opt for a top-loading carrier to make handling easier. In addition, this allows the cat to remain in the carrier during vet visits. Prepare the carrier at home by allowing the cat to get used to it days in advance. Make it comfortable by filling it with treats, blankets, or toys that will ease the feline's anxiety. Provide in-home cat furniture. Make the feline feel comfortable by filling their environment with cat furniture such as cat trees, shelves, perches, or cat beds placed on top of furniture. Often times, cats are more comfortable observing visitors from elevated landings. Try spraying pet pheromones. Local pet stores sell sprays which mimic the natural odor of cats. This can act as a soothing mechanism for a frightened cat. While you won't be able to smell it, the cat will, and it can help to reduce fear and anxiety. Let them have fun with clicker training. Not only do cats enjoy clicker training but it also reinforces wanted behaviors. The cat becomes trained to associate the click with a positive reward, and begins to reduce their fearful behaviors through positive reinforcement. Not only does the animal enjoy it, but they see the treat as a sign of love and affection. Choose a reward that your cat will want such as fishy treats, smoked turkey cold cuts, or a toy the cat really enjoys. Reserve this incentive only for the clicker training. Charge the clicker by showing the cat that they will receive a treat each time they hear the click. Each time the animal displays wanted behaviors, reward them with a click and a treat. Over time, their fear will lessen as they assimilate to new environments and people, because they know they will be rewarded. Clickers can be purchased at your local pet store. Shower them with catnip. Catnip is a mint plant that releases a strong odor into the air when rolled or bitten. The plant is harmless to cats but gives them an enjoyable “high.” Try bribing a frightened kitty with catnap so they begin to associate you with fun instead of fear. Play with them. Cats love to play, and interactive games have been known to decrease anxiety in cats. Try toys that involve human interaction such as fishing lures or feathers wands. In addition, there are also puzzle toys which allow the cat to use their brains, teeth, and noses to search out the hidden treat inside. All cats are different so find a game that your cat will enjoy. Pet the cat often. If a cat is comfortable enough to approach you, stay in their good graces by stroking them. Allow the animal to make contact first, and then start by rubbing their shoulders. Stroke down the animal's back in slow-motion, paying close attention to their response. Avoid making contact with their face first as this could be seen as a sign of aggression. This method is only useful for cats who are becoming comfortable with people and their environment. This method is a form of reinforcement and should only be used when the cat approaches you first. | Avoid loud noises. Don’t make sudden movements. Use behavior modification exercises to make the cat feel safe. Try not to stare into their eyes. Make yourself appear less intimidating. Offer rewards. Avoid putting the cat in a strange environment. Calm the cat during stressful events. Provide in-home cat furniture. Try spraying pet pheromones. Let them have fun with clicker training. Shower them with catnip. Play with them. Pet the cat often. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Feed-a-Red-Bellied-Parrot | How to Feed a Red Bellied Parrot | To feed your red-bellied parrot properly, start by selecting a bird feed formulated for small to medium-sized parrots. The food you choose can be either seed or pellet-based. Additionally, you'll need to supplement your parrot's diet with fresh vegetables and fruits, such as corn, peas, carrots, spinach, bananas, and apples. If your parrot has health problems or you're not sure it's getting enough nutrients from its food, talk to your vet about providing vitamin or mineral supplements. Give your parrot a heaping tablespoon each of its bird feed and fruits or vegetables every day, and make sure it always has access to fresh water. | Choose a formulated bird feed. Red bellied parrots need a diet made specifically for small and medium-sized birds. A formulated diet provides extra vitamins and minerals that your bird would get naturally in the wild. You can purchase either a pellet or seed-based formulated diet for your bird at a local pet store. While a bird feed is vital to your pet's health, bird feed alone is not adequate to keep a red-bellied parrot healthy. It should be supplemented with other foods for your bird's health. Keep in mind that even if you're using a vitamin-enriched seed, you'll still need to supplement your bird's diet with fruits and vegetables. The vitamins in vitamin-enriched seeds are applied to the husks of the seeds, which birds don't eat. Provide a healthy mix of fruits and vegetables. Red-bellied parrots also need fruits and veggies to stay healthy. Supplement your bird's diet with healthy produce from the supermarket. Make sure to wash food before feeding it to your parrot. Corns, peas, spinach, green beans, carrots, and parsley are great vegetables for your parrot. Try fruits like bananas, peppers, apples, and oranges. Talk to your vet about a dietary supplement. With a formulated pellet or seed-based diet, most red-bellied parrots will not require supplements. However, if your parrot has health issues, such as calcium deficiencies, your vet may recommend mixing a dietary supplement in with your red-bellied parrot's food. It's not a good idea to introduce supplements without consulting a vet first. Adding supplements to your pet's diet unnecessarily could be harmful. Feed your parrot a heaping tablespoon of pellets each day. Parrots should have a little over a tablespoon of their formulated food daily. A heaping tablespoon should provide your bird with an adequate amount of food. If you have more than one bird, make sure to add enough tablespoons per bird. Parrots usually eat on their own time, so provide the food in the morning and let the parrot eat throughout the day. Provide equal amounts of fruits and vegetables. In addition to a tablespoon of bird food, provide about a heaping tablespoon of fruits and vegetables each day. To keep your bird's diet diverse, add different varieties of fruits and vegetables each day. For example, give your bird a slice of orange day and a pile of spinach the next day. Like pellets, you can just leave the food out for your bird to eat throughout the day. Add supplements to soft foods. If your vet recommended a dietary supplement, the easiest way to get your bird to eat is adding it to soft food. Mix supplements into softer fruits and vegetables, such as oranges and softer leafy greens. Do not put supplements in water, as this can contribute to bacteria growth. Make sure your bird has clean water. Your bird should have access to fresh, clean water at all times. Keep a bowl of fresh water in your bird's cage. Change the water if you notice it's looking murky or otherwise dirty. Do not feed your bird canned vegetables. When it comes to vegetables, stick to fresh or frozen vegetables. Never feed your bird canned vegetables, as this can be bad for a bird's health. Keep avocado and chocolate away from your bird. Never feed your bird avocado or chocolate and keep these substances away from your bird's cage at all times. Both avocado and chocolate are poisonous to red-bellied parrots. If ingested, they can cause serious and sometimes fatal health issues. Clean food and water bowls regularly. Every day, remove the food and water bowls from your bird's cage. Wash them with clean water and dish soap. Let them dry before returning them to your bird's cage. | Choose a formulated bird feed. Provide a healthy mix of fruits and vegetables. Talk to your vet about a dietary supplement. Feed your parrot a heaping tablespoon of pellets each day. Provide equal amounts of fruits and vegetables. Add supplements to soft foods. Make sure your bird has clean water. Do not feed your bird canned vegetables. Keep avocado and chocolate away from your bird. Clean food and water bowls regularly. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Onion-Weed | How to Get Rid of Onion Weed | To get rid of onion weed, pull the weeds out with your hands, removing as much of the roots as possible. Alternatively, spray the plant with an herbicide that contains glyphosate on a clear, dry day, so that the herbicide can stick to the leaves. Additionally, make sure to wear protective gear, like gloves and boots, to keep the herbicide off your skin. If you want to get rid of a larger patch of onion weed, cover the entire area with a sheet of opaque black plastic sheeting to kill the weeds by depriving them of light and water. | Pull the weeds out of the ground. Hand pulling onion weed out of the ground is an easy, immediate option. If you're looking for a natural way to get rid of onion weed, hand pulling is an effective method. Use an herbicide. Onion weed can be effectively and fairly safely eliminated by using an herbicide containing glyphosate. You should follow the directions given with the herbicide, but in most cases you simply spray the herbicide on the weeds you want to eliminate. Always spray on a clear, non-windy and dry day. Always wear protective gear when using an herbicide. Cover the area in plastic for a herbicide-free option. Take a sheet of opaque black plastic that is large enough to cover the area infested with onion weed. Use several sheets if necessary. Hold the plastic in place with rocks or stakes, and leave it there for several weeks. By cutting off light that the plants need to survive, this method will eventually kill the weeds. This method will probably also dry out the soil in the area, and may kill grass or other plants along with the onion weed. Plan it to take a year or so for the soil and area to return to normal. Dig bulbs out of the ground. You can pull wild onions out of the ground, but merely yanking on the green stalks will leave the bulbs in the ground. This means that before too long, the weeds will return. To really eliminate the weed, you will have to take a small trowel and dig the whole plant out of the ground, bulb and all. Choose an herbicide. Only certain herbicides are effective against wild onions. Look for “postemergence” ones, meaning herbicides that are sprayed on the plants after they sprout options include herbicides containing: Imazaquin A combo of 2,4-D, dicamba, and mecoprop (MCPP) in them. Glyphosate (useful only if you have a small number of wild onions to eliminate) Attack persistently. Because wild onions have long, smooth leaves, it isn't easy for herbicides to stick. This means that you will most likely have to spray several times a season, possibly for more than one year. Don't give up! Spray in late fall and again in late winter or early spring. Mowing before you spray might help. Try a natural method instead. If you want to avoid herbicides, dig up the bulbs first and discard. Then spray ordinary white vinegar in the hole. Refill the holes with new topsoil. You can also try smothering wild onions under black plastic, in the same way as you would for onion weed. | Pull the weeds out of the ground. Use an herbicide. Cover the area in plastic for a herbicide-free option. Dig bulbs out of the ground. Choose an herbicide. Attack persistently. Try a natural method instead. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Chubby-Hands | How to Get Rid of Chubby Hands | To get rid of chubby hands, eat a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of lean meats, fruits, and vegetables, to help you lose weight. Try to cut down on salt and salty foods, like potato chips, processed meats, and soy sauce, since too much salt can cause fluid retention and make your hands swell. Drink plenty of water, since dehydration causes fluid retention. You should also aim for about 150 minutes of aerobic activity or strength training twice a week. This can be any sport or exercise you enjoy, from walking, swimming, and cycling, to playing your favorite sport! | Commit to getting enough exercise. Losing weight is the prime way to thinner hands, and the healthiest way to lose weight is through exercise. The CDC recommends adults get roughly 150 minutes of aerobic activity and strength train at least twice a week. If you're already exercising that much, try to up your routine. Contrary to popular belief, hand exercises will not lead to slimmer hands. First, “spot training” where a person targets a certain area of their body for exercise and weight loss is largely a myth. Second, even if exercising certain muscles for weight loss were possible, your fingers don't have any! The muscles controlling your fingers reside in your palms and forearms. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. The other safe, effective method of weight loss is through eating well. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, especially green leafy ones like lettuce and kale. Lean meats, such as chicken breast and a variety of fish, are also an important part of a healthy diet. Just be sure to watch those calories and avoid large amounts of processed sugar by steering clear of simple carbohydrates and candy. Don't skip meals, as this has the potential to cause major health problems. Stay hydrated. “Chubby” hands may actually be swollen ones. Swelling can be caused by water retention, which may be due to mild dehydration. Sometimes that type of hand swelling can be caused by drinking too much water, causing an imbalance of electrolytes in your body. If your hands swell after exercising for at least an hour, try drinking a sports drink instead of water. If proper hydration doesn't improve swollen hands or if it is accompanied by vomiting and confusion, see a doctor. Swelling in the hands and other extremities can be a sign of serious medical problems. Cut down on salt. Eating too much salt can cause fluid retention, making your hands swell. Avoid foods like salted peanuts, potato chips, processed meats, and soy sauce. If you're having trouble cutting those out of your diet, buy low sodium versions available at most supermarkets. Get the right manicure. Longer nails and nail beds can give the illusion of longer, thinner fingers. Nail shape also plays a role. Filing your nails to a round or “squoval” shape is best for short, wide fingers. Size any jewelry properly. A pinching, too-small ring can make even thin hands look chubby! Accurately determine your ring size. Don't just guess! The same thing goes for bracelets and watches. Wear thicker jewelry. Thin bracelets and rings can make your hands look chubbier than they actually are. Conversely, thick bracelets and rings draw the eye away from chubby areas. They can also create the illusion of a more slender silhouette. However, minimal hand jewelry is also advised if you're self-conscious about your hands. Consider wearing your flashiest accessories elsewhere to accentuate the attributes you're proud of. Wear gloves when possible. If you're extremely self-conscious about your hands, gloves may give you a confidence boost. Short nylon gloves with frilled edges work with many casual outfits. For dressier occasions, formal gloves are popular. Formal gloves can be a variety of lengths from short to very long, reaching past your elbow. Pick the type that is most flattering for you. When the weather gets chilly, wear insulated gloves. | Commit to getting enough exercise. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Stay hydrated. Get the right manicure. Size any jewelry properly. Wear thicker jewelry. Wear gloves when possible. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Set-Tie-Dye | How to Set Tie Dye | To set the color in your tie-dyed fabrics after dying them, soak them in a mixture of vinegar, salt, and water. Start by combining 2 cups of vinegar and 1 teaspoon of salt in a bucket, with enough cold water to submerge your fabric. Once the salt is completely dissolved, put on a pair or rubber gloves and place the fabric into the solution. Swish the fabric around so it's completely submerged in the liquid, then let it soak for 30 minutes. When your time is up, take the fabric out of the bucket and wring it out before placing it in your washing machine on the cold water setting. Finally, run it through your dryer as normal or hang it up to dry. | Fill a large pot with a fixative solution. Pour salt and/or vinegar into the pot. Add enough cold water that you will be able to submerge your fabric later. For berry dye, use 1/2 cup of salt for every eight cups of water. For plant dyes, use one part vinegar to every four parts water. Add fabric to simmering solution. Bring the solution to a boil over high heat. Reduce the temperature to medium-low to maintain a simmer. Submerge the fabric and allow the solution to simmer for one hour. You can use tongs to carefully lower the fabric into the simmering solution. Rinse out the fabric. Remove the pot from heat and allow it to cool. Remove the fabric from the pot and wring out the liquid. Hand wash the fabric with just cold water. If you're in a hurry, you can drain the pot and cool down the fabric right away with cold water in the sink. Dilute vinegar in a bucket or large glass bowl. Pour in one to two cups of vinegar. Add a generous sprinkle of sea salt or table salt. Pour enough cold water in the container to submerge your fabric. Use a teaspoon or two of salt for a large bowl. Use more for a bucket. Use one cup of vinegar for a bowl or two cups of vinegar for a bucket. Submerge the fabric to soak for a period of time. Put on gloves before handling the dyed fabric. Place the fabric into the solution. Swish it around with your hands so that the fabric is fully moistened and submerged. Allow the fabric to soak for at least 30 minutes, up to one hour. Wash the fabric in a washing machine. Take the fabric out of the bowl or bucket and wring it out. Place your fabric into the washing machine. Add 1/2 cup of table salt and one cup of white vinegar, if desired. Use a cold water setting. Tumble or hang dry. Don't add anything else to the load the first time or two that you wash your tie dye fabric. Adding salt and vinegar is optional. Make sure that is compatible with your washing machine. Laundry detergent is not necessary for this first washing. If desired, add just a small amount. Wash your fabrics in cold water. Don't use warm or hot water to wash your color-dyed fabrics. Choose the cold water setting, and use a color brightening laundry detergent. Add baking soda to your washing machine. Pour in 1/2 cup of baking soda while your machine is on the wash cycle. Alternately, use a liquid laundry detergent with baking soda in it. Baking soda helps dyed fabrics to stay bright. As a bonus, baking soda can also tackle washing machine odor! Pour in vinegar during the rinse cycle. Add 1/4 cup of white vinegar for a small load, or 1/2 cup for a large load. Use this technique to help colors stay vivid, and also as a natural fabric softener. Vinegar softens fabric by dissolving mineral, soap and residue build-up. Vinegar is also anti-microbial and safer than chemicals. | Fill a large pot with a fixative solution. Add fabric to simmering solution. Rinse out the fabric. Dilute vinegar in a bucket or large glass bowl. Submerge the fabric to soak for a period of time. Wash the fabric in a washing machine. Wash your fabrics in cold water. Add baking soda to your washing machine. Pour in vinegar during the rinse cycle. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Wisdom-Tooth-Pain | How to Stop Wisdom Tooth Pain | If you're experiencing wisdom tooth pain, apply an ice pack to the gum area to numb it. You can also try biting into a small piece of garlic, onion, or ginger to numb the pain. To clean the area and heal the skin, try gargling with salt water or apple cider vinegar. As you continue to manage your tooth pain, use a soft toothbrush to be gentle on the gums. Also, try massaging gums with tea tree or sage to alleviate pain and help ease in new teeth. For severe pain, there are also medical treatments available -- talk to your dentist to learn if one of those treatments might be right for you. | Use numbing gels. If your teeth are giving you issues, you can use numbing gels on your gums. These gels, which contain benzocaine, should be applied directly to your gums to help numb your toothache. Don't swallow the gel if possible, but spit the excess out instead. 10 % lidocaine spray is another option, but be careful not to spay it down your throat when you apply. Make sure you follow the instructions on the tube to know how much to apply and how often. Try over-the-counter pain medication. When you tooth aches, you can take over-the-counter pain medication to help. These medications include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and naproxen (Aleve). Make sure to follow the instructions for dosage on the label. Avoid overusing medications. If you are in a lot of pain, be careful not to overuse either the gels or pain medications. Using too much gel with benzocaine can cause a rare but serious issue called methemoglobinemia, which is a deadly illness in which the oxygen levels your blood can carry are decreased. Too many pain medications can also cause other problems, such as stomach issues and ulcers. Never use benzocaine on anyone under two years of age. Use a soft toothbrush. When you are suffering from tooth pain, brushing your teeth may hurt; however, you should always brush your teeth twice a day. If you are experiencing issues with pain, get a soft toothbrush. This will be gentler on your gums. You can go back to your normal toothbrush strength after your wisdom tooth pain goes away. Massage your gums. If your teeth are coming through, your gums may hurt. To help your teeth along, try massaging the gums around where the teeth are breaking through. This will help alleviate the pain and ease the teeth through your gums. When massaging your gums, gently rub the top of the erupting tooth with a clean finger. You can also wrap your finger into a sterile gauze and start the massage after you have rinsed with a chlorhexidine mouthwash. Also get as much of the sides of the tooth area. Don't massage them too hard. This can hurt your gums. Repeat three to four times a day. Use an ice pack. If you are experiencing pain, try holding an ice cube or some crushed ice on the tooth. This will only work if the tooth is not sensitive to cold. You can also wrap the ice in a cloth or latex casing, such as a small balloon or finger of a latex glove, and place that on your tooth instead. If both of these are too cold, use an ice pack on the side of your face to help ease the pain in your mouth. The cold will travel through your skin and help the pain. Just make sure you wrap the ice pack in a towel or t-shirt to avoid frostbite. Treat with salt water. Salt is a great substance to help heal skin. To make a gargle, stir ½ teaspoon of sea salt into four ounces of warm water until it dissolves. Pour part of the mixture into your mouth without swallowing. Move the solution in your mouth over to where the painful tooth is. Hold it in your mouth for 30 to 60 seconds. Don't swish forcefully. Spit the mixture out. Repeat it two to three times, or until the water is gone. Once you're done, rinse your mouth out with warm water. You can do this three to four times a day while you are in pain. Use apple cider vinegar. Mix ¼ cup of warm water and apple cider vinegar. Hold the solution in your mouth over the painful tooth for 30 to 60 seconds. Spit it out and repeat two to three times. Rinse with warm water. You can do this three to four times a day, but do not swallow the water-vinegar mixture. Stop using the mixture if you find it irritating. Try fresh salves. There are some fresh ingredients that you use to help with tooth pain. Cut a small piece of garlic, onion, or ginger. Place it in your mouth, directly over your painful tooth. Once it is there, gently bite down on the piece to release the juice. The juice will help numb and calm your gums. Use essential oils. Essential oils can help with your tooth pain. Use these on your fingers, then massage them into your gums with your fingers. You can also make a mouth rinse with a few drops of essential oils and a few ounces of water. Never swallow essential oils. They can be toxic. Good essential oils for tooth pain include: Tea tree Clove Sage and aloe Cinnamon Goldenseal oil Peppermint You can also use warm olive oil and warm vanilla extract Treat pain with a teabag. Tea has properties that can help with your pain. To make a tea compress, soak an herbal tea bag in warm water. Once the tea is steeped, put the tea bag over the tooth. Keep it in place for five minutes. Repeat this process two to three times a day while you're in pain. Good teas to use are: Echinacea tea Goldenseal tea Black tea Sage tea Green tea Try chilled food. One way to help with pain is to use chilled pieces of food. You can put chilled pieces of cucumber or raw potato on your tooth. You can also use a frozen piece of fruit, such as banana, apple, guava, pineapple, or mango. This won't work well for you if your tooth is sensitive to cold. Try the chilled cucumber or potatoes first because they will be less cold than the frozen fruit. Make an asafetida paste. Asafetida is a plant used in Indian cooking and traditional medicine. Visit an international or Indian grocery store to find this, which typically comes as a powdered or a lump of resin. To make the paste, mix ¼ teaspoon of the powder with enough fresh lemon juice to make a paste. Once it is mixed fully, apply the paste on your wisdom tooth and around the gum. Leave it on your gum for five minutes. Rinse your mouth out with water to remove the paste from your mouth. Repeat the application of the paste two to three times a day. The paste will taste bitter and have an unpleasant odor, but it is gently combated by the lemon juice. Learn about wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth to come in, with two on top and two on bottom. They generally show up between the ages of 17 and 25. Not every person get wisdom teeth and not all eruptions of wisdom teeth cause pain. Know the causes of the pain. There are situations that do make wisdom teeth cause pain. This can happen if they grow in at an angle. They can also become impacted in against the neighboring tooth, which happens when there isn't enough room for the new tooth. Other issues that arise from growing wisdom teeth include: Infection Tumors Cysts Damage to neighboring teeth Tooth decay Constant Pain in your jaw up to your front teeth Inflamed nodes Gum disease See your dentist. Although wisdom teeth may cause issues, they don't always need to be extracted. The pain you experience from your wisdom teeth is easily treatable in most cases. If you keep experiencing pain after you try home remedies, visit your dentist. If you have intense pain, develop bad breath, have any swallowing difficulties, have a fever, or experience any gum, mouth, or jaw swelling, see your dentist immediately. There also may be a larger problem or they may need to extract your teeth. | Use numbing gels. Try over-the-counter pain medication. Avoid overusing medications. Use a soft toothbrush. Massage your gums. Use an ice pack. Treat with salt water. Use apple cider vinegar. Try fresh salves. Use essential oils. Treat pain with a teabag. Try chilled food. Make an asafetida paste. Learn about wisdom teeth. Know the causes of the pain. See your dentist. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Silicone-Caulking | How to Remove Silicone Caulking | To remove silicon caulking, first turn on a hairdryer to the lowest setting, and place the nozzle against the caulk for 30 to 40 seconds. Once the caulk appears softer, score it every 2 inches with a utility knife or razor. Then, peel each section of caulk back with pliers to remove it. If some tough parts refuse to budge, wet the blade of your knife with some water and push it along the area in short strokes. Before you apply new caulk, remember to rinse and dry the area so the fresh sealant can stick properly. | Grab a hair dryer and set it to the lowest heat setting. You probably have one of the most effective tools for removing silicone caulk sitting around in your bathroom right now—an ordinary hair dryer. A hair dryer can generate enough heat to soften old, stiff silicone caulk without the risk of damage to surrounding surfaces. To work safely and save energy, it's a good idea to start with the least amount of heat possible and work your way up as needed. Heat the caulk for 30-40 seconds. Turn on your hair dryer and place the nozzle directly up against the bead of old caulk you want to remove. Wave the heat stream back and forth slowly over an 8–10 in (20–25 cm) section to begin warming it up. Within about half a minute, the heat from the hair dryer will have partially melted the caulk, causing it to become gummy and flexible. If the hair dryer doesn't seem to be having much effect after about 40 seconds, try turning it up to the next highest heat setting. Score the bead every 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) with a utility knife or razor. Drag the blade of your razor or utility knife lightly over the width of the caulk line, being careful not to scratch the material on either side. Once you've separated the softened caulk, pry up 1 end with the corner of your blade. A utility knife will be your best option, as the long handle and slender blade offers greater precision and control. For safety reasons, it's not recommended that you use a loose razor blade to do your scoring. If you have no other option, however, be sure to wear thick gloves to protect your hands and work cautiously. Pull up as much of the caulk as you can using a pair of pliers. Set your utility knife or razor blade down on your work surface and take hold of the loose end of the bead with your pliers. Then, peel the caulk back to remove each section. Avoid tugging or twisting the caulk as it comes up. This will make it more likely to break into smaller sections, which you'll then have to remove individually. If you don't have a pair of pliers on hand, you can try stripping the bead using your thumb and index finger—just don't forget to slip on a pair of gloves first! Loosen the remaining caulk with a putty knife or glass scraper. Chances are, you'll encounter at least one stubborn section of the bead that refuses to budge. When this happens, simply wedge the end of your scraper under the caulk at a shallow angle and push it along using short strokes. It should then come away without difficulty. If you don't have one of these other tools handy, pick up a cheap grout remover tool from your local home improvement center. These are typically made of hard plastic and don't cost more than a few dollars. Wet the entire area with mineral spirits. Dip one corner of a scouring pad or sponge into a container of mineral spirits and use it to apply the solvent directly to the affected surface. Any type of applicator will get the job done. However, you'll get the best results using an abrasive item, as the rough texture will help wear down tough residue. Mineral spirits can cause mild irritation if it comes into contact with bare skin. Be sure to pull on a pair of disposable gloves before you begin working. If the residue left behind shows signs of mold, consider using bleach instead of mineral spirits. Allow your cleaner to sit for up to 5 minutes on your work surface. Give the mineral spirits or bleach a few minutes to fully soak in. As it does, it will slowly eat away at the remaining bits of caulk, which you'll then be able to wipe away with ease. Both mineral spirits and bleach give off powerful fumes that can be harmful if inhaled. Be sure to open all doors and windows in your work area and leave the air conditioning or fan running while soaking your caulk to create as much ventilation as possible. Scrub the area thoroughly to remove all traces of caulk. Dig into the residue firmly, pressing your fingertips into your scrubber for added leverage. For more efficient cleaning, make sure each section has been thoroughly saturated with mineral spirits or bleach. Caulk is designed to stay put once applied, so it may take a little patience and elbow grease to get the last of it up. Rinse and dry the area before applying new caulk. Once your work surface is clean, wipe it down thoroughly with warm water to wash away the mineral spirits or bleach. Allow the exposed joint to air-dry overnight, or use your hair dryer to speed up the drying process. Afterward, it will be ready for a fresh bead of sealant. It's important to make sure that the area is completely free of caulk or mold. If there's any residue left over, the fresh sealant may not be able to adhere properly. | Grab a hair dryer and set it to the lowest heat setting. Heat the caulk for 30-40 seconds. Score the bead every 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) with a utility knife or razor. Pull up as much of the caulk as you can using a pair of pliers. Loosen the remaining caulk with a putty knife or glass scraper. Wet the entire area with mineral spirits. Allow your cleaner to sit for up to 5 minutes on your work surface. Scrub the area thoroughly to remove all traces of caulk. Rinse and dry the area before applying new caulk. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Soft-Pretzels | How to Make Soft Pretzels | If you'd like to make soft pretzels, start by combining the water, salt, and sugar before adding the yeast to make the dough. When the yeast begins to foam, mix in the butter and flour, then let the dough rise. To make the pretzels, divide the dough into equal-sized pieces, roll each piece into a long rope shape, and twist them to form the pretzels. When you're ready to cook the pretzels, boil them in water for 30 seconds, cover them with egg wash and kosher salt, and bake them at 450 degrees F for 15 minutes. | Proof the yeast. Mix the 1 1/2 cups warm water, sugar, and 2 tablespoons kosher salt in a large mixing bowl. Open the package of yeast and pour it into the mixture. Let it sit until the yeast starts to foam, about 5 minutes. Add the butter and flour. When the yeast has started to foam, pour in the melted butter and add the 4 1/2 cups of flour. Use a wooden spoon to stir the mixture until the dough comes together. Start mixing faster, working the dough in circles and folding it over when necessary, until the texture of the dough becomes smooth and it begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. If you have a stand mixer, you could use the dough mixing attachment instead of doing it by hand. Doing this step by hand will probably take about 10 minutes, but if you use a stand mixture, it will take about 5 minutes. Let the dough rise. Coat a large mixing bowl with oil. Form the dough into a ball and place it in the oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and place it in a warm area in your kitchen. Let the dough sit in the bowl and rise until it has doubled in size, about an hour. If you want to use the same bowl you used to mix the dough, remove the dough from the bowl and clean it out, then oil it and return the dough to the bowl. You can let the dough rise overnight in the refrigerator if you'd like. Separate the dough into equal pieces. Depending on how large you want the pretzels to be, you could divide the dough into 8 - 12 equal pieces. The larger the pretzels, the softer they will be on the inside. Smaller pretzels will turn out firmer and crispier. Roll out the dough pieces. Place a piece of dough on a floured work surface. Place your hands palms-down on top of the dough. Use your hands to roll the dough into a long rope shape. Keep rolling until you have a rope that's about 20 inches (50.8 cm) long. Repeat with the remaining pieces of dough. The question of how long to make the dough ropes is up to your personal preference. If you like pretzels with thin loops and large holes, make the ropes longer and thinner. For plumper pretzels, stop rolling when the ropes are about 18 inches (45.7 cm) long. Shape the dough into pretzels. Lay a dough rope on a work surface in front of you. Shape it into a U. Cross the two ends of the rope over each other. Press the tips onto the bottom of the U. Use your fingers to pinch the tips a bit to make sure they stay in place. Repeat with the remaining dough ropes. Get ready to boil and bake the pretzels. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees, and line a baking sheet or two with parchment paper. Coat the parchment paper with a little oil to keep the pretzels from sticking. In a large pot, bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a boil. Make an egg wash. Place the eggs in a bowl and beat them lightly. Boil the pretzels. Place a pretzel in the boiling water and allow it to cook for 30 seconds. Use tongs to remove the pretzel from the water and place it on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining pretzels. Glaze the pretzels with the egg wash and sprinkle them with salt. Use a pastry brush to lightly brush some beaten egg on each pretzel. Sprinkle the pretzels with pretzel salt or kosher salt. You can also add garlic salt, sesame seeds, black pepper, and other flavorings of your choice. Bake the pretzels. Place the pretzels in the oven and bake them for about 15 minutes, until they turn golden brown. If you like hard pretzels, reduce the heat to 350 degrees and bake the pretzels for an extra 15 minutes. Serve the pretzels. These soft pretzels are delicious with honey mustard sauce, cheese sauce, or simply on their own. Serve them hot. You can freeze the extras and reheat them in the oven to enjoy them at a later time. | Proof the yeast. Add the butter and flour. Let the dough rise. Separate the dough into equal pieces. Roll out the dough pieces. Shape the dough into pretzels. Get ready to boil and bake the pretzels. Make an egg wash. Boil the pretzels. Glaze the pretzels with the egg wash and sprinkle them with salt. Bake the pretzels. Serve the pretzels. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Sweat-Copper-Pipe | How to Sweat Copper Pipe | To sweat a pipe, start by applying the solder to the parts of the pipe that are joined together. Make sure you move the torch steadily around the pipe to avoid creating a leak in the joint. Then, connect your 2 pipes together and spray the joint with flux paste while it's still hot. After the pipe has cooled a little, wipe off the flux to clean the joint. Once the pipe is clean, try running water through it to make sure there are no leaks. | Gather your tools and materials. Having your equipment at the ready will ensure your pipe-sweating job goes as smoothly and quickly as possible. To properly sweat a copper pipe, you'll need: Copper connectors Copper pipe Insulated gloves (optional; recommended) Lead-free plumbing solder Pipe cutter Pipe plug (optional; to prevent water trickles) Plumbing flux paste Propane torch Sandpaper or emery cloth Wire brush Evaluate your pipe and fittings. Construction materials vary considerably depending on purpose, and using the wrong gauge pipe or fitting can lead to a plumbing fiasco. If you are unsure which to use, check city code to determine your piping needs more exactly, but the following descriptions should help you evaluate whether your pipe is suitable for your job: Copper pipe has three different classes - Type M , is thin walled Type L , is medium walled, and is usually ideal for home use Type K , is thick walled Copper pipe fittings come in three basic types - Category 1 , for making bends or turns in your pipe Category 2 , for joining or branching pipe Category 3 , which includes couplings and adapters for your pipe. Cut your copper pipe. You'll need your pipe to be at the desired length for your plumbing project before you do anything. To accomplish this goal you should use a pipe cutter, which can be rented or purchased from most home improvement retailers. You may want to consider a pipe cutter that has guides, as these will help you accomplish a clean, straight cut that is free of rough edges. Tighten your pipe cutter, which should be shaped similar to a C-clamp, so that the pipe is firmly held by the cutter. Turn your cutter so that it scores the pipe as it rotates. Tighten your cutter again, and then turn it several more times until your pipe is severed. Depending on the thickness of your pipe and quality of your cutter, you may need to tighten the cutter a third time. Make use of secondary cutting measures. If you don't have a pipe cutter available, there are a variety of tools you can use in place of it, though using a pipe cutter will often yield the best results. In a pinch, you can also use: A hacksaw An abrasive wheel A portable or stationary band saw Smooth any rough edges and clean loose shavings. You can smooth burred, sharp, or rough edges with fine grain sandpaper, an emery cloth, or even steel wool. After your pipe is smooth, you should clear any loose metal shavings left over from your pipe cutting with a clean rag. When working with jagged or burred pipe, you may want to wear work gloves to protect against cuts and slivers. Test the fit of your components. You'll want to see if the copper piping and connectors fit together before going to the trouble of by assembling everything or applying flux. Insert the tube end into the fitting cup, and then visually examine it with your other parts to be sure these line up and fit properly. If you plan to work on a functioning copper pipe, be sure to turn off the water main or cut off valve. Drain water from the pipe and dry it. You can achieve this by tipping the pipe, though in some cases this might not be possible. If you cannot tip-drain your pipe, use a dry, clean cloth or some paper towel to absorb all liquid near where you will be sweating the pipe. Make your pipe shine. This is necessary to promote the best possible joining between your component parts. Take your wire brush, and clean the pipe until it shines brightly. Give the joint ends the same treatment, until all the ends you will be sweating have a bright sheen. After cleaning the pipe, wipe away any grit with a clean rag. Cleaning the pipe removes oxidation buildup from the metal, which can cause a weak bond. If you are connecting to a valve or other fixture, be sure it is open so you don't melt or warp any internal seals. Protect yourself with gloves. Although flux for potable fixtures is specifically intended to be non-toxic to your drinking water, flux that has yet to be heat treated can be harmful if it gets in your eyes or any open cuts. You should wear gloves when applying flux to your pipe. Prevent trickles with a pipe plug. You shouldn't attempt to solder pipes that have residual water, as even a small amount of water can make your efforts futile. If you notice a trickle of water in your line, push a pipe plug into the line to stop the flow of water. In the event that you don't have a plug on hand, an old trick used a wad of soft, white bread in the place of a plug to briefly halt the water. This technique does work, but has a minute chance of clogging aerators or valves when the line is turned on and the bread flushed. Apply flux to the joint you will sweat. Copper pipe will not bond with the solder you will later apply to adhere your pipes together unless it is chemically treated with flux. Remember not to apply flux with your bare hands, as contact with your eyes, mouth, or open cuts could expose you to unsafe chemicals. Brush your plumbing flux paste on the outside of your pipe to prepare it for soldering. Flux creates a clean surface for the solder, which will bond your copper components together. Only a small amount of flux needs to be applied. Wipe away excess flux with a clean cloth. Heat your fitting. You'll need to use your torch for this purpose. Hold your torch about 2 inches (5.1 cm) away from the fitting and pass it evenly over the part for about 10 to 20 seconds to warm the part and the flux. As the flux melts, it will first get shiny, then the copper should darken, and finally the flux should begin to sizzle and smoke slightly. This indicates that the pipe is ready for soldering. If you are inexperienced with working with a torch, especially to heat metal, you should wear insulated gloves to protect from accidental burns. Be careful to avoid burning your forearm, or any other part of your body, on the heated pipe, which will be hot to the touch. Focused or extreme heat is not necessary to melt your flux; the paste will melt at a relatively low temperature. Assemble the connecting pieces. Again, taking care not to burn yourself on a heated part, you should insert the tube end into the fitting cup firmly until you feel the tube come to rest against the base of the cup. Twist your pipe slightly to spread the flux evenly inside the joint. Reheat the entire fitting. Now that your pieces are joined, you'll want to heat these again to prepare for the application of solder. Pass your torch evenly over the copper of the fitting. Unevenly heated copper could cause uneven melting of your solder and compromise your watertight seal. Test your fitting to verify proper soldering temperature. You do not want to overheat your pipe and you should avoid applying your torch directly to your flux or solder as well. You can test to see if your pipe is ready for the solder by holding the solder to the pipe. If the solder runs, your pipe is at the right temperature. If your fitting glows or turns blue, you have applied too much heat and will have to wait for it to cool before trying again. Begin to solder. Remove the heat and apply lead-free plumbing solder to the parts of your fitting where one part of the copper fits into another. Maneuver your solder so that it runs into the fit, continuing to apply the solder until it completely seals all gaps in the fitting the entire way around the pipe. If the joint forms a t-junction, begin at the base, move up to the top, and then down the other side. If the joint is vertical, move the solder around the joint, covering it evenly. If the copper is blackened or the solder beads, appears discolored, or drips out, your pipe may be too hot. Never use acid core solder for sweating copper pipe. Reheat complex joints. If you are new at sweating a pipe and work slowly, you may have to reheat part of a t-joint or elbow if your copper pipe has lost too much heat from its first torching. To protect any joints you have already soldered, place a thoroughly damp cloth on the parts you have already soldered, then carefully apply your torch to the part yet to be done. Clean the soldered joint. This can be done simply by brushing a little more flux paste while the copper remains warm. Then you can wipe your newly sweated joint clean with a cloth. Do not try to cool the pipe rapidly with water or you may damage the joint. Do not tighten the fixture you are soldering or move the joint until it has fully cooled. Check for leaks in your pipe. After your copper has fully cooled and you've restored the flow of water to the line, leaks or drips mean you'll have to repeat the process again. Unfortunately, you will not be able to fix the problem by simply adding more solder to the joint, and will have to reheat the pipe, pull the joint apart, clean off previously applied materials, and start from the beginning. | Gather your tools and materials. Evaluate your pipe and fittings. Cut your copper pipe. Make use of secondary cutting measures. Smooth any rough edges and clean loose shavings. Test the fit of your components. Drain water from the pipe and dry it. Make your pipe shine. Protect yourself with gloves. Prevent trickles with a pipe plug. Apply flux to the joint you will sweat. Heat your fitting. Assemble the connecting pieces. Reheat the entire fitting. Test your fitting to verify proper soldering temperature. Begin to solder. Reheat complex joints. Clean the soldered joint. Check for leaks in your pipe. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Teacher-in-Australia | How to Become a Teacher in Australia | To get a teaching position in Australia, you'll need to meet specific education qualifications before you can apply for a job. You must have a 4 year Bachelor of Education degree from a university or college as well as 1 to 2 years of teaching experience as an aid or substitute. When you're ready to apply for jobs, concentrate your efforts in early September since the academic year runs from late January to late December. Look for jobs on the TES website or contact private schools by email. Make sure you have a detailed resume listing all of your education and qualifications as well as some lesson plans ready to send out. If you live abroad, you'll also need to complete an Assessment of Overseas Teaching Qualifications and obtain a visa. | Get a university level teaching degree. You must have a 4 year Bachelor of Education degree from a legitimate university or college. Alternatively, you may qualify if you have a 3 year undergraduate degree in Education and a 1 year graduate diploma or Master's in Education. As part of your job application, you will need to provide copies of your academic transcripts and your teaching certificate or degree. Have at least 1-2 years of teaching experience in the classroom. Getting hands-on experience in the classroom teaching students will make you more attractive to potential employers at schools in Australia. Spend 1-2 years working as a substitute teacher or as a teacher's aid to get experience. Many undergraduate degrees in Education will include a practicum where you get experience working as a teacher in a classroom at a local school. If you are a recent graduate, you can use your practicum experience on your job applications. Complete an Assessment of Overseas Teaching Qualifications if you live abroad. This assessment is required for those who have a teacher qualification from a country outside of Australia. As part of the application, you must provide certified copies of your passport, birth certificate, official academic transcript, and teaching degree or certificate. You can access the Application for Assessment of Qualifications on the Teacher's Registration Board of Australia website: https://www.trb.sa.edu.au/sites/default/files/TRB-QUALS.pdf. You must also pay a fee of $120 AUD to process the assessment. Send your application in by mail, as electronic applications are not accepted. It can take up to 6 weeks for your application to be processed. Apply for a teaching registration in Australia if you live abroad. Once your assessment of qualifications application has been approved, you can apply for a teaching registration so you can legally work as a teacher in the country. To complete the application, you must provide a certified copy of your birth certificate, passport or driver's license, and an overseas criminal background check. You can access the application on the Teacher's Registration Board of Australia website: https://www.trb.sa.edu.au/sites/default/files/TRB-1.pdf. If English is not your first language, you may need to complete an English language test. You must also pay a registration fee of $355 AUD. Apply for early education positions if you have a degree in early education learning. At this level, you will be teaching students who are 4-8 years old in Kindergarten to Year 3. You will need to have a Bachelor of Education specializing in early childhood, kindergarten to Year 7, or early childhood education and childcare. It may also boost your application if you have hands on experience in the classroom with this age group. Go for positions in primary education if you have a degree in this area. Primary education covers students who are 5-11 years old. You will need to be able to teach all subjects for Years 1-6. This means you may teach lessons on English, math, science, history, and art. You will need to have a 4 year Bachelor of Education in Primary or Kindergarten to Year 7 to qualify to teach at this level. Opt for middle school positions if you are qualified to teach 2 main subjects. At this level, you will need to implement education programs for 10-15 year olds, spanning Year 6-10. You will need to specialize in at least 2 of the following subjects: English, Health and Physical Education, Languages, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS), Technology and Enterprise, or the Arts. To qualify for positions at this level, you must have a Bachelor of Education with a specialization middle school learning. Go for positions in secondary education if you are qualified to teach 1 main subject in detail. In secondary education, you will be teaching students who are 16-18 years old, spanning Years 7-12. As part of the curriculum in Australia, you will need to prepare students for post-secondary education or employment. You will also need to teach 1 of the 6 main subjects, developing key skills in the subject. To qualify to be a secondary school teacher, you must have a 1 year Bachelor of Education that focuses on secondary education. Alternatively, you can qualify if you have at least a 3 year undergraduate degree in a specific subject and a 1 year graduate diploma or a Masters in Secondary Education. Opt for specialized teaching roles to increase your chances of getting a job. You may have a better chance of landing a teaching position if you take on a specialization like languages, music, or special needs. If you have teaching experience in these areas, you may apply for positions to increase your chances of landing a job. Teaching English as a second language is also considered a specialization in Australia, so you may opt for positions in this subject to make finding a job easier. Apply for teaching positions in early September. The academic year in Australia is divided into 4 terms that run from late January to late December. Applying for positions in early September will ensure you can start at the beginning of the new school year in January. If you're coming from a different country, applying for positions before you arrive in Australia, as this will make obtaining a visa easier. Look for open teaching positions online at TES.com: https://www.tes.com/en-au/jobs/. You can also email different Australian states to see if there are any open positions or contact private schools in Australia to see if there are any job postings. Include a detailed resume that lists your qualifications and experience. Make sure you include information about your academic experience like the name of the institution, the title of the qualification or degree, and the year you completed the degree. You should also list the name of the school, the subject, the year levels taught, and the dates you taught for any teaching experience you have. If you have any relevant extra-curricular activities, list them on your resume. Include 1-2 references who are teachers, school administrators, or education professionals to boost your resume. Provide example lesson plans, if requested. Having example lesson plans can make your job applications stand out and show potential employers that you are a capable educator. You may include lesson plans that relate to the subject you are applying for to illustrate you have the skills necessary for the position. You can also provide lesson plans upon request by potential employers to round out your application. Do interviews with potential employers. If you live in Australia, you will do in person interviews. If you live abroad, you will need to do video interviews. Make sure you prepare for the interviews by considering questions like: "Why do you want to teach in Australia?" "What are your qualifications for the position?" "How do you approach teaching others?" If you live abroad, you may be asked questions about moving to Australia, like: "Have you lived overseas in the past and if so, where?" "Have you visited Australia before?" "Why do you want to emigrate to Australia?" "How do you plan to move and settle into living in Australia?" Plan your move to Australia so it goes smoothly. Once you land a teaching position, you should try to organize a place to live close to the school so you do not have to worry about this when you arrive. Look online for rental apartments or stay in a hostel or homestay for 1-2 weeks to help you get settled. Notify your bank and credit card company that you are moving so you can use your accounts when you arrive in Australia. Public transit in Australia is good in most areas, as you will need to obtain an Australian driver's license to drive a car. Open a bank account once you arrive in Australia so you can receive your teaching pay. The big banks in Australia are Commonwealth Bank and National Australian Bank. Obtain an Australian education visa or a skilled migration visa. Contact the Australian Visa Bureau for guidance on which visa category you are eligible for. List your employer in Australia in the application to streamline the process. The visa process can take several months so apply sooner than later for one so you can legally work in Australia. Your employer at the school in Australia can also help you sort out your visa once you are hired. Adjust to the Australian school curriculum. Australia has a national curriculum that focuses on English, history, mathematics, and science. You may need to cover 1 or several of these subjects, depending on which level you are teaching. In the final year of secondary school, students can apply for vocation training and other specialities. If you are teaching secondary school, you may need to account for this training in your coursework. Lean on coworkers and superiors for support. The first year teaching in Australia can be fun but challenging, as you will be living and working in a new country. Look to your peers and superiors at school for support. Participate in school events and organizing boards so you can get more involved. You can also join a local expat group to meet other people who are new to the country. | Get a university level teaching degree. Have at least 1-2 years of teaching experience in the classroom. Complete an Assessment of Overseas Teaching Qualifications if you live abroad. Apply for a teaching registration in Australia if you live abroad. Apply for early education positions if you have a degree in early education learning. Go for positions in primary education if you have a degree in this area. Opt for middle school positions if you are qualified to teach 2 main subjects. Go for positions in secondary education if you are qualified to teach 1 main subject in detail. Opt for specialized teaching roles to increase your chances of getting a job. Apply for teaching positions in early September. Include a detailed resume that lists your qualifications and experience. Provide example lesson plans, if requested. Do interviews with potential employers. Plan your move to Australia so it goes smoothly. Obtain an Australian education visa or a skilled migration visa. Adjust to the Australian school curriculum. Lean on coworkers and superiors for support. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Doctor-in-the-Navy | How to Become a Doctor in the Navy | Working as a doctor in the US Navy is a great way to help people and serve your country with pride. In order to become a doctor in the Navy, you need to be willing to serve a minimum of 2 years of active duty. Contact a Navy recruiter and ask about financial assistance if you're considering medical school. Once you've set up a plan with your recruiter, you can apply to and attend medical school to earn a degree like a regular medical student. After you graduate, you'll need to complete a residency to finish your medical education in your field of specialty before you enlist in the Navy. You'll then need to complete Officer Development School to learn the ins and outs of being in the military and to receive your assignment. | Be willing to serve for a minimum of 2 years of active duty. You should know from the start that when you become a member of the Navy Medical Corps, you'll be required to serve at least 2 years on active duty. You should be willing to fulfill this requirement before thinking about applying for the job Active duty means that you will work full-time for the military. That means you can be deployed at any time. Since the Navy operates hospitals all over the world, you may be reassigned as the Navy sees fit, sometimes in a different country. Understand the role of a Navy doctor. Once you become a member of the Navy Medical Corps, your work will be very similar to that of a civilian doctor: you'll meet with patients, diagnose conditions, provide treatment, and attend conferences and lectures. The only difference is that your patients will be active and retired members of the armed forces and their families. There are numerous advantages to being a Navy doctor. You may have medical school paid for, be able to practice without worrying about insurance or overhead costs, have a guaranteed pool of patients, vacation time, and plenty of opportunity for promotion and advancement. Cons include consistent moving and relocation while you're on active duty, being away from family and friends, and a more limited choice of specialties than the civilian sector. Learn the other requirements. Besides the willingness to serve 2 years on active duty, applicants must meet several other criteria to qualify for a position in the Navy. The applicant must be a U. S. citizen currently practicing medicine in the US. The applicant must be a graduate of a medical school accredited by the American Medical Association (AMA) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). A recent graduate must obtain a medical license within a year of enlistment. An applicant must be between the ages of 21 and 64. Candidates over 64 will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A recruit must pass a physical and mental exam. Contact a Navy recruiter. Whether you're a college student just starting to think about a medical career, or a doctor that's been practicing for years, your first step to joining the Navy is contacting a recruiter. He can speak with you and let you know all your options for becoming part of the Navy Medical Corps. Click here to find the Navy recruiting office nearest to your location. Ask about financial assistance for medical school. If you're a college or high school student considering medical school, ask the recruiter what sort of financial assistance the Navy offers. You don't have to attend a military medical school to join the Navy. You can attend the medical school of your choice and can apply for financial assistance to complete your degree. Depending on what financial plan the Navy offer you, you may emerge debt-free from school. The Navy will expect you to serve a certain amount of time on active duty if you receive a financial package. There are numerous financial packages you may get, so the best thing to do is ask your recruiter which is best for you. One possible financial package is the Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program. It includes 100% tuition coverage for school, plus a monthly stipend for living expenses. There is also the Navy Health Services Collegiate Program. This would provide from $157,000 to $269,000 for your education and living expenses. Apply to and attend medical school. After you've contacted a Navy recruiter and set up a plan, the Navy typically asks nothing else of you until you complete your education. Your next steps are very much like any regular medical student. You have to apply to medical school, then graduate with your degree. After you do that, you can begin training for your career in the Navy. Read Get Into Medical School and Survive Medical School for more detailed tips on finding the right medical school and successfully getting your degree. Consider a specialty you would like to study. The Navy offers over 30 sub-fields for its doctors to specialize in. When you start attending medical school, begin considering a field you would be interested in. Then tailor your experience, like internships and rotations, to this sub-field. That way you can ensure that you are qualified for the specialty you're interested in. Click here for a complete list of specialties the Navy offers for doctors. Specialties include typical civilian areas like neurology, family medicine, dermatology, pediatrics, and sports medicine, and military-based specialties like fleet Marine Corps medicine. Complete a residency. After graduating medical school, you have to complete a residency. Residencies typically last a year or more and give you hands on training in a particular specialty. You can do your residency with the Navy or in a civilian hospital. You may have more choice of specialties if you do your residency in the civilian setting. The Navy also has programs to give financial assistance to residents, so as always, contact your recruiter and see what your options are. Residencies within the Navy are excellent as well, but space may be limited and you might have to wait for one to open up. Contact a Navy recruiter if you're already a practicing doctor. There is still plenty of opportunity for someone who didn't know they wanted to join the Navy when they were a student. Sometimes the decision to join the military is one that comes later in life. Some doctors who have been practicing for years decide to apply their skills to a different setting and join the armed forces. If you've already graduated medical school and are practicing, contact a recruiter. Practicing physicians usually get a sign on bonus and a high salary, depending on their level of experience and specialty. Recent sign on bonuses can be as high as $220,000-$400,000 if the applicant is highly qualified. Doctors who have worked in the civilian field often enjoy the military because they don't have to worry about insurance or other financial matters. They feel more free to provide the care they think their patients need. Attend Officer Development School. Whether you begin your Navy career right after medical school, do a civilian residency first, or are already a licensed physician, you'll eventually have to attend Officer Development School. You'll learn about military discipline, etiquette, and development. It will involve both classroom work and physical training. At the end of the course, you'll be an officer and a doctor in the Navy. Officer Development School is a 5-week course that takes place in Newport, Rhode Island. Classroom topics include Naval Leadership, Naval Administration, Naval Organization, Sea Power, Military Law, Military Indoctrination, Naval Warfare and Damage Control. You must also pass a Physical Fitness Assessment. There is a 22% maximum body fat level for males and a 33% maximum for females. A test will include pullups, pushups, and a 1.5 miles run. It is recommended that you begin an exercise regimen before attending. Get your assignment. After passing Officer Development School, you'll be given your first assignment in the Navy. You'll be sent to one of the several hundred medical facilities the Navy operates around the world. Based on your expertise and education, you could serve in a hospital, clinic, air base, surface ship, and others. Be sure to follow all orders and report for your assignment promptly. | Be willing to serve for a minimum of 2 years of active duty. Understand the role of a Navy doctor. Learn the other requirements. Contact a Navy recruiter. Ask about financial assistance for medical school. Apply to and attend medical school. Consider a specialty you would like to study. Complete a residency. Contact a Navy recruiter if you're already a practicing doctor. Attend Officer Development School. Get your assignment. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Scavenger-Hunt | How to Play Scavenger Hunt | To plan a scavenger hunt, start by choosing a bunch of hiding spots and writing a clue that leads to each spot. Then, hide an object in each hiding spot, as well as a clue that leads to the next spot. Next, form 2 teams, and give each team the clue that leads to the first hiding spot. Finally, have the teams race to find to each hiding spot first. Whichever team finds the most objects wins! | Pick a safe location with lots of hiding spots to have the scavenger hunt. You can play Scavenger Hunt indoors or outdoors. Pick a spot without any sharp or pointy objects to prevent injury. If you can, choose a place with a lot of small hiding spaces or nooks and crannies where you can hide items easily. Great places for Scavenger Hunts include your backyard or a local state park, for instance. If you are planning Scavenger Hunt for children, ensure there is adult supervision throughout the area. Pick a theme for your scavenger hunt to add a personal touch. Choosing a theme is a great idea if you are playing Scavenger Hunt at a birthday party, for instance. You can use any theme you'd like, such as a Pirate treasure hunt or an Easter-themed egg hunt. Choose items to find that fit your theme, and pick a prize that is related to the motif as well. For instance, if you are throwing a Pirate birthday party, you can hide clues like plastic gold coins, a ship in a bottle, a stuffed parrot toy, or a small treasure box. You can also write clues as if you are a pirate and say “Arg!” Make a list of the items to find during your scavenger hunt. Pick 5-15 or so objects you want the players to find throughout the scavenger hunt. These can be any household items, like a spoon, action figure, or markers, for example. Write down all of the items to keep track of the items players find and what items are still missing. Write each clue on index cards to use throughout the game. Pick what order you want the players to find the items in and what kind of hint you want to provide. Complete 2 notecards for each clue, 1 for each team. Tailor your clues to the age of your players, and vary the types of clues used. You can write a brief riddle, draw a diagram, or suggest what the item is used for. For example, if you are hiding a fake gold coin, write something like, “Fill your treasure box with me to bask in the riches of the sea!” You can also draw a piggy bank or detail the area where you hid the item. Hide your items with their clue in a variety of places. Once you write out the clues, place the item in a hidden spot throughout your Scavenger Hunt area. Be sure to include the clue to the next item while hiding the treasure. It is fun to hide some items in easy-to-find spots and others in more difficult or secluded hiding places. For some easy hiding spots, try placing the item at the bottom of a bushy shrub, behind a lawn decoration, or under a doormat. For more difficult hiding places, place the item high in a tree branch, inside of a dog house, or on top of a bird feeder. To attach the clue securely, you can place the index card underneath a heavy item, or use a rock to hold it down. If you are hiding an item with an opening such as a pocket or folder, put the clue inside. You can fold it up if it is helpful. Pick out a prize for the winning team before you play. You can use anything you'd like as the prize, and it's helpful to consider the age of the players when you make your decision. Some helpful ideas include candy, cash, or gift certificates. If using a theme with the Scavenger Hunt, you can pick a prize to reflect the motif of the game. For example, if you are playing Scavenger Hunt with a group of 1st graders, offer a small toy or sweet treat as the price. If you are playing with teenagers, consider offering movie tickets for the group as the prize. A great idea if playing with adults includes a basket of goodies or a gift certificate to a local restaurant. Split your group into 2 teams with a minimum of 3 players on each. Gather your group of scavengers, and divide the players into 2 teams of equal players. If you are playing with a diverse age group, it is best to ensure the teams are as even as possible. Put a couple older kids and a few younger kids on the same team, so they can work together throughout the Scavenger Hunt. If you have an odd number, find 1 more player to join in! Set a time limit for the scavengers to complete the game. The time limit can be as long as you'd like. Tell the players to search for clues for 30 minutes or 60 minutes, for instance. When you are ready to play, set a timer to help you keep track of the time. The players' objective is to find the most clues in the shortest amount of time. Let the players know the overall time of the game before you start. Give each team the first clue to get them started. When you're ready to start the game, hand the notecard with the first clue to each team. This begins the game, and the players are free to roam about the space in search of the first item. It is important that none of the players know where the items are located before the game begins. This is considered cheating. Allow the players to work as a team to find the clues. When playing Scavenger Hunt, the players should read over the clue as a group and use their creativity and critical thinking skills to figure out where the first item is. Run over to the hiding spot, and locate the item. Then, the player should present it to the team when they find it. For example, if 1 player finds a key hidden in a jungle gym with a note attached, they should say something like, "Hey team, I found one!" and gather the group together. Let the players come together to read the next clue when they find one. Once a player finds the clue, they should read over the index card to figure out where the second clue is located. Continue doing this until you find all of the hidden items or the time runs out, whatever comes first. Keep the items in your pocket or in a basket as you play the game. Count up the total objects found on each team when time runs out. When your timer is done, tell all of the players to stop. Have the players meet you back at the starting place, and count each team's findings individually. If you are playing in a large space, you can blow a whistle to designate the end of the game. Tell the players to listen for the whistle before you start. Designate the team with the most clues found as the winner. Whichever team has the most objects found at the end of the game is the winner. Congratulate the winning team, and say something like “Great job!” or “Nice effort!” to the other team. If there is a tie, offer 1 final clue as a tiebreaker. The first team to find the final object breaks the tie and wins the game. Award the winning team their prize after the game is over. Once 1 team is dubbed the winner, it's time to celebrate! Give the team their prize to congratulate them on a job well done. You should have the prize ready to present when the game is over. For example, give 1 candy bar to each player on the winning team. Purchase the candy bars in advance so they are ready to give out when the game ends. | Pick a safe location with lots of hiding spots to have the scavenger hunt. Pick a theme for your scavenger hunt to add a personal touch. Make a list of the items to find during your scavenger hunt. Write each clue on index cards to use throughout the game. Hide your items with their clue in a variety of places. Pick out a prize for the winning team before you play. Split your group into 2 teams with a minimum of 3 players on each. Set a time limit for the scavengers to complete the game. Give each team the first clue to get them started. Allow the players to work as a team to find the clues. Let the players come together to read the next clue when they find one. Count up the total objects found on each team when time runs out. Designate the team with the most clues found as the winner. Award the winning team their prize after the game is over. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Train-Your-Dog-for-a-Dog-Show | How to Train Your Dog for a Dog Show | To train your dog for a dog show, choose a lead that will encourage your dog to hold its head high and practice using it on walks and during training sessions. Go online and search for Ringcraft clubs near you, and enroll your dog in their training classes if you can find one, since these are geared towards show dogs. Use treats to encourage your dog to trot and to stand still, also called stacking. Try to handle the dog as much as possible so it will be comfortable being examined by the judges. | Make sure your dog is eligible to participate. Before you invest a lot of time and effort in training your dog, you will want to make certain your dog will be allowed to take part in dog shows. Only purebred dogs over six months old that are not spayed or neutered may take part in American Kennel Club (AKC) shows. That's because the purpose of these events is to judge whether your dog is good breeding stock. Your dog must also be registered as a purebred with the appropriate breed club and conform to all breed guidelines. If you got your dog from a breeder, they probably gave you the certification paperwork showing your dog is registered. If not, you'll need to contact the appropriate breed club. The AKC has an online directory you can use to contact the club. If your dog is spayed or neutered, there are other events you can take part in. The United Kennel Club (UKC) has an "altered" class that allows these dogs to compete. If your dog is not a purebred, it can compete in shows organized by mixed breed dog clubs. Attend some dog shows. The next step is to attend some dog shows to get a better sense of what it's all about. This will help you get a better sense of what judges are looking for, and what you can expect when you enter your dog. This is also a great way to get more information about the show process and preparing your dog. Visit the club table or tent to pick up information on entering your dog and training classes offered by the club. Get the right lead. When your dog walks out into the ring, you'll need to have it on the right kind of leash or "lead." The sooner you get one of these, the sooner your dog can get comfortable with being on it. Go online or ask at your local pet store for one of these: For small dogs, you can use a Resco “all in one” style collar with lead. The Resco is a loop with a slider to keep it snug on the dog's neck. For a medium sized dog, you can use a martingale lead. These leads close up enough to keep your dog's head from slipping out, but don't tighten around a dog's neck like a choke-chain. They also help to train your dog to keep its head held up high while showing judges their gait, and while stacking. The other commonly used lead is the chain and show lead. This is not as elegant as the martingale, but many handlers use them for larger, boxer breeds such as the Rottweiler. These also help your dog to keep its head held high, and to not run away in the ring. Enter your dog in a local ring raft class. These classes help you train your dog for a show. Although this is not necessary, it is recommended. Ringcraft classes can help you socialize your dog to other people and dogs. They can also help the dog learn to walk on a lead without being distracted by other dogs. These classes can also be a great source of information about shows and showing. They can be a good opportunity to meet other people involved in showing dogs. Practice gaiting. Gaiting is moving your dog in a way that allows the judge to see their movement and structure. The correct gait is usually a trot, with the dogs head up. A trotting dog's right front leg and left back leg move forward at the same time, then the left front with the right back. Trotting is the correct pace because it shows the dog's true structure the best. To start, use treats to lure your dog to follow you around without a lead. The dog should remain at your left side. Once the dog is comfortable wearing the collar and walking beside you, formal lead training can begin. Attach a show lead to the dog's collar, pick up the dog and carry it a short distance away from your home. Put it down and walk back toward your house at a speed that encourages the dog to trot, holding the other end of the lead. The dog should be happy to go toward home and follow you. Repeat this process, carrying the dog farther away from home each time. If your dog fights the lead, back away and offer it treats to come toward you. Teach your dog to “hand stack. ” To succeed, all dogs must learn to "stack," or stand squarely and still. In hand stacking, you manually place each leg in position while standing or kneeling close to the dog. Dogs will have to stack several times during a show. Many people let dogs "free stack" most of the time, but hand stack right before the judge's examination. This ensures the best possible stance for the dog. The specific position your dog should be in will vary by breed. Consult the guidelines for your breed, available from the appropriate club. To train for hand stacking, keep a good-sized treat in your right hand. Keep it partially covered so the dog can only nibble on it as you adjust the positions of the dog's feet with your left hand. Adjust the dog's front legs first, moving them at the elbow. Then, keeping your left hand on the dog at all times, move to the back legs and adjust them at the hock. Never stack by touching the dog's feet, as this may cause it to shift its whole body. Repeat this until your dog is comfortable with the process. Finally, teach the dog to maintain that position. Pull the food away for a second and tell the dog to stay. If it holds the position, say "yes!" and give the dog a nibble of the food. If it doesn't, restack the dog and try again. Teach your dog to "free stack. " Free stacking is when your dog assumes the proper position on command, rather than with manual adjustment. This is most easily done with some training treats and clicker. To begin with, click and reward your dog whenever it stands. If it keeps standing, reward it again. Keep doing this until the dog offers the stand position spontaneously. Next teach “back up.” Step toward the dog and click and treat any shift of movement backward, which should result in the dogs back legs aligning. Repeat this process with the command, clicking and reward increasingly correct backing up behavior. Then, teach the dog to align its front legs with the command "step." To teach this command, step back and click and treat as soon as the dog moves a front foot forward. Once the dog does this easily, say “step” just before you prompt it. Repeat this until the dog aligns it's front feet on command. Finally, teach the command "stack." Click and treat every time the dog is in the correct position. Repeat if the dog holds that position. Eventually, you'll be able to just use the "stack" command without "back up" and "step." Bait train your dog. You want your dog to also look alert and happy when stacked. Most breeds should have their attention on the handler and the judge, and have their ears perked and their eyes on you. Training your dog to look at you is something you can begin the first time you feed the dog a meal. When you put the food bowl down, repeat the word “cookie" over and over. This repetition will teach the puppy to associate a food with that word. Later, use this command to focus your dog's attention on you while offering it treats from your hand when it is in a stacked position. This causes the dog stretch its neck upward to look at you. This pose shows the dogs outline and balance to the judge. Teach the dog tolerate examination. In a dog show, judges will physically examine a dog, touching its body and mouth. A successful show dog will need to tolerate this without complaint. A good first step in getting your dog accustomed to this is to to touch the dog all over its body daily, including inside its mouth. If you start this at a young age, your dog will quickly grow accustomed to it. Next, begin giving your dog regular inspections that approximate those of a judge. Closely examine the dog's teeth. For males, touch the testicles. Do this on both a table and the floor, if your dog is smaller in size. While small dogs are usually inspected on a table, some judges will begin inspection while the dog is still on the ground. Finally, when the dog is comfortable with your inspections, bring in a second person and ask ask them to do the same. This way, your dog will get comfortable with inspection by strangers. Start showing for local clubs. Before you try taking your dog to a major club show, try showing your dog with a small, local club. This can be fun, and a good way to determine if your dog is ready for the "big leagues." | Make sure your dog is eligible to participate. Attend some dog shows. Get the right lead. Enter your dog in a local ring raft class. Practice gaiting. Teach your dog to “hand stack. Teach your dog to "free stack. Bait train your dog. Teach the dog tolerate examination. Start showing for local clubs. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-Someone-You-Do-Not-Want-to-Be-Friends | How to Tell Someone You Do Not Want to Be Friends | Telling a close friend that you don't want to be friends anymore isn't easy, but by doing it at the right time and choosing your words carefully, you can make it as painless as possible for both of you. First, schedule a time to meet in person so you can be as clear and direct as possible. Before your meeting, think through some possible reactions, like what you'll do or say if your friend asks for a second chance or if they demand a reason for the break-up. When talking to your friend, try not to blame them or get involved in a debate about who's right or wrong. Instead, keep things vague, short, and as kind as possible. After your meeting, focus on spending time with your other friends or trying new things to keep yourself from dwelling on the decision. | Schedule a time to meet in person. Send them a text or an email to ask them to meet you in a neutral location. If you live in the same town, this is the best way to have the conversation about not being friends. If they ask you what you want to talk about, say something vague. For example, you might say, "I just want to share some recent decisions with you." If they persist, remind them that you'd rather talk about it in person. If your friend lives out of town, send an email or text to schedule a time to talk on the phone. Obviously, in person is best, but if you live in different parts of the country this may not be an option. Be aware that written words can easily be misinterpreted. This is one reason why talking directly to the other person, even though it's hard, is best. Be prepared. You may have been wanting to free yourself from this friendship for a while, but when you meet with your friend, you'll need to be clear on the reasons why you're ending the friendship. If you need to tell them what they've done that's contributed to your decision, think about how you can phrase this as kindly and gently as possible. You might not want them to know why you're ending things, and that's fine. It's okay to be vague, or to use phrases like, "Things have changed for me..." Don't feel like you have to justify your decision, or defend it. Remember that your decision may surprise your friend. They may be upset or angry when they hear your news. Or, they may want to try to repair the friendship. You should decide ahead of time whether you'll be open to working on the friendship, or whether your decision is final. If they get angry, you'll need to be prepared to take care of yourself. You don't need to make a scene - it's fine to simply walk away. Unless you've decided that you're open to repairing the friendship, keep it short. You don't have to help take care of them until they feel better. Simply state what you've decided, and tell them it's time for you both to move on. Don't get involved in debating whether or not you're right or wrong. Know that there may be fallout. If you've been friends a long time, chances are you share other friends with each other. These friends may be forced to "choose sides" between you and your former friend. Avoid the temptation to tell all your friends what your ex-friend did that caused you to end the friendship. Try not to feel like you have to defend your decision to your friends, because it will only further the bad situation. Don't talk about anything your ex-friend has done. Explain that it was just your decision. Your good friends may understand your reasons without additional explanation. Your mutual friends may also try to make you return to the friendship. If this is the case, redirect the conversation. Remind your friends that you're just trying to move on. Don't try to turn anyone against your ex-friend. If you lose friends because of your decision, they probably weren't good friends anyway. Move on. Don't dwell on the decision to end your friendship - what's done is done. You made the best decision you could, if you were thoughtful. Now you don't have to think about it anymore. Rehashing the choices you made, or defending your decision (even if only to yourself!) only extends the process. It might feel strange to not have your friend in your life anymore, but you will survive. Make sure to spend time with other friends. Try doing new things, and going new places with your other friends. Practice self-care. Eat well, get enough rest, and do things you enjoy. Treat yourself with kindness and compassion, and remember that ending a friendship might involve some grief. Focusing on the positive parts of your life - the things you enjoy about the way your life is now - can help keep you from feeling sad about your lost friendship. If you find yourself falling into negative thoughts, practice turning your thoughts to something more positive. Use the "fade out" method. Gradually seeing the person less often might be happening naturally, or you might need to consciously apply these steps. This is a good way to let someone know you don't want to be friends without verbally explaining it to them. This method is appropriate for casual friends who you don't really know very well. If the person is a new friend, this method is less leaving a friendship than it's simply an acknowledgment that you never really became friends. It might take a longer time to leave a friendship this way. Decline invitations from the person. One way that you can start to minimize contact with the person is by declining invitations to do things. This may require you to tell a little white lie now and then to get out of something. For example, if the person asks if you want to go see a movie sometime over the weekend, then you might say something like “That sounds cool, but I already have a ton going on this weekend, so I really can't.” Excuse yourself from conversations. You may bump into the person while you are trying to build distance between the two of you, so you will need to know how to deal with those situations. Ignoring the person could lead to hurt feelings and awkwardness, so instead try to give polite excuses for why you can't stay and talk. For example, you could politely say hello to the person and then say something like, “Sorry I can't stay and chat. I am already running late. Maybe some other time!” Try to be as polite and considerate as possible. Even if you do not want to be friends with the person anymore, you never know when you might bump into each other again and keeping things civil will reduce the chance of an awkward run-in. Take a more active approach to ending the friendship. If your attempts to politely and gradually end the friendship do not help, then you can also try telling the person that you don't want to be friends anymore. You may just have to be direct and say something like, “You are a great person, but we are just too different. I wish you all the best, but I think we should stop spending so much time together.” Try to avoid the strategy called “ghosting.” Ghosting is when you cut off all contact with the person. For example, you would need to ignore the person's texts and emails, stop returning phone calls, and unfriend the person on social media. Ghosting can lead to hurt feelings, anger, and concerns about your well-being, so it is not ideal. | Schedule a time to meet in person. Be prepared. Remember that your decision may surprise your friend. Know that there may be fallout. Don't talk about anything your ex-friend has done. Move on. Practice self-care. Use the "fade out" method. Decline invitations from the person. Excuse yourself from conversations. Take a more active approach to ending the friendship. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Organize-Shoes | How to Organize Shoes | Start organizing your shoes by finding the pairs and arranging them neatly in shoe boxes or hanging shoe shelves. If you're using cardboard boxes, tag each box with a picture of the appropriate shoe so that you don't have to go digging through the boxes. No matter what method you use, organize your shoes by style and how often you wear them. For example, stack all the sneakers in one area, then your dress shoes in another. Additionally, place the shoes you wear most frequently at the top of the pile for easy access. | Designate four boxes to sort your shoes. Have one box for what you plan to throw away, one for donating, one for putting in a garage sale or selling to a consignment store, and one for what you're keeping. If you don't want to have a garage sale, you can eliminate that box. You can also add a box of items you'll put away, if you're keeping them for sentimental reasons. Be critical. That is, you are likely trying to organize your shoes because you are out of space. Therefore, the best option is to get rid of what you're not using anymore. Be ruthless with yourself. Ask yourself questions to help you decide. For instance, when was the last time you wore that pair of shoes? Are you keeping it for sentimental reasons? Do you wear it often enough to justify keeping it? Sort your shoes into the boxes. The main shoes that could be sold for money are designer items, though they will only sell if they are in good condition. Throw away anything that is severely ripped or that is stained or smells. Only keep what you wear on a regular basis. If you are keeping anything for sentimental reasons, such as wedding shoes, put it in a box to store for the moment. Take the boxes to the appropriate places. That is, place the donation box by your door so you can remember to take it with you. Take the throw-away box to your dumpster. Label the boxes for sale and for storage, and put them away for now. Sort what you have left. That is, you only want to keep out what is currently in season, especially if you have a limited space. Therefore, sort out the shoes you aren't wearing right now to put in storage. Purchase enough shoe boxes in the same style. Pick one style of shoe box to use for all your shoes so that they will stack properly. You can choose cardboard or plastic, depending on your preference. You can find shoe boxes at craft stores, big box stores, and storage container stores. Place each pair in a box. Only store one pair per box, so the shoes aren't crammed in the box. One point of having them in boxes is to protect them, and only putting one pair in each box will help you do so. Print off pictures. If your shoe boxes aren't see-through, take a picture of each pair. Print off the pictures, and tag each box with the appropriate picture. That way, you don't need to dig through the boxes to find the right pair of shoe. Organize according to style. That is, stack all of your fancy shoes in one area, your weekend shoes in the next stack, and your sneakers in the next one. Try putting in large shelves to hold all the boxes, which will make it easier to sort. Sort by color. Once you've sorted by style, sort your boxes by color, so that all of your fancy black shoes are together, and so on. Find a wooden pallet. The best place to find wooden pallets for free is at independent nurseries and hardware stores, since they are less likely to have someone who comes and picks up their pallets. Therefore, they'll usually give them to you for free. You can also check out local construction sites. Always ask before removing a pallet. Pick a clean pallet. If it has spills on it, they could be hazardous. Therefore, choose one that looks relatively clean. Plus, clean ones will make a better finished product. Pick one that will hold your shoes. The slates should be far enough apart that your shoes can slip through the slats but close enough together that it holds the shoes up. Be sure to wear gloves when picking up your pallet. It will have splinters. Look for how the pallet was treated. Some pallets are stamped with codes that describe how they were treated before use. One without codes is generally safe to use. However, if it has the codes EUR or MB or if the wood is colored, don't use it. If it has the codes DB, HT, or EPAL, it's generally acceptable to use. Sand the pallet. Most pallets are left untreated, which can mean splinters and uneven wood. Take the time to sand the wood. Use an 80 grit sandpaper. You can use a power sander to help get the job done. If desired, you can move up to finer sandpaper for a smoother finish. Some people recommend planning the surface if you prefer a new-wood look. Apply a stain. You can use a standard brush-on stain, but if you want something quick, try spraying on a stain instead of brushing it on. When brushing on stain, apply it in long, even strokes with a wide brush. Use an ample amount, and then wipe away any excess once the stain has absorbed. When spraying on a stain, apply it in even coats. Read the directions to find out how far away you should hold the can from the project when spraying. Use light coats, and wait for each coat to at least partially dry before applying the next one. Apply a finish. The finish will protect the wood. If you want the natural look of the wood to shine through, try a beeswax finish. Apply the finish in thin coats, waiting between coats. Once a coat is applied, run the brush over the whole length at a 45 degree angle to smooth it out. Let the pallet dry. Prop the shoe rack up on a wall. You can put this in your closet or in your room. The beams should run parallel to the floor. Divide your shoes by style. Place all the fancier shoes on one level. Insert them between the slats. The top slat on each level should provide enough support to hold them up with the ends sticking out. Place the sneakers on the next level, the casual shoes on one level, and so on. Buy a hanging shoe shelf. Hanging shoe shelves are an easy, inexpensive way to organize shoes. They're usually sturdy enough to hold up for years. Make sure you buy enough to house all your shoes. Hang the shelf. Hanging shoe shelves go over your clothing rod. They come with two Velcro straps. Simply wrap the straps around, and Velcro them down. Sort your shoes by style. Sort your shoes by style, placing the fancy ones together and the everyday styles together. Place your shoes on the shelf. Put the ones you wear most often at eye level, so you can grab them more easily. | Designate four boxes to sort your shoes. Be critical. Ask yourself questions to help you decide. Sort your shoes into the boxes. Take the boxes to the appropriate places. Sort what you have left. Purchase enough shoe boxes in the same style. Place each pair in a box. Print off pictures. Organize according to style. Sort by color. Find a wooden pallet. Pick a clean pallet. Pick one that will hold your shoes. Look for how the pallet was treated. Sand the pallet. Apply a stain. Apply a finish. Prop the shoe rack up on a wall. Divide your shoes by style. Buy a hanging shoe shelf. Hang the shelf. Sort your shoes by style. Place your shoes on the shelf. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Take-a-Relationship-Slow | How to Take a Relationship Slow | If you want to take your relationship slow, make sure you've found someone with the same priorities as you, since a person who's only interested in the physical aspects of a relationship may not respect your choice. You should be completely transparent and clear with your partner by letting them know what you are and aren't comfortable with, so it doesn't come as a surprise in the "heat of the moment." Once you've set your boundaries, try to relax and avoid stressing yourself out about the speed of your relationship. When you're ready to take things to the next level, have an honest conversation with your partner to let them know what you're ready for. | Look for a partner who has the same priorities as you. Your choice of partner is the most important factor in practically any relationship. However, when you're set on taking a relationship slowly, it's even more important than normal. You want someone who can respect your choice to limit your intimacy. This should be a person who isn't only focused on the physical aspects of a relationship. You want someone who's more interested in your thoughts than your body. You can find people who meet these criteria anywhere. However, you may have the most success if you try places where people like this are likely to gather. For example, since many religions teach that sex before marriage should be avoided, you may find good potential partners in religious youth groups and so on. Don't define your relationship in terms of "how far" you've gone. The things you've done with your partner, especially when it comes to physical affection and sex, aren't measures of how "good" your relationship is. At this stage, the most important thing is how you and your partner feel. If you both enjoy each others' company, you're affectionate, and you have open, caring attitudes towards each other, you're doing fine. Keep in mind that not everyone will agree with this. Some people have different priorities for their relationships. It's OK to disagree with these people. If you're happy with your relationship, so you don't need to let them pressure you into things you're not comfortable with. On the other hand, they're not automatically shallow just because they want different things than you, so try to stay respectful. Set physical boundaries early on. Be clear and explicit about what you are (and aren't) comfortable with. This is important. It can be a big turn-off if your physical limits come as a surprise to your partner in the "heat of the moment," so take the opportunity to be up-front before you start getting affectionate. Don't be afraid to tell your partner "no" if s/he starts to get too "touchy-feely" for you. If your partner won't listen to repeated warnings, it's time to have a serious discussion about respecting your boundaries. Keep the end goal in mind. It's a good idea to have an idea of where you want your relationship to be eventually, even if you're not there yet. You can gradually work towards this goal, making week-by-week progress as you take small steps toward it. If you don't have an end in mind for your relationship, it can be harder to justify your slow pace to a partner. If you are a teen or pre-teen, having an end goal of "spending lots of time being affectionate with each other" is fine. There's no need to worry about "the L word" or marriage for a long time. If you're older, it's wise to know whether you plan to end up married, cohabiting, having children, and so on. This makes it easier to find a partner who's right for you (and get rid of ones who aren't). Plus, most adults who are willing to wait a long time to become physically intimate are interested in marriage or life-long relationships. Enjoy affectionate outings at your own pace. Just because you're taking things slow doesn't mean you can't have fun. Take time to go out, explore the world, and treat each other to small luxuries. In other words, date! There's no "right" way to do this. Whatever you and your partner enjoy doing together is fair game. The good news is that there are many, many things to do that don't involve physical intimacy. Enjoy traditional dates like dinner and a movie or get creative with dates like rock climbing. Always talk before taking things to the next level. Communication is vital to any relationship, but it's even more important when you're taking it slow. You and your partner need to be able to clearly and respectfully discuss the boundaries of the relationship. In other words, you need to be able to have calm discussions about what you're comfortable doing and what you're not comfortable doing. When there are disagreements about this crucial topic, you and your partner need to be able to listen to each others' concerns. When it's possible to compromise on a disagreement, try to do so. However, when it's not possible to compromise without taking the relationship to a level you're uncomfortable with, don't be afraid to stand your ground. Don't be too possessive. Taking a relationship slow may seem "old-fashioned" to some, but this isn't an excuse to have old-fashioned ideas about controlling your partner's behavior. Since you trust your partner to respect your pace for the relationship, trust your partner when s/he isn't with you. Don't try to restrict your partner's time with friends, family, or other people who are important to him or her. Give your partner enough space to have some alone time when s/he wants it. Remember that respect is a two-way street. Don't obsess over the tempo of your relationship. Being in a relationship should make you feel good (most of the time). If you find yourself frequently stressing out about whether or not you should take things to the next level, relax. These changes should happen naturally after you've decided that you're ready and you have discussed them with your partner. They aren't "checkboxes" to mark off as quickly as possible on the way to a "real" relationship. You also shouldn't let your partner do this. If you suspect that s/he is unhappy with how slowly the relationship is progressing, have a serious conversation about it. It's best to address these problems head-on rather than pretending that they do not exist. Always flirt. Just because you're taking things slow doesn't mean your relationship has to be boring. Keep things exciting by learning how to flirt and putting your knowledge into practice. With a little effort, your relationship can be a source of great passion, even if you're waiting to get intimate. See our article on flirting for lots of specific ideas. | Look for a partner who has the same priorities as you. Don't define your relationship in terms of "how far" you've gone. Set physical boundaries early on. Keep the end goal in mind. Enjoy affectionate outings at your own pace. Always talk before taking things to the next level. Don't be too possessive. Don't obsess over the tempo of your relationship. Always flirt. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Drain-Pipe | How to Clean a Drain Pipe | To clean a drain pipe, start by bringing about 8 cups of water to a boil. Next, add 3 tablespoons of dish detergent to the boiling water and pour it slowly down the drain to flush out any debris clogging up the pipe. If the pipe is still clogged after that, try pouring an enzymatic cleaner down the drain. Be sure to follow the product's instructions on how much to use! Then, flush the drain again with hot or boiling water to unclog it. | Bring two liters of water to a rolling boil. Measure two liters (8 cups) of water and pour it into a pot and place it over your stovetop. Turn the stove to high until the water starts to bubble. You can also use a kettle or electric water heater to heat up the water. Add dishwashing detergent to the water. Combine three tablespoons (44.36 ml) of dishwashing detergent to the water as it boils. Then, turn off the heat on the stovetop and carefully lift the pot of water and take it to your drain. Pour the water down the drain. Carefully tip the pot or kettle so that the water goes down the drain. If you have plastic pipes, you should allow the water to cool for four to five minutes before pouring it down the drain. Flush the drain with hot water from the faucet. After the hot water has drained, turn on your faucet on the highest heat. If the drain is clogged or slow, you may have to repeat the process to remove bigger grease obstructions and unclog it. Purchase a drain cleaner from the store or online. Decide which kind of drain cleaner that you want to use. Options include traditional cleaners, foaming cleansers, and enzyme cleaners. Traditional and foaming cleansers may contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment while enzyme cleansers are made of natural ingredients. Read the instructions on the packaging. Because all drain cleaners are different, it's important that you read the instructions so that you know how long you should let the drain cleaner sit before flushing it. Enzyme cleaners work best in warm water rather than hot water. Do not combine two different types of chemical drain cleaners or it can create toxic fumes. Pour the drain cleaner down the drain. Pour the appropriate amount of drain cleaner down the sink according to the directions. If your drain is clogged, you'll see the solution settle near the top of your drain pipe. Flush the drain with hot or boiling water. After letting the drain cleaner sit in the drain, you will have to flush the rest of the cleaner down the drain with warm or hot water. Follow the directions on the packaging for the optimal results. Close the sink drain and fill the sink up halfway with water. You'll need to fill the sink up to create suction so that you can push out the obstruction. Fill the sink up about halfway so that there's enough water to fully submerge the plunger. Put the plunger in the water and create a seal. Dip your plunger into the sink filled with water and press down on the bottom of your sink to remove all the air inside of it. Put a rag in the other sink's drain if you have a double sink to create a closed seal. Plunge up and down over the drain. Use the straight handle on the plunger to push up and down on it. The seal ensures that you force water, not air, down the drainpipe. This will dislodge any obstructions or food particles that are clogging up your sink. Keep towels around to clean up the water that spills. Rinse the drain with hot water. Finish cleaning your drainpipe by running hot water from the faucet. You can also flush the pipe with boiling water. Remove the stopper. Unscrew or pull out the stopper in your drain. Some tubs also have an overflow plate under the faucet that you'll have to unscrew to remove the drain. As you remove the stopper, you may pull up some hair that's stuck down the drain pipe. Clean off the bottom of the stopper and wipe down the area if there is any gunk or hair that you've pulled up. Insert the snake down the pipe. You can get a more heavy duty drain snake from a hardware store, or you can use a disposable snake that comes with drain pipe cleaners. If you are using a piece of equipment from the hardware store, it will most likely have a crank that you must rotate to feed the snake down the drain. There are also are gas and electric powered commercial grade drain snakes that you can rent from the hardware store. Rotate the snake until it grabs hold of the hair. Turn the snake as it goes down the drain so that it scrapes the side of the drainpipe. Continue to rotate it until you break through the clog or the snake won't go any further. As the snake is rotated, it should collect the hair that's clogging your drain. When you feel resistance, it means that you've reached the clog. Slowly pull the drain snake out of the drain. Slowly remove the snake from your drain. If you're using a residential grade drain snake, you'll have to rotate the snake's handle the other way to retract it. As the snake comes out of the drain, it should pull out any hair that was stuck in the pipe Run water from the faucet to see if it's still clogged. Run hot water from your faucet to see if you've cleared the hair that was clogging your drain. If the drain is still clogged, repeat the process until you clear the hair out of the drain. Pour 1/2 cup (170 g) of baking soda down your drain. Measure a half cup (170 g) of baking soda in a measuring cup and pour it down your drain, coating the sides of the drain pipe. Boil 1 cup (236.58 ml) of water in a pot. Turn your stovetop to high and pour 1 cup (236.58 ml) into the pot. Continue to heat the pot until the water boils. Add 1 cup (236.58 ml) of vinegar to the pot. Purchase white vinegar from the grocery store. Pour a cup of the vinegar in a measuring cup. Turn off the stovetop and combine the vinegar with the hot water. Pour the water and vinegar mixture down the drain. Transport the pot of water over to the drain that needs cleaning and slowly and carefully pour it down your drain. If you have plastic pipes, let the boiling water cool down for 4 - 5 minutes before you pour it down your drain. Let the solution sit for 10 minutes. The baking soda should start to react to the vinegar and foam up. The foam will help clean grime and oil from the inside of your drainpipe. Flush the drain with another pot of boiling water. Boil 2 cups (473.17 ml) of water in your pot. Slowly pour the water down the drain to flush the foam down the sink. | Bring two liters of water to a rolling boil. Add dishwashing detergent to the water. Pour the water down the drain. Flush the drain with hot water from the faucet. Purchase a drain cleaner from the store or online. Read the instructions on the packaging. Pour the drain cleaner down the drain. Flush the drain with hot or boiling water. Close the sink drain and fill the sink up halfway with water. Put the plunger in the water and create a seal. Plunge up and down over the drain. Rinse the drain with hot water. Remove the stopper. Insert the snake down the pipe. Rotate the snake until it grabs hold of the hair. Slowly pull the drain snake out of the drain. Run water from the faucet to see if it's still clogged. Pour 1/2 cup (170 g) of baking soda down your drain. Boil 1 cup (236.58 ml) of water in a pot. Add 1 cup (236.58 ml) of vinegar to the pot. Pour the water and vinegar mixture down the drain. Let the solution sit for 10 minutes. Flush the drain with another pot of boiling water. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Convert-Excel-to-PDF | How to Convert Excel to PDF | To convert a spreadsheet to a PDF on your Windows PC, start by opening the spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel. Then, click the ""File"" menu and select ""Export."" In the right panel, click the ""Create PDF/XPS"" button. Click the ""Options"" button at the bottom of the dialog window. Choose which pages and data to include in the PDF, and then click ""OK"" to save your changes. If you're worried the PDF file might be too big for easy online sharing, you can select ""Minimum size"" from the ""Optimize"" menu. Choose a location to save your PDF, and type a new name for the file if you'd like. Click the ""Publish"" button to create your PDF. To convert an Excel spreadsheet to a PDF on a Mac, start by opening your spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel. Click the ""File"" menu and select ""Save As."" Select ""PDF"" from the ""File Format"" menu. If you're converting a multi-page workbook to a PDF, select ""Workbook."" If you'd rather just convert the active worksheet, select ""Sheet"" instead. Enter a name for your file and choose a folder to save to. Click the ""Save"" button to create your PDF. | Select the part of the Excel spreadsheet you want to convert to PDF (optional). If there's only a certain part of the Excel file that you want to turn into PDF format, select it now. Otherwise, move on to the next step. Note that PDF conversions cannot be easily reverted back into an Excel sheet, but this method will preserve your original copy. Click the "File" tab. If you're using an older version of Microsoft Excel, click the "File" menu. Click "Export". If you are using Microsoft Excel 2010 or earlier, select "Save As" instead. Click "Create PDF/XPS". If you are using Excel 2010 or earlier, select "PDF" from the "Save as type" drop-down menu in the "Save As" window instead. Microsoft Excel has a built in PDF converter to make the process easier. Click the . Options... button. This will allow you to adjust the settings for the PDF file you are about to create. Select what gets included in the PDF. In the Options window, you can select the range of pages included, whether the PDF includes your selection, the entire workbook, or just the active Excel spreadsheet, and if it will include the original document's properties. Click OK when you are satisfied. Choose your optimization (optional). Above the Options... button, you can select how you want to optimize the PDF. Most people can stick with "Standard" unless the spreadsheet is very large. Name and save the file. Give your PDF a name and click the Publish button to create the PDF ( Save if you're using 2010 or earlier). Review the PDF. By default, the PDF file will open after it is created so that you can review it. If you aren't able to open the PDF file, you may not have a PDF reader installed. It's not really possible to edit the PDF now, so if you need to make changes you'll want to make them in the Excel document and then create a new PDF. Ensure that the headers and footers on all of your sheets are the same (optional). Excel 2011 will only save all of your sheets as one PDF file if the headers and footers for each sheet are identical. If they aren't each sheet will be created as a separate PDF document, but you can also easily merge these afterwards. Select all of the Excel spreadsheets in your entire workbook. Click the tab for the first sheet, hold down Shift, and click the tab for the last sheet to select all of them. Click the Layout tab and then click "Header & Footer". Click the Customize Header... and Customize Footer... buttons to edit the headers and footers for all of the sheets. Select the part of the Excel spreadsheet you want to convert to PDF (optional). If there's only a certain part of the spreadsheet that you want to turn into a PDF, select it now. Otherwise, move on to the next step. Note that PDF conversions cannot be easily converted back into an Excel sheet, but this method will preserve your original copy. Click the File menu and select "Save As". Browse to the location that you want to save the file at, and give it a name. Click the Format pull-down menu and select "PDF". This will save a copy of the spreadsheet as a PDF file. Using Excel's built-in PDF converter is the easiest way to convert your Excel file to a pdf. Select what gets included in the PDF. At the bottom of the window, you can choose between "Workbook", "Sheet", or "Selection". Click . Save to create the PDF file. If the headers don't match, a separate file will be created for each sheet. Note that this will occasionally happen even if the headers and footers all match exactly. Join the separate PDF files (if necessary). If the conversion process resulted in multiple PDF files, you can quickly join them together using Adobe Acrobat Pro. Open the folder that contains the PDF files and select all of the files that you want to merge. Click the File menu and select "Create" → "Combine Files into Single PDF". Review the PDF. Open the PDF file by double-clicking it. This will open it in Preview, allowing you to review it before you send it off. It's not really possible to edit the PDF now, so if you need to make changes you'll want to make them in Excel document and then create a new PDF. | Select the part of the Excel spreadsheet you want to convert to PDF (optional). Click the "File" tab. Click "Export". Click "Create PDF/XPS". Click the . Select what gets included in the PDF. Choose your optimization (optional). Name and save the file. Review the PDF. Ensure that the headers and footers on all of your sheets are the same (optional). Select the part of the Excel spreadsheet you want to convert to PDF (optional). Click the File menu and select "Save As". Click the Format pull-down menu and select "PDF". Select what gets included in the PDF. Click . Join the separate PDF files (if necessary). Review the PDF. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-Condoms | How to Buy Condoms | No matter what age you are, go to a drug store or discount store to buy condoms. You can also get them free from many local health organizations like Planned Parenthood. Alternatively, you can order them online if you don't want to buy them in person and if you're sure your parents won't check your packages. If you're not sure what size to get, look up a size chart online to make sure the condoms fit properly. Try to experiment with different textures and materials to find the most comfortable fit. Most condoms are latex, but if you or your partner are allergic to it, try a different material, like polyurethane or tactylon. | Buy general purpose condoms at a discount or drug store. You can find condoms at discount stores like Wal-Mart and Target as well as drug stores like Walgreens and CVS. These places stock a variety of general purpose condoms from popular brands like Trojan and Durex. Look for condoms near the store's pharmacy or personal hygiene area. Depending on the store, expect condoms to cost between $2 and $6 for a box of 3. Purchase specialty condoms at an adult store. Though you can get generic condoms at discount and drugs stores, adult shops may be your only option for finding unique or whimsical contraceptives. In addition to purely functional varieties, adult stores offer a wide selection of fun condoms with differing textures, colors, tastes, and scents. Normally, adult shops charge significantly more per condom than discount or drug stores. Pick up free condoms from a local health organization. In certain cities and towns, you can acquire free or discounted condoms from your doctor's office or a local health center like Planned Parenthood. Some places keep their condoms in an open area where you can take as many as you need. For others, you may have to request the condoms directly. Check websites like http://condomfinder.org to locate free condom distributors near you. See if your school offers free condoms. If you're in high school or college, check with your campus' health center, dorm office, or counselor's office to see if they offer free condoms. Though not all do, many schools give out free contraceptives in hopes of reducing unwanted pregnancy and the spread of STDs. Look for standard condoms on general purpose shopping websites. Online stores like Amazon offer a selection of popular condoms comparable to discount or drug stores. Depending on the specific brand, these condoms may even be cheaper online. Buy specialty contraceptives on condom websites. Online stores like CondomDepot offer a far wider selection of condoms than standard shopping sites. In addition to traditional varieties, these stores carry condoms from independent producers around the world and stock plenty of fun, unique contraceptives that can spice up your sex life. If you want to buy condoms without anybody knowing, check the seller's shipping policy to make sure they offer discreet shipping. Purchase condoms in bulk to save money. Most physical stores only sell condoms a few units at a time. However, many online shops offer bulk condoms that cost less per unit than their in-store alternatives. Once you find a brand you like, consider buying in bulk to cut down on your overall spending. Decide which material works best for you and your partner. Condoms come in a variety of different materials. They all feel a little different but, when used correctly, are equally effective at preventing pregnancy. Latex rubber is the most common condom material. These contraceptives are cheap and effective, but you'll need to use another type if you or your partner is allergic to latex. Lambskin is a natural latex alternative that is incredibly effective at preventing unwanted pregnancy. However, lambskin condoms do not prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Polyurethane condoms are stronger and thicker than latex condoms, meaning they're more expensive. During use, the material heats up to your body temperature, making it feel like you're not wearing anything. Tactylon condoms are stretchier than other varieties, helping them better conform to the shape of the penis. Find a condom that fits. To ensure your contraceptive doesn't slip off or tear during sex, make sure to choose a size that fits you or your partner's penis properly. In general, regular-sized condoms fit penises that are between 4 and 7 in (10 and 18 cm) long. Though trying on different sizes is the best way to find out what fits best, you can also look up size charts on condom specialty websites. Your condom should roll on easily and stay in place on its own. Pick a texture that feels good to you and your partner. Some people want their condoms to feel like they aren't even there, while others enjoy the sensation of condoms that have ribs or bumps. Each texture has the same efficacy, so make a choice based on what you and your partner find pleasurable. Condoms may be ribbed on the inside to increase the wearer's pleasure or the outside to increase the receiver's pleasure. Buy lubricated condoms for a more comfortable sexual experience. Some condoms come with pre-applied lubricant, also known as lube. This reduces unwanted friction during sex, making the experience more enjoyable for everyone and preventing the condom from tearing. You can also purchase lube separately. Water and silicone-based lubricants work with most types of condoms, but you should only use oil-based lubricants with polyurethane and tactylon condoms. For added protection, get condoms that come with spermicidal lubricant. The spermicide kills a large portion of the sperm following ejaculation. Be aware that spermicides can sometimes cause side effects like irritation, burning, and urinary infections. Purchase colored, scented, or flavored condoms for extra fun. So that you can add some spice to your sex life, specialty stores sell condoms in a variety of colors including turquoise, orange, hot pink, blue, and black. Condoms also come in a variety of different scents and flavors including cinnamon, mint, and cherry. Get female condoms as an alternative to male condoms. Female condoms fit inside the vagina and cover part of the labia as well, effectively protecting against pregnancy as well as STDs. Though they aren't as commonly used as male condoms, they can be a great option for certain couples. Female condoms are not quite as effective as male condoms, so use them in tandem with a chemical form of birth control. Do not use female condoms and male condoms at the same time. You can insert female condoms up to 8 hours before intercourse. This makes them a great option for people who dislike interrupting foreplay to put a condom on. | Buy general purpose condoms at a discount or drug store. Purchase specialty condoms at an adult store. Pick up free condoms from a local health organization. See if your school offers free condoms. Look for standard condoms on general purpose shopping websites. Buy specialty contraceptives on condom websites. Purchase condoms in bulk to save money. Decide which material works best for you and your partner. Find a condom that fits. Pick a texture that feels good to you and your partner. Buy lubricated condoms for a more comfortable sexual experience. Purchase colored, scented, or flavored condoms for extra fun. Get female condoms as an alternative to male condoms. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Mangaka | How to Become a Mangaka | If you want to become a mangaka, or a person who draws manga, take art and literature classes to help you improve your drawing and storytelling skills. In your free time, practice drawing for at least an hour a day. You can start by imitating different manga characters and styles that you like, then move on to creating your own characters as you get more confident. When you come up with the idea for a story, draw your manga scene-by-scene, making sure each panel drives the action in some way. | Take appropriate courses in high school. While you're still in high school, start building your artistic skills by taking art classes. Drawing and painting would both be helpful for building your skill set to draw manga art, and even a general art class could potentially help you build skills. In addition, take literature and writing courses. As a mangaka, you'll be creating a story line, as well, so make sure to spend time focusing on how to develop a story. Seek out others with similar interests. Working with other people on similar goals can help encourage you in yours. In addition, you can learn new skills from other people in the group. Try to find a group interested in manga at your school or in your area. You could also join an art club to help increase your skills. If you can't find one to join, consider creating one. There's bound to be others who have similar interests. Look for classes or groups at your local library or with your park and recreation department. Consider an art degree. While you don't absolutely need a degree to be a mangaka, formal education can help give you the professional skills you need. A bachelor's degree in fine arts is a good choice, as it will help you build up your artistic skills. However, you can also go much more specific. A number of universities in the United States offer degrees in comic art, and if you're willing to travel to Japan, you can earn bachelor's or master's degrees specifically in manga art. In addition, think about double majoring or minoring in literature or writing. Developing your writing skills will be helpful in writing stories later. Practice your drawing. Formal schooling increases your skill set, but so does practicing on your own. Just like learning an instrument, practicing drawing will make you better over time. You can start out by imitating characters you like, but you can move on to creating your own characters and panels. In fact, comic artists recommend putting in practice every day. Make sure you are setting aside at least an hour a day to work on your artwork. Use free resources. You don't need formal education to learn from professionals. You'll find many resources are available to you for free. You can find online courses for free on sites like YouTube, Coursera, and Princeton's website, all of which you can use to develop your drawing skills. You'll also find resources available at your local library. Make use of the resources available to develop your skills. Don't just get books on drawing. Look at books on writing comic books, as well as books just on writing. If your library doesn't have what you want, most libraries will order books from other libraries for you to use. If you are wanting to become a mangaka, you obviously have some familiarity with the genre. Nonetheless, make sure you are reading widely in the genre to see what is getting published. Don't just read your favorite mangas over and over. Branch out into ones you normally wouldn't be drawn to, just to see what else manga has to offer. Plus, exposing yourself to different styles will help you work towards your own style. Brainstorm ideas for plot. Even though manga comics are visual-based, you still need a plot to drive the story. Think about the stories that you love to read, and how you can make your own contribution. Manga has a wide variety of stories, from horror to love stories, so feel free to let your brain run wild. The key is to be thinking about your story all the time. If you limit your brainstorming to just when you sit down to write the story, you're not giving your creativity the time it needs to build a good story. Try starting with one idea on a piece of paper. Build off that idea by connecting dots to other ideas you come up with. Another way to get your creativity flowing is just to free write. Start with a word or image, and just start writing until you hit on something you like. Once you do, start developing that idea. Pick an idea you enjoy. Working on your own manga is going to take some hard work. If you don't pick an idea you love, you'll have a hard time motivating yourself to work on it. Plot out a story. Once you have an idea for a story, you need to work beyond that because manga comics generally need more planning than a normal novel. You need to create an outline of how your story is going to move from beginning to end. Start by figuring out the main plot points. What's the driving force of your story? What are the major events? Make sure to include setting, as well. Think about the background you want for your setting and how that will affect your story. For example, an urban setting is very different from a rural setting in terms of story. Move on to going scene-by-scene, so you have an idea of what the main scenes will look like. Make your characters. When creating your characters, you need to think both about their place in the story (personality) and their physical appearance. To keep them consistent throughout your story, you should develop character sheets that outline both types of traits. For appearance, you can simply draw the character in a model or turnaround sheet. Basically, you draw the character from every angle, figuring out clothing, hair, and proportion, so that you can recreate the character in the same manner throughout your manga. You can also create a 3D model using something like clay instead. For their personality and personal traits, write down traits for the character, such as personality quirks, personal beliefs, religion, favorite foods and color, and so on. Don't forget things like personality flaws. No one is perfect, and no character should be either. Also, think about things like motivation. Create sheets for all your characters, but make sure your main characters are the most fleshed out. Develop a style. Really, developing a style comes from drawing for a while, and using your creativity to figure out what you like. However, it's important to pick something that's doable. You don't want to start on a style that's hard for you to maintain over time. Use one that you enjoy and find easy to draw. That doesn't mean that it must look simple, just that it's simple enough that you can put in the hours it takes to draw it through a whole story or a series of stories. Explore different styles. Once you see what others do, you can see what you like and don't like. That will help you figure out what you like in your own style. Try not to just copy any one style exactly. You want yours to be unique in some aspect. Create your manga. Working scene by scene, create your manga. Begin by sketching out the scenes, blocking where the dialogue and characters will go; remember, you're just creating a bare-bones sketch to see where things will go. Move on to fully drawing out the scenes, but use pencil so that you can make changes. Later, fill in with ink and color. Many mangas are not colored, due to cost restrictions, so you can work just in black and white if you prefer. In fact, many publishers prefer black and white. How you create your manga is up to you, as many manga artists work in digital formats nowadays. If you prefer to work digitally, consider using a manga drawing app. These tools are designed for creating comics, so they will make it easier for you to work. Don't forget to make your text legible. If people can't read your text, they won't read your comic. Get your work ready for a publisher. When looking at publishers, consider what types of work they tend to print, and then pick one that fits your style and theme. Make sure you follow all their guidelines to the letter, including maturity level. For instance, most will want PG or PG13. Most publishers will want a copy of your manga, not the original. You can make a copy on a high quality copier or use a laser printer. Pay attention to sizing formats for the company you are sending it to. Most companies will expect you to have the basics of drawing down, such as proper proportions. If you aren't there yet, you may want to wait awhile. Present it to a publisher. One simple way to find a publisher or magazine you want to contact is to look at the back of your favorite mangas. You can call up the publisher and schedule an appointment to be seen and show your work. It's actually a common practice, and many mangakas began in this manner. You can also look them up online. You need to have your work ready to show. It may not be published, but many publishers will give you advice on how to do better. Others will hire you to work for them. If you can't visit in person, many publishers take submissions by mail. Enter competitions. Some people become mangakas by submitting their work through contests run by the publishers. Most contests will focus on Japanese-language contests, but a few accept submissions in other languages. Sometimes, mangakas are hired from these contests. Morning Manga and Comic Zenon both sponsor manga contests in other languages, so find their websites if you want to learn more. Consider self-publishing. Self-publishing is becoming more popular in all writing and comic book genres, especially in a digital world where you can do so much on your own personal computer. You can do the same thing with manga, and sometimes, you can even be recruited to be a mangaka from your online work. If you self-publish, you can either take the route of an ebook, or you can publish a serial manga on a blog. You can self-publish ebooks through sites like Ebooks Direct or Amazon. You can publish free blogs through any number of sites, even sites like Blogger or Tumblr. If you take this route, you'll need to market yourself on platforms like social media by posting about your work and encouraging others to read and follow you. | Take appropriate courses in high school. Seek out others with similar interests. Consider an art degree. Practice your drawing. Use free resources. Brainstorm ideas for plot. Plot out a story. Make your characters. Develop a style. Create your manga. Get your work ready for a publisher. Present it to a publisher. Enter competitions. Consider self-publishing. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Moisture-from-the-Air | How to Remove Moisture from the Air | To remove moisture from the air quickly, you can increase ventilation by opening the windows and doors. Placing a dehumidifier or air purifier in the room is another simple way for you to control humidity levels and create healthy ventilation. You can also install vents or exhaust fans in areas that create a lot of moisture, such as the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, and basement. | Monitor the humidity level in your home. If your home seems damp and smells musty, it is almost certain that your humidity level is too high (above 60%). To assess the moisture level, you will need an accurate humidity meter (known as a hygrometer). If you do not have one, you can purchase a hygrometer at home improvement stores, big box stores, or online. You will need to measure the humidity level in various rooms in your home both while performing moisture-producing activities like showering, cooking, or doing laundry and shortly thereafter as the water is becoming more evenly distributed throughout your home. This will give you an idea of your home's "moisture profile." Keep an eye on your home’s humidity levels. The ideal range of humidity in homes is 40-60%. Humidity that is too high is not healthy. It negatively affects your health and can cause mold problems along with structural issues around your home. Humidity that is too low is not healthy either. Without enough moisture in the air, you are likely to feel mild to extreme discomfort, coupled with symptoms like chapped lips, sore eyes, difficulty in breathing, and painful sinuses. If your moisture level is too high, proceed with the remaining steps. Identify the cause of high humidity. The first and most important step in controlling humidity is to determine the causes of moisture in your home. It could be any or a combination of the following: Poor ventilation. Indoor air quality is affected by how much fresh air enters your home and how much of the contaminated air is released outside. There are things that we do daily which significantly increase the moisture content of air inside our homes, such as showering, cooking, running the gas heater, drying laundry inside, etc. Without proper ventilation, humid air is trapped inside our dwelling, causing too much moisture in the air. Water leaks. Leaky pipes, roofs, and plumbing fixtures are all causes of excess moisture. As soon as you notice any sign of a leak, have it fixed right away. Wet materials or furnishings also contribute to high humidity. If your home has sustained water damage from flood or leaks, all surfaces and furniture affected must be dried completely. Ventilate rooms. Proper ventilation can be achieved in several ways: Install vents or exhaust fans especially in areas that create moisture a lot, such as the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, and basement. You may also want to install fans in your attic. Or, open the windows and doors of your bathroom after showering, as well as the windows in your kitchen when cooking. Add a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier is an effective and inexpensive tool for controlling humidity levels inside a home or building. It works like a refrigerator, drawing moisture-filled air into a cold, 'refrigerated' coil. The damp air then condenses into water droplets which are collected in a water tank. Get an air purifier. It is an easy way to achieve healthy ventilation inside your home. Choose the one which fits the size of your dwelling. Make structural improvements. If you live in an old house, you are more likely to experience humidity problems due to common structural issues. For example, old buildings are usually built using porous materials which absorb moisture really fast, leading to mold and mildew build-up. Consider making adjustments and necessary repairs to your property. Install insulation around water pipes to help decrease 'sweating'. Additionally, add waterproof insulation on toilet tanks. Install weather-stripping on your windows, caulk the frames, and ensure that the glazing is in good shape. Waterproof your home, including the basement. Clean and repair any problems with your roof, gutters, and downspouts. These are major sources of water damage. Loose shingles and flashing can cause water to infiltrate your attic, soffits, or wall cavities. During your next home renovation, ask your contractor about building materials that are less porous or less susceptible to moisture. Insulate your home. Especially in colder months, insulating your home not only helps you save on electricity, but is also vital to reducing humidity and condensation. Condensation happens when warm, moisture-laden air comes into contact with a cold surface, such as a glass. This may cause damage to interior paintwork, furnishings, floor coverings, and wall linings. Condensation can be controlled by reducing sources of humidity, by reducing sources of air infiltration, and by insulating your home, including the windows and doors. Clean your home and ensure everything’s dry. Cleaning is an effective way to spot moisture problems around your home. Incorporate these steps when cleaning: Clean or replace your HVAC filters regularly. Ensuring that your air conditioning and heating system is in good condition is essential to maintaining good air quality. The filters for your AC system and furnaces can get clogged with dust and other debris from time to time. Thus, regularly cleaning or changing filters is a must. Replace rugs and carpets if you notice that they are already moldy and smelling musty. These floor coverings collect moisture and can contribute to high humidity levels. If they are still in good condition, just have them cleaned and dried. If you already have mold problems at home, contact a remediation specialist to have it removed, your furnishings cleaned, and the source of the humidity fixed. When cleaning up after water damage, make use of tools that speed the drying process, such as air movers and air scrubbers. | Monitor the humidity level in your home. Keep an eye on your home’s humidity levels. Identify the cause of high humidity. Ventilate rooms. Make structural improvements. Insulate your home. Clean your home and ensure everything’s dry. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Change-Teen-Diapers | How to Change Teen Diapers | If you need to change a teen's diaper, respect their privacy and dignity by quietly and discretely asking them if they need a change or quickly peeking inside the front or back of their diaper. You can also develop a codeword or phrase, like “Do you need a break?” or “Do you need some fresh air?” so you don't embarrass them. If you're with other people, simply say “Excuse us for a moment, we'll be right back” to be respectful. Once you're in a bathroom, put an underpad on the ground if your teen is able to stand, ask them to move over the protective layer, then release the diaper's side-tabs while holding it in place. After making sure their skin is clean, apply a barrier cream to avoid rashes, then put the new diaper on. | Look for signs. Watch for indications that they need a diaper change. In case of soiling accidents, it is usually easy to smell and you may have noticed they were standing in an easily discoverable "soiling" position and even heard them farting loud. How often this occurs will depends on a number of factors (health of the person, etc.). Plan on changing (or assisting if needed) a teen diaper about five to eight times each day, however. If possible, remind them to change themselves if they are able to do so. Create a changing schedule and adjust it as necessary for additional dirty diapers. Do a discreet verbal or physical check. With more independent teens, you can ask them if they need help with a diaper change. If they are less independent, you may need to do a visual check. Quickly peek inside the back and front of the diaper to see if it is wet or soiled. They may resist your need to check if they need a diaper change, so be sensitive to their feelings. Respect their privacy and dignity as you check. Consider developing a code phrase, such as: “Do you need a break?” or "It doesn't smell like roses here - do you need to get some fresh air?" Prepare to change or have them change the diaper as soon as possible. Delays in a cheaper diaper can contribute to the development of a urinary tract infections, skin irritation, and rashes. Go to a changing area. If you are in a home setting, head into the restroom area or a room with extra space. If you are “out and about” it gets a bit more challenging. Go to a public restroom and head into an extra-large stall, a handicapped stall or a separate family restroom, if one is available. It is important that the space is big enough for the both of you and that it is clean. Sometimes you may find a restroom with an extra large changing table. If you're around other people, simply say, “Excuse us for a moment, we'll be right back,” and leave it at that. If you have options, choose the bathroom stall with extra handrails and/or purse shelves (for changing supplies). Maintain privacy. Always lock the bathroom door behind you. If there are people standing outside of the bathroom area, feel free to ask them to give you some space as well. Likewise, if you are in a public space, use hushed tones when completing the change. Do not complain aloud or you will further frazzle and embarrass the teenager. Set up the supplies. If you are out, you should carry a sturdy diaper bag that contains the following: diapers, disposable underpads, wipes, barrier skin cream, a pair of gloves, and hand sanitizer. Unpack these items and place them nearby for the changing process. If the teenager is able, you might ask them to assist by holding the wipes or the fresh diaper. A disposable underpad is just one of many options to provide a barrier between the teen and the changing surface. You can also use a folded shower curtain, a waterproof picnic blanket, or a homemade padded changing mattress covered in soft vinyl. It's easy to forget or run out of a necessary item. Do a quick inventory of your diaper bag before heading out to ensure you have everything you need. If you're in a public restroom and can't set out the items, leave them in the bag and pull them out as needed. The fewer supplies that are contaminated with germs, the better. Make any room adjustments. If you need to move something to make additional room on the floor in a room, do so. Pay attention to the temperature as well. You do not want the room to be too hot or too cold as it will make the changing process all the more uncomfortable. Adjust the thermostat if you can and if it is necessary. Prepare for the changing position. How do you this depends on how mobile your teen is. Standing would be the easiest, but if your teen is unable to stand up, or has soiled the diaper heavily, then you will need to set up the room for a laying down change. For a laying down change, place an underpad on the ground or bed. If a changing table is available, clean the plastic cover with a disinfecting wipe. For a seated change, place the underpad on a chair seat or bench. For a standing change, place the underpad on the ground with reach access to a wall, if needed for support. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer. Many people will also prefer to put on latex gloves at this point. The goal is to prevent the spreading of germs from you to the teen and vice versa. Change in a standing position. This is generally the best option for teens as it is the least stressful and usually the quickest. This position also requires very little space, making it a good choice for small restrooms and other cramped areas. Start by putting an underpad on the ground, ask the teen to stand on the underpad, then pull down their pants until they are bunched around their ankles. Release the diaper side-tabs while holding the diaper in place. Use your other hand to wipe the area clean, starting at the back. Once it's clean, pull down the diaper, wipe the front area clean with a fresh wipe, then dispose of the soiled diaper and wipes. If the teen needs support standing, they can grab a handrail (if available), use a walker, touch the wall or grip your shoulders for balance. If you think the diaper is heavily soiled, use caution in this position as it will be easier to get clothing dirty or make a mess in general. Change in a sitting position. This is a changing option in areas where seating is provided (e.g. family restroom benches) or in situations where the teen can lift themselves up from a seated position (in a wheelchair, for example), but are not fully capable of standing independently. Start by having the teen sit on a pre-placed underpad. If they are already seated, have them lift up briefly and scoot it under them. Have them raise up again to remove all lower clothing. Have them stay seated as you release the diaper side tabs. Ask them to lift up, then pull the diaper down. Wipe the back area, then the front. Pull out the diaper from under them and dispose of it, along with the wipes. Be aware that sitting position requires a degree of upper-body control on the part of the teen. They can rest seated directly on the underpad between movements, if needed, however. Change in a lying down position. This option can make teens feel very vulnerable and potentially embarrassed because they are diapered just like a baby in that position. However, for those teens with severely limited mobility or in case of soiling accidents, this is the best option - and also some teens prefer to be changed laying down because they are used from early childhood to have their diaper changed in this position. Starting by helping the teen to the floor, to the changing table (if available) or to the bed (if changing in a room), where they will lay upon the underpad. Remove their lower clothes completely - including plastic pants if they wear those for extra protection. Release the diaper tapes, pulling it loose, but not off. Gently push the teen's knees chest-ward by applying pressure with your forearm behind the knees. Wipe them clean from front to back, placing used wipes in the diaper. When done, pull the soiled diaper out. When removing clothes, look for signs that the diaper has leaked. If they got wet or soiled, replace them with clean ones. This includes dirty plastic pants which you can also change. Put all wet or dirty clothes in a plastic bag. Be sure the teen's bottom is clean. Regardless of position, use as many wipes as you need to in order to make them completely clean. If possible, have them help with their own cleaning needs. Use wipes that are free of alcohol or added fragrances to reduce skin irritation. When you are done with cleaning, place the soiled wipes within the soiled diaper and fold it up for disposal. Make sure to wipe the teen from front to back. This prevents the spread of fecal bacteria and is especially important when changing teen girls and transgender boys. Apply skin cream. After you have finished cleaning, rub a zinc-based skin cream around the skin covered by the diaper. This will prevent chafing and rashes, especially in those teens who always wear diapers. This is an especially intimate step, so teens who are able may want to do this themselves. You can buy diaper cream in the form of an aerosol can. Your teen may prefer this option since you would not need to use your hands to apply the cream. If you see a diaper rash that is dark red or heavily raised, seek medical advice. Long-term rashes can get infected and lead to other health problems. Put on the new diaper and clothing. Grab and unfold the fresh diaper and pull it up between their legs, securing it at both sides by fastening the tapes. Make sure that it's form-fitting without any gaps around the legs or waist, and that it doesn't impede movement. When you're done, put their lower garments back on. In the standing position, you'll need to use one hand to hold the diaper in place and another to secure the tabs. In the sitting position, you will need to have the teen raise up in order to place the fresh diaper between their legs and secure it. In the laying down position, you will want to keep their knees bent as you place the diaper, releasing them after it is in place, then you secure the tabs. Dispose of anything soiled. Place the soiled diaper in the trash or in a diaper bin. Dispose of any wipes that may have fallen on the floor or elsewhere during the process. Look over the area to make sure that it appears the same as it did when you arrived. Wash your hands again. When you are finished it is even more important to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer, even if you were wearing gloves. It is also a good idea to ask the teen to wash their hands as well. Pack up your supplies. Make sure that you packed everything back up into the diaper bag if you are out in public. It is very easy to forget wipes, for example, in a rush to get out of the restroom. Ask the teen to help you look around by saying, “Do you see anything I've missed-are we good to go?” Stay calm. To relax you both, you might say, “Stay calm, it will all be okay.” Or, “Trust me, we've done this many times before.” If a teen refuses to leave for a diaper change, it may also help to set a time limit on resistance, such as, “Okay, I see that you are busy, so we can wait for a bit, but come see me in five minutes.” If you feel the need to lash out or say something negative, take a deep breath and count to five. Empathize. Recognize that your teen may be embarrassed by the diapering process. You can lessen some of these social issues by changing your teen only in private spaces, such as bathrooms. Don't talk openly about your teen's diapering needs and be tactful about telling your teen that it is time for a change. Ask the teen for suggestions on how to improve the process and lessen their anxiety or embarrassment. Counter physical resistance. A teenager might resist the entire diapering process. If so, be prepared for this challenge by reminding yourself to stay calm and in control. Resist the desire to physically restrain them, or to spank, as it will only cause more problems in the future. Channel the teen's aggression into the diapering process by asking them to assist with preparing the supplies or the room. You could say, “Look how strong you are, could you use some of your strength to help me do this? It will go much faster.” Tell the teen that you're only trying to help them and that it's not okay for them to hurt you in the process. You might say, “I understand that you're frustrated, but hitting me is wrong and you need to stop.” If you feel physically in danger, stop the diapering process and try again after a 15-minute cooldown period. Offer positive reinforcement. If a teen usually resists changing, be sure to offer praise if everything goes smoothly. At the end of the change, you might observe, “Thank you so much for helping out! Did you notice how quickly that went?” Offer an incentive for cooperative behavior in the future. For example, say, “If we have a week with no arguments over diaper changes, we'll go out to your favorite restaurant.” Change it into a positive situation for both you and your teen. Use the time to talk about everything else than the diaper change. Ask for help. You may not be able to complete the changing process on your own, especially if your teen physically resists. If this happens, ask your teen for help and then reach out to others, if necessary. For example, when changing at home you may call-out to other family members. Choose someone your teen trusts, or ask them who they want to help, if possible. This should be a last resort, as it may violate the teen's privacy. | Look for signs. Do a discreet verbal or physical check. Go to a changing area. Maintain privacy. Set up the supplies. Make any room adjustments. Prepare for the changing position. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer. Change in a standing position. Change in a sitting position. Change in a lying down position. Be sure the teen's bottom is clean. Apply skin cream. Put on the new diaper and clothing. Dispose of anything soiled. Wash your hands again. Pack up your supplies. Stay calm. Empathize. Counter physical resistance. Offer positive reinforcement. Ask for help. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Replace-Drum-Brakes | How to Replace Drum Brakes | When you're ready to replace your drum brakes, remove your hubcap and loosen the lug nuts to get started. Then, spray the hub with a penetrating oil like PB Blaster and pull the drum off. Place the whole drum in a container and spray it with brake cleaner. Next, compare the old and new brake shoes to make sure they have holes in all the same places, then dismantle the brake and rebuild it with the new shoes. | Put on an asbestos respirator. The work you're about to do involves finely-ground brake dust or asbestos dust, and breathing it can be extremely hazardous to your health. Get a mask that's designed for the job of filtering asbestos, not a simple paper one you might use in a shop. Send the kids and pets away, too. Especially the kids—you don't want them anywhere near this project, not even for a moment. Remove the hubcap and loosen the lug nuts. Block the front wheels with wheel chocks. Jack up the car and support it with jack stands. Never work on a car supported by a jack alone. Blocks of wood or bricks or even cinder blocks aren't suitable substitutes. Finish removing the nuts and remove the tire. Spray the hub of the wheel with a penetrating oil such as PB Blaster. Note: WD-40 is not a penetrating oil. Grab the brake drum by the edges and pull it off. It may help to wiggle it a bit as you pull. It may be necessary to back off the brake adjuster to remove the drum. This is done through the brake adjustment hole in the drum or on the backing plate using a brake adjuster tool to turn the adjuster to loosen the brakes enough to remove the drum. Note: some brake drums are held on with screws so you will need to remove those first. Once the drum is off take a look at it. It should be refaced or replaced if it is scored. Drum brakes have a bunch of springs and levers for the self-adjuster and parking brake. They are usually different colors. Take a picture with a digital camera or make a detailed drawing of where everything is before you take anything apart! Place the whole brake mechanism in a container and spray it with brake cleaner. Doing this in a container will help keep the dust from becoming airborne. Remember: the dust from most brakes is asbestos , and you don't want to breathe it in. Wear a mask. Compare the new brake shoes with the old ones. Make sure they have holes in all the same places. Some vehicles have two different shoes called a leading and trailing shoe. Make sure the brake shoes are the same width. Dismantle the brake. Remove the shoe return springs. Detach the parking brake lever. Hold the shoe retaining pin from the back and remove the retainer springs. Spread the shoes apart from the top and disengage the shoes from the wheel cylinder pins. Remove both shoes and the self-adjuster as one unit. Lay the old shoes on the ground next to the new ones. Sometimes the front and back shoes are different. The shoe with the shorter strip of lining usually goes towards the front. Carefully tip the tops of the shoes inward to loosen the tension on the self-adjuster spring. Remove the self adjuster. Inspect and clean all brake parts to be reused and check for signs of damage or wear and replace as needed. It is recommended to replace all the springs with a new set. The adjuster should be unscrewed, cleaned and lubed with anti-seize. Remove the spring and immediately hook it onto the new shoes exactly as you removed it. Inspect the brake wheel cylinder for any signs of leakage and replace if needed. Rebuild the new brake. The brake backing plates should be cleaned and lubed with a small amount of anti-seize on the slide points and anchor points. Screw the self adjuster back in. One side will be a left-hand thread. Place the self adjuster on the new shoes and spread the tops apart to tighten the spring. Put the shoes back in place and slip the retaining pins through the right holes. Install the shoe retainer springs. Attach the shoes to the wheel cylinder pins. Reattach the parking brake lever. Install the return springs. Using a brake adjustment sizing tool, adjust the brakes to fit the brake drum. Check your new brakes with the photo you took earlier. If anything looks different start over. Put it all back together. Slide the new or resurfaced drum over the wheel studs. Install lock screws in drum if equipped. Adjust the brakes through the drum or through the backing plate till a slight drag on the brake drum is felt. Reinstall the tire. Check brake adjustment and readjust as needed to have a slight drag on the drum. Do not over tighten the brakes or they could lock up. Remove the jack stand. Lower the jack. Torque the lug nuts and reinstall the hub cap. Repeat on other side. Bleed out the brake system if any wheel cylinders were replaced. Road test the vehicle to verify brakes work correctly. | Put on an asbestos respirator. Remove the hubcap and loosen the lug nuts. Spray the hub of the wheel with a penetrating oil such as PB Blaster. Grab the brake drum by the edges and pull it off. Note: Once the drum is off take a look at it. Place the whole brake mechanism in a container and spray it with brake cleaner. Compare the new brake shoes with the old ones. Dismantle the brake. Rebuild the new brake. Check your new brakes with the photo you took earlier. Put it all back together. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Diagnose-a-Loss-of-Spark-in-Your-Car-Engine | How to Diagnose a Loss of Spark in Your Car Engine | To diagnose a loss of spark in your car engine, check your fuse box for any black spots on the fuses. If you notice one, the fuse might have blown. If there are no spots, test your spark plug wires with a spark plug tester to make sure they're sparking properly. You should also crank the engine and check that the distributor is turning. If that's all working, test the ignition coil using a test light. Then, check the distributor and ignition module are receiving current with an A/C voltmeter. If everything works fine, consider taking your vehicle to a professional to diagnose the problem. | Check to make sure you have fuel. Your car needs to have enough gasoline to fill the cylinders in order to start. If your fuel gauge is broken you should put fuel in your car and try to start it before proceeding. Check your battery. Try turning on your headlights, if your headlights are burning normally then your battery should be sufficiently charged. If the headlights are dim or do not turn on at all you may need to jumpstart your car. Scan your fuse box. To rule out a blown fuse you should take a quick look in your fuse box. Blown fuses can usually be identified by a black or burnt looking spot in the middle of the fuse. Any fuse in question should be checked with a light tester or replaced. Park your car. You should choose an area that has plenty of space for you to move around the front and sides of your vehicle. You also want a well-lit area so that you can see what you are doing. Be sure to turn your vehicle off before proceeding. Gather your tools. It is best to have everything you need easily accessible. Gather any hand tools you might need including wrenches, a mult-meter, a test light, and a spark plug tester. Disable the fuel system by removing the fuel pump fuse or relay. This will prevent fuel from being pumped into the cylinders while the ignition system is disabled. Filling up the cylinders and failing to ignite the fuel will flood your engine. Test your spark plugs wires. These wires carry high voltage so exercise extreme caution when handling them. Insert a spark plug tester into the plug boot (end of the wire) and ground it on a piece of clean, unpainted metal on the engine. Have someone crank the engine and watch for a spark. If you have a good spark on all wires look for timing problems or other issues. If you do not have a good spark in all wires then you may have an electrical problem in your ignition system. Locate your distributor cap. The distributor is responsible for taking the high voltage generated in the ignition coil and passing it on to the spark plugs in a synchronized pattern. It is connected to each plug wire, and you can trace back your plug wires to find the distributor cap. Some newer cars do not have a distributor and instead an engine control module (ECM) coordinates the firing of the plugs. If this is true for your car, ignore any steps involving the distributor or distributor cap. Observe the rotor inside the distributor. You should remove the distributor cap by removing the screws or clips that hold it on. Have a friend turn the key and crank the engine. If you notice that the distributor is not turning, then you may have a broken timing belt or chain. Turn the ignition key on but don't crank the engine. This will turn power on to the electrical components of your ignition system. This allows you to test which parts and wires are getting the current that they need to operate. Locate the ignition coil. This part is responsible for generating the high voltages needed to fire your spark plugs. The coil should have three wires attached to it. A thin power (positive) wire coming from the ignition switch, a thin ground (negative) wire going from the coil to the ignition module, and a thick coil wire going from the coil to the distributor cap. Locate the positive or power wire attached to the engine coil. Check for power using a test light. If this wire has no power, then your ignition coil is not receiving current. You should check the wiring from your ignition switch to the coil for breaks in the wire and repair them. If this wire has power, then the wiring from the ignition switch to the coil is working properly and you can move on. Locate the negative or ground wire attached to the engine coil. Using a test light check for power. The test light should light up indicating power on the negative side of the coil with the key on and engine off. If the light does not come on, you have a break in the coil wire and should trace the length of this wire (between the ignition module and ignition coil) and repair any breaks. Crank the engine while watching the test light. It is ideal if you can have a friend turn the key to crank the engine. If you observe the test light flickering when cranking the engine, you should: Trace the negative wire all the way to the ignition module looking for any breaks in the wire. If there are any breaks in the wire, they must be repaired. If there are no breaks in the wire, use an Ohm meter to test the resistance of your ignition coil. Your service manual should specify resistance values for the primary and secondary coils. If your coil does not register the proper resistance, then you will need to replace your ignition coil. Locate the pulse generator on the distributor. This is where wiring comes in from the ignition module. Connect an A/C voltmeter to the pair of wires at the pulse generator and crank the engine. If you observe no current then your pulse generator has likely malfunctioned. If this is the case you will need to replace it. If you observe a current then your pulse generator is likely operating properly. This may indicate that your ignition module is not functioning and you must replace it. Suspect the ECM as a last resort. If all other components are functioning properly and there are no breaks in your wiring system, then you may have a bad ECM. At this point you should consider taking your vehicle to a professional to diagnose the problem. | Check to make sure you have fuel. Check your battery. Scan your fuse box. Park your car. Gather your tools. Disable the fuel system by removing the fuel pump fuse or relay. Test your spark plugs wires. Locate your distributor cap. Observe the rotor inside the distributor. Turn the ignition key on but don't crank the engine. Locate the ignition coil. Locate the positive or power wire attached to the engine coil. Locate the negative or ground wire attached to the engine coil. Crank the engine while watching the test light. Locate the pulse generator on the distributor. Connect an A/C voltmeter to the pair of wires at the pulse generator and crank the engine. Suspect the ECM as a last resort. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Cat-Used-to-a-New-Puppy | How to Get a Cat Used to a New Puppy | To get your cat used to your new puppy, first let your puppy play with some toys and blankets and then place these around the house so your cat can become familiar with its scent. When it's time to bring your puppy into your home, put it in a separate space for a while so your cat can meet it without the stress of being face-to-face. Eventually, when you take your puppy out of this space, use a lead to ensure your cat's safety. Remember to let your cat approach your puppy on its own so it doesn't feel forced and act aggressively out of fear. To help your cat feel even safer around your new puppy, move its food and litter pan to a separate area your puppy can't access. | Introduce your puppy’s scent into your home. Take a few toys or blankets that have been touched by the puppy and place them throughout your house. You can also wipe down your couch or other furniture with a towel that you used to rub on the puppy. Animals communicate through scent and this will provide an introduction before the two even meet. Whenever the puppy moves in you can continue this process by placing scented towels, from both animals, in the food or play areas of the other one. This will not generally trigger territorial impulses but will increase familiarity instead. Choose a peaceful time for the first meeting. Don't try to introduce them when friends or many people are around. Avoid times when you are stressed, such as right after you come home from work. Animals can sense your stress and they can also behave differently due to stress as well. When you finally bring the puppy into your house make sure that you haven't recently moved or undergone any other major life change too. Confine the puppy to a particular area for a bit. Place your new puppy in a separate room or living space (blocked off by baby gates) for a few days. Put their kennel and food/drink in the same place. This will allow your cat to get to know the new arrival without the stress of meeting face-to-face. Observe the reactions of both animals to gauge how a final introduction might go. Even after the two have met, it is a good idea to observe all interactions closely. Your puppy, depending on its size, may be able to injure your cat without even meaning to do so. Put the puppy on a lead. When you take your puppy out of its designated space, go ahead and put a halter or lead on it. This will allow you to control the movement of the puppy, thus ensuring your cat's safety. It is also okay to put your cat on a leash if you feel that this will add to their safety. It is important to prevent the puppy from chasing the cat because if the puppy is allowed to do it once, then he will want to do it again. Try distracting the puppy with one of his favorite toys and praise him for ignoring the cat. With an older dog, you can also give them the "sit" command and then do some obedience training while the cat is at a distance. This will teach your dog to pay attention to you rather than the cat. Don’t force contact. As the home's first resident, it is best to let your cat decide when, and how, to approach your new puppy. It is not a good idea to hold or dangle your cat near to your dog, as this may prompt your cat to strike out in fear. This also sets a stage for future interactions dominated by fear instead of positive feelings and curiosity. Invite a dog training professional into your home. If your cat is particularly nervous about newcomers, or if you are simply worried about the process, it may be a good idea to contact a dog trainer in your area who can facilitate the introduction process. Talk with your vet to get a good reference. Before the trainer arrives take a moment to write down your primary concerns. Are you worried that the two animals will harm one another? Are you concerned about your cat's emotional well-being? Move your cat’s food to a protected location. Puppies and dogs love to eat cat food. However, cat food is so protein-rich that it often causes serious digestive issues for dogs. Take your cat's food and water bowls are relocate them to an area where the puppy will not be able to access or reach. Perhaps move them to a countertop. Or, to a separate cat-only room. This will also make your cat feel less vulnerable as it eats. A bouncy puppy pouncing on them can be so stressful that some cats will forgo eating entirely, causing a whole other set of problems. It is also a good idea to keep your cat away from your new puppy when it is eating as well. Your puppy could lash out in a bout of food protectiveness and potentially injure your cat. Move your cat’s litter pan to a protected location. Puppies and dogs also love to eat cat feces, oddly (and grossly) enough. Get a box with a closing too small for your puppy to enter or one with a cat flap. You could also put the box in a cat-only room or use baby gates to create a barrier around the box area. Your cat is very vulnerable when using their box. If they feel unsafe, they might start using the restroom elsewhere out of a feeling of self-preservation. Once this outside marking starts, it is very difficult to stop. Provide high-rise hideaways for your cat. Most cats are climbers or hiders. Take a look at your home and make sure that there are ample spots for your cat to escape from the puppy, if desired. You can place bookcases in an accessible way. You can also clear a path to window sills and counters. Some pet stores even sell specialty cat climbers that you can install on your walls. Make sure that each room has at least one high-rise escape route for your cat. This will help to prevent a direct confrontation. Install baby gates. Your puppy does not need to have the full run of your home. You can put baby gates in certain doorways or hallways in order to limit your puppy's access. Your cat will then learn which areas are protected and which are open access. If your cat cannot jump over these barriers, then you will want to use them more sparingly. Consider crating the puppy. Putting your puppy in a crate for short periods of time can actually be a good thing for your puppy, you, and your cat. It teaches the puppy control. It gives you a break. And, it gives your cat a puppy-free period of time, as it used to be. Place your puppy in the crate and then issue the “Quiet” command. Don't let your cat pester your puppy while it is in the crate. This will keep your puppy agitated and will make the crate seem more like a punishment then a training tool. Be patient. Relationships take time to form and this situation is no different. Don't expect your cat to instantly love your puppy or vice versa. Instead, try to get them to get along first in a safe manner and then keep your fingers crossed for something more to develop. Share your attention. Your cat will expect the same treatment that it experienced before, so make sure to keep up the cuddling and treating. Make sure that both your puppy and cat have sufficient toys to play with. And, watch to make sure that toy stealing is minimized. As your cat and puppy behave nicely, make sure to praise them by offering treats and saying, “good job!” Get all of your family members involved. Everyone can help to make sure that both your cat and dog are healthy and happy with one another. Enroll your puppy in obedience classes. Search for a class in your area by typing your city's name and “puppy obedience courses” into a search engine. Then, take your puppy on a regular basis. They will learn a variety of useful commands, such as “leave it.” These commands can be used if they get out of control when around your cat. This is also a great way to expend a puppy's natural energy. Recognize your cat’s stress behaviors. Keep a close eye on your cat during the first few weeks of puppy cohabitation. Your cat may appear fine on the surface, but could be subtly indicating that they are stressed. Watch to see if your cat is marking the furniture (by scratching or spraying). They may also be using the restroom in hidden places, like the corners of your closet. Your cat may also show more obvious stress by hissing or arching its back. Another warning sign is a lack of grooming. If your cat stops grooming itself, this could mean that it doesn't feel safe doing so with the puppy around. Make sure to give your cat a safe space to tend to these needs. Individualize the problems that you see. Try to adopt an attentive, not a dismissive, attitude. You may see that your cat is only aggressive when the puppy enters a certain room or approaches a particular family member. Or, you may notice that your puppy is only snippy when your cat tries to steal a certain toy. Tailor your responses according to the particular issues that you see. Talk to your veterinarian. As you bring both your puppy and cat in for their annual visits, discuss with your vet how the animals are getting along. Ask any questions that you have and try to get as much advice as you can. For example, you might say, “How can I keep the puppy from tearing up all of my cat's toys?” | Introduce your puppy’s scent into your home. Choose a peaceful time for the first meeting. Confine the puppy to a particular area for a bit. Put the puppy on a lead. Don’t force contact. Invite a dog training professional into your home. Move your cat’s food to a protected location. Move your cat’s litter pan to a protected location. Provide high-rise hideaways for your cat. Install baby gates. Consider crating the puppy. Be patient. Share your attention. Enroll your puppy in obedience classes. Recognize your cat’s stress behaviors. Individualize the problems that you see. Talk to your veterinarian. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-History-Teacher | How to Become a History Teacher | If you'd like to become a history teacher, work on gaining the necessary qualifications and developing teaching techniques to make history fun. Start by completing a bachelor's degree in history or a related field. You'll also need to complete a teacher education program, which can be a minor as part of your bachelor degree or a separate course. Besides gaining the necessary qualifications, take a critical attitude towards historical sources, which will be one of the most important things you'll teach your students. For example, familiarize yourself with the benefits and drawbacks of primary and secondary sources. Additionally, come up with connections between the topics you're interested in and people's current life experience, since some students find it easier to get interested in history if they can see a link to their own lives. If you're teaching your students about writing in the ancient world, for instance, you could draw a parallel between Egyptian hieroglyphs and modern images. | Get a bachelor’s degree in history or a related field. In most areas, you will need a bachelor's degree in order to become a history teacher. Complete a degree in history or a related field, such as social sciences, anthropology, or archaeology. Some high schools may require their teachers to hold a master's degree. If you're teaching at the K-8 level, you may be able to teach with a BA in education and a concentration in history. Complete a teacher education program at your chosen grade level. In addition to doing coursework in history, you will also need to take courses on K-12 education. A teacher education program will give you the tools you need to succeed in the classroom and also prepare you to teach your region's standard K-12 history curriculum. There are a few different approaches you could take, depending on your needs and local requirements. For example, you could: Find a school that offers a dual degree in history and education. Get a BA in education with a minor in history (or vice versa). Before trying this approach, check out the educational requirements for history teachers in your area. Complete an alternative teacher certification program after finishing your history degree. Check with the department of education in your state or region to find out what programs are available in your area. Pursue a teaching internship or student teaching program. As you are completing your teacher education program, it's important to gain practical experience in the classroom. Most education programs will help you connect with these kinds of opportunities. If you're not sure where to begin, talk to your faculty advisor or a career counselor at your school. Take any certification exams required in your region. Once you complete your degree and any certification requirements, you will need to take 1 or more licensing exams before you can become a teacher. The nature of these exams will depend on your location and the grade level you plan to teach. For example, if you are planning to be a high school history teacher in Illinois, you will need to take the Illinois Licensure Testing System Test of Academic Proficiency as well as the ILTS Social Science: History exam and a teaching portfolio assessment. Follow your area’s teacher licensing requirements. Check with your region's department of education to find out what other steps to take in order to get your teaching license. In most places, you will likely need to pass a criminal background check. You may also have to: Provide official transcripts showing proof of any relevant degrees and certifications you have earned. Pay a licensing application fee. Complete a teacher certification application. Look for history teaching jobs online. There are numerous websites where you can find teaching job listings. Start by looking at the employment section of your local school district or department of education website. Use search terms like “high school history teacher.” You can also search general job boards like Indeed or Monster. Education-specific job boards like K12JobSpot can also be good resources. Reach out to your professional network about job opportunities. People you know in the teaching field can also help you connect with potential jobs. Talk to your professors, former classmates, and people you worked with during internships or student teaching jobs. They may be able to recommend open positions that would be a good fit. You can also ask people in your network to be professional references for you. The career advancement office at your university may also be able to help you find job prospects and provide guidance on the application and interview process. Contact a nonprofit organization for teachers. There are several organizations that are dedicated to helping recent graduates start a teaching career. Some of these organizations are local, while others operate on the national level. They help place teachers in schools and areas that need them the most. If you're in the U.S., check with organizations like Teach for America or Americorps. You can also do a search for local organizations using terms like “nonprofit teaching programs near me.” Check for teaching opportunities with your local government. Traditional schools are not the only venue for using your teaching skills. For example, in the U.S., you can find teaching jobs within the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice. Check your government's employment website for job listings. If you live in the U.S., you can search for teacher jobs in various subjects at USAJobs.gov. Pursue further training after you start teaching. Look for courses and programs for history teachers in your area to keep your knowledge up-to-date and your skills sharp. In many areas, teachers are required to take continuing education courses or complete other professional development programs in order to maintain a valid teaching license. You can find both on-site and online courses and professional development programs for teachers. Check your local department of education website for opportunities in your area. Look into courses, workshops, and seminars for educators at universities and museums near you. Look to your teachers and colleagues for inspiration. Collaboration is a vital part of being a good teacher, no matter what your subject is. Draw on the work of history teachers who had a positive impact on you. Reach out to successful colleagues for advice and insight. You needn't limit yourself to working with or drawing inspiration from other historians. Look for ways to apply lessons and perspectives you have learned from teachers in other fields. You can also work with other teachers at your school to coordinate on lessons that connect with one another. For example, collaborate with your school's science teacher to develop lessons about the roles fields like chemistry and geology can play in dating historical artifacts. Teach your students to analyze historical sources critically. Teach your students about the differences between primary and secondary sources, and help them develop the skills to question and evaluate both kinds of sources instead of taking them at face value. Your students will gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of history if you give them the tools to approach their sources with an analytical eye. Encourage your students to ask questions such as, “Who wrote this text? Who was the intended audience? Why did the author choose these particular words? Could this source be biased in any way?” Find ways to relate history to your students’ life experiences. Some students find history “boring” because they view it as a series of names, dates, and events with little bearing on their own lives. Look for ways to create connections between the material you are teaching and your students' personal stories. These connections don't have to be anything profound or solemn. For example, if you're teaching your students about the development of writing in the ancient world, you could draw a fun parallel between Egyptian hieroglyphs and emojis. Organize your lessons thematically. Building your lessons around themes can help clarify the material you are teaching and make it more interesting to your students. Make a list of themes that could apply to the periods and topics you are covering. For elementary or middle school classes, choose relatively broad and simple themes (such as “An individual can change the course of history,” or “How does history repeat itself?”). For high school history classes, you can work with more complex themes, such as “Is history really 'written by the victors'?” or “The environment can affect the development of human societies, and vice versa.” | Get a bachelor’s degree in history or a related field. Complete a teacher education program at your chosen grade level. Pursue a teaching internship or student teaching program. Take any certification exams required in your region. Follow your area’s teacher licensing requirements. Look for history teaching jobs online. Reach out to your professional network about job opportunities. Contact a nonprofit organization for teachers. Check for teaching opportunities with your local government. Pursue further training after you start teaching. Look to your teachers and colleagues for inspiration. Teach your students to analyze historical sources critically. Find ways to relate history to your students’ life experiences. Organize your lessons thematically. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Declare-the-Death-of-a-Missing-Person | How to Declare the Death of a Missing Person | To declare the death of a missing person, look online to find out what steps are required by your state or country's government. For example, check to see how much time needs to pass before you can declare a death and if you are eligible to petition for the declaration. For example, you might need to be a spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the missing person. To start preparing your petition, gather evidence such as witness statements and police reports that support the likelihood of the person's death. Then, file the petition in the court in the county where the missing person last lived, and be sure to pay any required fees. Though the process can be painful, it can offer some closure for you and your family. | Meet with a lawyer. The easiest way to find your requirements for declaring a missing person dead is to meet with a lawyer. A qualified attorney will be well-versed in the requirements and can also help you file your claim/petition. To find a qualified probate attorney, you can contact your local or state bar association. Ask for a referral. After you get a referral, you can call and schedule a half hour consultation. Most lawyers offer consultations for a reduced price or for free. Search the Internet. Your government's requirements may be posted online. You can search by typing “your state or country” and “procedures missing person declare dead.” Many states publish their legal codes online. If you find your relevant code, read it and take notes. The code should tell you what steps you need to take. Check how much time must pass to be presumed dead. A person does not need to be missing for a certain amount of time to be declared dead. Instead, the government may state that after a certain number of years a person is “presumed” dead. This means that you don't need to submit any evidence showing the person is actually dead once enough time has passed. For example, your government may state that a person is presumed dead if they have been missing seven years. If you have had continuous lack of contact for more than seven years, then you don't need to show that it is likely the person is dead. However, you don't have to wait seven years. For example, someone might have witnessed your spouse be swept over the side of a boat and dragged into the ocean. In this situation, the court might find that there is sufficient evidence to conclude the person likely died. Check if you can request the declaration. Only certain people can petition for a declaration of death. The precise list of people who are authorized to petition the court will differ by country and state. In England or Wales, for example, the following people can make a claim: spouse or civil partner parent child sibling Take witness statements. If someone saw your family member in imminent danger of death, then you should get witness statements. For example, someone might have seen your relative fall into the ocean or enter a building that collapsed. If the body cannot be found, you will need witness statements to describe the imminent danger faced by the missing person. You should have witnesses sign an affidavit , so that you can submit this person's testimony to a court when you petition for a declaration of death. Get copies of police reports. If a police report was filed about an accident or disaster, then you should get a copy. You can submit it with your petition. To get a copy of any police report, see Obtain a Police Report. Perform a diligent search for the missing person. Generally, you have to make a concerted effort to find a missing person. You cannot just sit back and wait for the missing person to contact you. To show that you have made a diligent search, you should do the following: Notify law enforcement that the person is missing. Hire a private investigator to search for the missing person, if you can afford one. Advertise in newspapers or periodicals that the person is missing and provide contact information so that people with information can contact you. Find the appropriate court. Your government's law will tell you which court to file your petition with. Generally, you will need to petition the court in the county where the missing person last lived. This county might not be where you live today. For example, your spouse might have disappeared when you were living in Cook County, Illinois. After seven years have passed, you have moved to North Carolina. You will have to get a court in Cook County to declare your spouse dead. Draft a petition. Your court may have printed “fill in the blank” forms that you can use. You can find these forms by checking online or with the court clerk. It is probably easiest to search the Internet first. If you don't find anything, stop into your local probate court. File the petition. Generally, you can file the petition by stopping into court and asking to file. In some places, you may be able to file by mailing the petition to the court. Always be sure to keep a copy of the petition for your records. Submit copies of supporting evidence along with the petition, such as police reports or witness affidavits. Pay the fee. You usually have to pay a fee in order to file the petition. The fee will vary depending on your country and state. Look at your form: it should contain fee information. Send a copy of the petition to other family members. Your court may require that you send copies of your petition to people and institutions which have an interest in whether the missing person is declared legally dead. For example, you might have to inform any of the following: the missing person's spouse or civil partner other family members of the missing person, such as siblings or children any organization with an interest in the missing person, such as an insurance company Advertise the complaint. Your government probably also requires that you advertise the complaint in a local newspaper. The purpose of advertising is to notify others in the community that you are trying to have the missing person declared dead. If someone in the community objects, then they can raise their objection at the hearing. The length of time the advertisement must run will differ depending on your law. Read your government's requirements. In England and Wales, for example, you must advertise in a newspaper located near the missing person's last known address. The advertisement must appear within 7 days of your application. The UK government's website has a sample text you can use. In Ohio, for example, you must advertise once a week for four weeks in a newspaper located in the county where you filed your petition. Keep proof of the advertisement. You will probably have to file proof of the advertisement with the court. The court will not go looking on its own. Instead, you should save several copies of the newspaper and submit the advertisements to the court. There may be timelines involved. For example, you might have to send the advertisement to the court five days before your hearing, or earlier. Check with your court. Attend a court hearing. Within a couple months of submitting your petition, you will probably have a hearing in court. You should take a copy of your petition as well as any supporting evidence, such as police reports/witness statements. Another family member or a member of the public might show up to challenge the declaration of death. If enough time has passed so that the presumption of death applies, then the challenger will have to produce evidence that the missing person is alive. There may be several hearings, especially if someone challenges your petition or if the court does not think you have performed a diligent search. Get the death certificate. You can only get a copy of the death certificate if the judge declares the person presumed dead. You can ask the court clerk about how to get a copy and how much you must pay for each copy. You should get several copies. You may need to show copies to a trustee, insurance company, or a bank. You should also keep a copy for your records. | Meet with a lawyer. Search the Internet. Check how much time must pass to be presumed dead. Check if you can request the declaration. Take witness statements. Get copies of police reports. Perform a diligent search for the missing person. Find the appropriate court. Draft a petition. File the petition. Pay the fee. Send a copy of the petition to other family members. Advertise the complaint. Keep proof of the advertisement. Attend a court hearing. Get the death certificate. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Refinance-Student-Loans | How to Refinance Student Loans | To refinance your student loans, talk to your current lender to see if they're willing to lower your interest rate or extend your loan period to lower your payments. However, keep in mind that you'll likely need to provide proof of employment and have good credit to show that you can pay off your loans. Alternatively, you can contact local banks and credit unions to see if they could help you refinance your loans. You might also want to consolidate your student loans so you only have one monthly payment. | Evaluate your loans. Federally-guaranteed student loans are funded by the government and have a number of benefits. Private student loans can come from a variety of lenders including banks, credit unions, state agencies, or schools. Generally federal student loans have lower interest rates than private loans. Some federal loans also allow for a grace period upon graduation. For example, a Stafford Loan has a six month grace period so that you don't need to begin repaying the loan immediately after graduating. Most private loans do not offer a grace period and you need to begin to pay them back as soon as you graduate. If you have multiple loans, pay off loans with a higher interest rate first so that you don't accumulate more debt. Tie your monthly payment to your income. Some federal student loans will allow you to create a repayment plan that is based on your income. For example, your monthly repayments will directly reflect the amount of money that you make which will ensure that you can afford to pay off your student debt. If you have a private loan you will need to talk to your lender to determine if they can create an income based repayment plan. Visit the United States Department of Education's Direct Loan Program online. Direct Loans are funded by the U.S. Department of Education through your school and are managed by a loan servicer, under the supervision of the department. The Direct Loan Program allows you to choose your repayment plan and to switch your plan if your needs change. Take advantage of your public service career. The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 established a public service loan forgiveness program that discharges any remaining debt after 10 years of full-time employment in public service. You must have made 120 payments as part of the direct loan program in order to obtain this benefit. Only payments made on or after October 1, 2007 count toward the required 120 monthly payments. Borrowers may consolidate into Direct Lending in order to qualify for this loan forgiveness program starting July 1, 2008. Contact your current lender. The market for loans is very competitive these days, and after years of high unemployment, a borrower with a good credit history is a valuable asset. If your credit is good, your lender may find value in either lowering your interest rate, or extending your loan period in order to retain your business. You will likely need to provide your lender with proof of employment in order to assure them that you will be able to pay your loan. You will also need to give the lender your credit score so that they can evaluate how well you have managed debt in the past. Contact a local bank. More and more people are moving away from the big banks, and finding a great deal of satisfaction in community banks and local credit unions. Talk to the loan officers there about the potential for refinancing your loans locally. They may be able to help you, or at the very least offer further guidance or a referral. Choose the repayment option with the shortest term length. If you are refinancing your loan in order to decrease the amount of interest you are paying then you should choose the option with the shortest term length. This will likely increase your monthly payments, but if you can afford to pay more it is an excellent idea to shorten the length of your loan so that you pay less interest. You can also pay off more than the monthly minimums as a way to speed up the repayment process. Compare borrower protections between lenders. One thing to look for when comparing refinancing options between lenders is different types of borrower protection. For example, look for lenders that have deferment, forbearance, or flexible repayment options. Even if you don't currently need those options, because you can easily make the monthly payments, they are always a good idea to have. You never know if you will encounter a financial pitfall at some point. Divorce, job loss, a mortgage, or additional children can all impact your ability to pay off your student loan. Consider loan consolidation. If you have multiple different loans try consolidating them. This makes it easier to pay off because all of your loans are combined into one monthly payment. Balance the difference in the costs between consolidating all loans together versus consolidating only the private loans and keeping federally-funded loans separate. Consolidating loans can also help to lower the payment and interest rates. Keep in mind that when you consolidate your loans this will typically make the payment period longer, which will cost more money overall. Choose the best consolidation offer for you. When comparing offers of consolidation you should look for the lowest interest rate possible. You may also need to decide between a fixed or variable interest rate. This is typically left up to personal preference. A fixed rate will stay the same throughout the entire term and is usually higher and a variable interest rate will often start lower, but may raise throughout the term of the loan. Determine why you need to refinance your student loan. It's a good idea to have a clear understanding of how much student debt you have and what some of the possible solutions are prior to refinancing your loans. You may be refinancing simply to reduce your debt or interest payments, or you may be refinancing because you want to consolidate multiple loans into a single debt and payment structure. While it's important to have a goal in either case, knowing how much you can actually afford will make all the difference when shopping for an refinancing solution. Create a balance sheet totalling all of your sources of income, and all of your expenses. Track your income and expenses in great detail for an entire month, so that you have an accurate gauge of how much you're spending versus how much you are bringing in. This will help you determine how much you can afford to pay monthly in student loans. Test out these budget applications to help track your monthly budget: You Need a Budget Budget Pulse PocketSmith Request a current credit report. Before you go shopping for any sort of loan, know your credit score. The higher it is, the more bargaining power you have with lenders, so it's important to maintain good credit. If your credit is not as good as it could be, devote a few months to bringing it back up. The money you save in interest and fees, in the long run, will be well worth the effort. Evaluate your student loan at different stages in your life. Once you have settled on a repayment plan it is important to reassess that plan periodically. For example, as you begin to earn more money you may want to start paying off your loan at a faster rate. Similarly marriage, buying a home, and having children may change the amount that you can afford to pay towards your student debt on a monthly bases. It is important that you constantly assess your financial situation and adjust your payment structure accordingly. Typically you can not make changes to your repayment structure more than once per year. | Evaluate your loans. Tie your monthly payment to your income. Visit the United States Department of Education's Direct Loan Program online. Contact your current lender. Contact a local bank. Choose the repayment option with the shortest term length. Compare borrower protections between lenders. Consider loan consolidation. Choose the best consolidation offer for you. Determine why you need to refinance your student loan. Create a balance sheet totalling all of your sources of income, and all of your expenses. Request a current credit report. Evaluate your student loan at different stages in your life. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Have-a-Normal-Life | How to Have a Normal Life | If you're trying to have a normal life, begin by working through anything that's making you feel you're isolated from everyone else because until you do this, it will be hard to feel “normal.” If you've experienced a traumatic event, like growing up in a violent household or getting kicked out of your home, you might feel different from others who seem to have what you don't. To help you express your emotions and move past your inner pain, try to find a counselor or trauma support group, so you can talk freely about your feelings. You can also find practical ways to rebuild your life by asking your counselor or support group friends for help in finding housing or a job, so you can bring normal activities back into your life. | Accept yourself for who you are. Since it takes a lot of work to change who you are, you should first understand who you are. Societies all over are made up of individuals with different personality types and traits. You'll need to decide what is normal for you. Does it mean breaking the mold or conforming to rules within a strict society? To determine your version of normalcy, ask yourself: Do you feel most comfortable following orders and maintaining rigid social structures? Do you enjoy the independence of figuring things out for yourself? Are you most happy when everyone around you seems to approve of your actions? Would you rather experiment with new styles of living along with people outside of the mainstream? Think about what's considered normal in your society. Even though you're an individual, you still live within a society, be it a neighborhood, community, or region. Each of these has a unique set of norms and values which define what is normal. Think about how social practices and institutions in your society support an idea of normalcy. This will help you express your own identity through your interactions with others. For example, you might live somewhere where it's socially acceptable to speak quickly and somewhat abrasively. But, in another region, that kind of behavior might label you as a social outcast. Being aware of this will help you shape your public image. Find spiritual and emotional balance. Everyone experiences emotional ups and downs. Be prepared for these and learn how to take care of yourself during rough times. For example, if you get into a heated discussion with someone about your personal beliefs, you should know what makes a normal, appropriate response. Recognize that reacting aggressively indicates a deeper issue that you need to work through. You'll have a better sense of wellness if you live your life according to your own beliefs and feelings, rather than letting someone else dictate what should be appropriate or normal for you. Deal with traumatic events that are holding you back. If you've had a traumatic experience at some point in your life, it's normal to feel isolated or different in some way. Trauma can leave permanent effects on bodily chemistry, which can permanently affect how you see yourself and your environment. While you may not see yourself as normal, connecting with others who have experienced trauma can help you realize that you can move on from the event to lead a normal, functional life. Try to find a trauma support group. Such experiences can actually become a source of courage and strength for you if you can incorporate their effects into your life as opposed to trying to avoid them altogether. Once you've created a comfortable routine or rhythm, you can begin to experiment with what's a normal emotion. This will help you express your deepest and most raw emotions. Establish daily routines. Start slowly, by building on the daily routines you may already have. Routines can help establish normalcy and self-discipline. This can make you feel more competent and able to tackle obstacles that may come up. For example, you might try getting in the habit of waking at a consistent time or making your own breakfast every morning. These may seem minor, but they create a sense of personal rhythm or normalcy in your life. Avoid too much structure too fast, which could prevent you from growing by keeping you tied to repetitive behavior patterns. Finding daily routines or patterns of behavior that work for you can reduce stress and give you the confidence to experiment with expressing yourself. Learn. Education connects you with people, ideas, and resources to which you would not otherwise have access. There are a lot of different types of degrees available at schools or universities. Look into them to see if any seem to fit with the sense of normalcy you're trying to cultivate for yourself. If they aren't, buck the norm a little bit by looking into vocational schools or apprenticeships in your area of interest. Don't confine your own sense of normalcy to that of everyone else. While people are graduating from high school and attending college at rates higher than ever , it's becoming more common for individuals to graduate college without being sufficiently prepared to work in the field they majored in. Get a job that drives your passion. Chances are, you'll need to work to take care of yourself. You should also plan accordingly, since you might need to support more than just yourself. Avoid choosing a job based solely on popularity, which won't necessarily make you happy. Instead, ask yourself what kind of people or environment you'd like to be around every day. If the work seems out of character for you and you don't think you'd be happy, consider finding another job that would allow you to be yourself. People who are generally happy at work are often those who get pleasure out of the day-to-day interactions they have with their co-workers. Work towards building meaningful relationships. While getting married might be normal for some, it's not for everyone. Instead, work to develop meaningful relationships with people from a variety of social groups. Broad exposure to different kinds of people can help you find a person you really connect with. Regardless of the type of group you interact with, you need support from people around you. This is essential for you to feel a sense of normalcy in your everyday life. Get a pet. Caring for a pet that needs your daily love and attention can create a sense of normalcy in a variety of ways. Taking care of a pet can help you establish a daily routine and give you more pleasure in your day-to-day activities. Studies have also shown that pet-owners tend to be healthier and happier people in general. And, if you aren't ready for a long-term relationship or having kids, starting of with a pet can help transition towards building more meaningful relationships with other people. Keep in mind that choosing the right pet for your living space and daily schedule is important. If you don't have enough time or space, caring for a pet could end up increasing stress and producing heartache in the long run. Travel. While it may seem counterintuitive, exposing yourself to a variety of people, customs, and cultures can make you feel more normal than if you are simply comparing yourself to people in your hometown. Travel can show you just how big and diverse the world is. The more you travel, the more you'll see just how much people across the world have in common. You'll also realize that differences are a part of every culture. Avoid using travel as an escape. Instead, travel to learn more about yourself, others, and what you enjoy. | Accept yourself for who you are. Think about what's considered normal in your society. Find spiritual and emotional balance. Deal with traumatic events that are holding you back. Establish daily routines. Learn. Get a job that drives your passion. Work towards building meaningful relationships. Get a pet. Travel. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Count-to-Ten-in-Russian | How to Count to Ten in Russian | One - один (ah-deen) Two - два (dvah) Three - три (tree) Four - четыре (chih-tee-reh) Five - пять (pyaht) Six - шесть (shayst) Seven - семь (seeaym) Eight - восемь (voh-seeaym) Nine - девять (dyeh-veht) Ten - десять (dyeh-seht) | Study the numbers. Become familiar with the Russian numbers one through ten. Get a basic sense of how they are written and pronounced in Russian. This list contains the Russian word for each number and its phonetic pronunciation with the stressed syllables capitalized. 1) one = один, pronounced "ah-DEEN" or Раз, pronounced "raz." 2) two = два, pronounced "dvah" 3) three = три, pronounced "tree" 4) four = четыре, pronounced "chih-TEE-reh" 5) five = пять, pronounced "pyaht" 6) six = шесть, pronounced "shayst" 7) seven = семь, pronounced "seeaym" 8) eight = восемь, pronounced "VOH-seeaym" 9) nine = девять, pronounced "DYEH-veht" 10) ten = десять, pronounced "DYEH-seht" Practice saying the numbers aloud. Read through the list of numbers out loud and get used to saying them. Note that Russians say "raz" for "one" when counting and in sentences like "one, two, three, four, let's go! ". "Raz" literally means "(one) time." It sounds more natural to use "raz" in these circumstances. On the other hand, never use "raz", when you describe the quantity of something. For example to say "one pickle, please," say "ah-DEEN." Pay attention to pronunciation. As you practice saying the numbers from one to ten, pay close attention to the pronunciation of each sound that makes up the word for each number. Pay attention to word stress. In Russian the stressed syllable of each word plays a key role in pronunciation. Stress refers to which syllable is emphasized. Make sure you are pronouncing the word with the stress on the correct syllable, which is capitalized in the phonetic pronunciation. Stress is very important in speaking Russian, not only for an authentic accent but also because some words have different meaning when the stress is on a different syllable. Memorize the numbers. Commit the numbers from one to ten and their pronunciation to memory. Listen to a Russian speaker. Hearing a Russian speaker pronounce the numbers will help a lot. If you know a native speaker, ask her to count to ten in Russian. Listen and repeat each number. Listen to recordings. There are many websites where you can hear the numbers from one to ten pronounced correctly in Russian. Practice listening to each number and pronouncing it out loud. Watch counting videos. Youtube and other sites have videos intended for Russian children to learn counting. These can be helpful resources as you learn to count to ten in Russian. Learn more about using Russian numbers. Once you know how to count to ten, learn about using Russian numbers in sentences. Russian numbers have different forms depending on how they are used in sentences. Change the gender of numbers to match the gender of nouns. When numbers are used as adjectives to describe how many of a noun, the gender of the number may change to match the noun it modifies. The number "1" has a masculine, feminine, and neuter form. Unless specified, use the masculine form. Masculine: "One brother" is "Один брат," "1" is pronounced "ah-DEEN." Feminine: "One sister" is "одна сестра," "1" is pronounced "ahd-NAH." Neuter: "One window" is "Одно окно," "1" is pronounced "ahd-NOH." The number "2" has two forms, masculine and feminine. The masculine is "два," pronounced "dvah" and the feminine is "две," pronounced "dv'eh." Numbers "3" through "10" stay in masculine form regardless of the noun's gender. Change the case of numbers according to their use in sentences. Russian language uses six cases that modify words according to their part of speech and use in a sentence. Each of the numbers will change its spelling and pronunciation when used in particular ways. Most of the time numbers are used in the nominative case such as when the number is the subject of a sentence or modifies the subject of the sentence.This means you can usually use them in their regular form. | Study the numbers. Practice saying the numbers aloud. Note that Russians say "raz" for "one" when counting and in sentences like "one, two, three, four, let's go! Pay attention to pronunciation. Pay attention to word stress. Memorize the numbers. Listen to a Russian speaker. Listen to recordings. Watch counting videos. Learn more about using Russian numbers. Change the gender of numbers to match the gender of nouns. Change the case of numbers according to their use in sentences. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Confidence-Interval | How to Calculate Confidence Interval | You can determine a confidence interval by calculating a chosen statistic, such as the average, of a population sample, as well as the standard deviation. Choose a confidence level that best fits your hypothesis, like 90%, 95%, or 99%, and calculate your margin of error by using the corresponding equation. Finally, you can state your confidence interval by calculating its upper and lower bounds. Simply add the margin of error to your chosen statistic to get the upper bound, and subtract the margin of error to get the lower bound. | Write down the phenomenon you'd like to test. Let's say you're working with the following situation: The average weight of a male student in ABC University is 180 lbs. You'll be testing how accurately you will be able to predict the weight of male students in ABC university within a given confidence interval. Select a sample from your chosen population. This is what you will use to gather data for testing your hypothesis. Let's say you've randomly selected 1,000 male students. Calculate your sample mean and sample standard deviation. Choose a sample statistic (e.g., sample mean, sample standard deviation) that you want to use to estimate your chosen population parameter. A population parameter is a value that represents a particular population characteristic. Here's how you can find your sample mean and sample standard deviation: To calculate the sample mean of the data, just add up all of the weights of the 1,000 men you selected and divide the result by 1000, the number of men. This should have given you the average weight of 180 lbs. To calculate the sample standard deviation, you will have to find the mean, or the average of the data. Next, you'll have to find the variance of the data, or the average of the squared differences from the mean. Once you find this number, just take its square root. Let's say the standard deviation here is 30 lbs. (Note that this information can sometimes be provided for you during a statistics problem.) Choose your desired confidence level. The most commonly used confidence levels are 90 percent, 95 percent and 99 percent. This may also be provided for you in the course of a problem. Let's say you've chosen 95%. Calculate your margin of error. You can find the margin of error by using the following formula: Z a/2 * σ/√(n). Z a/2 = the confidence coefficient, where a = confidence level, σ = standard deviation, and n = sample size. This is another way of saying that you should multiply the critical value by the standard error. Here's how you can solve this formula by breaking it into parts: To find the critical value, or Z a/2 : Here, the confidence level is 95%. Convert the percentage to a decimal,.95, and divide it by 2 to get.475. Then, check out the z table to find the corresponding value that goes with.475. You'll see that the closest value is 1.96, at the intersection of row 1.9 and the column of.06. To find the standard error, take the standard deviation, 30, and divide it by the square root of the sample size, 1,000. You get 30/31.6, or.95 lbs. Multiply 1.96 by.95 (your critical value by your standard error) to get 1.86, your margin of error. State your confidence interval. To state the confidence interval, you just have to take the mean, or the average (180), and write it next to ± and the margin of error. The answer is: 180 ± 1.86. You can find the upper and lower bounds of the confidence interval by adding and subtracting the margin of error from the mean. So, your lower bound is 180 - 1.86, or 178.14, and your upper bound is 180 + 1.86, or 181.86. You can also use this handy formula in finding the confidence interval: x̅ ± Z a/2 * σ/√(n). Here, x̅ represents the mean. | Write down the phenomenon you'd like to test. Select a sample from your chosen population. Calculate your sample mean and sample standard deviation. Choose your desired confidence level. Calculate your margin of error. State your confidence interval. |
https://www.wikihow.pet/Predict-when-Your-Dog-Will-Whelp-Her-Puppies | How to Predict when Your Dog Will Whelp Her Puppies | To predict when your dog will whelp her puppies, monitor her rectal temperature, which will drop below 99 degrees Fahrenheit approximately 8-24 hours before whelping. Additionally, keep an eye on her vulva, which may start leaking a clear fluid about a day before she's ready to deliver her puppies. You should also make note of changes in her behavior, like becoming restless or dragging blankets or papers to a quiet area of the house, about a day before she's ready to whelp. | Measure progesterone levels. Progesterone is the hormone that maintains pregnancy. Its levels start to rise at ovulation (ovary releases an egg to be fertilized), become higher during pregnancy, then decrease shortly before whelping. When progesterone reaches a certain level in the blood, your vet will know your dog is ovulating and predict the whelping date. Your vet will take daily blood samples for several days to measure your dog's progesterone levels. Whelping will take place about 62 to 64 days after progesterone levels indicate ovulation. When progesterone drops at the end of a dog's pregnancy, whelping will likely occur in one to three days. Measure luteinizing hormone (LH) levels. LH is the hormone that stimulates ovulation. Its blood levels will peak at ovulation, allowing your vet to predict when your dog will whelp. However, LH levels peak for only a short period of time, so it can be easy to miss this peak. Because the LH peak is so short, your vet may prefer to measure only progesterone levels. Determine when your dog is in diestrus. Diestrus is the phase of a female dog's reproductive cycle when it is out of heat. It lasts about 57 days. To know when your dog is in diestrus, your vet will swab the inside of your dog's vagina and look at the vaginal cells with a microscope. Vaginal cells look different in each phase of a dog's reproductive cycle. Once the cells indicate diestrus, your vet will predict that whelping will occur in about 57 days (give or take 3 days). Have your vet perform an ultrasound. After your dog is 25 days pregnant, your vet will be able to see the puppy fetuses, and even detect their heartbeats, on an abdominal ultrasound. Using this information, your vet can estimate the number of days until your dog will whelp. Let your vet take x-rays. Later in the pregnancy, between days 42 and 52, your vet will be able to see the fetuses on an x-ray. Before day 42, the fetuses' bones are not developed enough to be seen on an x-ray. At this point in the pregnancy, your vet will predict that your dog will whelp in the next few weeks. Take your dog’s rectal temperature. A drop in body temperature is one of the most reliable clinical signs to use when predicting whelping. Your dog's body temperature will drop below 99 degrees Fahrenheit/37 degrees Celsius approximately 8 to 24 hours before whelping. Starting on day 60 of your dog's pregnancy, take her rectal temperature twice a day. Keep track of the temperatures in a log and watch for when her temperature drops at least 1 degree. Notice personality and behavior changes. Your dog will probably start acting differently at the end of her pregnancy. About one day before whelping, she may become restless, prefer to be by herself, and demonstrate nesting behavior. Nesting behavior is when a female starts building a nest or safe area to care for her babies. Examples of nesting behavior in dogs are dragging papers and blankets to a quiet area. Your dog may also start panting the day before she whelps. Some dogs can become extra sweet and loving right before whelping, and others can become very irritable. Detect a decreased appetite. Dogs that are within one day of whelping will typically start eating less. This does not happen with all dog breeds, though. Your dog may continue eating as usual the day before she whelps. Examine your dog’s vulva. One day before whelping, your dog's vulva (external part of her reproductive system) will start to swell. It may also start leaking a clear mucus. You may want to put some extra blankets on your floor so the mucus does not get on your floors. Prepare the whelping area. Knowing when your dog will whelp is half the battle. You will also need to prepare for the whelping process. Prepare a whelping area an area in your home where your dog can comfortably give birth and nurse her puppies. This area should be warm, quiet, and secluded. This area should also have supplies: Rectal thermometer (and KY jelly to lubricate the thermometer) Blankets Gram scale to weigh the puppies Heated whelping nest Pen and paper to record notes about the puppies (weight, coat color, etc.) and mother Puppy formula and feeding tubes for puppies that aren't nursing on their own Intervene only when necessary. Most whelpings occur without complications and without need for human intervention. In fact, too much help from you make your dog nervous about giving birth. There may be times, though, when she will need your help with the whelping process: Tearing the placental membrane from the puppies' mouth and nose, in case the mother is tired or inexperienced Rubbing the puppies with a towel until they start breathing and crying Using clean scissors to cut the umbilical cord to about 1/2 inch (1cm) from the puppy's abdomen Tying the end of the umbilical cord with a piece of clean thread Contact your vet if there are whelping problems. If something doesn't seem right about the whelping process, contact your vet as soon as possible. For example, call your vet if your dog is past her scheduled whelping date. Here are some other reasons to call your vet: Intense labor for 20 minutes, but a puppy hasn't been delivered The mother develops a fever (rectal temperature above 103 degrees Fahrenheit/39 degrees Celsius) Bloody discharge from the mother's vagina for 10 minutes Green discharge coming from the vagina, but no puppies have been delivered | Measure progesterone levels. Measure luteinizing hormone (LH) levels. Determine when your dog is in diestrus. Have your vet perform an ultrasound. Let your vet take x-rays. Take your dog’s rectal temperature. Notice personality and behavior changes. Detect a decreased appetite. Examine your dog’s vulva. Prepare the whelping area. Intervene only when necessary. Contact your vet if there are whelping problems. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-an-Agent | How to Get an Agent | To get an agent, try to get as much experience performing as possible as agents typically look for people who have a solid track record of success. You'll also want to build your social media presence to make connections, keep up with other performance friends, and search for agents. Additionally, try asking other actors to recommend you to their agency, and see if you can arrange a consultation meeting. You can also attend an open call-out or workshop an agency or group of agencies puts on to find talent. | Decide if you need an agent at this stage of your career. It might be surprising, but you might not need an agent right off the bat. If you're just starting out and only have a few shows, articles, or songs under your belt, then you probably don't need an agent yet. It's more important to focus on your craft and build your resume. However, if you're getting experienced in your field and want to make it to the next level of your career, then getting an agent is a good move. Consider what stage your career is at before proceeding with your agent search. A good rule of thumb is that if you're starting to make money with your work, then searching for an agent is a good idea. It shows that there's already demand for your work. Most agents want to see a resume of work, so if you start looking for an agent too early, you'll probably get a lot of rejections. Ask other people in your industry about their agents. When you've decided that you need an agent, then the best source for information is other talented people in your field. Try to network with others and ask them about their agents. This is a great way to identify some of the key agents who represent people in your field. Remember to ask people in your own field about their agents. If you're a writer and your friend is an actor, then their agent probably can't represent you. Networking is also important because agents are more likely to represent you if someone refers you. One of your friends working with an agent can be a great introduction for you. Search online for agents who work in your field. The internet is the best place to gather information about potential agents. Try doing a search for agents in your industry close to your home. Then use those searches to build a list of potential agents to contact. If you're a novelist in Iowa, for instance, searching “literary agents in Des Moines” should give you some good leads. Do the same for your specific field and hometown. Note down the contact information for all the agents as well. There are also smaller agent postings on websites like Craigslist. Be careful with these postings, however. Don't give them any money or information upfront, just in case they're not legitimate. Make a list of agents who specialize in your genre or specialty. Agents usually have a specific field that they work in, so finding one that's an expert in your area of work gives you the best chance for success. When you've made a list of agents, narrow that down by field to find the ones that you're the best match for. If you're an actor, different fields include TV, movies, and stage productions. If you'd like to focus on one of those, then look for an agent in that area. If you're an author, you may have a specific genre like fiction, screenwriting, or history. Larger firms might have several agents working in different fields, so look at their staff list to see if they have the right agent for you. Attend talent showcases to connect with agents looking for new clients. Occasionally, clubs or agencies host showcases for potential new clients. These showcases give people an opportunity to quickly display their talents for agents in the audience. Keep an eye out for these events and attend as many as you can. This is a good way to get noticed early on. Always be polite and friendly to everyone at the showcase. You never know who's an agent, or if someone knows an agent they could introduce you to. This is probably more suited for actors or musicians than writers. However, there still may be trade shows and similar showcases in your industry. Cultivate an active social media presence to showcase your work. Many agents are active on social media and use it to find new talent. If you don't already have social media accounts, start some to showcase your work. Post about your writing, acting, or musicianship to gain attention. Agents might see your pages and reach out to you. Keep your internet presence professional. Don't post things that are inappropriate for a work environment. This kind of behavior could turn off potential agents. Continue booking your own work to build your resume. Finding an agent takes time, and might even be a year or more of work. In the meantime, don't stop honing your skills and booking work on your own. That way, you'll continue making connections and building your resume, all of which make it easier to get an agent in the future. At this stage in your career, you'll probably have to settle for small roles and gigs. Don't worry; everyone starts out small. These little roles are important for building your resume. Ask colleagues or friends for referrals to agents if they have one. Agents receive a lot of inquiries from people who want to work with them, so it's tough to get noticed. If you have a friend or colleague who works with an agent you're interested in, ask them for a referral. This could be the best way to get your foot in the door for a meeting. Remember that a referral isn't a guarantee that an agent will book you. You still need to show off your skills and prove that you're up to the challenge. Some colleagues might not want to refer you to their agent. Try not to take this personally. They may feel like their agent is not right for you. Send your most recent resume and a cover letter asking for a meeting. Always write a polite, short cover letter introducing yourself to the agent. In 1 or 2 paragraphs, state your interest in working with the agent and give a quick rundown of your past work. Politely request a meeting with the agent. Also include an updated resume of all your work, no matter what field you're in. If you know someone who's represented by that agent, name them in your cover letter. Make sure you ask their permission before doing this. If you're an actor, send the most recent headshot you have. Agents submit actors for auditions based on looks, so if you don't look like your headshot, then they're less likely to represent you. Submit your best work as a sample. Agents get a lot of inquiries, so their time is limited. If you're applying for representation, then you have to catch their attention with your very best work. Send in your best acting reel, piece of writing, or live performance to demonstrate that you deserve their attention. Some agents will want your creative material right from the start, and others might request it after you've already sent your resume and cover letter. Check online to see if they list the items they want in an initial contact. Have a conversation with an agent about your work and career goals. Getting into an agent's office for a meeting is a big accomplishment in itself! It means they've already seen something they like. But now you have to nail the interview. Do your best to be yourself and have a good conversation with the agent. Don't spend all your time rehashing your resume. Show the agent your personality and that you're someone they can work with. If the agent likes your personality, they're much more likely to work with you. Ask the agent questions about their work and life as well. This establishes a comfortable dialogue. If you have friends with agent, ask them what the interview was like. This could help you prepare. Whatever you do, don't act smug or show off an ego. This will turn agents off. Show all potential agents that you’re a reliable worker. Besides knowing they can work with you, agents want to see that you'll represent them well. Show that you're a professional by showing up on time, dressing well, and giving the impression that you're reliable. These are all good signs. Also have good answers for what you're currently working on. You might be taking an acting class, writing your latest chapter, or composing a demo tape. These all show that you're active and professional Talk about your goals as well. Having goals shows that you have long-term plans, which looks good to an agent. Always be polite to everyone at the meeting. Show the receptionist as much courtesy as you'd show the agent themself. Prioritize agents that share your career goals and outlook. Your agent will be a big part of your career, so it's important that they share your goals and outlook. If you're juggling multiple offers from different agents, think about which one best lines up with your goals. Will they be able to book you the work that you want to do? Think about this before choosing an agent. For example, if you're an actor that want to work in movies, but you have an offer from an agent that primarily places actors in TV roles, then they might not be the best choice for you. Your career goals don't line up with their typical placements. The same can go for an author. If you want to work with big-name publishers but an agent primarily works with smaller ones, then they're probably not the best choice either. Pick an agent that you feel a personal connection with. While you and your agent share a business relationship, it's also important to work with someone who you get along with. An agent should feel a personal stake in your career and help you make the best decisions. Someone you get along with personally will make the process much easier and more enjoyable for you. Remember that personality is important, but not everything. You still have to make sure the agent is offering you a good deal. Don’t be afraid to reject agents if you don’t like their offer. If you do get an offer from an agent, it's tempting to celebrate and accept it. However, look at the situation and weigh all the pros and cons carefully. If you don't like the deal or don't think this agent will line up with your career goals, then don't be afraid to say no. Always be polite when you're rejecting an offer, because you never know when you'll meet this agent again. Say, “I'm very flattered that you want to represent me, but I feel that we have different plans for my career. I've decided to accept a deal with another agent. This is nothing personal and I'd be glad to work with you in the future if things change.” Avoid any agents that want to charge you money up front. This isn't how a legitimate agent works. While you'll have to pay them eventually, agents only make money when you get booked for work. Then they'll take a percentage of your earnings for their services. If any agent wants money up front, then leave and find another candidate to avoid getting scammed. | Decide if you need an agent at this stage of your career. Ask other people in your industry about their agents. Search online for agents who work in your field. Make a list of agents who specialize in your genre or specialty. Attend talent showcases to connect with agents looking for new clients. Cultivate an active social media presence to showcase your work. Continue booking your own work to build your resume. Ask colleagues or friends for referrals to agents if they have one. Send your most recent resume and a cover letter asking for a meeting. Submit your best work as a sample. Have a conversation with an agent about your work and career goals. Show all potential agents that you’re a reliable worker. Prioritize agents that share your career goals and outlook. Pick an agent that you feel a personal connection with. Don’t be afraid to reject agents if you don’t like their offer. Avoid any agents that want to charge you money up front. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Your-Pets-from-Eating-Cicadas | How to Stop Your Pets from Eating Cicadas | To keep your pet from eating cicadas, supervise it when its outside and distract it with treats if it tries to eat the cicadas. If you see your pet starts to eat a cicada, tell it, “No!” so it will drop the it. If your pet does eat cicadas, watch for symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea, and go to the veterinarian if these symptoms are severe or don't improve. | Distract your pets when they’re outside. When cicadas emerge, they seem to be just about anywhere and everywhere you look. Plus, they're easy targets for pets, since they fly slowly and stay low to the ground. Try distracting your pets to keep them from eating the cicadas. If you're out walking your dog, give it treat or gently redirect it away from the cicadas. If you see your dog snooping around outside in your backyard during cicada season, distract it with a game of fetch or by giving it a command. Supervise your pets when outdoors. If you usually just open the door and let your dog outside by itself, consider going out with your dog during cicada season. This is particularly important if you have recently sprayed your yard with pesticides. Because the cicadas would have the pesticides on them when they emerge, your dog could become very sick if eats them. If you see your pet getting close to some cicadas, use distraction strategies to prevent your pets from eating the cicadas. If you have an outdoor cat, it may not be practical to supervise it all the time. Keep your pets indoors. Except for walks and supervised time outdoors, keep your pets indoors as much as possible during cicada season. If you have an outdoor cat, consider keeping it indoors until after cicada season. Below are some strategies for making an outdoor cat an indoor cat: Make the transition slowly. For example, feed your cat indoors and keep it indoors for increasingly longer periods of time after it finishes its meal. Make the indoors playful and inviting. Give your cat lots of toys and spend a lot of quality time with it when it's inside. Limit your pet’s intake of cicadas. Despite your best efforts, your pets may insist on eating cicadas, even though they have a disgusting taste. Since cicadas can make your pets sick, don't let your pets eat more than one or two of them at a time. While your pet is busy munching on a cicada, try to shoo away other nearby cicadas. If you're lucky, your pets will try to eat one cicada, then spit it back out because it tastes bad. If your pet doesn't like the taste, it probably won't try to eat anymore. Look for GI symptoms. A pet who eats cicadas can suffer from vomiting or diarrhea. If your pets get sick after eating cicadas, you will likely see cicada parts in the vomit or diarrhea. Seeing this might make you feel sick, too! Fortunately, the vomiting and diarrhea are temporary and can easily be treated with medication. Rarely, a pet who eats a lot of cicadas may suffer from intestinal blockage. If your pet's intestines are blocked, your pet may start vomiting frequently. Intestinal blockages require intensive veterinary treatment. Watch your pet for an allergic reaction. Rarely, pets can have a severe allergic reaction, called anaphylactic shock, when they eat cicadas. Anaphylactic shock occurs within a few seconds to minutes after exposure to an antigen (substance that causes an allergic reaction). Signs of anaphylactic shock include pale gums, cold limbs, breathing trouble, and excessive drooling. Anaphylactic shock is an emergency. If your pets have this severe reaction to eating cicadas, take them to your vet right away. Call the vet when you're on your way so they can be prepared to treat your pets as soon as you arrive. | Distract your pets when they’re outside. Supervise your pets when outdoors. Keep your pets indoors. Limit your pet’s intake of cicadas. Look for GI symptoms. Watch your pet for an allergic reaction. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Renegade | How to Renegade | To do the Renegade dance, first hit the woah by bringing your left arm down in front of you and bending your right arm up. Then, clap your hands together. From there, create a figure eight by swinging your top arm in circles. Now, do the wave with both of your arms, extending the movement from your left arm all the way through your right arm. Next, do the x-formation by bringing both arms in and crossing them together to form an “x.” Move your hands up so the backs of your hands hit each other, then move your hands back down and slap your elbows. Put both of your hands up in front of you like you're signaling someone to stop. Then, make a fist with your hands and swing your left arm from one side to the other. Snap with both hands. Next, lean forward, to the side, and back. Cross your arms in front of you when you lean back. Now, face one side and hold both of your hands flat with your palms facing up. Swing your arms back, then push your hands out in front of you. Move your hands closer to your shoulders and repeat. Then, move your hands above your head and back down to your shoulders with your palms facing down. Move one hand away from you and snap, move the other hand away from you and snap, and dab. Swing your left arm out in front of you, then cover your face while rolling your head back. From there, push one hand away from your face while you breathe out, followed by your other hand. Now, place your hands behind your head and pop your hip 2 times. Cross your arms, touch your hips, and pop your hip again. Finally, uncross your arms, touch your waist, and pop your hip one more time. | Woah and clap. Hit the woah, and clap in a smooth movement. To woah, have one arm down and another bent up. Switch these positions. Create a figure eight. Use both hands and swing them in circles Do the wave. To achieve this, do a wave or worm-like movement using both arms. Extend this movement through your other arm to your fist. Perform the “X-Formation”. Cross your forearms together creating an “X.” Move hands upwards so that the back of your hands hit each other, and then move hands back down, this time slapping your elbows. Put hands up in front of you. Do this as if you were signaling someone to stop, but with both hands. Make sure your palms are facing away from you. Swing your arm and snap. Keeping hands in fists, swing one arm from one side to the other. Use both hands to snap. Lean to the front, side, and back. Keeping your arms parallel with fists at your shoulders, lean your body forward, then lean to the side, then lean back simultaneously crossing your arms in front of you. Push outwards 3 times. Face one side and using both hands flat with palms facing upwards and elbows touching your waist, swing your arms back. Push your hands out in front of you. Then do the same thing again, but with your hands closer to your shoulder. From this position you will move your hands above your head and back down to your shoulders with your palms facing down. Snap twice and dab. Snap with one hand while moving that hand away from you. Snap with the other hand while moving it away from you as well. Then dab. Swing your arm and cover your face while rolling your head back. Swing your arm in front of you, keeping it parallel to the ground. Roll your head back at the part where the song goes "Woo" while covering your face with both hands. Push your hands outwards and breathe out. Breathe out while pushing hands one by one away from your face at the part where the song goes "Ah". Only do this twice, once with each hand. Pop your hips. Place your hands behind your head and pop your hip 2 times to the beat. Move your hand from behind your head to your waist, crossed to the beat. Pop your hip once and then uncross your arms, keeping your hands on your waist and pop your hip again. Move one hand behind your head while keeping the other one on your hip and pop your hip again. Put all steps together to form the dance. Be sure to learn how to do every step individually. Once you get that down, you can easily put all steps together. | Woah and clap. Create a figure eight. Do the wave. Perform the “X-Formation”. Put hands up in front of you. Swing your arm and snap. Lean to the front, side, and back. Push outwards 3 times. Snap twice and dab. Swing your arm and cover your face while rolling your head back. Push your hands outwards and breathe out. Pop your hips. Put all steps together to form the dance. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Retrain-a-Cat-to-Use-the-Litter-Box | How to Retrain a Cat to Use the Litter Box | To retrain a cat to use the litter box, put its litter box in a low traffic area with at least 2 exits so the cat doesn't feel cornered. Then, try to play with your cat in the same general area as the litter box so it becomes more comfortable there. If the cat still doesn't use the litter box, try to limit its access to the places it likes to soil so it has to find a new spot, and place another litter box nearby so it chooses it instead. | Move the litter box to the right location. Cats may stop using the litter box after a scary experience in the area, such as a loud noise or harassment by another pet. They may also dislike the spot you chose after moving the litter box, or moving to a new home. Keep the litter box in a quiet, low-traffic spot where the cat can see people coming. Choose a room with at least two exits so the cat doesn't feel cornered. Keep litter boxes away from food and water bowls. Cats do not like to combine these two areas. Signs that your cat may have had an unpleasant experience in the litter box including running quickly in and out of the litter box, or using an area near the litter box. Try moving the box to a new room if you notice this. Keep at least one litter box on every floor of a multistory home. Play with toys near the litter box. Play with your cat in the same general area as the litter box. Leave toys (but not food) in the room so the cat spends time there and develops positive associations. You can bring the cat to the litter box to investigate on its own, but do not drop it inside or reward it with treats for using it. These tactics can backfire by making the cat uncomfortable or afraid. Unlike dogs, cats should choose the litter box on their own, especially if they used one in the past. Keep the litter box clean. If your cat perches on the edge of the box or eliminates right next to it, the box might be too dirty for it. Remove clumps and top up with fresh litter at least once a day, preferably twice. Rinse the litter box once a week with baking soda or unscented soap. If you use non-clumping litter, change the whole box every couple days to prevent odor build up, which can drive away the cat. Do not clean the litter box with scented products. Do not use a disinfectant unless it is specifically made for litter boxes, as many of them contain chemicals toxic to cats. Switch to new litter gradually. If you bought a different kind of litter, introduce it slowly. Mix a little of it in with the old type, and gradually increase the proportion each time you change the litter box. Cats usually find it easier to adjust to unscented litter with a similar texture to their old litter. If the old type of litter is no longer available, buy two or three new types. Put them in separate litter boxes side by side and let the cat choose its favorite. Try adjusting the depth of the litter, especially if it has a different texture than the cat is used to. Many cats prefer a shallow layer of litter, less than two inches (5 cm.) deep. Long-haired cats often like an extra-shallow layer so they can dig to the floor of the box. Troubleshoot new litter boxes. If your cat hasn't responded well to a recent litter box replacement, try these adjustments to make it more appealing: Some cats prefer covered boxes, and other prefer open trays. Try adding or removing the hood. Remove plastic liners from the litter box. These can snag a cat's claws. Most cats adjust well to self-cleaning litter boxes but not all. There is a risk of an anxious cat being frightened by the motor, and refusing to use the box as a result. If in doubt it's best to stick with a regular litter box. If the box is smaller than the old one, you probably need to replace it with something larger. A large box with low sides works best; some people use a plastic sweater box. Clean up urine and feces with an enzymatic cleaner. When the cat fails to use its litter box, clean the area with an enzymatic cleaner designed for cat urine (or a 10% solution of enzymatic washing powder in water). Rinse with cold water. This removes the smell of urine that can attract a cat to return to the same location. For best results, lightly spray the area with rubbing alcohol after the water has dried. Scrub gently and let it air dry. Make soiled areas less appealing. If your cat has developed a habit of going in certain locations, block its access to those areas, or find temporary ways to discourage it until it has relearned good habits: If the cat uses a dark hiding spot, install a bright light, preferably motion-activated. Make rugs or other areas unpleasant to stand on with tin foil or double-sided tape. If the cat urinated on curtains, pin them up out of reach until the cat is back to using its litter. Cover targeted furniture with plastic sheets or shower curtains. Fill bathtubs and sinks with a shallow layer of water when not in use. Place litter boxes in the problem areas. One solution is to give in to your cat's preferences and add new boxes in the areas it's using as a bathroom. Clearly this isn't ideal if your cat is using the center of the living room rug, but it's worth considering if the cat is soiling an out-of-the-way corner of your house. Another option is to move the cat's food bowl to this location. Most cats will not eliminate and eat in the same place. Use your cat's preference to your advantage. If none of these adjustments work, you may have to resort to a slower transition. For example, if your cat prefers to urinate on carpet, place a piece of similar carpet in the litter box. If the cat is willing to use that option, add a small amount of litter on top of the carpet the next day. Continue adding more litter and replacing the carpet when it gets too dirty, until the cat is transitioned to litter completely. You may have to confine the cat to a non-carpeted area of the house for a while to get this option to work, or to roll up your carpets temporarily. Confinement can backfire if the cat is stressed or bored. Similarly, if your cat is indoor/outdoor, or if your cat used to eliminate mostly outside, add garden soil or sand (without any fertilizer) to the box. Again, transition slowly from sand/soil to litter by adding small amounts of the new substrate to the preferred substrate a little at a time. Spay or neuter your cat. This is not a requirement for litter training, but it does make urination outside the litter box much less likely. Unneutered males are especially likely to spray urine when they're stressed, not getting along with another male, or demonstrating their availability to a female cat. The sooner this happens, the more likely the behavior will stop. If it goes on too long, the habit can persist even after surgery. Reduce stress in your cat. Just like humans, cats may experience stress from changes in their environment or schedule. Your cat may stop using the litterbox after a person or other animal leaves the household, or when a new one moves in. Some cats even respond badly to redecoration. Here are a few ways to help: Provide private places where the cat can be on its own, including hiding spots and high perches. If your cat is allowed outside, let it come and go whenever it likes. Let your cat initiate contact, and be calm and consistent in your response. Some cats are stressed because they aren't getting enough playtime, while others dislike being pet or picked up whenever the owner feels like it. If the cat's behavior continues, consult a veterinarian or animal behaviorist. Respond to vertical spraying. If your cat backs up against a vertical surface, wiggles its tail, and releases a spray of urine, your cat is spraying. If you don't see it in action, look for roundish areas of strong-smelling urine a little higher up than the height of your cat's rear end, with streak marks running down to the baseboard or floor. Any cat can perform this territorial behavior, but it is most common in unneutered, male cats. Here's how to respond if your cat is spraying: Spraying is often a response to stress or the presence of other cats. Follow the advice above to address this. Spraying can be a response to a new neighborhood cat, especially if the spray is focused on a door, window, or air vent. Try to keep the cat out of your yard , or close the blinds so your cat can't see it. About 30% of cats that vets examine for spraying have a medical condition. It's a good idea to have your cat examined, especially if you cannot find a solution. Replace small boxes as a kitten grows. If you adopted your cat as a kitten, it may need a larger litter box once it grows up. The cat should be able to turn around comfortably, and still be able to find a clean spot if you miss a cleanup. Cats dislike change, and may take a while to adapt to the new box. Follow the instructions above if problems continue. Clip away matted fur in long-haired cats. Some long-haired cats dirty the fur around their rear when they eliminate. This can cause painful or unpleasant experiences that the cat learns to associate with the litter box. If you notice this happening, carefully clip away matted fur from the area. Minimize damage when the owner is away. Some cats react poorly when their owner is away. They may try to urinate somewhere with a strong scent of the owner, usually the bed. Instruct the pet sitter to keep the bedroom door shut, and provide extra litter boxes so the cat can always reach one without walking by the pet sitter. If possible, hire a pet sitter the cat already knows, or at least introduce them before you leave. Improve behavior in multi-pet households. Urine marking is a common reaction to conflict with another cat or dog, which can happen even if the animals got along in the past. For best results, make sure each animal can access resources without approaching the other: Keep one litter box for each animal, plus one extra. Put each one in a separate location with at least two exit routes if possible. Give each animal its own bed and food bowl. Keep these resources away from litter boxes and from each other. Provide plenty of perches and hiding spaces for each cat. Separate animals if bad behavior continues. If your cat still won't use the litter box, or still acts aggressive to the other animal, try a stricter method of separation. This is often necessary when bringing a new cat into the household : Separate the cats into rooms with a closed door in between, so they can smell but not see each other. Expose them to each other's scents by feeding them on the two sides of the same door, or by switching their rooms daily. After a few days, crack open the door. If they do not react badly, let them approach each other. If they act aggressive, use leashes to keep them in the same room safely for short sessions. Let them play or eat during these sessions, and gradually bring them closer to each other each time. Once the cats are calm, try rubbing a little tuna juice on their heads. This encourages relaxation through grooming, potentially even with each other. Assess whether your cat is having a hard time urinating. If you see your cat straining while trying to urinate, or spending a long time trying with no result, take your cat to the vet immediately. Male cats in particular can develop urinary conditions where the urethra (the tube from the bladder to the penis) narrows or gets blocked. Typically small amounts of urine can pass until the cat is completely blocked and cannot urinate at all. This is a life threatening situation and needs immediate medical care. Blockages can also occur in the intestinal tract. Some cats with a urinary infection or blockage spend a lot of time trying to urinate, licking their genitals, or crying at their owner. Evaluate whether your cat is having fecal issues. Fecal constipation does occur in cats and can lead to chronic issues requiring special diets and laxatives. Diarrhea is not uncommon either, including chronic diarrhea related to inflammatory bowel disease. Any of these conditions are uncomfortable for the cat and may cause the cat to be afraid of the litter box or unable to get to the litter box in time to avoid an accident. Many cats with inflammatory bowel disease only have occasional symptoms for no obvious reason. Appetite changes, lethargy, vomiting, or increased hairball production can be signs of intestinal discomfort. Improve physical access to the box. If your cat is older or has an injury, it may not be able to get into the litter box as comfortably as it once could. Does your cat limp, need help jumping up to a chair or bed, have episodes of shaking legs, or seem painful around its spine or tail? If so, take the cat to the vet immediately! You may be able to make the cat more comfortable by getting a litter box with lower sides, or with a "doorway" cut into the side. You may need to consider a larger box so that the cat can turn around easily once inside. An overweight cat may not fit comfortably in the box any longer. Get a larger box and place the cat on a diet. Consult with your veterinarian about safe weight loss strategies for your cat. Talk to your veterinarian to rule out other medical problems. Urinating outside of the litter box often results from a feline medical issue, including urinary tract infections, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal disease, hyperthyroidism, bladder inflammation with or without urinary crystals, and intestinal issues (IBD). When in doubt, have a veterinarian conduct a medical checkup. Observe your cat so you are prepared to answer your veterinarian's questions. Possible questions include: Does the cat urinate right by the litter box or further away? How large is the spot of urine? Does the cat ever try to urinate in the litter box? Does the cat vocalize when urinating? Is there an increase in water consumption? Can you tell if the urine is almost clear, normal color, or dark? How frequently is the cat urinating? Even if there is no medical cause, your vet could prescribe anti-anxiety drugs to prevent spraying. This is not a guaranteed or risk-free solution, so talk to your vet about the pros and cons. | Move the litter box to the right location. Play with toys near the litter box. Keep the litter box clean. Switch to new litter gradually. Troubleshoot new litter boxes. Clean up urine and feces with an enzymatic cleaner. Make soiled areas less appealing. Place litter boxes in the problem areas. Use your cat's preference to your advantage. Spay or neuter your cat. Reduce stress in your cat. Respond to vertical spraying. Replace small boxes as a kitten grows. Clip away matted fur in long-haired cats. Minimize damage when the owner is away. Improve behavior in multi-pet households. Separate animals if bad behavior continues. Assess whether your cat is having a hard time urinating. Evaluate whether your cat is having fecal issues. Improve physical access to the box. Talk to your veterinarian to rule out other medical problems. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Wear-a-Sport-Coat | How to Wear a Sport Coat | To wear a sports coat, pair it with a button-down shirt and tie for a classic, stylish look. If you prefer a more casual look, wear your sports coat with a solid colored t-shirt or polo shirt. To pair pants with a sports coat, opt for trousers in neutral colors, like beige, black, or gray. You can also wear a sports jacket with jeans, but make sure that the jeans are in excellent condition, and paired with a neat, sleek belt in a neutral color. Then, finish off your look with a pair of casual dress shoes, like loafers or Oxfords. | Learn the difference between a sport coat and other coats. Though they're commonly conflated, a sport coat is not a blazer or a suit jacket. Sport coats need not match the fabric of the pants, as you'd find with a suit jacket. The biggest difference between a sport coat and a blazer is that sport coats are patterned, while blazers are made of solid fabric with a contrasting color of button. Stylistically, sport coats are sometimes a slightly looser fit than other kinds of dress coats, allowing for outdoorsy use and "sporting." They're somewhat slightly less formal than a suit jacket or a blazer. The variety of fabrics is somewhat larger with sport coats as well. Wool, linen, cotton, and other kinds of materials are all common to sport coats. The one thing a sport coat must have, though, is a pattern. Fit the coat correctly. Since a sport coat isn't as formal as a blazer or suit jacket, it can have some give and should appear (and feel) a little looser. For jackets, the length of the coat is usually standard. To learn the cut appropriate for you, find your range below: A short is typically used on people under 5'7, with sleeves up to 32 in. A regular is for people between 5'8 and 5'11, with sleeves of 32-33 in. A long is for people between 6'0 and 6'2, with sleeves of 34-36 in. An extra-long is for people taller than 6'2 with sleeves longer than 36 in. Choose an appropriate weight for the season. Sport coats come in summer and winter weights and are common for any season in which a bit of formality needs to be mixed with a bit of fun. Getting sport coats that can be used for different seasons will help you stay comfortable. Wear cotton sport coats for the summertime. When it's hot out, you don't want to be caught in a wool jacket. Cotton breathes well and will help you to stay cool, despite wearing a relatively heavy article of clothing. Wool jackets should be worn in winter. These are heat-saving and will often be able to be worn without the need for an overcoat. Check the vents. The vent is the open seam in either the back of the jacket or the sides, used to allow the jacket to hang loosely and make the trouser pockets available to the wearer of the jacket. While unvented jackets are form-fitting and stylish, they're somewhat less comfortable than sport coats, which are slightly less formal. Side-vented jackets are popular in Europe and have a cool and sleek modern vibe. Back-vents are more traditional and comfortable. Look for versatile patterns. The sport coat can vary considerably in style, which is why it is so versatile. You'll find different pockets, buttons and even leather patches on the elbows. The pattern, however, will be the biggest and the most eye-catching element of the sport-coat, making it important that you pick one that you'll be able to wear in a variety of different ways. Err on the side of subtle. Plaid purple and orange might look sweet on the mannequin, but how often will you be able to wear it? Think of good colors to match what's already in your wardrobe. What do you intend to do when wearing the sport coat? If you're moving a lot, look for a coat with plenty of movement and even expandable panels or pleats to give you more ability to swing the golf club or toss out the fishing rod. Match the coat to your pants. While not all people like to pair a sport coat with jeans, it is perfectly permissible to do so. The trick is to wear jeans that are in excellent condition and wear a neat belt too. Also, ensure that the coat and jeans fit well. Alternatively, wear trousers. Most casual and smart casual trousers will match well with a sport coat. If the coat is patterned, choose neutrally colored pants in beige, grey, fawn, cream, etc. The pants should not compete with the coat. For a light-colored sport coat, match with dark-colored pants. For a dark-colored sport coat, match with light-colored pants. Wear the sport coat with a shirt and tie. Classic is always in style. Match patterned sport coats with solid-colored shirts for a casual but stylish look. If you want to be sophisticated and put-together, putting on a patterned sport coat with a solid shirt and a neat tie will have people turning heads. Match busy jackets with solid shirts and ties and vice versa. It'd be hard to get away with three patterns. In cold weather, try out a sport coat over a sweater and collared shirt combination. This can be an excellent way of staying warm without the need for an overcoat. It looks stylishly bookish like you're a grad student at Oxford studying avant-garde poetry. Get creative with your tie choices. Patterns are probably out, but think about wool ties, string ties, and other types of ties that will complement your jacket pattern nicely. Alternatively, unbutton a few top buttons and wear just the shirt and coat together. This can be a great powerful look. Your collared shirt should always be tucked in, and the collar should be inside the jacket if you're going to wear it with a sport coat. It's not 1974! Don't let the collar hang outside. Rock it with a t-shirt or a polo. If you want to look like you're hosting the MTV Movie Awards, or you're heading to work at your tech start-up, this is a great look, less formal but still fantastic. Just make sure that either shirt is of very good quality and in excellent condition. It should not be see-through or wrinkled. Wearing a printed t-shirt with a sport coat communicates a slightly subversive stance, artistic and corporate at the same time. Think of artists at gallery openings, hoping to sell a bunch of work. Nice-looking sport jacket, designer jeans, and a Rolling Stones tee? Always cool. Pick the right shoes. If you're integrating a sport coat into your look, the shoes can make or break it. It'll depend on the outfit, but you want to go for a complementary look, in general. If you're wearing jeans, it can be tempting to want to throw in casual shoes as well, but very casual sneakers or Converse can make you look like a teenager dressed up in dad's clothes. For a more elegant casual look, wear loafers, Oxfords or casual brogues with jeans. If you're wearing dressier pants, it might work well to go for more casual shoes. For the ultimate touch, consider some kind of walking boot, or even stylish cowboy boots for an added accent of awesome. Build in complementary styles. Conservative thinking might suggest that brightly pattern sport coats should be matched with solids and toned down as much as possible. That's certainly a fine way to match your coat to your other clothes. But feel free to experiment. Maybe your purple plaid jacket would look great with a gray pullover, with the collar of your pink dress shirt poking through the time. Look for complementary colors and styles. Break rules and see what works. Consider adding a pocket square. Increasingly, pocket squares are coming back, offering a little complimentary accent of color that can make your jacket pop. Match the coloring of your pocket square to your shirt. Unbutton the coat when you sit. Sport coats come in two and three button varieties. The more buttons, the longer the line created by buttoning all of them. In general, it's recommended that you button your jacket while standing and you unbutton your coat while sitting. For some people, it's also common to unbutton the coat for walking. How you choose to wear your coat is completely up to you. You don't have to button it or unbutton it any time, but it usually looks better and helps to slim your silhouette to have it buttoned when you're standing. Button the top button only, if there are multiple buttons on the jacket. Wear an overcoat, if necessary. In very cold weather, an overcoat might be necessary, even if you're wearing a sport coat. Don't forget to consider the weather and avoid getting caught out underdressed. Woolen overcoats, pea-coats, and trench coats are all appropriately paired with a sport coat. Usually, you'll want these to be muted solid colors: black, gray, dark green, or beige. Wear a sport coat to semi-formal occasions. Sport coats are versatile for everyday wear, but also good enough for formal occasions. Depending on your place of work, it may be acceptable to wear the sport coat to work and to the sports bar afterward. If you're ever somewhere in which jackets are required, a sport coat should be fine. The sport coat is at home in the restaurant, at the bar, down the pub and when calling on friends for dinner. Good colors for social events include beige, brown, cream, khaki, tan and white. The lighter colors are always less formal. For formal events, a sport coast, especially a brightly patterned one, might be less suitable. Opt for a suit jacket or a blazer instead. Care for sport coats properly. Never wear a dirty or wrinkly sport coat, or you might as well wear a popped collar polo. Sport coats need to be kept in good condition, and dry cleaned regularly to keep them looking nice. In general, you shouldn't need to have a jacket dry cleaned more than once every six months. Budget tip: In Thornton Wilder's Theophilus North, the main character has only one suit that he has to keep pressed every night between his bedspring and mattress, to keep it unwrinkled and clean looking. While you might not need to go that far, ironing your sport coat regularly should help to keep it in good standing. | Learn the difference between a sport coat and other coats. Fit the coat correctly. Choose an appropriate weight for the season. Check the vents. Look for versatile patterns. Match the coat to your pants. Wear the sport coat with a shirt and tie. Rock it with a t-shirt or a polo. Pick the right shoes. Build in complementary styles. Unbutton the coat when you sit. Wear an overcoat, if necessary. Wear a sport coat to semi-formal occasions. Care for sport coats properly. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-More-Confident-at-School | How to Be More Confident at School | To be more confident at school, try to remember that no one is going to judge you for asking or answering questions in class, and if they do, that's their own problem, not yours. Also, do your best to stay on top of your homework since falling behind will make you feel less confident in class and come test time. If you're struggling to keep track of your assignments, start writing everything down in a planner so you're always confident that you know what you need to do. | Believe in you and your abilities. It's very easy to get stuck in negative thinking that you'll be bad at something, or you'll mess up, or that people won't like you. Ignore all of these negative thoughts and choose to believe in yourself and in your abilities. Even if you have doubts, go for it. You might be scared to try out for a team you really want to join. Go to tryouts feeling confident in your abilities to play and to improve. Remember that you don't have to be an expert to get on the team, you just have to be willing to improve. Silence your inner critic. Sometimes you lack confidence at school because there's a small voice that tells you, “you'll mess it up” or “there's no way those people will be your friends, you're not popular enough.” When these critical thoughts come up, learn to turn off the critic. Choose not to listen to these thoughts. Think of a recent experience where you felt embarrassed or low on confidence in school. Write down all the negative thoughts and messages you gave yourself during and after that experience. Then ask yourself, “where do all these negative thoughts come from?” Make positive self statements. Replace your negative thoughts with more positive thoughts when you talk (or think) to yourself. The way you talk to yourself and the thoughts you have about yourself affect how you feel and how you act. Whenever you catch yourself thinking, “I can't do this” or “I'm not cool enough to sit at that lunch table, find a positive thought instead. Instead of giving up on something, say to yourself, “I know I can get this problem, I need to keep working at it.” Or if you are saying you are going to fail a test, instead say, "I am going to try my best, and give it my all!" Instead of feeling defeated after a loss, tell yourself, “I tried my best and I know that it's impossible to win every time. It's okay for me to lose. Believe that you can improve , imagining your self doing the task as best as possible beforehand can really make your feel better about the situation. Focus on your possibilities. Maybe you feel like there is nothing you can do to feel more confident about yourself. You may have tried in the past but failed, so you believe you will always fail. This is not true! Think about all the possibilities you have to practice your confidence in all the different settings you can think of. Practice a skill until you become excellent at it. This can include drawing, knitting, singing, or karate. Think about where you started and how you felt, and how you feel now that you are more comfortable. Stand up for yourself, volunteer, follow through on something scary, learn something new, solve a problem, start a new club, or make someone happy. You definitely haven't tried everything yet. Exercise. Exercising and being physically active can help you increase your confidence, bust stress, and help you feel good. You may not like to play sports or go to the gym, but there are still plenty of ways to exercise without playing basketball or lifting weights. Play tag with your friends, dance, or take your dog for a walk each day. Even jumping on the trampoline counts as fitness! You can also go swimming, go hiking or backpacking. Accept your looks the way they are. You may have a lot of spots or maybe you have a birthmark in the most inconvenient place. So what? That's who you are, that's how you were born! Like yourself for you, and stop putting your body down. There may be parts of your body you don't like, but think about the parts that you do like. You may love the color of your eyes, the curliness of your hair, or your body build as naturally athletic. You don't have to focus on the things you don't like, but think about what you do appreciate. It's important to remember that your worth isn't based on how you look. If people only value you for how pretty you are or how strong/handsome you are, they probably aren't people you want as friends. Remember that bodies come in all shapes and sizes and abilities. There's no “wrong” body. If you really care what people think about you, ask yourself why that matters so much. Why is it important to you to fit in or to be attractive? Learn to appreciate your personality. Your personality is one of the main things that makes you, you! Do not change it because you think people want you to be somebody else. It's way more important to be you. If you try to be someone you are not, there's a chance the people you are acting for aren't people who appreciate you for you. Be weird and be silly and be you! Choose the friends that enjoy who you are and let you freely express who you are. Think about the things that make you you. Are you kind? Compassionate? Generous? Silly? A good rapper? Instead of being scared to show who you are, lovingly embrace all parts of you and don't be afraid to show it. People tend to admire others who shine brightly in who they are. Ask for what you want assertively. If you have a want or a need, take action to meet it. Don't hope that it will work out, be assertive in finding a solution. Say your wants and needs with authority, as if what you want matters. When making a request or fulfilling a desire or need, be prepared for any outcome. While you may have a desired outcome, know that several outcomes are possible, and learn to be okay with compromise. If you need a ride home, say so. Don't beat around the bush or hint that you need a ride, put it out there and ask, “Can I get a ride home?” The worse that person can say is no, and you'll have to ask somebody else. Asking for things assertively may take some practice, especially if you're not used to it or you feel shy. Start by asking your friends, then make requests from others like classmates or teachers. Join clubs or sports. If you find a club or a sport that interests you at school, try out or join the club. Being in a club or sport allows you to be around other people who share similar interests as you, which automatically gives you a bond and something to talk about. People may start hearing your name around and say, "Oh Amy is on the tennis team, and she is really good!" That's good attention. Join something you like! If you aren't good at tennis, but you're really creative: join Art Club, Yearbook staff, or Prom Committee. No club is for losers, geeks, or freaks, because everyone can have fun in whatever interests them! Being around other like-minded people may help you feel more confident in who you are. Have hobbies and activities you enjoy. Have fun and pleasurable activities that you pursue on your own. Doing something you enjoy can relieve stress, build confidence, and create independence. It's nice to have a feeling of success in activities, but doing activities that are non-competitive can be fun too, like hiking. As long as you enjoy it, it serves a purpose and can make you feel happy. Learn to paint, sew, do yoga, practice karate or dance. Practice music or make crafts. See what activities pique your interest and go do them! Having hobbies and things you enjoy doing can help you feel a sense of accomplishment or happiness that can help you build confidence. Follow the golden rule. Be nice to everyone you meet at school. Be careful not to gossip or say mean things about people behind their back. When you speak to people, be polite and kind. If you get a reputation as 'the nice kid' that's not so bad! Remember to treat others the same way you want to be treated. Do you want other people saying mean things about you? Then don't say mean things about other people. Do you want people to say nice things about you? Then speak well of people. Laugh at yourself. Don't take yourself too seriously. When you make a mistake, laugh at yourself! Make a silly comment and move on. You will undoubtedly make mistakes, and it's better to accept that fact with a little humor than in total disappointment. Having a sense of humor and laughing at yourself can help you increase your overall enjoyment of life. You can even tease yourself here and there. If you're self conscious about dancing, poke fun of your “two left feet”. The more you can laugh at yourself, the less pressure you put on yourself to do everything right. When people see that you can laugh at yourself, they may think you are confident. Say new things out loud. If you have problems remembering what you learn, say it out loud. Talk about the subject during passing period or try to teach your friend or younger sibling what you've learned. By saying things out loud, you help yourself build vocabulary about new topics and give yourself confidence to explore more freely. Many people use this technique to remember people's names. For instance, if you just met Rafael, you repeat his name (“Nice to meet you, Rafael.” or “Where are you from, Rafael?”) several times in order to help you remember it. Begin tests with a positive entry point. You may panic when you receive a test and don't know the answer to the first question. Doubt may wash over you, and you spend the rest of the test worrying you won't know the answers to the other questions, either. When taking tests, scan the test and look for questions you positively know the answer to, and start with those. That way you'll feel confident about your abilities right off the bat, and feel more confident as you work through all of the test questions. Organize your knowledge. Maybe you feel overwhelmed before a test and worrying about your grade makes you feel like all your knowledge is jumbled. Write out everything you know. By writing it all out, you may realize you know more than you thought you did, which can help increase your confidence.. You can make a list, clump similar items together, or color-code based on different subjects. You can also use notecards to study. Write things out, draw pictures, do whatever it takes to help you remember. Study with a buddy. Working with a friend or classmate can help you learn and retain information. Take turns asking questions to each other, explain new concepts, and “teach” each other what you've learned. This can be a fun way to learn and study for a test, without a lot of pressure. You can each create a quiz a swap with each other. Make a song or a skit as a way to learn or study. | Believe in you and your abilities. Silence your inner critic. Make positive self statements. Focus on your possibilities. Exercise. Accept your looks the way they are. Learn to appreciate your personality. Ask for what you want assertively. Join clubs or sports. Have hobbies and activities you enjoy. Follow the golden rule. Laugh at yourself. Say new things out loud. Begin tests with a positive entry point. Organize your knowledge. Study with a buddy. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Kiss-With-Braces | How to Kiss With Braces | To kiss with braces, start with close-lipped kisses until you're comfortable and ready to move on. Next, you can try kissing your partner more passionately by applying some gentle pressure to their lips while still keeping your mouths closed. If you want to part your lips, make sure to open your mouths wide enough to keep tongues away from braces. Once your tongues are beyond each others' teeth, try moving them in circles or up and down to explore and enjoy the sensations. | Wait at least two weeks before you begin the serious kissing. When you or the person you want to kiss first get braces, you shouldn't rush to start making out the second you walk out of the dentist's office. Your braces will hurt at first, and you'll need some time to get comfortable to the metal in your mouth, and to learn how to manage your braces when you eat, brush your teeth, and complete any other tasks that are made more difficult by your braces. You can still kiss your special someone on the lips in the meantime, but don't take it further than that. Start the close-lipped kisses. Hastily introducing teeth to metal is not a good way to get things started. Though you may be longing for some French kissing , you should take things slow and kiss only using your lips at first -- you can work your way up to French kissing as you get more comfortable. In the meantime, you can even take care to soften your lips with gloss an hour or two before the pecks on the lips begin so you feel more comfortable. Take things slow. This is especially true if this is your first time. Start off very gently so you can get a feel for the terrain. As you get more practice, you'll learn where and when to apply pressure (soft at first), and where to avoid it. As you kiss your partner, explore his or her closed lips and see how comfortable you feel before you make the next move. And if you don't even feel comfortable enough to kiss yet, then take a step back. Press your lips gently against your partner's. If you do this too hard and fast, you may hurt the other person, which will force your teeth and gums against your lips -- you could end up hurting yourself, too. Once you're comfortable with these kisses, start kissing your partner more passionately while still only using your lips. You can still generate plenty of passion without going for the full-on tongue kiss. If you're the only one in the duo with braces, you might want to warn your partner about this. Keep your tongues away from the braces. Whether you're wearing braces or your partner is, you should part your lips widely enough and open your mouths enough that your tongue moves between your partner's teeth and doesn't get stuck on the braces. If you run up against the braces, you can end up cutting your lips or gums, and your partner can hurt his tongue if it brushes up against your braces. Don't be afraid to go for it. Sure, you should go slowly at first, but that can build anticipation, and make the kissing even more exciting. So, once your tongue is comfortably between your partner's teeth and both of your tongues are positioned away from your braces, then you should be comfortable with exploring your partner's mouth. Move your tongue in circles, or just gently move it up and down and enjoy the sensation. Don't worry about your braces getting stuck together, either. That is an absolute myth ! Braces are not magnetic. Avoid eating cumbersome foods right before you kiss. Though you don't want to be too paranoid about having a perfect situation inside your mouth before you kiss or you'll miss out on the romance of spontaneous kissing, you should be mindful before you make a move. Though you shouldn't fast right before you kiss, you should be aware of which foods are braces-friendly and which should be avoided at all costs. Any foods that melt in your mouth and that are easy to chew and swallow are okay, as a rule; any foods that are crunchy take forever to chew, or just stick around, like mango, should be avoided. If you're at the movies and know you'll be kissing, go for the melt-in-your-mouth chocolate instead of the popcorn, which can easily get caught in your teeth -- and therefore, your braces. Do not make fun of a person with braces. If you're on this page because your kissing partner has recently been given the gift of braces, then you should be extremely sensitive to his or her situation. Don't make any "brace face" or "metal mouth" jokes unless you want an embargo on kissing all together. Your partner is likely very sensitive and feels self conscious enough as it is; it's your job to make him or her feel better, not worse. If you both have braces, then great! You can laugh about it together. Consider taking additional steps to keep things sexy. If you've been kissing with braces for a while but it's just not working, or there are just too many rough edges in the metal to make room for romance, then you may have to take some additional measures. You can consider covering the rough spots with dental wax or silicone, or even smooth them out at the dentist if they're really rough, but only try this if it makes you comfortable. | Wait at least two weeks before you begin the serious kissing. Start the close-lipped kisses. Take things slow. Press your lips gently against your partner's. Keep your tongues away from the braces. Don't be afraid to go for it. Avoid eating cumbersome foods right before you kiss. Do not make fun of a person with braces. Consider taking additional steps to keep things sexy. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Hairline-Grow-Back | How to Make Your Hairline Grow Back | To make your hairline grow back if it is thinning dramatically, massage a commercial topical product containing Monoxidil into your hairline every day. After 6 months, you will hopefully begin to see results! You can also ask your doctor about oral medications like finasteride and dutasteride if you're experiencing dramatic hair loss. For more minor cases, try limiting how often you shampoo your hair and stick to using gentle, natural products. You can also try massaging your scalp for 4-5 minutes every day, which can stimulate the hair follicles! | Use Rogaine if your hairline is thinning dramatically. If your hairline is dramatically receding, a hair-growth product like Rogaine may be your best bet. Rogaine contains the drug Minoxidil , which works by enlarging your hair follicles and prompting hair to grow longer. Massage the medicated gel into your scalp just above your temples. Also rub it along the top of your forehead to encourage hair regrowth along your hairline. Continue using Rogaine once each day for 6 months in order to see results. You can purchase Rogaine over the counter at any pharmacy or drugstore. Talk to your doctor before using if you're on any prescription medications. Wash your hair with a gentle shampoo to encourage hair growth. If you're concerned about some thinning along your hairline, do not wash your hair every day. Shampooing the hair places stress on the hair and follicles and can speed up thinning. You only need to shampoo your hair 2–3 times per week. On the other days, giving your hair a quick rinse is enough to keep it clean. When you do shampoo your hair, lather it up slowly with gentle movements to avoid tearing out hairs. Rinse the shampoo out using warm to lukewarm water. When you're buying shampoo, look for a gentle shampoo that clears your pores without the use of harsh chemicals. Herbal shampoos can be especially beneficial. Look for ones containing chamomile, aloe vera, ginseng, horsetail, rosemary, biotin, cysteine, proteins, silica, and vitamin E. Check the ingredients and make sure that your shampoo does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate. This is a fairly common ingredient in many commercially produced shampoos, but it can cause already weakened hair to further shrink and break. Avoid using scented shampoos, which often contain aggressive chemicals that can harm your hairline. Moisturize your hair with a natural conditioner every day. Unlike shampoo, it's smart to use a conditioner every day, since it replenishes nutrients and healthy oils in your hair. Apply the conditioner immediately after rinsing your hair and leave it in for 2 to 3 minutes before rinsing it out with lukewarm water. Hair that remains properly moisturized will be stronger, thicker, and less likely to break. Herbal conditioners can be a great choice because they are less likely to contain potentially hazardous chemicals. A good conditioner is a crucial component in keeping your hair moisturized. In particular, look for conditioners that contain amino acids, biotin, aloe vera, ginseng, or green tea. Hair loss along the hairline has a lot to do with aging and genetics. While caring for your scalp and using commercial products can help, they may not be able to restore your hairline to the way it looked 10 or 20 years ago. Massage your scalp for 4–5 minutes daily to stimulate hair growth. Scalp massages have been shown to have an effect on slowing down hair loss and stimulating new growth. Take 4 or 5 minutes out of your day and run your fingers through your hair while gently rubbing and pressing down on your scalp. For a stronger effect, purchase a scalp-massage device at any large department store or hair salon. Run the tines of the massager over your scalp to encourage hair growth. Massaging the scalp increases blood flow to the follicles along your hairline. This, in turn, encourages hair growth and slows down hair loss. Scalp massages are a great tactic to try if you take good care of your hair and scalp but are losing hair due to age or genetics. However, even with the best of care, most people's hairlines are bound to thin some as they age. If you are losing hair in places other than your hairline (such as male pattern balding), you may not be able to re-grow the hair without undergoing medical treatments like hair transplants. Talk with your doctor if your hairline continues to recede. If your efforts don't produce results, schedule an appointment with your dermatologist or general practitioner. The doctor should be able to tell you if it is possible to regrow your hairline at all. If it is, they might be willing to prescribe regrowth medication or otherwise recommend transplants or a special regrowth procedure. They'll also ask about a history of hair loss and other medical conditions in your family. A doctor will also be able to help you figure out whether you're losing hair due to age and genes, or if it's related to poor hair-care practices. Your general practitioner may refer you to a dermatologist, since this branch of medicine deals directly with hair and skin conditions. Dry your hair gently and slowly after you take a shower or bath. After washing and rinsing your hair, allow it to air dry or dry it gently using a clean towel. If you dry your hair with fast, aggressive rubbing movements, you'll risk pulling out hairs by their roots. Instead, gently pat it dry to keep the hairs firmly anchored in your scalp. Do not rub your hair dry or wring out excess moisture. Either action can create additional stress on the remaining hairs of your scalp. Limit your use of chemical dyes and styling products. Chemical relaxers and dyes can damage hair and make thinning or hair loss even worse. The same goes for heavy hair gels and styling products which have a tendency to uproot hairs from the follicles along a thinning hairline. If you must style your hair, try using a light hair gel or a spray-on hair wax rather than a heavy mousse. The negative effect that potent chemicals have might seem obvious enough, but you should even restrict your use of milder chemical products. For instance, most commercial hair gels contain alcohol. Alcohol removes moisture from your hair, making it more brittle and likely to break off as a result. Don't use heat to dry or style your hair. Hairdryers, curling irons, and straighteners can really damage your hair. Using these tools can also put pressure on the roots of your hair, and both issues can lead to further breakage and hair loss. Try no-heat styles to keep your hair healthy. Healthy hair is more likely to continue growing along your hairline if you don't use heat treatments. Be aware, though, that if you're losing your hair due to genetics or to aging, avoiding heat while styling your hair may not be enough to save your hairline. If you must use heat to dry or style your hair, be mindful of the temperature of the products you use. People tend to turn the heat up to the maximum temperature when most people only need them to be about 280 °F (138 °C)-325 °F (163 °C). Avoid hairstyles that put constant pressure on your hair. Hairstyles like braids, cornrows, weaves, tight buns, and even simple ponytails can put stress on your hairline. This, in turn, can lead to your hairline thinning much faster than it normally would. If you have long hair, keep your hair down for the majority of the day to reduce the amount of stress placed on your follicles. When your hair is tied back, strands of hair can break off at the root, causing hair loss around your temples, bangs, sideburns, and forehead. Brush your hair slowly and gently to prevent breakage and hair loss. Brushing and combing your hair can put stress on your hairline. If you don't need to brush your hair every day, try only brushing it 2–3 times a week. When you do need to brush your hair, do so as gently as possible to avoid breaking off any strands at the root. Be especially cautious when brushing your edges. Stop using a heavy brush along the hairline and opt for a soft bristle brush instead. For severely damaged hairlines, you should even consider brushing with a toothbrush instead of an actual hairbrush. Cut your hair short to keep its weight from stressing your hairline. The sheer weight of having hair that's longer than 8–10 inches (20–25 cm) can cause hair loss. Long hair is heavy, and it can sometimes pull the root of hairs along your hairline out of their follicles. Cutting your hair so that it's shorter than 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm) reduces the amount of weight placed on each hair and can slow down or stop hair loss. In fact, if you don't mind shaving your hair completely, doing so might be the best long-term option for restoring your hairline. Reduce daily stress to stop ongoing hair loss. When individuals go through high-stress experiences or have stressful lives in general, they're likely to experience related hair loss. If your hairline is already fading, cutting back on stress is a necessary step and can encourage the hair to grow back. If you experience a stressful period, you'll notice a loss in the hair around your hairline 3–4 months later. To remove common stressors from your life, try: Listening to calming music or taking a bath Challenging negative thoughts Spending time in the outdoors Practicing yoga or meditating Consume foods with omega-3 fatty acids to strengthen your hairline. Omega-3 clings to the hair shaft and cell membranes in the scalp, where it strengthens your hair follicles and encourages growth. It also makes your hair less brittle, so strands around your hairline will be less likely to break off as they grow back. Adults should consume at least 200 mg of omega-3 acids daily, but shouldn't take more than 500 mg. Nutritional supplements that contain these helpful nutrients can also make a difference, but in most cases, your hairline will derive greater benefit from direct food sources than it will from artificial supplement sources. Incorporate protein into all of your daily meals to stimulate growth. Hair is almost entirely made of protein, so if you don't consume enough protein, you'll never be able to regrow your lost hairline. Meat and legumes are some of the greatest sources of protein you can find. Include more chicken, turkey, eggs, peanuts, beans, peas, and lentils in your diet by adding a full serving of protein to your daily meals. Greek yogurt also provides a considerable dose of protein. Healthy adults and teens should eat at 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, get at least 54 grams of protein daily. Protein deficiency can also cause your remaining hair to thin out and turn gray. Eat foods full of iron and magnesium to improve the health of your hair. Both of these minerals are crucial to healthy hair growth and can help restore a thinning hairline. Iron improves blood flow around the body. Without it, blood won't be able to carry enough oxygen to the cells around your scalp, and you won't be able to reinvigorate dormant follicles. Magnesium plays a crucial role in many different biochemical bodily functions, including hair growth. Iron can be found in a wide range of foods, including dark leafy greens, whole grains, red meat, oysters, beans, and clams. Try to consume at least between 8–18 mg of iron daily. If you're looking for magnesium-rich food options, nuts and fish can be good sources. Halibut, almonds, and cashews are especially rich in magnesium. Adult men should take between 400–420 mg of magnesium daily, while adult women only need 310–320 mg daily. Incorporate vitamins A and C into your diet to hydrate your hair. Both of these vitamins help your hair follicles produce natural oils called "sebum." This oil keeps your hair hydrated and reduces the risk of breakage. You can eat foods that are rich in vitamins A and C, or visit a pharmacy and purchase vitamin tablets that contain them. Note that consuming more than 15,000 IU of vitamin A on a daily basis can actually cause further hair loss, however. A healthy amount of vitamin A for most adults to consume daily is right around 5,000 IU. Sweet potato, carrots, dark leafy greens, squash, and apricots are all high in vitamin A. Adults should consume between 700–900 micrograms of vitamin A every day. Guava, bell peppers, kiwi, oranges, and grapefruit are all high in vitamin C. Try to consume at least 65–90 mg every day, but avoid taking more than 2,000 mg. Get at least 11 mg of zinc every day to help repair your hairline. Zinc encourages tissue growth and repair within the body, so if your hairline troubles are linked to a damaged scalp, a little extra zinc can make a big difference. Zinc also encourages your glands to produce the oils that keep your hair healthy and vibrant. A few sources worth considering include chickpeas, wheat germ, beef, veal liver, and oysters. Zinc is also commonly found in most 1-a-day vitamins. You can buy these at any pharmacy and at most drugstores. Stop smoking tobacco products to prevent hair loss. In addition to the many other terrible effects that smoking can have on your health, medical studies have shown that cigarette smoking may have a link to hair loss. If you smoke cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or vape, you're putting yourself at risk to lose hair from your already-thinning hairline. If you're trying to quit but haven't been successful so far, find a support group in your area. Plenty of online support groups also exist. These groups help people around the clock. For example, check out: http://sg.stopsmokingcenter.net/supportv7/. Smoking introduces toxins into your body. These can damage your follicles and keep them from growing hair. | Use Rogaine if your hairline is thinning dramatically. Wash your hair with a gentle shampoo to encourage hair growth. Moisturize your hair with a natural conditioner every day. Massage your scalp for 4–5 minutes daily to stimulate hair growth. Talk with your doctor if your hairline continues to recede. Dry your hair gently and slowly after you take a shower or bath. Limit your use of chemical dyes and styling products. Don't use heat to dry or style your hair. Avoid hairstyles that put constant pressure on your hair. Brush your hair slowly and gently to prevent breakage and hair loss. Cut your hair short to keep its weight from stressing your hairline. Reduce daily stress to stop ongoing hair loss. Consume foods with omega-3 fatty acids to strengthen your hairline. Incorporate protein into all of your daily meals to stimulate growth. Eat foods full of iron and magnesium to improve the health of your hair. Incorporate vitamins A and C into your diet to hydrate your hair. Get at least 11 mg of zinc every day to help repair your hairline. Stop smoking tobacco products to prevent hair loss. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Inspire-People | How to Inspire People | If you want to inspire people, you should always be sincere, because no one will be inspired by someone who is trying to be someone else. You should also expect the best out of others, since placing faith in someone's ability to achieve great things can encourage them to do so. At the same time, you should acknowledge and clearly identify any hurdles that you encounter. To keep up people's spirits, make sure to emphasize that these problems are solvable and offer various solutions. In general, you'll want to focus on building people up, listening to them, sympathizing with them, and giving them hope. When you show people that you care, without judging or shaming them, you can inspire them to help themselves and build a better sense of self-worth. | Be sincere. If you seem fake or insincere, no one will be inspired. They would never be impressed with you if you are trying to be someone. They have to think that you believe what you're saying and you have your own concept in life which you believe in living it. If you don't believe, if you're just peddling snake oil as it were, then why should they believe you? The best way to be real, and show that this matters to you to is to make it actually matter to you. Be enthusiastic and throw yourself into what you do. After all, it's your life. Ditch personal glory. Try not to use yourself as an example when inspiring people. This tends to make it seem like you're making things all about how cool you are. Instead, leave it at a simple "I know where you're coming from" or "I've done this before" and then turn it immediately back around to them. Only share your experiences if they ask. Stay emotionally strong. Never let the people you're trying to inspire see you get really angry or really upset. Stay strong. People get nervous when undertaking difficult tasks, and they need to know that someone is in control of the situation. If you can't handle the pressure then how can they? Expect their best performance. Don't set the bar low. Don't disrespect them by acting like you think they can't accomplish anything. Expect and show them that you expect that they can do great (but not impossible) things. It is important to only ask for things that they can achieve, and the bar is usually best set right above goals they have previously accomplished. Acknowledge problems. If there are hurdles, acknowledge them. Identify what they are. But you should also identify how those hurdles can be handled. Emphasize that they are surmountable. This will give your audience confidence that you are prepared. Make those problems seem smaller. Once you've acknowledged the problems that you may face, make those problems seem not only insurmountable but small. Compare them to other problems that have been faced or talk about why they may not even be problems at all. Draw on cultural examples. Examples from popular culture or history are a great way to inspire people for all sorts of purposes. You can use inspirational movies, historical figures, quotes, or even hurdles that they themselves have overcome in the past. Give them hope. Hope is the most important thing for inspiring people. You have to give them hope. They need to think that there is a goal, a light at the end of the tunnel, a reward for the struggles that they'll face. How you do this will depend on your situation, just make sure not to end on a down note. Lead by example. The best way to inspire your staff to work harder or push through a rough period is to lead by example. Take on more work than you have to and help them with their own work when you can. An active manager who works right alongside them is more inspiring than one who just sits behind a desk. Be their advocate. Make sure that their needs are met. Show them that you care about their personal well-being. When they do something that's worthy of recognizing, recognize it. Promote them when they deserve it. All of this makes them want to do more for you because they know that you're going to fight for them. Make them proud. Get them invested in the work that they do. Make them proud of the product they make or the service they offer. If they take pride in what they do, they'll be much more likely to work hard and strive for perfection. Deliver on your promises. When you promise them something or give them an incentive, you have to make good on that promise. Failing to meet expectations will only make them wary of your future promises and they'll be unlikely to take incentives seriously any more. Create a story. Give them a legend, a fairy tale, where the problem that needs to be overcome (homelessness, hunger, poverty, etc.) is a dragon to be slain. Create an epic feel around the task that needs to be completed. Appeal to their ego. Next, make them the hero of the story you've created. Tell them that they are the only ones who can overcome this terrible obstacle. Make them feel not just necessary but vital. And, here's the key, make them feel like they're the only one/s who can help. People frequently won't help if they think that someone else will step in to be the hero. Feed their empathy. Use their emotions to show them why their help is so necessary. Put them in the emotional place of the person that needs help. Be as descriptive as possible: the easier it is for them to imagine, the more likely they are to want to help. Show the rewards. Let them feel like helping results in good things for them as well. Outline for them not only the good feeling they'll have but also the physical rewards they'll see (good resume content, business incentives, marketing opportunities, etc.). Listen to them. If someone is having serious problems, whether they show it or not they're probably already judging themselves really harshly. Everything you could say to them they've probably already thought about. This means that one of the most productive ways to help them is to just listen to them. Be their sounding board. They may just talk themselves into whatever you were trying to get them to do! Sympathize with them. Show them that you care. Don't judge or shame them. Sympathize and let them know that you understand that the mistakes they made were only human. They need to see that you are on their side, even if that side turns out to be doing the opposite of what they want to do. Build their sense of worth. People who make continuously bad decisions tend to think very little of themselves. Generally, if you've made some really poor decisions, you know it, right? Sometimes their poor opinion of themselves even causes them to do bad things to begin with. Build their sense of self-worth by showing them all the incredible things they can do and you'll find that they may start fixing their own problems. Help them embrace faults. Some people think that they can't overcome obstacles because they have too many faults. Help them to understand that everyone has faults and that we all have to work around them or overcome them. Show them that perfection isn't necessary but that effort counts for everything. | Be sincere. Ditch personal glory. Stay emotionally strong. Expect their best performance. Acknowledge problems. Make those problems seem smaller. Draw on cultural examples. Give them hope. Lead by example. Be their advocate. Make them proud. Deliver on your promises. Create a story. Appeal to their ego. Feed their empathy. Show the rewards. Listen to them. Sympathize with them. Build their sense of worth. Help them embrace faults. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Fried-Pickles | How to Make Fried Pickles | To make fried pickles, start by heating 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large saucepan until it reaches 375° Fahrenheit. While it heats up, mix 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of cornmeal, and 3 eggs in a large bowl. Next, season the pickles with salt and pepper and dip each slice into the batter. Then, use tongs to lower the pickles into the hot oil and cook them until they're crispy and golden brown. Finally, remove them from the pan and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the excess oil. | Heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan until it reaches 375°F (190°C). Fill the saucepan with about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of vegetable oil. Test the temperature using a deep-fry thermometer. Alternatively, you can add a pinch of flour to the oil to see if it immediately browns and bubbles. If it does, then the oil is ready. Make the batter. Combine 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of cornmeal, and 3 lightly-beaten eggs in a large bowl. Mix the ingredients together until you've created a thick, even batter for the pickles. Sprinkle the pickle slices with salt and pepper to taste. Dip each pickle slice into the batter. Use tongs or a fork to lower each pickle into the batter and move it around until it's completely covered in it. Hold it above the batter for a second or two so that the excess batter drips off the pickle. Fry the pickle slices in batches. Once you've covered a sauce pan's worth of pickles in the batter, it's time to start frying them. Lower the pickles into the hot oil using a mesh basket or a set of tongs. Fry them until they are crispy and golden brown, which should take about three minutes, depending on the size of the saucepan. The pickles are done when they float easily on the surface of the oil. Once one batch of pickles is fried, move on to the next. Avoid crowding the pan or you'll bring down the temperature of the oil. The pickles will be soggy instead of crispy. Remove the pickles from the oil with a set of tongs. Place them on plates covered in paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve. Serve the fried pickles immediately with a small bowl of ranch dressing for dipping. Make the sauce. To make the sauce, just mix 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp. drained horseradish, 2 tsp. ketchup, and 1/4 tsp. Cajun seasoning together in a medium-sized bowl. Stir the ingredients until you've created a rich and creamy mixture. Heat the oil. Heat 1 inch (2.5 cm) of vegetable oil until the oil and place the pickles in the oil until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375°F (190°C). Make the batter. To make the batter, whisk together 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 3/4 tsp. Cajun seasoning, 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning, 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/2 cup water until you've mixed the ingredients together well. Place the pickles on paper towels and pat them dry. They should be dry before you fry them for best results. Add half the pickles to the batter. Toss them to really coat them in the batter. Add the pickles to the oil. To do this, take them out from the batter using a slotted spoon, one at a time, which will let the excess batter drip off. Add them to the oil one at a time. Fry them until they're golden brown. This should take 1-2 minutes. Remove them from the heat. Remove the pickles from the pan with the same slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain them. Repeat the process with the rest of the pickles and batter. Serve. Once the pickles are ready, serve them with the sauce you've made. You can also serve them with a few celery sticks. Pour vegetable oil into a large skillet and heat it to 375°F (190°C). The oil in the fryer should be about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. Make the cornmeal mixture. Combine 1 cup self-rising cornmeal mix, 1/4 cup flour, 1 tbsp. chili powder, 1 tsp. cumin, 1/2 tsp. ground cayenne pepper, and 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper together in a shallow bowl. Make the milk mixture. Combine 1 lightly-beaten egg and 1/2 cup milk together in another bowl. Stir them together until the egg is blended with the milk. Cover the pickles in both mixtures. Dip 2 cups well-drained bread and butter pickle slices in the milk mixture and then roll them in the cornmeal mixture. Fry the pickles in batches for 3 minutes each. Place a batch of pickles on the frying pan and fry them for about 3 minutes each, until they're golden brown. Remove the pickles from the heat and drain them on paper towels. Serve. Serve these tasty fried pickles as soon as they're ready. You can add a ranch dip on the side or serve them with 2 tbsp. of hot sauce. Drain two 16 oz. of dill pickle sandwich slices. To do this, simply pat the pickles dry with a paper towel. Make the egg mixture. Whisk together 1 large egg, one 12 oz. can of beer, 1 tbsp. of baking powder, and 1 tsp. of salt. Add 1/4 cups flour into the mixture. Whisk the ingredients together until the mixture is smooth. Pour vegetable oil 1/2 inches deep into a large skillet. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat. Heat it until the oil reaches about 375°F (190°C). Dip the pickles into the batter. Let the excess batter drip off the pickles. Fry the pickles until they're golden brown. This should take about 3-4 minutes. Serve. Serve the pickles with spicy ranch dressing. Remove the pickles from the jar. Choose as many as you wish to fry. Use tongs to pluck them out. Make a breading mixture from flour and cornmeal. Add spices to taste. Pour all of the mixture into a quart or gallon bag. Toss the wet pickles into the bag. Gently shake the bag. The process will evenly coat the pickles. Fry the coated pickles at 355ºF. Fry for no longer than 2 minutes. Serve hot. These are bound to be a great crowd pleaser. | Heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan until it reaches 375°F (190°C). Make the batter. Sprinkle the pickle slices with salt and pepper to taste. Dip each pickle slice into the batter. Fry the pickle slices in batches. Remove the pickles from the oil with a set of tongs. Serve. Make the sauce. Heat the oil. Make the batter. Place the pickles on paper towels and pat them dry. Add half the pickles to the batter. Add the pickles to the oil. Fry them until they're golden brown. Remove them from the heat. Repeat the process with the rest of the pickles and batter. Serve. Pour vegetable oil into a large skillet and heat it to 375°F (190°C). Make the cornmeal mixture. Make the milk mixture. Cover the pickles in both mixtures. Fry the pickles in batches for 3 minutes each. Remove the pickles from the heat and drain them on paper towels. Serve. Drain two 16 oz. Make the egg mixture. Add 1/4 cups flour into the mixture. Pour vegetable oil 1/2 inches deep into a large skillet. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat. Dip the pickles into the batter. Fry the pickles until they're golden brown. Serve. Remove the pickles from the jar. Make a breading mixture from flour and cornmeal. Pour all of the mixture into a quart or gallon bag. Toss the wet pickles into the bag. Fry the coated pickles at 355ºF. Serve hot. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Plasti-Dip | How to Remove Plasti Dip | To remove plasti dip from your vehicle, first pick a corner on any one of the panels. Rub the corner with the pad of your thumb to gently lift it up until there's about 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) you can grab onto. Grip the corner of the plasti dip and gently pull it off of your vehicle. Go slowly so you don't accidentally rip the sheet off. If the sheet does break though, don't worry. Just repeat the process by running your thumb over the sheet where it broke to lift it back up. Then, continue to pull it off of the panel. Repeat this process for every panel on your car. For the trunk and doors, open them to make it easier to access an edge, since plasti dip usually covers the seams where they fit into the frame of your vehicle. If you're not able to peel the plasti dip off by hand, spray each panel on your vehicle with an oil lubricant. Then, use a plastic razor or old gift card to scrape the plasti dip off. If you have any thin pieces of plasti dip left over, use a squeegee or microfiber cloth to buff them off. When you're done, wash your car with car soap and water to remove any remaining residue. | Lift the Plasti Dip off 1 edge of the vehicle. Pick 1 section to work on first, such as the hood. Starting in the corner, pick at the Plasti Dip with your fingers to lift it away from the car. Avoid pulling it off the car immediately, or else you may end up with lots of annoying, small Plasti Dip strips on your vehicle! If the Plasti Dip was applied correctly, it will be thick enough to peel off. Thinner layers shred, so they have to be washed off with WD-40 or another product. Peel the Plasti Dip away by hand. Work along the edge, lifting the Plasti Dip without removing it. Once the edge is clear, pull the Plasti Dip down along the car's surface. It will come off in a large sheet, which you can throw away. Buff off any remaining Plasti Dip with a microfiber cloth. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away any leftover Plasti Dip. Be sure to check hidden locations such as the edges of the hood, the car doors, or the car's underside. Plasti dip in these locations are thin strips that will come off right away. Wash off stubborn Plasti Dip with isopropyl alcohol. Pick up a bottle of isopropyl alcohol from a general store or drugstore. Pour it into a spray bottle to make applying it easier. Spray it around the edges of the Plasti Dip, trying to get it under the edges. Peel off the Plasti Dip or rub it off with a cloth. When removing Plasti Dip from a wheel, for example, spray around the outer edges of the rim. A power washer can also be used, but make sure it's on a low setting so it doesn't scratch the car. Clean the car immediately with soap and water. To ensure that the paint isn't damaged, wash off the isopropyl alcohol along with any remaining Plasti Dip fragments. Use a car-safe soap purchased from an auto supply store, rinse it off with a hose, and then dry the car with microfiber towels. Spray WD-40 over the Plasti Dip. WD-40 makes quick work of Plasti Dip and can be found at any general store or auto supply shop. If it doesn't come in a spray bottle, put it in one to make applying it easier. Spray the Plasti Dip generously to soak it. A commercial dip or goo dissolver may be used instead of WD-40. They can be found at most general stores. Rub the WD-40 into the Plasti Dip with a microfiber cloth. Paper towels are another option you may use. Gently move the cloth or towel in circles over the Plasti Dip to help work in the WD-40. Wipe off the Plasti Dip after 5 minutes. Leave the WD-40 alone for 5 minutes, then start wiping off the Plasti Dip with a microfiber cloth. It should come off without much effort. Scrub gently to avoid scratching the vehicle. Scrape off stubborn Plasti Dip with a plastic razor. Place the razor over any leftover Plasti Dip. Put light pressure on the Plasti Dip to avoid scratching the surface underneath it. Slowly move the razor down and under the Plasti Dip to sweep it away. A plastic razor is less likely to scratch the vehicle, so it's better than using a metal razor or paint scraper. Wash the car with soap and water. Thoroughly wash the car to remove the WD-40 as well as any remaining Plasti Dip. If you notice small pieces of Plasti Dip, scrub them off with a cloth dampened in warm water. Make sure all the WD-40 is removed from the car to avoid causing damage. Be careful not to let it sit on sensitive parts such as the brakes. Soak paper towels in paint thinner. Bring the vehicle into a well-ventilated area, such as a driveway, and put on a pair of gloves to protect your hands. Pour some paint thinner into a container. Get 2 or 3 paper towels completely damp. Lay the paper towels over the Plasti Dip. The trick is to get the paper towels as flat as possible. Treating the top side of the car is easy, but the ends require some work. Hold the towels in place as much as possible by clipping them to the frame with plastic clips. Wait for the Plasti Dip to soak through the paper towel. Watch the paper towels for any signs of change. Look for spots the same color as the Plasti Dip to form on the paper towel after a few minutes. When this happens, the Plasti Dip is soft enough to be removed. Place the towels on a different section of Plasti Dip. Carefully lift the paper towels off of the car. To speed up the removal process, lay the towels on other spots still covered in Plasti Dip. If the towels won't stick, dampen them in more paint thinner. Use a drywall scraper to remove the Plasti Dip. Go back to the spot you soaked with paint thinner earlier. Hold the drywall scraper flat against the car's surface. Slide the scraper under the Plasti Dip to remove it. Wipe the gooey mess off the scraper with a clean paper towel or trash bag. Wipe the remaining Plasti Dip with a thinner-soaked paper towel. Soak an extra paper towel in paint thinner. Use it to scrub the first area that had the paper towels over it. Scrubbing will remove any small Plasti Dip fragments and also help soften any large pieces left over. Repeat treating the Plasti Dip with paint thinner. Continue soaking paper towels, scraping, and scrubbing to remove all the Plasti Dip. You may have to treat the same area a few times to completely clean away all the Plasti Dip. It's tedious work, but it is a safe way to remove the Plasti Dip from a delicate area like the car's body. Wash the car with soap and water. The paint thinner should only affect the Plasti Dip, but to be sure, wash the car as soon as possible. Again, use a car-safe soap and rinse it off when you're finished. Your car should be back to its original condition. | Lift the Plasti Dip off 1 edge of the vehicle. Peel the Plasti Dip away by hand. Buff off any remaining Plasti Dip with a microfiber cloth. Wash off stubborn Plasti Dip with isopropyl alcohol. Clean the car immediately with soap and water. Spray WD-40 over the Plasti Dip. Rub the WD-40 into the Plasti Dip with a microfiber cloth. Wipe off the Plasti Dip after 5 minutes. Scrape off stubborn Plasti Dip with a plastic razor. Wash the car with soap and water. Soak paper towels in paint thinner. Lay the paper towels over the Plasti Dip. Wait for the Plasti Dip to soak through the paper towel. Place the towels on a different section of Plasti Dip. Use a drywall scraper to remove the Plasti Dip. Wipe the remaining Plasti Dip with a thinner-soaked paper towel. Repeat treating the Plasti Dip with paint thinner. Wash the car with soap and water. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Draw-a-Diamond | How to Draw a Diamond | To draw a diamond, start by drawing a flat trapezoid that's shorter at the top and longer at the bottom. Then, draw an inverted triangle under the trapezoid so the base of the triangle and the bottom of the trapezoid share the same line. Next, fill in the trapezoid and inverted triangle with a series of smaller triangles, which will be the sides of your diamond. Finally, shade in your diamond and leave the corners white so it looks like it's sparkling. | Draw a flat trapezoid. Make the top of the trapezoid shorter than the bottom. This will be the crown, or top, of your diamond. Use a ruler to draw the flat trapezoid so the lines are all straight. Make an inverted triangle under the trapezoid. The bottom of the trapezoid should make up the base of the triangle. Try to make the angle at the bottom tip of the triangle 90 degrees. Draw small and large triangles inside the trapezoid and inverted triangle. These triangles will be the different sides of your diamond. Try to make the triangles as symmetrical as possible so your diamond looks more realistic. You want these lines to be straight, so you may want to use a ruler when you're drawing them. Add shadows and highlights to your diamond. Shadows and highlights will make it look like light is reflecting off of your diamond. Leave the corners of your diamond white and shade in the rest with darker colors like blue and purple. Draw a heptagon with 1 long extended corner. A heptagon is a shape with 7 sides. As you draw your heptagon, include 1 corner that extends away from the shape and makes a 90-degree angle. This will be the bottom point of your diamond. Try to make your heptagon symmetrical so your diamond looks realistic. Fill in the top of the heptagon with a series of triangles. These triangles will be the different cut edges of your diamond. They can be different sizes and lengths, but try to keep them symmetrical. Draw 4 inverted triangles in the bottom corner of the heptagon. Make it so all 4 triangles meet in the extended bottom corner. These will be the sides of the bottom of your diamond. To make your diamond look 3-dimensional, make the triangles on the ends thinner than the triangles in the middle. Make a 4-pointed star inside of 2 circles to add sparkle to your diamond. Draw the star and circles somewhere at the top. This will make it look like light is reflecting off of your diamond. Color in your diamond. Leave the corners of the diamond white so your diamond looks reflective. Then, shade in the rest of the diamond with gray or light blue. You can also use other colors like green and dark blue. | Draw a flat trapezoid. Make an inverted triangle under the trapezoid. Draw small and large triangles inside the trapezoid and inverted triangle. Add shadows and highlights to your diamond. Draw a heptagon with 1 long extended corner. Fill in the top of the heptagon with a series of triangles. Draw 4 inverted triangles in the bottom corner of the heptagon. Make a 4-pointed star inside of 2 circles to add sparkle to your diamond. Color in your diamond. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Audition-for-the-X-Factor | How to Audition for the X Factor | To audition for The X Factor, start by learning the deadlines and regulations to make sure you meet all the requirements, such as being 14 or older. Next, apply online or find an open call. As you prepare for your audition, pick an outfit that will make you stand apart from the crowd, memorize a verse of a song that you can sing without musical accompaniment, and keep practicing every day until the audition. At the audition, arrive early, bring food and water, and be patient until you're called. Once you're in the room, take a deep breath and sing your heart out! | Know the deadlines and regulations. For X-factor UK, there are different dates and rules. Make sure you meet all the requirements and complete every step before all deadlines. You need to be 14 or older. This is regardless of whether you're in a group or a solo act. Master a verse of a song. Or two songs, just in case the person before you sang the same one. You'll be singing it acapella (without any instruments or backing track -- just you) in front of an X-Factor team member and the crowd around you. Avoid being clichéd. Only sing Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, or Jennifer Hudson if you're just as good. Pick a song that you know won't be the 500th time your judge has heard it that day. If that's the case, you'll be compared to everyone else on two different levels. The judge doesn't have to know the song. In fact, it may be better if they don't. Apply online. Before the season starts, there is an application form online at the website of your country's version of the X Factor. This is months and months in advance, so you may need to wait until the next season rolls around. There are plenty of auditions by "mobile van" each year. In fact, that's how James Arthur auditioned. Get connected on the website, Facebook, and Twitter for announcements. Find an open call. If you missed the online application, there's still an open call. Thousands of people do it. If one is in your area, great! Suit up and start practicing. In the UK, open call auditions were held in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff, and Glasgow. But there were tons of mobile van auditions -- just the beginning of the list is Aberdeen, Colchester, the Isle of Wight, and Dublin. Pick out an outfit. On the audition notice received when you fill out your form, it explicitly says to stand out from the crowd. Personalities are so large there really is no limit. Whatever matches your personality, go for it. This show is all about spectacle. Here's what the form says: "Dress as the pop star you want to be - we are looking for the next big music sensation so make an impact. We also highly encourage everyone to bring along posters and banners to the open day - the brighter the better!" Fortunately or unfortunately (no one is quite sure), wearing your wedding dress or a plastic chicken on your head is not unheard of. You may stand out more by not trying too hard, believe it or not. Stay warmed up. If the audition is months away, don't quit. Run through your piece every other day or so until you can do it on one leg with your hands tied behind your back. Stay vocally healthy to boot. Load up on warm water. Stay away from alcohol (dries out your throat) and definitely don't smoke. If you're concerned you're getting a tickle, go for green tea, pineapple juice, and get on vocal rest. Don't strain your voice -- that'll just wear it out. Get there early. There will literally be thousands of others waiting near you to get their 30 seconds, too. Parking will be limited, so if you can avoid driving, do it. And if you're a minor, bring a guardian with you. Get there very, very early. People will be waiting in the wee hours of the morning. You may want to bring some food, drinks (water!), a chair, and something to amuse yourself. Be patient. This will most likely take all day. That's even if you've been informed to get there at 8 AM. They are seeing thousands of people and won't likely get started until everything is settled and everyone is ushered into the arena (or whatever the type of venue). Your audition will likely take place 8 or so hours after you've arrived. Account for the weather. Your hair and makeup may not look as great as you want it to when you're auditioning at 5 PM and got there at 5 AM. Bring extra makeup and comfortable shoes. You'll be grateful you did. Sing your heart out. Finally, the fun part! When your number is called, a team member (someone you won't recognize) will approach you and listen to you sing. You'll be doing this in front of everyone -- there is no designated, blocked-off area for singers. Take a deep breath and go big or go home. The judge will then give you a polite yes or no. They are not allowed to critique you or give you feedback. If you do make it, you'll be notified of a call back audition at a later date. | Know the deadlines and regulations. Master a verse of a song. Apply online. Find an open call. Pick out an outfit. Stay warmed up. Get there early. Be patient. Sing your heart out. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Add-Rice-Cereal-to-Formula | How to Add Rice Cereal to Formula | Before you add rice cereal to formula, make sure your infant is at least 4-6 months old, is able to sit up with assistance, and has head and neck control. If you aren't sure if your infant is ready, check with your child's health care provider. If rice cereal is right for your baby, start by adding 1 tsp of rice cereal to your baby's nightly bottle. Or, you could try spoon feeding 1 tsp of rice cereal mixed in with 4 tsp of formula. Start with a small amount and check for allergic reactions before increasing the amount you give. | Meet with your infant's pediatrician or health care provider. Talk to a medical professional before you introduce solid foods. Your physician can verify that your infant is developed enough to handle solid foods. This is the time for you to ask questions and mention any concerns you have about solid foods. In some cases, your infant's intestinal tract may not be fully developed or your baby may not be able to fullness, leading to potential overfeeding. Do not give your infant solid foods until your doctor says that is alright. Wait until your infant is 4 to 6 months. Your infant's digestive system is not ready to process cereal until about 6 months of age. Giving your infant cereal too early increases the chance of choking or inhaling the rice cereal mixture into his or her lungs. Early exposure to cereal can also increase your baby's risk of developing food allergies. Your baby may be ready to try rice cereal at 4 months of age. Your doctor can help you decide what is best for your baby. It may be alright to introduce rice cereal before 4 to 6 months of age if your baby has reflux issues. Talk to your pediatrician before you try this though. Your baby should also be able to eat from a spoon before you introduce rice cereal to his or her diet. Feeding your baby solid foods too early can cause your baby to become overweight. Be sure your infant has met the necessary developmental milestones. In addition to being old enough, your infant should meet certain developmental milestones before you introduce cereal. Your infant should be able to sit with support, have head and neck control, push up with elbows from a lying position, place hands or toys in his or her mouth, and lean forward and open his or mouth when hungry or interested in food. If your child is 6 months of age, but has not met these milestones, you may need to delay the introduction of rice cereal. Waiting for these milestones is important. They help ensure that your infant can safely swallow the rice cereal. Infants also have an extrusion reflex that causes them to raise their tongue and push against objects that are placed between their lips. This reflex is usually gone by 4 to 6 months of age. Trying to spoon feed your child cereal with this reflex can be frustrating and difficult. Talk to your pediatrician. . Do not add rice cereal to your baby's bottle unless your pediatrician recommends that you should. This is typically only done to treat infants with gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Eating cereal from a bottle can make it more difficult for your baby to learn to eat from a spoon and can increase the risk of your baby eating too much and becoming overweight. To reduce reflux, keep your infant upright (i.e. on your shoulder) for 20 to 30 minutes after a feeding. Try a premixed,"anti-reflux" formula. These formulas contain rice starch. Try a hypoallergenic formula that does not contain cow milk or soy milk and see if your infant's reflux improves. Try this for one or two weeks. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend that you feed your baby rice cereal from a bottle. However, your pediatrician is the best source for deciding if you should feed your baby rice cereal through a bottle. Add rice cereal to the bottle. Start by adding 1 teaspoon of rice cereal per ounce (i.e. 6 teaspoons) of formula. Prepare the bottle right before you plan to feed your baby. The mixture will continue to thicken if you let it sit. Your doctor may recommend a different ratio of rice cereal to formula. You can add up to 1 tablespoon of rice cereal to the bottle. Give the bottle to your baby at night. The bottle with the rice cereal should be your baby's last feeding for the night. This may help your baby sleep longer because the baby's stomach will feel fuller. Cut a larger hole in the nipple of the bottle because the mixture is thicker than formula alone. Don't give your baby rice cereal at every feeding. Rice cereal is mostly carbohydrates and does not provide the same nutrition that formula or breast milk does. Giving your baby rice cereal at every feeding may decrease the amount of nutrients the baby is getting. You can either cut a small "x or "y"" in the nipple of the bottle or go up to a larger nipple size to accommodate the rice cereal formula. Monitor your baby's response. Watch how your baby is swallowing the rice cereal. If the mixture is too thick, your baby will have difficulty getting it down and may become tired during the feeding. Notice if your baby becomes constipated or starts gaining too much weight. These are common side effects of drinking rice cereal. Adjust the amount of rice cereal you are giving your baby based on your observations. If the rice cereal makes your baby constipated, you may want to try oatmeal instead. If you are trying to treat your baby's reflux, you should start seeing results in 2 or 3 days. If you see no improvements in that amount of time, rice cereal may not be a good solution for your baby. Mix the rice cereal and formula. Read the package instructions for preparing the rice cereal. Typically, you add 1 tablespoon (14.78 ml) of rice cereal to every 4 tablespoons (60ml) of formula or breast milk For example, if you are currently feeding your infant 8 tablespoons of formula, you must add 2 tablespoons of rice cereal. Stir the mixture with a spoon until it looks like thin milk or has the consistency of soup. If you have purchased rice cereal that already contains formula, prepare the cereal as directed on the packaging. In some cases, you may only need to add water. Serve the rice cereal and formula mixture with a spoon. Although the mixture has the consistency of milk, serve it to your infant with a small spoon. Eating the mixture from a spoon will also keep your baby from overeating and ingesting too many calories. Your baby is used to drinking formula from a bottle and instinctively knows how much to drink based on volume. However, adding cereal and eating from a spoon can make it more difficult for your baby to know when to stop eating. Serve a small amount initially. The first mixture that your infant eats should be thin. You can thicken the mixture over time. Give your infant one teaspoon (5 ml) of the mixture at the end of breastfeeding or bottle feeding at first. Gradually build up to one to four tablespoons (15 to 60 ml) of the mixture two times a day. This process will give your infant time to develop his or her ability to swallow. Place the spoon near your baby's lips and let your baby smell and taste the cereal on the spoon first. Your baby will probably refuse to eat at first. If your infant is not interested in the mixture or refuses to eat it, try the mixture again the next day. You can also try a thinner mixture. Your infant may intermittently spit out some cereal with his or her tongue as a natural reflex. You can also feed your infant formula or breast milk from the bottle, serve the rice mixture from the spoon, and then end the feeding with formula or breast milk from the bottle. You can begin to thicken the mixture once your baby has tolerated the mixture well for three to five days. Your baby may vomit after trying the rice cereal the first few times. Do not worry about this. Just try the rice cereal again the next day. Look for allergy symptoms. An infant that is allergic to the mixture may experience bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, or increased gas. If your infant experiences any of these symptoms, stop feeding him or her the mixture until you speak with your doctor. If your infant has hives or difficulty breathing after eating the mixture, see a doctor immediately. Your infant is more likely to have an allergic reaction if a close family member has any type of allergies, eczema, or asthma. Talk to your doctor about your family history of food allergies when you discuss introducing rice cereal and solid foods. Avoid arsenic found in rice. Most rice cereals are made from processed, white rice. Rice has a higher concentration of arsenic than other grains. Arsenic is a carcinogen (i.e. cancer causing) that can set your child up for health problems later in life. If you are concerned about exposing your baby to arsenic, you can choose a cereal made from other grains (e.g. oats, quinoa, wheat, and barley). Not only does whole grain cereal reduce your baby's exposure to arsenic, it has more fiber and nutrients than white rice cereal. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends cereals made from oats as an alternative to rice cereal. Introduce another first food. Although rice cereal is the most common first food, other foods are acceptable as well. Finely chopped meat and pureed vegetables can be your baby's first food. Mashed avocado and stewed pears are good options for a first solid food. Introducing rice cereal is a tradition, but it is completely safe to try other solid foods first. No matter what solid food you offer, make sure it contains no sugar or salt. Wait three to five days between each new food that you introduce. | Meet with your infant's pediatrician or health care provider. Wait until your infant is 4 to 6 months. Be sure your infant has met the necessary developmental milestones. Talk to your pediatrician. Add rice cereal to the bottle. Give the bottle to your baby at night. Monitor your baby's response. Mix the rice cereal and formula. Serve the rice cereal and formula mixture with a spoon. Serve a small amount initially. Look for allergy symptoms. Avoid arsenic found in rice. Introduce another first food. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Infuse-Vodka-with-Flavor | How to Infuse Vodka with Flavor | To infuse vodka with flavor, start by cutting up some fruit, like apples, lemons, or oranges, and putting the pieces in a glass jar. Then, fill the jar with vodka and seal it with a lid. Next, store the vodka on your counter or in your fridge for at least 2 days, shaking the jar once per day to speed up the infusion process. Finally, strain the vodka into a new container once you're satisfied with the flavor. | Choose a vodka. As the saying goes, if the base isn't sturdy, the whole building could collapse (or something like that.) If the vodka you use doesn't have a good flavor (*cough*plastic bottle vodka*cough*) then infusing it with some other flavor won't work quite as well because you're still going to get some of that chemical taste. Get a middle shelf vodka—something that is decent but not the classiest bottle out there either. Choose a flavor. You can be as creative or as conservative as you like—these days just about every flavor is used in vodka, from whipped cream to bacon (don't bash it 'til you've tried it.) Decide how you want your vodka to taste, and get plenty of the desired fruits, berries, peppers or herbs (or bacon). You also don't have to limit yourself to just one ingredient. Some ideas include : Using just one flavor to spice up your vodka. Options you can choose from include mango, orange peel, watermelon, apple, blueberry, vanilla, cinnamon, basil, chili pepper, horseradish, or bacon. You can also try various candies, such as toffee. Combining chili pepper, horseradish and bacon for the best bloody mary you have ever tasted. Combining orange peels and cinnamon for a sitting-by-the-fire-during-a-snowstorm feel. For a more Christmas-y vibe, combine cranberries and a vanilla pod. Combining mangoes, pineapple and passionfruit—you'll feel like you're sitting on a white sand beach drinking the most delicious cocktail you've ever had. See the Tips section for more ideas. Get the right amount of the ingredient you will be infusing your vodka with. Vodka (as anyone who has drunk it knows) has quite a distinct taste. In order to beat out the natural flavor with the ingredient you've chosen, you'll need to get the right amount of fruit, spice, etc. Use the following guidelines for infusing about one liter of vodka. If infusing your vodka fruit , use one to three pieces, depending on the size of the fruit. Aim for about two large apples' worth; one is usually enough for larger fruits (i.e. grapefruit), but you'll need three to four for smaller fruits (apricots, plums, etc.) If infusing fresh herbs , use one to three fist-fulls of the herb, depending on its potency. Use about half as much when using dried herbs or spices. If infusing your vodka with berries, add at least a cup of the berries (but feel free to add more.) If infusing with peppers, use as many as you want. The more you use and the longer you infuse, the spicier the end product will be. Prepare the ingredients. Infusing your vodka with fruits that have dirt on them may lead to an awkward party moment during which you discover you have dirt in your teeth. To avoid this, wash all fresh ingredients thoroughly (except, of course, the dried spices.) Other preparations differ on the ingredient : Slice fruits finely to increase their surface area and speed up the infusion, removing any pits, seeds, or stems. If you are using larger fruit like mangoes or pineapple, cut the fruit up into large chunks. When using citrus like oranges or lemons, use a peeler to separate the colorful part of the peel from the pith (the white part of the peel.) The pith is bitter and could add some unwanted bitterness to your vodka. Leave berries whole, but bruise them slightly by very gently squeezing them and removing any stems. Crush herbs gently, as it will help to release their flavor. If you are using vanilla beans, slice the bean from top to bottom, keeping the top intact (it should create an upside down 'V' shape.) Create a cut down the center of any peppers you might use. However, do not make too deep of a cut as the seeds need to stay inside the pepper. For bacon vodka, you are actually using the bacon fat and not the actual bacon. Cook several strips of bacon and then drain the bacon fat. For one (750ml) bottle of vodka, you need 2 tablespoons of bacon fat. Place all of the ingredients together in a clean, airtight container. Glass jars with tight lids work best for infusing vodka. The amount of vodka you are infusing (a whole bottle, half a bottle, etc.) will determine how many jars you need. Generally, it is easiest to split your ingredients in half and place half in one jar and half in another. However, if you have a glass jar that can hold a whole bottle of vodka, just use that. The relative proportions of each ingredient, if you're using more than one, are a matter of personal preference. Infuse! Fill the container with vodka, seal it, and put it some place safe. You can place it in the refrigerator to keep it cool or you can leave it out on your counter, so long as it is not sitting in direct sunlight. Wait and shake. The timing isn't scientific but most recipes will infuse within two to five days. Generally, citrus fruits or strongly flavored ingredients will infuse more quickly, but softly flavored or fibrous ingredients (vanilla beans or fresh ginger) may need up to a week or more. Shake the jar once a day to speed up the infusion process. To ensure that your vodka has the flavor you want it to, sample it after two days have passed and then every day after that until it reaches the desired flavor. Some advice will recommend two weeks or more infusion time, but this is only necessary for a large restaurant-size batch. A week is plenty of time for a liter of vodka to infuse properly. Strain the vodka. Once you vodka has become infused with the desired flavor, you will want to strain the vodka into a different bottle. You can use a funnel and a mesh strainer to make the straining process easier. The easiest thing to do is to strain the vodka back into its original bottle, but you can also use cute, new bottles bought at a local glass or craft store (this is particularly great to do when giving your vodka away as a gift.) The reason you should strain the ingredients out of your vodka is that if you leave the ingredients in, the flavor might become too strong (no one wants to drink vodka that has been infused with chili peppers for a month.) Don't throw the ingredients away. If you used fruit to infuse your vodka, you can actually eat them. They will be packed with fruity vodka flavor (just make sure you don't eat them before you drive.) Sample and enjoy! Prepare your fruit and/or spices the same as you would for regular infusion above. Pour the liquor into a whipped cream dispenser, the ones that use nitrous oxide cartridges. Insert a cartridge. Let the dispenser sit for about one minute. Replace the cartridge with a new one, and shake the dispenser for another minute. With the bottle upright and aiming the nozzle into a glass held upside down over another glass, gently squeeze the trigger to release the gas. Keep the dispenser upright––if you turn it upside down all the liquid will spray out; the upside down glass is to catch any stray spray from overzealous trigger squeezing. After all the gas is released, crack open the container, and pour the contents through a strainer into a glass. | Choose a vodka. Choose a flavor. Prepare the ingredients. Place all of the ingredients together in a clean, airtight container. Infuse! Wait and shake. Strain the vodka. Sample and enjoy! Prepare your fruit and/or spices the same as you would for regular infusion above. Pour the liquor into a whipped cream dispenser, the ones that use nitrous oxide cartridges. Insert a cartridge. Replace the cartridge with a new one, and shake the dispenser for another minute. With the bottle upright and aiming the nozzle into a glass held upside down over another glass, gently squeeze the trigger to release the gas. After all the gas is released, crack open the container, and pour the contents through a strainer into a glass. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Satisfy-a-Woman | How to Satisfy a Woman | If you want to satisfy a woman, first help her relax so she's comfortable and can enjoy herself. For example, offer to give her a back massage or draw up a romantic bath with candles and relaxing music. Once she's relaxed, spend plenty of time engaging in foreplay, since women need awhile to warm up to sex. You can try caressing her legs and breasts or talking dirty to her. If you're having trouble figuring out what gets her going, talk to her! Above all, communication is the key to having great sex. When you're ready to have sex, try a variety of positions and rhythms. Keep in mind that every woman is different, so you'll need to experiment to find what feels best for both of you. | Help her relax. The first thing you should do to ensure that a woman is enjoying herself in bed is to make sure she's comfortable. Try to make everything about her pleasure as opposed to your own. In doing so, you will help her overcome initial anxiety and reduce stress. Women usually respond to high levels of stress with a decrease in sex drive. It is simply harder for them to enjoy it when they're stressed out. Do whatever it takes to ensure that your lady is relaxed and comfortable. Help your woman out with tedious chores around the house. Do simple things like help her to wash the dishes or cook dinner. Women respond to a male partaking in household chores tremendously. They feel appreciated. They feel more secure, and loved. When a woman feels more appreciated and loved her sex drive is usually increased. Give her a nice back massage. She'll especially enjoy it if you use lotion, massage oils and some nice scented candles. Make her feel like a queen, but don't make it seem like a chore. Let her know that you enjoy making her feel good. Draw her a romantic bath with candles, sweet smells, and relaxing music. Not all women like things like this, but all women can certainly appreciate a genuine spontaneous act of love and romance. Never pressure or guilt her into sex. If she's not ready, then never try to force the issue. This will not get you anywhere. Always take the time to warm her up (get her ready). Spend some time engaging in foreplay to help her body prepare for sexual activity. Foreplay is very important for a woman and adds another dimension of excitement to your sex life. Foreplay can be very fun for both men and women. Common foreplay practices include lots of different things, ranging from simply caressing her legs and breasts, to deep passionate kisses and teasing sensual areas of her body with your tongue. Many people also enjoy foreplay practices such as spanking, role-playing, biting, scratching and licking. Try talking dirty to her. Don't go overboard and talk about extremely kinky stuff, unless you know that she's into it. Tell her how much you want to take her clothes off, slowly, how you are going to enjoy her entire body with your lips. Tell her how bad you want to explore every inch of her body with your tongue. Pay close attention to every gasp, moan and movement that she makes (you need to know what she responds to.) Your language should be focused solely on your desire to pleasure her, and not yourself. Explore her entire body with your fingertips. Be gentle with areas that you know are sensitive. Rather than touching them directly, start by teasing them. Rub around those extra pleasurable areas until she is begging to feel you touch them. Even then, just lightly rub, then go back to playfully teasing her. This will drive her wild and ensure that she is ready. Learn the female anatomy. When your woman is unsatisfied sexually, it's usually always because you're not pleasuring her in the right way. Men receive pleasure with stimulation of the penis, so it would seem logical that women would receive pleasure through stimulation of the vagina, but this is not always the case. Some women can only be brought to orgasm by stimulation of the clitoris, which is a hooded gland located directly above the vagina opening. Do some research on the clitoris and find a way to stimulate this sensitive body part in a way that works for both you and your partner. Discover her erogenous zones. There are other areas on a woman's body where she is very sensitive and will receive sexual pleasure when stimulated. Try licking these areas, kissing them, or rubbing them between your fingertips. Some women may even enjoy a slight sense of pain in these areas, so you may want to try pinching, biting, scratching, and spanking as well. But don't go overboard. Areas like this include: the side and back of the neck, the nipples (and surrounding breast tissue), the stomach, the buttocks, and the inner thighs. Experiment with variation and rhythms. This is where the old saying comes from that states "it's not how much you have, it's how you use it that counts." Women have few nerve endings in their vagina, so what gives them pleasure while being penetrated is variation in your movements. Try different rhythms, pressure, and angles to find one that gets a reaction from her. Every woman is different, so you never know what will work, but just going at it like a jackhammer won't feel nearly as good to her as it does to you. Master oral stimulation. Oral sex feels good, but some men tend to not give as much as they take in that department. Women enjoy it just as much as men do (if not more). If you really want to earn some points with her, you should work on your technique and do it more frequently. Do some research or even ask her to guide you as you go. The clitoris will be your main focus here, but try not to forget the rest of her vagina. Figure out what she likes, tease her a bit, and go from there. Explore her fantasies. Make sure that she knows you want to please her in every way and go as deep into her fantasies as possible. Once she's comfortable with sharing her darkest desires, and she's openly confiding in you with things she's never told anyone, follow through and bring her fantasy to life! Switch who holds the reigns. Some women like to be submissive during sex, some women prefer to be in control. All women are different and you shouldn't trust websites that claim they have the real answer as to which way your lady will go. Give her the opportunity to try both and see what she likes best. Even if she has a preference for one, that doesn't mean that she wouldn't like to switch it up every now and again too! Always keep things fresh. Making sex predictable and routine is a guaranteed way to make it boring and unsatisfying. Don't let your sex life become predictable and you'll keep her engaged and happy for the rest of your days. Try new positions, new locations, different times of day, and change who takes charge. Sex every Wednesday night in the bedroom with her in charge every week might grow stale after a while, but if you surprised her by getting intimate in the living room with yourself in charge on Saturday morning, you might just be able to keep the spark lit longer. Talk to her! If you feel like you're still not getting anywhere, you should talk to her! Communication is key to relationships and you shouldn't feel shy about discussing these topics with her. Your sex lives can only improve if you talk about what you both like and what you're missing. Once you get over that initial anxiety, you will be greatly rewarded for talking with your partner. Focus on what she wants, focus on getting her off instead of yourself and your woman will reciprocate. Not only will your sex lives improve, but you should notice relationship changes in general. Give her someone to talk to. Women, just like men, need to feel like they have someone to go to when things get tough. Create a safe place where she knows she can be heard without being judged. Practice active listening, so that she knows you're paying attention to her and not just patronizing her. Active listening is done by responding actively to what she is saying throughout the conversation. This makes sure you understand her but it also shows her that you are listening to her and not tuning her out. For example, if she says, "Olivia took credit for something I did at work today", don't say, "Aw, that sucks." Instead, say something like, "Olivia took credit? That doesn't sound good. Why do you think she did it?". Give her space and freedom. Everyone wants to feel like they can still be themselves when they're in a relationship. If you keep her trapped like a bird, all she'll want to do is rebel. Give her the freedom and encouragement to pursue the things that make her happy! Encourage her to spend time with her friends or pursue hobbies that she's interested in. Don't discourage her from spending time with someone just because you don't like them. She's an adult and can come to her own conclusions about someone, and you need to trust her. For example, if you know that she loves to dance, help her get the money together to take a dance class. Help her with the day-to-day routine. Everyday chores can build up and cause lots of stress, so make sure you're tackling these things together. Even just the little problems that come up during a normal day can sometimes benefit from a helping hand. Make sure that she knows she can rely on you. Do your share of the dishes, picking up around the house, and laundry. She'll really appreciate it if you take on the extra gross jobs too, like cleaning up after the children, any pets you have, cleaning the toilet, emptying bins, and cleaning out the fridge. Let her help you too. You should give her opportunities to help you too. Everyone wants to feel like they serve a purpose in the lives of those that matter most to them. Ask her for her advice on an issue and then take that advice. You can also let her do other nice things, like make you something using a skill she possesses (even if it's not the best). Be loyal. Don't let her catch you looking at or thinking about other women. Even if you would never stray from her, you don't want to plant that seed of doubt in her mind. She needs to know that you're hers, or she will begin to feel like maybe she should be looking elsewhere before you leave her! Show her how much she means to you. Just like everyone else, women need to know that they're loved. We all want to be cared for by those we care about. So let her know! Tell her every day how much you love her and need her! Let her see that you know your life is worse without her. You can do things like leaving a note in her purse that says something romantic like "I hope this makes you smile because you make me smile every day", or even something silly like "I think you have the sexiest butt". Have flowers sent to her office with a note like "I hope this makes your day as incredible as you make mine everyday that you're with me". Spend time with her. If you're together, she should feel like you're together. Only getting to see you when you go to bed at night isn't a very satisfying relationship. Make sure to spend time together where you can really bond and show affection. Try to set aside date time at least once a month, or even better, weekly; even if you're very busy. Even just simply time spend with her, like cooking dinner with her or going for a walk to the grocery store together to buy something for dinner, can make her feel much better. Keep her life exciting! Everyone is looking for a partner that makes their life feel exciting and fulfilling. You should be that for her, if you want her to feel satisfied in choosing you. Take on new activities together, travel, and generally expand your horizons together! You can try picking up a new hobby, like geocaching or board games. Try taking a weekend trip to a lake or to go hiking in the mountains, if you don't want to invest in a bigger traveling adventure. You two might even enjoy taking a class together. Local community colleges will often allow people to audit courses for very cheap rates. Pick a subject you're both interested in and enjoy learning together! Kiss her like you mean it. Kissing is an incredible bonding activity for couples. Show her you're worth it by mastering your kissing skills! Become a master of the sheets. Sex isn't just the basic in-and-out that you may think it is. It takes more than a good size member and some muscles to be good in bed (neither of those is actually required at all!). Work on your confidence. A lot of relationships and doing them well just comes down to being confident. Work on your self confidence and self worth, and you'll find it improving lots of areas in your life. Make her happy. Making her feel satisfied is about 90% just making her feel happy. If you can be unselfish and make her needs your priority, you'll be in good shape before you know it. | Help her relax. Always take the time to warm her up (get her ready). Learn the female anatomy. Discover her erogenous zones. Experiment with variation and rhythms. Master oral stimulation. Explore her fantasies. Switch who holds the reigns. Always keep things fresh. Talk to her! Give her someone to talk to. Give her space and freedom. Help her with the day-to-day routine. Let her help you too. Be loyal. Show her how much she means to you. Spend time with her. Keep her life exciting! Kiss her like you mean it. Become a master of the sheets. Work on your confidence. Make her happy. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Lose-Weight-During-the-School-Year-(Girls) | How to Lose Weight During the School Year (Girls) | To lose weight during the school year, eat a healthy breakfast every morning since skipping breakfast can actually make your body store more fat. Also, try to drink at least 6-7 glasses of water throughout the day, which will keep you hydrated and help curb hunger. When you pack your lunches for school, go with a healthy mix of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and protein. Or, if you'd prefer to get lunch at the cafeteria, go for the healthiest options and avoid processed foods like chips or cookies. | Figure out your starting weight to determine your goals. Start off by weighing yourself so you can track your progress. How many pounds do you want to lose? Keep in mind that an average person in middle, high school loses 2 pounds per week maximum. Once you've figured out your target weight and how many pounds you'd like to lose, figure out how long you have to lose the pounds, and start thinking about specific goals. Your goals need to be (1) specific; (2) attainable (doable); and (3) forgiving (less than perfect). In other words, "lose weight" is not a good goal because it's not specific. "lose 30 lbs in 10 days" is not a good goal because it's not attainable. "Exercise for 3 hours every day" is not a good goal because it's not forgiving. You want your goals to be something like, "Exercise 5 days a week, with the goal of losing 2 lbs a week." That leaves a little wiggle room to keep you on track. Choose the right diet for you. The fact of the matter is that going low-calorie is not effective for everyone. That and it's hard. Do it for a week and you may end up breaking down, binging on everything in sight. Would low-carb be easier? How about just cutting out desserts? Picking up a vegetarian diet? Science is starting to suggest that eating right and exercise isn't everything. It's also about how your body is made up. Put two people on the same diet and they're going to have different results. So don't stress about trying to fit someone else's box of what a diet really is – concentrate on what you think will work for you. Set up a plan. Once you figure out what you need to lose, the second step is to figure out how to lose it. Will you be focused on your diet? What kind of diet? And what about exercise? Create a basic plan detailing your exercise schedule and your diet regimen. An example of an exercise schedule could be "Monday: 30 min. cardio, 10 min. stretching/yoga, 20 min. strength/toning exercises; Tuesday: 20 min. light cardio and walking; Wednesday: rest; Thursday: 20 min. light cardio and walking, 20 min. strength training; Friday: 20 min stretching/yoga, 30 min. cardio. And don't forget that activities like swimming and dancing count, too. Get a buddy. Everything is easier with a friend. Not only do they keep your spirits up, but they hold you accountable. When your friend is sitting there, eating a salad and some fruit and about to go for a walk, you'll be less likely to chow down on half a pizza and then take a nap. What's more, you'll have someone to bond with over the woes of weight loss. Practically everyone is "dieting" in some form or another nowadays. Just ask your friends who'd like to lose a few pounds with you and watch their arms shoot up. You are not alone in your battle, that's for sure. Get a way to keep track of your progress. Technology is great for tracking your weight loss; you can use an app on your phone or another mobile device like "MyNetDiary" to keep you going. When you see how far you've come, you'll be motivated to keep going. Try to weigh yourself once or twice a week, but not obsessively. You will aggravate yourself too much and risk giving up in frustration. Drink water. Water, water, water: it should be your personal motto. Always drink at least 6-7 glasses of water a day. This will flush out your body and keep your skin crystal clear. What's more, it can curb hunger, too, keeping your stomach full. Always stay hydrated (and less hungry!) with water and take 5-10 minute breaks in between each routine to keep from exhausting yourself early and to prevent possible vomiting if you push yourself too hard. Stay away from sugary drinks that just spike your insulin and are full of empty calories. This includes juices and fancy coffee drinks – not just sodas. And while diet soda is technically better for you, you may see that you lose more weight when that diet soda gets replaced with water. Pack your own lunch. Schools are all about providing large groups of people with, cheap, decent food. They're not about helping you lose weight. To avoid someone else determining your diet for you, pack your own lunch. Here's what it should include: Plenty of vegetables Few carbs and a slice of whole wheat bread or two should be it A fruit, like strawberries or grapes A protein source, like chicken, eggs, fish, peanut butter, or tofu Cut out processed foods. In order to see consistent weight loss that keeps you motivated and feeling successful, you'll need to ditch the junk food. Anything that comes in a bag shouldn't be part of your dieting plan. Raw and fresh is the way to go to lose weight – processed foods have had their nutrients zapped out of them and are just full of sugars and salts that your body doesn't need. In fact, most processed goods have something in them that technically your body doesn't even recognize. It's all foreign junk that isn't good for you. To replace that urge to munch on chips or cookies, instead go for a handful of nuts or berries you can munch on. Sometimes it's just the urge to chew that needs to sated, not eating itself. Eat breakfast. If you think that skipping meals will make you fit in those skinny jeans, think again. Your body will go into starvation mode and will start eating away nutrients in your fat. Then when you eat again, you will gain more weight because your body latches onto what you did give it and refuses to let go. This will just leave you with more fat than before. Breakfast in the morning keeps your metabolism going throughout the day, and gives you energy for school, work, and better food AND exercise choices. Hard to believe? This is part of the reason why yo-yo dieting doesn't work. Once you've starved your body, it learns to adapt. Then when you feed it again, it can essentially stay in starvation mode, fearing the worst will happen again. By cutting back too far, you're just sabotaging your future self. Master the art of portion control. In order to make sure you're not eating like you're living in an all-you-can-eat buffet, be sure to monitor how much of what you eat, too. Here are a few tips to make eating less easier: Try to use smaller plates to make your food look bigger. Science says blue plates are better for less hunger, too. Eat slowly and savor your food. For every bite, try to chew for 5 seconds, then swallow, wait 3 seconds and drink a sip of water. Confusing? It's not. It's the 5-3-D. Try to eat protein at every meal. Chicken, steak, and beef should be about the size of a deck of cards. Eating more protein keeps you fuller for longer, resisting that urge to snack on something you shouldn't be snacking on. Have something to make you feel good once in a while. For those days when your diet is getting to you, munch on something to make you feel better. Some dark chocolate, a sugary fruit, a few pretzels, or even a glass of red wine. Putting everything you love off-limits is a recipe for disaster. You have to have something to keep you going. Many people believe in calorie cycling. That's the idea where some days you eat a lot and some days you eat a little to keep your body guessing. Others choose one day a week where they eat whatever they want and the other six days they follow a stringent plan and ultimately this keeps them on track longer. So it's not all "cheating." Some of it is actually a good idea. Eat more, smaller meals. 5 meals, instead of 3? It almost sounds too good to be true. But research says that eating often stabilizes your metabolism and keeps you from bingeing later on. That's right. So have breakfast, a morning snack, lunch, an afternoon snack, and dinner. All small, of course. It's about eating more often , not about eating more in general. If you do want to implement the "eat more often" idea of dieting, make sure your meals are actually getting smaller, otherwise you'll just feel like you're dieting when you're really not. Make time in your schedule for exercise and eating right. Whether it's your school, work, or social schedule that is taking up all your time, you need to always make time to exercise. And if you say you don't "have time," you're likely not making cutbacks where you can. It's a matter of making exercise a priority above the other things you have to do. Even if it's just 15 minutes, it counts. Not only should you be making time to exercise, but you should be making time to eat right, too. What's this mean? It means setting time aside to go grocery shopping, to pack your own lunches, and to cook at home. Restaurants are some of the biggest culprits when it comes to foiling a strong diet plan. And besides, cooking is easier on your budget, too. Pick up an active extra-curricular activity. When you're in school, it's hard to realize that there will be no other time in your life when being active is as easy. When you're a full-fledged adult in the workforce, no one is putting up flyers and posting tryouts for a practically infinite number of activities. So take advantage of it! Sign up for something, even if you're not great at it, it will be an awesome (mandatory) workout (that you can't really get out of). Alright, so not everyone can handle a school sport. A decent alternative? Marching band. You laugh now, but it's not easy holding up an instrument and walking around in the summer sun for hours at a time. And as for your lung capacity? Won't be a problem. So if you're more musically inclined, this could be the route to go. Don't opt out of gym. In high school and college, physical education is largely becoming optional. Don't cave to the temptation! When else are you going to be able to take time out of the middle of your day just to mess around with peers and throw around a few balls? Likely never. And you're getting credit for it? That's a win-win. Did we mention it's easier on your brain, too? You can only handle so many legit courses at a time, so consider gym class your break. Between school, a job, and your extracurriculars, you've earned it. Go to sleep! Try to go to bed on a routine every day, even on weekends, to keep your body energized and ready to make good choices all day. Sleep restores our hormones to normal, stabilizing our hunger. What's more, it keeps your skin glowing and healthy. As often as possible, aim for at least 8 hours a night. Oh, and while you're sleeping, you're still burning calories. You're also not eating, so where can you go wrong? Limit the amount of TV you watch. Why? Well, for starters it gets you sitting on your butt and not doing anything. But what's worse is that watching TV makes us want to mindlessly eat even when we're not hungry. If you don't watch TV, the urge to eat may not even present itself. Eating while you're distracted is one of the biggest reasons teens are overweight. If you are hungry and your favorite program is on, get a snack and portion-control it. Put however much of the snack you should eat in one bowl, and eat that. No going back for refills. When your show is over, get up and go for a walk or do something active to get your mind off your hunger. | Figure out your starting weight to determine your goals. Choose the right diet for you. Set up a plan. Get a buddy. Get a way to keep track of your progress. Drink water. Pack your own lunch. Cut out processed foods. Eat breakfast. Master the art of portion control. Have something to make you feel good once in a while. Eat more, smaller meals. Make time in your schedule for exercise and eating right. Pick up an active extra-curricular activity. Don't opt out of gym. Go to sleep! Limit the amount of TV you watch. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Protect-Coral-Reefs | How to Protect Coral Reefs | If you want to protect coral reefs, be a respectful tourist, and avoid touching the reef if you see one on a snorkeling or scuba diving trip. Remember to never fish or boat near a reef, and don't litter on the beach or in the ocean. At the beach, don't purchase souvenirs that have been taken from the reef, such as coral jewelry, or live fish from the reef. When you're going on vacation, opt to stay in a hotel that practices environmental conservation and have policies to reduce pollution in the reefs. | Avoid striking or touching a coral reef. Running your boat into a coral reef can cause it serious damage. Protecting coral reefs depends on what experts call proper "vessel management." Understand where coral reefs are so your boat doesn't strike them, even incidentally. People can also damage coral reefs simply by touching them. Corals on reefs are actually small animals. This living ecosystem is thus very fragile and susceptible to damage. The coral animals are not mobile. They live in colonies, and possess skeletons of hard calcium carbonate, which is what gives the coral reef its structure. Remember the feet. Control your flippers when diving or snorkeling so you don't accidentally touch a coral reef. Don't fish or boat near a coral reef. Contact with things like anchors and fishing nets is a key way that coral reefs die or suffer damage. Do not anchor your boat on a coral reef. Instead, anchor your boat in an area with a sandy bottom or use a mooring. You could also use an installed buoy instead of an anchor. Fishing lines, nets, and fishing hooks all cause damage to coral reefs. This is just another reason why it's best to take your fishing elsewhere. Figure out where coral reefs are located before you venture into the ocean. Do not discharge wastewater from your boat into the ocean. Find an acceptable wastewater discharge facility in the area instead. do not litter on the beach or in the ocean. Leaving behind things like fishing nets or general garbage on a beach can harm coral reefs. Throwing litter into the ocean itself can eventually cause the trash to come into contact with the coral reef. When trash ends up on a coral reef, it can actually smother the corals. Remember, they are living organisms. Sometimes people see corals as they see shells. However, corals are alive and, thus, they are very susceptible to harm. Littering can also cause harm or even kill the fish that populate coral reefs. The technical term for this kind of litter is "marine debris." Marine debris also damages other organisms on coral reefs that are necessary for their survival. Some organizations sponsor beach cleanups. If you help pick up other people's litter on beaches, in addition to not littering yourself, you will help coral reefs. Snorkel and scuba dive with care. Many people enjoy snorkeling near coral reefs because of their unique beauty. Snorkelers and divers can cause serious damage to coral reefs, especially in areas with heavy tourism. Definitely do not pull a piece of coral reef off to take with you. They say you should leave only bubbles and take only pictures when you are in the ocean. Remember that you are destroying a living organism if you do take a piece of the reef. Practice snorkeling before you venture anywhere near a coral reef, so you don't come into accidental contact with it. Stay horizontal in the water and avoid kicking sand or flailing around with your fins. Don't swim too fast or use your arms when swimming. If you touch a coral reef, it can cause you harm, too. People have been cut and stung by coral reefs. Do not get close to a coral reef while wearing a lot of sunscreen. The oils from the lotion causes coral reefs damage. Don't purchase coral souvenirs. You shouldn't take anything out of the ocean that's alive, or buy it in a store, either. In some countries, you will find jewelry and other souvenirs made out of coral. Don't buy them. It is illegal to sell coral in some countries. Coral can take a long time to grow, so taking it for your aquarium or jewelry box can have a lasting effect that will take years to undo. Red and pink coral is especially prized as jewelry because of its coloring. It comes from deeper waters. Don't purchase coral reef fish, either. Inquire about marine fish before you buy them in pet stores. You want fish that were bred in captivity. Choose a hotel that embraces environmentalism. Hotels can make a big impact on the environment. They are often close to shores, and a lot of people pass through them. Support hotels with policies designed to reduce pollution. Hotels that have programs to treat sewage and offer recycling and other sustainability measures can help protect coral reefs by improving the overall environment around them. Tourism associated with coral reefs is one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry, so it could make a big difference if more hotels are pressured by consumers to adopt sustainable practices. Practice general conservation. Coral reefs are damaged when the general environment around them declines. So, you can help protect coral reefs simply by leading a more sustainable lifestyle. Plant trees. Trees reduce runoff into oceans, and runoff can damage coral reefs. Reduce your carbon footprint. This really matters. Increasing carbon dioxide in the air can lead to global warming, which can harm coral reefs. It's all interconnected. Ways to reduce your carbon footprint include biking to work and using a clothes line. Use less water. This will help decrease runoff, which is a key way that coral reefs are harmed. Use organic fertilizer to avoid chemicals running into the ecosystem. Don't assume that chemicals in your garden or on your farm won't find their way back into the ocean just because you don't live near it. Avoid near shore development and construction. Some coral reefs are located near shores. They can be damaged by various aspects of land development and construction, including the building of marinas, docks, and plowing of fields. When sediment and silt loosen because of development and construction and end up in the ocean, this can block sunlight and cause corals to die because they need sunlight to thrive. Sediment can actually bury the corals, killing them or stopping them from growing completely. Metals, pesticide, herbicide and other chemicals associated with mining, and runoff from landfills, agricultural, and urban development projects can damage corals as well as the fish around them. Oppose global warming. General worsening of the environment is an indirect way that people are causing harm to coral reefs. They are very sensitive to rising water temperatures, which cause them harm. Reducing your carbon footprint also helps stop global warming. As little as a one-degree rise in water temperature causes coral reef damage. Coral bleaching is a key indicator that coral reefs are unhealthy, and it's been increasing since the 1980s. Algae inside the reef provide its color, and bleaching of the coral occurs when algae are either missing or die. Warmer ocean temperatures can also spur the growth of algae that is harmful to coral reefs because it blocks the sun that they need to thrive. When oceans heat up, they have more carbon dioxide in them. This slows the growth of coral reefs by making it harder for corals to create calcium carbonate skeletons. Boycott damaging fishing methods. If you consume fish caught in a way that damages coral reefs, you are part of the problem. Not using products obtained through damaging the environment is a way to help protect the reefs. Understand which fish are caught in a way that damages reefs, and spread the word. In some countries, people actually blow up coral reefs with explosives so they can more easily catch the fish that cluster around them. Then, they sell the fish to restaurants and stores. Another devastating fishing method involves putting cyanide into the water to stun fish. This kills the coral reefs around them. Overfishing is another way that damage is caused to coral reefs. There is economic pressure in some countries to fish in this manner because coral reefs can provide as much as one-quarter of the fish eaten in some developing countries. Don't eat fish caught with bottom trawling methods. Bottom trawling is so damaging that it can destroy reefs that could live for thousands more years and exist deep in the ocean. An example of a fish sometimes caught through bottom trawling is orange roughy. Volunteer to support reef science. Since 1998, the U.S. government has extensively mapped coral reefs to track their decline. The governmental efforts often link with private groups that accept donations and volunteers, as well as state and local efforts to protect reefs. Global efforts also exist to protect reefs. In Australia, the government has created ways for people to get involved to help protect the Great Barrier Reef. The government has created a monitoring program that allows average people to contribute to reef protection by reporting their own observations and data. Scientists study detailed maps that alert them to bleaching of coral reefs, which can be caused by rising sea temperatures and algal blooms. The data is so sophisticated that scientists receive updates every hour, focusing on coral reefs in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. They monitor barometric pressure, tide levels, air and water temperature, and other factors important to coral reefs. Scientists are breeding coral reefs and then testing different varieties in environments with greater acidity and other conditions. They have also found ways to plant corals in the ocean and to spur their growth by using electrical currents. Help organizations dedicated to protecting coral reefs. There are many organizations that work hard to stop destruction of coral reefs. Some even build artificial reefs to replace destroyed or damaged coral reefs. The Coral Reef Alliance, Reef Relief, and Planetary Coral Reef Foundation are examples of private organizations trying to save coral reefs. The organizations, and others like them, offer numerous ways for people to get involved. You can sign up as a volunteer for a coral reef organization and become involved in events and education. Join a reef cleanup. Many of the organizations rely on donations. Some reef protection organizations have educational programs for children. Reef Relief offers a coral camp in Key West, Florida to educate children about the value of coral reefs. Tell others about coral reefs. Many people touch or otherwise harm coral reefs without intending to do so. They may simply not understand that reefs are full of fragile living creatures or realize that the smallest contact can cause them harm. Helping educate as many people as possible about coral reefs can make a difference. Many non-profit organizations devoted to reef protection offer extensive information about reefs on their websites. You can sign a pledge refusing to use coral jewelry. Governmental websites, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, offer detailed information about coral reefs, their importance, and protection. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which was created by U.S. Congress, also works extensively on the issue. The Coral Reef Alliance urges people to educate others about the importance of reefs, and has free social media badges available that people can share to alert others to their support for protecting coral. They also offer e-cards. Pressure politicians to support reefs. Legal mechanisms that protect coral reefs can be critical. Let your politicians know that you want them to support measures that will ensure coral reefs suffer less damage. Creating marine protected areas is a measure that can make a difference. Read up on local action strategies so you understand what is already being done in your area and others. The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force develops federal and state strategies to protect coral reefs. | Avoid striking or touching a coral reef. Don't fish or boat near a coral reef. do not litter on the beach or in the ocean. Snorkel and scuba dive with care. Don't purchase coral souvenirs. Choose a hotel that embraces environmentalism. Practice general conservation. Avoid near shore development and construction. Oppose global warming. Boycott damaging fishing methods. Volunteer to support reef science. Help organizations dedicated to protecting coral reefs. Tell others about coral reefs. Pressure politicians to support reefs. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cope-with-Sheltering-in-Place | How to Cope with Sheltering in Place | Having to shelter in place can be scary, stressful, or frustrating, but you can make the experience better by keeping in touch with loved ones and finding fun things to do. Check in with friends and family regularly over the phone, by text, or over video chat so you don't feel as isolated. You can even make a virtual gathering space on social media to share upbeat messages and ideas for keeping busy. While you're stuck at home, make the best of it by taking care of tasks you've been putting off or working on hobbies you enjoy. If you live with other people, do fun group activities like playing games or having a dance party. Make sure to give each other space, too, since being cooped up together can be stressful. | Reach out to friends and family by phone or online. Isolation and loneliness are major problems when you're sheltering in place. You can relieve this burden on both yourself and others by taking time to get in touch. Call friends, family, and loved ones who aren't staying with you, chat with them over text, or video call them so you can see each other face-to-face. A video call would be the best. It may not feel the same as getting together physically, but it's the closest thing because you can see your friends' and family's faces on the screen and talk in real time. You can also connect over social media, such as Facebook and Instagram. Share status updates to let others know you're doing okay and check in to see how they're doing. Make a virtual gathering space. Sheltering in place might mean cancelling parties and family gatherings, but the power of the internet means that you don't have to give up on hanging out altogether. Try creating a Facebook group where you can share fun and positive content with your friends and loved ones. Post funny memes, your favorite YouTube videos, or uplifting news stories. You could even take turns doing fun livestream videos to entertain each other! You can also have virtual get-togethers using video chat programs with group chat features, such as Skype, Google Duo, Zoom, or Discord. Take time to do activities you enjoy. Being stuck in lockdown can get boring quickly, but it doesn't have to be boring. Think of things you can do to reduce your stress, relieve boredom, and help the time go by faster. This might include working on hobbies and creative projects, watching movies, reading, cooking, or playing games. Do fun group activities if you're staying with other people. For example, you might play a family board game or watch a movie together. Avoid spending all your downtime on the internet or binge-watching shows on Netflix. Spending too much time in front of a screen can start to make you feel burnt out and depressed. Work on chores and tasks around the home or wherever you’re staying. Taking positive action is a great way to keep busy and relieve your anxieties while you're cooped up inside. Use the opportunity to take care of things that need to be done around the home, or look for actions you can take to help yourself and others get through the situation you're in. For example, you might do some deep cleaning, take an inventory of your supplies, or look up helpful information that you can share with others in the same situation. Look for ways to combine work with fun. For instance, you might make a shelter-in-place playlist with some of your favorite music and crank it up while everyone cleans up the kitchen. Go outside occasionally if you’re able to. Being cooped up indoors for a long time can be very stressful. To avoid getting a raging case of cabin fever, go outside for a little while every day if you can, even if you're just stepping onto your balcony or going into your backyard. Try to go out in the daytime so you can get sunlight, especially early in the day. Don't go outdoors if it's too hot or cold, such as if there is an excessive heat warning. Wait for the temperature to be moderate enough for it to be safe to go outside. Getting sun can help keep your day/night schedule from getting thrown off. Open your windows if the weather is nice. If you have kids or pets that go outdoors, take them outside with you so they can play and release pent-up energy. For example, you might go for a walk with your dog or take your kids into the back yard to play catch. Try to give yourself and others alone time. It's important not to feel isolated while you're sheltering in place, but it's also crucial for everyone to have a little space sometimes. Even the people you love the most can start to drive you bonkers if you're stuck at home with them for days or weeks on end! Try to schedule a little “me time” for you and anyone else in the home throughout the day. If possible, create separate “zones” in your home or wherever you're sheltering where people can go when they need space or are getting on each other's nerves. For example, you might designate a chair in a corner of the living room as a “chill-out zone” for a family member, or a spot at the dining room table as a “work zone” for yourself. If you have noise-cancelling headphones, now is a great time to break them out. Even if you can't physically separate yourself from the people you're living with, you can listen to some peaceful music, an audio book, or nature sounds to help you tune out for a bit. Watch a little TV during your downtime. It's not a great idea to veg out in front of a screen the whole time you're on lockdown, but watching movies and TV can be a great way to unwind when you need a break between other activities. Take advantage of your time sheltering in place to catch up on movies and shows you haven't seen yet, or take comfort in some of your old favorites. Laughter is a fantastic stress reliever, so fire up a few episodes of Nailed It, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, or Saturday Night Live if you're feeling down. If you have a dark sense of humor and enjoy making light of the situation you're in, you could even go for some comedies with apocalyptic themes, like Good Omens, The World's End, or Zombieland. Make some popcorn and have a movie night with any family, friends, or roommates who are with you. You could even have a virtual watch party over instant messenger if you're sheltering alone. Check out some new podcasts if you enjoy background listening. Podcasts are fun, often educational, and great for keeping you entertained while you're doing other, not-so-fun things (like disinfecting your home). Ask your friends to recommend some of their favorite podcasts, or look at an online list of recommendations like this one from Time: https://time.com/5524332/best-podcasts-to-listen-to/. If you're stressed by listening to too much media coverage of the emergency that has you on lockdown, avoid listening to podcasts that deal with related themes. You can find podcasts on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, and Overcast. Catch up on your reading. Reading is a relaxing, immersive experience that can help take your mind off of being stuck at home. Grab a book you've been meaning to read or pick up an old favorite that you've read a million times before. You can even make it a shared activity by reading out loud to anyone who wants to listen. If you have kids, reading with them is a wonderful way to bond, keep them engaged, and make the shelter in place experience less stressful. Try creating a family book club. You could all read the same book and schedule time to discuss it every evening, or you could read different books and take turns talking about whatever each person is reading. Have a dance party or jam session. Listening to music, dancing, and making your own music are all great ways to relieve stress while you're sheltering in place. Listening to upbeat music can energize you and lift your mood, while calming music can help you relax and unwind. Create some playlists for different moods or times of the day that you and your family or friends can jam to. Put on some upbeat tunes and dance when you want to get your body moving. If you're musically talented, you can sing or play an instrument to entertain yourself and whoever else may be staying with you. Try hosting a dance party or virtual jam session online with friends and family who are sheltering somewhere else. If you've got kids, there are tons of sing- and dance-along videos online. Help them put together a playlist so you don't end up listening to “Baby Shark” 24/7! Play some board or card games. Few things can help the time pass while you're stuck inside like a board game. Get a friendly family competition going with a little Clue, Pictionary, Scrabble, or Carcassonne. If you're by yourself, try playing a solo game like solitaire or mahjong. You can also play social games online like Words with Friends or an MMORPG like World of Warcraft. Other kinds of games you can play include jigsaw puzzles, card games, and physical skill games like Jenga. Go on a nature walk if you can go outside. Getting outdoors, and especially spending time in nature, can help reduce stress and lift your spirits. If you're allowed to walk around outdoors, try exploring a nearby walking path or going for a stroll around the block. Pay special attention to the animals, plants, and other natural features you see around you. If you have kids, take them out on a “bug walk.” Look for as many different kinds of insects as you can find. You could even take pictures of the bugs you find or draw them in a sketchbook, then go online and try to identify them all. This is something you can easily do even if you can't leave your yard. Do some fun cooking projects. Having good food can make your shelter in place experience a lot more enjoyable. The act of cooking itself can also be fun, especially if you can make it a shared family activity. Break out some cookbooks or look online to find fun recipes you can make with the supplies you have. Baking is a lot of fun and easy to do with limited supplies. See if you can make some basic cookies, muffins, or bread with stuff you have in the pantry. Get creative with arts and crafts. Whether you're a master artist or can't manage much more than a stick figure, making art can lower stress. It's also a great way to express your feelings in a safe and healthy manner. Do some doodling, coloring, knitting, or whatever kind of project strikes your fancy. Doing arts and crafts is a fantastic way to bond with kids and keep them busy while they're stuck at home. Search for kid-friendly arts and crafts projects online. You can also play simple art games with anyone who's staying with you. For example, give everyone a piece of paper and have them start drawing. When everyone has drawn a little, have someone in the group shout “Change!” Then, everyone passes their paper to the person to their right. Add onto the drawing you just received until the next person says “Change.” If you're sheltering alone, try a social drawing app or website like Aggie, Drawesome, or Drawize. Stock up on supplies if you have time to prepare ahead. It's not always possible to plan ahead for a shelter in place situation. If you have the opportunity to do so, however, getting supplies in advance can help the experience go more smoothly. Stock up on enough supplies to last you through the time you expect to be sheltering. It's hard to know for sure how long a shelter in place situation will last, but as a rule it's a good idea to have about 2 weeks' worth of food, water, hygiene and cleaning supplies, medications, batteries, pet food, and any other supplies you regularly use. Don't buy up more supplies than you think you and your family will need. Doing so will only make it harder for other people to deal with the situation. Create a daily schedule for yourself and your family. You might be tempted to lie around in your pajamas and watch TV all day while you're stuck at home, but having a sense of stability and routine is important in times of uncertainty. If you live with family, and especially children, it can be helpful to have a set schedule that everyone can follow. Write out the schedule and post it up someplace where everyone can see it. Work together with your family to create a schedule that works for everyone. Discuss everyone's needs, strengths, concerns, and expectations. Your schedule might include things like having breakfast and other meals together, doing schoolwork, taking time for family activities, exercising, and doing household chores. Don't forget to schedule in a little “me time” for everyone so you don't drive each other nuts! Even if you're alone, writing a schedule for yourself can help you stick to a healthy routine. Get up and go to bed at your usual times. When you're not able to follow your normal routines of going to work or school, it can be easy for your regular sleeping patterns to get thrown off. Try not to give in to the allure of sleeping until noon and staying up until the wee hours of the morning. Even though you don't have to be anywhere, make a point of setting your alarm and getting up when you normally would. Establish a regular bedtime routine and try to be in bed by your usual bedtime. Aim to get 7-9 hours of sleep if you're an adult, and 8-10 if you're a teen. Getting plenty of sunlight can help you maintain a normal sleep cycle, so try to step outside for a few minutes or open your curtains first thing in the morning. Start dimming your lights 2-3 hours before you go to bed, and turn off any bright screens within an hour or so of bedtime. Maintaining a regular sleep routine will improve your mood and energy levels and make it easier to manage the stress of being in lockdown for a long time. Set a regular time to check the news so you can stay informed. When you're sheltering in place, it's crucial to keep yourself informed of the situation so that you can be aware of any major changes or actions you need to take to stay safe. However, looking at the news too much can be stressful and scary. Give yourself a specific amount of time each day to look at updates from a reliable source. For example, if you're sheltering in place due to the coronavirus outbreak, you might stick to looking at updates from the CDC, the World Health Organization, or your local Public Health Department. If you watch or read the news, you might limit yourself to just 15 minutes a day or only 2-3 stories at a time. You know best how much you can handle before it starts to really stress you out. Be conscious of how others in the home are affected, too. For example, avoid exposing children to lots of frightening media coverage. Summarize what's going on for them in a straightforward way, but don't leave the TV on 24/7 so that they hear all the scariest stories about what's happening. Take breaks to eat, exercise, and care for your hygiene. Self-care during a shelter in place situation is vital for both your physical and emotional health. When you don't have to go anywhere, it's easy to forget to do simple things like getting dressed, brushing your hair, and even eating. Make a conscious effort to do all the things you would normally do throughout a regular day, such as: Eating nutritious meals and snacks at regular times Showering, brushing your hair, and cleaning your teeth Getting dressed for the day and putting on your pajamas at night Getting up and moving around Talk to your boss or teachers about doing work from home. While the idea of having time off from school or work might seem fun under other circumstances, it can be a major source of stress when you don't have a choice in the matter. Keep in touch with your employer, teachers, or school administrators about what you can do to keep up with your regular work or study routines while you're sheltering in place. For example, you may be able to do work online or by video conference. If you have a job that can't accommodate working from home, talk to your boss about what kinds of leave options are available to you. If you have kids, their teachers will probably develop e-learning resources and online lessons for them. Reach out to the school if you have any questions about how to help your kids learn at home. Maintain any spiritual or religious practices you normally do. If the shelter in place situation is disruptive to your regular spiritual or religious practices, look for ways to keep them up at home. This can be a source of comfort during a scary and stressful situation. You may not be able to go to your church, temple, mosque, or other place of worship, but you can still find ways to practice your faith wherever you happen to be. For example, even if you can't go to services at your place of worship, you can still pray, study religious texts, meditate, or make offerings as you normally would. Some places of worship may offer videos or live streams of their regular religious services. Reach out to your doctor about remote checkups if you have health issues. If you have any conditions that require regular checkups or medical treatment, call your doctor to discuss what to do. They may be able to continue your checkups over the phone or by video chat. They can also advise you on what to do if it's necessary to seek medical attention in person. If you're sheltering in place due to an infectious disease outbreak, such as the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, call your doctor right away if you start to experience symptoms. Don't show up at your doctor's office or the emergency room without calling ahead first, since they may need to take special precautions to protect other patients, themselves, and you. If you take medications, call your pharmacy to ask about home delivery options. Remind yourself that it’s normal to feel complicated emotions. Being stuck in lockdown is stressful. While everyone reacts to these kinds of situations differently, it's not unusual to feel a wide variety of different emotions. Try not to judge your own reactions or those of others, and remember that it's completely natural to feel things such as: Anxiety or fear for yourself or others Confusion or uncertainty Frustration Boredom Irritability or anger Loneliness Sadness Guilt, particularly if sheltering in place makes it hard for you to take care of your regular responsibilities or obligations Take frequent breaks between stressful activities. If you start to feel overwhelmed while you're cleaning, gathering supplies, doing remote work, or caring for family members, stop and take a brief break. Pace yourself so that you don't get too stressed and start to burn out. Get up and walk around for a bit, have a healthy snack, or do a few minutes of meditating or deep breathing. After completing a difficult task, like sanitizing your bathroom, take a break and do something fun. For example, you might read for half an hour or watch a little TV. Meditate or do other stress-relieving activities. If you feel stressed or anxious, look for things you can do to relax. This will help you feel calmer and more focused. A few options include: Meditating Taking a walk, run or bike ride Doing deep breathing exercises Listening to peaceful music Stretching or doing yoga Taking a warm shower or bath Drawing, coloring, or playing music Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day. Getting exercise can boost your mood, raise your energy levels, and lower your risk of developing health problems. Try to work out for at least 30 minutes a day, even if you're just doing jumping jacks in your living room or running laps around your back yard. You can also get exercise by doing household chores, like vacuuming your home or mowing the lawn. If you're staying with your family or other people, you can make physical activity more fun by doing it together. For example, you could have a dance party with your kids or follow a workout routine on YouTube with your roommate. Write about your feelings in a journal. Writing down how you feel can help your emotions feel more manageable. Jot down your thoughts and fears in a diary, notebook, or computer document. You can also write down things that you feel grateful for to help you feel more positive about the situation. If you want, you can even write a blog chronicling your feelings and experiences as you shelter in place. This is a good way to create a sense of connection with others while also working through your feelings in a therapeutic way. Talk to your friends or loved ones about how you’re feeling. If you're feeling scared, upset, or lonely, reach out to someone close to you. Let them know how you're feeling and commiserate with them about their own feelings. Sometimes just talking about how you feel can improve your mood. For example, you might call up a friend or family member and say, “Hey, I'm feeling kind of down and just wanted to chat. Is now a good time?” Reach out to a counselor or crisis line if you feel overwhelmed. Sometimes, the stress of coping with a major disaster can be too much to handle on your own, and being stuck in isolation doesn't help. If you can't shake your feelings of anxiety or sadness, or if you have thoughts of harming yourself or others, call your doctor, a counselor, a crisis line, or your local emergency number right away. If you live in the U.S., you can get help by calling the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. You can also text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 if you live in the U.S., 686868 if you live in Canada, or 85258 if you live in the U.K. | Reach out to friends and family by phone or online. Make a virtual gathering space. Take time to do activities you enjoy. Work on chores and tasks around the home or wherever you’re staying. Go outside occasionally if you’re able to. Try to give yourself and others alone time. Watch a little TV during your downtime. Check out some new podcasts if you enjoy background listening. Catch up on your reading. Have a dance party or jam session. Play some board or card games. Go on a nature walk if you can go outside. Do some fun cooking projects. Get creative with arts and crafts. Stock up on supplies if you have time to prepare ahead. Create a daily schedule for yourself and your family. Get up and go to bed at your usual times. Set a regular time to check the news so you can stay informed. Take breaks to eat, exercise, and care for your hygiene. Talk to your boss or teachers about doing work from home. Maintain any spiritual or religious practices you normally do. Reach out to your doctor about remote checkups if you have health issues. Remind yourself that it’s normal to feel complicated emotions. Take frequent breaks between stressful activities. Meditate or do other stress-relieving activities. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day. Write about your feelings in a journal. Talk to your friends or loved ones about how you’re feeling. Reach out to a counselor or crisis line if you feel overwhelmed. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Burn-Barrel | How to Make a Burn Barrel | To make a burn barrel, start by getting a 55-gallon steel drum and cutting off one of the ends if the drum doesn't come with a removable cover. Then, drill 3 or 4 1/2-inch drainage holes in the bottom of the drum so that water can drain out if it rains. Next, drill around 15 1/2-inch holes through the sides of the drum near the bottom, which will provide ventilation so the fire burns longer. Finally, cover the top of the drum with a piece of metal grating so sparks and cinders can't escape. | Acquire a 55 gallon (208.2 L) steel drum. You can often purchase these for a small price from manufacturing plants, scrap yards, and recycling facilities. In some cases, you might even be able to find them lying around for free. If you're unable to track down a suitable drum, you also have the option of buying one online. However, they will be a little more expensive—you can expect to pay as much as $80-120 for a brand new steel drum. It's important that the drum you use be made from thick, heat-resistant steel. Other materials won't be able to withstand intense burning temperatures, and may produce toxic chemical fumes as they melt. Open one end of the drum. If your barrel has a removable cover, all you have to do is pull it off. If the drum is “tight” (meaning both ends are sealed), however, it will be necessary to cut off one of the ends. To do this, use a reciprocating saw or jigsaw to cut slowly around the raised lip at the top of the barrel until the circular face comes away in one piece. Wear thick work gloves to protect your hands while operating the saw. If possible, pull on a pair of earmuffs, as well. It's going to get loud! You can also use a barrel opener tool to pry open tight drums. These basically work like giant can openers—clamp the head of the tool over the edge of the drum, then push down forcefully on the handle to slice into the metal surface, repositioning the tool every 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm). Create 3-4 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) drainage holes in the bottom of the drum. Flip the drum over and use an electric drill or hammer and chisel to open up a few evenly-spaced holes near the center of the bottom surface. These holes will let out any water the barrel happens to collect during a heavy downpour. If the drainage holes are smaller than ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) in diameter, standing water may not be able to escape at a fast enough rate, which could make burning difficult or impossible. Drill or punch 12-15 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) holes in the sides of the drum. Once you've put some holes in the bottom of the drum, do the same for the sides along the lower half. You can pretty much make these holes at random, but keep them roughly the same distance apart. The holes in the lower part of the drum will act as ventilation flues to supply the fire with oxygen and keep it burning hotter longer. Avoid making too many holes, or it could weaken the structure of the drum. Any more than 20-25 is excessive. Find a piece of metal grating to use as a screen. A sheet of expanded metal will work well, as will a section of chain link fencing or flexible hardware cloth. Make sure your screen is large enough to cover the entire opening of the drum. It will help keep sparks and cinders from escaping while burning. There shouldn't be any need to modify the screen, as you can simply slide the whole sheet into place over the drum. If you like, however, you can use your jigsaw or a pair of wire cutters to trim the screen to the same shape as the opening. If you decide to cut your grating, make sure it's 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) wider than the drum opening so it will be able to rest on top easily. Situate the drum at least 30 feet (9.1 m) away from surrounding objects. Keeping your burn barrel at a safe distance from trees and thick brush, as well as structures like garages, sheds, and wooden decks and porches, will help minimize the risk of accidental fires. Additionally, make sure there are no flammable items within 10 feet (3.0 m) of the barrel while it's in use. Place your burn barrel on 4 concrete blocks. Lay the blocks out on the ground in a square shape. Then, hoist the barrel up onto the blocks so that its outer edges sit at the center of each block. Elevating the barrel will allow air to pass underneath, drawing more oxygen into the flues you drilled earlier. It's important that you use 4 blocks rather than 2 in order to prevent the barrel from accidentally tipping over. Load the barrel up to the halfway mark with burnable rubbish. Throw whatever you want to burn into the bottom of the barrel. Add the largest items first, followed by the smaller ones on top. Avoid overfilling the barrel, as this could cause burning debris to spill out on the ground in the surrounding area. Only use your burn barrel to dispose of materials that are safe to burn, such as tree limbs, brush, cardboard, paper packaging, and natural fabrics. Never burn household trash, plastics, rubber, chemicals, or wood that's been painted or treated. When burned, these items give off harmful fumes that are bad for both you and the environment. Use a long lighter or match to ignite the rubbish. Hold the flame against a piece of material at the top of the heap until it catches, then withdraw your hand quickly. If you're using a match, drop it into an open space and wait for the fire to spread. It make take a couple tries to successfully get it started. If you're having trouble getting your rubbish to catch, pile some dry wood underneath and on top of the items to serve as kindling, then light the wood instead. Don't use gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid, or any other accelerants in your burn barrel. While these substances can make it much easier to start a fire, they can also cause it to burn out of control. Slide your makeshift screen over the opening of the barrel. Once you've got the fire going, position the grating over the barrel to keep the flames contained and control stray sparks and cinders. The interwoven metal will also prevent other objects from accidentally falling into the flames. The grating will become extremely hot very quickly, so be careful not to handle it once you've got it in place. Keep a fire extinguisher or water source nearby in case of emergencies. An extendable garden hose connected to your home's water line will work best. However, you could also fill a large bucket with water and leave it stationed next to the barrel. Never use your burn barrel without having some means of putting it out close at hand. Let the fire burn itself out or use water to extinguish it. The fire will die down on its own after a while. If you want to speed up the process, douse the flames with water, making sure to turn the ashes between applications. Double-check that every last cinder is out before you walk away from the burn site. Using water to extinguish fires in your burn barrel is faster, but it may prevent you from using it again as soon if the contents inside are still wet. Cover the barrel with a piece of sheet metal when it's not in use. The sheet metal serves a dual purpose. It will help extinguish whatever cinders are remaining after the fire has burned out while also keeping rainwater, mold, or nesting critters from finding their way in. If your drum came with a lid originally, all you'll need to do is put it back on to keep your burn barrel covered. You can collect all the sheet metal you need at your local scrap yard. Rummage around until you find a piece that's the right size and shape to fit over the opening of your burn barrel. | Acquire a 55 gallon (208.2 L) steel drum. Open one end of the drum. Create 3-4 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) drainage holes in the bottom of the drum. Drill or punch 12-15 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) holes in the sides of the drum. Find a piece of metal grating to use as a screen. Situate the drum at least 30 feet (9.1 m) away from surrounding objects. Place your burn barrel on 4 concrete blocks. Load the barrel up to the halfway mark with burnable rubbish. Use a long lighter or match to ignite the rubbish. Slide your makeshift screen over the opening of the barrel. Keep a fire extinguisher or water source nearby in case of emergencies. Let the fire burn itself out or use water to extinguish it. Cover the barrel with a piece of sheet metal when it's not in use. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Obtain-a-Disabled-Parking-Permit-in-California | How to Obtain a Disabled Parking Permit in California | If you're temporarily or permanently disabled, you can get a disabled parking permit in California by filing a form with the DMV. You can get a permanent parking permit if you've lost the use of one of your legs or both hands, or if you have conditions like lung disease, circulatory disease, or heart problems. The full list of eligible conditions is on the application form. You can also get a temporary permit for something like a broken leg, which is valid for up to 6 months. Download the application form from California's DMV website. Complete your part of the form, then take it to your doctor to fill out their part and sign it. Mail your form to DMV Placard, P.O. Box 932345, Sacramento, CA 94232-3450 or take it in person. If you're applying for a temporary permit, include the $6 fee. | Determine if you qualify for a California DP license or placard. The State of California will issue special parking permits for people who have “impaired mobility due to having lost use of one or more lower extremities, or both hands, or have a diagnosed disease that substantially impairs or interferes with mobility, or one who is severely disabled to be unable to move without the aid of an assistive device. You may also qualify if you have specific, documented visual problems, including lower-vision or partial-sightedness.” If you have questions, consult your doctor or contact the Department of Motor Vehicles in your area. Consider whether your disability is temporary or permanent. If you have a condition that limits your mobility but will only last a few months, such as a broken leg for example, you may only need a temporary placard. This is valid for up to six months, and may be renewed up to six times. If your condition is permanent or will last longer than a year or so, you should apply for the permanent license. Review the state eligibility requirements. The list of included conditions appears on the application form: Lung disease Circulatory disease Heart problems Documented vision problems The loss of hands or lower limbs and any disorder that severely limits the use of the lower limbs A disability that prevents you from moving without an “assistive device” If you have a disability that does not fall into one of these categories, but which you believe warrants a special parking permit, your doctor may still be able to certify that you have a condition that warrants a disabled permit. Complete the application form. California uses a form entitled Application for Disabled Person Placard or Plates (REG 195). Use this link to obtain the application: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/connect/aebb95cd-c20a-49bd-bc13-dd74120044fc/reg195.pdf?MOD=AJPERES. Sign your name in the appropriate places, attesting to the information you have written on the form. Get a doctor's certification. Take the completed application to your doctor or medical professional and have him or her complete the section for Doctor's Certification of Disability. The doctor should detail your condition and explain how it makes you eligible for a handicapped permit. Acceptable medical professionals who can certify your disability include licensed physicians, surgeons, physician's assistants, nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives. Disabled applicants who have lost both hands or a lower extremity may present themselves in person at the local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for exemption from the Doctor's Certification section of the application. Submit the application. You may submit your application either by mail or in person. By mail, send the completed application to DMV Placard, P.O. Box 932345, Sacramento, CA 94232-3450. Alternatively, you may make an appointment to submit your application in person. Call the Telephone Service Center at 800-777-0133 to make an appointment, or use this link to the online Appointment Service: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy&urile=wcm:path:/dmv_content_en/dmv/portal/foa/welcome. Be sure to include the appropriate fees. If you do not include the appropriate fee with your application, you will delay receiving your placard or plates. A temporary placard requires a fee of $6.00. A request for a permanent handicapped license plate has no fee, but you are required to surrender your original license plates. Wait until you receive your new plates to return the old ones. You are still responsible for paying your registration fees as usual. Know what your DP plate or placard allows. With a DP plate or placard, you may : Park in designated handicapped spaces (with the “wheelchair” symbol) Park at a blue curb designated for persons with disabilities Park at a green curb for unlimited time. (Green curbs usually designate limited time parking.) Use on street parking meters for no fee, for unlimited time. Park in marked “Resident Only” parking areas. Know what your DP plate or placard does not allow. With a DP plate or placard, you may not : Park in spaces with a crosshatched pattern next to a handicapped space. These areas are to allow space for a wheelchair lift. Park at red or yellow curbs, which are for emergency or loading zones only. Park at white curbs, which are for loading or unloading passengers. Know the rules about using your DP plate or placard. The following are illegal: You may not lend your placard to someone else. You may not borrow or use someone else's placard. You may not possess or display a counterfeit placard or DP plate. You may not alter or deface a DP placard or placard identification card. Submit a new application. If your placard has been lost or damaged, you need to use the Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents (Reg 156). You can find the form on the California DMV website at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/connect/78848945-2d42-4903-a38b-329805062c7e/reg156.pdf?MOD=AJPERES. If your placard has been damaged, return the damaged original placard. If you only have parts of the original, send back whatever you have. This is required along with the application for the replacement. Be sure to submit the appropriate replacement fee. Because fees change from time to time, you may call 800-777-0133 for the current fee schedule. | Determine if you qualify for a California DP license or placard. Consider whether your disability is temporary or permanent. Review the state eligibility requirements. Complete the application form. Get a doctor's certification. Submit the application. Be sure to include the appropriate fees. Know what your DP plate or placard allows. Know what your DP plate or placard does not allow. Know the rules about using your DP plate or placard. Submit a new application. If your placard has been damaged, return the damaged original placard. Be sure to submit the appropriate replacement fee. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Slice-Ginger | How to Slice Ginger | If you want to slice ginger, break off a small lobe from the ginger root and use a paring knife, spoon, or vegetable peeler to carefully peel away the ginger's outer layer. Next, hold a clean, sharp knife in your dominant hand and hold the ginger firmly against a cutting board, and slice across the fibers of the ginger. If you're candying the ginger, you can leave it in these round slices, called coins. You can also cut the coins into vertical strips, called a julienne cut, or you can cut the strips horizontally to mince it. | Break off a lobe of ginger. When you purchase raw ginger, it will look like a knobby root with a few sections that can be broken off. Hold the ginger in both hands and use pressure to break off one of the lobes. This can make working with the ginger a bit easier. Use a paring knife to peel the ginger. Hold the ginger in one hand and the knife firmly in your dominant hand. Slowly and carefully cut the surface of ginger, removing the top layer of the ginger, thus removing the skin. Peeling is often done for the aesthetics. Leaving the skin on can enhance the flavor of the ginger. Use a vegetable peeler. Holding the vegetable peeler in one hand and the ginger in the other, begin scraping the skin off the ginger. The skin of the ginger root is thin, flaky, and almost translucent, so it should come off easily. The most difficult part of this process is navigating the rough, uneven surface of the ginger, which can be a bit more troublesome using a vegetable peeler. Peel with a spoon. Hold the ginger firmly in one hand and a spoon in your dominant hand. With the convex side of spoon facing toward you, scrape the edge of it against the ginger, peeling off the skin. Peel only as much as you think you will use. Store the rest. Prepare to cut the ginger. Hold a clean, sharp chef's knife in your dominant hand and hold the ginger firmly against a cutting board. Take care not to let the ginger slip or slide while you are cutting. Cut across the fibers of the ginger. Ginger is a very fibrous root; the fibers run along the length of the root and its lobes. Cut across the fibers so that the knife is perpendicular to them while you are cutting. Cut the ginger into coins. As you cut the ginger across the fibers, you will be cutting little round shapes, aptly named “coins”. You can use these coins as they are (which are great for making candied ginger) or you can continue slicing. Julienne the ginger. Stack two or three of the coins that you just cut and begin cutting them into slivers. These slivers can be as thick or thin as you desire. If you intend to chop or mince the ginger, you should make these slivers fairly slim. Mince the ginger. Line up several of the ginger matchsticks. Cut the sticks crosswise. In other words, you will be cutting them perpendicular to the length of the ginger. Freeze the ginger. Wrap the ginger in plastic and store it in your freezer. This is a useful trick for grating ginger. Freezing the ginger makes it much easier to grate. When you are ready to use the ginger, peel off the plastic and scrape away the skin, if you would like. Use a ginger grating plate. There are special graters created for ginger. They usually look like a ceramic shallow bowl, with a raised area containing small ceramic teeth, used to grate the surface of the ginger. Hold the bowl firmly against the countertop and rub the ginger back and forth across the teeth. This will yield finely sliced ginger and the bowl will catch some of the juice. Depending on how strong you would like the flavor of ginger to be in your dish, you can choose to peel or leave the skin on. Use a metal grater. If you prefer peeled ginger, scrape away the skin. Hold a microplane grater in one hand, usually your non-dominant hand, and frozen ginger in the other. Press the ginger against the grater and begin scraping it quickly back and forth, lengthwise along the grater. Place a bowl or plate underneath the grater to catch the bits of ginger that fall from the grater. | Break off a lobe of ginger. Use a paring knife to peel the ginger. Use a vegetable peeler. Peel with a spoon. Prepare to cut the ginger. Cut across the fibers of the ginger. Cut the ginger into coins. Julienne the ginger. Mince the ginger. Freeze the ginger. Use a ginger grating plate. Use a metal grater. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Ask-Someone-if-They-Like-You | How to Ask Someone if They Like You | If you want to ask someone if they like you, try to find a low-key time when the two of you can talk alone. Start by letting them know how you feel about them, then ask them directly about their feelings. For instance, you might say, "I really like you, and I just wanted to know if you like me too," or "I get the feeling you want to be more than just friends. I don't feel that way, but I want you to feel comfortable being totally honest with me." Then, graciously accept their answer and, if necessary, give them a little time and space to process everything. | Get to know the person for a while to see if they might be interested. If you think someone you just met might like you, try spending a little time talking to them before you ask how they feel. If the two of you don't know each other very well, the other person might not even have an opinion on whether they like you yet, even if they're flirting with you or they seem interested. For instance, the person could just have a flirtatious personality, but they could be in a relationship or in another situation that would prevent them from dating you. Ask them open-ended questions like, “What do you do for fun?” and “What kind of music do you listen to?” That way, you can find out if you have anything in common. If you're already close with the person, there's no need to put off the conversation. Text or message them if you want plenty of time to think about what to say. Sending a text or an online message can be the perfect solution if you're afraid that you'll get tongue-tied when you're talking to the person face-to-face or over the phone. Take a few minutes to think about exactly how you want to ask them. Then, when they respond, you'll have time to think about your response. A text message can help take the pressure off the other person, too. With a text, they won't feel pressured to answer immediately, like they would in a verbal conversation. Remember, when you're texting, it's a lot harder for the other person to judge how you're really feeling. They can't see you or hear the tone of your voice. Use clear, specific language, or even throw in some emojis to help you express yourself better. Call them on the phone if you don’t want to ask face-to-face. If talking to the person face-to-face seems too intimidating, a phone call might be easier. Call them when you think they'll be free, like after school or work, or on the weekend. If they can talk, try saying something like, “I wanted to talk to you because I've been getting the feeling that you have deeper feelings for me. I like you, so I thought I would just call and ask.” A phone call is also a good alternative if meeting in person isn't possible or safe—for instance, because of social distancing due to the coronavirus outbreak. Set up a video chat if you want a more intimate conversation. If you can't get together with the other person in real life, but you still want a face-to-face chat, a video call is a good way to go. Send them a text, instant message, or email to find out when is a good time for them to chat. Set up your computer in a quiet place where you won't have any distractions or interruptions, so that you can make the conversation as comfortable as possible. Agree with them ahead of time about what video chat app you're going to use, so there's no confusion. For example, you might say, “Hey, are you up for a Google Duo chat this afternoon?” Since the other person will be able to see you, boost your confidence by dressing nicely, styling your hair, and tidying up the space that will be on camera. When you're talking to the person, be conscious of your body language. Smile and make eye contact, and avoid fiddling with your phone or other distractions while you chat. Pretend they're in the room with you! Keep your conversation direct and honest. If you're not meeting in person, it's especially important to communicate clearly. Even over video chat, you might not be able to spot all the little clues you'd get when talking face-to-face! Ask them how they feel in a clear and simple way, and make sure they understand how you're feeling, too. Try saying something like, “Hey, Rasheed, we've known each other for a while, and I really enjoy talking to you and being around you. I think I'm starting to like you as more than a friend, and I was wondering if you feel the same way.” Whatever they say, be kind and respect their answer. For example, if they say they're not into you romantically, say something like, “I understand. I hope we can continue to be friends and hang out, because I really enjoy your company!” Look your best the day of the conversation. Take a shower, brush your teeth, brush your hair, and put on clothes that are clean and fit you well. If you look good, you'll feel more confident, which will make it easier to approach the other person to talk to them about how they feel. If you normally wear makeup, you may want to apply a little, but try to keep your look natural so the other person's focus will be on you, and not how you look. Making an effort to look good doesn't necessarily mean that you're trying to impress the other person. It just means you're trying to feel your very best. Wait to talk to the person if they seem stressed out, upset, or busy. Even if you've planned exactly when to ask someone if they like you, it's important to be flexible. If you notice that the other person is already having a bad day, or they're in the middle of studying, talking to someone else, or just seem stressed out, then it's probably not the best time to ask them to open up about their emotions. If you're not sure, try opening the conversation with a simple question like, “Hey, how's your day going?” Then, use their response to gauge how they're feeling. Before having any difficult conversation, it's a good idea to set a time that works for both of you. For example, you could say, “Hey, are you free to have a quick chat this afternoon?” Try breathing deeply to calm down if you’re anxious. No matter what outcome you're hoping for, it's normal to feel nervous before you face something unknown. Try taking long, deep breaths that go down into your stomach, which can calm your nerves and help you feel more focused. It may also help if you remind yourself why it's important to have the conversation. For instance, you might tell yourself something like, “I don't want to lead Brad on. If he likes me, I'd rather know so I can let him down gently.” Ask the person if there’s somewhere you can talk alone. When you're ready to ask the person how they feel about you, try to find a time when the two of you can talk in private. If there are other people around, they might feel caught off guard or insecure about answering your question. In fact, depending on who's around, they may not feel comfortable answering you honestly, or they may feel too shy to say anything at all. Try saying something like, “Hey, can you walk over to the drink machine with me for a minute?” or “Do you have a free minute so we can talk?” If you don't see the person regularly throughout your day, ask them to meet you somewhere you'll both be comfortable, like a coffee shop or a park. Just in case things don't go smoothly, you may want to avoid having the conversation when you're both somewhere you can't leave, like in the car together on a long drive. Share how you feel about them. Before you ask the other person if they like you, let them know whether you like them romantically, or if you would rather be just friends. Be kind, but honest, no matter what you have to say. For instance, you might say, “I really like spending time around you, and I'd like to get to know you better,” or “You're one of my closest friends, and I don't want anything to change that.” Ask the person directly if they like you. When you want to know something, the best way to find out is to ask in a straightforward way. Try to have an idea of what you want to say in advance, and keep it simple. However, make sure you emphasize that the person can feel comfortable being honest about their feelings, and that you're prepared for any answer. You might say something like, “I just wanted to know if you like me as more than a friend,” for example. If you tell someone that you aren't into them, they may tell you they only like you as a friend too, even if they have deeper feelings than that. Don't feel like you have to push them too hard to confess their “true” feelings if they're not comfortable with that. Be gracious, no matter what they say. The best-case scenario in this conversation is that the other person feels the same way you do, whether you both like each other or you both just want to be friends. In either case, you can quickly move on to talking about something else. However, if you don't both feel the same way, it can feel a little upsetting. Try not to show those emotions, though. Instead, let the person know you appreciate that they were honest with you. It's normal to feel sad or upset about being rejected by someone you like. If you didn't get the answer you hoped for, let yourself feel bad about it, but try not to dwell on it. If you like the person and they don't like you back in the same way, take a little time to think about whether you can be friends with them. If it's the other way around, be honest but kind. For example, let them know you'll give them a little space if they need it, but that you still care for them as a friend (as long as that's the case). Pay attention to whether the person makes eye contact with you. People often unconsciously give off small cues when they're around someone they like. For instance, if you notice that the other person tends to make eye contact with you whenever you're around, it could be a sign that they like you. The only way to be sure about how someone feels is just to ask them. For instance, one person might make eye contact with you because they see you as a close friend, while another person who has a big crush on you might avoid eye contact because they're very shy. Notice whether they mirror your behavior. When you're talking to someone, try making small movements, then watch what the other person does. If they like you, they may unconsciously copy these movements, which is called “mirroring.” For instance, you might touch your hair or your face, or you could cross your arms or legs, then uncross them. If the person mimics those movements after a minute or two, they're mirroring you. Look at their posture when you're around. When you're talking to this person, pay attention to how they sit or stand. If they lean toward you and have open body language, such as sitting with their arms uncrossed, they may like you. However, if their arms are folded or they're turned away from you, they may be feeling closed off. Keep in mind that a person's posture can have to do with a lot of different factors, including how they're feeling physically and the overall mood they're in that day. Watch whether they find reasons to touch you. When someone has a crush on you, they'll often look for excuses to brush against you. They may touch your hand or your knee when you're talking, they may always hug you when they see you, or they might let their arm brush against yours when they walk past you. If you notice this, the person might like you. Some people are just affectionate with everyone, so if you're not sure, just ask! | Get to know the person for a while to see if they might be interested. Text or message them if you want plenty of time to think about what to say. Call them on the phone if you don’t want to ask face-to-face. Set up a video chat if you want a more intimate conversation. Keep your conversation direct and honest. Look your best the day of the conversation. Wait to talk to the person if they seem stressed out, upset, or busy. Try breathing deeply to calm down if you’re anxious. Ask the person if there’s somewhere you can talk alone. Share how you feel about them. Ask the person directly if they like you. Be gracious, no matter what they say. Pay attention to whether the person makes eye contact with you. Notice whether they mirror your behavior. Look at their posture when you're around. Watch whether they find reasons to touch you. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Tuna-Melt | How to Make a Tuna Melt | To make a tuna melt, start by draining a can of tuna, and mixing it with mayonnaise, pickle relish, brown mustard, salt, pepper, and any other flavors you might like, such as onion or dill. Next, heat up your skillet, lightly butter 2 slices of bread on both sides, and begin toasting the bread. Once toasted, put cheese slices down on your bread, let them melt, and carefully scoop some tuna on one of the slices of bread. Then, put the lid on the skillet and let the cheese melt and the tuna heat up. Finally, take your skillet off the heat and put your sandwich together. | Drain a can of tuna. Empty the can of tuna into a strainer or use the lid of the can to drain off most of the liquid. If you want to avoid more of the oil, you can also give the tuna a rinse under the faucet. Solid white tuna generally makes a better tuna salad mix than chunk tuna. It's got a thicker, heartier meat, so it holds up better with the condiments. Use whatever kind of tuna you like best. Using a fork, mix the tuna with mayonnaise. In a bowl, break up the tuna in the mayonnaise, creating smaller chunks and coating the mixture in mayo. This makes basic tuna salad. If you like smoother tuna salad, you can mix this up in the food processor as opposed to the bowl-and-fork method. If you like relatively dry tuna salad, you only need to add 1–2 tablespoons (14.8–29.6 ml) of mayonnaise. Be careful not to add too much at first. If you want more mayo, you can add more at any point. Use however much you like. If you don't like mayo, you can use any type of salad dressing or oil to bind together the tuna. Try using Italian salad dressing, or even just a bit of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Brown mustard also makes for a good mayo substitute in tuna salad. Add condiments to taste. To make a basic tuna salad, add a tablespoon or two of pickle relish, a teaspoon of brown mustard, and pinch of dry dill. Salt and pepper the tuna salad to your desired taste. Mix thoroughly. Onion and garlic make for good additions to tuna salad. Add a quarter teaspoon each of the dried versions for less potent additions, or chop up a small amount (half a clove of garlic, and an 1/8th of an onion) if you're into the raw version. Add whatever tastes you like. A pinch of curry powder and hot sauce can make for a spicy Indian style tuna salad, while some Parmesan, chopped green olives, spring onion, and dried oregano can be a delicious Mediterranean alternative. Experiment and find what you like. Choose your bread and cheese. The tuna melt is basically a toasted or grilled cheese sandwich with the addition of tuna salad, so the only other essential is any kind of bread and cheese you like to eat. For a basic tuna melt, you can use simple white sandwich bread and a slice of yellow cheese. Rye bread and swiss makes for a delicious alternative. Parmesan and crusty Italian bread are likewise a good combination. Use whatever kind of bread and cheese you've got on hand, or whatever kind you like on other sandwiches. Heat up your skillet or pan. On medium-low heat, heat up your non-greased skilled until it's hot. Meanwhile, lightly butter your bread on both sides. Begin by toasting the first side of the bread. If you see it start to smoke, turn the heat down slightly and flip the bread over. Crisp both sides of both slices of the bread. If you don't want the added calories of the butter, one alternative to a tuna melt is to toast the bread in the toaster and heat the tuna and cheese in the microwave. Scoop some of the tuna salad on a microwave-safe plate and lay the cheese slices over the top. Microwave in 10-15 second increments until the cheese is melted. When you've got your bread toasted, turn the heat down to low. In the skillet, assemble your sandwich. Lay the cheese slices down on both slices of bread to let them melt. Carefully scoop some of the tuna salad on one of the slices. Cover the skillet with a lid and let the heat melt the cheese and heat up the tuna salad. Make sure to watch for smoke. If you've already toasted the bread too much it can burn rather quickly. Keep the heat on low and watch the sandwich carefully. It won't take long for the cheese to melt. Remove the sandwich from the skillet and put it together. Popular additions to the sandwich might include slices of tomato, raw onion, green pepper, or lettuce. Add arugula and yellow peppers for a spicy alternative. Finished. | Drain a can of tuna. Using a fork, mix the tuna with mayonnaise. Add condiments to taste. Choose your bread and cheese. Heat up your skillet or pan. When you've got your bread toasted, turn the heat down to low. Remove the sandwich from the skillet and put it together. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Acne-Fast | How to Get Rid of Acne Fast | If you need to get rid of acne fast, start by buying a cleanser that addresses oily, dry, or combination skin, depending on your specific situation. Next, choose a topical product that contains benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or retinoids and apply it directly to the affected area. If you prefer natural treatments, consider trying witch hazel, tea tree oil, or apple cider vinegar, all of which can be applied topically. | Buy a cleanser for your skin type. Skin may be oily, dry, or combination, and each type has a different cleansing need. You may also have sensitive skin that reacts negatively to harsh chemicals. Most face washes are created for a specific type of skin. In some cases, your acne may clear up within a week! For example, if you have dry skin, you should avoid face washes containing alcohol. If you have sensitive skin, you want to try natural cleansers or ones formulated for sensitive skin. If you don't have sensitive skin, you might try using a cleanser that contains an active ingredient such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Try a benzoyl peroxide product. Benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria that causes acne, reduces the size of pimples, and opens up your pores. You can buy spot treatment products that you can apply directly onto the pimples and acne. These products come in gels and creams. When you use these products, you may start to see improvement by the next day. Most benzoyl peroxide products you can buy in the store contain up to a 2.5% concentration, although you may find up to 10%. A dermatologist can prescribe a stronger benzoyl peroxide treatment. They may even recommend one that is combined with other forms of acne treatment. Use a salicylic acid product. Salicylic acid is the other most common acne fighting ingredient found in products. It helps reduce redness, inflammation, and oil while giving your skin a smoother texture. You can buy products that contain salicylic acid in gel form or an acne treatment kit. When you use products with this ingredient, you may start to see improvement by the next day. Look for a product that contains between 1% and 3% salicylic acid. Apply a retinoid cream to your acne. Retinoid creams contain high levels of vitamin A. They can reduce inflammation, open pores, and treat acne scars. Most retinoid creams require a prescription, although there is one, Differin, that you can buy over the counter. Your skin should be completely dry when you use a retinoid cream. Try applying it thirty minutes after washing your face. When you first start applying retinoid creams, use it every other night. After a few weeks, you can use it every day. Retinoid creams can make your skin sensitive to the sun. Always wear sunscreen while using this product. Use tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has been used by dermatologists for years to reduce skin irritation and acne. Tea tree oil has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that can kill acne causing bacteria. Apply a small amount of tea tree oil directly to your acne. Do this after washing your face for the best results. You can also combine tea tree with a small amount of coconut oil. Coconut oil may also help fight acne fast. You may need a carrier oil, such as olive oil or castor oil, to prevent irritation. Tea tree oil may irritate or burn your skin. If you feel any discomfort, stop using it and talk to your doctor. Try essential oils. In addition to tea tree oil, other essential oils have been used in natural acne remedies. Many essential oils have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that make them helpful in clearing up acne quickly. Mix a few drops of the essential oil with a carrier oil like olive oil or jojoba oil before placing it on your skin. Try dabbing any of the following oils on your acne: Rosemary essential oil Lavender oil Frankincense oil Apricot seed oil Hemp seed oil Put on some witch hazel. Witch hazel is a natural astringent that has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Pour witch hazel onto a cotton ball and wipe it over your acne twice each day. Dab on apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial and antimicrobial benefits. You can use it to help shrink your pimples. Apply it to your entire face as a toner or dab it more heavily on your pimples specifically. If you have sensitive skin or you feel a burning sensation, dilute it with water. Make a honey mask. A natural antibacterial and antimicrobial agent, honey works to clear clogged pores and lift off excess oil and dead skin. Coat your whole face in honey and leave it for as long as you can before rinsing off. Additionally, dab honey directly on your pimples and cover with a bandage while you sleep overnight. Use warm water to remove honey. If any sticks, use your face cleanser to remove it. Put on an egg white mask. Egg whites help reduce redness and tighten the skin, which can help reduce pimples. Separate the egg whites from the yolks, and then beat them until they are foamy. Spread the egg whites over the acne. Leave on for 15 minutes, and then rinse off the mask with warm water. You can also add some fresh lemon juice to the egg white mask. Be aware that egg whites are uncooked food so there is a risk of foodborne illness. Make sure not to get it in your mouth. Apply aloe vera. Aloe reduces inflammation, helps remove oil, and cools your skin. This can help alleviate some of your acne. Get an aloe leaf and cut off a small section. Dig out the inside of the leaf. Crush it until it is a smooth paste. Spread the aloe gel paste onto your acne. If you are buying aloe vera gel, only use the natural, pure kind. This can be found at natural stores. The stuff you buy in superstores shouldn't be used on your face. Make a baking soda paste. Baking soda can help reduce inflammation and loosen oil and dirt that causes pimples. To make a baking soda paste, take around two tablespoons (30 g) of baking soda and add warm water to it. Add just enough water so that the baking soda becomes a firm paste. Apply to a wet face and leave on for 15 to 30 minutes. Rinse away with warm water. The paste should be thick enough to stick on your face and not drip off. Make an aspirin mask. Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory, so placing a mask of it on your face can help heal your pimple. Mix one part aspirin to three parts water. The aspirin will dissolve in the water, so you don't have to crush it. After it thickens, apply it over the acne. Leave on for at least 30 minutes, or until it begins to harden. Remove with a wet cloth. Don't use an aspirin mask if you are allergic to aspirin, have Reye's syndrome, drink high amounts of alcohol, are pregnant or breast-feeding, or take medications that don't mix with aspirin. Remove your makeup before exercising or going to bed. Old makeup can encourage the growth of bacteria and clog your skin. Before you sweat or sleep, take off your makeup. To make sure that it is completely removed, use a makeup remover, oil cleanser, or micellar water before cleansing your face. Avoid popping pimples. Though you may want to pop the acne on your face, you should resist the temptation. Popping pimples can lead to worse redness and swelling of the area, and it can push bacteria and pus deeper into your pores, making the pimple hang around longer. Popping zits can also lead to scarring. See a dermatologist if your acne does not improve. If your acne doesn't go away with any remedy, acne product, and a regular face wash schedule, you may have severe acne. This is treatable, but you need to see a doctor. Some treatments that your dermatologist can perform include laser or light treatments, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion. If you have a large cyst, they may even inject it with a steroid. If your acne is severe, a dermatologist may prescribe an antibiotic or isotretinoin (Accutane). Make changes to your lifestyle to prevent acne. Though this won't quickly get rid of existing acne, you can make changes to your life to help prevent and heal acne. For starters, washing your face twice each day is the best way to heal and prevent acne. You can also drink plenty of water, add more healthy foods like fruits and vegetables to your diet, and exercise to help prevent acne. However, these changes take awhile to work and won't clear up acne fast, but help in the long run. | Buy a cleanser for your skin type. Try a benzoyl peroxide product. Use a salicylic acid product. Apply a retinoid cream to your acne. Use tea tree oil. Try essential oils. Put on some witch hazel. Dab on apple cider vinegar. Make a honey mask. Put on an egg white mask. Apply aloe vera. Make a baking soda paste. Make an aspirin mask. Remove your makeup before exercising or going to bed. Avoid popping pimples. See a dermatologist if your acne does not improve. Make changes to your lifestyle to prevent acne. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-a-Lien | How to Remove a Lien | A lien is a claim made against your property due to a debt you owe. If an individual or company holds a lien against you, you'll need to pay the debt you owe. If you can't pay the debt in full, try renegotiating your loan balance for a lower monthly payment, a reduction in the interest rate, or a longer repayment period. If the lien is held against a vehicle you own, it might be easier to give them the vehicle or sell it and pay the debt instead. After you've paid off your debt, request a letter from your lender to prove that you've fulfilled your obligation. If you think the lien is fraudulent or incorrect, hire an attorney and file a court order to get it removed. | Analyze situations that may result in a lien being filed. A lien is a security interest placed on property. A security interest means that the property serves as security for a debt you owe to another party. The property may be real property (home) or personal property (car, jewelry). When you purchase a home, you enter into a home mortgage. Your bank takes a security interest in your home, which is considered real property. If you don't make the required mortgage loan payments, the bank can recover the amount they loaned you by taking possession of your home and selling it. Assume that you buy a car and take out a car loan. The bank will take a security interest in your car. Just as with your home, the bank can potentially take possession of your car and sell it. The sale proceeds allow the bank to recover the amount that they loaned to you. Lenders incur huge costs to repossess a home or a car. In reality, most banks would rather work out a repayment plan with a borrower and avoid repossessing property. One possibility for removing a lien is to renegotiate your loan balance. That may include a lower monthly payment, a reduction in the interest rate or a longer period to repay the loan. Review the concept of a tax lien. A tax lien is a process performed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This type of lien is placed because of an unpaid tax debt. A tax lien provides public notice to all of your creditors that the IRS has a claim against all of your current and future property until you pay the debt. The IRS considers a tax lien as a last resort when they are attempting to collect taxes owed. Because of the cost and time to place a lien, the IRS may be willing to enter into an installment agreement. With an installment agreement, the taxpayer agrees to make specific payments on an unpaid tax debt over time. As long as the payments are made on time, the IRS will not file a tax lien. If you cannot pay your current tax liability, it's critically important to contact the IRS. You can explain your situation and ask about an installment agreement. A tax lien can have a big impact on your financial situation. The lien will hurt your credit rating and may prevent you from borrowing money. Also, a tax lien will not be discharged if you file bankruptcy. For details on filing bankruptcy, see: File Bankruptcy in the United States. It's important to avoid a tax lien, and to take steps to get the lien removed. Consider liens that are the result of a court order. A lien placed on your home or car is considered voluntary. The borrower understands that placing the lien is part of the loan agreement. Other loans are involuntary. A lien filed as a result of a court order is an involuntary lien. In involuntary lien is filed based on a judgment granted by a judge. A property lien against your home can originate from a divorce or child support judgment. In this case, an individual has been instructed by a court to make payments and has not done so. If you have had work completed on your home and the contractor accuses you of failure to pay all fees, the contractor can file a mechanic's lien against your property. In most cases, you will need to retain an attorney to help you get a court ordered lien removed. An attorney can help ensure that the legal paperwork is processed correctly. Consider your options for removing a lien on property. Since most liens are based on some monetary amount, the simple way to remove a lien is to pay that specific amount. There are other ways to remove a lien, depending on how the lien originated. Sell the property. In some cases, you may be able to find a buyer for the property. However, selling property with a lien can be complicated. The lender who placed the lien will still have a security interest in the property, even if it is sold. The buyer must be informed that there is a lien on the property. Return the property to the lien holder. A lien can't be placed on property that you own. If you simply give the property to the lien holder, the lien is void. Say, for example, that you own a truck. There is a lien on the truck based on the outstanding truck loan balance. If you give the truck to your lender, the lien on the truck goes away. If you feel that the lien was obtained based on fraud, duress or some other unlawful means, you can obtain a court order to have the lien removed. This option is expensive and time-consuming. You'll need to hire an attorney to help you with the court filing. Remove a lien on your car. The lien against your car is based on the remaining loan balance. When your lender places the lien, it noted on the car title and your insurance policy. This notation is made so that any future buyer of your car is aware of the lien. A car lien is paid off with the final monthly car payment. After you have paid off your car loan, request a letter from the lender that states you have fulfilled your obligation. Take the letter to your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The DMV will issue you a new title that lists you as the sole owner of the vehicle. After you receive your new car title, contact your insurance company to have the lien holder removed from your policy. Keep copies of the letter releasing you from the lien and your new car title. Go over the details to remove a lien from your home or other property. You can pay off a property lien by paying the remaining loan balance. If you negotiated a different repayment amount, you can remove the lien by paying that amount in full. You will need to pay or resolve any lien related to a divorce settlement, child support payments, or any other creditors. Request a release-of-lien form from your lender. The lender signs this form as evidence that the lien should be removed. You can get this required form from your lender, your attorney of your local government. Get the release-of-lien form notarized. File the form with your county recorder's office. Your county recorder keeps track all the property owners in your county, and any related liens on property. The office may require a filing fee. This will make the release of your lien public. Keep a copy of the release-of lien for your personal records. An attorney can help you remove a lien from your property if you disagree with the existence of the lien or any details related to the lien. An attorney will assist you in researching the origins of the claim and negotiate final payment if you are responsible for the debt. When you pay a tax lien amount in full, the IRS will provide you with a release of the notice of federal tax lien about 30 days after you pay off your tax debt. You will forward that letter to your county recorder's office to remove a lien on property. | Analyze situations that may result in a lien being filed. Review the concept of a tax lien. Consider liens that are the result of a court order. Consider your options for removing a lien on property. Remove a lien on your car. Go over the details to remove a lien from your home or other property. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Person-Disappear | How to Make a Person Disappear | If you want to make a person disappear as part of a magic trick, choose a volunteer ahead of time and explain the trick to them, but ask them to act like they're clueless. Find a location with long curtains and set up chairs for the audience, but be sure they won't be able to see behind the scenes. Hold a blanket in front of your volunteer and say the magic words that tell your volunteer it's time to go hide behind the long curtains. Leave the blanket in place and count to 5 in your head, then drop the blanket to reveal the person has disappeared! | Find a willing volunteer. This person is required to go along with the act and appear to be clueless as to how you did it. They are crucial for the trick. Explain in detail the trick to them and their role to see if they're willing. Find a hiding spot for them to go to. Location is an important aspect of every magic trick. If you're performing in your house, find a location with long curtains. You could also use a location with a door nearby. Prep your volunteer. Explain the lowdown of the trick's entirety to your volunteer. Go through a few practice runs of where she'll hide and when she'll hide. Prepare trigger words like "kazaa" or "presto" to indicate when your volunteer hides and when she reappears. Run a simulation of the trick with your volunteer so that you're both on the same page. Preparing the audience. Set up a performance space in front of the location you've decided on. Set up chairs at a vantage point that blinds them for the behind the scenes activity. Gather willing people to be part of your audience. It may be best to practice this trick in your home to your family. Hold a blanket in front of your volunteer. Make sure the blanket is long enough so that it covers her feet. Immediately after you've secured the blanket, your volunteer should make her move and hide. Silence is key to being believable. Say your first trigger word once you've secured the blanket. This will let your volunteer know it's time to hide. Say the magic words. Count in your head to 5 while they silently hide. Talk to the audience briefly as your volunteer hides. This will give off the impression that less time has passed. Don't take too long or else your audience may suspect something. Drop the blanket. After giving your volunteer around five seconds to hide, show your audience the empty space. Announce to the audience that your volunteer has disappeared. Hold the blanket up. Once you've secured the blanket up a second time, say your other trigger word. This will signal for your volunteer to resume her original position. Make small talk until she is back in place. This should take about 5 seconds or less. Keep a calm demeanor while holding up the blanket. It's up to you if you want to say magic words for her to reappear. This is a preference that will vary for each magician. Drop the blanket. Now your volunteer will appear standing in the same place as before. It will seem as though you've brought back your volunteer from some unknown abyss. Find a mirror. Mirrors are commonly used for magicians' allusions. Using a mirror requires more practice and patience from the magician. For this type of trick you'll need a fairly large mirror. Essentially you need one large enough for you to hide behind. Set up a location. There are different approaches of using a mirror to disappear. For this technique you'll need a table, blanket, and your mirror. This trick will rely on lighting and positioning of the mirror. It won't be perfect on your first attempt. You're trying to create a foreground reflection of the ground underneath the table. A cheap, fold out table will work well for this illusion. Position the mirror underneath the table. Set up the mirror so that it lays on the ground horizontally. Make sure that the mirror doesn't overlap with the top edge of the table. Test this set up both indoors and outdoors, and see which looks the most believable. Practice before performing. This trick can be performed by yourself. You could also use a volunteer, but it all depends on your comfort level. Having an assistant will help you to reappear. Prepare the audience. Set up a performance space in front of the location you've decided on. Set up chairs at a vantage point that blinds them for the behind the scenes activity. Gather willing people to be part of your audience. It may be best to practice this trick in your home to your family before bringing to the streets. Perform the trick solo. Stand on top of the table with a blanket in your hands. Make sure you stand close to the edge of the table. Raise the blanket above your head. Say some magic words if you want. Then jump off the table and land in a crouching position behind the mirror. Let the blanket naturally drop with you and release your grip once you hit the ground. Use a volunteer. Stand on the table with your volunteer. Drape the blanket so that it covers her from the audience. Once the is blanket up, your volunteer should lightly jump off the table into a crouching position behind the mirror. As your volunteer jumps from the table, drop the blanket. Practice with your volunteer before performing for the best results. Timing is crucial for this trick. Reappear your volunteer. Hold the blanket up again. Have your volunteer carefully climb back onto the table. Stand in a location on the table that is sturdy. Your volunteer climbing onto the table could shift the balance of the table and spoil the trick. Once your volunteer is back in position, drop the blanket down and dazzle the audience. Understand the video effect. This trick is an easy way to vanish someone from a video. It doesn't require a live audience but can look professional. You can incorporate this trick into any type of video project you're working on. Acquire the supplies. You'll need a standard video camera and a tripod. If you don't own a tripod you can set one up on a study surface for your video camera. The idea is to not change your camera's the location. Shoot the initial footage. For a realistic effect, weave the vanishing effect into your video, so it appears seamless. For example, your video is about a futuristic society who teleport for transportation. In this scenario you'd script the dialogue in a way that the characters are talking about teleporting somewhere, or are preparing to teleport. Shoot the footage up until the moment that you want the characters to disappear. It might help if they countdown, 3-2-1 and then cut the scene. Remove the characters. Have everyone in the shot leave the camera's eye. Check on the camera's display monitor to ensure that the shot is only the background. Record the background. If you roll the film from exactly where you left off, it'll appear as though the characters disappeared from their location. If you want them to reappear: cut the scene and gather all the characters back into their original positions and continue filming. Record vanishing magic tricks. Another way for you to perform magic tricks is by using the camera to relay your magic tricks. Follow the above steps to incorporate various approaches to making somebody disappear. You could even expand beyond people and cause cars to disappear! Be creative and have some fun in the process. | Find a willing volunteer. Find a hiding spot for them to go to. Prep your volunteer. Preparing the audience. Hold a blanket in front of your volunteer. Say the magic words. Drop the blanket. Hold the blanket up. Drop the blanket. Find a mirror. Set up a location. Position the mirror underneath the table. Practice before performing. Prepare the audience. Perform the trick solo. Use a volunteer. Reappear your volunteer. Understand the video effect. Acquire the supplies. Shoot the initial footage. Remove the characters. Record the background. Record vanishing magic tricks. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Study-Greek-Mythology | How to Study Greek Mythology | To study Greek mythology, familiarize yourself with the major Olympian gods, like Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, and Hades. You should also read up on the great heroes of Greek mythology, like Hercules, Perseus, and Achilles, who are the protagonists of famous Greek myths. Additionally, read the popular myths of Greek mythology, like Midas and the golden touch and Prometheus and the fire thief, to learn more about the Greek gods and heroes. | Learn the gods. Greek mythology has a dizzying cast of characters. You don't need to know them all, but learning the major Olympian gods is an important first step in understanding Greek mythology. Zeus – King of the Gods and of the heavens. Controls the weather. Hera – Goddess of the family. He has a sister and is Zeus's wife. The Greek gods were an incestuous bunch. Poseidon – Zeus's brother and god of the seas.He is the god of earthquakes and father of Pegasus, making him somewhat in charge of horses. Hades – Zeus's brother and god of the underworld. Demeter – Zeus's sister and goddess of the harvest. Athena – Daughter of Zeus and the Titan Metis. The goddess of wisdom, war, and crafts. She is a rival to Poseidon. Apollo – Son of Zeus by the Titan Leto. The god of music, prophecy, and medicine and controls the sun. Artemis – Twin sister of Apollo. The goddess of the hunt and the moon. Also the founder and leader of the Hunters of Artemis, an all-girls group of young girls who dedicated their lives to the hunt and to Artemis, swore off all romance, and lived immortally unless killed in battle. Ares – Son of Zeus by Hera. The god of war. Hephaestus – Son of Zeus by Hera. He is lame. The smith of the gods, he crafted their weapons. Thrown off the top of Olympus by his mother, Hera, for being hideous. Hermes – Son of Zeus by the minor goddess Maia. He is the messenger of the gods and the god of thieves, trade, and travelers. Aphrodite – Depending on which myth you read, either the daughter of Zeus and the Titan Dione, or she emerged from sea foam after the Titan Uranus was castrated and his testicles thrown into the sea. She is the goddess of love and beauty. Dionysus – Son of Zeus and the mortal princess Semele. He is the god of wine and festivity. Get to know the great heroes of Greek mythology. While the same gods appear in myth after myth, they are rarely the protagonists the leading characters of Greek myths, who are typically human or half-human (quite a few have one divine parent). These heroes are famous for a variety of reasons, from fighting monsters to winning glory on the battlefield to suffering family tragedies. The most famous include: Heracles (Hercules) – He was the strongest human, he also had a horrible temper. He completed 12 labors to absolve the guilt of killing his own family in a fit of madness. Perseus – Cast into the sea in a chest as a child; defeated the Gorgon Medusa and the Kraken; and married Andromeda. Theseus – A cousin of Hercules, he was as wise as Hercules was strong. He defeated the Minotaur and escaped the labyrinth on Crete and became the king of Athens. Achilles – The hero of Homer's Iliad , which tells the tale of the Trojan War. His mother, the nymph Thetis, dipped him in the river Styx as a child to make him immortal, but since she held him by the heel, this part of him remained vulnerable. After killing Hector, the greatest warrior of the Trojans, he is struck in the heel by a poisoned arrow and dies. Odysseus – The hero of Homer's Odyssey. He had the idea for the Trojan horse – a giant hollow horse with Greek warriors hidden inside – which as used to defeat Troy. After the war, he spent 10 years returning home, battling monsters, gods, and witches along the way. Jason – Set sail with the Argonauts, and after fighting off monsters and Sirens, found the golden fleece with the help of the witch Medea, who fell in love with him. Study the major myths. While the heroes each have their own stories, there are a number of other myths featuring less prominent protagonists that have become famous, such as the story of Narcissus, who was so vain that he became transfixed upon seeing his reflection in a pond, and stayed staring at it until he died. Other important myths include: Sisyphus – A trickster who cheated the gods more than once, he is famous for his punishment after death: in the underworld of Hades, he is condemned to forever roll a boulder to the top of a steep hill; and as soon as the boulder reaches the top, it rolls down the far side and he must start again. Tantalus – Tantalus was a favorite of the gods, and invited them to a feast at his home, where he had his own son cooked up and served to them. This was not a good idea. He, too, became famous for his punishment: forever standing in a pool of clean water, with delicious fruits hanging from trees overhead. Yet when he reached for the fruit, the wind tossed the branches out of reach, and when he bent down to drink, the water drained away. Pygmalion and Galatea – Pygmalion was a sculptor who created a statue so beautiful and lifelike that he fell in love with it. Aphrodite took pity on him and brought the statue to life as the woman Galatea. Persephone – The beautiful daughter of Demeter, goddess of the harvest, she was abducted by Hades, who took her to the underworld to be his wife. She was forced to dwell there four months a year, while she could spend the rest of the time on earth. This myth explains the seasons: the winter months are the ones in which she is in Hades. Midas and the Golden Touch – King of Phrygia, Midas found favor with the god Dionysus who offered to grant him whatever he wished. He asked for the power to turn whatever he touched to gold, and then quickly realized his mistake, when everything he tried to eat or drink turned to gold. Prometheus the Fire Thief – He stole the fire of the Zeus and taught mankind how to use it. As a punishment, he was chained to a rock and each day an eagle came and ate out his liver, which was magically restored overnight. Europa – A woman so beautiful that Zeus fell in love with her. He came to her in the guise of a beautiful white bull, and bowed before her. When she climbed on his back, he carried her to a cave where he revealed his true nature. Europe is named after her. Daedalus and Icarus – Daedalus designed the labyrinth on Crete, where king Minos later had him and his son Icarus imprisoned. Daedalus built wings of wax and feathers for himself and his son so they could fly to freedom, but Icarus flew too high and his wax wings melted. He fell and drowned in the Icarian Seas, which was named after him. Orpheus and Eurydice – Orpheus was a great musician. When his love Eurydice died, he went down to the underworld and played his lyre so beautifully that Hades agreed to let Eurydice go, so long as Orpheus agreed not to look on her until they reached the surface. But Orpheus worried that he had been tricked. He looked back only a few feet from the surface, only to see Eurydice be whisked away back to the underworld because he had looked too soon. Take a class at a local college. If you are not already in a class studying mythology, you can try taking one at the nearest university or community college. Greek mythology is a popular course, and many colleges offer it in both the spring and fall semesters, as well as over the summer. Courses typically cost from $100 at community colleges to over $1000 at universities. In the U.S., senior citizens can often take classes for free at community colleges. Take a course online. If you cannot make it to a university to class, you can take a course online instead. Many universities offer online courses, while you can also find them offered by for profit companies or even for free. University courses – Universities such as Oxford, Duke, Brown, Harvard, and Yale offer online courses on Greek myths and heroes. Some of these, such as Harvard Professor Nagy's course “Concepts of the Hero in Greek Civilization” are offered for free. Paid Online Courses – The most well-known series of for-profit courses online are offered by The Great Courses at www.thegreatcourses.com. Free Online Courses – There are a variety of sites that bring together free mythology courses from across the web, including www.mooc-list.com (for courses from the Massive Open Online Course project) and oedb.org (Open Education Database). Use an app. It seems there is an app for just about everything, and Greek mythology is no exception. Download one and learn the basics of mythology from your phone. Some helpful apps include: Learn Mythology Basics – iPhone / iPad GreekMythology.com - Android Greek Mythology by Anduin – Google / Android Greek Mythology by Socratica – Google / Android Greek Mythological – iPhone / iPad – Offers more detailed information on mythology and the ancient Greek world. Explore websites dedicated to Greek mythology. There are several very good websites that present free information on the gods, heroes, myths, and locations of Greek mythology. They are useful as a reference or as an introduction to mythology. Some good websites include: http://www.theoi.com http://www.greekmythology.com http://www.greekmyths-greekmythology.com Start with an introductory text. There are several authors who have synthesized multiple ancient Greek authors in order to create compendiums of mythology. Some books to consider include: Jenny March's The Penguin Book of Classical Myths (2009) – Professor March's work provides a clear, easy to read retelling of the major myths, alongside the latest scholarship on their origins, development, and meanings. Richard Buxton's The Complete World of Greek Mythology (2004) – Buxton offers an overview of mythology, placing the myths in their social and cultural context. His book is also packed with extras such as genealogical tables and beautiful illustrations. Edith Hamilton's Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes (1942) – Hamilton draws on all the great Greek writers, and some Roman ones, too, in compiling her introductory text that covers all the key gods and myths. Timothy Gantz's Early Greek Myth: A Guide to Literary and Artistic Sources (1993) – Gant's book is the most scholarly, and also the densest introduction to Greek mythology. He draws on both early Greek writers and art in order to recreate the myths as they were in the days of Homer and Aeschylus. Robert Graves's The Greek Myths (1956) – Graves is a sort of anti-Gantz. He is a wonderful writer, and his myths make for an easy and enjoyable introduction to Greek mythology. His scholarship, on the other hand, is decidedly sub-par, and his theories of the origins of Greek mythology and the relations between its cast of characters have been more or less all disproven. Read The Library of Apollodorus. If you are truly interested in Greek mythology, you should go beyond modern re-tellings to the original sources. Though still called Apollodorus's library, it has more recently been concluded that this 2nd century AD compilation of myths was not in fact written by Apollodorus of Athens. Regardless of its authorship, this compendium brings together most of the major Greek myths and orders them in a way that is still used by the writers of compendiums today. You can find an indexed translation online at http://www.theoi.com/Text/Apollodorus1.html. Consult the work of the poet Hesiod for more on the origins of the gods. A Greek poet from the 8th century BC, his Theogony details the origins and genealogy of the gods, while his poem Works and Days give insight into daily life in ancient Greece. For an award-winning recent translation, check out poet Daryl Hine's Works of Hesiod and the Homeric Myths. Hesiod's works can also be found online at http://www.theoi.com/Text/HesiodTheogony.html. Check out the epic poems of Homer. The two greatest epics of Greek mythology – The Iliad and The Odyssey – were written in the 8th or 7th century BC and are both ascribed to the poet Homer. While they focus on the Trojan War and the journeys of Odysseus, respectively, they also include asides that touch on many other classical myths. Robert Fagles has produced the authoritative translation of both The Iliad and The Odyssey. You can find online translations of The Iliad at http://www.theoi.com/Text/HomerIliad1.html and of The Odyssey at http://www.theoi.com/Text/HomerOdyssey1.html. You can also find the original Greek, along with translations, at http://homer.library.northwestern.edu/. Learn more about Jason and the Argonauts by reading Apollonius Rhodius. An Alexandrian born in 295BC, Apollonius's Argonautica is the best-known version of Jason's adventures. It is available online at http://www.theoi.com/Text/ApolloniusRhodius1.html. Read the three great tragic playwrights. Aeschylus, Euripides, and Sophocles were contemporaries who produced tragic plays of profound psychological insight that have influenced writers to this day and which continue to be performed. Aeschylus – Born around 525BC, the most famous of his seven surviving plays are Prometheus Bound and the Oresteia Trilogy: Agamemnon , The Libation Bearers , and The Eumenides. Find his works at http://www.theoi.com/Text/AeschylusPrometheus.html. Euripides – Born around 486BC and of humble origins, his plays are unique in that his characters often question the gods and fight against their fates. Nineteen of his plays survive. Some of the most famous include The Bacchae , The Trojan Women , Medea , Electra , and Orestes. Find his works online at http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/collection?collection=Perseus%3Acollection%3AGreco-Roman. Sophocles – Also born around 486BC, he was a priest of Asclepius who has seven extant plays, including Oedipus , Electra , and Oedipus at Colonus. His works are online at http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/collection?collection=Perseus%3Acollection%3AGreco-Roman. Lighten up with the comic playwright Aristophanes. The Greek theater was not exclusively about grim topics like men marrying their mothers or serving their children to the gods. Aristophanes, born about 450BC, is the sole surviving comic playwright of the age. Eleven of his plays survive intact, including The Clouds , The Birds , and The Wasps. You can find his work online at http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/collection?collection=Perseus%3Acollection%3AGreco-Roman. | Learn the gods. Get to know the great heroes of Greek mythology. Study the major myths. Take a class at a local college. Take a course online. Use an app. Explore websites dedicated to Greek mythology. Start with an introductory text. Read The Library of Apollodorus. Consult the work of the poet Hesiod for more on the origins of the gods. Check out the epic poems of Homer. Learn more about Jason and the Argonauts by reading Apollonius Rhodius. Read the three great tragic playwrights. Lighten up with the comic playwright Aristophanes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Maintain-a-Low-Profile | How to Maintain a Low Profile | Whether you're shy, in a new environment, or simply don't want to be noticed, maintaining a low profile can be as easy as blending into the crowd. When possible, dress like the people around you so you don't draw unwanted attention. If you're going into an environment for the first time, wear simple, subdued colors and keep your jewelry and accessories to a minimum. While you want to fly under the radar, avoid being too quiet or spending too much time alone, which can make you stand out for being antisocial. Instead, keep your conversations pleasant but short. Socialize with a wide range of people to show that you're just like everyone else. You'll also want to follow the rules or policies of your school or workplace, which can help you blend in since you're doing what's expected. | Observe the environment. Learn the culture and how things operate. Pay attention to how people act and the relationships between them. What do people wear? Are they serious or playful? Is it a quiet environment or is it lively? Once you understand how things work, you can adjust your behavior. For example, if you find the people who tend to gossip or are high profile, you can avoid those people or limit your interactions with them. Observation is especially important if you are new to a place. You can then adjust your behavior based on what you observe. Do not self-promote. If you do well on a homework assignment or a project, do not tell anyone else. Only speak about it if someone else brings it up. Your accomplishments may go unnoticed, and you will not have to talk about them. Letting your work speak for itself also makes you appear humble and non-threatening. If people do not know what you are capable of, they will not expect much and pay less attention to you. Avoid flashy clothes. If possible, dress like the other people in your environment. You may have to adjust your style a little bit. Dressing outside of the norm will draw unwanted attention. Wear simple, subdued colors. Stay away from bright colors and patterns. Keep your jewelry and accessories to a minimum. Work alone. As much as possible, work alone instead of in a group. Working alone shows others that you are self-reliant and do not need a lot of help. On the other hand, be sure to reach out to others when you need help and be a team player when you are asked to. Being too independent can also make you stand out. Working alone also teaches you to be self-motivated. People may notice that you like working alone and will let you work in peace without interruptions. Be social. Making small talk and interacting with others is typical workplace/school behavior. If you go throughout the day and never talk to anyone, you will look suspicious. Take a few minutes and talk to people at the beginning of the day. This shows that you are taking the time to build relationships. Socialize with a wide range of people at school/work, while reserving nights and weekends for close friends and family. Be careful not to isolate. Avoid being too quiet. There is a fine balance between having alone time and socializing. If you are too quiet, people may feel that you are distant and will not be comfortable around you. This will actually draw more attention to you than you would like. You do not always have to initiate contact, but try not to turn down an invitation to eat lunch with someone. Keep your conversations short, but talk to a variety of people instead of only three or four that you may be comfortable with. Follow the rules. Rules and laws create order within your school, workplace, and society. When you follow the rules, you can blend in because you are doing what is expected. If you break the law, you will be going against the grain and may get singled out and punished. Breaking a rule can also give you a bad reputation. People may talk about your reputation before they even meet you, and people are more likely to know who you are and what you have done. Use privacy controls. All social media networks have privacy controls. When you adjust these settings, you have control over who has access to your information (e.g. profile, pictures, posts, data). Sites regularly change their privacy policies so stay up-to-date. Facebook allows your friends to share information about you. Be sure to go into your privacy settings and set limits. The default for privacy settings is completely open and accessible profiles. Limit your friends. Only be friends with people that you actually know. Reject any requests from complete strangers. You should also go through your friend list every few months to see who you are sharing your information with. The more friends you have, the more people will know about you and what you are doing. Post sparingly. Remember that anything that you post is public information and is permanent. Even if you delete a post or a picture, they can still be found. If you do not want the information revealed on a billboard, it is best not to post. Remember that employers often check social media during the hiring process. Never share personal details or your current location. Conceal your identity. Use different usernames and logins for each of your accounts. This way it will be harder to track your online activity. You can also use an avatar or some other picture instead of using your actual picture for an online profile. You can also block your IP address so that you cannot be tracked when you are using the internet. Listen more than you speak. Allow others to speak more than you and let them dominate the conversation. Make eye contact with the person and nod to show that you are listening. Ask open ended questions during the conversation to encourage the person to talk. People love talking about themselves. Try to talk to people without revealing too much about yourself. To keep the conversation focused on the other person, you may say, “That's interesting. Could you tell me more about that?” or ask, “What did you do this weekend?” instead of, “Did you have a good weekend?” Avoid controversy. A person with a low profile is unlikely to engage in debate and be more willing to keep strong opinions or beliefs on certain topics to themselves (subjects like religion, politics, etc). A low-profile person isn't one to engage in political debate or try to persuade someone to change their stance on an issue. If people are debating or discussing one of these sticky, often controversial subjects, you may want to listen but not engage in the discussion. Don't try to change people's minds or tell them they are wrong — adopt a "live and let live" stance. They have their beliefs, and you have yours, and that's okay. Keep your circle small. If you have a small circle of friends, you are more likely to have deeper relationships and more trust. If you have a large circle of friends, you will be invited to more events and activities. It is difficult to maintain a low profile if you have a super active social life. Do not neglect your friendships just because you are trying to keep a low profile. Friends are important for your happiness, health, and well-being. Interacting with a large number of people also means that more people know your business, and there is a greater likelihood of your business being shared with others. Mind your own business. Focus on the things that you can control instead of other people. Stay away from gossip and negativity. Only give advice when you are asked. By demonstrating how you like to operate, other people will be less likely to bring gossip or drama your way. You can politely tell someone, “That's none of my business,” or, “I like to stay away from drama.” Go with the flow. Any time you are out in public, do what the other people are doing. If you are on the subway, in a restaurant, or at a store get behind another person in line and watch how they behave. When it is your turn to pay or place an order, you will know what behavior is expected. Do not push through people, make sudden movements, or be rude to other people. Also avoid making eye contact with other people. If it is sunny outside, sunglasses are a great way to avoid this; however, do not wear sunglasses if they are not weather appropriate. You may stand out more. Deal with conflict quietly and gracefully. While a low-profile person likely won't experience too many conflicts with other people — especially if the person is going with the flow and avoiding hot-button topics — but sometimes it is inevitable. Try to maintain kindness and calm during a disagreement. Be open to compromise, or even appeasing the other person. This is fine, so long as you are comfortable with it and it is not violating any of your beliefs or values. Do not overshare. If someone asks you a question or you need to speak, only say what is necessary for the conversation. Do not provide any extra details about yourself and stick to the topic at hand. This allows you to interact with others without revealing too much about yourself. Focus on general comments and answers instead of providing details. For example, when asked what your weekend plans are, you may say, "I'm going to explore the city with my friends," instead of, "I'm going to hang out with Michael and Ashley. We are going to see that new Marvel movie and then go to dinner." | Observe the environment. Do not self-promote. Avoid flashy clothes. Work alone. Be social. Avoid being too quiet. Follow the rules. Use privacy controls. Limit your friends. Post sparingly. Conceal your identity. Listen more than you speak. Avoid controversy. Keep your circle small. Mind your own business. Go with the flow. Deal with conflict quietly and gracefully. Do not overshare. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Succeed-on-a-First-Date | How to Succeed on a First Date | To make a great impression, look the part of a date. If you're going on a date after work, try something like stopping at Starbucks or talking to a friend to get out of your work mentality and into your date mentality. For some people, that's almost a different personality! Wear something comfortable that makes you feel and look good. Well-fitting jeans, nice shoes, or a cute dress are all clothing items you can consider. Lastly, if you're meeting someone off of the internet, the best first impression is to look like the photos you've posted of yourself. These should be recent. A person who wants to be with you will want to be with the real you. | Clean yourself up. Before you leave the house, take a hot shower or a long soak in the tub. Be sure to scrub yourself thoroughly from head to toe, and don't forget to wash your hair. For best results, use products with pleasant natural scents to keep yourself smelling fresh for hours. No matter what the rest of your pre-date ritual consists of, bathing is non-negotiable! Personal hygiene plays a huge part in preparing for any date. The last thing you want is for any offensive odors to spoil the mood. Dress to impress. Pick out some clean, comfortable clothes that fit well and accentuate your best features. If you can't find anything you like, go shopping for a new outfit just for the occasion, or ask a friend to borrow something of theirs. When you look good, you'll be more likely to feel good, too. Make sure your attire is appropriate for what you'll be doing. You'll look underdressed wearing a t-shirt and jeans to a nice restaurant, while a suit and tie may be a little much for a walk in the park. Make yourself smell good. Once you've got your look together, spritz yourself with cologne or perfume or dab on some essential oils to put the cherry on top. At the very least, apply a layer of deodorant. Smell is one of the most powerful senses, so it's one of the first things your date is likely to notice. Try not to overdo it with the perfume or cologne. A little can make you more alluring, but too much can be overpowering. Bring along a breath freshener. A pack of gum or some mints can be a lifesaver after you've just finished off a plate of linguine and clams with extra garlic. They'll also help prepare you for a goodnight kiss if things go well. Stash your breath fresheners in your pocket so you'll have them close at hand whenever the need arises. It's a good idea to brush your teeth or pop a mint before you and your date get together, even if you're not doing dinner. Bad breath is one of those things you don't notice about yourself that can none-the-less be very unattractive. Get together for drinks if it’s your first time meeting. Chat over a cup of coffee at your favorite neighborhood café, or have a beer at that new local brewery. Casual spots are a good choice for first dates. If things are going well, you can order another round and stay as long as you like. Otherwise, you can simply finish your drink and call it a night. Be careful not to have too many alcoholic beverages. You may find it harder to make a good first impression if you're tipsy! Go out to dinner to talk in a more intimate setting. Dinner is a time-honored first date. Swing down to a place you both like, or take advantage of the opportunity to explore a new type of cuisine. Sharing a meal has a way of bringing people together. If you've got a particular restaurant in mind, don't forget to make reservations to ensure that you can get a table. Keep in mind that having dinner together forces you to interact with your date, so it may not be the best choice if you're especially shy or nervous. Take a walk to enjoy one another’s company in private. If you'd rather not deal with crowds or reservations, consider setting off on foot together somewhere outside. That way, you can take in the scenery together and focus on getting to know each other without being distracted by all the commotion going on around you. Make arrangements to rendezvous at a park, or go for a stroll through a quiet section of the city. Walking together can actually take some of the pressure off of making conversation, since you won't be forced to interact closely across a table. Go on a picnic to take advantage of nice weather. Pack up a few simple foods and set out for somewhere peaceful and secluded. There, the two of you can chit-chat privately while enjoying the great outdoors. Public parks are great places to picnic, as are the commons areas of college campuses. Be sure to plan your picnic for a day when it's warm, sunny, and clear. The last thing you want is to get rained out! To avoid any awkward moments, avoid bringing foods that are messy or hard to eat. Go ice skating to enjoy being active when it's cold out. Ice skating is safe, inexpensive, and fun for all, and if you've got some moves, carving up the ice is sure to impress your date. When you start to get tired, head to a less crowded part of the rink where you can sip hot cocoa and watch the other skaters. Don't worry if you've never skated before. This can be the perfect opportunity to learn a new skill and get closer to your date at the same time. Come up with some unconventional first date ideas. If you're looking for a more adventurous alternative to coffee or dinner, get creative. You might sign up for an arts and crafts class, go see one of your favorite musicians in concert, or head down to the arcade with a pocket full of quarters. Games like bowling, pool, and darts are also a fun option. Some friendly competition can help you establish a playful, light-hearted dynamic. Going to the movies may seem like an obvious option, but it's not the best activity for a first date, since it doesn't give you a chance to talk and get to know one another. Be yourself. Carrying yourself in a natural, organic way is the best thing you can do to have a great first date. Not only will you be more comfortable, you can also rest assured that you're presenting the real you rather than trying to act like something you're not. No matter how your date plays out, if you're true to yourself, it's a success. Being yourself can be tough, since it's normal to want to make yourself attractive to others. Just remind yourself that if they like you, it's for the right reasons, and if not, you don't want to be with them anyway. Stay off your phone as much as possible. Try to resist the urge to check your phone every time you get a text or reach a lull in the conversation. Ideally, you and your date should give one another your undivided attention in the time that you're together. That really isn't asking too much, since first dates usually only last a couple of hours. Make sure your phone is set to silent or vibrate so the ringer won't be an interruption. If you're expecting an important call or text, let your date know in advance so they won't be caught off guard when it comes. Spending too much time staring at your phone could make your date feel like you're not interested in them. Make the conversation more engaging by getting personal. Steer clear of the same old cliché first date chit-chat and instead ask thoughtful questions that encourage your date to open up. You might ask them what they're most passionate about in life, or what they would do if they had a million dollars. They'll have a chance to share their innermost thoughts, feelings, and values, and you'll find out more about them in the process. A question as simple as “How are you?” or “How has your day been?” will help you connect with your date on a deeper level than the usual kind of small talk. Basic introductory topics like where you're from, what you do for a living, and what you like to do for fun can be a great way to break the ice, but try not to make them all you talk about. Keep a positive attitude. Resist the urge to gripe about the traffic downtown or the pressures you're dealing with at work. Instead, do your best to showcase a cheerful demeanor. Positivity is infectious—the more upbeat you are, the more your date will enjoy being around you. Look for ways to turn negatives into positives. For instance, instead of being annoyed that your food is taking so long to arrive, you might remark on how well the timing worked out since it gave you a chance to talk. Complaining can be offputting, especially when you're first getting to know someone. If that person never has anything nice to say, chances are you're not going to want to see them again. Save some conversation for the second date. Sometimes when you have chemistry with someone, it can be easy to sit and talk all night. However, it's a good idea to keep a few subjects untapped. If you pour your heart out during your initial introduction, you may find that you don't have much to talk about the next time you get together. When the talk turns to something juicy, respond with, “That's really more of a second date conversation” or “I can't give away all of my secrets” to pique your date's interest and keep them guessing. Not exhausting your supply of topics also helps you maintain an element of mystery, which is sure to leave your date wanting more. Follow up with a call or text to set the stage for a second date. Reach out to your date later that night or sometime the next day to let them know you enjoyed your time together. This can also be a good opportunity to drop hints that you'd like to see them again in the near future. If they paid for dinner or drinks, for instance, thank them and offer to buy next time. It can be hard to interpret tone and feelings through text. For this reason, a simple message like “I had a really great time tonight. We'll have to do it again soon!” is your safest bet. Try not to come across as desperate, clingy, or controlling. It's one thing to ask your date, “Did you make it home okay?”, but telling them, “Text me when you get home” could make them feel like you're bossing them around. | Clean yourself up. Dress to impress. Make yourself smell good. Bring along a breath freshener. Get together for drinks if it’s your first time meeting. Go out to dinner to talk in a more intimate setting. Take a walk to enjoy one another’s company in private. Go on a picnic to take advantage of nice weather. Go ice skating to enjoy being active when it's cold out. Come up with some unconventional first date ideas. Be yourself. Stay off your phone as much as possible. Make the conversation more engaging by getting personal. Keep a positive attitude. Save some conversation for the second date. Follow up with a call or text to set the stage for a second date. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Baby-Cornsnakes | How to Care for Baby Cornsnakes | To care for a baby corn snake, keep it in a 10-gallon tank with a heating pad under one-third of it so it can regulate its temperature. You should also line the bottom of the tank with aspen shavings, and add a water dish, some hiding places, and decorative plants. To feed your baby corn snake, give it 1 dead baby mouse per week. Make sure you don't handle your snake for 2-3 days after feeding it so it has time to digest. | Create the right habitat. For babies, a 10 gallon tank with a heating pad under 1/3 of the tank is perfect. If you choose to house a baby in a larger aquarium, include many more hide boxes to make it feel more secure. Set this up several days before getting your snake so that the temperature can regulate. When a corn snake is purchased as a baby, place it in a small vivarium and increase vivarium sizes as the snake grows. If a small baby is placed into a large vivarium straight away, it will become territorial and strike at anyone who goes near it and will most likely bite them. Keeping the babies in a small vivarium also makes sure the babies can readily find the food you place in there for them. Keep only one snake per tank because they may become hostile if kept together. Decide where you will set up your vivarium. For easy access and viewing, place it high enough to look in, but low enough you can reach into it. Do not place tank near a window or other drafty area, as this can affect the temperature too much. Also, keep in mind that you should place your snake's home somewhere where it will not be disturbed by other pets or small children. Fill the tank with substrate. You will need to put aspen shavings or similar bedding in your snake's tank. at least two hides (one dry and one moist for shedding), and decorative plants. Aspen substrate is best, though cypress mulch also works. Do not use pine, cedar, soil, or bark as substrates, as they are very fragrant. Put a water dish in the tank. It is important to include a dish of water containing clean water in your snake's tank. Use a water dish that's a bit heavy, so your snake will not tip over the water bowl. The water should be changed every day. Place your snake gently in the tank. Once you purchase a baby corn snake you should get it into its new home as quickly as possible. Try not to handle the snake, however, so just release it into the tank. Lift the cover off its travel container and setting the container in the tank, allowing the snake to come out in its own time. Handling can cause the snake stress and it will already be stressed from traveling to its new home. Clean the tank regularly. Spot clean your tank to remove feces as soon as it appears. However, you should also do a full clean once every two weeks to a month, depending on your snake's size and the amount of waste it produces. To clean the tank, you will need to remove the snake temporarily. Remove all substrate, clean all items that need to go back in the tank, and then put new substrate and cleaned items back in the tank once it is dry. Obtain "pinkies. " Pinkies are dead mice that were only a day to a week old. They are available at most pet stores and can be ordered online from reptile suppliers. Make sure that you are getting small pinkies, as baby corn snakes need a smaller pinkie than older snakes. Buying frozen mice in bulk can save you money. Make sure to thoroughly thaw the mice before leaving them for your snake. Never feed live food to your snake. The live food can harm your snake and potentially kill it. Also, feeding live animals to snakes in the UK is illegal. Decide where to feed your snake. Some people who have snakes simply feed them in their tank. Others prefer to feed their snakes in feeding tubes outside of their tanks, which are typically just plastic tubs that are lined with paper towels. The idea behind this option is that if the snakes are never fed in their tanks, then they will bite less often. A hand going into the tank will never be assumed to be food, as the snake will never have been fed in the tank. Additionally, some argue that the snake can ingest substrate if it is fed in its tank. This can cause a snake digestive problems. Prepare the snake's food. Warm the pinkie if it is frozen. Put it into a plastic bag and then into warm water and wait for it to fully defrost. When it is defrosted, dry it off with a paper towel and then pick it up by the tail with tweezers. Don't put it straight into the water because it will cook and may harm the snake. The pinkie doesn't need to be totally warm but it should not be frozen when you offer it to your snake. Rinse the pinkie to remove any off-putting taste or odor that will turn your snake off. Increase the size of the mouse as the snake grows, never feed a pinkie wider than your snake is at that time. Offer the snake its food. Place the mouse nose-to-nose with the snake. Slightly shake the tweezers you are holding it with to catch the snakes attention. If your snake is hungry, it should begin to bite the pinkie. When the snake strikes, let go of the mouse and allow the snake to swallow it. Feed your snake one mouse every week. Baby cornsnakes will need to be fed every 5 to 7 day to keep them healthy. You should see whether your corn snake seems interested in food after 5 days have elapsed by dangling a pinkie in front of it. If the snake is interested, give it the food. The prey item should be at least as wide as your snakes thickest body section but can be up to 1.5 times bigger. If the prey item is small compared to your snake, feed it two. If it is larger, feed it one. Adult cornsnakes should be fed every 7 to 10 days. They are no longer growing, so they need fewer calories to thrive. Corn snakes will overeat if you offer them more food. Make sure you wash your hands after feeding. Always use antibacterial soap or hand gel before and after holding your snake and before and after feeding it. This will help to stop bacteria and parasites, like salmonella, from spreading. Washing your hands when you are interacting with your snake is very important. It helps to protect your health, as well as the health of your snake. Do not handle the snake after feeding. Wait 2-3 days after feeding to handle the snake. Your snake will need some time and privacy to properly digest its food. If you feed your snake in a feeding tub, simply pick up the tub after the snake begins digesting its meal and allow the snake to reenter its tank without being handled. Provide a temperature gradient by placing a heat mat under the cage. Corn snakes ONLY need belly heat. Snakes in the wild do not bask they hide most of the day so they do not benefit from a basking lamp like lizards do.You will want to place a heating pad under about 1/3 of the aquarium. This will give your snake a side of its tank that is warmer and a side that is cooler. The temperature should be 85-90 on the warm end and 70-75 on the cool end. Place a thermometer inside the enclosure so that you can monitor the temperature. Your snake will tell you if the hot spot(s) are too warm - if your snake is always pushed against one area away from the hot spot, this is a sign it's too warm and you should turn the heat lamp down. Give your snake a moist area. Your snake should have access to a moist area when it is shedding. Do not raise the humidity of the entire tank, as this can cause respiratory infections. However, you should put a moist paper towel or moist moss in an area to give it some moisture. Corn snakes are not tropical and do not need raised humidity. Pick up your snake at its center. When picking up your snake, scoop it up at the center of its body. Don't pinch or grab it. Picking it up improperly can injure the snake or can cause the snake to bite. You should approach the snake from the side when picking it up. This will be less stressful for the snake, as approaches from the top are similar to predator attacks. Try using a snake hook if you are afraid to pick up your snake. This is less stressful for both you and the snake and helps keep you from getting bitten. Be aware that the snake may bite when you try to pick it up, especially when you are first beginning to hold it. Corn snakes are great snakes for beginners due to their docile nature, but they can still bite. After you have one hand under the belly, you can place your second hand behind the head gently to keep control of it. | Create the right habitat. Decide where you will set up your vivarium. Fill the tank with substrate. Put a water dish in the tank. Place your snake gently in the tank. Clean the tank regularly. Obtain "pinkies. Decide where to feed your snake. Prepare the snake's food. Offer the snake its food. Feed your snake one mouse every week. Make sure you wash your hands after feeding. Do not handle the snake after feeding. Provide a temperature gradient by placing a heat mat under the cage. Give your snake a moist area. Pick up your snake at its center. |
https://www.wikihow.mom/Unspoil-a-Child | How to Unspoil a Child | The first step towards unspoiling your child is to start saying “no.” Your child will almost certainly want you to justify this, but keep your explanation short to avoid seeming like you are trying to convince them to accept your decision. Additionally, set simple and specific rules for the house, such as insisting toys always be picked up after playing, be clear about what will happen if rules are not respected, and always follow through with the consequences. | Identify spoiled behavior. Does your child regularly throw a tantrum or say mean things in order to get his way? Does she keep hounding you and asking for something even after you have said no? Does he act as if he expects things to always be his way, without ever having to do anything to earn it? Does she never say please or thank you for anything? All of these are the symptoms of spoiling. Ask yourself how you might be contributing to your child’s spoiled behavior. There are many factors to consider, such as: Are you afraid to say no to your child? Why? What happens when you do? Do you find yourself regularly giving in to things you know you really should not? Do you make a rule, a direction, or a give a punishment and then retract it if your child reacts negatively to it? Do you frequently buy your child gifts that he or she does not need? Is it excessive? Has he or she become accustomed to this pattern? If you answered yes to any of these questions, chances are you have contributed to your child's spoiled behavior. Your child has learned that you don't like saying no to him, that you are inconsistent with rules and regulations, and that he doesn't need to do anything special or even behave well in order to get what he wants. Break the cycle of saying "yes" when you should say "no". It is simple, but this is an extremely hard habit to break. It is easier to give in to demands and avoid a tantrum. However, your child learns that he or she has the power of decision-making... not the adults. When you start saying "no", be prepared for a big reaction. This is common. But if you give in to pleading, tantrums, or whines, the reaction will get worse and worse. Once your children begin hearing “no,” they will become more accustomed to it. It is a fact of life that one cannot have everything, and either you teach your child that, or he or she goes into the world and has a much harder time of things. Avoid lengthy explanations for saying no. You are in charge. There is nothing wrong with a short explanation. Take care not get into lengthy discussions or you will give the impression that you are trying to convince the child rather than let the child know what the decision is. For example, there is simply no way to convince a young child that he or she should not have ice cream for dinner. So do not go there. Children will actually respect what you have to say more if you have good reasons for your decisions and you stick with them. Get in tune with your child. This can be difficult for parents who work a lot, but knowing the routines and rules of caregivers can be important for un-spoiling a child. If you and your child have built a relationship without good interpersonal connection, healthy boundaries, and proper roles, it is time to start addressing this. If you have a caregiver who doesn't enforce any rules while watching your child, this is something you'll need to address with the caregiver. You are asking them (and possibly paying them) to watch your child and essentially to be the authority figure while you are working. This takes work on their part, and you don't want someone who is lazy and has no rules while being trusted with the care of your child. Even while both you and your child are at home, do you know what he's doing while he's in his room? Do you check occasionally to find out? Does he have his own TV and video games in there, and start watching or playing without permission? You may want to put the TV and video games in a family room instead. Does your child leave the house to play with neighbors without permission? If so, you'll need to stop this behavior right away, because it shows he does not respect you as an authority figure and it can actually be dangerous for him. A parent needs to know where their child physically is at all times. Start bargaining...intelligently. Every time your child asks for something, ask him to do something for you first. If he wants to go play with a neighbor, or wants to play video games, instead of just saying “go ahead,” ask him to clean up his room first, or to help you with the dishes or taking out the trash. Make family time a priority. One of the biggest reasons children become spoiled is because parents feel guilty for not spending as much time with them as they could. Between your work and the child's activities (soccer, dance, etc.) and everyone's social lives, it can be hard to do things as simple as eating dinner together as a family. You need to carve out time for you and your kids to spend together, whether it's eating a meal or just relaxing and talking. Your kids should spend time with extended family (grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins) as well. Remember: jobs, activities, and friends may come and go, but your family relationships last a lifetime. Set the limits. Present your child or children with the guidelines for family life: the rules, expectations, chores, and so on. Make clear where these rules are coming from. You are the adult, and you are helping everyone to become better. Rules help everyone know what is OK, and what is not. Explain that children do not have to like the rules, but they are expected to follow them. Create clear, simple expectations. Include the when and how. Your child needs to know exactly what is expected. For instance, “I want you to throw dirty clothes in the clothes basket, not on the floor, every time you change,” and “I want you to put away what you're playing with when you're finished, before you start playing with something else.” You should always be as specific as possible. Be consistent. Once you have set rules, stick to them. If you do not, your child will simply learn that you can be successfully challenged, ignored, or bargained with. Don't second guess yourself. If you said, “Only one cookie” then start to think another one would maybe be okay, stick with what you said first. Even if having two cookies really is no big deal, kids might think that they can challenge you about everything. When a rule is violated, give the consequence -- no unnecessary discussion. If, for example, your child does not clean his room even though he or she is required to do so and even though you gave a warning, then simply apply the punishment. Avoid empty threats. Do not threaten to give a punishment you cannot or will not follow through with. Eventually your child will "call your bluff" and believe that you will not follow through on any consequences. If you're not sure what an appropriate consequence for a certain behavior is, say that you need time to think of the consequence. Consequences should be appropriate to the misdeed. For instance, if your child is being forgetful with completing homework, but is spending lots of time on her iPad, take away the iPad until you see an improvement with completing the school assignments. Do not give in to whining, complaining, begging or any other bad behavior. Once you have said “no” to something or given a punishment for a particular behavior, do not go back on your decision. Stay calm, even if your child makes a scene. If you never give in, your child will learn that these tactics no longer work. In public, this strategy can feel embarrassing and stressful, but it's still better than giving in to bad behavior. If you must, leave the location and deal with your child at home, but do not go back on your decision. Involve other authority figures. Make sure that you and your spouse or partner are on the same page, and let grandparents, babysitters, and other caregivers know what you are doing. It's better if these people do not undermine your efforts by giving into extreme whining, excusing bad behavior, or showering your child with gifts. Teach manner words. “Please” and “Thank you” should have been taught early in your child's developing vocabulary. If they weren't, it's never too late to start. A simple way to teach a child to use these words is to use them yourself. Say, “You need to clean up your room, please” instead of “Clean up your room now!!” When your child is given something, prompt them to say thank you by saying, “Now what do you say?” Ask the other parent to help. If you made dinner, have your spouse say, “Thank you for making this, it's very good… What do you say about dinner, kids?” Make house rules for the whole family. When children are very small, it's naturally fine to pick up after them. As early as possible, though, start teaching self-sufficiency and emphasizing the fact that every family member must contribute to the success of the household. You might begin by teaching your child to pick up his or her toys after playing. As he or she grows, add additional expectations. Be a role model. It won't work to expect your child to work hard if you don't work hard yourself. Make sure your child sees you working and knows that you are often taking care of chores and errands when you would prefer to be doing something else. Be polite in public. Say “please” and “thank you” to store clerks and servers at restaurants when you are buying things or ordering a meal. Say “excuse me” if you bump into someone accidentally, or if you need to interrupt a conversation or get someone's attention. Tackle chores together. Bigger chores – cleaning one's room, for example, or doing the dishes after a meal – can be overwhelming for children, so work together, at least at first. Doing so allows you to teach your child how to do chores properly. It also helps your them to feel more comfortable and capable. Follow a chore schedule. You are more likely to be successful in having chores completed if you follow a schedule for completing them. Children are less likely to complain once they realize that, for instance, they will always be expected to clean their rooms on Sundays. Also, teach them that chores come before fun. If they have a responsibility to take care of that day, but Jake across the street called to hang out and play ball, have them complete the chore first and then go out and play. Teach patience. Children often struggle with patience, but they will be more successful in life if they learn that they need to wait and/or work for their rewards. Explain to your child that he or she cannot have what he wants immediately or all the time. It can help to involve your child in planning something desirable, like a trip. Explain that you must first save a certain amount of money. Emphasize how much more rewarding the trip will feel because you waited and planned for it. Let your child watch you not get everything you want right away. If you're shopping and see a pair of jeans you like, but don't think you should buy them, say, “Maybe I'll just wait until they go on sale. I have other jeans that still look good.” Emphasize non-material rewards. No matter what you can afford, it's better not to buy your child everything he or she might want. In particular, try not to reward good behavior only with material items. Instead, reward your child with time spent together doing something fun. Offer encouragement instead of gifts. If your child plays a great game of soccer, tell him how proud you are and how excited the coach was instead of buying a gift. If your child brings home an excellent report card, say you're extremely proud, give her a hug, and offer to take her to a movie or to go on a bike ride together in the park instead of buying something. Teach your child to work for certain things. If your child is particularly invested in acquiring a certain material thing that is not a necessary item, use it as an opportunity to teach the value of a dollar. Help your child earn money through chores and save it. For more expensive things, you can require that your child earn and save a percentage of the cost and you will pay for the rest when you can. Ignore complaints about what other children have and do. When your child says “but the other kids have...” or “but my friends don't have to...” tell your child that he or she must follow the rules of your family. Emphasize the fact that you are doing what you believe is best, and that he should be grateful for what he has, because some kids also have less. Don’t apologize for setting limits or saying no. If you can't buy your child something because you can't afford it, there is no need to apologize. Simply tell them the truth: “I'd like to buy it for you, but I just can't. Maybe for a special occasion, like your birthday.” Or mention that they could save up for the item themselves. Don't apologize for applying the designated punishment for a bad behavior. Consequences are part of life, and your child needs to learn that he can't act however he wants all the time. Learning to obey house rules now will help him to be able to obey rules at work and to obey laws when he's an adult. Save the apologies for when you've actually done something wrong (e.g. if you lost your temper and feel bad about it). Saying "no" isn't wrong; it's part of being a parent. Count your blessings together. Even if you're not a spiritual or religious family, there's nothing wrong with saying out loud things that you are thankful for. Kids may tend to talk about their toys at first, but encourage them to also talk about having each other, their pets, their health, their house, and their food. Volunteer to help those less fortunate. Find out ways you can volunteer at a local animal shelter, homeless shelter, or soup kitchen. Or, make a list of items and organize a donation drive to bring necessary things to people (or animals) in need. It will make your children feel good about helping, and also cause them to be more grateful for the things that they have. | Identify spoiled behavior. Ask yourself how you might be contributing to your child’s spoiled behavior. Break the cycle of saying "yes" when you should say "no". Get in tune with your child. Start bargaining...intelligently. Make family time a priority. Set the limits. Create clear, simple expectations. Be consistent. Avoid empty threats. Do not give in to whining, complaining, begging or any other bad behavior. Involve other authority figures. Teach manner words. Make house rules for the whole family. Be a role model. Tackle chores together. Follow a chore schedule. Teach patience. Emphasize non-material rewards. Teach your child to work for certain things. Ignore complaints about what other children have and do. Don’t apologize for setting limits or saying no. Count your blessings together. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Hair-Extensions | How to Care for Hair Extensions | To care for clip-in hair extensions, make sure you take them out each night before bed, since sleeping on them can hurt your scalp and damage the extensions. Once a month, clean the extensions by dampening them with warm water and massaging a little shampoo into the fibers. Then, rinse out the shampoo and repeat the process with conditioner. After washing, allow the extensions to air dry in a well-ventilated area. Once they are completely dry, slowly brush them with a wide-toothed comb to get rid of tangles. | Take your extensions out before going to bed. Unlike sewn-in extensions, clip-in extensions must be removed before you go to bed. The tiny combs can dig into your scalp while you sleep, which can be painful. They also tend to be more fragile than sewn-in extensions. Start from the uppermost extensions first. After you have taken them out, you can move on to the middle and bottom extensions. your extensions once a month. Wash Place the extensions in a tub or sink, and dampen them with lukewarm water. If you can, use a handheld shower head. Apply a small amount of shampoo and gently massage the fibers. Rinse the lather out, and repeat with the conditioner. If your extensions are synthetic, use a wig shampoo intended for synthetic fibers. If your extensions are real hair, use a mild shampoo and conditioner, or a shampoo intended for extensions. Hang the extensions up to dry, and don't brush them while they are wet. Pat them dry with a soft towel first, then clip them to a pants hanger. Place the hanger in your shower, or in a well-ventilated area. Wait until the extensions are dry before you brush or style them. It is very important that you wait for your extensions to dry. If you brush them while they are wet, the fibers will frizz. Comb extensions using a wide-toothed comb. Make sure that the extensions are dry. Start combing them from the ends first, and work your way to the top. Never comb straight down from the top to the ends. Avoid using the same comb that you use on your own hair, especially if these are synthetic fibers. The oils from your hair can degrade synthetic fibers. Be patient and take your time when combing your extensions. If you rush, you will damage them. Keep them moisturized, especially when you style extensions often. When your extensions are dry, comb a little bit of leave-in conditioner evenly. Don't overdo it because they'll become greasy easier than your natural locks. The only exception to this is if the extensions are make from synthetic fibers. In this case, skip the leave-in conditioner. Take care when heat styling your extensions. It is best to avoid heat styling, such as straightening or curling , all together, especially on synthetic extensions because they will melt. If you heat style natural hair extensions, be sure to use a heat protecting spray, and a lower temperature. Avoid blow drying the extensions. This can cause them to tangle. Make sure that your extensions are dry before you heat-style them. Be sure to style them before you clip them to your hair. If your extensions are made from fragile or synthetic fibers, stick to no-heat styling methods instead. If you can, get 2 sets of the same extensions. Keep 1 pair "just for curling" and 1 "just for straightening." This will cut down on style time and damage. Wear extensions in a ponytail only if they were made to be worn that way. Some extensions will fall apart in a ponytail. Read the labeling when buying new extensions to see if you can use them in a ponytail. If it doesn't say whether or not you can, it is best to be on the safe side and do not put them in a ponytail. Some people recommend putting extensions in upside-down, with the teeth of the combs pointing upward, then pulling the extensions up into a ponytail. This will allow you to create a more natural looking ponytail. De-frizz synthetic extensions with water and fabric softener. Fill a spray bottle with 2 parts fabric softener and 1 part water. Close the bottle, and shake it to mix. Spray the extensions with the solution, then comb through them. Use a wide toothed comb, and work in small sections, starting from the ends first. Let the extensions dry before using them. Detangle your hair before washing it, and before going to bed. Use a wide-toothed comb, a wig brush, or a special looper brush. A looper brush is specially designed for extensions, and has looped bristles. Start combing your hair from the ends, and work your way to the roots in small sections. Never comb straight down from roots to ends. If you just got extensions, wait a few days before combing your hair. If you must comb your hair, do so gently to avoid causing additional tension. Also, avoid getting too close to the joint. Wash your hair once or twice per week using a gentle shampoo. You should wash sewn-in extensions about as often as you wash your natural hair. Lather your hair gently, and work the shampoo downwards, from scalp to ends. Try to avoid touching the sewn part. Massage your hair using circular motions. Ask the stylist who did your extensions what sort of shampoo you should use. She might be able to recommend a shampoo that is best for your hair as well as your extensions. Take care where you apply the conditioner. Start applying the conditioner from just below the sewn part. If you apply too much conditioner where the extensions connect with your real hair, your extensions may fall out. Conditioner does not actually contain any detergent, so there is no need to place it so close to your scalp. The oils in the conditioner may also cause the extensions to loosen. Dry your hair all the way to the roots. When you get extensions sewn in, you end up with twice as much hair. It looks great, but it will take twice as long to dry. Make sure that you dry your hair completely, or you will risk the extensions loosening. Consider spraying your hair with a heat protectant first. This will protect both your hair and your extensions from the hairdryer's heat. Use a lower heat setting, when possible. High amounts of heat can damage your hair. It will take longer, but your hair will be healthier. Avoid using heat styling on your hair, such as straightening or curling. If you must heat style your hair, use a heat protecting spray and a medium to low temperature. Don't tie your hair back just after you get the extensions. Wait a few days. You can use no-heat styling techniques, but you need to wait a few days. If you use them immediately after putting in the extensions, the extensions may come out. Cover your hair with a net or sleeping cap before going to bed. You can also wrap a silk scarf around your head before you go to sleep. This will protect your extensions, and keep them from getting frizzy or tugged out while you sleep. Avoid going to sleep with loose hair. When you move around in your sleep, you will loosen the extensions, and they won't last as long. Braid the extensions or put them up in a ponytail before you go to bed. | Take your extensions out before going to bed. your extensions once a month. Hang the extensions up to dry, and don't brush them while they are wet. Comb extensions using a wide-toothed comb. Keep them moisturized, especially when you style extensions often. Take care when heat styling your extensions. Wear extensions in a ponytail only if they were made to be worn that way. De-frizz synthetic extensions with water and fabric softener. Detangle your hair before washing it, and before going to bed. Wash your hair once or twice per week using a gentle shampoo. Take care where you apply the conditioner. Dry your hair all the way to the roots. Avoid using heat styling on your hair, such as straightening or curling. Cover your hair with a net or sleeping cap before going to bed. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Comfortable-Night%27s-Sleep | How to Get a Comfortable Night's Sleep | To get a comfortable night's sleep, choose a sleep position that will help you relax. If you like sleeping on your side, bend your knees slightly toward your chest. Additionally, if you suffer from back trouble, place a pillow between your knees to alleviate pressure on your hips and lower back. For those who sleep on their back, try placing a rolled up towel or pillow under your knees to encourage the natural curve of your spine. While sleeping on your stomach can cause back and neck pain, you can find a comfortable position by using a soft pillow. Regardless of what position you pick, set your thermostat to 65 degrees Fahrenheit to keep your body cool and comfortable during the night. | Choose the right mattress. Some people sleep better on firmer mattresses, while others prefer softer ones. You can choose whatever type feels best to you. Whatever material or level of firmness you choose, your mattress should feel supportive but comfortable so that you wake up feeling rested. If you feel stiff or have aches upon waking, it can be a sign that a different mattress would help you sleep better. Look for a mattress that provides adequate support for your back and neck in particular. Cover your mattress with whatever sheets and bedding you find comfortable. Change them in different seasons so that you stay warm or cool as needed. Most mattresses last about eight years, so think about replacing yours if it is old and uncomfortable. If your mattress is uncomfortable and you cannot replace it, you can make things better by using pillows properly. Choose the right pillow. Select a pillow that feels comfortable to you, no matter whether it is soft or firm. You can also use several pillows if you like, but make sure that they do not push your head up at a sharp angle. Whatever position you sleep in, your pillow(s) should keep your head held supported between your shoulders—in the same position it would be in if you were standing up. Keep your bedding clean. You will sleep more comfortably knowing your bed is clean. Make sure to wash your bedding as frequently as you are able to, and any time it becomes especially dirty. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for washing your sheets. If you have a mattress cover, wash it in hot water. You can dust your mattress with baking soda, then vacuum it up a day later. This will draw out moisture. Pillows can be washed or put in your dryer at a high temperature to clean them and kill dust mites. Make your bed. Put clean sheets, blankets, and pillows on your bed. It helps to make sure they are neatly arranged. Also, make sure your bedroom itself is as clean and orderly as possible. Some evidence shows that a clean and orderly bed and bedroom can help you sleep more comfortably, perhaps because of a psychological effect. Set the proper temperature. Your body's temperature rises and falls throughout the day, becoming lower when you are drowsy. A cool room (around 65 degrees Fahrenheit) is best for getting comfortable, sound sleep because it conforms to your body's natural temperature fluctuations. Use a thermostat, fan, or window to help cool the air in your room if it is too hot/cool for comfortable sleep. Dress appropriately. Choose comfortable clothes to sleep in. Loose-fitting clothes that are cool in warm seasons and warm in cool seasons will feel best. If you are too warm, remove clothing or bedding. If you are too cold, add a layer of clothing or bedding. Keep noise and distractions to a minimum. Most people sleep best when their environment is quiet and free from distractions. Keep televisions, radios, and other devices turned off or at a low volume. Keep windows closed if outside noise such as traffic disturbs you. Some people find it helpful to use aids to lessen outside distractions, like ear plugs or the white noise of a small fan. Sleep on your side. If you are having trouble sleeping comfortably, you might benefit from trying a different position. Sleep positions normally fall into one of three categories: back, side or stomach. Sleeping on your side is most recommended for comfort and to reduce the chances of interrupting your sleep. When sleeping on your side, bend your knees slightly toward your chest (similar to the “fetal position”). If you have back trouble, consider placing a pillow between your knees. This alleviates pressure on your hips and lower back, making sleep more comfortable. Sleep on your back if it makes you more comfortable. However, sleeping on your back may increase your chances of lower back pain. Doing so may also cause cases of apnea, which can interrupt your sleep. If you do choose to sleep on your back, try placing a rolled up towel or pillow under your knees to encourage the natural curve of your spine. Sleep on your stomach cautiously. Some feel that sleeping on the stomach is most comfortable. However, doing so can cause pain in the lower back and neck. Sleeping on your stomach may also cause you to toss and turn in discomfort. If you sleep on your stomach, use a soft pillow or none at all to reduce the risk of causing neck pain. If you have underlying sleep problems, it is generally recommended that you do not sleep on your stomach. Avoid stimulants and depressants. If you trying to go to sleep soundly, avoid coffee and other caffeinated products, nicotine, and other stimulants. Their effects can last for hours, making it hard to go to sleep comfortably. And while depressants like alcohol can initially make you feel sleepy, they can actually disturb your sleep. Avoid large meals before bedtime. The food and drink you consume, and when you have it, can impact your sleep. Large meals shortly before bedtime can cause indigestion. Your last meal should be no less than 2 or 3 hours before your bedtime. Small, healthy snacks make the best choices if you need something before sleep. Use light to your advantage. Your body naturally responds to lighting conditions and will adjust sleep accordingly. This means that getting plenty of light in the morning and during the day, then keeping the lights dim at night will help you sleep soundly. Wearing sunglasses later in the day dims light, which can help you become sleepy. Avoid making television, computers, tablets, smartphones and similar devices part of your pre-sleep routine, as the light from electronic screens disrupts the body's inclination to sleep. Moreover, some research suggests that the distractions of screen-time interaction have a similar effect. Avoid exercising too close to bedtime. Getting regular physical activity is good for your health and may help you sleep at night. Exercise has a stimulating effect, however, so if you exercise too close to your bedtime, you may have trouble falling asleep or sleeping soundly. Exercise no later than two or three hours before your bedtime. However, light stretching can be helpful and relaxing right before you go to sleep. Limit naps. Naps can help if you are tired, but you should avoid long naps (longer than a half-hour), and naps near your bedtime. Otherwise, you may have trouble sleeping comfortably. For best results, if you are trying to sleep comfortably at night, avoid naps after 3 p.m. Stick to a sleep schedule. If you get yourself used to falling asleep and waking up on a regular schedule, you will sleep better overall. Be especially aware of when you're waking up and going to sleep during weekends and holidays. Try to stay within 1-2 hours of your normal bedtime. Fixing your sleep schedule can take some time and persistence, but you will sleep more comfortably once you do. Establish a sleep routine. Get your body and mind ready for sleep by doing the same things each night before you go to sleep. Do whatever relaxes you: read a book, take a bath or shower, listen to relaxing music, etc. Your pre-sleep routine could incorporate a bath, reading a book, relaxing music, and other things that help you unwind. Many people find that warm drinks or tea can help them become comfortable and sleepy (just stay away from caffeinated beverages). Chamomile tea is a good choice because it has a calming effect. Meditation and/or breathing exercises are also recognized as calming techniques. A simple breathing exercise is to inhale for a count of 3 or 4, then exhale for a count of six or eight. A few repetitions of this can be very helpful when trying to calm down and prepare for a good night's sleep. Get up for a while if you don’t fall asleep. If you don't fall asleep after fifteen minutes, do something else. If you are trying to fall asleep and still haven't after a quarter of an hour, get up and do something that relaxes you until you feel tired again. Tossing and turning while you're not tired or have something on your mind will not get you to sleep. Many busy people find they have a "to do" list that keeps them from falling asleep. To combat this, keep a notepad next to your bed and jot your thoughts or ideas down, so you no longer worry about them and can rest. Seek help if you can’t sleep comfortably. If you have tried to make your sleep more comfortable and can't, feel constantly fatigued, or have other concerns about your sleep, seek expert medical advice. If you have any of the following symptoms, you should also seek help: Excessive or loud snoring Feeling tired after 8 hours of sleep Symptoms that occur only at night, such as a cough, sore throat, or heart burn | Choose the right mattress. Choose the right pillow. Keep your bedding clean. Make your bed. Set the proper temperature. Dress appropriately. Keep noise and distractions to a minimum. Sleep on your side. Sleep on your back if it makes you more comfortable. Sleep on your stomach cautiously. Avoid stimulants and depressants. Avoid large meals before bedtime. Use light to your advantage. Avoid exercising too close to bedtime. Limit naps. Stick to a sleep schedule. Establish a sleep routine. Get up for a while if you don’t fall asleep. Seek help if you can’t sleep comfortably. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Sidewalk-Chalk | How to Make Sidewalk Chalk | To make sidewalk chalk, combine ¼ cup of warm water with ½ cup of Plaster of Paris in a bowl. Next, mix in 2-3 tablespoons of tempera paint. The more paint you use, the brighter your chalk color will be! Then, transfer the mixture into a mold, such as an ice cube tray or a toilet paper roll. Finally, let the chalk dry for 1-3 days, then pop it out of the mold and give it a try! If the underside of the chalk still feels damp after removing it from the mold, let it dry for another hour before you start using it. | Gather three to six toilet paper rolls. You can also use paper towel tubes, but you will need to cut them in half. Cover one end of each tube with duct tape. Use enough tape so that there are no holes. If there are any holes, the chalk mixture will leak. Line the tubes with wax paper. Cut the wax paper into 6 inch by 6 inch (15.25 centimeters by 15.25 centimeters) squares. Roll the wax paper into a tube and slip it inside each toilet paper roll. Gently spread the wax paper out until it is the same size as the toilet paper roll. The top of the wax paper should stick out of the top of the tube. The wax paper will protect the cardboard from the chalk mixture. Combine ¼ cup (60 milliliters) of warm water with ½ cup (50 grams) of Plaster of Paris in a small bowl or a large cup. Mix the two together with a plastic spoon until you get a thick, soupy mixture. There should be no clumps. Plaster of Paris will begin to harden within 20 to 30 minutes, so you will need to work quickly. Mix in 2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 45 ml) of tempera paint. The more paint you use, the brighter your color will be. The less paint you use, the lighter your color will be. Be sure that there are no streaks or swirls in your mixture. The color should be even. If you want to make different colors, divide the Plaster of Paris mixture between two to three small cups. Stir in about 1 tablespoon of paint into each cup. For an even more creative twist, you can use glow-in-the-dark or fluorescent paint instead of standard tempera paint. Glow-in-the-dark paint will allow the chalk to glow at night. Fluorescent paint will allow the chalk to glow under a black light. Transfer the mixture into your mold once the mixture begins to thicken. You can use almost anything that can hold liquids without leaking as a mold. For example, you can use a normal ice cube tray, or one with fun shapes, such as stars or fish. You can also use toilet paper rolls. Click here to learn how to make toilet paper rolls into chalk molds. If you are using ice cube trays, be sure to wipe any spills and leaks with a damp paper towel before the chalk dries. If you made toilet paper tube molds: line the tubes up on a baking sheet with the tape side facing down. Carefully spoon the colored mixture into each tube. Gently flick the side of each tube with your index finger to bring any trapped air bubbles to the surface. Let the chalk dry. This can take anywhere between one to three days, depending on the size of your molds. For example, a simple ice cube tray may take as little as a day to dry, while toilet paper rolls will take up to three days. Remove the chalk from the molds and allow the chalk to finish drying. Once you pop the chalk out of the molds, you may notice that the underside is still damp. If this happens, simply spread the chalk out on a dry, flat surface with the damp part facing upwards. It should be dry within an hour. If you used toilet paper tubes: peel off the duct tape and flip over each tube so that the bottoms can dry. After the chalk has finished drying, peel off the cardboard and wax paper. Fill a muffin tin or several squeeze bottles with cornstarch. Fill each well or bottle halfway with cornstarch. If you see any clumps, break them up with a fork or by shaking the bottle. A muffin tin will act like a paint palette. You will need a paintbrush to use the paint. It is great for painting pictures. A squeeze bottle will allow you to squirt the paint out onto the sidewalk. It is great if you want to create random designs. Add a few drops of food coloring into each well or bottle. The more food coloring you use, the brighter or darker your chalk will be. You can fill each well or bottle with the same color. You can also fill each well or bottle with a different color. To make scented liquid sidewalk chalk: mix 1 envelope of a powdered fruit drink with 1 cup (240 milliliters) of water. You will be adding this mixture to the cornstarch in the next step. Skip the food coloring, as the fruit juice will be enough to give the chalk some color. Fill each well or bottle the rest of the way with water. If you are making the scented version, pour your drink mixture into each well or bottle. Try to use equal parts water and cornstarch. For a thicker paint, use one part water to one-and-a-half parts cornstarch. Mix the cornstarch and water until you get an even consistency. If you are making the liquid sidewalk chalk in a muffin tin, use a fork. If you are making the liquid sidewalk chalk in a squeeze bottle, close the bottle tightly and shake it. Make sure that there are no clumps. The color should be even once you are done mixing. Adjust the mixture, if necessary. A thicker paint will be easier to paint with, but a thinner paint will be easier to squirt out of a squeeze bottle. If the paint is too thin, add more cornstarch. If the paint is too thick, add more water. Be sure to mix your paint well once you add the extra cornstarch or water. Use the paint. Dip a paintbrush into the muffin tin wells, and paint pictures on your sidewalk. If you are using a squeeze bottle, hold it horizontally over the sidewalk and give it a quick squeeze. Create your color base in a cup. Combine ½ cup (120 milliliters) of water with 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 ml) of washable tempera paint. Stir the water with a spoon until the color is even. There should be no streaks. For stronger colors, use more paint. Use less for lighter or pastel colors. Add ½ cup (65 grams) cornstarch to the mixture. Stir well until all of the powder has dissolved. Make sure that there are no clumps or streaks. The mixture should still be a liquid at this point, but it should be much thicker than standard paint. Pour the mixture into ice cube trays. Gently sift the trays back and forth with your hands to bring any air bubbles to the surface. If you want to get creative, use ice cube molds or freezable candy molds with fun-shaped compartments, such as stars or fish. Alternatively, you can pour the liquid chalk into popsicle molds. Don't fill the molds all the way; the liquid will expand as it freezes. Insert the tops of the molds into the liquid chalk, snapping them in place. Freeze the chalk. Carefully place the ice cube trays in your freezer. Make sure that they are sitting flat, or the tops will freeze crooked. Leave the trays in the freezer undisturbed until the chalk freezes. This will take several hours. Remove the chalk from the ice cube trays as you would remove ice cubes. Pour them into a bowl. If you made several different colors, you might want to separate the cubes by color. If you used popsicle molds, simply pull the popsicles out. Play with the ice chalk. You can draw with the ice chalk as you would with normal chalk. You can also leave the chalk on the sidewalk and let it melt into colorful puddles. Note that ice chalk will melt as you play with it, so it can get pretty messy. The colors may seem dull or translucent at first. Once the water dries, however, the colors become more vibrant. Combine 1 cup (125 grams) of cornstarch and 1 cup (240 milliliters) of white distilled vinegar in a bowl. Mix the two together until there are no streaks. Pour the mixture into four, plastic resealable bags. Try to fill each bag about one third of the way with the mixture. Add 8 to 10 drops of food coloring into each bag. Use a different color for each bag. The more drops you add, the brighter your color will be. You can also use liquid watercolor paints. This will make the chalk easier to clean up in the end. Zip the bag closed and mix the coloring into the cornstarch vinegar. You can do this by jiggling the bag or by massaging it. You should be left with a very thick liquid. There should be no clumps or streaks of color. When closing the bag, try to leave as little air as possible inside it. Consider making some baking soda "bombs. " Some people like to add the baking soda directly into the plastic bags, while others find that making little bombs first is easier. To make a baking soda bomb, do the following: Cut a paper towel into fourths; you'll end up with four, smaller squares. Drop 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 ml) of baking soda in the center of each square. Fold the paper towel around it to create a little bundle. Don't wrap the towel so tightly that the bundle can't easily open on its own. Add the baking soda into each bag and close it quickly. Open each bag wide enough to slip the baking soda inside. Seal it quickly. Once again, make sure that there is as little air left in the bag. If you made baking soda bombs, simply drop one bomb into each bag. If you did not make a baking soda bomb, simply add 1 tablespoon of baking soda into each bag. The bag must be completely sealed. If there are any holes or leaks, the air will escape through the gap rather than building up inside the bag. Shake each bag vigorously and set it down on the sidewalk. Step back quickly or you will get sprayed by the exploding chalk. The baking soda will react with the vinegar, causing the bag to expand. Eventually, the bag will pop or burst open, spraying the liquid chalk across the sidewalk. | Gather three to six toilet paper rolls. Cover one end of each tube with duct tape. Line the tubes with wax paper. Combine ¼ cup (60 milliliters) of warm water with ½ cup (50 grams) of Plaster of Paris in a small bowl or a large cup. Mix in 2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 45 ml) of tempera paint. Transfer the mixture into your mold once the mixture begins to thicken. Let the chalk dry. Remove the chalk from the molds and allow the chalk to finish drying. Fill a muffin tin or several squeeze bottles with cornstarch. Add a few drops of food coloring into each well or bottle. Fill each well or bottle the rest of the way with water. Mix the cornstarch and water until you get an even consistency. Adjust the mixture, if necessary. Use the paint. Create your color base in a cup. Add ½ cup (65 grams) cornstarch to the mixture. Pour the mixture into ice cube trays. Freeze the chalk. Remove the chalk from the ice cube trays as you would remove ice cubes. Play with the ice chalk. Combine 1 cup (125 grams) of cornstarch and 1 cup (240 milliliters) of white distilled vinegar in a bowl. Pour the mixture into four, plastic resealable bags. Add 8 to 10 drops of food coloring into each bag. Zip the bag closed and mix the coloring into the cornstarch vinegar. Consider making some baking soda "bombs. Add the baking soda into each bag and close it quickly. Shake each bag vigorously and set it down on the sidewalk. |
https://www.wikihow-fun.com/Pretend-to-Be-Rich | How to Pretend to Be Rich | You can pretend to be rich by wearing the right clothes and having a sophisticated attitude. Wear nice clothes, like chinos and button-up shirts. If you can't get them tailored, at least make sure they fit you well, since many rich people have tailored clothes. Avoid showy and designer clothes, since most rich people don't wear these. If you want to wear something flashy, wear one nice piece of jewelry, like a watch or bracelet. Talking properly is another way you can seem rich. Remember to speak in grammatically-correct sentences and avoid slang. Always act confident but humble and remember your manners. You should also stay up to date with current affairs so you'll sound educated and intelligent. | Dress up in form-fitting clothes. Pick up a few good outfits that fit your body type. Stylish button-downs, dress shirts, pants, and other clothing are refined options. Match them with a pair of dress shoes that give you a little extra height instead of sneakers. For special occasions, switch to a suit or beautiful dress. The richest-looking clothes don't have to be designer-brand. Avoid displaying designer logos and instead focus on what makes you look and feel good. Buy less clothing and spend the money you save on a few good articles. You can also rent designer clothes from some places. Spend on a few classy items you need. In addition to clothing, things like new electronics, cars, and jewelry are the most obvious status symbols. Getting a new iPhone might be a good idea, if you actually need a phone. That doesn't mean you should abandon it for every new model that comes out, since that's what people pretending to be rich are expected to do. Instead, clean and protect your expensive items from damage so they last longer. Work these items into your budget. You don't have to tell anyone how much they cost, so don't be afraid to get them used. Shop for items on sale or at reduced prices. Scour local listings for police and government auctions to find vehicles, jewelry, and other items. Outlet stores are a place to find name-brand clothing at slashed prices, while garage sales and thrift stores may also have quality items someone else is throwing away. Print out coupons and use them as often as possible to save money. Repurpose items that you already have. Instead of throwing away a shirt, work it into a new outfit. Matching it with a fresh pair of pants or an accessory can reinvigorate your style, meaning you don't need to buy an expensive new shirt to look rich. Also, try taking scrap parts from things you own and make them into something unique. For example, try incorporating old jewelry into new pieces or using scrap metal from old electronic devices to make sculptures. Style and trim your hair regularly. You don't have to go to an amazing salon, but find a modern, clean-cut style that looks great on you. Keep your hair soft and shapely with shampoo, conditioner, and regular trimming. Ask a stylist for recommendations, or learn to cut your own hair. Get into shape by exercising and eating healthy. Looking your best causes more people to assume you're rich. That means finding a healthy weight and sticking to it by staying active and eating food that's good for you. You can do this by visiting a gym, playing sports, and substituting snack food for fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins. Losing a lot of weight doesn't look any better than when you're worrying about being too heavy. Get plenty of sleep. No one's going to think you're rich if you've got dark circles under your eyes. A lack of sleep wears out your skin and keeps you from mastering other skills, such as speaking and staying active. Do your best to get to bed early, at the same hour every night. Take flashy pictures and share them online. It's no secret that people judge you based on images. Get accustomed to taking and selecting the pictures that portray you in a positive light. Put on your best clothes or snap a photo of the new watch you bought. Pose in bright lighting to create colorful pictures people can't ignore. You can also take pictures of your experiences. If you travel, snap photos. Posting pictures of things like jets, beaches, or beautiful buildings, even if you can't afford them, can make you seem richer than you are. Avoid sharing photos that put you in a negative light, such as when you're taking a posed selfie at a dimly-lit party. Speak in grammatically-correct sentences. Wealth is often associated with education, so master the language spoken in your area. Avoid using lots of Internet slang, shorthand such as “u” instead of “you,” and contractions such as “ain't.” Think about what you're going to say and say it with composure. Language and accents are interpreted in different ways depending on where you are. For example, some English accents are considered posh while others aren't. Decide what style of speaking works best for where you live. Educate yourself on subjects that impress others. Familiarize yourself with a few topics that are linked to wealth, such as stock trading, property ownership, vacation spots abroad, and fancy food items. You don't need to have done any of these things yourself, but talking about them can make you seem extra classy. It doesn't mean talking a lot about subjects like caviar or vacationing, but you should know the basics, such as how to pronounce a word like “foie gras.” Be graceful by displaying good manners. Be friendly to those around you, greeting them and engaging in casual conversation. Avoid getting angry: stay calm and smile instead. Say please and thank you when appropriate. Also avoid rude or inappropriate gestures such as burping or spitting in public. Not all rich people are pleasant to be around, but wealth is associated with good manners. Pretend like you're at a boarding school learning how to hold a knife and fork properly. Display confidence in yourself. Rich people tend to believe they deserve everything they have. Know what you want and don't be afraid to go get it. Even if you're feeling anxious, put on a brave face, breath deeply, and show everyone that you're not afraid to try a new venture. The things you try should still be safe and within budget. Confidently say no to things you don't want to do, such as doing something unsafe. Stay humble by not asking for recognition. People who are pretending to be wealthy try hard to be noticed. You'll have better luck having fun and looking good while doing it. When you do something right, such as at school, work, or when volunteering, avoid bragging about your accomplishments. For example, don't talk about how expensive your clothing is or how much better you are at playing violin than everyone else in your music group. Stay busy with activities that make you happy. Instead of partying and showing off, be active. Find some hobbies you enjoy doing. It's true that you'll likely meet some rich people while skiing, but you'll also gain a lot from hobbies like cooking or other sports. Spending quality time with friends or volunteering gives you an opportunity to have fun and make new connections with others. People can typically see you're not rich by looking at your face for a lack of positive expressions, such as smiles. A lot of hobbies can be used to sound richer than you are. For instance, cooking involves good food and talking about fancy ingredients. Travel when you get the opportunity. Go on adventures, such as taking a summer trip to a beach or by riding a bus to somewhere new. Watch everyone marvel in awe when you come back and tell them about your adventure. Everyone talks about rich people traveling to some corner of the globe, but you don't need to plan expensive trips to faraway destinations. Look at budget trips or discount websites online. You don't have to tell others about the budget part, and your trip will still seem impressive. Set up a budget. Spending yourself to oblivion won't fool people forever. Monitor how much money you have and how much you're able to spend. There's no use in getting designer clothing when you can't afford to dry clean them. Save as much money as possible. Go to a bank and open a checking or savings account. Every time you receive some money, put part of it into the account. Watching that amount build can make you feel richer than that diamond necklace you'll only wear once a year. Money saved is money you'll always know you have in case of an emergency. Remember to cut your costs as much as possible, such as by shopping for sales. When someone catches you, ask, “Well, how do you think people get rich?” Avoid owing money. Debts tend to leave bad impressions, even if it's merely borrowing a little bit of money from a friend. Rich people don't look like they owe others anything. That's why it's important to always have enough to cover your own needs and expenses. Debts such as loans are stressful, so you won't even get to feel rich. Pretend to be rich when it helps you blend into the crowd. A good rule of thumb is to dress like the people around you. If you're applying for a job at a prestigious law firm, renting a crisp suit or designer dress helps you look and feel like you belong there. In any other environment, these clothes make you stand out in a negative way. Think of it as “looking like the person you want to become.” For example, when applying for that prestigious job, nice clothing and a clean car gives the boss a more positive impression of you than jeans and a t-shirt would. Stop pretending when you feel like you’re showing off. Always remind yourself that truly rich people don't need to flaunt their wealth. When you're trying hard to show off, you offend others and harm your relationships. Pay attention to changes in how people normally act around you. For example, your friends might seem nervous about going out with you or avoid you altogether. They may also make jokes about rich kids on social media. Give up pretending when you’re spending too much. You may end up going out every day to buy new jewelry or take a new photo that'll impress everyone. This creates a lot of stress in addition to emptying your wallet. Go back over your budget and think about what truly makes you happy in life. If you feel stressed or broke, take a step back and remind yourself that you don't need to pretend to be rich. You'll feel much better and look richer when you're happy and healthy. | Dress up in form-fitting clothes. Spend on a few classy items you need. Shop for items on sale or at reduced prices. Repurpose items that you already have. Style and trim your hair regularly. Get into shape by exercising and eating healthy. Get plenty of sleep. Take flashy pictures and share them online. Speak in grammatically-correct sentences. Educate yourself on subjects that impress others. Be graceful by displaying good manners. Display confidence in yourself. Stay humble by not asking for recognition. Stay busy with activities that make you happy. Travel when you get the opportunity. Set up a budget. Save as much money as possible. Avoid owing money. Pretend to be rich when it helps you blend into the crowd. Stop pretending when you feel like you’re showing off. Give up pretending when you’re spending too much. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Set-up-an-Internet-Cafe | How to Set up an Internet Cafe | To set up an internet cafe, start by renting out a space for your cafe that's near potential customers, like a spot next to a college or a hotel. Then, buy all of the necessary equipment for your cafe, including computers, routers, and printers. You'll also need to find an internet service provider so customers using your computers can access the internet. Before you open your cafe, register with your local government and hire employees to help you run things. | Formulate an idea of how you want to run your Internet café. Write down the different amenities and services you want to offer and the audience you wish to cater to. Visit other Internet cafés in your area and in other cities to help form your ideas. Speak with the owners of other Internet cafés and ask about the advantages and disadvantages of this type of business. Research the feasibility of your plan. Investigate the area in which you hope to open your café. Look specifically at the demand for an Internet café and competitors in the area. Make a rough estimate of how much money you will require as an initial investment for computer equipment, furniture, software and amenities. You can find prices for equipment, furniture and software on the Internet, in catalogues or in office supply stores. Do not choose an area where residents have a high income level, as chances are people have their own computers at home. You also do not want to locate near a library where people can use computers for free. Create a comprehensive business plan. Enumerate every detail for your Internet café from computers that you will need to purchase to long-term operational costs. Incorporate the results from your previous market research and explain how your café will stay profitable over time. Your business plan should include the following elements: Your business concept: The focus here is on describing your business and the market for your café. Market research: Market research is critical, as it describes the nature of the market you are entering into. Identify who your major competitors are, who your target market is, and the preferences and needs of your target market. A marketing plan: This should describe how you plan on addressing the needs of your market, how you will communicate with customers, and how you will advertise your café. An operations plan: This will describe your operations on a day to day basis. It would include, for example, a timeline, hours the café will be open, and the people and equipment required. A financial plan: This would outline how you will finance your business, what your expected costs are, and five-year projections as to your revenue. Make sure to make your business plan clear and understandable and be able to explain it to anyone, especially those who do not know the technical jargon. Estimate how much start-up capital you'll need. Using your financial plan, determine your projected annual expenses and gross income. You'll need to have enough capital to cover both your start-up and operating expenses. If you do not, you will need to take out a loan. Operating expenses include licenses, permits, insurance, rent or mortgage, a security system, employees' salaries, computer equipment and software, and professional services such as an accountant or bookkeeper. You can lease equipment or purchase used equipment to save money on operating costs. Look for investment money. This could be from your own savings, an investment partner, or a bank. Other entrepreneurs have used a line of credit with their bank, a home equity loan, a credit card or micro lending. Contact the SBA regarding an SBA guaranteed small business loan. You would then apply for the SBA loan at a local bank or credit union. This type of loan guarantees repayment by the SBA if you default. Consider a home equity loan. Find a bank who will give you a home equity loan or home equity line of credit. You would be using your own home as collateral. Make sure you can pay back this loan or you risk losing your home. You will also have to have a credit score in the high 600s to take out this type of loan. Consider micro lending. Internet micro lending services (also called peer to peer lending) help borrowers find lenders for relatively small loans, usually under $35,000. Research these sites and familiarize yourself with all of the rules and regulations in order to avoid misunderstandings later. Popular micro lending sites include Kiva, Prosper and Lending Club. Find a suitable location for your café. You will want a place that is likely to attract stable as well as casual customers. Locating near a school or college may attract younger customers, or if you locate near other food cafés or small shops you might be able to catch pedestrians in the area. It could also be advantageous to locate near large hotels where many business travelers stay. Work with a commercial real estate agent. An agent experienced in commercial businesses will be able to show you properties that might meet your needs and are available for lease within your budget. You could also contact the commercial real estate development company that owns a specific property that interests you. A good alternative would be to take over an existing Internet café that has a loyal client base. A commercial real estate broker will know about these opportunities as well. Conduct research on your potential business location. Search public records of how the location was used previously and statistical data such as the average income in the area. Find out if there are competitors and similar ventures nearby. When you find a potential location, observe the area for a few hours and analyze the foot traffic in the neighborhood. Is it near public transportation or highways? Is there enough parking? You will want to also analyze the demographics of the area. Does the income level match the type of clientele you hope to attract? Your local librarian or commercial real estate broker can help provide this information. Once you find a location you will need to purchase insurance policies for general liability and fire insurance. Choose a name for your business. Establish a unique identifier that resonates with customers and sets you apart from other businesses. Search databases such as Hoovers, the Better Business Bureau and the Web to find information about other business names so you don't choose one that is already taken. You can refer to Name Your Business for tips on how to choose a business name. Register your business name with your state government, if necessary. A DBA (Doing Business As) is needed whenever you are doing business under a name other than your own. Registering a DBA name is typically done through your state government or county clerk's office. Apply for a sales tax permit. This can be obtained from your state Department of Taxation and Finance. You will need to keep careful records on which items were sold with the amount paid, and how much in sales tax was collected. Obtain a federal tax ID number. You will need to file a separate tax return for your business and therefore will need to have a federal tax ID number. You can find the form online at www.irs.gov. Obtain building permits. Check with your local municipality for the types of permits required. Get a legal adviser if you don't know how to fill out the forms—better to pay small costs up front and have peace of mind than to have expensive complications down the road. Choose an Internet service provider (ISP). Your café's Internet connection will most likely need a higher grade, more robust connection than a normal household set up. Negotiate with the ISP as they may offer special deals for businesses, especially Internet cafés. (You also might want to determine if you need a "static IP" address for Local Area Network (LAN) services and or programs.) A static IP address is for one customer only. A dynamic IP address will provide a different IP address each time you log on to your computer. Having a dynamic IP address means that you are sharing an IP address with several other customers. Design the layout to fit the space. If possible, use a professional designer. Work with the designer so that they understand the special requirements of an Internet café such as keeping food and beverage preparation and consumption from damaging computer equipment. Include an electrician in the design process to ensure that the infrastructure will be able to handle the load of all the electronic devices in your café. Purchase all the necessary equipment. Following your business plan, purchase computers, network cable, routers, printers, crimping tools and RJ-45 jacks. If you are including amenities also purchase any food and beverage preparation items such as plates, cups, and microwave ovens. Set up your Internet café. This includes all the construction and renovations, electrical work, network setup, computer and software installation, and a security system. Add any other specialty services such as an area for food and drink preparation. Manage your software effectively. Use free software alternatives such as Linux as an alternative to Microsoft Windows or the Mac OS and the OpenOffice.org suite as an alternative to the Microsoft Office suite. Consider using live CDs without hard disk drives (dumb terminals) in the computers to reduce maintenance. Install a firewall on your router if it does not already have one to protect your network from worms, viruses and other outside attacks. Find a software solution that will protect your computers from viruses such as virus protection software or live CDs. Develop a plan for staffing your café. Consider hours of operation, wages and applicable overtime and anti-discrimination laws. Research state and federal labor laws on the Internet, through your local Small Business Administration or at your local library. Interview and hire employees. Place ads online at such sites as Craig's List, Indeed and Monster.com. Choose those who not only are technically savvy and have good references, but also friendly and easy to work with. Make sure to run a background check on each potential employee before hiring. Your local police department can run the background checks for you. Promote your Internet café in the neighborhood through fliers, advertisements in newspapers, word of mouth and especially social media. You will need to develop a website and can use templates you can find online for free, or use a service like WordPress that starts at about $70. Develop a Facebook page for your business and update it frequently. Consider having a grand opening with door prizes or discount coupons. Advertise the opening in newspapers, radio stations, Facebook, and on your website. You could also offer local entertainment and food. Listen to and incorporate feedback from your customers. They may want more bandwidth, or may complain about the amount of performance-degrading spyware. You can contract with an expert to solve problems, if you don't already have a suitable administrator. Evaluate opportunities to expand your business. This could include color printing and copying or hosting computer game competitions. Get customer feedback as to what services and amenities they would like to have in order to determine the demand in your area. | Formulate an idea of how you want to run your Internet café. Research the feasibility of your plan. Create a comprehensive business plan. Estimate how much start-up capital you'll need. Look for investment money. Contact the SBA regarding an SBA guaranteed small business loan. Consider a home equity loan. Consider micro lending. Find a suitable location for your café. Work with a commercial real estate agent. Conduct research on your potential business location. Choose a name for your business. Register your business name with your state government, if necessary. Apply for a sales tax permit. Obtain a federal tax ID number. Obtain building permits. Choose an Internet service provider (ISP). Design the layout to fit the space. Purchase all the necessary equipment. Set up your Internet café. Manage your software effectively. Develop a plan for staffing your café. Interview and hire employees. Promote your Internet café in the neighborhood through fliers, advertisements in newspapers, word of mouth and especially social media. Listen to and incorporate feedback from your customers. Evaluate opportunities to expand your business. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Flat-White-Coffee | How to Make a Flat White Coffee | To make a flat white coffee, start by brewing a double shot of espresso into a mug. You can use an espresso machine, or you can brew an espresso pod using a Keurig. Either way, set the espresso aside once it's finished brewing, and steam 1/2 cup of milk in a pitcher using a steaming wand. If you don't have a steaming wand, pour the milk into a jar, shake it for 60 seconds, then microwave it for 30 seconds instead. When you're finished steaming the milk, pour it into the espresso to finish your drink. | Heat a 6 to 7 fl oz (180 to 210 ml) cup while you prepare the espresso. Get out a small serving cup and fill it with hot water. Leave the cup to heat while you prepare the espresso grounds and your machine. A flat white is served in a smaller cup than a latte or cappuccino because it's made with less milk. Add water to the espresso machine and turn it on. Depending on your machine, you may have to fill the water tank and heat the machine before making your espresso. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and heat the machine for as long as directed. For example, you might need to pour about 40 fluid ounces (1,200 ml) of water into a tank near the top of the machine and heat the machine for 15 minutes. Dose espresso grounds into a portafilter. Use a scale to weigh 18 to 20 grams of espresso grounds into a clean and dry portafilter. Try to use freshly ground espresso for the best flavor. You can use any style of roast, but it's important that the coffee is ground for an espresso machine. Tamp down on the grounds while you apply pressure. Set the portafilter on a clean, flat surface and use a tamper to push down firmly on the grounds. Try to apply even pressure so the espresso is level in the portafilter. Packing the espresso into the portafilter will help the water from the machine flow evenly through the grounds as the shot pulls. Put the portafilter in the machine and turn it on. Turn on the grouphead for a second to remove any old coffee grounds before you insert the portafilter. Then, put the portafilter into the grouphead and turn it so it's secure. Immediately turn the espresso machine on so the hot water can begin moving through the grounds. It's important to turn the machine on right away so the heat from the grouphead doesn't burn the espresso grounds. You might have to insert your portafilter a little differently depending on your machine. Pull a double shot of espresso into your preheated cup. Pour the hot water out of your preheated cup and place it below the spout of the portafilter. Then, let the shot run for about 20 to 30 seconds so the double espresso falls directly into the cup. Stop the shot as soon as it begins to look pale and thin. Pour about 1⁄2 cup (120 ml) of milk into a steaming pitcher. For the creamiest flat white with the best microfoam, use whole milk. If you prefer, you can use lower fat milk or alternative milk, such as soy or almond milk. Keep in mind that the milk will double in volume once it's steamed, so don't fill a small pitcher more than half full. If you're using alternative milk, it will probably steam faster than whole milk, so be careful not to over steam it. Purge the steam wand for about 2 seconds. To purge the steam wand of any moisture trapped at the end, quickly turn it on so steam sprays out. Keep the wand on for a couple of seconds to ensure the wand is clear. You should purge the wand before you insert it into the pitcher of milk. This is because trapped moisture in the wand could get into your milk and make it taste bad. Put the wand into the milk and turn on the steam immediately. Position the pitcher so the tip of the steam wand is about 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the surface of the milk. As soon as the wand is submerged, turn it on. If you put the wand into the milk and wait before turning on the steam, milk will get into the steam wand. Steam the milk until it's between 130 and 140 °F (54 and 60 °C). Keep the steam wand in the milk so the milk swirls in the pitcher and doubles in volume. You should see delicate foam on the surface instead of large bubbles if you keep the wand properly submerged. To test if the milk is hot enough, use a thermometer or hold the side of the pitcher as you steam. Turn off the steam once the pitcher is too hot to touch. Since you can't make microfoam by whisking hot milk, avoid preparing the milk on the stove. The texture and color of the milk should look glossy, almost like latex paint. Tap the pitcher to remove bubbles. Once you've turned off the steam wand, move it off to the side and carefully set the pitcher of milk on the counter. Tap it gently once or twice to pop large bubbles that might be on the surface. Swirl the milk a little to keep it moving until you're ready to pour it over the espresso. If you tap too hard, milk may splash out of the pitcher. Pour the milk into the espresso to create a flat white. Bring the pitcher to your cup with espresso and tilt it carefully so the microfoam flows into the espresso. As you get close to the top of the cup, tilt even more so more of the foam floats to the top. Try to work as quickly so the steamed milk doesn't lose its volume. With enough practice, you can create designs by wiggling your wrist as you pour the milk into the espresso. | Heat a 6 to 7 fl oz (180 to 210 ml) cup while you prepare the espresso. Add water to the espresso machine and turn it on. Dose espresso grounds into a portafilter. Tamp down on the grounds while you apply pressure. Put the portafilter in the machine and turn it on. Pull a double shot of espresso into your preheated cup. Pour about 1⁄2 cup (120 ml) of milk into a steaming pitcher. Purge the steam wand for about 2 seconds. Put the wand into the milk and turn on the steam immediately. Steam the milk until it's between 130 and 140 °F (54 and 60 °C). Tap the pitcher to remove bubbles. Pour the milk into the espresso to create a flat white. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Certified-in-Microblading | How to Get Certified in Microblading | To get certified in microblading, start by searching online for classes in your area. Look for a school approved by the American Academy of Micropigmentation or the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals to make sure the classes are high-quality and follow official regulations. After at least 100 hours of class study, homework, live practice, and teacher demonstrations, you'll be awarded with your official documentation to show you completed 100 hours of training. Once you've finished your classes, join a governing body, like the American Academy of Micropigmentation, through their website and complete a Bloodborne Pathogens Standard course to receive your certificate. Finally, take your certification test to become fully certified in microblading. | Look for classes approved by the AAM or SPCP. The American Academy of Micropigmentation and the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals provide microblading certification to much of the English-speaking world. As such, look for training classes approved by at least one of the two boards, meaning they follow the organization's official regulations and are run by a society-certified instructor. The SPCP and AAM maintain lists of certified trainers on their official websites. Avoid classes that provide less than 100 hours of training. Due to microblading's boom in popularity, lots of for-profit training classes have popped up around the world. Avoid classes that are under 100 hours long or make no mention of the AAM or SPCP. Though some of these classes provide accurate training, many are scams and few will get you closer to official certification. Scam courses are often less than 6 days long, extremely cheap, or advertise the inclusion of a free microblading kit. Enroll in and attend the training class. After finding a good class, enroll with the instructor, pay any required fees, and attend. Expect to work for at least 100 hours with the time divided into class study, homework, live practice, and teacher demonstrations. If AAM and SPCP trainers do not live in your area, travel will most likely be required. Most full courses cost between $4000 and $5000. Expect to take off work for about 1 week in order to attend. Get official documentation that shows you attended and passed the class. Make sure this documentation includes how many hours you worked and has your instructor's official signature. In addition, with the model or patient's consent, make sure you take photos of any live work completed. This is essential for both the AAM and SPCP exams, which require proof that you completed 100 hours of training. Ask for an apprenticeship with a local technician. If you do not feel ready for the exam or need further training to complete your 100 hours, ask a local technician for an apprenticeship or internship. The AAM and SPCP list members who offer internships on their online directories, though members not listed may also agree to take you on. Most microblading internship programs are not paid. In some cases, certified technicians may charge a fee of up to $500 per procedure for apprenticeship services. Join the AAM or SPCP. The AAM and SPCP require you to purchase an organization membership to take their exam. Both organizations offer membership through their online shop, with the AAM charging $250 and the SPCP charging $310. Though both boards grant similar levels of professional respect, the AAM is known primarily in the United States while the SPCP has greater recognition abroad. Pass a BPS certification course. In addition to 100 hours of microblade training, both boards require you to complete a Bloodborne Pathogens Standard course that meets OSHA's BPS standard. These courses are cheap, running $25 and under, and the organizations prefer you complete them in person. When finished, you should receive a Bloodborne Pathogens training certificate. If you cannot complete the course in person, your organization may accept online alternatives from Eduwhere or Your Training Place. Sign up for an AAM or SPCP certification test. Upcoming tests are listed on each of the board's official websites. Both organizations charge $250 per test. The AAM sells applications through their online shop while the SPCP offers them through an informational PDF. At this time, or any time prior to the exam, your chosen organization may ask you for a photo ID, proof of membership, and proof that you successfully completed BPS and microblade training. Provide proof of insurance and client work (AAM only). Because part of their exam is practical, the AAM requires proof of technician's insurance and a client file with examples of 5 eyebrows, 5 eyeliners, and 5 lips you worked on during training. If you're located in New Jersey, Maine, Massachusetts, or Nevada, this lowers to 2 eyebrows, 2 eyeliners, and 2 lips. Pass your certification test. The SPCP exam is comprised of 100 multiple choice questions covering infection control, diseases and disorders, anatomy and physiology, pigmentology, technical applications, regulations, client management, and documentation. The AAM exam is divided into 3 sections, including a written exam, oral exam, and practical exam covering similar topics. To help you prepare for the exam , the AAM and SPCP sell extensive study guides and sample tests through their online stores. Acquire a license from the Department of Health. To work legally as any type of technician, you'll need to acquire an operating license from your Department of Health or Public Health. Depending on your location, this license may be for cosmetology, permanent makeup, or tattooing. To apply for a license, contact the department and request an application. Make sure you know and meet their requirements for facility, equipment, and personal hygiene before applying. Meet national cosmetic regulation standards. Whether practicing with a license or not, national governing boards like the Food and Drug Administration have strict cosmetic requirements to keep consumers safe. These are available to view on the board's official website and range from pigment and ink requirements to infection and injury prevention. To avoid major fines or malpractice lawsuits, make sure you understand and comply with any and all national standards. Look up your area’s specific microblading requirements. Microblading is regulated on the local level as a form of permanent makeup or tattoo. These regulations vary widely by country, state or district, and county. For information on what you need to become a practicing technician in your specific area, contact your local Department of Health, Cosmetology, Human Services, or Commerce. Apply for a job. If you're just starting out, look for jobs at cosmetic and permanent makeup boutiques. Do not expect a full technician position right away, though assistant technician jobs are well within reach. Once you have significant cosmetic experience, try opening your own practice to make more money and have greater control over your career. Look for jobs with organizations and individuals listed on the SPCP and AAM's online databases. | Look for classes approved by the AAM or SPCP. Avoid classes that provide less than 100 hours of training. Enroll in and attend the training class. Get official documentation that shows you attended and passed the class. Ask for an apprenticeship with a local technician. Join the AAM or SPCP. Pass a BPS certification course. Sign up for an AAM or SPCP certification test. Provide proof of insurance and client work (AAM only). Pass your certification test. Acquire a license from the Department of Health. Meet national cosmetic regulation standards. Look up your area’s specific microblading requirements. Apply for a job. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Jiggly-Slime | How to Make Jiggly Slime | If you love playing with slime, you can easily make your own with just school glue, contact solution, soap, and a little water. Pour about 2 bottles of glue into a bowl, then mix in 1/3 of a cup of warm water. Add a quarter of a cup of foamy hand soap or shaving cream and blend it well with the water and glue. Finally, mix in a little contact lens solution, one spoonful at a time, until you get the texture you want. As you mix, your slime should form a big ball. Pull the ball out of the bowl and knead it until it's nice and stretchy. If you want, you can add a little more water to make it even more jiggly. | Pour 7.625 ounces (216.2 g) of PVA glue into a large bowl. This is the equivalent to 2 bottles of glue. After pouring it in, squeeze the bottle out to get as much glue as you can into the bowl. Put your empty glue bottles aside after emptying them. Add 1⁄3 cup (79 mL) of warm water to the glue. Start by filling your empty glue bottles with warm water. Now, pour this water into a measuring cup until you get ⁄ 3 cup (79 mL) and add it to the bowl. Stir it in with your spatula until the mixture is a smooth consistency. Set aside any extra water that's in your glue bottle. Mix in 1⁄4 cup (59 mL) of foamy hand soap. Squeeze the soap into a measuring cup and dump it into your solution. Afterward, mix it in with your spatula until the mixture is homogenous. Swap your hand soap with ⁄ 4 cup (59 mL) of foamy shaving cream (but not gel!) if you'd like. Add the contact lens solution 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) at a time. Start by adding 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of your solution and then mix it in with your spatula for about 30 seconds. Now, repeat this process, making sure to mix the solution in thoroughly in between each addition. Be sure to stir everything together thoroughly. Stop after you've added about 3 to 4 teaspoons (15 to 20 mL) of solution. You can use saline contact lens solution (with boric acid), liquid starch, or laundry detergent. Continue mixing your slime until it forms a ball. Once you notice your slime forming spiderweb-like strands, stop adding the solution and mix your slime together until it forms a ball. At this point, there should be no excess slime on the edges of the bowl. Scrape any pieces of excess slime into the ball with your spatula. Mix food coloring into your jiggly slime mixture if you'd like. Coloring can be food dye, water paint, acrylic paint, pigments, confetti, glitter, or any combination of these things. Start by adding 2 to 3 drops of your coloring substance and mix it into your mixture. Mix it in well with your spatula and then continue adding more of the same color to create a stronger color or mix in other colors. Continue experimenting and adding colors until you get one you like. To create a sparkling look, add some glitter and confetti. Keep in mind that the colors will be lighter than normal when using white glue. Knead your slime until it's a smooth, jiggly consistency. Take your ball and knead it—which is when you stretch, pull, bend, and twist it—until it's the right consistency. You'll notice your slime changes consistency as you knead it—continue until you're happy with the final result. Take your slime out of the bowl and knead it on a flat surface for the best results. Mix 1 cup (240 mL) of hot water into your slime. After kneading your slime, you need to add some hot water to make it jiggly. Pour the water into the bowl with your slime and then poke holes in your slime to help it absorb it. Afterward, lift the slime up over the bowl for about 10 to 15 seconds and let the excess water drain out. Check that your slime is jiggly. If you think it needs more hot water, add another ⁄ 4 cup (59 mL) and mix it in again. Refrigerate your jiggly slime in a Ziploc bag or throw it away. When you're done playing with your slime, throw it out or refrigerate it for later use. Be sure to store it in a Ziploc bag and close it tightly so as little air as possible enters. Your slime will probably last 1 week or less in the refrigerator. If you notice mold or bacteria growth, throw the slime away. Keep your refrigerator temperature at 35 to 40 °F (2 to 4 °C). | Pour 7.625 ounces (216.2 g) of PVA glue into a large bowl. Add 1⁄3 cup (79 mL) of warm water to the glue. Mix in 1⁄4 cup (59 mL) of foamy hand soap. Add the contact lens solution 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) at a time. Continue mixing your slime until it forms a ball. Mix food coloring into your jiggly slime mixture if you'd like. Knead your slime until it's a smooth, jiggly consistency. Mix 1 cup (240 mL) of hot water into your slime. Refrigerate your jiggly slime in a Ziploc bag or throw it away. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Respond-to-a-Written-Warning | How to Respond to a Written Warning | If you receive a written warning from your employer, it's usually about a disciplinary or performance issue. Your employer will often follow up with a conversation where you can discuss the warning. All you need to do is own up and apologize for your mistake. If you feel you were wrongly accused, politely and calmly make your case. If you receive a written warning from the police, stay calm and accept the warning. It's supposed to serve as a reminder not to perform a certain action. Luckily, you won't be fined for it and you don't need to respond to the warning. | Receive your warning. If you get pulled over for a traffic violation, police officers have the option of giving you a written warning in lieu of a ticket. This is likely to happen if you have no previous traffic violations and the violation was not severe. Stay calm. Read over your written warning. It will list the offense, the officer's name, and the location of the violation. Depending on the state, it may also show the potential consequences for a ticket for your violation. Stay out of trouble. Luckily, you don't have any fines from your written warning. If you had gotten a ticket, this would have been different. Warnings are simply given to remind you that you can't perform that action. Written warnings can be recorded. Although they won't make your insurance rates go up, they will come up if you happen to get pulled over again. If you've already received a written warning, you'll likely get an actual citation if you get pulled over for a similar violation. Receive your warning. When an employer issues you a written warning, it is likely to be about a disciplinary issue. They do the written warning for themselves to have on record and to bring your attention to it. The warning should clearly state the specific performance issue. The warning may also include possible consequences likely to come if your performance doesn't improve. Respond verbally. These written warnings will often be followed up by a conversation. This could come from either your employer or a supervisor. In this conversation, the problem will be discussed as well as potential changes to make to ensure there is no further problem. Don't get defensive. In this meeting, it will be smarter to own up to your mistake rather than fight about it. It will show responsibility and improved judgement. If you truly feel that you are being wrongly accused, remember to stay calm when discussing it. Go into the meeting prepared to discuss valid points about the issue. Have performance discussions. Depending on the severity of the issue, set up a follow-up discussion. This will be a good time to show your employer that you take the notice very seriously and that you've changed. If the issue has continued, your employer will be able to make you aware of it here, before having to issue another written warning. Treat meetings as an ongoing process rather than an isolated event. If they have to issue another written warning, your job could be on the line. The consequences should have been listed out in the original warning. Receive your warning. If you get a written warning at school, you've most likely broken a rule that is part of your school code. There should be a school handbook available to you so that you can see the exact rule that they've accused you of breaking. Make your parents aware. Now is the time to make your parents aware of what happened. Rather than waiting until you get into more trouble, let them know your side of the story and show them the warning. They can choose to be included in your future meetings about the warning if they wish. Set up a meeting. Chances are if you have a written warning, either the school counselor or your teacher will expect you to have a meeting about it. This should follow within the same week of your written warning. In the meeting, you should discuss what happened, why it happened, and the consequences. If you feel you were wrongly accused, calmly ask for a meeting with a member of the school board to discuss it. If your counselor or teacher doesn't think this is necessary, ask them if they can revoke the warning. Schedule up a follow-up meeting. After your original meeting, you should set up a follow-up meeting to discuss the improvement of your behavior. This will help you stay focused on behaving, and will show them that you're not planning on acting out again. | Receive your warning. Stay calm. Stay out of trouble. Receive your warning. Respond verbally. Have performance discussions. Receive your warning. Make your parents aware. Set up a meeting. Schedule up a follow-up meeting. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Change-Yourself-Completely | How to Change Yourself Completely | If you want to change yourself completely, start by making a list of things you want to change. Once you know what you'd like to improve about yourself, use the list to set specific goals to help you on your path. For example, if you want to be a nicer person, set a goal of doing 2 nice things for people every day. While you're working towards your goals, try to find people with similar goals and interests, who will help you stay motivated. For instance, if you want to be healthier, spend more time with friends who eat well and exercise than people who stay in and eat fast food every day. | Identify your triggers for behaviors you want to change. Changing a bad habit is really hard, but figuring out your triggers might help. When you feel tempted to engage in a bad habit, write down what was happening beforehand. This might be your trigger, so avoiding that situation in the future could help you make positive changes. Let's say you're trying to stop eating junk food. When you feel tempted to munch on a bag of chips, you might consider what was happening when the craving hit. You might realize that when you feel stressed, you crave junk food. Managing your stress levels might help you avoid triggering your cravings. Make a list of the habits and behaviors that are holding you back. You'll need to swap out your bad habits for good ones if you want to make a big change. Identify the habits that aren't helping you live the life you want. Additionally, recognize the behaviors that are causing problems in your life. List out these habits and behaviors so you can work on changing them. As an example, you might recognize that your habit of eating take out on weekends is preventing you from saving money to use for your hobbies and from eating healthy meals. Similarly, you might realize that scrolling on your phone is taking all of your free time. Describe what your best life looks like. If you're wanting to change yourself completely, it's likely you feel that your life isn't going the way you'd like. To help you be your best self, decide what your ideal life would look like. Include the job or path of study you want to pursue, how you want to spend your day, and how you want people to perceive you. For instance, you might decide that you want to be a teacher so you can work with kids. In your free time, you might spend your day helping others, making things, and spending time with your family. You may want people to perceive you as a kind-hearted, hard-working person. Invest in yourself to help you recognize your value. You deserve to feel your best, so treat yourself to a new look. Switch up your hairstyle and put together a few new outfits to give yourself a fresh start. If you wear makeup, use a tutorial to try out a new look. If you can afford it, go to a salon for a new haircut and purchase some new clothes. If you're short on cash, go to a thrift store or shop a sale to add 1-3 new pieces to your wardrobe. As another option, invite your friends to have a clothing swap with you so you can get new-to-you clothes for free. Change your environment so your life feels fresh. A fresh environment can help you change your mindset and make you feel unstuck. Start by removing any clutter from your living and work space. Then, rearrange your furniture or other decorations to create a new look. If you can, add something new to remind you that you're making a big change in your life. Even a tiny change can make a big difference, so don't worry if you can"t overhaul your entire space. For instance, getting a small potted plant and a motivational print may be enough to help you feel renewed. If you can, redecorate your space so you life feels totally new. Switch out your artwork, get new linens, and replace outdated or broken furniture. Set up your environment to fit your ideal life. For instance, you might make your desk the focal point in your room if you want to write or study more. Similarly, you might place your pots and pans within easy reach if you want to start cooking every day. Use positive self-talk to motivate yourself. Your attitude can make or break you, so cultivate a positive mindset. Pay attention to your thoughts so you can recognize negative thinking patterns. When you catch yourself thinking negatively, challenge that thought and replace it with something neutral or positive. Additionally, create positive affirmations for yourself that you can repeat throughout the day. For instance, let's say you catch yourself thinking, “I suck at everything.” You might challenge that thought by telling yourself, “That can't be true because I'm good at singing, drawing, and baking.” Then, replace it with something like, “I'm good at a lot of things, but no one knows how to do everything.” You might use positive affirmations like, “I am enough,” “I can accomplish anything with hard work,” and “I'm becoming my best self” to motivate yourself. Try something new to push yourself out of your comfort zone. When you're making a big change in your life, you need to break free of your comfort zone to help you grow. The best way to do this is to start trying new things. Make a list of things you've always wanted to try, then start checking things off. Your list might include things like, “Go to the new Thai restaurant,” “Go skydiving,” “Take an art class,” “Apply for an internship,” “Volunteer,” “Talk to a stranger at the grocery store,” “Fix my hair a different way,” and “Take a new route to work.” Set realistic, measurable goals to help you be your best self. Review your description of your idea life and identify 1-3 goals that can help you get there. Then, revise your goals so that they are small and easy to measure. Be specific so you can track your progress. As an example, “Be more active” is not a great goal because it's not measurable or specific. A better goal would be “Work out 30 minutes a day.” Incorporate new habits that will help you reach your goals. Make a list of positive habits that will help you work toward your goals. Then, decide how you can incorporate these habits into your life. Schedule your new habits into your day so you can slowly make progress on your goals. For example, let's say your goal is to reach a healthy body weight. Your new habits might be to workout every day and eat healthy meals. To help you keep up with these habits, you might schedule your workouts and time to prepare healthy dishes. Cut back on low-priority activities so you have time for what’s important. You have a limited amount of time every day, and adding your new goals to your schedule might feel overwhelming. To make time for your new goals, look for activities that aren't helping you live your best life. Replace these low-priority activities with your new positive habits. For instance, let's say you normally spend your lunch hour playing a game on your phone. Instead, you might use this time to exercise. Surround yourself with growth-oriented people who motivate you. The people you have in your life make a big impact on your motivation and behavior. Spend more time with people who are working toward success and doing what makes them happy. This will help motivate you to keep pursuing your big change in life. Don't worry about excluding people from your life. If you're spending more time with people who are growth-minded, you'll naturally spend less time with people who might be a bad influence. Try attending social events for people who share your goals or interests. You'll likely make good friends there. Track your progress toward your new goals and habits every day. Document how much work you're putting toward your goal, and celebrate each minor accomplishment you make. Focus on making progress and not on your end point. This will help you stay motivated to keep going. Every day, write down what you did that day to help you reach your goal. When you accomplish a small task, have a mini celebration and congratulate yourself for making progress. Recruit an accountability partner as you make changes. It's easier to stay motivated if you're working with a partner. Ask someone who shares a similar goal or who you trust to be honest with you to be your accountability partner. Check in with your partner at least once a week so that you feel like you have to keep making progress. Depending on what your goal is, you might also invite your accountability partner to do goal-oriented activities with you. If you're working toward multiple goals, consider having more than 1 accountability partner. For instance, you might have a friend who works out with you, a roommate who helps you monitor how you're using your free time, and a coworker who checks on your daily work progress. Reduce distractions that prevent you from focusing on what’s important. Things like TV and your phone can be a big distraction, but don't let them hold you back. When a distraction is preventing you from sticking to your positive changes, remove it from your life or put restrictions on it. This will help you make progress toward your goals. As an example, you might use an app to limit your use of social media on your phone and computer. Similarly, you might unplug your TV to make it harder to watch it. Reflect on your progress toward your goals once a week. Reflection helps you recognize what you're doing right and what you're doing wrong. This helps you make new changes to help you reach your ultimate goal. Set aside time each week to think about what you accomplished that week and what changes could help you do better over the upcoming week. For instance, you might record how much time you spent working on your goals and what activities felt like a waste of time. Then, decide how you can spend your time more wisely in the future. Reward yourself for making positive changes. Give yourself a small treat to recognize your progress. This might be a sticker, your favorite food, or a small item you've been wanting. Continuously reward yourself so you stay motivated to stick with your big change. To reward yourself for small changes, you might put a sticker on your calendar when you engage in a good habit or work on a goal. For bigger accomplishments, you might indulge in a small treat, like getting your favorite coffee or using a fancy bath bomb. When you accomplish a major milestone or goal, give yourself a bigger reward, like a new pair of shoes or a trip to the spa. Focus on the journey toward a better you rather than your end goal. It takes time to fully change yourself completely, but you'll likely experience small changes along the way. These small changes are something to celebrate and help you start living a life that you love. Don't worry about how long it takes you to fully live your best life. Instead, just enjoy your day-to-day journey. Don't push yourself so hard to reach your goals that you feel stressed and overwhelmed. Go slow and try to enjoy the ride. Incorporate rest days into your schedule so you don’t get burnt out. When you're trying to change your life, you might feel like you have to use every moment wisely. This can leave you feeling like you can't rest or slow down. However, your body and mind need rest if you're going to be at your best. Schedule rest days into your life so you can recover and stay the course. For example, you might plan a rest day each week where you relax or have fun. Alternatively, you might schedule a down day once a month where you stay home all day to relax. | Identify your triggers for behaviors you want to change. Make a list of the habits and behaviors that are holding you back. Describe what your best life looks like. Invest in yourself to help you recognize your value. Change your environment so your life feels fresh. Use positive self-talk to motivate yourself. Try something new to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Set realistic, measurable goals to help you be your best self. Incorporate new habits that will help you reach your goals. Cut back on low-priority activities so you have time for what’s important. Surround yourself with growth-oriented people who motivate you. Track your progress toward your new goals and habits every day. Recruit an accountability partner as you make changes. Reduce distractions that prevent you from focusing on what’s important. Reflect on your progress toward your goals once a week. Reward yourself for making positive changes. Focus on the journey toward a better you rather than your end goal. Incorporate rest days into your schedule so you don’t get burnt out. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Homemade-Febreze-Spray | How to Make Homemade Febreze Spray | You can make your own copycat Febreze spray by mixing water with baking soda and fabric softener. Start by boiling 2 cups of water in a pan. As soon as the water boils, remove it from the heat and add ⅓ of a cup of baking soda and 1 cup of fabric softener to the pan. Use a fabric softener with a scent that you enjoy. Stir the mixture to combine it. Then, set the pan aside and let it cool for an hour. Insert a funnel into the mouth of a clean spray bottle and carefully pour the mixture into the bottle. The homemade air freshener will separate, so shake the bottle well each time you use it. | Boil the water. Measure the water into a saucepan. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. When the water is at a rolling boil, turn off the heat and remove the pan from the hot element. It's important to dissolve the other ingredients in boiling water first, otherwise your air freshener may leave a residue around the house. You can also boil the water in a kettle. Transfer the water to a bowl once it has boiled. Add the fabric softener and baking soda. Measure and pour the other two ingredients into the saucepan with the boiling water. You can use any fabric softener you like, including liquids or scented beads. Stir to combine all the ingredients, and to dissolve the baking soda. If you use the beads, make sure they're completely dissolved in the water as well. The fabric softener and baking soda are equally important in this recipe, because whereas the baking soda will help to absorb odors, the fabric softener will make everything smell great. Allow the mixture to cool. Set the pan aside and let the mixture cool to room temperature, about 30 to 60 minutes. This will also give the baking soda and fabric softener time to completely dissolve in the water. You also need the mixture to cool because it's not a good idea to add boiling hot liquids to a plastic spray bottle. Transfer the mixture to a spray bottle. When the mixture has cooled, insert a funnel into the mouth of a clean spray bottle. Carefully pour the mixture from the saucepan through the funnel and into your spray bottle. Then, remove the funnel and screw on the spray top. The bottle you use must have a capacity of at least 3 cups (705 ml). You can use an old air freshener bottle for your homemade spray. Before using the bottle, clean the bottle with dish soap and hot water to remove any residue. Shake before using. There are no additives in your homemade air freshener to prevent the ingredients from separating, so it's a good idea to give the spray bottle a good shake before you use it. This will ensure that none of the ingredients have settled on the bottom, and that you get the full effect when you use your spray. Spray around the house as needed. You can use your homemade air freshener just as you would the commercial version, spraying it at the office, in the car, and around the house. You can spray bedding, rugs, drapery, carpets, and more to get rid of odors and make your place smell great. Combine the water and alcohol in a spray bottle. Insert a funnel into the mouth of a clean spray bottle. Add equal parts alcohol and water to the bottle. Remove the funnel from the mouth of the bottle. You can also use vodka in place of the isopropyl alcohol, as it will work just as well to eliminate odors. For additional odor absorbing properties, add 1 tablespoon (14 g) of baking soda to the mixture as well. Add your favorite essential oils. You can add any combination of essential oils you like to your air freshener. While the alcohol in the recipe will help to get rid of odors, the essential oils will help to make your house smell great. You can add 15 to 25 drops of your favorite oil, play around with different combinations, or make specific aroma recipes, such as: Equal parts peppermint and orange 6 drops each of bergamot and lemon, plus 4 drops each of rosemary and peppermint 8 drops lemongrass, 7 drops orange, and 6 drops peppermint 7 drops orange, 5 drops ginger, and 5 drops ylang ylang Shake well before using. When you've added the essential oils, screw on the spray top. Shake the bottle thoroughly to combine all the ingredients, and spray liberally around the house, office, and anywhere else that unpleasant odors are lingering. Vacuum regularly. The trick to keeping your home smelling great is a combination of keeping it clean and using air fresheners when necessary. A common source of odors is carpeting and flooring. Vacuum carpeting and hard floors weekly to remove food crumbs, spills, dirt, dust, and other sources of bad smells. Stay on top of laundry. Dirty laundry, and especially dirty wet laundry, can cause terrible smells that permeate the entire house. Wet laundry can lead to mold growth, which smells and can damage your clothes. Whenever you have a full load of laundry, wash it immediately to prevent bad smells in the house. When you have wet laundry to add to your pile, hang it to dry before throwing it into the basket if you aren't going to be washing it right away. Always use a laundry basket to keep dirty clothes in one place to minimize odors around the house. Keep bedding, towels, and linens clean. You should actually be washing your towels and bedding once a week, and staying on top of this can help eliminate odors in your home. This is especially true if you have pets that sleep on the bed. Each week, collect all your towels, sheets, and pillow cases and launder them. Clean the refrigerator regularly. The refrigerator can be an enormous contributor to bad smells in the house, so cleaning it every few months is essential to a good smelling house. To clean the refrigerator properly: Remove all the food and transfer it to cold bags Throw out any old, expired, or rotten food Remove all the drawers and shelves and wash them with soapy water Wipe down the inside of the refrigerator with soapy water Rinse and dry the inside of the refrigerator Dry and replace the shelves and drawers Put all the food back Clean the bathroom often. The bathroom is another source of many bad smells, and keeping it clean is important for your health and the smell of your house. Use your favorite all-purpose or bathroom cleaner to clean the inside of the toilet bowl, the seat and exterior of the toilet, the sinks, and the shower or bathtub. Vacuum and wash the floor, and air out the rugs. Deal with clogs as soon as they form, because clogs can lead to bad smells in the drains. Wipe down the shower walls with a towel or squeegee after each shower to prevent mold growth and moldy smells. Take out the garbage as necessary. Garbage is a huge cause of odors, and no amount of air freshener will help if you don't deal with the source. When your garbage is full, tie up the bag and take it out to the garage or shed to wait for collection day. Rinse the garbage can and clean it with soapy water. Let the can dry before adding a fresh bag. Groom your pets regularly. Pets can also make the entire house smell, so it's important to keep them well-groomed. This includes monthly baths, teeth brushing three times a week, and daily brushings. Also, keep your pet toys, bowls, and bedding clean with regular washing. | Boil the water. Add the fabric softener and baking soda. Allow the mixture to cool. Transfer the mixture to a spray bottle. Shake before using. Spray around the house as needed. Combine the water and alcohol in a spray bottle. Add your favorite essential oils. Shake well before using. Vacuum regularly. Stay on top of laundry. Keep bedding, towels, and linens clean. Clean the refrigerator regularly. Clean the bathroom often. Take out the garbage as necessary. Groom your pets regularly. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Have-a-Good-Daily-Routine-for-School-Days | How to Have a Good Daily Routine for School Days | For a good morning routine on school days, save time by packing your bag the night before with essentials, like books, paper, and pencils. Set your alarm clock for the same time every day and wake up when it goes off to stay on schedule. Make sure to eat a healthy breakfast, like oatmeal or eggs, to stay energized throughout the day. Finally, feel good and look your best by brushing your teeth and washing your face before you leave the house. | Wake up on time. Waking up on time is the basis for your entire schedule, so it is important to get up at the same time to start your day. Consider how much time you need in the morning to get ready for school and set your alarm accordingly. You may want to add some surplus time in case something comes up that was not planned for. Eat a healthy breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it gives you the energy to make it to lunch, or in some cases, the end of school. It is important you get the servings you need of calories, carbohydrates, and proteins. Get yourself ready for school. This includes getting dressed and practicing good hygiene. Make sure you are clean, well fed, and ready to learn in a school environment. Pack your bag. Include anything you'll need throughout the day to avoid any problems in your routine. Consider making an easily-accessible checklist to be sure you won't forget anything. Do your homework when you get home. Besides having a small snack, the first thing you will want to do when you get home is to do your homework. Getting this done will reduce most stress relating to school, and will set your brain in a productive state. Prioritize your tasks. To get the most of your day, you will want to make sure that you are doing the things you need to be doing at the time they need to be done. You may want to use an app to organize your tasks or write them down on paper. Take frequent breaks. If you are working hard, then it is important to allow your brain to take breaks, so it can remain focused on the project at hand. If you are feeling tired or bored, try doing push ups or pull ups as an alternative to something counter-productive, such as watching TV. Identify and remove distractions. One thing that may be keeping you back from having a good routine is a distraction. This is why it is important to remove or avoid anything that may draw your attention away from what you are currently doing. | Wake up on time. Eat a healthy breakfast. Get yourself ready for school. Pack your bag. Do your homework when you get home. Prioritize your tasks. Take frequent breaks. Identify and remove distractions. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Pet-Photography-Business | How to Start a Pet Photography Business | To start a pet photography business, buy a high-quality DSLR camera and other key pieces of equipment like tripods, reflectors, backdrops, and lighting. Next, take photos of your pets to create a portfolio of your work which you can upload online to attract clients. Then, build a website and cultivate a social media presence to get your name out there. You can also try advertising at pet-friendly events in your area to drum up new business. | Take classes in animal behavior. When photographing pets, you may be dealing with animals that are nervous, rowdy, or timid. An animal behavior class can help you learn useful skills that are vital to a career as an animal photographer. You can take classes online or at a local community college. You can also check to see if businesses like vet's offices and animal shelters offer any classes on animal behavior. If a class is out of your price range, try purchasing books on animal behavior to teach yourself a bit about the subject. Figure out the kind of pictures you'll take. As you start establishing your business, it's important to narrow down exactly the type of services you're providing. Decide if you're providing portrait style pictures or outdoor shots and any extra services. Narrowing down the services you're going to provide is often a matter of determining your capabilities. If you don't have a room in your home with solid lighting, for example, you should probably advertise yourself as someone who takes outdoor photos of pets. Do you have any special skills? If so, find a way to use them to entice customers. For example, if you know printmaking, offer to print t-shirts with people's pets on them. Invest in quality equipment. You will need technical equipment, including a digital camera, tripods, reflectors, and various lenses for different types of shots. If you work indoors, you'll need a backdrop to shoot against, as well as a backdrop stand. You will also need to invest in lights designed for photography studios if you plan to shoot indoors. For a camera, look for a DSLR camera and use a prime lens with autofocus. If you don't know how to use your camera or other equipment, read the manuals carefully before getting started. You can also watch tutorials online or consider taking a photography class. Make a space for your business. Where do you plan to conduct business? If you're shooting indoors, you'll need to clear out a room with good light to be your studio. Even if you're shooting outdoors, however, you should have a room in your home serve as your office. Your office will be where you meet clients to go over your prices and services. Unless you're already renting a studio or store space for other purposes, it's best to hold off on renting space for your business. You never know how much money you'll make, and it's best to wait until you have steady business to invest in extra space. Decide how much to charge. Review the price range for professional photography in your area, including other pet photographers. This will help you get a rough range of the amount people are willing to pay for professional photographs. If you're starting out, charging a little less than the competition can help. In addition to charges for photographs, think about any extra charges that may be fair. This ensures you'll make a profit. For example, if you shoot outdoors, have clients reimburse you for gas if they want photographs taken in far away locations. Write a business plan. A business plan is a document that lays out the groundwork for your business. For a small self run photography business, you should not need an extensive plan. However, it's a good idea to have a rough outline of a business plan to refer if you decide to expand your business in the future. Your plan should include your company's description, mission, and goals. Think about the general philosophy behind your business and the kind of market you're trying to reach. Think about how your business is structured. Figure out a loose organization for things like money, time, and resources. See an accountant. Unless you have extensive experience in financial management yourself, you'll need to see an accountant before launching your own business. An accountant can help you delegate finances and seek any funding or loans you'll need starting out. There also may be tax documents you need to fill out prior to starting your business. An accountant can help walk you through the process. Make a website. As photography is a visual medium, you will need a website where potential clients can see your work. Use a site, such as WordPress, that allows you to design and customize your own website. You can then choose an attractive template and fill it in with information about you and your business. You should have an "About" section, where you explain who you are, how long you've been in the photography business, and any special qualifications you have. You should also include things like your rates, hours, and contact information. Your website may be a little sparse at first, as you won't have things like client testimonies, but it should grow with time. Take some photos of your own pets. You'll need a portfolio that you can upload online to attract clients. Not only can taking pictures of your own pets help show off your skills, it will give you some practice. Take a handful of quality pictures of any pets you have and upload them to your social media pages and website. If you don't have pets of your own, ask friends and family members if you can photograph their pets for your website. Advertise in an area with a solid market. Placing flyers and cards around your hometown can help you gain clients, but only if you're targeting an area where there's a market for your work. Think about neighborhoods where people tend to have a lot of pets. In addition to having pets, look for areas with businesses like doggy daycares and spas. This indicates people are willing to spend a lot of money on luxuries for their animals. Start with local promotion. Look for regional magazines or publications about pets and pet-related services. Take out ad space in these publications. Get your business listed in the local yellow pages. Take some of your business cards and flyers to local vet's offices, doggy daycares, pet spas, and other pet-friendly establishments. Make sure it's okay to leave your flyer at a business first. Some businesses do not like people putting up flyers or leaving brochures at their establishments. Develop a social media presence. Create various social media accounts, such as a Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram account, for your business. Use these to promote your brand and post relevant content, such as any recent pictures from photo shoots. Be consistent about posting. The more you post, the more likes and shares you'll get, resulting in a bigger social media following. Keep your brand in mind when posting. If you're advertising yourself as a fun and quirky business, for example, post goofy content, like funny memes of animals. Advertise at pet friendly events. Look for pet friendly events in your area, such as adoption events and festivals. Try setting up a booth at these events and meeting with potential clients directly. Handing out brochures and talking to pet owners is an invaluable way to grow your business. Donate your work to charity. To gain exposure, it can help to donate some photos or do photography for free. Try doing free photography for a local animal shelter, for example. An animal shelter will appreciate free professional photography and it will expand your own portfolio and get your name out there. Stay patient and enthusiastic working with animals. You're not going to make it in the pet photography business if you don't truly love what you do. Over the years in your business, stay passionate. Remind yourself of the things you like about animals, even in moments when animals are being frustrating. For example, if you're working with a timid dog, empathize. If the dog came from an abusive background, remember this. Also, pets do not live as long as people. Your clients will treasure the pictures you take of this animal after it's gone, so work hard to get some successful photos. Keep your schedule flexible. You never know when clients may be available, so maintaining a flexible schedule can help you land more clients. Be willing to do last minute shoots. Clients may want photographs of an animal that's going to be put to sleep, for example, so be willing to dedicate your Saturday afternoon to an emergency photo shoot. Continue to develop your animal skills. Working with animals is an ongoing process, so continue your education as you get more involved in the business. Take additional classes in animal training and behavior and learn from your own experiences. If there are any certification classes you can take in animal training, enroll in them. A broader skill set can attract more clients. Broaden your experience to working with different types of animals. Advertise in pet stores that sell things like reptiles or tack shops so you can work with horses or livestock. Widen your photography skill set. In addition to building your skills working with animals, learn more about photography as you build your business. Take photography classes or use online tutorials to learn things like editing, lighting, and other technical skills. The more you know about photography, the happier your clients will be with your work. Hire employees if it becomes necessary. As your business grows, you may find you can't keep up with everything yourself. In the future, you may need to hire employees to help with things like set up, scheduling, and editing. Hire employees as necessary to keep up with the increasing demands of your business. If you don't have business experience, consult a lawyer or accountant to help you fill out any necessary documents for hiring employees. | Take classes in animal behavior. Figure out the kind of pictures you'll take. Invest in quality equipment. Make a space for your business. Decide how much to charge. Write a business plan. See an accountant. Make a website. Take some photos of your own pets. Advertise in an area with a solid market. Start with local promotion. Develop a social media presence. Advertise at pet friendly events. Donate your work to charity. Stay patient and enthusiastic working with animals. Keep your schedule flexible. Continue to develop your animal skills. Widen your photography skill set. Hire employees if it becomes necessary. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Disney-Travel-Agent | How to Become a Disney Travel Agent | If you want to become a Disney travel agent, search online job boards for “Disney travel agent jobs” or “Disney travel planner jobs.” Narrow down the agencies by choosing those which have an “Authorized Disney Vacation Planner” logo, especially those with “Earmarked” standing, which means they're in good standing with Disney. The agency should also be accredited by a respected travel association, as well. Fill out an online application, and be ready to demonstrate your knowledge of the Disney destinations! | Do a web search. There are a lot of travel agencies that specialize in trips to Disney destinations. Start by searching for “Disney travel agent jobs” or “Disney travel planner jobs.” Since many of these jobs allow you to work from home, don't worry too much about narrowing the search down to your area. Look for officially authorized planners. Once you've picked out a few possible agencies, take a quick look at their credentials. Check for the “Authorized Disney Vacation Planner” logo. Agencies that are in good standing with Disney receive “Earmarked” status, with four levels of recognition – Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Earmarked agencies have access to a variety of benefits and resources for their agents, including marketing and sales support, online and on-site training opportunities, free theme park passes and discounted travel rates, and a points-based rewards program. Make sure the agency is accredited. Reputable travel agencies should be accredited by an association such as CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) or IATAN (International Airlines Travel Agent Network). Check to see if your potential agency is in good standing with at least one of these organizations before applying. Watch out for scams. Some agencies are more interested in getting money out of you than they are in helping you become a successful travel agent. Steer clear of companies that charge a lot of fees upfront when you apply, such as “training fees” and “registration fees.” A reputable agency in good standing with Disney should offer new employees the official Disney travel agent training course, called the College of Disney Knowledge, for free. Talk to other agents in the company. If you can, reach out to both current and past agents with the company you are interested in. Ask them about their experiences working with the agency. Come up with a few questions, such as: “Do you get your commissions in a timely manner?” “Is the agency good at communicating with you and answering your questions?” “How was the training? Did you feel like you were able to take full advantage of the official Disney training and support materials?” “Has this agency been in business for a while? Does it seem like they know what they're doing?” Fill out an online application. Most Disney-authorized travel agencies allow you to apply easily from their websites. Look for the “Join Our Team” link on the website of the agency you'd like to apply to. Read the instructions carefully, and fill out the application form. Demonstrate your knowledge of Disney properties. Most Disney travel agencies won't hire someone who's never visited a Disney destination. In fact, some agencies will not even accept applications from people who haven't been on at least 3 Disney vacations in the past 5 years! Be ready to list all your Disney vacations, and give detailed accounts of your experiences. Show off your knowledge of the different destinations and what they have to offer. Let them know that you’re passionate about Disney. In addition to having knowledge and experience of Disney destinations and vacations, agencies will want to see that you are generally knowledgeable and excited about the Disney brand. If you're a big Disney buff, let your enthusiasm shine through in your application. For example, you might say things like: “I'll never forget my first trip to Disney World when I was 7. I'll always look back on it as one of the happiest times of my life!” “I'm the biggest Disney geek I know. I know every song from Alice in Wonderland by heart.” “Disney's movies and parks have brought me so much joy, and I'd love to share that joy with others through my work.” Provide details on relevant experience. Most Disney travel agencies don't absolutely require you to have professional travel planning experience. However, it's a big plus if you do! If you've ever worked in travel planning or a related industry, make sure to note it in your application. Experience with customer service or doing freelance work are also major advantages. Clear your schedule. Before you apply for a Disney travel agent job, make sure that you can commit plenty of time to the work. A successful travel agent needs to spend a lot of time working with clients, airlines, and destinations to make sure that each client gets their ideal vacation package. Before you apply, consider whether you have any other commitments that might interfere with your work for the agency. Show off your tech-savvy side. Travel agents need to be comfortable working with a variety of technology and software. In order to do your job well, you'll need access to a smartphone and a computer with high-speed internet. You'll also need to be comfortable using office software and online travel booking systems. Make sure to highlight your tech skills in your application. Build up a strong social media presence. Social media is an invaluable tool for a successful travel agent. As a Disney travel agent, you'll be expected to create social media accounts dedicated to marketing and sharing information about Disney travel opportunities. Travel agencies will want to see that you already have a strong personal network with plenty of connections – any of whom might be a potential client. Some agencies may also ask for information about your activities on travel discussion groups and Disney fan communities. If you already have a presence in those kinds of groups, be conscious of how you conduct yourself! Be willing to work on commission. Most Disney travel agencies hire their agents as professional contractors. That means you get paid for each trip that you successfully book, rather than receiving a regular salary or hourly wage. The commission rate you get will vary depending on the agency you're working with and how experienced you are as an agent. Disney pays travel agencies a 10% commission on any travel booked through the agency. In turn, the individual agent who booked the trip typically gets between 50-75% of what the agency receives. If you help someone book a $2000 vacation, you can expect to get a commission of $100-$150. Be prepared for payment delays. The nature of working on commission means that it can take a while to get your cut. Disney won't pay out the commission to your agency until the trip is completed. If your client booked their trip far in advance, you could be waiting for up to a year to receive your cut! Because of these delays, it takes time to get a steady income established. Make sure you have a good financial safety net in place before you start trying to work full-time as a Disney travel agent. Keep your schedule flexible. Some vacations are more complicated to book than others, and some clients may be extra demanding. Sometimes you may need to scramble to take advantage of limited-time travel promotions and discounts. Be prepared to work weekends, late nights, and early mornings. Polish up your communication skills. In order to succeed as a Disney travel agent, you'll need to be good at communicating clearly and promptly with clients, representatives at destinations and airlines, and your agency. Keep your tone friendly but professional in both written and spoken conversations, and check your emails carefully to make sure they're clear and error-free. Stay on top of the details. While some clients may just be interested in scoring the least expensive direct flight to their destination, others will want your help planning out the most minute details of their trip – down to making dinner reservations or booking tickets for shows. You will need to be well-organized, detail oriented, and efficient in order to meet all of your clients' needs as completely as possible. Be ready to do your own advertising. Disney provides a variety of helpful marketing materials to its Earmarked agencies, including brochures, postcards, fliers, website templates, and ready-made social media content. However, it's up to you to use those materials effectively and find your own clients. Be ready to reach out to friends, family, acquaintances, and business contacts to help you build your client base. Reach out to your support network. Travel planning is a complicated business. As you're trying to learn the ropes, remember that you and your fellow agents are part of a team – not competitors. If you have questions, don't hesitate to reach out to more experienced agents, contact your agency's owner, or get in touch with Disney Destinations' sales support department at 1-800-939-8265. | Do a web search. Look for officially authorized planners. Make sure the agency is accredited. Watch out for scams. Talk to other agents in the company. Fill out an online application. Demonstrate your knowledge of Disney properties. Let them know that you’re passionate about Disney. Provide details on relevant experience. Clear your schedule. Show off your tech-savvy side. Build up a strong social media presence. Be willing to work on commission. Be prepared for payment delays. Keep your schedule flexible. Polish up your communication skills. Stay on top of the details. Be ready to do your own advertising. Reach out to your support network. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Dog-to-Stop-Whining | How to Get a Dog to Stop Whining | To get your dog to stop whining, cross your arms and turn away from your dog, which tells them that you're not going to reward their whining with attention. When they stop whining, go ahead and give them some love and attention. You can also give them treats when they stop whining, which will reinforce the message that they should be calm. Additionally, if your dog gets noisy or whiny when they're excited, try to distract them with a toy or treat, which can calm them down. | Keep track of when they whine. Is there a particular catalyst for their whining? Which situations cause them to act up the most? Take notes about the context for each time you hear them whining. More often than not, there'll be a pattern that you can recognize if you're alert to it. Once you identify the patterns and contexts for their whining, it will help you create a strategy for addressing it. Figure out if it’s related to a medical condition. If your dog seems to be whining when they make certain movements, assume specific positions, or attempt particular activities, there's a good chance that they're expressing pain. There may be a medical reason for their complaint. If you identify such a pattern, take your dog to the vet immediately. For instance, if you notice that your pet is whining whenever they go down the steps, they might have a joint issue. Or, if your pet is whining after each mealtime, they might have a digestive issue or food intolerance. If there is a medical reason for their whining, oftentimes proper treatment will put a stop to it. Consider if they’re expressing a need. Puppies instinctively whine when they need something from their mothers. This behavior can carry through to adulthood, and sometimes it is used to express a legitimate need. For instance, your dog may be communicating that they need water or need to go to the bathroom. Identify whether it’s related to stress or anxiety. Dogs may whine when they're worried. If you notice that your dog reaches a fever pitch when they're facing new or different situations, confronting other people or animals, and/or dealing with your departure, their whining may spring from anxiety or stress. Oftentimes, this kind of whining will be accompanied by other signs of disturbance like panting, drooling, and/or pacing. This type of whining is common for puppies before they have been socialized. It also frequently develops in older dogs as they cope with aging. Assess if their whining is a signal of submission. If your dog's whining is accompanied by signs of physical submissiveness, such as tucking their tail between their legs, lowering their head, or exposing their stomachs, chances are that their whining is expressing appeasement to an alpha. This is normal canine behavior. However, if your dog demonstrates it excessively, you can address it through training. Ask if it’s related to excitement. Many dogs whine in anticipation of a pleasurable event, like a greeting or a walk. If this type of whining is getting on your nerves, you can train your dog to respond differently to exciting situations. Decide if it’s undesirable, attention-seeking behavior. If your dog is a frequent whiner who uses whining to try to get what they want, it's graduated into a behavioral issue that should be addressed through training. This type of whining is often accompanied by other forms of physical attention-seeking, such as staring at or pacing around you. Ignore negative whining behavior. If your dog's whining is a behavioral issue, training can help address it. The first step is to avoid reinforcing their behavior. Never respond to whining by either scolding or acquiescing to their demands. Communicate the fact that you are ignoring them by calmly but firmly folding your arms and turning away from your dog. Even if your dog is expressing a legitimate need, it's best to wait to address it until they have stopped whining. Otherwise, you're teaching them that whining gets results. Only give your dog attention when they’re calm. Your pet will figure out that whining does not get them anywhere if you only engage with and attend to them when they've stopped whining and settled down. Remember, this includes even negative attention. It's far more effective to ignore your dog than to yell at them. Give your dogs treats for being quiet. If your dog could use additional reinforcement through training, have them practice being quiet. Each time they start whining, ask them to sit. Once they've sat down and stopped whining for at least five seconds, give them a treat. Gradually lengthen the amount of time that your dog has to be quiet before you reward them with a treat. Greet excited whining with calm. While it's often difficult to hide your enthusiasm for your pet, keeping your “hellos” as short, calm, and understated as you can will help minimize their whining. Resist greeting them with excited exclamations, praise, and affection; your dog will eventually pick up on your tone. Treating your greetings in a mellow, matter-of-fact manner can also help ease any separation anxiety that your dog may feel when you're away. Distract them from excitement. If your pooch is prone to noisy displays of excitement, try distracting them with another task when those situations arise. For instance, if they get excited when visitors arrive, make them sit and wait for a treat while you usher in your guest or give them a favorite toy to play with. Build your dog’s confidence. If your dog whines out of submission, you can address their behavior by making them feel a bit more dominant. An easy way to do this is through regular one-on-one play sessions. Interactive games, like fetch, tug, or agility training, can go a long way towards diminishing your dog's whiny submissiveness. Obedience classes that use positive rewards systems can also help boost your dog's confidence. Make sure your dog has adequate food and water. Sometimes, you dog's whining is simply communicating that they are hungry or thirsty. If your dog's whining tends to happen around an empty food or water dish, be sure that they always have a full water dish and are being fed an appropriate amount of food. Let your dog out frequently. Dogs whine when they need to do their business. Head off their whining by letting them out regularly. Adult dogs need to urinate every 8-10 hours. Young puppies need to be let out much more frequently, every 2-3 hours. In addition to taking your pooch on a daily walk, it's good practice to let your dog out first thing in the morning, last thing before bed, and after each mealtime. Give your dog attention. Dogs are social beings who crave companionship. If your dog's whining is an expression of separation anxiety or loneliness, consider spending more time with your dog. If you are unable to give your dog more attention, try arranging for someone to visit your dog regularly, like a neighbor, friend, family member, and/or dog walker. Alternatively, you might consider bringing your pooch to doggy daycare where they can get more daily social interaction. Provide adequate exercise and play. Giving your dog regular mental and physical stimulation goes a long way towards encouraging good behavior throughout the day. Whiny dogs are often bored dogs, so be sure to take your pet out for a walk and play games with them every day. Treat your dog’s anxiety. If anxiety is behind your dog's whining, seek help from a vet. They can give you advice about training strategies and medical therapies that are specific to your dog's needs. For instance, there are many anti-anxiety sprays and medicines available that can help ease your dog's symptoms, like whining. | Keep track of when they whine. Figure out if it’s related to a medical condition. Consider if they’re expressing a need. Identify whether it’s related to stress or anxiety. Assess if their whining is a signal of submission. Ask if it’s related to excitement. Decide if it’s undesirable, attention-seeking behavior. Ignore negative whining behavior. Only give your dog attention when they’re calm. Give your dogs treats for being quiet. Greet excited whining with calm. Distract them from excitement. Build your dog’s confidence. Make sure your dog has adequate food and water. Let your dog out frequently. Give your dog attention. Provide adequate exercise and play. Treat your dog’s anxiety. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Stronger-Legs | How to Get Stronger Legs | To get stronger legs, do exercises that will build your leg muscles, like squats, lunges, and deadlifts. Do these exercises several times a week, but give yourself a day off in between workouts so your leg muscles have time to rest and repair. Over time, increase how many reps you're doing and add more weight to your exercises so your muscles continue to grow. On top of working out, make sure you're eating a healthy, balanced diet so your muscles grow faster. | Determine your time commitment. How much time will you be able to do a leg workout on a consistent basis each week? Your available workout time will help you narrow down which leg exercises will be the most effective for you. A solid, 15 minute leg workout done on a consistent basis can yield results possibly as good as a 30-minute or 1 hour leg workout. Consider the type of gym equipment you have access to. Before you start creating a leg workout plan, think about whether or not you will have access to a treadmill and other gym machines, or if you will be focusing on a simple home workout set up. Equipment like free weights and an exercise mat, if you don't already own them, are relatively cheap alternatives to a gym membership. And there are several leg exercises that do not require access to gym equipment. Consider how much leg strength you'd like to build. If you are an athlete trying to build muscle strength, your workout may be more intense and high-impact. If you're looking to tone and shape your legs through basic strength exercises, your workout may be less intense. As well, if you're looking to target a specific muscle (say, your butt, or your thighs), make sure you include exercises that focus on those specific muscles. Keep in mind the physique of men and women are biologically different, so each gender will naturally build muscle differently. A big misconception is that women can end up with bulky, ripped legs if they do too many leg exercises. In fact, women don't tend to build big muscles because of their lack of testosterone. So, take your physical build and gender into account and set reasonable, healthy goals in terms of your custom workout plan. Start with a warm up. If possible, always start your workout with a five to 10 minute cardio and/or stretching warm up. A warm up of some kind, whether it is on a treadmill or going for a jog or quick run outside, is beneficial to help you mentally and physically prepare for your leg workout. Running or jogging twice a week can also improve fat burning and sculpting of your legs. As well, warming up will help to heat up your leg muscles and allow for deeper flexibility and range of motion. Remember, never work out or stretch cold muscles, as this can lead to injury. Begin with the basics and customize them. Basic exercises like squats, lunges, deadlifts, and calf raises work leg muscles the most effectively. However, there are a lot of great variations of these basic exercises that you can do, using just your body weight or barbells and/or free weights Many exercises will target specific muscles (glutes, quads, hamstrings, calves), so to get the best results, create a well rounded workout that focuses on several leg muscles. Basic squats using your bodyweight are a great start to any leg workout. From basic squats you can move on to jump squats, split squats, and barbell squats. Lunges are also another great way to tone your quad muscles. Try skater lunges , alternating curtsey lunges with a barbell , and a three way lunge. Deadlifts can be done with free weights or your own body weight. Make sure your workout plan includes a variation on deadlifts, including stiff leg deadlifts , single leg deadlifts , and deadlift squats. Calf raises are simple but effective. You can do them on the bottom step of a staircase , with the assistance of a chair , or if you have access to gym equipment, with a step machine. Try different inner and outer thigh exercises, such as bridges, and lying hip adductions. Be consistent. It may seem obvious, but the best way to build strong muscles is a consistent workout. Do each exercise in sets, starting with lower sets of each exercise and building yourself up to higher sets. Try to commit to a leg workout several nonconsecutive days of the week, as you should give your muscles time to rest. Always be careful not to overtrain or overwork your body. Maintain good form. Quality, not quantity, will lead to better results. Focus on keeping your back straight, and do not hyper extend your leg muscles as this can lead to injury. Use a mirror to check your posture and your form as you do your workout. Check your progress over time and modify. Keep track of your progress in a workout notebook or on your phone or computer with one of the many fitness tracking Apps available. Consider adjusting and adding to your existing workout plan. Maybe you have stuck to the same exercises, are starting to see results, and think you can increase the number of sets for a particular exercise, or you may want to add in more intense exercises with a barbell or dumbbell. Always stretch your muscles at the end of a workout. Stretching will prevent injury, increase blood circulation, and help with muscle fatigue. It's a vital step in your workout plan that should not be skipped. To properly stretch your muscles, focus on major muscle groups (calves, thighs, hips, lower back) and always stretch both sides of your body, doing the same stretch on one side (or leg) that you did on the other side. Stretch in smooth motions. Do not bounce when stretching as this can cause injury. Make sure you breath during stretching and hold each stretch for 30-60 seconds minimum. A good rule of thumb for how far and deep to stretch is: slight discomfort is fine, but you should never feel pain. You may experience feelings of tension as your muscles slowly release but if you experience any pain or hurt, back off until you find a comfortable stretch. Eat healthy to help build muscle. Beyond committing to a consistent workout, eating well will ensure you are getting a good dose of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients every day. A balanced diet also means you'll have more energy to complete your workout plan, giving you the right fuel to tone and strengthen your body. Balance is key. Try to eat from each food group — grains, protein foods, vegetables and fruits, and dairy. Listen to your body, and eat when you're hungry. Stop eating when you feel satisfied. Go for variety. Aim to eat different foods in each food group. For example, don't reach for an apple every time you choose a fruit or a carrot every time you choose a vegetable. Eating a variety of foods each day will help you get all the nutrients you need. Eat moderately. Don't have too much or too little of one thing. All foods, if eaten in moderation, can be part of healthy eating. Even a cookie or some ice cream can be okay, as long as it's balanced out with other, healthier foods! | Determine your time commitment. Consider the type of gym equipment you have access to. Consider how much leg strength you'd like to build. Start with a warm up. Begin with the basics and customize them. Be consistent. Maintain good form. Check your progress over time and modify. Always stretch your muscles at the end of a workout. Eat healthy to help build muscle. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Assess-Statistical-Significance | How to Assess Statistical Significance | To assess statistical significance, start by calculating the standard deviation for your 2 sample groups. Then, use the standard deviation of each group to calculate the variance between the 2 groups. Next, plug the variance into the formula for a t-score and calculate the t-score of your data. Once you've found the t-score, determine the degrees of freedom of your sample groups by adding together the total number of samples from each group and subtracting 2. Finally, look for your degrees of freedom and t-score in a t table to find the statistical significance. | Define your hypotheses. The first step in assessing statistical significance is defining the question you want to answer and stating your hypothesis. The hypothesis is a statement about your experimental data and the differences that may be occurring in the population. For any experiment, there is both a null and an alternative hypothesis. Generally, you will be comparing two groups to see if they are the same or different. The null hypothesis (H 0 ) generally states that there is no difference between your two data sets. For example: Students who read the material before class do not get better final grades. The alternative hypothesis (H a ) is the opposite of the null hypothesis and is the statement you are trying to support with your experimental data. For example: Students who read the material before class do get better final grades. Set the significance level to determine how unusual your data must be before it can be considered significant. The significance level (also called alpha) is the threshold that you set to determine significance. If your p-value is less than or equal to the set significance level, the data is considered statistically significant. As a general rule, the significance level (or alpha) is commonly set to 0.05, meaning that the probability of observing the differences seen in your data by chance is just 5%. A higher confidence level (and, thus, a lower p-value) means the results are more significant. If you want higher confidence in your data, set the p-value lower to 0.01. Lower p-values are generally used in manufacturing when detecting flaws in products. It is very important to have high confidence that every part will work exactly as it is supposed to. For most hypothesis-driven experiments, a significance level of 0.05 is acceptable. Decide to use a one-tailed or two-tailed test. One of the assumptions a t-test makes is that your data is distributed normally. A normal distribution of data forms a bell curve with the majority of the samples falling in the middle. The t-test is a mathematical test to see if your data falls outside of the normal distribution, either above or below, in the “tails” of the curve. A one-tailed test is more powerful than a two-tailed test, as it examines the potential of a relationship in a single direction (such as above the control group), while a two-tailed test examines the potential of a relationship in both directions (such as either above or below the control group). If you are not sure if your data will be above or below the control group, use a two-tailed test. This allows you to test for significance in either direction. If you know which direction you are expecting your data to trend towards, use a one-tailed test. In the given example, you expect the student's grades to improve; therefore, you will use a one-tailed test. Determine sample size with a power analysis. The power of a test is the probability of observing the expected result, given a specific sample size. The common threshold for power (or β) is 80%. A power analysis can be a bit tricky without some preliminary data, as you need some information about your expected means between each group and their standard deviations. Use a power analysis calculator online to determine the optimal sample size for your data. Researchers usually do a small pilot study to inform their power analysis and determine the sample size needed for a larger, comprehensive study. If you do not have the means to do a complex pilot study, make some estimations about possible means based on reading the literature and studies that other individuals may have performed. This will give you a good place to start for sample size. Define the formula for standard deviation. The standard deviation is a measure of how spread out your data is. It gives you information on how similar each data point is within your sample, which helps you determine if the data is significant. At first glance, the equation may seem a bit complicated, but these steps will walk you through the process of the calculation. The formula is s = √∑((x i – µ) /(N – 1)). s is the standard deviation. ∑ indicates that you will sum all of the sample values collected. x i represents each individual value from your data. µ is the average (or mean) of your data for each group. N is the total sample number. Average the samples in each group. To calculate the standard deviation, first you must take the average of the samples in the individual groups. The average is designated with the Greek letter mu or µ. To do this, simply add each sample together and then divide by the total number of samples. For example, to find the average grade of the group that read the material before class, let's look at some data. For simplicity, we will use a dataset of 5 points: 90, 91, 85, 83, and 94. Add all the samples together: 90 + 91 + 85 + 83 + 94 = 443. Divide the sum by the sample number, N = 5: 443/5 = 88.6. The average grade for this group is 88.6. Subtract each sample from the average. The next part of the calculation involves the (x i – µ) portion of the equation. You will subtract each sample from the average just calculated. For our example you will end up with five subtractions. (90 – 88.6), (91- 88.6), (85 – 88.6), (83 – 88.6), and (94 – 88.6). The calculated numbers are now 1.4, 2.4, -3.6, -5.6, and 5.4. Square each of these numbers and add them together. Each of the new numbers you have just calculated will now be squared. This step will also take care of any negative signs. If you have a negative sign after this step or at the end of your calculation, you may have forgotten this step. In our example, we are now working with 1.96, 5.76, 12.96, 31.36, and 29.16. Summing these squares together yields: 1.96 + 5.76 + 12.96 + 31.36 + 29.16 = 81.2. Divide by the total sample number minus 1. The formula divides by N – 1 because it is correcting for the fact that you haven't counted an entire population; you are taking a sample of the population of all students to make an estimation. Subtract: N – 1 = 5 – 1 = 4 Divide: 81.2/4 = 20.3 Take the square root. Once you have divided by the sample number minus one, take the square root of this final number. This is the last step in calculating the standard deviation. There are statistical programs that will do this calculation for you after inputting the raw data. For our example, the standard deviation of the final grades of students who read before class is: s =√20.3 = 4.51. Calculate the variance between your 2 sample groups. Up to this point, the example has only dealt with 1 of the sample groups. If you are trying to compare 2 groups, you will obviously have data from both. Calculate the standard deviation of the second group of samples and use that to calculate the variance between the 2 experimental groups. The formula for variance is s d = √((s 1 /N 1 ) + (s 2 /N 2 )). s d is the variance between your groups. s 1 is the standard deviation of group 1 and N 1 is the sample size of group 1. s 2 is the standard deviation of group 2 and N 2 is the sample size of group 2. For our example, let's say the data from group 2 (students who didn't read before class) had a sample size of 5 and a standard deviation of 5.81. The variance is: s d = √((s 1 ) /N 1 ) + ((s 2 ) /N 2 )) s d = √(((4.51) /5) + ((5.81) /5)) = √((20.34/5) + (33.76/5)) = √(4.07 + 6.75) = √10.82 = 3.29. Calculate the t-score of your data. A t-score allows you to convert your data into a form that allows you to compare it to other data. T-scores allow you to perform a t-test that lets you calculate the probability of two groups being significantly different from each other. The formula for a t-score is: t = (µ 1 – µ 2 )/s d. µ 1 is the average of the first group. µ 2 is the average of the second group. s d is the variance between your samples. Use the larger average as µ 1 so you will not have a negative t-value. For our example, let's say the sample average for group 2 (those who didn't read) was 80. The t-score is: t = (µ 1 – µ 2 )/s d = (88.6 – 80)/3.29 = 2.61. Determine the degrees of freedom of your sample. When using the t-score, the number of degrees of freedom is determined using the sample size. Add up the number of samples from each group and then subtract two. For our example, the degrees of freedom (d.f.) are 8 because there are five samples in the first group and five samples in the second group ((5 + 5) – 2 = 8). Use a t table to evaluate significance. A table of t-scores and degrees of freedom can be found in a standard statistics book or online. Look at the row containing the degrees of freedom for your data and find the p-value that corresponds to your t-score. With 8 d.f. and a t-score of 2.61, the p-value for a one-tailed test falls between 0.01 and 0.025. Because we set our significance level less than or equal to 0.05, our data is statistically significant. With this data, we reject the null hypothesis and accept the alternative hypothesis: students who read the material before class get better final grades. Consider a follow up study. Many researchers do a small pilot study with a few measurements to help them understand how to design a larger study. Doing another study, with more measurements, will help increase your confidence about your conclusion. A follow-up study can help you determine if any of your conclusions contained type I error (observing a difference when there isn't one, or false rejection of the null hypothesis) or type II error (failure to observe a difference when there is one, or false acceptance of the null hypothesis). | Define your hypotheses. Set the significance level to determine how unusual your data must be before it can be considered significant. Decide to use a one-tailed or two-tailed test. Determine sample size with a power analysis. Define the formula for standard deviation. Average the samples in each group. Subtract each sample from the average. Square each of these numbers and add them together. Divide by the total sample number minus 1. Take the square root. Calculate the variance between your 2 sample groups. Calculate the t-score of your data. Determine the degrees of freedom of your sample. Use a t table to evaluate significance. Consider a follow up study. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tie-Dye-Pants | How to Tie Dye Pants | To tie dye pants, you'll need white pants that are made out of mostly cotton. Machine wash your pants without fabric softener, then leave them damp. Put down some plastic over your work area and lay your pants out flat. For a random splatter effect, scrunch the pants up toward the waistband and scrunch the waistband toward the legs. Secure the folds with rubber bands. For a spiral effect, grab the pants where you want the center of the spiral to be and twist. Then, secure the fabric with a rubber band. Make as many spirals as you'd like. Now put on gloves and mix fabric dye with water in squirt bottles, using a separate bottle for each color. The more dye you use, the darker and more saturated your colors will be. Apply the dye to your pants until all of the exposed white fabric is covered. Place your pants in a plastic bag and let them sit for at least 6 hours. Then, rinse the pants with cold water until the water runs clear and remove the rubber bands. Finally, dry your tie-dyed pants in the dryer. | Choose white pants made of cotton. You can tie dye leggings, yoga pants, or even jeggings, as long as they are made of 100% cotton. Check the label on your pants to find out what material they are, and make sure they are mostly white. Tie dye colors show up the best on white clothing. If you are dyeing yoga pants or leggings, they may have some elastic blended in with the cotton. As long as it's under 10%, your tie dye will still work just fine. Lay your pants out flat. Smooth out your pants on a flat surface, like a table or countertop. Make sure the surface is clean so you don't get your white pants dirty, and smooth out any wrinkles or creases in your pants with your hands. You don't need to iron your pants; just use your hands to smooth them out as best you can. Scrunch your pants up towards the waistband for a splatter effect. Grab the bottom of the legs of your pants and push them up towards the waistband. Bring the waistband in towards the legs of your pants and try to make a large ball of fabric. This scrunched method makes a random splatter effect on your pants. Fold your pants accordion style for a spiral design. Start at the bottom of 1 leg of your pants and fold it up in a 0.5 in (1.3 cm) horizontal section. Turn that fold over on itself to make a second fold. Continue this all the way up both legs of your pants, and then fold the waistband the same way. This folding method creates more of a classic spiral tie dye pattern. Put rubber bands around the middle of your pants for a bullseye. Pinch the middle of your pants upwards and wrap a rubber band around them so that they stick up in place. Keep pinching and attaching rubber bands about 2 inches (5.1 cm) apart until you can't grab any more fabric. This creates a bullseye design that will stem out from the center of your rubber bands. Attach rubber bands in random places to hold your design in place. Grab 5 to 6 large rubber bands and place them around your pants to hold your folds together. Make sure your pants stay tight in their design and won't come loose as you apply your dye. Put on rubber gloves and lay down plastic to protect your surface. Grab some rubber kitchen gloves or latex gloves to keep your hands protected as you use your dye. Then, place a large plastic tarp or some large plastic bags down to keep the dye contained, even if you are working outside. You can buy gloves at most home goods stores. Mix up your dye in individual squirt bottles. Open up your tie dye and follow the instructions on the package. Mix each color in individual plastic bottles with squirt bottle tops so that you can pour them out easily. You can use as many or as little colors of dye that you would like to! Classic tie dye usually involves red, green, yellow, purple, or blue, but you can also find pastel tie dye colors. You can purchase tie dye at most craft stores. Squirt dye over your pants in a random pattern for an irregular design. Take your bottles of dye one at a time and squirt each color onto your pants. Overlap your colors for a design that makes a random pattern. Try using red, purple, and blue for a cute color combination. Add yellow and orange dye for bright, vibrant pants. Add dye in blocks or lines for a sequential pattern. Use each dye color in blocks or lines that are about 2 inches (5.1 cm) wide. You can do your colors in an alternating pattern for a cohesive look overall. Try using red, green, and yellow for a classic looking tie dye. Place your pants in a plastic bag and let them sit for 6 hours. Don't disturb your pants so that they have time to soak in all the dye. The longer you leave your pants, the more vibrant the colors will be. Leave them on a porch or back patio so they won't be moved around. You can let your pants sit for as long as 24 hours if you'd like to. Rinse out your pants with cold water. Take your pants out of the plastic bag and run cold water over them in the sink. Keep rinsing your pants until the water runs clear so that the dye doesn't get on any of your other clothes. Cold water will leave your dye intact and won't make the colors run together. Let your pants air dry before you wear them. Hang your pants out to dry in the sun until they aren't damp anymore, or put them in the dryer to dry them faster. Enjoy showing off your DIY tie dyed pants! | Choose white pants made of cotton. Lay your pants out flat. Scrunch your pants up towards the waistband for a splatter effect. Fold your pants accordion style for a spiral design. Put rubber bands around the middle of your pants for a bullseye. Attach rubber bands in random places to hold your design in place. Put on rubber gloves and lay down plastic to protect your surface. Mix up your dye in individual squirt bottles. Squirt dye over your pants in a random pattern for an irregular design. Add dye in blocks or lines for a sequential pattern. Place your pants in a plastic bag and let them sit for 6 hours. Rinse out your pants with cold water. Let your pants air dry before you wear them. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Address-Royalty | How to Address Royalty | To address royalty, start by choosing the appropriate greeting, like “His Majesty, the King,” if you are addressing a king, or “Her Grace, the Duchess of (Name of Country),” if you are talking to a duchess. If you are talking to royalty in person, bow your head or curtsy as you are greeting them. Alternatively, address a letter to royalty by starting your letter with the line, “Unto (their formal title)”. Then, right below this line, write your full name followed by “sends greetings.” | Give a head bow or a curtsy. When meeting a royal person, it's important you offer a bow or a curtsy. This is considered a formality, especially when meeting a member of the British royal family. If you're male, you should do a neck bow. This simply means bowing by nodding your head. If you're female, do a small curtsy. This means dipping your body downward slightly by bending your knees. Choose the proper greeting for emperors, kings, and queens. These are among the highest ranking types of royalty, so be sure to address them properly. Emperors, kings, and queens should all be addressed differently. When referring to an emperor, you would refer to him or her as "His/Her Imperial Majesty, Emperor of (Name of Country)"; when addressing one, replace "His/Her" with "Your". When referring to a king, say, "His Majesty, the King." When addressing a queen, say, "Your Majesty, my Queen." Call princes and princesses by the proper title. As these are generally the second highest ranking royals, be sure to address them properly. Princes and princesses must be addressed differently. For a prince, say, "His Royal Highness, Prince of (Name of Country)." For a princess, say, "Her Royal Highness, Princess of (Name of Country)." Select the right term for dukes and duchesses. There are also formal titles required here. When meeting a duke or a duchess, a formal greeting is necessary. For a duke, say, "His Grace, the Duke of (Name of Country)." For a duchess, say, "Her Grace, the Duchess of (Name of Country)." Make sure you know the proper titles for lower ranking royalty. There are various other forms of lower ranking royalty, such as barons, knights, marquees, earls, and countesses. There are proper titles for these people as well that must be used when you address them. Some titles are simple. For example, a knight is simply addressed as "Sir" followed by his name, and a knight's wife is addressed as "Lady," followed by her name. The same is true for baronets and their wives. Royal people that fall between knights and baronets and positions like king and queen are usually addressed as, "The Right Honorable," followed by their name. A marquee, for examples, would be addressed as "The Right Honorable." Begin the letter with a proper salutation. If you're writing a letter to royalty, your salutation needs to be slightly more formal than a regular letter. Your salutation should have two lines. On the first line, begin with "Unto" and then include the appropriate title of address. For example, if you're writing to the queen of England, your first line would read, "Unto Her Majesty, the Queen of England." The second line should state who you are. A letter to royalty should not withhold the letter writer's name until the signature. If you have any titles, include them here. For example, "Lord John Smith of Scotland sends greetings." Address the envelope correctly. How you address the envelope is also important. Addressing the envelope in an improper fashion can show disrespect. You have to use royal titles on the envelope as well. Do not simply write the name of the queen. Write the title instead. For example, write "Her Majesty the Queen" on the envelope. Include the proper signature. You want to add some formality when signing your name. A regular signature, where you would use a term like "sincerely," is not appropriate when addressing royalty. For high ranking officials, like kings, queens, princes, princesses, and emperors, use something very formal before your signature. Usually, you would write something like, "I have the honor to remain Your Majesty's most humble and obedient servant." For other forms of royalty, "Yours faithfully" is usually sufficient. Follow rules regarding physical touch. You do not want to offend a king or queen by touching them. You should always wait for royalty to touch you first. Do not attempt a handshake until a person of royal ranking has reached out to you. Avoid touching a person of royal ranking during conversation. Opt for formal attire when meeting royalty. Dress your best if you know you are meeting royalty. Formal wear can be seen as a gesture of respect. Avoid things like sleeveless clothing or casual wear. Dress your best. Bring out your fanciest clothing, and make sure any outfit you choose is clean and free of stains, rips, or holes. Stay somewhat formal in your interactions. You do not want to come off as too informal when meeting royalty. Avoid addressing people of royal ranking by their first name or nickname. You should also avoid laughing or making jokes. Always make eye contact when someone of royal ranking is speaking. You want to make sure you're giving royalty your full attention. | Give a head bow or a curtsy. Choose the proper greeting for emperors, kings, and queens. Call princes and princesses by the proper title. Select the right term for dukes and duchesses. Make sure you know the proper titles for lower ranking royalty. Begin the letter with a proper salutation. Address the envelope correctly. Include the proper signature. Follow rules regarding physical touch. Opt for formal attire when meeting royalty. Stay somewhat formal in your interactions. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Rice | How to Grow Rice | To grow rice, start by soaking rice seeds in water for 12 hours so they're ready for planting. Then, plant the seeds in a warm, sunny location for best results. You'll also want to use slightly acidic soil and keep about 2 inches of water flooded on top of your soil to create ideal growing conditions. It will then take about 3-4 months at warm temperatures for the rice grains to mature. When it's time to harvest the rice, cut the stalks and allow them to dry naturally for 2-3 weeks before baking the grains. | Purchase rice seeds from any gardening or farmers supply store. You may also buy rice seeds from a reputable supply store or seek help from the local agriculture field officer. There are six basic types of rice to choose from: Long-grain. This type of rice produces grains that are light and fluffy. It tends to be a bit drier than other varieties. Medium-grain. This type is moist, tender, slightly sticky, and a little creamy when cooked. It has the same texture as long-grain. Short-grain. When cooked, short-grain rice becomes soft and sticky. It's also a little more sweet – this is the rice to use with sushi. Sweet. This rice is sometimes called sticky rice, and is gooey when cooked. It's often used for frozen products. Aromatic. This type of rice has more flavor and fragrance than other varieties. This category includes Basmati, Jasmine, Red, and Black japonica. Arborio. This type becomes creamy with a chewy center after cooking. It's used primarily for risotto and other Italian dishes. Choose your planting location. Make sure the soil in the area you're planting consists of slightly acidic clay for the best results. You may also plant your rice seeds in plastic buckets with the same type of soil. Wherever you plant, make sure you have a reliable water source and a way to drain that water when you need to harvest. Pick a location that receives full sunlight, as rice grows best with bright light and warm temperatures of at least 70° Fahrenheit (approximately 21° Celsius). Consider the season – your area needs to allow for 3 to 6 months of plant and flower growth. Rice needs a long, warm growing season, so a climate like the southern United States is best. If you don't have long periods of warmth, it may be best growing your rice inside. Gather at least 1 to 2 ounces (28. 5 to 56.5 g) of rice seeds to sow. Soak the seeds in water to prep them for planting. Allow them to soak for at least 12 hours but not longer than 36 hours. Remove the seeds from the water afterward. While your seeds are soaking, plan out where and how you want to plant them. Most prefer to plant the seeds in rows to make it easier to water and weed. Consider building trenches and blocking the ends so the water stays contained and dammed (berms can be used as well). That being said, the area doesn't need to stay flooded per se, it just needs to stay wet. Plant the rice seeds throughout the soil, during the fall or spring season. Get rid of the weeds, till the beds, and level the soil. If you are using buckets, fill them with at least 6 inches (15 cm) of moist soil. Then add the rice seeds. Keep in mind that the area needs to be flooded with water. It's much easier to flood a few smaller spaces than one larger one. If you're planting outside, using several seed beds will be easier to manage and maintain. If you plant in the fall, be sure to de-weed come spring. The rice seeds need all the nutrients and space they can get. Fill the buckets or the garden space with at least 2 inches (5. 1 cm) of water. However, this is just an old school recommendation. Plenty of people say that keeping the soil consistently moist is plenty – it doesn't necessarily need to be flooded. This stage is up to you – just make sure it's wet. Add compost or mulch to the soil, slightly covering the rice grains. This will automatically tamp the seeds down into the soil. Organic compost holds moisture, so this is a good plan – especially in drier climes. Observe the water levels of the planting area, keeping the soil constantly wet. If you'd like, maintain 2 inches (5.1 cm) of water for the rice to grow. At least make sure the soil is consistently wet, if not flooded. Expect to see shoots from the grains grow after about 1 week. If your plants are in buckets, you may want to consider moving them at night (when it gets cooler) to a warmer spot. Rice thrive in warmth, and if the temperature dips, you'll likely see stunted growth. To emphasize that flooding policies differentiate from person to person, commercial rice-producing agencies sometimes flood up to eight inches. You may wish to up the water as your plants climb to the 7 inch mark. What you practice is up to you. Thin, or space out, the rice seeds to prevent crowding. For best results, thin out the seedlings no more than 4 inches (10.2 cm) apart in rows that range between 9 to 12 inches (22.9 to 30.5 cm) apart. Allow the seeds to grow up to 7 inches (17.8 cm) tall, which takes on average of about one month. Some people choose to start their plants off in a nursery bed since movement is always a part of the process anyway. If you follow this practice, transplant them when they reach 5-7 inches in height. They should be planted about a foot apart into a muddy bed. Wait for the rice grains to mature. This will take approximately 3 or 4 months; during this time, they can reach up to 17 inches tall. Let the water dry out or drain any excess water before removing the rice for harvesting. Over the course of the next two weeks, they'll turn green to gold – that's when you know they're ready. If you're farming your rice, you may wish to drain the soil when the plants are about 15 inches (37.5 cm) tall, flood, and then drain again. After that, continue as above, allowing the rice to dry and turn golden. Cut the stalks and let them dry. When the rice has turned gold (about 2 weeks or so after draining), they're ready. Cut the stalks just under the heads, where the rice grains are placed. You'll see little pockets at the top of the stalk that are unmistakably the hulls of the rice. Let them dry for 2-3 weeks. With the stalks cut, wrap them in newspaper and keep them in a dry, sunny place for 2-3 weeks. The moisture needs to fully dry out for you to get at the grains cleanly. Bake them at 180°F (82°C) for an hour. Take the heads and pop 'em in the oven for roasting. It shouldn't be too hot or the grains will burn. During this time, they should turn a darker shade of golden brown. Separate the kernels from the hulls. After that time is up, let them cool. Then rub them with your hands (or use a mortar and pestle) to separate the kernels from the hulls. Now you're dealing with rice grains you'll actually recognize. This will leave you with grains of rice that are ready for cooking and consumption. For the record, this last bit can be quite tedious – after a handful or two, you'll be glad for modern technology. Be patient – you're doing it right, it just takes a while. When you're done, you'll be left with an amazing store of food you produced all by yourself. | Purchase rice seeds from any gardening or farmers supply store. Choose your planting location. Gather at least 1 to 2 ounces (28. Plant the rice seeds throughout the soil, during the fall or spring season. Fill the buckets or the garden space with at least 2 inches (5. Observe the water levels of the planting area, keeping the soil constantly wet. Thin, or space out, the rice seeds to prevent crowding. Wait for the rice grains to mature. Cut the stalks and let them dry. Bake them at 180°F (82°C) for an hour. Separate the kernels from the hulls. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Protect-Yourself-from-Blame-at-Work | How to Protect Yourself from Blame at Work | To protect yourself from blame at work, gather any evidence that can back up your claims and meet with your boss to discuss the situation. If you've kept any emails, notes, or memos that prove that you weren't at fault, find them and make copies. If any of your coworkers can back up your story, talk to them to see if they'll vouch for you if it's necessary. Wait a day or so after being blamed so everyone can calm down, then schedule a meeting with your boss. Present your side of the story and any supporting documents that you have to back up your claims. If you were at fault, or you did contribute to the problem, don't try to deflect the blame. Honestly explain how the mistake happened and what you'll do differently to keep it from happening again. | Communicate with email. It's hard to prove what you told someone in person or over the phone. However, it's much easier to prove the contents of an email—you simply print it off. If possible, communicate with everyone using email. Use email with coworkers and your boss, but also with your clients and the public. If you need to have conversations in person, you can follow up the conversation with an email. Summarize the substance of the conversation. Avoid secretly recording people. The law on secretly recording people differs depending on your state. In a dozen states, you cannot record a conversation unless you get the consent of all people who are involved. It's usually better to communicate too much than too little. Try to communicate with your colleagues using multiple methods. Require signatures when delivering items. Did you have something hand-delivered to another department? Did you mail something to a client? If so, you'll always want signatures showing that the item was received. In the U.S., you can use certified mail, return receipt requested. Ask your supervisor questions. If you don't know how to proceed, ask someone higher up to make the call. If they get the call wrong, then it's their fault. Send an email with your question and save a copy of their answer. You might hesitate to ask questions because you want to appear like you know everything. Nevertheless, you need to do something right, otherwise, you truly will warrant blame. Remember not to ask a question twice. Once a supervisor tells you how to do something, write it down so that you remember it. If you keep asking questions, you'll look incompetent. Inform clients of the risks of a decision. Sometimes you can get blamed when a client's business decision doesn't pan out. Although the client made the decision, they will claim you didn't inform them of the risks. You always want people to make an informed decision, so explain risks thoroughly. Also have the client sign a form stating they have been informed of the risks. List the most relevant risks on the form. Hold onto the signed form in case the client claims later that you didn't tell them of the dangers. Stay positive. You can weather false accusations if you have a strong reputation in the eyes of your boss and most of your colleagues. Begin building your reputation by maintaining a positive attitude. Smile and say “Good morning” or “hello” to everyone that you meet. Handle difficult coworkers delicately. Try to see issues from their point of view, which can help defuse tension and allow you to remain positive. Get enough sleep so that you are fully rested when you come in. Crabby people can be complainers. Some work environments are so toxic that you cannot stay positive. In that situation, you need to seriously consider leaving your job and finding another one. Help out selectively. This depends on your workplace. Most people will appreciate the extra pair of hands when they are swamped. However, you don't want to help out too much because it makes you look like you don't have enough to do. Also pay attention to whether your coworker gives you credit for the work that you did. If they don't, you should stop helping that person. However, if they do give you credit, then you can help them out in the future. They appreciate your help and don't see you as a threat. Keep your promises. When you tell a colleague you will do something, remember to follow through. Leave the excuses at home and make sure to fulfill your responsibilities. Consistently follow through will increase your credibility in other people's eyes. Try to be predictably reliable. If you are, people will be less likely to blame you when something goes wrong. Admit to the mistakes you do make. You'll help build your credibility if you honestly admit your mistakes. People who always deny responsibility begin to look like liars. Instead, fess up. Say, “I'm sorry” and then explain the following: You understand the seriousness of the mistake. For example, you can say, “I realize this mistake might cost us the client account.” You know how it happened. For example, “I was preparing the packages for mail when Sue called and I got sidetracked.” You are taking steps to make sure it doesn't happen again: “To ensure I don't make this mistake again, I'll let calls go to voicemail when I'm preparing our packages for mail.” Maintain a professional digital presence. If you have social media accounts, make sure they reflect positively on you. Update your LinkedIn profile and remove offensive material from Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc. Think about making personal accounts private. Google yourself as well. Look at the first page of results. You want that first page to reflect positively on you. It's hard to remove negative information from Google. However, you can push it off the front page by publishing something in a newspaper or trade magazine. Alternately, you can volunteer and then write an article or give an interview to a local reporter. Listen calmly to the accusation. No one likes to be blamed for mistakes at work. When your boss calls you into their office, your heart might be beating in your throat. Try to relax as much as possible. Sit comfortably and take a deep breath. You want to remain calm so that you can hear the accusations. Try to write down what your boss has said you did wrong. You might not remember exactly what was said when you leave the office, so you need good notes. Remember not to immediately get defensive. Your boss might be too angry to hear you, either. Unless you are being fired, you should have time to go back to your office and gather your thoughts. If you didn't do something, calmly say, “I didn't do that.” Your boss might not hear you, but you need to say it. Assess if you did contribute to the problem. “Blame” is a troubling word. It suggests only one person is responsible when things go wrong. However, many people might have contributed to the problem. Honestly, assess whether you are in any way responsible. If you are, then analyze what you could have done differently. When you fess up to the mistake, you need to explain how it happened and what you'll do differently. Don't blame someone else for the mistake either unless you have documented proof that they make the error. Gather supporting documents. Hopefully, you've kept emails, notes, and memos that back up your story. Find them now and make copies. Remember not to give your supervisor originals of anything. Put the documents in some sort of order. If your boss told you to do something in an email—and that's why you're being blamed—then put that email on the top. Use a highlighter to highlight relevant information in emails and other documents. You can't expect your boss to read through fifty pages of material to find what is relevant. Talk to coworkers. Your coworkers can be great witnesses if they back up your story. One reason you want to build relationships with coworkers is for precisely these moments—you've been blamed for something you didn't do. Talk to your coworkers and ask if they will talk to your boss on your behalf. You shouldn't ask your coworkers to attend your meeting with your boss, because your boss might not assume they are telling the truth if you are in the room. Instead, they can meet afterward or summarize what they know in an email. Remain focused on your work. Even as you begin to pull together a defense, you must continue to do your job well. Spend lunch breaks and after-work hours putting your defense together. You won't be doing yourself any favors if you make a big mistake at work because your mind is elsewhere. Meet with your boss. After a day or two, schedule an appointment with your boss. Everyone should have calmed down by now. You can gather your supporting documents and the names of the coworkers who have agreed to act as your witnesses. Open your meeting by summarizing what you have been accused of. Then segue into your side of the story. You can say, “I was just too emotional to tell you this yesterday, but now that I've had time to think, I want to share what happened.” Back up your statements with documents. You can say, “See, I have that email from accounting right here. Janet said that the account had $1,000 still in it. That's why I spent the money.” | Communicate with email. Require signatures when delivering items. Ask your supervisor questions. Inform clients of the risks of a decision. Stay positive. Help out selectively. Keep your promises. Admit to the mistakes you do make. Maintain a professional digital presence. Listen calmly to the accusation. Assess if you did contribute to the problem. Gather supporting documents. Talk to coworkers. Remain focused on your work. Meet with your boss. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Paint-a-Golf-Cart | How to Paint a Golf Cart | To paint a golf cart, start by washing it thoroughly with an oil-based soap and taking off any removable parts that you don't want painted, such as the trim, bumpers, and roof. Next, sand down the body of the cart with fine-grit sandpaper and apply 1 coat of primer. After the primer dries, apply 2-3 coats of acrylic spray paint in your chosen color, letting each coat dry completely before adding another. Finally, spray on a coat of clear acrylic sealant to lock in the color and give your cart a glossy finish! | Clean your cart. Residual dirt can cause your coats of paint to flake or peel. Remove all dirt and grime from your cart with an oil-based dish soap. Hose off the soap with cold water, and dry off your cart with a towel. Avoid applying the paint until your cart is completely dry. Mix dish soap with water in a bucket and apply it to your cart using a rag or sponge. Clean out the inside of your cart as well, removing any belongings or trash, so your cart looks like new once you're finished. Strip the golf cart of its trim. Take off any removable parts of the golf cart that you do not want painted. This will prevent them from getting in the way as you work. In addition to the trim, remove the bumpers, roof, and other parts of the frame you don't want to paint. Make a note or take pictures of where each removable piece goes so you know where to reattach them later. Apply masking tape to areas you don't want painted. For non-removable parts of the golf cart that you want to protect from paint, use masking tape. Keep an eye out for license plates, logos, or other decals that you want to keep visible. Line the outer edges of the windows to keep from spray painting them. Use soft-edged foam tape to avoid damaging your cart. Sand down the body of the cart with fine-grit sandpaper. Rub down the area in a circular motion with firm pressure. This will help the paint stick to the golf cart's nonporous surface. Make sure to sand away any old paint to avoid it tinting your fresh coats. Consult a sandpaper size chart to find fine-grit sandpaper. 120 to 400 grits is ideal. After you've finished sanding, use a microfiber cloth to brush off any sanding dust. Apply a thin coat of paint primer to prevent peeling later on. Primer helps the spray paint adhere smoothly and evenly to the cart. Spray the primer in even amounts over the body of the golf cart and wait approximately twenty minutes before adding on paint. Check the primer's packaging instructions for specifically how long to let it dry. Use a paint primer made specifically for plastic surfaces. If your golf cart is a darker color, apply two coats of primer. Wait twenty to thirty minutes before applying the second coat. Use an acrylic spray paint. Acrylic paints adhere better to plastics than most types, so avoid vinyl, lacquer, enamel, or chalkboard spray paints. If available, plastic fusion spray paint is also ideal for adhering to smooth surfaces. Start with one standard can of spray paint and purchase additional cans as needed. Make a note of where you purchased your first can so you know where to find the right color. Add a base coat of paint. Your base coat should go on lightly so it sticks well to the primer. Aim your paint can perpendicular to the area you're spraying at about 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) away from the surface. Spray the paint in horizontal sweeps, releasing the tip once you've reached the other side. Slight overlap is okay, but try to apply only one layer at a time. Spray in short spurts instead of a constant stream for a more focused coat. In most cases, you will need to apply at least two to three coats. Let the first coat of paint dry. Each coat should be distinct and applied separately. Consult your spray can's instructions for drying times, and wait until that much time has passed to start on a second coat. Usually, between twenty to thirty minutes is sufficient. Apply more coats of paint to achieve a deeper color. Each coat will make your cart's color look richer and more opaque. Continue applying coats until you reach the desired color. Plan out enough time to apply at least three coats of paint, though you may need more to make the color you want. Remove the masking tape ten minutes after spraying. Removing the tape before it cures will give the paint lines a nice, crisp finish. Try not to touch the paint, with your gloves or otherwise, to avoid smudging. Add a coat of clear acrylic sealant. After you've reached the color you want, acrylic sealant can secure the coats and give your cart a glossy finish. Sealant can be applied like spray paint, so choose a spray can if you've never used paint sealants before. After applying the coat, wait thirty minutes before proceeding to finish the cart. One coat is necessary, but two coats can create an optional protective layer. Wait thirty minutes in-between applying coats. Clean up the area. Either after or while your sealant is drying, remove the drop cloths from the ground and store them as desired. Place any remaining spray cans in a room temperature drawer for future use. Dispose of or recycle any newspapers, rubber gloves, or sandpaper squares. Let your cart dry for at least twenty-four hours. Although the sealant may seem dry after two hours, the cart will need time to cure after painting to fully set. Leave your cart outside or in your garage with the windows and doors open and leave it alone for a full day. Do not touch your cart during this period to avoid fingerprint smudges. Reattach any parts you removed before painting after the cart has dried. Check the weather report for the next day to make sure your cart will not receive wind or rain exposure. If the weather looks stormy, paint your cart in the garage with the doors open. Choose a windless, well-ventilated location. Paint fumes can induce respiratory problems if used indoors. If possible, paint your golf cart outside. Paint in the garage on windy or stormy days. Wind can inhibit your ability to aim directly at the cart and blow dirt on your fresh coat. If you begin having breathing troubles or experience nausea, remove yourself from the area to a well-ventilated place. Call Poison Control for further instructions. If you are painting in your garage, make sure to open the door to avoid fume inhalation. Surround the golf cart with drop cloths. Spray paint has a less focused range than some painting methods, and you'll want to avoid painting the floor by accident. If you don't have a drop cloth on hand, cover the area directly below your cart's body with old newspapers. Choose canvas over plastic drop cloths, as cloth is less slippery and stays more secure on the floor. Purchase a pair of disposable gloves. Gloves protect your hands from paint or primer stains while you're working on the cart. Try not to use gardening or mechanic's gloves while you're working to avoid staining your carts with dirt or grease. Disposable rubber gloves are ideal to keep your work area clean. Scrub the paint off with soap and warm water immediately if you get paint on your hands. Put on a pair of work clothes you don't mind staining. Spray paint can be tough to remove from clothes. Avoid wearing anything you care about in case of any mishaps. An old t-shirt and sweatpants are the perfect attire for painting a golf cart. Wear goggles and a dust mask. Spray paint can emit toxic fumes, and some people may be more vulnerable to breathing troubles than others. Wear a dust mask to protect your breathing, especially if you're painting in your garage. Put on a pair of goggles as well to protect your eyes. | Clean your cart. Strip the golf cart of its trim. Apply masking tape to areas you don't want painted. Sand down the body of the cart with fine-grit sandpaper. Apply a thin coat of paint primer to prevent peeling later on. Use an acrylic spray paint. Add a base coat of paint. Let the first coat of paint dry. Apply more coats of paint to achieve a deeper color. Remove the masking tape ten minutes after spraying. Add a coat of clear acrylic sealant. Clean up the area. Let your cart dry for at least twenty-four hours. Choose a windless, well-ventilated location. Surround the golf cart with drop cloths. Purchase a pair of disposable gloves. Put on a pair of work clothes you don't mind staining. Wear goggles and a dust mask. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Kool-Aid-out-of-Hair | How to Get Kool Aid out of Hair | To get Kool Aid out of your hair, start by mixing equal parts shampoo and baking soda in a bowl. Then, take the mixture into the shower, wet your hair, and apply it like you would with normal shampoo. Take the time to work the mixture into your roots and ends until your hair is fully covered. Once you've covered all your hair, let the mixture sit for a few minutes and then rinse it out with hot water. Repeat the process daily for 2-3 days or until all of the Kool Aid is out of your hair. | Boil a pot of water and pour it into a container or small tub. Fill the pot with enough water to dunk your hair into. Heat it on the stove until it's boiling, then remove it from the heat. Pour the hot water into a glass bowl, plastic tub, or container large enough to hold it. Dyed tips will probably only need around 4 cups of water, while larger sections of hair may require more. This technique works best with dip-dyed or grown-out hair, rather than hair with color close to the roots. Be extra cautious when working with hot water. Avoid sloshing or splashing the water to prevent burns. Stir in 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of baking powder until it’s dissolved. Use a measuring spoon to measure out the baking powder and stir it into the hot water until the 2 ingredients combine completely. The mixture may fizz when you do this, which is completely normal, so don't be alarmed! Soak your Kool-Aid-dyed hair in the water for 30 seconds. Place the dyed sections of your hair into the water. In seconds, you should start to see the color coming off of the hair. By the end of the 30 seconds, the water should be the color of the Kool-Aid, and your hair should be faded back to its natural color. This method is extremely drying for your hair, so make sure you only soak for 30 seconds or less. Dump the water and wash your hair in the shower. Pour the baking soda water into the sink and immediately rinse the sink out. Wash your hair in the shower with shampoo and warm water. After the shower, you should be able to tell that the Kool-Aid has significantly faded. Use a moisturizing shampoo because baking soda is drying. Use a deep conditioning treatment to restore your hair’s moisture. This method is very drying and strips your hair of its natural moisture. Always work a conditioning product into your hair afterwards, such as a deep conditioner or a conditioning mask. Let the product soak in for 15-30 minutes, then rinse it out completely with cool water to seal the cuticle. Repeat the next day if the first round didn’t remove all of the color. Lighter hair colors tend to hold onto dye, especially vivid colors like Kool-Aid. Your hair may need a second round to completely remove all of the Kool-Aid dye, so repeat the same process the next day and make sure to moisturize well after each soak. Mix equal parts baking soda and shampoo together to form a paste. In a plastic or glass bowl, stir together baking soda and shampoo in a 1:1 ratio. To ensure you make enough to cover your dyed hair, measure out the amount of shampoo you would normally use in the shower and then add the same amount of baking soda. Anti-dandruff shampoo is said to work best because of its high pH, which fades hair dye. However, you can also use a clarifying shampoo instead. Take the paste into the shower and wet your hair. Using the paste in the shower will make it easier to apply without worrying about making a mess. Set the paste aside while you soak your hair with warm water. Work the paste into your wet hair until it lathers. Scoop some paste into your hand and start working into the hair where the dye starts. Use your fingers to work the paste down toward the tips, adding in more paste as needed, until you've covered the entire dyed section of hair. You don't need to apply the paste to your natural hair, just the Kool-Aid sections. If your color starts at the roots, make sure to start working the paste in at the roots and work all the way down to the tips of your hair. If only your tips are dyed, start applying the paste an inch or two above the dyed section to make sure you don't miss any of the color. Unlike the hot water and baking soda method above, this method is safer to use on the scalp. Let the mixture sit for 2-3 minutes. Set a timer or have someone else set a timer for you so you don't accidentally leave the paste into for too long. Stay in the shower while you wait, and either turn off the water or keep your hair away from the water. Rinse the paste out with hot water. Once the time is up, rinse the paste out in the shower. Use the hottest water you can tolerate to help draw out the color and keep rinsing until all of the paste has been washed out. Apply a deep-conditioning treatment to rehydrate your hair. This method is also drying, so remember to always deep-condition after rinsing out the paste. Work a deep conditioner through your strands, focusing on the tips. Let it soak in for 15-30 minutes, then rinse it out with warm water. Be sure to rinse your hair with cool water to seal the cuticles. Repeat the process once a day for up to 2-3 days. After 1 round of this treatment, the Kool-Aid color should be significantly faded. However, it may take several repeat washes to completely remove the dye. Use the paste once a day for several days, deep-conditioning after each wash to replenish and re-hydrate your hair. Use a deep conditioning treatment after using any color-fading methods. Because any technique that strips color from your hair is drying, you'll likely notice dryness, brittleness, or split ends in your hair afterwards. Deep-conditioning will give your hair an instant infusion of nutrients and restore some of the moisture stripped by the treatments. You can either buy a conditioning product or make your own with castor oil. Focus the deep conditioner on the ends of your hair, which will likely be the most brittle. Use a moisturizing mask once a week to keep your hair hydrated. Your hair will still need extra care and moisture in the weeks following color removal. Once a week, apply a moisturizing hair mask to your whole head and leave it on for the directed amount of time, then gently rinse it out with warm water. You can either purchase hair masks or make your own with ingredients like yogurt, honey, and olive oil. Avoid hot styling tools until your hair is healthy again. To keep from damaging your hair further, try not to use hot tools like curling irons, straighteners, and blow dryers. Wait until you've been using moisturizing treatments for a few weeks and your hair feels strong and healthy enough to handle heat. Shampoo every 2-3 days to let your hair restore its natural oils. Since your hair will be dry and brittle after these color-removing treatments, you'll need to give it a break from shampoo as well. Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo to clean your hair once every 2-3 days. In between, your hair will have time to regain its natural sebum, which makes it healthy and shiny. If your hair feels extremely brittle, just give it a quick rinse and apply conditioner to the ends. Wait 4 weeks before dyeing your hair again. Since Kool-Aid isn't a permanent, chemical-heavy hair dye, you won't need to wait too long before dyeing your hair again. Waiting 4 weeks should give your hair time to strengthen and replenish its moisture, but you may need to wait an extra 1-2 weeks if your hair still feels dry. | Boil a pot of water and pour it into a container or small tub. Stir in 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of baking powder until it’s dissolved. Soak your Kool-Aid-dyed hair in the water for 30 seconds. Dump the water and wash your hair in the shower. Use a deep conditioning treatment to restore your hair’s moisture. Repeat the next day if the first round didn’t remove all of the color. Mix equal parts baking soda and shampoo together to form a paste. Take the paste into the shower and wet your hair. Work the paste into your wet hair until it lathers. Let the mixture sit for 2-3 minutes. Rinse the paste out with hot water. Apply a deep-conditioning treatment to rehydrate your hair. Repeat the process once a day for up to 2-3 days. Use a deep conditioning treatment after using any color-fading methods. Use a moisturizing mask once a week to keep your hair hydrated. Avoid hot styling tools until your hair is healthy again. Shampoo every 2-3 days to let your hair restore its natural oils. Wait 4 weeks before dyeing your hair again. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Cornflour-Slime | How to Make Cornflour Slime | To make a basic cornflour slime, mix 2 cups of cornflour and 1 ½ cups of water in a large bowl. Stir the cornflour and water until both ingredients are fully blended, then finish mixing the slime with your hands to give it a smoother texture. When you're finished playing with your slime, put it in a lidded container to keep it from drying out. If you want a stretchier slime, pour ½ cup of cornflour into a large mixing bowl, and add ¼ cup of liquid dish soap. Blend the ingredients until there are no lumps, and store your slime in a plastic container. | Put 2 cups (250 g) of cornflour and 1 1⁄2 cups (350 mL) of water into a bowl. Pour the cornflour into the large mixing bowl first. Since cornflour has a very lightweight, powdery consistency, make sure not to dump it into the bowl. Otherwise, it may poof up in your face and make a mess of your workstation. Then, slowly pour the water on top of the cornflour. This slime is perfect for someone who has sensitive skin. Mix the cornflour and water together until both ingredients are fully blended. Use a spoon to slowly stir the 2 ingredients. Press the back of the spoon against the side of the bowl to help break up any lumps of cornflour that form. Continue mixing until the ingredients are blended to form the slime. When finished, the slime should settle on the bottom of the bowl and have a slightly tacky texture. If your slime seems dry, add more water in 1 tsp (4.9 mL) increments until the slime becomes moist. If your slime is too runny or sticky, add more cornflour in 1 tsp (3.13 g) increments until the slime reaches a consistency you are satisfied with. Finish mixing the slime with your hands to give it a smooth texture. Either keep the slime in the mixing bowl or place the slime onto a flat surface lined with parchment paper. Then, use your hands to knead the slime until it feels smooth between your fingers. If you do not want your hands to get dirty while kneading the slime, slip on a pair of disposable gloves. Place your slime inside a lidded container to keep it from drying out. Make sure to store your slime properly when you are finished playing with it. Otherwise, it will dry out and become ruined. Your slime will eventually become dirty from playing with it. Once this happens, simply discard it in a trash bin. Put your cornflour and liquid dish soap into a large mixing bowl. Start by pouring 1/2 cup (62.5 g) of cornflour into a large mixing bowl. Cornflour has a powdery consistency, so pour it gently into the bowl to keep it from poofing up into your face. Then, add in 4 US tbsp (59 mL) of liquid dish soap. Instead of dish soap, you can also use equal amounts of body wash or shampoo. Substitute the liquid dish soap with an equal amount of washable, liquid glue to make the slime more slippery rather than stretchy. If you pick a liquid agent that has a pleasant smell, it will make your slime have that fragrance. Mix the cornflour and liquid dish soap until the ingredients are blended. Use a spoon to stir the 2 ingredients together. Press out any lumps of cornflour against the side of the bowl with the back of the spoon. Continue to stir until a wad of slime forms at the bottom of the bowl. To make the slime more stretchy, add in more liquid dish soap in 1 tsp (4.9 mL) increments until you reach a desired consistency. Make the slime denser by adding in more cornflour in 1 tsp (3.13 g) increments until you are happy with the texture. Store your stretchy slime in a container when you aren't playing with it. To keep your slime from drying out, place it in a storage container with a lid. Avoid setting the container in direct sunlight to keep the slime ingredients from separating. Combine 1 cup (125 g) of cornflour and 1 cup (240 mL) of shampoo in a bowl. Pour the cornflour into the bowl first, and then add the shampoo on top. Use a spoon to gently mix the 2 ingredients together until they are fully blended. Use the back of the spoon to press any lumps of cornflour against the side of the bow to break them up. When fully blended, the ingredients will have a doughy texture. Stir in 1⁄2 cup (120 mL) of liquid glue and 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of lotion. Use your spoon to slowly mix the washable, liquid glue and lotion with the cornflour and shampoo mixture. These liquids will make your dough soupy, but don't worry, as this is part of the process. Continue to blend the ingredients until your mixture becomes smooth. Use any kind of lotion to make the butter slime. Alternatively, substitute the lotion with an equal amount of massage oil to create the same effect. Add 2 drops of yellow food coloring to give your slime a classic butter color. Stir in the yellow food coloring with your spoon. When blended completely, your mixture will have transformed from white to a pale yellow color. Don't feel like you have to color your butter slime yellow. Instead, use 2 drops of your favorite color of food coloring. Activate the mixture by pouring in 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of laundry detergent. Stir in the laundry detergent until it is fully blended. The laundry detergent will activate your mixture and transform it into slime. Once blended, the slime will pull away from the sides of the bowl as you stir it. Add another 1–2 tsp (4.9–9.9 mL) of laundry detergent if needed to thicken the slime. Stir in a few drops at a time to avoid making your slime too hard. If the slime is too tacky or sticky, add more cornflour in 1 tsp (3.13 g) increments until your slime gains a doughy texture. Give the slime its buttery texture by pulling and pressing it with your hands. Take the doughy slime out of the bowl and hold it in one hand. Use your other hand to pull it and stretch it like taffy. Bring the mixture back together into a single clump, and repeat the process as needed until the dough feels smooth, thick, and moldable. Then, enjoy playing with your butter slime ! Store your butter slime in a sealable container to keep it from drying out when you are not playing with it. Pour 14 fl oz (410 mL) of sweetened condensed milk into a saucepan. Open the pop tab on a can of sweetened condensed milk, and pour it into your saucepan. This will give your edible slime a gelatinous and silky texture. If you do not have a small saucepan, you can also use a small pot. Stir 1 tbsp (9.38 g) of cornflour in with the sweetened condensed milk. Use a heat-resistant spoon to blend the cornflour with the sweetened condensed milk. Gently stir the mixture until there are no lumps of cornflour and it has dissolved. Cook the mixture over a low heat for 10-15 minutes to thicken it. Use your heat-resistant spoon to continuously stir the mixture while it is cooking. The mixture can burn very easily on the bottom of the saucepan as it thickens, so make sure to thoroughly rotate the mixture. Once cooked, the cornflour and milk will resemble a thick, stretchy slime. Allow the slime to cool at room temperature for 1 hour. Remove your saucepan from the heat of your stove top, and allow the slime to cool at room temperature for 1 hour before playing with it. Alternatively, transfer the slime into a heat-resistant container with a lid and store it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to cool. Once cooled, enjoy playing with your simple, edible slime! Keep the edible slime in the refrigerator in a sealed container for about 5 days. After 5 days, the slime will become hard and may begin to spoil. Add 3-4 drops of food coloring when mixing your slime to color it. Pick your favorite color of food coloring and squeeze 3-4 drops into the liquid component for the slime recipe you chose. Use a spoon to mix in the food coloring before adding the liquid to the cornflour. As you mix the wet and dry ingredients, add more drops of food coloring to make the color of the slime more vibrant if desired. Don't worry if you have already finished kneading your slime. You can still add food coloring to it. Simply slip on a pair of disposable gloves to keep your hands from being stained. Then, in a bowl, squeeze 3-4 drops of food coloring into the center of your slime. Knead the food coloring into the slime until it is evenly distributed. Sprinkle 1-2 tsp (7-14 g) of glitter on your slime to make it sparkle. Choose glitter that is your favorite color or your favorite combination of colors. Mix approximately 1-2 tsp (7-14 g) of the glitter with the cornflour amount for the slime recipe you chose. Add more glitter if desired. Continue stirring until the glitter is fully blended, and then add your liquid components. Fine glitter will blend into the slime better, but feel free to use a chunkier glitter or even sequins to make your slime more textured. If you already kneaded your slime and want to add glitter to it, simply form a well in the center of your slime, add the glitter, and then knead the glitter into the slime until it is fully blended. If you add glitter to edible slime, know that the decorative glitter is not edible and will, therefore, make your slime not edible. Make your slime crackle by adding styrofoam beads to it. Use your fist to make a well in the center of the slime. Fill the well with 1-2 handfuls of styrofoam beads. Gently, knead the beads into the slim until they are dispersed throughout the slime. Enjoy squeezing and stretching the textured slime! This method works best with slime that is more on the sticky side, as the tackiness of the slime will grip the styrofoam beads. For example, the stretchy slime or the basic slime recipes would work well for the this. Feel free to add more styrofoam beads to your slime to make it even more textured and crackly. You can purchase styrofoam beads at a local craft store or online with major retailers. Refrain from adding styrofoam beads to edible slime, as they will make the slime no longer safe to consume. Give your slime an eerie glow by mixing in glow-in-the-dark craft paint. Add 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 mL) of glow-in-the-dark craft paint to the liquid component for the slime recipe you chose. Stir the paint in with the liquid component until both ingredients are fully blended. Once mixed with the cornstarch, charge your slime in the sunlight for approximately 1 hour and then have fun playing with it in the dark. Glow-in-the-dark craft paint can be purchased at a local craft store or online with major retailers. | Put 2 cups (250 g) of cornflour and 1 1⁄2 cups (350 mL) of water into a bowl. Mix the cornflour and water together until both ingredients are fully blended. Finish mixing the slime with your hands to give it a smooth texture. Place your slime inside a lidded container to keep it from drying out. Put your cornflour and liquid dish soap into a large mixing bowl. Mix the cornflour and liquid dish soap until the ingredients are blended. Store your stretchy slime in a container when you aren't playing with it. Combine 1 cup (125 g) of cornflour and 1 cup (240 mL) of shampoo in a bowl. Stir in 1⁄2 cup (120 mL) of liquid glue and 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of lotion. Add 2 drops of yellow food coloring to give your slime a classic butter color. Activate the mixture by pouring in 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of laundry detergent. Give the slime its buttery texture by pulling and pressing it with your hands. Pour 14 fl oz (410 mL) of sweetened condensed milk into a saucepan. Stir 1 tbsp (9.38 g) of cornflour in with the sweetened condensed milk. Cook the mixture over a low heat for 10-15 minutes to thicken it. Allow the slime to cool at room temperature for 1 hour. Add 3-4 drops of food coloring when mixing your slime to color it. Sprinkle 1-2 tsp (7-14 g) of glitter on your slime to make it sparkle. Make your slime crackle by adding styrofoam beads to it. Give your slime an eerie glow by mixing in glow-in-the-dark craft paint. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Mend-a-Relationship-With-an-Estranged-Child | How to Mend a Relationship With an Estranged Child | It can be extremely painful to be estranged from your adult child, but with some time and patience, you can try to repair your relationship. If you're comfortable reaching out to your son or daughter, you can say “I know you aren't speaking to me right now, and I would like to know what I've done to hurt you. It's ok if you don't want to talk to me, but please write or email so I can fix the problem.” If you don't hear back, try reaching out to a mutual friend or family member for more insight. Whether you feel at fault or not, as the parent you should take the first step toward reconciliation. Try calling, emailing, or texting your adult child to let them know you'd like to meet and that you love them no matter what. When you meet, let them lead the conversation and truly listen to their feelings and thoughts. Apologize for your part in the estrangement and see if they're open to rebuilding a relationship. If they are, then move slowly, remembering that it could take weeks or months to rebuild trust. You'll also need to accept any boundaries that they set to help them feel more comfortable during this time. | Be clear on what went wrong. Before you attempt to reconnect with your child, it may be helpful to find out why your adult child is upset or angry with you. You may be able to get the information directly from your child, or you may need to find out from someone else who knows the situation. In order to mend fences, find out the problem first. Once you have a sense of what has gone wrong, you will have some time to think through your next steps, and what you want to communicate to your son or daughter. Reach out to your adult child and ask. You could say, “Renee, I know you aren't speaking to me right now, and I would like to know what I have done to hurt you. Could you please let me know? It's okay if you don't want to talk to me, but please write or email. I can't fix the problem if I don't know what it is.” If you do not hear a response from your son or daughter, you could get in touch with another family member or mutual friend who might know what's going on. You could say, “Jack, have you talked to your sister lately? She's not speaking to me, and I can't find out what the problem is. Do you know what's going on?” While discovering the reason behind the estrangement would be optimal, be aware that you may not be able to find out what is going on. However, don't let that stop you from pursuing reconnecting with your child. Do some self-reflection. Spend some time thinking about the reasons behind the estrangement. Was it triggered by something from the past? Has there recently been a huge change of life that caused the rift (such as a death in the family, or a birth of a child)? Perhaps you even refused to communicate with your child for a period of time, and now find your child unwilling to communicate with you. Keep in mind that many adult children become estranged from their parents because of their parents' broken marriage. Children from a broken marriage experienced their parents prioritizing their happiness over the needs of the child (even if the divorce was for the best). Often, in these types of situations parents may speak badly about the other parent not realizing that their children are absorbing everything that is being said. This can have a drastic negative effect on the type of relationship an adult child may have with their parents. Especially, if there was was one parent that had little to no contact during the child's upbringing. Adult children of divorce may be dealing with the pain of feeling like a low priority to their parents. Put the ball in your own court. Whether you have done anything wrong or not, parents are generally the ones who have to take the first steps toward reconciling with their estranged children. Look past the unfairness of the issue and leave your ego behind. If you want to reconnect with your child, know that you will need to be the one to reach out...and continue reaching out. Whether your child is fourteen or forty, they still want to know that they are loved and valued by their parents. A way to show you love and value them is that you are willing to fight for your relationship. Keep this in mind if you struggle with the unfairness of the burden of work it takes to reconnect. Contact your child. While you may want to meet with them in person right away, it may feel less intrusive to your son or daughter if you reach out via phone call, email, or letter. Honor their need for distance and give them the opportunity to respond at the time of their choosing. Be patient and allow a few days for your child's response. Rehearse what you want to say before making a phone call. Be prepared to leave a voicemail, too. You could say, “Tommy, I would really like for us to get together to talk about how you're feeling. Would you be willing to meet with me sometime?” Send an email or text message. You could write something like, “I understand you're dealing with a lot of pain right now, and I am so sorry that I have hurt you. When you are ready, I hope you would be willing to meet with me to talk about it. Please let me know when you are. I love and miss you.” Write a letter. Your child may be unwilling to meet with you. If that's the case, you could decide to write them a letter. Apologize for the hurt you've caused, and acknowledge that you understand why they feel the way they do. Writing a letter can be therapeutic for you, too. It clarifies your feelings and helps you regulate your emotions. Plus, you can take as much time as you need to get your words just the way you want them. Suggest that the two of you meet when they are ready. You could write, “I know you are upset right now, but I hope that, in the future, we can get together and talk about this. My door is always open.” Accept limits they set. Your adult child may be open to communicating with you, but not be ready for a face-to-face meeting (and may never be). They may only want to email you or talk on the phone. Avoid guilt-tripping your child while keeping the door open for future encounters down the road. If you are in an email-only relationship with your adult child, you could write, “I'm very happy that we are communicating via email these days. I hope we can get to the point where we feel comfortable reconnecting in person, but no pressure.” Arrange for a meeting. If your adult child is willing to talk with you in person, get together in a public place for a meal. Sharing a meal in public is a good idea, as you will be more likely to hold your emotions in check, and sharing a meal with someone is an act of building community. Make sure it is just the two of you meeting. Do not bring your spouse or other supportive person along. It may give your son or daughter the sense that they are being ganged up on. Let your adult child lead the conversation. Listen to your child's concerns without arguing against them or becoming defensive. They may also come to your meeting expecting an apology right away. If you sense that is the case, do so. It may be helpful to start off your meeting with an apology to let your adult child know that you understand that you caused them pain, and give them a sense of “leveling the playing field.” Once you apologize, you could ask your child to tell you more about what they have been feeling. Listen to your child without judgment. Remember that their point of view is valid, even if you disagree with it. Healing can occur when a person feels listened to and understood, and you remain open to their perspective. Listening without judgment and defensiveness allows a person to be honest in their responses. What you hear may be extremely hurtful to you, but understand that your child probably needs to say it and get their feelings out. You could say, “I feel so terrible that I made you feel this way, and I want to understand. Can you tell me more?” Shoulder your share of the blame. Understand that you can't get far in reconciliation without acknowledging how you may have contributed to problem. Adult children want their parents to take responsibility for their actions. Be willing to do so, whether or not you believe you are/were wrong. While you may not understand why your son or daughter is upset with you, recognize that they are. Don't try to defend your behavior. Listen instead, and apologize for causing them pain. Try to understand where your child is coming from. Showing empathy doesn't mean you agree with someone, just that you understand their perspective. Understanding their perspective is an important part of resolving conflict. You could say, “I know I pushed you a lot growing up. I wanted you to be successful. But I can understand how you thought that I was never happy with you. That is not at all what I intended, and it is not at all true. But I can see how my behavior made you think that.” Avoid discussing your feelings about the estrangement. While it may seem unfair, now is not the time to bring up your sadness and pain around not being able to communicate with your child. Recognize that they needed some space to deal with their emotions and sort some things out. Bringing up your feelings of sadness, anger, and resentment may make your adult child feel like they are being guilt-tripped, and they may feel less likely to re-enter into a relationship. You could say something like, “I've missed talking to you, but I know sometimes you need to take some space.” Do not say anything like, “I've been so depressed that you haven't called me” or “Do you know the agony that I have been through, not hearing from you?” Apologize. A good apology must clearly name what you did wrong (so that the listener knows you understand), express remorse, and offer to make amends in some way. Offer your son or daughter a heartfelt apology that acknowledges the pain you have caused them. Remember, apologize even if you believe your actions to be correct. The point is now about your child's pain, not whether someone is right or wrong. You could say, “Tina, I'm so sorry I hurt you so badly. I know you had to deal with a lot when I was drinking. I feel terrible that I made so many mistakes in your childhood. I understand you wanting to keep your distance from me, but I hope we can work through it.” Do not make any attempts to justify your action when apologizing, even if you believe you have a legitimate excuse for the action you took. For example, “I'm sorry I slapped you five years ago, but I did it because you talked back to me,” is not an apology and puts the other person on the defensive. Remember that an effective, genuine apology apologizes for your action rather than someone else's reaction. For example, “I'm sorry that my behavior hurt you,” is an effective apology. “I'm sorry if you got hurt,” is not. Never use “if” in an apology. Consider family therapy. If your adult child is willing, you may wish to seek out family therapy together in order to discuss your feelings in the presence of a trained professional. A marriage and family therapist will guide family members to identify dysfunctional family behaviors and develop their own solutions to a problem. Family therapy also works to acknowledge and enhance the connections family members have with each other. Family therapy is generally short-term and focuses on one problem plaguing the family. You or your child may be encouraged to see a therapist separately to focus on individual concerns. To find a marriage and family therapist, you could ask your family doctor for recommendations, ask your community resource center or health department, or look online for a therapist near you. Start slowly. Resist the urge to jump back into a relationship. In most cases, a broken relationship won't mend overnight. Depending on whether the root cause of the estrangement is mild or severe, it could take weeks, months, or even years to return to “normal.” You may also find a new normal. Keep in mind that you may need to have several hard conversations about the estrangement as both of you process your feelings. It is unlikely that you will have just one conversation, and then everything will be back the way it was. Increase contact slowly. Meet your child alone in public places at first. Don't invite them to loaded family events, like holiday parties, unless they seem ready and willing to attend. You could say, “We'd love to have you join us at Thanksgiving, but I completely understand if you don't want to. No hard feelings if you don't, I know you need to take your time.” Recognize that your child is an adult. Your child is now an adult, capable of making their own decisions. You may not agree with some of their decisions, but you need to let your adult child be independent and live their own life. Meddling in your adult child's life may have caused your child to put some distance between the two of you. Don't offer unsolicited advice. Resist the urge to fix your child's life and let them make their own mistakes. Avoid giving parenting advice. Parents can be easily upset by outside parenting advice, however well-intentioned it was meant to be. Do not offer your opinion unless asked. You've already raised your children, now give the next generation a chance to raise theirs. Let your child know that you will respect and defer to their parenting values and wishes. For example, if your grandchildren are limited to an hour of TV a day, let their parents know that you will abide by that rule in your house as well, or ask them first if it the rule needs to be broken. Seek counseling for yourself. Dealing with an estranged child can be a very stressful, painful event in your life. It may be worth seeking out a qualified mental health professional to help you deal with your emotions and develop effective communication and coping strategies. You may wish to find a therapist who specializes in family issues. Keep in mind, however, that your individual therapist may refer you to a different therapist if you would like to have you and your child work out your issues with a counselor present. This is so the counselor can remain objective. You may also be able to find assistance in online support group forums. You will be able find other people dealing with similar issues, and can talk through your problems and share success stories. Be persistent, but not overbearing. If your son or daughter is refusing to respond to your attempts to communicate, keep trying. Send cards, write emails, or leave voicemails, letting them know you are thinking about them and want to talk. Make sure you give the person some space, however, and respect their need for privacy and distance. Contact them no more frequently than once a week, and reduce contact if you find out that your adult child finds this intrusive. But continue to stay in touch. You could say, “Hi, Marisa, just wanted to say a quick hello and let you know I was thinking about you. I hope you're doing well. I miss you. You know you can come to me whenever you want to talk. I love you.” Don't try to visit them. Acknowledge their boundaries and keep up with less intrusive forms of contact. Let go if necessary. Your adult child may see even your less intrusive attempts at getting in touch as overstepping boundaries and being too much. They may still not want to have anything to do with you, even if you have apologized and acknowledged your actions. In that case, it may be best to come to a place of acceptance for the sake of your own mental health, and step back from pursuing a relationship. Put the ball in your child's court. Send a note or leave a voicemail that says something like, “Peter, I understand that you want me to stop contacting you. Though it upsets me, I will respect that and will not contact you after this. If you ever want to reconnect, I will be here, but I will honor your wishes and not be in touch again. I love you.” Keep in mind that reconciliation may be difficult in cases of substance abuse, mental illness, or an unhealthy relationship in your child's marriage/partnership (for example, your child is married to a controlling spouse). Your estrangement may only be the result of these problems, but you may not be able to do anything about it until your child addresses these underlying issues. If your child requests no contact at all, consider finding a therapist to help you work through your grief. This is difficult terrain to navigate, and you may find yourself needing additional support. Accept that your child sees life from a different perspective. You all may have lived in the same house and spent most of your days together, but one person's perception of a situation could still be completely different than another's. Acknowledge that your adult child's recollection or perspective is just as valid as yours. A person's view of the situation may be totally different based on age, the power dynamic, or closeness of relationships. For example, moving to a new city may have been great for you, but your children may have struggled because they had no choice but to tag along. Separate realities are a part of family life. For example, when you were a child, your parents may have taken you to a museum. Their memory of the day may be of interesting exhibits and a fun family outing. You may remember being too hot in your coat and that the dinosaur skeletons scared you. Neither your or your parents' recollection is invalid, they are just different points of view. Accept each other’s differences. You may be estranged because one, the other, or both of you do not approve of the other's life choices. While you may not be able to do much about your child's attitude toward you, you can show your child that you accept them for who they are, no matter what. Take steps to show your child your change of heart. For example, if your child is gay, and you belong to a conservative congregation, find a congregation that is more liberal and accepting. You could let your child know that you are reading a certain book to try to understand their point of view. If your child is not speaking to you because they disapprove of your life choices, it will be more difficult. Be firm and confident in who you are, and keep showing them you love them. Do your best to keep communicating with them and looking for opportunities to see them. Respect their right to disagree with you. You don't have to change your opinions or beliefs, just refrain from showing disrespect for theirs. You can disagree with someone and still respect and love them. Not everyone's opinion needs to be the same. Honor their differences of opinion as best you can. If you are religious and your adult child is an atheist, for example, you could decide to skip church the weekend they are visiting. Find different topics of conversation than your contentious issues. If your adult child starts to engage you in conversation on topics that have made you argue in the past, you could say, “Will, let's agree to disagree on this for right now. I think the only thing we do when we talk about this is upset each other.” | Be clear on what went wrong. Do some self-reflection. Put the ball in your own court. Contact your child. Write a letter. Accept limits they set. Arrange for a meeting. Let your adult child lead the conversation. Listen to your child without judgment. Shoulder your share of the blame. Avoid discussing your feelings about the estrangement. Apologize. Consider family therapy. Start slowly. Recognize that your child is an adult. Avoid giving parenting advice. Seek counseling for yourself. Be persistent, but not overbearing. Let go if necessary. Accept that your child sees life from a different perspective. Accept each other’s differences. Respect their right to disagree with you. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Clammy-Hands | How to Get Rid of Clammy Hands | To get rid of clammy hands, sprinkle a thimble-sized amount of baby powder or cornstarch onto your hands, and spread it around on the skin evenly to absorb the moisture. If your hands are frequently clammy, try applying an anti-perspirant to the palms of your hands to stop the sweating. Carry a handkerchief with you to wipe your hands when necessary, and wash them frequently to remove sweat and natural oils. | Use baby powder or another absorbent powder. One simple, direct, and fairly long-lasting way to get rid of unwanted hand moisture is simply to soak it up! You can do this a variety of ways, including applying an absorbent powder to your hands. Try pouring a thimble-sized amount of baby powder into your hands and spreading it around gently and evenly — you should immediately notice your hands feel cooler and dryer. Below are just a few more powders you may want to consider using: Chalk Talcum powder (note that talc can be poisonous if inhaled in significant quantities) Cornstarch (sometimes specifically used for this purpose in Hispanic countries, where it is called "maizena") Baking soda Use an antiperspirant on your palms. Many people apply antiperspirant under their arms every today to control underarm sweating. Believe it or not, you can get the same effect by spreading a little antiperspirant on your palms. Dry your hands by wiping them with a towel before you apply your antiperspirant so that it can do its job of plugging your sweat pores properly. Make sure to use an antiperspirant — not just a deodorant. Though the two products are often combined into one, they're not the same thing. The former fights excessive sweating, while the latter simply controls the odor from sweating. For the strongest effect, use an antiperspirant with aluminum compounds as its active ingredients. Aluminum is one of the strongest, most effective antiperspirant chemicals available. For serious situations, you may even want to investigate prescription antiperspirants (like Drysol) which have higher concentrations of aluminum. Carry a handkerchief or alcohol wipes. For mild cases of clammy hands, sometimes simply carrying around something you can use to soak up moisture throughout the day is enough to beat your clamminess. Cloth handkerchiefs make great re-usable hand towels, while disposable paper towels and alcohol wipes offer instant convenience. Though alcohol wipes are wet, they don't usually make hands moist in the long run. Alcohol evaporates very quickly, taking other sources of moisture with it as it leaves the hands. In fact, some people with delicate skin complain that alcohol wipes leave their hands feeling too dry for their liking. Wash your hands more frequently. If you're having a hard time keeping your hands dry, you may want to experiment with washing your hands frequently. Washing with soap and water can strip your hands of their natural oils, making them feel drier, so you may be able to get your hands drier in the long-term if you make a conscious effort to increase the number of times you wash your hands each day. Note, however, that frequent hand washing can sometimes leave hands too dry, especially if you use harsh bar soaps or soaps that contain detergent. If your hands become irritated or dried out from frequent washing, switch to a moisturizing soap — it's almost always more unpleasant to have raw, cracked hands than it is to have hands that are a little clammy. Avoid greasy lotions. If you frequently use lotion on your hands, you may be inadvertently making them clammy. While some lotions (like those that contain antiperspirant chemicals) can actually help dry your hands out, others can make them more moist. Some substances, like petroleum jelly, can even make your hands extra wet or greasy. If you use lotion frequently, consider switching your go-to lotion for one that's lighter or one that's specifically formulated to have a drying effect. Avoid pockets and gloves. Gloves, pockets, and any other types of clothing that surround the hands can lead to excess sweating and moisture. These items trap moisture and heat against the hand, causing the hands to produce more sweat and making it more difficult for the sweat that is produced to evaporate. To fix this, simply leave your hands uncovered throughout the day when you can — their natural moisture should evaporate more freely. If it's too cold to leave your hands uncovered, try using fingerless gloves or gloves made out of a lighter material if possible. Ideally, these will keep your hands warm while allowing some air to reach them. Avoid perspiration-causing food and drink. Sometimes, even something as simple as a person's diet can lead to excessive sweating. Certain foods can trigger a sweating response, which, if you're susceptible to clammy hands, can make your problem much worse. Consider avoiding the following food and drink items if they're frequent additions to your diet: Spicy foods: Believe it or not, hot, spicy foods trigger the same responses in your body that are caused by actual physical heat, often leading to sweating. Caffeine: Some people sweat if they consume excessive caffeine because the chemical stimulates the nervous system leading, to jumpiness, heightened activity, nervousness, and so on. The effect is often greatest when drinking hot caffeinated beverages. Alcohol: For some people, getting drunk or "buzzed" can lead to excessive sweating due to a process called vasodilation in which the body's blood vessels expand and increase the temperature of the skin, giving the feeling of warmth. Lower your stress levels. For some people, sweaty hands aren't a symptom of a physical problem, but instead a reaction to sources of stress or nervousness in their life. In these cases, removing moisture from the hands is only a temporary solution — to get lasting relief, it's necessary to eliminate the underlying mental or emotional stresses. There's no single "right" way to do this — everyone's personal stresses are different — so if you think this may apply to you, try talking to your doctor or a licensed therapist for advice. Below are just a few techniques frequently prescribed to deal with stress: Yoga Biofeedback Meditation Giving up harmful habits or substances Making more/different social connections New exercise regimens Different work/life arrangements Consider asking for anticholinergics. If your sweaty, clammy hands are a serious problem and you haven't been able to eliminate them with basic home remedies or lifestyle changes, you may want to consider talking to your doctor about medical solutions. One class of drugs that can treat excessive sweating (and thus clammy hands) is called anticholinergics. These drugs work by blocking the action of a chemical called acetylcholine in the brain, which, among other things, controls the body's sweating. Note, however, that anticholinergics can have significant side effects, including: Higher body temperature Blurry vision Constipation Decreased saliva production Confusion Drowsiness Consider iontophoresis. One relatively unobtrusive procedure that can treat clammy hands is called iontophoresis. In this procedure, the hands are submerged in water for about half an hour while a mild electric current passes through it. This closes the pores in the skin of the hands, decreasing sweating. The current is not usually strong enough for it to be painful. For best results, multiple repetitions are usually necessary. While iontophoresis doesn't usually cause side effects, in rare cases, it can cause dry skin, irritation, and/or blistering. Consider botox injections. Though botox injections are most commonly known for their cosmetic uses, they can also be used to reduce sweating in certain cases. Botox treatments work by injecting a very small amount of a poison called botulinum toxin under the skin. In tiny doses, this toxin tightens the skin and interferes with a chemical that causes sweat glands to activate. Though it may take several applications, a regimen of Botox injections can prevent excessive sweating for over a year. Side effects from botox include: Bruising/redness at the injection site Headache Flu-like symptoms Muscle twitching/drooping In very unlikely cases, dangerous symptoms of botulinum toxin poisoning (trouble breathing, trouble speaking, vision problems, weakness) In extreme cases, consider surgery. For sweaty or clammy hands that won't respond to any other treatments and are a having a significant impact on a patient's quality of life, surgery can be recommended, although this is usually seen as an absolute last-resort. Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (or ETS) is a surgical procedure that involves cutting certain nerve pathways that cause sweating in the hands and under the arms. Though it's sometimes described as a "minimally-invasive" procedure, ETS is in fact a major surgery that requires general (whole-body) anesthetic. Though problems are rare, there is a small chance of serious complications or even death with ETS (as is there with any major surgery). Note that ETS is a permanent procedure — there is no way to reverse it once it's performed. In addition, it's important to know that the vast majority of people who undergo ETS for sweaty hands or underarms experience "compensatory sweating" (sweating that is as heavy or heavier than the original sweating) somewhere else on their body after the surgery. Try soaking your hands in tea. There are a number of "alternative" or "natural" remedies promoted as cures for clammy hands online. Though some practitioners swear by these solutions, there is very little scientific evidence (if any) supporting these cures' effectiveness. For one easy alternative cure, try soaking your hands in cool or lukewarm tea. For best results, soak your hands in tea (or hold onto wet teabags) for 30 minutes each day for a week. Try using apple cider vinegar. Another easy alternative remedy for sweaty hands involves apple cider vinegar. For this method, try soaking the hands directly in a bowl of apple cider vinegar for five minutes each, then washing with soap and water. Note that washing with soap and water is known to sometimes have a skin-drying effect on its own (see above). Alternatively, you may want to try running a bath and adding a cup or two of vinegar to the water before you get in. Try herbal cures. Some alternative medicine sources purport that consuming certain "detoxifying" herbs like turmeric, shatavari, and patola can help alleviate sweaty hands and/or feet. While some of these herbs may be used in traditional or non-Western medicinal cures (for instance, turmeric is known for its traditional use as an indigestion cure and anti-inflammatory), there is very little scientific evidence to support claims that they are reliable cures for clammy hands or any other condition. While most "detox" schemes provide little measurable or quantifiable benefit, note that some have even been found to cause harmful (though rarely dangerous) side effects. Consider homeopathic supplements or treatment programs. A simple search engine query can reveal dozens of so-called homeopathic or "natural" cures for sweaty hands. These cures are often in the form of herbs, vitamins, pills, supplements, or some combination of these elements. Though they are often advertised with bold claims about their effectiveness, in reality, very few (if any) homeopathic treatments have been scientifically proven to work. In addition, because homeopathic supplements aren't regulated by agencies like the FDA, there's no guarantee that they are held to the high quality standards that "normal" drugs are. For this reason, most doctors will advise against investing too heavily in homeopathic cures. | Use baby powder or another absorbent powder. Use an antiperspirant on your palms. Carry a handkerchief or alcohol wipes. Wash your hands more frequently. Avoid greasy lotions. Avoid pockets and gloves. Avoid perspiration-causing food and drink. Lower your stress levels. Consider asking for anticholinergics. Consider iontophoresis. Consider botox injections. In extreme cases, consider surgery. Try soaking your hands in tea. Try using apple cider vinegar. Try herbal cures. Consider homeopathic supplements or treatment programs. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Organize-a-Preschool-Sleepover | How to Organize a Preschool Sleepover | To host a great preschool sleepover, limit the guest list to 2 or 3 other children so you can take care of everyone's needs. Send invitations to the other parents that list the date and location of the sleepover, supplies the kids may need, and clear start and end times. Provide dinner, plenty of healthy snacks, caffeine-free drinks, and breakfast the next morning. Keep an eye on the kids and make sure you have an emergency contact number for each parent. | Decide how many guests to invite. At this age, your preschooler would likely do best with only 1-3 children sleeping over. With more than that, the gathering may become too overwhelming for all the kids. Set a start time. Don't have children arrive much earlier than dinner time because spending too many hours together can cause kids to get on each other's nerves. A start time around 5-6 p.m. allows your guests to get settled and then eat dinner without too much downtime. Set an end time. Make sure parents know what time to pick up their children the following morning to avoid having any kids lingering well into the day. You'll likely be providing them with breakfast, so a pickup time between 10 and 11 a.m. gives you enough time to have them up, fed, and packed when their parents arrive. Email or call parents to invite their children. You can make a physical invitation to hand out if it's a birthday party or special celebration, but most sleepovers are more casual than this. Consider emailing parents so that they have a reference to look back at later regarding start and end times. But a simple phone call is usually good enough too. If handing out a paper invitation, avoid doing so in front of other children who aren't invited to avoid hurt feelings. List the who, when, and where. Make sure the invitation includes your name and your child's name, the start and end times, and your address and phone number. It may be helpful to also include an alternate phone number, like your spouse's cell phone, in case parents have trouble reaching you. List the items guests need to bring. Make it clear if you'll be supplying pillows, sleeping bags, and blankets for all the children, or if they need to bring their own. Encourage them to bring comfort items like security blankets and stuffed animals. Consider including a reminder about personal care items like toothbrushes and toothpaste, so that you don't need to hand out extra toothbrushes to everyone. Ask the parents to provide emergency numbers as well as any medication the child may need. Also, find out if the children have any allergies. Have several games ready. Board games and card games are easy solutions for filling time. But you can also choose a more physical game, like hide-and-seek, charades, or musical chairs. If you have puppets, encourage the children to put on a puppet show, or make your own puppets out of old socks and craft supplies. Plan the games and gather the supplies in advance so you can focus on the children on the day of the sleepover. Plan a scavenger hunt. Plant small items for the children to find around the house or yard. Small rubber dinosaurs, plastic action figures, or mini stuffed animals make for a fun surprise that they could take home with them. Just be sure you buy enough for every child to have one. Plan a craft project. Encourage the children to get creative by setting up a finger painting station, or tracing cartoon characters with glue and then sprinkling macaroni on it. Try working on a papier mache project together, like making a piñata , and let the kids break it open in the morning. Select a movie to watch. This should be age appropriate and not scary. Show the movie toward the end of the night since it's an opportunity to have everyone wind down and get into their sleeping bags. Choose a classic Disney movie like The Little Mermaid or The Lion King , or go with something more contemporary like Despicable Me , Finding Nemo , or Frozen. Set up the sleeping space. Let the kids have fun with prepping their sleeping arrangements. Push large furniture aside and let them build a fort of cushions and blankets in the middle of the room. Then they can place their sleeping bags inside if it's safe to do so. Or have them make different designs with their sleeping bags on the floor, like a sunburst, triangle, or square. Ask parents about any food allergies. Write down a list of each child's known allergies, such as peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, eggs, soy, etc. Reference this list when you go to the grocery store to shop for snacks, and read the ingredient lists on all packaging. Make your own pizzas. Not only is this an easy, crowd-pleasing dinner, but it also doubles as an activity for your guests. If you don't want to make your own dough , English muffins can stand in as the base for their pizzas. Then set up a “buffet” of toppings so that they can pick exactly what they'd like to have. Supply healthy snacks. Chips and candy are popular sleepover snacks, but to avoid overloading your guests with salt and sugar, offer healthy options as well. Chop up vegetables and serve them alongside different dips. Swap potato chips out for pita chips. If you're offering ice cream, slice some fresh fruit to offer as a topping. Avoid sugary or caffeinated beverages. Don't give the children sodas or energy drinks, especially right before bed, since this could keep them up far later than you'd like. Offer beverages like water, milk, low-sugar juices, or lemonade. Keep breakfast easy. Everyone, including you, will likely be tired the next morning, so plan a simple breakfast. Have a selection of cereals ready, as well as easy-to-peel fruits like clementines or bananas. Make pancakes in large batches and dress them up with fruits, chocolate chips, or whipped cream. Keep a list of parent phone numbers handy. You never know when a young child might become homesick and want to leave the party. Make sure parents are prepared to receive your call asking them to come pick up their child. If someone does go home early, offer to have them back for breakfast so that they don't feel like they missed out on everything. Have extra sleeping gear ready. An extra sleeping bag and set of pajamas are important to have on hand in case any of the children wet the bed in the middle of the night. And even if you told the other parents what to bring, it's likely someone will have forgotten a pillow or a toothbrush, so have those ready as well. Enforce a “lights-out” time. Communicate to all the kids that the lights will be turned off at a certain time, and that they're expected to settle down when this happens. Expect that some talking and laughing will continue beyond this time, though if it goes on too long, you may need to remind them that it's time to sleep. Preschoolers aren't accustomed to staying up very late, so select a time that allows them to stay up a little past bedtime, but not too much. For example, if your preschooler is normally in bed by 8 p.m., turn the lights off between 9 and 10 p.m. If the kids are still loud and hyper well after lights out, go back into the room where they're sleeping and tell them it's quiet time. Offer picture books and book lights to those who don't feel tired enough to sleep, but be firm about the noise. | Decide how many guests to invite. Set a start time. Set an end time. Email or call parents to invite their children. List the who, when, and where. List the items guests need to bring. Have several games ready. Plan a scavenger hunt. Plan a craft project. Select a movie to watch. Set up the sleeping space. Ask parents about any food allergies. Make your own pizzas. Supply healthy snacks. Avoid sugary or caffeinated beverages. Keep breakfast easy. Keep a list of parent phone numbers handy. Have extra sleeping gear ready. Enforce a “lights-out” time. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Peel-Chestnuts | How to Peel Chestnuts | To peel chestnuts easily, loosen their shells in the microwave first. Use a sharp knife to cut an X shape into the flat side of each one, then place the chestnuts in a glass baking dish, taking care to spread them out in a single layer. Microwave the chestnuts on high for 6 minutes and give them about a minute to cool before handling them. Then, use a small knife to peel off the shell from each chestnut. Work on one chestnut at a time, and be sure to remove as much of the inner brown skin as possible! | Make an X on the belly of the chestnut. Use a sharp chef's knife or serrated knife. Cut an X shape into the flat side, or belly, of the chestnuts. Cut as deeply as you can without cutting the chestnut into pieces. Wear rubber or leather gloves while you cut to avoid cutting yourself because chestnuts can be slippery. Put the chestnuts in a glass baking dish. Put the chestnuts in single layer in a glass baking dish. It doesn't matter if the chestnuts are touching, but they should not be on top of each other. Cover the dish with a layer of waxed paper. Microwave the chestnuts on high for 6 minutes. Put the glass dish covered with wax paper into the microwave. The chestnuts are ready when the shells start to pull back. You can microwave the chestnuts for a minute more if the shells haven't pulled back after 6 minutes. Use a knife to remove the shells. Allow the chestnuts to cool for a minute because they may be very hot after removing them from the microwave. Use a small, but sharp knife to peel off shells and as much of the inner brown skins as possible. This may take some effort, so work slowly and carefully in order to avoid injury. Boil the chestnuts in a pot of water. Turn the heat on the stove to a high setting. Let the chestnuts boil for only a few minutes. Then, remove the pot from the heat. Remove a few chestnuts with a strainer. Remove about five chestnuts at a time with the strainer. You can work with up to ten chestnuts at a time, but you should start with a smaller amount until you feel comfortable with the technique. Use a towel to remove the chestnut skins. Wrap the hot chestnuts in a thick, clean towel. Use your hands to work the towel over the chestnuts. Rub with the towel for a few minutes. The skins should begin to peel off. Remove the skins with rubber gloves. Put on rubber gloves. Any type of clean, unused rubber gloves will work. Working one at time, rub the chestnut until the skin begins to peel off. The skins should peel of easily if they have been boiled enough. Make a long slice on top of the chestnuts. First, preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Take the chestnut and place it between your index finger and thumb. Holding it firmly, use a serrated knife to make a long cut on the rounded top of the chestnut. Try to make the cut in one motion. The cut should be horizontal and penetrate all the way through the shell. If you can't make the cut in one motion, use a gentle sawing motion. Put the chestnuts in a small saucepan. Place the chestnuts in a small saucepan once all of them have been cut. Do not layer them on top of each other. Cover the chestnuts in water. Turn the heat to a medium-high setting. Allow the water to simmer. Then, remove the chestnuts with a strainer before the water begins to boil. You can also use a slotted spoon to remove the chestnuts. Bake the chestnuts for 15 minutes. Transfer the chestnuts from the strainer to a baking sheet. Roast them in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. You may need to leave them in a little longer if the skins haven't peeled back after 15 minutes. Put the chestnuts in a covered bowl. After taking the chestnuts out of the oven, put them in a bowl. Cover the bowl with a towel. Let the chestnuts sit for 15 minutes. The steam created in the covered bowl will make the chestnuts easier to peel. Peel the chestnuts. After 15 minutes, you should be able easily peel off the shells and skins with your hands. Some of the chestnuts may be slightly more difficult than others to peel. Throw out any chestnuts that are gooey or have disintegrated inside. | Make an X on the belly of the chestnut. Put the chestnuts in a glass baking dish. Microwave the chestnuts on high for 6 minutes. Use a knife to remove the shells. Boil the chestnuts in a pot of water. Remove a few chestnuts with a strainer. Use a towel to remove the chestnut skins. Remove the skins with rubber gloves. Make a long slice on top of the chestnuts. Put the chestnuts in a small saucepan. Turn the heat to a medium-high setting. Bake the chestnuts for 15 minutes. Put the chestnuts in a covered bowl. Peel the chestnuts. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-GIF-Files | How to Make GIF Files | If you want to make a GIF from a video, save the video that you like. Then, navigate to a website that specializes in video-to-GIF conversions, like Giphy GIF Maker or IMGUR Video to GIF, which don't require you to download any software or applications. Upload the video into the converter, and select the portion of the video that you'd like to turn into a GIF. If you want to add text or a caption, type it into the caption box, and then click the button to create the file. Save the file to your computer and share it online! | Decide on a reputable video-to-GIF conversion app. There are many to choose from, such as Giphy GIF Maker and IMGUR Video to GIF , both of which can be used right in your web browser (no download necessary!) If you prefer to download an app, make sure to read lots of reviews in your device's app store. Never download and run software from a site you don't trust. The two apps mentioned can create GIFs from up to 15 seconds of online video. This is common. Most converters require that your video be uploaded to an website like Youtube or Vimeo that allows you to publicly share videos. Others, like Giphy, also allow you to upload your own video. Choose your source video. Find a video online (or on your device if using a site like Giphy) that has anywhere from 0.5-15 seconds of movement to turn into a GIF. If you're using a video on the internet, open it in your browser. Load the video into the converter. This step will be different across different apps. If you're using a video on a site like Youtube, open the video in your browser. Copy the entire URL of the video file from the address bar, then paste it into appropriate the box in the video-to-GIF converter app. The box should say something like “Paste URL here.” Press ↵ Enter or click OK. If you're uploading video, find the button on the video-to-gif conversion tool (it should say something like “Browse Your Video Files”) and select the desired file. Define the length of your GIF. Each site has different options for editing, but all will let you define a specific section of the video to convert to a GIF. In Imgur, for example, your video will appear with a slider beneath it that allows you to set a “start” and “end” point for your image. Add text to your GIF. Nearly every video-to-GIF maker allows you to add some text or other flair to your GIF. Look for a button that says something like “Add Text” or “Add Caption.” Create the file. When you're done with the creative process, click “Create GIF” or “Save GIF” in your web app to launch the Save menu. Choose a name for your GIF and save it to your computer in a folder you'll remember later. If your GIF is over 10MB, web app converters will create a file that ends with a “.GIFV” instead of ”.GIF”, though you will still be able to use it as you would a normal GIF. You can test your GIF out by opening it in your web browser. Navigate to the folder where you saved the GIF and drag it right into your browser window. Or, if you're on a mobile device, browse to the file and tap it open. The animation will play instantly. Gather a set of images. If you want to create an animated GIF from still images, make sure you have the images on your computer or mobile device. If the images are online, download them first to your PC or to your Mac. Choose an image-to-GIF converter. There are lots to choose from, such as GifCreator and GIFMaker Video Maker. Both of these apps, and many others, are accessible on the web—no downloads required. These converters generally have similar features, including the ability to modify the size of each frame and control animation speed. They can also be used on all mobile devices with web browsers. There are also apps available for download that allow you to create GIFs, but many of the free ones are bogged down with ads. If you want to download an app, make sure you read reviews of each product before downloading. Upload your first image to the converter. With the converter open in your browser, find the button that says something along the lines of “Upload Images” (depending on which converter you're using). A browse box should appear, allowing you to select your first image. Double-click the image or select it and click “Open.” You should see a thumbnail appear in the converter. Adjust the size of the image. Most converters will also display some adjustable settings below the image, such as size or repeat times. You can move the sliders around to adjust these aspects now. You can also come back to them later by clicking the thumbnail of the image. Upload and adjust more images. Upload additional photos by clicking the “Upload Images” button. Most converters allow you to drag the images around to arrange them in different orders, so don't worry if you upload them out of sequence. You can also adjust the size of each image. If your converter doesn't already show a preview of the animation, look for a button that says “Preview” or “Play” to check your work. Create the GIF file. Once you're done making adjustments to the order and size of your animation, click “Create GIF animation” or “Create GIF” to open the Save dialog. Select a memorable file name, as well as a folder on your device that you'll remember. Click “Save” or “Download” to save your creation. Open GIMP. If you'd like to create an animated GIF from scratch and are comfortable using GIMP, this method will work for you. Install GIMP if you've not yet done so, then launch the software. Create a new image. In the File menu, click “New.” A dialog will appear with options for your new image: You'll see two boxes that say Width and Height, followed by “px,” which means “pixels.” Type your desired size (in pixels) in each box. If you are more comfortable visualizing inches, choose “in” from the list and type your desired image size. Next to “Fill with,” choose a color to use for the background of your GIF. There are two boxes beneath the side tool bar filled with colors—selecting “Foreground color” will use the color of the front square as the image color, and “Background color” will use the rear square color. Click “OK” to create your image. Make the Layers dock visible. Open the “Windows” menu and select “Dockable Dialogs.” Select “Layers” from the list. Create a new layer for your first element. Each piece of your animation must be on a separate layer. Click the small square piece of paper at the bottom left corner of the Layers box to open the New Layer dialog. Type a name for your layer next to “Layer name” so you can easily switch between layers later. To ensure a seamless animation, set the color to “Transparent,” then click “OK.” Add images or text to the layer. If you want to draw on this later, click the paintbrush icon in the sidebar, select a color, and draw your picture. To insert text, click the “A” on the sidebar, then click somewhere to begin typing. Anything you put in this layer will be animated together. In other words, if you type some text and draw an image on this layer, these two elements will be in the same frame of the animation. After you're done putting images or text on this layer, look at the layers dialog and notice the “Opacity” option. To make a layer less opaque, slide the knob down until you see your desired results. Create another layer, if desired. This step can be repeated for as many different layers as you'd like in your animation. Give this new layer a name that's unique from the last layer, then click “OK.” View a preview of your animation. Open the Filters menu and select “Animation,” then “Playback.” You will see a preview of your animation, which GIMP creates from each of your layers. Change animation options. Open the File menu and click “Export,” then select “GIF image.” Make sure the box is checked next to “As animation.” If you want the animation to loop continuously, put a check next to “Loop Forever.” Next to “Delay between frames where unspecified,” enter the time (in milliseconds) you'd like each frame to display. By default, it's 100 (which is why your preview looked rather fast). Change it to something larger, like 300 or 600, then click “Export.” Fine-tune the delay. If you don't want each of your layers to appear for the same amount of time, you can edit the duration of each layer independently. Right-click one of the layer names in the layers dialog and select “Edit layer attributes.” Next to the layer name, type the duration (in milliseconds) directly, without a space, like this: LAYERNAME(200ms) Click “OK to save that layer, and modify any additional layers in the same way. Preview and export your animation. In the Filters menu, click “Animation” and select “Playback” to see how your changes have modified the animation. When you're ready to save the image, click “File” then “Export,” and choose “GIF image” once more. Give your animation a name and click “Save” to finish. Create a new image in Photoshop. If you'd rather convert a video to an animated GIF format, see How to Make an Animated GIF from a Video in Photoshop CS5. A working knowledge of Photoshop tools will help you immensely with this method. See How To Use Adobe Photoshop Tools for general Photoshop tips. Open the “File” menu and click “New” to view options for your new file. Type a name for your animation in the box next to “Name.” In the “width” and “height” boxes, note the measurement types after the value boxes. It's either set to inches or pixels, depending on what you've used in the past. If you feel comfortable specifying pixel size, change the measurement type to “Pixels.” If it's easier for you to visualize inches, choose that option. Type your desired measurement in its corresponding box. Choose a background color for your animation. Click the menu next to “Background” or “Background contents” (depending on your version of Photoshop) and choose from the color options. Click “OK” to create your new image with these settings. Open the Layers and Animation panels. Each frame of your animation needs to be in its own layer, so you'll want the layers panel visible. Click the Window menu and check both Layers and Animations. The panels will then appear in your workspace. Create a new layer for your first frame. In the Layers panel, click the plus sign (+) to add a new layer. Next to “Name,” type a name for your layer, such as “Frame 1.” Set the Fill color either to Transparent or the color of your background. Click “OK” to create this new layer. Each element of your animation needs to be on a unique frame. Anything you put on this new layer will animate as one frame. Add your text or drawing to your new layer. If you want to draw on this layer, choose a color from the swatch panel (the panel with all of the colored squares) then click the paintbrush tool. If you want to add text, click the “T” to launch the text tool. Create your next frame. Create another layer and build the second frame of your animation. If the next frame of your animation will simply be a slight modification to the first frame, you may want to “Clone” your layer instead of creating a new one. To clone the layer, right-click on that layer in the Layers panel and select “Duplicate layer.” Continue creating or cloning layers until you have each individual frame of your animation on its own layer. Create new frames in the Animation panel. In the Animation panel at the bottom of the screen, click the icon that is a small rectangle with a smaller square on top of it (the New Frame button). This will create one new frame. Click this button as many times as there are layers in your animation. If your animation will have 7 layers, create 7 frames. Edit the contents of the first frame in the Animation panel. Click the first frame in the panel. As you can see from the thumbnail, this frame presently consists of every layer in your animation. Notice that each layer in your Layers panel has a small eyeball symbol next to it. This symbol tells you that the layer is currently visible. To make the first frame in the Animation panel display only the first layer, remove the eyeball symbol from each of the other layers. Change the duration for this frame by adjusting the time (in seconds) beneath the thumbnail, which currently reads “0 sec.” Edit subsequent frames. Click each additional frame and remove visibility from all layers other than the one you want to be visible in the frame. Remember to adjust the time at the bottom of each thumbnail. Press the Play button to test your animation. The Play button is located beneath the animation frames at the bottom of the screen. Save the animation as a GIF. Click “File,” then “Save for Web and Devices.” Make sure that GIF is selected in the top pulldown menu beneath the word “Preset” and click “Save.” Decide on an image to convert to a GIF. Sometimes websites or apps require your images to be in the GIF format. Fortunately, nearly any image file can be converted to a GIF. Remember that GIF files are only capable of displaying 256 colors, so if you're using a higher-quality image such as a JPG, BMP or TIFF, converting to this format may reduce image quality. If your image is on the Internet, you'll need to save it to your computer first. Save Pictures to Your MacBook or Save Pictures Onto Your PC. If your image is something that needs to be scanned, see How to Scan Photos. Open your image in image editing software. Locate your image on your computer in Finder or Explorer, then: Mac: Double-click your image to open it in Preview. Windows: Right-click the image and select “Open With” and choose “Paint” from the menu. Save the file as a GIF. With the image open in Preview (Mac) or Paint (Windows): Mac: Open the File menu and select “Save As.” In the Format menu, click “GIF.” Type a name for your new file next to “Save As,” then click “Save” to create the GIF. Windows: Click “File,” then click the right-pointing arrow next to “Save As.” Select “GIF Picture” from the list and type in a name for your file. Click “Save”' to create the GIF. | Decide on a reputable video-to-GIF conversion app. Choose your source video. Load the video into the converter. Define the length of your GIF. Add text to your GIF. Create the file. Gather a set of images. Choose an image-to-GIF converter. Upload your first image to the converter. Adjust the size of the image. Upload and adjust more images. Create the GIF file. Open GIMP. Create a new image. Make the Layers dock visible. Create a new layer for your first element. Add images or text to the layer. Create another layer, if desired. View a preview of your animation. Change animation options. Fine-tune the delay. Preview and export your animation. Create a new image in Photoshop. Open the Layers and Animation panels. Create a new layer for your first frame. Add your text or drawing to your new layer. Create your next frame. Create new frames in the Animation panel. Edit the contents of the first frame in the Animation panel. Edit subsequent frames. Press the Play button to test your animation. Save the animation as a GIF. Decide on an image to convert to a GIF. Open your image in image editing software. Save the file as a GIF. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Fuel-Filter | How to Clean a Fuel Filter | To clean a fuel filter, start by removing the filter from your car's engine. Next, disconnect the negative terminal on your car's battery. Once the battery is disconnected, remove the filter from the fuel lines and spray it with a pressurized carbon cleaner to clean it. After that, let the filter dry for about an hour before reinstalling it. Finish up by reconnecting your battery and running your engine for a few minutes to reestablish the fuel system's pressure. Be sure to check for any fuel leaks as you're running your engine! | Relieve the pressure in your fuel system. Check your owner's manual to find the fuse for your fuel pump. Remove it, then start your engine and let it run for 1 to 2 minutes. It might sputter out before the time's up, which means the pressure is relieved. While the engine might sputter out, this isn't necessary to relieve the pressure. Running it for 1 to 2 minutes will do the trick. Make sure your car is parked in a level, well-ventilated area. Disconnect the negative terminal on your battery. Turn your car off, then open the hood. Find the negative terminal on your battery, and use a wrench to remove the cable. Tuck the cable on the side of the battery so it doesn't accidentally come into contact with its terminal. The negative terminal is marked with a minus sign (-), and the positive terminal with a plus sign (+). If your terminals are colored red and black, the negative terminal is the black one. If you don't disconnect the battery, sparks could ignite gas fumes and residue that drips from the fuel lines. Locate the fuel filter. Locations vary by make and model, so check your owner's manual. It'll be somewhere along the fuel line between the engine and gas tank. A common spot is under the car just past the fuel pump. In some models, it's housed in the engine bay. Jack up your car if necessary. Slide a jack under one of your vehicle's jack points, then pump or twist the handle to raise the car. Place jack stands beneath the car near the jack, then lower the jack until the car sits on the stands. Check your manual to identify your vehicle's jack points. Don't rely on a jack alone to hold your vehicle's weight. Never work under a vehicle that's not supported by jack stands. Place a bucket or jar under the filter to catch fuel. When you detach the fuel lines from the filter, any gas remaining in the lines will spill. A bucket or jar underneath the filter area will catch spilled gas. Detach the clips that fasten the fuel line to the filter. The exact design of the clips that hold the lines to the filter vary by model. Check your manual or look online for your vehicle's design. You'll either use a flathead screwdriver to pop them out or pull them out by hand. Remove the fuel lines. Use a wrench or hose clamps to slide the fuel lines off of the filter. Pop the lines off of the nozzles on either end of the filter. As you remove the lines, make sure to angle them toward the bucket or jar to catch any gas that drips. Wear gloves and protective eyewear when you detach the fuel lines. Remove the filter from its bracket. Depending on your vehicle, you'll either slide the filter out of a bracket or loosen bolts that hold it in place. Look around your filter for bolts or check your manual. Before you slide out the filter, note its position so you'll know how to correctly reinstall it. Pour out any gas remaining in the filter. There might be residual gas in the filter. Gently tap both the fuel-in and fuel-out nozzles into the container you used to catch spilled gas from the fuel lines. The nozzles are located at each end of the filter. Spray the filter with a pressurized carburetor cleaner. Purchase a cleaner in a pressurized container that comes with a small application straw. Attach the straw to the container's spout, then spray inside each nozzle. You can find a pressurized cleaner at your local automotive store. Ask an employee to recommend a product that safe to use on fuel filters. Tap out loosened debris, then dry the filter for an hour. Carefully knock the filter against the side of the container you used to catch spilled gas. Let the spray and any loose debris fall out of each nozzle. Spray the nozzles one more time, tap out debris, and let the filter air dry for at least 1 hour. Slide the filter into its bracket. Be sure to slide the filter back into its bracket in the correct position. If necessary, replace any bolts you removed. Replace the fuel lines and clips. Slide the fuel lines back into each nozzle. Make sure you've reconnected the lines tightly to prevent leaks. Then pop the clips that fasten the lines to the nozzles back into place. Lower your car if necessary, then reconnect the battery and fuse. If you jacked up your car, jack it higher to remove the stands, then lower it to the ground. Use a wrench to reconnect the cable on the battery's negative terminal, and replace the fuel pump fuse. Start your engine and check for fuel leaks. After reconnecting the battery and fuse, run your engine for a few minutes. Since the fuel system's pressure needs to be reestablished, it might take a few tries before it starts. While it runs, check under your car for fuel leaks. If you spot leaks, you'll need to disconnect the battery, jack the car up (if necessary), and tighten the fuel lines. If your engine won't start after a few minutes, double check your fuses. If your dashboard and dome lights are dim or won't turn on, your battery might need to be jumped. If the fuses and battery are fine, make sure you reinstalled the filter correctly and that the fuel lines are tight. Contact your mechanic if none of these troubleshooting methods work. Dispose of the old gas. If the gasoline you've collected from your fuel lines and filter isn't badly contaminated with debris, you could use it in a lawn mower or other gas-fueled equipment. If it's loaded with debris and unusable, transfer it to a gasoline container and bring it to a disposal center. To find a disposal center, contact your city or county waste management authority or your local fire department. You could also call a nearby automotive shop and ask if they dispose of gas for free. It's illegal to throw away gas in the trash or to pour it down a drain, even in small amounts. Keep the container sealed during transport and never smoke or light a flame near gasoline. | Relieve the pressure in your fuel system. Disconnect the negative terminal on your battery. Locate the fuel filter. Jack up your car if necessary. Place a bucket or jar under the filter to catch fuel. Detach the clips that fasten the fuel line to the filter. Remove the fuel lines. Remove the filter from its bracket. Pour out any gas remaining in the filter. Spray the filter with a pressurized carburetor cleaner. Tap out loosened debris, then dry the filter for an hour. Slide the filter into its bracket. Replace the fuel lines and clips. Lower your car if necessary, then reconnect the battery and fuse. Start your engine and check for fuel leaks. Dispose of the old gas. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Grout-with-Vinegar | How to Clean Grout with Vinegar | To clean grout with vinegar, apply vinegar to the grout and let it sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing with a toothbrush. For a deep clean, create a paste with 2 parts baking soda and 1 part water and apply it to the grout with your finger. Then, mix 1 part vinegar to 1 part water in a spray bottle and spray the mix onto the paste. Once the paste is fizzy, scrub it into the grout with a toothbrush before wiping it away with a clean towel. | Apply vinegar to the grout. Use a vinegar-soaked cloth or a spray bottle filled with vinegar to coat the grout you wish to get clean. If you are trying to clean grout on a vertical surface, a spray bottle is probably your best bet. After applying the vinegar, wait ten minutes before moving on to the next step. Always use distilled white vinegar or specialized cleaning vinegar to clean grout. Scrub the grout. Ten minutes after applying the grout, use a toothbrush to scrub the grout. Use firm up-and-down motions to scrub the grout clean. Wipe the grout. Use a dry or damp rag to remove the loosened grout grime. Allow the area to dry, then evaluate it. If the grout still needs cleaning, try a different method. Make a baking soda paste. Combine about two tablespoons of baking soda with about one tablespoon (15 milliliters) of water. The mixture should not be too thin. If it sloshes about in the bowl you mixed it in, add some more baking soda to help it achieve a more paste-like texture. It also shouldn't be too thick. If the mixture is thick and dry, and doesn't adhere well to the fork or spoon you use to mix it, add some water to thin it out. The more grout you have to clean, the more paste you'll need. You can also use an oxidizing bleach powder instead of baking soda. Apply the paste to the grout. The easiest way to apply the paste to the grout is with your finger. Simply scoop a little dollop of the paste onto your finger tip and smear it in an even layer across the grout you wish to clean. Mix water and vinegar. In a spray bottle, combine water and vinegar in a one-to-one ratio. For instance, you might combine 1.5 cups (354 milliliters) vinegar with 1.5 cups (354 milliliters) water. To prevent grout from accumulating grime in the shower, just spray this mixture onto the shower grout two or three times weekly after getting out of the shower. Spray the mixture onto the paste. Point the nozzle of the spray bottle toward the baking soda paste you've smeared along the grout. Squeeze the handle of the bottle. Repeat as necessary until all of the paste has bubbled up somewhat. You may have to wait about five minutes for the vinegar and baking soda to react. Scrub the grout. Once the paste has become fizzy with the application of the vinegar mixture, use a stiff-bristled toothbrush to scrub the grout clean. Use a toothbrush you aren't planning on using again for anything but detail cleaning. Wipe the grout. Once you've loosened the grime and grit along your grout, it should wipe away with ease. Take a damp rag or paper towel and wipe it along the grout you've cleaned. Wipe the area along the edges of the grout, too, to soak up any of the lingering water/vinegar. If you want to give your floor an additional level of shine, mop the whole thing after you're done. Make a citrus vinegar spray. Mix 3.5 cups (828 milliliters) hot water, ½ cup (170 grams) baking soda, 1/6 cup (40 milliliters) vinegar, and 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) lemon juice in a spray bottle. Aim the nozzle of the spray bottle at the grout you wish to clean. Spray the bottle so that the grout is evenly covered. After one hour, scrub the grout with the scouring side of a sponge to remove the dirt crusted into the grout. Try a salty vinegar mix. Combine ¼ cup (21 grams) salt, ¼ cup (21 grams) baking soda, and ¼ cup vinegar (60 milliliters) in a tall cup or small bowl. Let the solution sit for 20 minutes, then use a small spoon to apply the mixture to the grout. Using a toothbrush or scouring pad, scrub the grout until clean. Once you're finished, mop the grout or use a damp cloth to wipe the grime away. Use an ammonia solution. Mix 3.5 cups (828 milliliters) hot water, ¼ cup (21 grams) baking soda, 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) ammonia, and ¼ cup (60 milliliters) vinegar. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Wait 60 minutes, then spray the grout you wish to clean. Use a scouring sponge to remove the dirt from the grout. Wipe the grime away with a damp rag. | Apply vinegar to the grout. Scrub the grout. Wipe the grout. Make a baking soda paste. Apply the paste to the grout. Mix water and vinegar. Spray the mixture onto the paste. Scrub the grout. Wipe the grout. Make a citrus vinegar spray. Try a salty vinegar mix. Use an ammonia solution. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cut,-Bale,-and-Store-Hay | How to Cut, Bale, and Store Hay | With modern machinery, cutting, baling, and storing your hay has never been easier. Cut your hay when the leaves have developed fully but before the seed heads have fully grown. This will provide the best nutrition for your animals. Wait until you have 3 days of dry weather so you can cure and bale the hay without it getting wet. Cut your hay with a sickle mower or sickle haybine if you have a small or medium-sized field or a disk mower, if you have a large field. Then, use a baler at a steady, moderate speed, which will be the most effective. Store your hay under shelter or cover it with a tarp sheet to protect it from the rain. | Check your machinery approximately one month before you plan to start haying. Delays in harvest due to broken parts or inadequate equipment can result in a late harvest or improperly dried hay. If there are legumes, such as alfalfa and clover, in your hay field, you may need to harvest slightly earlier, when they are at 10 to 20 percent of full flower. Cut your hay when the leaves have developed fully and the seed heads have not fully developed. This is the point when the hay will offer the best nutrition for your animals. Cutting the hay too early will result in lower yields. Cutting the hay too late will result in lower nutritive content, because the plant has begun focusing on seed production. Wait until you have at least three days of dry weather to cut your hay. It takes this amount of time to cure dry hay for baling and rain interrupts this process. There is usually a two-week window in which hay is in the perfect stage for cutting. Cut your pasture with a sickle mower, sickle haybine or rotary disk mower. Generally the size of your land determines which of these pieces of equipment you will need, in order of smallest to largest machinery and investment. Start tedding the hay the day within a day of cutting. A hay tedder is a tractor attachment or piece of machinery that aerates the hay. It spreads it out so light and heat can dry the hay out. A tedder and rake is often the same piece of equipment. Turn the hay one to three times over the next three days. Turning the hay with your tedder or rake will cause some quality loss, because the seeds and grass will fall through the hay onto the pasture. Only turn it according to what is necessary to cure it in your climate. If it rains, you may need to turn the hay an additional time to ensure it is dry before storing. Test the hay frequently to see what its internal moisture content is. It should be brittle and crisp, but not too easy to shatter in your hand. Baling the hay too early can result in spoilage, mold and even spontaneous combustion in your stacked bales. For an easy test, twist several stalks of mown grass, place it in a dry box with several tsp. of alt. Shake the container for one minute and if the salt remains dry, it is ready to bale. For a scientific approach, purchase an electronic moisture tester at your local farm supply store or from a catalog. It should be below 22 percent moisture, usually baled at 15 to 18 percent moisture content. Hay that is too dry will result in extra breakage and lower quality of hay in bales. Rake the hay together in large windrows. Most balers need a wider windrow than the traditional mower can offer. You will get the densest bale with the highest quality hay by ensuring the windrow is sufficiently large for your baler. Consider a small square baler if you have a small operation. In this case, you may be able to store the small bales inside a barn to preserve it. Use square bales if you keep goats and sheep. They can sometimes be pickier than cows or horses and consume the hay slowly. Pick small square bales if you want to market your hay to small livestock operations. You may be able to sell bales to horse owners, pet shops or people with small herds of cattle. Opt for large circular bales if you have a large farming and ranching operation. The baling of hay can be mechanized with a large baler, saving you time. These balers require a significant amount of investment in equipment. Large circular bales will also reduce the time it takes to feed. They are larger than square bales, so you will need to roll out a smaller number of them to feed your livestock. Choose circular bales if you must store the hay outside. You can cover the hay with tarps, wrap it partially while you bale or arrange it in a stack so that water can pour off the top to avoid spoilage. Go for large circular bales only if you are able to cure the hay correctly. Round bales are denser and more likely to combust if baled when wet. Position your baler pick-up tines approximately one inch (2.5 cm) above the ground. You will eliminate wear on your baler and pick up less dirt. Operate your baler at a consistent and moderate speed. You will have less pickup loss if the tines float at the same level and the hay lifts and flows into the bale chamber. You may need to drive more quickly with a round baler to reduce chamber loss. Check your baler after you do one to two bales. You want to check for width, density and chamber/pickup loss. Adjust the settings as needed to improve the quality of the bale. Leave the bales in the field to be picked up later or load them as you bale. Large round bales require larger machinery to lift and stack them. Store your hay under a roof if possible. It reduces the matter loss to two to ten percent. Try to elevate your hay on a platform instead of placing it directly on the ground. Elevating the hay can reduce matter loss by up to 15 percent. Cover your hay in a bale sleeve or plastic wrap to reduce loss further. This may be even more important if you live in a wet climate. Cover your haystacks with tarps to decrease matter loss by up to 15 percent. Some of the water may pour off the top and get trapped in the earth below, resulting in matter loss at the bottom. | Check your machinery approximately one month before you plan to start haying. Cut your hay when the leaves have developed fully and the seed heads have not fully developed. Wait until you have at least three days of dry weather to cut your hay. Cut your pasture with a sickle mower, sickle haybine or rotary disk mower. Start tedding the hay the day within a day of cutting. Turn the hay one to three times over the next three days. Test the hay frequently to see what its internal moisture content is. Rake the hay together in large windrows. Consider a small square baler if you have a small operation. Use square bales if you keep goats and sheep. Pick small square bales if you want to market your hay to small livestock operations. Opt for large circular bales if you have a large farming and ranching operation. Choose circular bales if you must store the hay outside. Go for large circular bales only if you are able to cure the hay correctly. Position your baler pick-up tines approximately one inch (2.5 cm) above the ground. Operate your baler at a consistent and moderate speed. Check your baler after you do one to two bales. Leave the bales in the field to be picked up later or load them as you bale. Store your hay under a roof if possible. Try to elevate your hay on a platform instead of placing it directly on the ground. Cover your hay in a bale sleeve or plastic wrap to reduce loss further. Cover your haystacks with tarps to decrease matter loss by up to 15 percent. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Permanently-Lower-Your-Voice | How to Permanently Lower Your Voice | To make your voice sound deeper, start speaking from your stomach rather than your throat by lowering the back of your tongue into your throat. You can also practice better breathing techniques, like breathing from your diaphragm instead of your chest. To breathe this way, inhale so that only your stomach rises while your chest and shoulders remain still. If you ever forget to lower your voice while you're speaking, take a deep breath and say your sentence in a low tone, which will sound confident and deeper. | Find where you should be speaking from. Your voice will be its most natural and powerful when it comes from the area just behind and around your nose. In order to practice speaking from this place, hum mmm-hmm, as if you were responding to a question affirmatively. Feel the vibration in your face as you hum. This is where you should focus on speaking from. Learn how to breathe from your diaphragm. Breathing from your diaphragm as opposed to your chest will make your voice both more powerful and deeper. When you breathe, your stomach should rise, and your chest and shoulders should remain still. These are full, diaphragm breaths. Speak from the diaphragm. You want your breath to come from your diaphragm, and go out through the part of your face you identified in step one. Practice this often, saying anything you like, but focusing on these two parts of your body. You will notice that you can get more power in your voice with less vocal strain, resulting in a louder, deeper voice. Keep practicing. At first, breathing this way will feel unnatural and you'll probably switch back to your normal way of breathing and speaking often. But if you practice for a couple of weeks, as often as you can remember, eventually it will become second nature. Learning to breathe from your diaphragm is one of the easiest ways to naturally improve your voice. Start speaking from your stomach instead of your throat. Consciously lower your Adam's apple by slowly swallowing, the last movement of a swallow before your throat goes up is the position you want. Another way is to lower the back of your tongue into your throat. This sounds difficult but play around with it till you find something that works. Start off slow. If your close friends or family suddenly hear you go from a 1st soprano to a bass you're going to be found out and have decongestants thrown at you. In conversation say a few words at the beginning and end of a sentence in a lower tone. Just be subtle. Trying to speak too deep too soon not only will seem conspicuous, it can do serious damage to your vocal chords over time. Be careful, and reign it back if you start to feel serious strain. Lower the end of your sentences. Whenever you find yourself speaking and you've forgotten to try to consciously lower your pitch, just take a deep breath, clear your throat, and finish whatever you were saying with a lower voice. Ending sentences with a high pitch indicates a question, therefore, consciously lowering the end of your sentences will help you sound more confident. Practice consciously lowering your voice for a while till it becomes habit. Like any other habit, you will forget often at first. With enough practice, what once was a conscious habit will become something you do unconsciously. The only key is to continue consciously speaking in a deeper tone until it becomes natural. Decide whether more costly options are right for you. Depending on your reasons for trying to deepen your voice, you might decide that it's worth pursuing options that cost money. Voice training and surgery are two of these options, both with large potential for success. If you want a lower voice to improve your confidence or social or dating life, you may want to stick to the slower but safer and cheaper options. Look into voice lowering surgery. One surgery shown to reduce the pitch of one's speaking voice permanently is called a thyroplasty and it involves reducing the tension in the vocal chords. Another involves injecting a subjects own fat into their vocal folds, which can reportedly lower pitches and improve voice quality. Though hormone replacement therapy alone usually lowers trans men's voices to more masculine levels, surgeries like these can be a next step for those that desire deeper voices. Get voice training from a speech expert. Vocologists specialize in helping their clients improve their speech in any number of ways, including altering their pitch. A good vocologist will help you identify the causes of your high-pitched voice and teach you change them. There are even vocologists who specialize in helping transgender people achieve more masculine or feminine voices. Your chances of lowering your pitch permanently are increased greatly if you get the help from a professional rather than just relying on self-guided practice. | Find where you should be speaking from. Learn how to breathe from your diaphragm. Speak from the diaphragm. Keep practicing. Start speaking from your stomach instead of your throat. Start off slow. Lower the end of your sentences. Practice consciously lowering your voice for a while till it becomes habit. Decide whether more costly options are right for you. Look into voice lowering surgery. Get voice training from a speech expert. |
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