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https://www.wikihow.com/Ask-Your-Employer-to-Sponsor-a-Green-Card | How to Ask Your Employer to Sponsor a Green Card | If you're applying for a job in the U.S. as a foreign national, you'll need your employer to sponsor your green card before you can start working. It's important to be upfront about your immigration status during interviews so your employer will be more likely to help you if they offer you a job. Let your employer know if you already have an immigration or work visa. Once you get a job offer, ask your employer about their green card policy and if they're willing to sponsor you. You should also ask if they expect you to cover some or all of the required fees for obtaining your green card, so you can get your finances in order. | Look into your employment authorization status. In order to get a Green Card, you will need to have permission to work in the US. If you are already living and authorized to work in the US (e.g., on an H-1B visa or with an Employment Authorization Document), then the Green Card application process will be easier. If you do not have a visa or other form of approval to live and work in the US, you may have a long waiting period before you can get Green Card approval. If you do not have permission to work in the US already, you have a variety of options. If you are in the US temporarily as a refugee, a student, or a non-permanent employee, you can submit an Application for Employment Authorization (form I-765). There are also a variety of nonimmigrant visas available for people who want to work in the US temporarily. These visas can serve as stepping stones for starting the Green Card application process. Check the eligibility categories for employment-based Green Cards. Before approaching an employer or potential employer about getting a Green Card, consider whether you belong to one of these categories: EB-1, or “first preference”: Workers with exceptional skills in the arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics, including researchers, professors, and multinational managers or business executives. EB-2, or “second preference”: Workers in professions that require an advanced degree, people who are highly skilled in the sciences, arts, or business (e.g., with more than 10 years of experience and evidence of exceptional abilities or contributions in their field), and workers applying for a national interest waiver. EB-3, or “third preference”: Skilled workers (people with 2+ years of training or work experience), professionals (people with a bachelor's degree or equivalent in their profession), and unskilled workers (for labor requiring less than 2 years of experience or training, e.g., manual labor in factory settings, or certain types of agricultural work). EB-4, or “fourth preference”: Immigrants with special status (e.g., religious workers, certain physicians, broadcasters, and other special categories). Find out if there is anything that might make you ineligible. In addition to your skills and credentials, there are other factors that may affect your ability to get a Green Card or work in the US. You may have trouble getting a Green Card or be ineligible to get a Green Card if you: Have a health condition that is potentially a threat to others, such as a communicable disease, or a mental disorder that may cause you to behave in ways that threaten yourself or others. Have a criminal record in the United States or another country. Have ties to organizations that are considered hostile to US interests, such as known terrorist organizations or totalitarian political parties. Entered the US illegally or have been working in the US without permission. Be honest about your work eligibility when you apply. Many jobs require applicants to specify whether they are eligible to work in the US. If your potential employer asks you whether you will need sponsorship to work in the US now or in the future, answer honestly. If they are willing to interview you or make a job offer with that information in mind, chances are they will be willing to consider sponsoring you for a Green Card. Employers in the US are not legally allowed to ask you if you are a US citizen, and they cannot ask about your national origin. They can only ask if you are currently authorized to work in the US, and if you may need sponsorship in the future. You are not legally required to prove your eligibility to work in the US unless you are offered a job. Discuss Green Card sponsorship after you get a job offer. If you have gotten as far as receiving a job offer, then your employer is clearly very interested in working with you and is likely already aware of your immigrant status. This is a good time to bring up the issue of Green Card sponsorship. For example, if you have just received a job offer, you might say something like, “I am very interested in this opportunity and would like to accept your offer. Before we go forward, can we discuss the steps we need to take together to help me get authorization to work permanently in the US?” Ask your employer about their Green Card policy. There is no consistent policy from one employer to another regarding Green Card sponsorship. Your employer's willingness to sponsor you may depend on a variety of factors, such as how big the company is, which eligibility category you fall into, whether or not you already have permission to work in the US, and whether you are a potential hire or a current employee. Some employers may have an immigration lawyer on staff to make the process easier. Some employers might start the process of sponsoring you for a Green Card immediately at the time that you are hired, while others may expect you to spend some time with the company on a work visa first. Talk to your employer about your eligibility. The process for getting your Green Card depends on which eligibility category you fall into (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, or other). Your employer will not need to file as much paperwork if you are an EB-1 (“first preference”) worker as they would for other categories. Let your employer know if you already have an immigration or work visa. Your employer can call the US Citizenship and Immigration Services office at 1-800-357-2099 to get more information about permanent employment eligibility categories for immigrants. Find out if your employer expects you to cover any expenses. The Green Card filing process can be very expensive for both you and your employer. While your employer is required to cover some of the costs (e.g., for obtaining your Permanent Labor Certification), they may expect you to cover some or all of the other required fees for obtaining your Green Card. Sit down with your employer ahead of time and come up with a formal agreement about who will be responsible for which expenses. Your employer may hold you responsible for the I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) and I-485 (Green Card application) filing fees. If you are applying for just yourself, these fees may total around $1,925. Additional fees may apply if you are seeking Green Cards for dependents or relatives. Some employers may charge employees for attorneys' fees associated with the Green Card filing process. Find out if you need an Application for Permanent Labor Certification. Most categories of immigrant employees will need a Permanent Labor Certification before they can apply for a Green Card. If you are an EB-1 worker or an EB-2 worker who qualifies for a national interest waiver, your employer will not need to file for a Permanent Labor Certification for you. Your employer is responsible for submitting the application and paying all application fees for your Permanent Labor Certification. The process of filing for Permanent Labor Certification is complex, and it may take several months to complete. Your employer can check the status of the application here: https://icert.doleta.gov/ Ask your employer to file an I-140 form for you. After your employer obtains a Permanent Labor Certification for you (if applicable), the next step is for them to file an I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) form on your behalf. Depending on your circumstances, you may need to get your I-140 petition approved before you can apply for a Green Card. If there is no wait time for you to get your immigration visa, you can file your I-485 (Green Card application) and I-140 form at the same time. Work with your employer to ensure they have all the information they need to fill out the I-140 correctly (including your full name, country of citizenship and country of nationality, mailing address, Alien Registration Number, passport number, and I-94 Arrival-Departure Record Number). If you have any family members or dependents who will be immigrating with you, your employer will need to provide information about them on the I-140 as well. If you fall under a special immigrant category (e.g., if you are a religious worker, a Canal Zone employee, or a physician working under certain circumstances), your employer will need to file an I-360 form (Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant) instead. I-140 processing time typically takes several months. However, most categories of immigrant workers can qualify for premium processing, which guarantees a processing time of 15 days. Premium processing requires an additional filing fee of $1,225 and the completion of an I-907 form. File a Form I-485 if you are already in the US. It is your responsibility to file the I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence). You must be physically present in the US and have an immigrant visa available to you immediately in order to file the I-485. The form is available for free from the USCIS website here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-485 Where you file the form will depend on your individual circumstances. Check the USCIS Direct Filing Addresses page here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-485-addresses The typical filing fee for employment-based applicants is $1,225 USD. Some employers may be willing to pay some or all of this fee for you. The wait time for getting your I-485 approved may vary depending on your immigrant status and which office is handling your case. If you are in the US and have paid your immigrant visa fee, processing time may take up to 120 days from the time of entry or the time of paying the fee. Submit any other applicable documents. You will need to submit various documents along with your I-485 in order to support your application. These will vary depending on your circumstances and eligibility category, but may include: 2 passport-style color photos of yourself. A photocopy of a government-issued ID with a photograph (e.g., your passport). A photocopy of your birth certificate, or proof that no birth certificate is available. Copies of documents certifying that you were inspected by an immigration officer and admitted into the US. Documentation of your immigrant category. A copy of an official job offer from your employer. A form completed by a USCIS civil surgeon certifying that you do not have any medical conditions that would prevent you from being eligible to live in the US. Check the status of your application. Once you've submitted all of the appropriate fees and paperwork, you can check the status of your application online. Keep your filing receipts, as you will need the receipt number to look up your case. Check your status here: https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do File an appeal if your application is denied. If your application for a Green Card is denied, you may be able to submit an appeal to the USCIS Administrative Appeals Office (AAO). An appeal must be filed within 30 days of an unfavorable decision. To appeal, file a form I-290B (Notice of Appeal or Motion). In most cases, you will need to submit a $675 filing fee. | Look into your employment authorization status. Check the eligibility categories for employment-based Green Cards. Find out if there is anything that might make you ineligible. Be honest about your work eligibility when you apply. Discuss Green Card sponsorship after you get a job offer. Ask your employer about their Green Card policy. Talk to your employer about your eligibility. Find out if your employer expects you to cover any expenses. Find out if you need an Application for Permanent Labor Certification. Ask your employer to file an I-140 form for you. File a Form I-485 if you are already in the US. Submit any other applicable documents. Check the status of your application. File an appeal if your application is denied. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Look-Good-with-Pale-Skin | How to Look Good with Pale Skin | To look good with pale skin, pick makeup colors that will enhance your skin tone, such as muted, neutral eyeshadow and black mascara to make your eyes pop. If you wear lipstick, stick to pink or peach lip colors that will enhance your pale skin. Additionally, keep your hair color close to your natural shade, since that will probably be the most flattering with your undertones. When you pick your clothes, opt for shades that compliment your coloring, such as green or purple if you're a redhead, or lavender or grey if your skin has pink or bluish undertones. | Wear neutral eyeshadow. Whether you have brown, blue, green or gray eyes, it is essential that you choose the right colors for your eye-shadow. Being pale is like being a blank canvas: colors will show up with more intensity on you because you have a lighter tone. Someone with very dark skin may be able to easily pull off dark and/or vibrant makeup while muted neutral tones may be more flattering on a person with lighter skin. Soft neutrals, such as taupe, cream, sand, pale pink, and beige may be your best bet. Remember, less makeup is more for a light-skinned woman. Makeup tends to show up easier on someone with lighter skin, so just a little bit of light eye-shadow can look stunning. If you want to wear brighter shades, such as neons and metallics, use them in small amounts as accents in order to look your best. Choose the right eyeliner. Brown and gray eyeliner looks stunning on the perpetually pale. Brown especially is a color that brings out the eyes but doesn't look as harsh as black, which can create too stark of a contrast between your pale skin and your makeup. This contrast may look especially harsh if your hair is a light color. Black eyeliner can be beautiful on a pale person, but in moderation. This is especially true if you have dark hair. Instead of circling your eye with the liner, try instead only lining the top or the outer corners. As a general rule of thumb for any skin tone, circling your entire eye in black liner can make your eyes look smaller. You can go for the Taylor Swift-esque cat eyes to make your eyes even bigger. You can even use a makeup brush to smudge your eyeliner a bit, so it blends in with your skin a bit and creates less of a contrast. Make your eyes pop with black mascara. There are a lot of factors that go into picking a mascara color, including skin color, hair color, and eye color. When in doubt, go for black mascara, as it's attractive on nearly everyone. Also, black mascara will likely help your eyes stand out against your pale skin. You can also get thickening mascara to make the most of your lashes and to really make your eyes pop. Consider trying a brown mascara if you have light-colored hair and are going for a more natural look. If you'd prefer to wear a vibrantly-colored mascara, go for a purple mascara if your eyes are blue, green, or hazel, and go for a blue or green mascara if your eyes are brown. Make sure your foundation matches your skin. For any skin tone, a foundation that does not match your skin tone is never flattering. This is especially true with paler skin. Any color that is slightly askew from your natural tone will look off, if not like an orange disaster. Don't be ashamed to choose "porcelain" or "angel" shades. They look better than a darker shade and enhance your natural glow. Opt for liquid foundations over powder foundations, as powder applied to a pale face can easily look cakey. If you prefer powder, simply use it sparingly. Don't try to fake it. Trying to look darker by choosing a darker foundation makes you look a bit silly. Go easy on the bronzer and blush. Bronzer must be used sparingly if you want to use it at all. A little bit of very light bronzer along your jaw, on your cheekbones, and on the corners of your forehead can add an attractive warmth and thinness to your face. Too much and you risk looking like you have some dirt on your face. Apply a light pink blush to your cheekbones in a circular motion to enhance this warmth. Whether you use bronzer, blush, or both, just make sure that you blend it in smoothly. Consider using concealer. Cover up is a life saver when those bags under your eyes and pimples (which look a bit more pronounced on white skin) will not go away! Cover up can also cover any sun damage or pimples. Don't worry about covering your freckles, though. They look cute! Embrace them! That said, if you really don't have any blemishes or pimples to hide, then you can skip out on concealer. Stick to pink, peach, and bold red lip colors. Nude lipsticks can be tricky for those with pale skin. Don't get a lipstick that's too close to your skin tone, or else you may look washed out. Also avoid colorful nudes, as this won't look nude. Opt for pink and peach nude lip colors instead. Red lipstick can also look great against pale skin — think of how stunning the paler-skinned Taylor Swift looks with bright red lipstick. As a unique alternative, you can also try a rich berry-colored lipstick or gloss, as this also looks attractive against pale skin. Lipsticks and lipglosses that have orange or brown colors in them aren't typically as flattering on those who have pale skin. You can also use some lip liner to accentuate your lips as well. Keep your hair color natural. Pale skin, depending on undertones, can work with a variety of hair shades. If you aren't sure which shade will complement your skin best, stay close to your natural hue. This will likely be the most flattering option. Very dark, or even black hair against pale skin can make for a very flattering and classic look. Wear colors that go with your undertones. A number of factors, including skin color, hair color, and eye color, determine what clothing colors look best on you. However, arguably the most important factor is your natural undertones. If you have cool undertones, try wearing lavender or gray. If your undertones are warmer, stick with creams, corals, and olives. If you have neutral undertones, opt for colors like red and white. If you're a redhead, stay away from colors similar to your hair on the color wheel (i.e. red, pink, orange). Instead, look for colors opposite of your hair, such as green, blue and purple. Pastels typically look gorgeous against light skin. Beware of certain shades of yellow, as they can make you look sick. Wear pantyhose to enhance your legs. Pantyhose can help even out the tone of your legs while maintaining your gorgeous look. You can still pick a light-colored tone of pantyhose so that they look natural. In hot weather and/or in more casual settings when you may not want to wear pantyhose, show off your bare legs by using a rich, shimmery moisturizer on them. Take care of your body hair. Make sure you take care of any body hair, especially if you have naturally dark body hair. Hair shows up very easily against light skin, so it's best to take care of hair regularly, especially if you have a bit of a unibrow or a mustache. You can consider waxing this hair, or you can just work on plucking your eyebrows or any stray hairs on your face or body. If you have naturally blonde body hair, then you don't need to worry as much. Blonde hair blends well with pale skin and doesn't need to be taken care of nearly as often. Embrace your beauty! Everyone thinks tan is terrific, but pale is just as beautiful. Realizing that being different from the norm is the first step to embracing your unique beauty and gaining a healthy self-confidence! Being pale makes you look classic, timeless, and gorgeous. Instead of trying to look tan or to be something you're not, just work on making the most of the beauty that you have to share with the world. Be proud of your look and make the most of it. Don't let people get you down about your pale skin and learn to love your unique and gorgeous look. | Wear neutral eyeshadow. Choose the right eyeliner. Make your eyes pop with black mascara. Make sure your foundation matches your skin. Go easy on the bronzer and blush. Consider using concealer. Stick to pink, peach, and bold red lip colors. Keep your hair color natural. Wear colors that go with your undertones. Wear pantyhose to enhance your legs. Take care of your body hair. Embrace your beauty! |
https://www.wikihow.com/Pumice-Feet | How to Pumice Feet | Pumicing your feet is a great way to smooth your skin and reduce corns and calluses. Before you use a pumice stone, soak your feet in a tub of warm water with 1/2 cup of Epsom salt for 20 minutes to soften your skin. After you've soaked your feet, wet a pumice stone with clean water and use gentle pressure to rub the bottom of your feet with it. Rinse your feet every couple of minutes to wash away dead skin. Keep scrubbing your feet until they're smooth. You can use a pumice stone 1-3 times a week to maintain healthy skin. | Soak your feet. Fill a basin or tub with warm water and add half a cup of Epsom salt (available at pharmacies), then stir to dissolve. Soak your feet for 20 minutes. Remove your feet from the tub. Scrub your feet with a pumice stone. Wet a pumice stone with clean water. Rub the corns, calluses, and dry skin on your feet back and forth. Use gentle pressure to avoid irritation. As long as you're gentle and you soak your feet first, pumice stones are easy and safe to use. Rinse and repeat the process. Rinse your feet every 1-2 minutes to wash away dead skin. Continue scrubbing gently until your feet are smooth. Rinse and pat your feet dry with a clean towel. Use a pumice stone one to three times a week. To maintain soft, smooth feet, use a pumice stone on your feet between one and three times a week. If you don't have the time to soak your feet regularly, use the pumice stone after showering when your skin is softest. Rub your feet with the pumice stone for a few minutes each time and always use gentle, circular movements. Keep your pumice stone clean. Be sure to rinse your pumice stone thoroughly after every use. Clean it after every 3 or 4 uses by scrubbing it with an old toothbrush and an antibacterial liquid soap. Rinse it and allow it to air dry. To give your pumice stone a more intense cleaning, boil it in a mixture of 4 cups of water and 2 tbsp. of bleach or vinegar. Avoid sharing your pumice stone. Pumice stones should never be shared as they can spread fungus or strains of HPV that cause plantar warts. Avoid sharing a pumice stone with family members, as even one use can lead to the transmission of such foot ailments. Store your pumice stone somewhere outside of the shower or bathroom to ensure that no other members of your household use it. Purchase pumice powder. Pumice powder is made from a kind of igneous rock that forms after a volcano erupts. the powder is used as an exfoliating element in beauty products, but can also be found as an additive in cement, heavy duty cleaners, and herbal medicine. To ensure that you get the right grade of pumice powder, purchase it from a beauty supply store, or online. Mix pumice powder with other ingredients to make a foot scrub. Making a homemade foot scrub means customizing it to your needs and preferences. Experiment with ingredients that smell great and have foot-pampering properties. Some ideal choices are: Tea tree oil Honey Lavender oil Eucalyptus oil Coconut oil Shea butter Make a cranberry seed pumice scrub, for instance. In a medium-sized bowl, combine 1/2 cup of baking soda with 1/4 cup each of pumice powder, extra fine epsom salt, and cranberry seeds. Add 2 ml (0.4 tsp) of peppermint oil and mix the ingredients together with gloved hands. Transfer your foot scrub to a jar to store it for use. If stored in a cool, dry place the scrub should last 1-2 years. Use the scrub on your feet. Apply the scrub generously to your feet. Massage it into the skin of your feet in circular motions for several minutes. Rinse and dry your feet, then apply lotion if desired. | Soak your feet. Scrub your feet with a pumice stone. Rinse and repeat the process. Use a pumice stone one to three times a week. Keep your pumice stone clean. Avoid sharing your pumice stone. Purchase pumice powder. Mix pumice powder with other ingredients to make a foot scrub. Make a cranberry seed pumice scrub, for instance. Use the scrub on your feet. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prune-Spirea-Shrubs | How to Prune Spirea Shrubs | It's important to prune spirea shrubs, as this helps maintain their shape, prevent diseases, and encourage a second flowering. Don't be afraid to really cut the plant back, as these shrubs will grow back even from severe pruning. First, use gardening shears to remove any damaged or diseased stems, right back to the base. Then, remove some branches from the middle of the plant to thin it out. Try to cut each stem back so that it has around 5 buds left on it. Once you've finished pruning, give the plant water and fertilizer to help it thrive. | Understand why you should prune spirea. There are several reasons to prune spirea. These reasons include: Maintaining the height and spread of your Spirea Shrub, and to preserve an attractive shape. Removing any diseased or damaged branches and any dead growth. Encouraging a second flowering. Removing suckers and prevent the plant spreading via suckering. Be prepared to prune some suckers. Some varieties of spirea produce suckers. Suckers are shoots that emerge from the roots of the plant. Suckers are eventually capable of producing independent plants of their own; suckering is one of the ways that spirea reproduces. Pinch or prune these off if you don't want your spirea to spread in your garden. The specifics of how to do this will be covered in the next section. Know when to prune your specific variety of spirea. Dead, diseased, and broken branches should be removed at any time of the year but you should only prune healthy plant growth at the right time. If you have Japanese or Bumald Spirea, prune them in early spring before the flowering season starts. Other varieties of Spirea should be pruned after the flowering has finished. For varieties of Spirea that bloom in spring, that will usually be late spring. For varieties of Spirea that bloom in summer, that will usually be late summer or fall. Understand why pruning after flowering can help your plant to grow. Pruning after flowering allows the maximum amount of time for the plant to grow fresh growth after pruning before the flowering season starts again the following year. It isn't a disaster if you delay pruning, and this won't harm the plant, but your spirea will offer less of a display in the next flowering season. Don’t be afraid to really cut back your plant. If you're nervous about pruning, don't worry—spireas can cope with a good pruning and it's hard to be too brutal with them. A spirea will grow back from the most severe pruning. Newly planted shrubs won't need pruning as much; you may just give them a bit of a trim to reshape them in their first year. Try to keep at least five buds on each stem. Try to cut each stem back so that it has around five buds on it. Use sharp gardening or pruning shears to do this. Remove all dead, diseased or decaying growth as well. At the same time, remove any weak-looking growth or stems that seem too spindly. Any spindly or weak, dead, diseased or damaged stems should be cut right back to the base of the stem. Thin out your plant. To stop the bush from becoming too dense, thin out some branches in the middle of the plant to remove the congestion. This means cutting out some of the branches that are making your bush too thick. Remove any undesired suckers. You may also like to remove any suckers, the shoots growing out of the plant's rootstock, when you prune. This prevents the plant spreading via suckering. To do this: Remove the sucker by getting as close as possible to the base of the root. Scrape away some soil around the root if necessary. Try to tear off the sucker, rather than cutting it away. Prune your old, woody spirea. If your spirea is old, dense and woody then you can renew it with a vigorous pruning. One third of all the woody old trunks should be pruned right back to ground level. If you do this for three years in a row, the plant will be reinvigorated with good, fresh growth. Give your spirea some love after your prune it. After pruning, give the plant a water, fertilize it and renew the mulch. A slow release fertilizer is best. A fertilizer of blood, fish and bone is a good-value option, though you can also purchase commercial fertilizers. Scatter the fertilizer under your spirea and rake it gently into the soil. You should also add around two inches of compost, leaf mold or well-rotted manure around your spirea to act as a mulch. Consider dividing your spirea. In addition to pruning your spirea shrub, you might also consider dividing it. After a few years, shrubs like spirea can become a little lackluster. Dividing them at the root is one way to revive them and remove old growth. You'll also get more plants by doing this. Divide your spirea in the late fall when the plant is dormant. A cloudy overcast day is a good time for dividing plants as the roots dry out too much in sunny hot weather once they are exposed above ground. Give your plant a good watering the day before you plan to divide it. Divide your spirea. The day after watering, dig out the plant and remove as much soil as possible from the roots without damaging them. A hosepipe works well for this. To divide your plant: Using something like a spade or saw, cut the root crown into quarters. Each piece should have a healthy bit of root and above-ground growth. Give the roots a prune after you have divided them. Remove any old root sections at the narrow tip and get rid of any damaged roots or any parts of the plant that seem rotten. Give the parts of the plant above ground a prune when you do this, removing any damaged or dead growth and some of the thicker oldest wood stems. Replant the root sections and you'll have new, vigorous growth when the plant re-emerges in the spring. Lay down mulch around your spirea. Spirea will benefit from a good mulch in the springtime. To do this, spread a layer of compost or well-rotted manure about two inches thick across the area of ground covered by the bush's branches. This will help retain moisture in the soil over the hotter months, keep the weeds down and, later, protect the roots from the cold as the cooler weather draws in. Water your spirea more often during hotter months. Over the summer your Spirea will be grateful for some water when the weather is particularly hot or dry. Keep in mind that established plants won't need much watering most of the time apart from these hot months. Keep your plant safe from aphids. Spirea tend not to have a lot of problems but can occasionally be troubled by aphid infestation. Look out for curled leaves as a sign that aphids are taking over. A blast of water from the garden hose usually works to dislodge aphids. You can also use a commercial aphid spray. Watch out for fire blight. Look for blackened stem tips that curl away from the plant; this is a sign of fire blight. Try to aggressively prune away the affected areas and then burn the trimmings. | Understand why you should prune spirea. Be prepared to prune some suckers. Know when to prune your specific variety of spirea. Understand why pruning after flowering can help your plant to grow. Don’t be afraid to really cut back your plant. Try to keep at least five buds on each stem. Thin out your plant. Remove any undesired suckers. Prune your old, woody spirea. Give your spirea some love after your prune it. Consider dividing your spirea. Divide your spirea in the late fall when the plant is dormant. Divide your spirea. Give the roots a prune after you have divided them. Lay down mulch around your spirea. Water your spirea more often during hotter months. Keep your plant safe from aphids. Watch out for fire blight. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Register-a-UPC-Code | How to Register a UPC Code | To register a UPC code, go to www.gs1-us.org and click “Apply Now.” Fill out all of the application fields as prompted and then pay the required fee. When your application is approved, you'll receive a member kit email that contains your Company Prefix. Follow the instructions in the email and use tools, such as GS1 US Digit Calculator, to create a new product number for each product that isn't identical to another. Order your UPC codes in either digital or printed label format and put them on each product. | Go to www.gs1-us.org and click “Apply Now. ” The first thing you'll need to do to register a UPC code is to apply for it through GS1, which is a not-for-profit organization that works to improve global communication. One of the ways they do this is with the use of barcodes. Log onto a computer and go to the GS1 website. Click on the button that reads “Apply Now” to get started on your application. Fill out the application. Once you've clicked on “Apply Now,” you'll be prompted to answer several questions and provide personal information, such as your company name and email address. Complete all of the required fields in order to get your UPC codes. The application includes questions about your business projections. It's okay to provide your best guess in this part of the application. Pay the required fees. After filling out the application, you'll be prompted to pay the application and initial fees. These will likely be high, as the codes are authentic and original, but if you expect to need 100 UPC codes or less, the fees will be lower. You can expect to pay at least $760 USD for these fees. Be wary of purchasing codes through a secondary market. There are many internet-based companies, such as https://buyabarcode.com and https://www.nationwidebarcode.com/ , that sell UPC codes for as low as $100 USD. This may be more affordable and fitting for those selling 1 or 2 different products on a small scale, but these codes won't include your company's Company Prefix. This means that selling your products through major retailers won't be possible. Wait to get your member kit email with your Company Prefix. After your application is approved, you'll receive an email that contains your 6-10 digit Company Prefix number. The UPC code for each product you'll sell will start with these same few digits, marking the product as your company's. Consider the Company Prefix when you pick product numbers. Through the member kit, you'll be able to assign certain numbers to the products your selling. The entire UPC code on each of your products must contain 11 digits. Look at how many digits are in your Company Prefix number before you start numbering your products. Then, you can start creating product numbers that contain the correct amount of digits. For example, if you were assigned a 7-digit Company Prefix, each one of your product numbers will need to be 4 digits long. Choose a new number for each identical product you have. Follow the member kit's instructions as you start creating your product numbers. As you do so, keep in mind that each product that's at all different from others needs its own number. For example, a small and a large shirt that are exactly the same otherwise require 2 different product numbers. For example, 2 shirts that are the exact same besides their color require 2 different product numbers. GS1 provides tools on their website, including the GS1 US Digit Calculator and the Data Driver, to help you through this process. Decide how you want to mark your products and order your codes. You can either incorporate your codes into the packaging of your product or stick the printed codes onto your product. If you want to do the first option, go to https://www.gs1-us.info/digital-barcode/ and follow the prompts to order your digital UPC codes. If the second option sounds more appealing, go to https://www.gs1-us.info/barcode-labels/ to order them in printed label form. No matter what you choose, you'll have to pay a fee in addition to your application and initial fees to order your UPC codes. The price of these depends on how many you're ordering. Scan the code on the product when a customer buys it. Once your UPC codes are properly represented on your products, they're ready to be sold. At check out, scan the code on the product with a scanner that's connected to your register. This will inform the database of the particular sale. By using this system, you'll be able to keep track of your sales and inventory. Pay an annual fee to continue using your UPC code. To maintain the database service, you'll have to pay a fee each year. This fee varies based on how many different UPC codes you have. You can pay this fee through GS1's website. | Go to www.gs1-us.org and click “Apply Now. Fill out the application. Pay the required fees. Be wary of purchasing codes through a secondary market. Wait to get your member kit email with your Company Prefix. Consider the Company Prefix when you pick product numbers. Choose a new number for each identical product you have. Decide how you want to mark your products and order your codes. Scan the code on the product when a customer buys it. Pay an annual fee to continue using your UPC code. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Celebrate-a-Wedding-Anniversary | How to Celebrate a Wedding Anniversary | Planning a wedding anniversary doesn't have to be challenging, and there are plenty of easy ways to celebrate your marriage. Exchanging love letters is a nice, simple way to celebrate your anniversary. Write down some of your favorite things about your spouse and why you love them. If you're celebrating a bigger anniversary, you could throw an anniversary party or invite some close friends for a dinner party. Make sure to screen your wedding video if you have one. If you want to do something really different, plan a trip together. You could revisit your honeymoon location or take your family on a vacation to the beach. Doing something creative together is another nice way to celebrate your anniversary. You could take a pottery class together or learn how to do a certain dance. | Choose to follow the traditional anniversary gift lists. Following the traditional lists can be a great source of gift ideas, while also also giving you some creative wiggle room. For example, the traditional gift to give after 1 year of marriage is paper, but you can give anything from a stationary set to a wall-hanging map to a scrapbook of your first year together! Important traditional anniversary gift years include: 1 year: Paper 5 years: Wood 10 years: Tin or Aluminum 15 years: Crystal 20 years: China 25 years: Silver 30 years: Pearl 35 years: Coral 40 years: Ruby 45 years: Sapphire 50 years : Gold If purchasing two gifts seems like overkill, talk to your spouse about buying a gift together for your house or family. Exchange love letters. Write down some of your favorite things that your spouse has done for you this year, how they impress you, and why you love them. Go into detail and show your spouse you appreciate and notice them. For a bonus, instead of exchanging the letters, save them until next year's anniversary. At next year's anniversary, you can write new letters, save those, and then open the ones you wrote this year. This is a great way to start an anniversary tradition! Transform your favorite picture into a work of art. Is there a picture you love of the two of you, or of you and your family? Blow it up and have it printed on a canvas or, for an extra special touch, commission a local artist to turn the picture into a painting! Make a mix tape. Include songs that you think your spouse might like or songs that remind you of how you feel for them. Try to make your playlist into a story about your history with your partner. Your spouse can also listen to this mix tape whenever you're spending time away from one another. Tell your spouse to pack their bags without telling them where you're going. A surprise vacation can be more exciting, and you don't even have to go anywhere! For a quicker trip, book a local hotel room, and tell your spouse the night before to pack their bags and be ready to get picked up from work. Then, whisk them off to the hotel room for a romantic night alone. Revisit your honeymoon location. If you had a great time on your honeymoon, take a splurge trip and go back there. Try the activities you did on your honeymoon, but don't be afraid to look outside your comfort zone and try new things! Go on an adventure trip. If you love the outdoors, try an adventure trip where you can go hiking, zip lining, whitewater rafting, and scuba diving. Visit volcanoes, canyons, forests, or mountains for a great outdoors experience! Vacation with the whole family. If you have children or other close family members, take a celebratory vacation to a family- or group-friendly place! Go to large tourist attractions like Disney World or relax on a beach. Take a cruise for an easy vacation you don't have to work too hard to plan! Rent your dream car and go on a road trip. If you've always wanted to drive a sleek Porsche or your spouse has always dreamed of racing down the highway in a red Corvette, rent a car and go for a spin! If you can, drive all night until you find a hotel or, if not, do a day trip! Take a staycation if you don't want to travel. Choose a weekend to stay at home, just the two of you. If you have kids, ask a close friend or family member if the kids can stay at their house. Do the same for any pets or other responsibilities you two might have. Take your time alone at home to have romantic dinners and watch your favorite movies together, or order takeout and relax in the bath. Relax, unwind, and celebrate another year of marriage. Throw a party. If it's a big anniversary year, or if you just want to celebrate your love with the people closest to you, throw a party and invite them all! Sent out invitations and transform your home or rent a locale for the special day. Bonus points if you listen to the music that was popular the year you got married, or ask your guests to dress like they would have in those days. Watch your wedding video together. This can be especially great if you have young kids who might see their mom as a princess or think of their parents kissing as gross. Toast the wedding videos with some champagne, and then turn the night into a dance party in your living room! Go berry-picking for a relaxed day of celebration. Pick your berries and talk about your memories or, to entertain young kids, make it a competition. Then, go home and bake a pie or cobbler. Enjoy your berry concoction while you watch a movie or sit in front of the fire together. Set up a movie theater in your backyard. Hang a white sheet against a fence or wall. Buy or rent a projector from your local library and screen your favorite movie, the first movie you ever saw together, or the most popular movie from the year you were married. Make popcorn and have snacks, or get a little tipsy with some “grape juice.” Even if you're not in the habit of publicly displaying affection, take the time to cuddle and hold hands with your love. It is your anniversary, after all! Make a change to your home. One way to celebrate your love is by working together to make something new and exciting. Whether you've always hated the paint on the living room walls and want to refresh it, or if you think adding lights to the back porch would help make it more inviting in the summer months, get together to design and create something for your home. Learn something new together. Married life can sometimes fall into a routine and, even if you love your daily routine, you might notice you don't learn new things or try new experiences. Take a class with your spouse to break that bubble and bring new life and fresh air into your life! Classes you could take include: A beginner language class in a language you've always wanted to learn A sailing or surfing class together A pottery-making class A dance class like swing or salsa A cooking or baking class Eat dinner with your wedding china. If your wedding dishes are fancy enough, chances are they're on display or maybe even hidden away “for safekeeping” in a high cabinet or the back of your pantry. While there's probably a reason you don't want to use your wedding china every day, make your anniversary special by bringing the china out and using it for a night! Even better if you surprise your spouse with a homemade dinner cooked from scratch! Go to the spot where you got engaged. Take this time to renew your vows or, if you don't want to do something that formal, take the time to tell each other why you'd marry each other again in a heartbeat. Share your hopes for the future at a wishing well. Collect pennies from the year you were married and throw them into a fountain or well while making a wish. Instead of making the wishes in your head, say them out loud, and then talk about them together, and how you can support each other in the coming year. If you and your partner like travelling, you can also use pennies from your travels around the world! Write a note in a bottle. Take an afternoon to write your love story together, and then enclose the piece of paper in a bottle and send it on its way! Not only will you be sharing your love story with the world, but you might find it exciting to think that you're sharing your love and life with someone you'll never meet! Make sure you don't include too-personal information, like your last name or your address. | Choose to follow the traditional anniversary gift lists. Exchange love letters. Transform your favorite picture into a work of art. Make a mix tape. Tell your spouse to pack their bags without telling them where you're going. Revisit your honeymoon location. Go on an adventure trip. Vacation with the whole family. Rent your dream car and go on a road trip. Take a staycation if you don't want to travel. Throw a party. Watch your wedding video together. Go berry-picking for a relaxed day of celebration. Set up a movie theater in your backyard. Make a change to your home. Learn something new together. Eat dinner with your wedding china. Go to the spot where you got engaged. Share your hopes for the future at a wishing well. Write a note in a bottle. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Dry,-Rough-and-Wavy-Hair | How to Treat Dry, Rough and Wavy Hair | The fastest way to treat dry, rough, and wavy hair is by using sulfate-free shampoo and silicone-free styling products. Get a trim to get rid of your damaged ends, and wash your hair with cold water for a sleek and shiny look. | Use sulfate-free shampoo. You may have a collection of shampoos that are meant to tame frizz, define curls, and smooth waves. What they probably all have in common is a few chemicals that actually make dry, rough hair worse: sulfates. Buy shampoo that is completely free of this chemical. Commercial shampoos are made with sulfates because they act as an effective cleanser. They strip the hair of its natural oils to give it that "squeaky clean" quality. The problem is they make hair too clean, and it damages the hair. In fact, the same chemicals are used in dishwashing and laundry detergents. Health food stores and natural beauty product stores sell shampoos without sulfates. Look for a bottle labeled "sulfate-free" to be extra sure it doesn't contain the chemical. Some people with curly hair choose to forego using shampoo entirely. They find that their dry hair doesn't need to have its natural oils washed away, and water alone does the trick for washing out dirt. Buy silicone-free conditioner and styling products. Since sulfates wash the oils away from out hair, conditioners resupply moisture and shine by adding silicones to the mix. The problem is that silicones build up in the hair over time and cause it to start looking dry and dull. Buy a new conditioner that doesn't contain silicones; you may see results the first time you use it. Hair balms, creams, gels, and other products also often contain silicones. Examine all of your products and toss or donate the ones that have ingredients that could be harmful to your hair. Get a trim. Trimming away the split ends and other damaged sections of hair can go a long way toward making it look and feel healthy again. Get rid of the damage caused by your old shampoo and conditioner products. It's time to start fresh with a new routine. Wash your hair less often. Now that you aren't putting sulfates and silicones in your hair, you don't need to wash it every day. In fact, washing your hair that often can really dry it out, increasing volume and frizz. To keep your hair manageable and healthy, wash it two or three times a week. Wash your hair with cold water. Have you been washing your hair with hot water for years and years? High temperatures can really do a number on hair that's already rough and dry; the hot water causes the hair shaft to get frayed. Instead, go as cold as you can stand. When your hair is dry, it'll look sleek and shiny. If you hate taking cold showers (who doesn't) try washing your hair separately, in the sink. That way you can use ice-cold water without getting chilled. Dry your hair with care. Here's the routine you want to avoid: roughly toweling your hair, violently brushing out tangles, then blasting it with the hair dryer. Hair that is already dry does not respond well to this rough treatment. Instead, use the following routine to dry your hair: Pat it dry with a soft towel. Don't wring it out or twist it up in the towel; gently squeeze out the excess water, then pat it dry. Apply leave-in conditioner or anti-frizz serum. Make sure it's free of silicones. Run some through your hair with your fingers while it's still damp, and use a wide-toothed comb to gently work out any tangles. Let your hair finish air drying. Put away the hair dryer and let it dry the natural way. It'll take longer, but after a few weeks your hair will regain its natural health and shine. Avoid using heat styling tools. Blow drying, flat ironing and curling your hair every day, or even a few times a week, makes for a lot of long-term damage. Try to adopt a styling routine that makes the most of your air-dried hair. When you do want to dry your hair, choose a cooler setting on the hair dryer and use a diffuser. If you want to curl your hair, try curling it without heat. Get regular trims. Getting your hair trimmed and shaped every few months will keep it looking fresh and healthy. Just make sure your stylist knows not to use shampoo and conditioner with sulfates or silicones, and ask her to use a cooler hair dryer setting and employ the diffuser when you're getting your hair styled. Eat nutrients that promote healthy hair. If your hair is consistently dull and rough, you may not be getting the nutrients you need to keep it healthy. Incorporate more of the following foods into your diet: Fish, avocados, and nuts that contain omega-3 fatty acids. These are essential to hair and nail health. Fruits and vegetables with vitamin E and A, such as spinach, kale, carrots, and sweet potatoes. Drink plenty of water. Dehydration is another cause of dull, dry hair. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to restore your hair's shine and vibrancy. | Use sulfate-free shampoo. Buy silicone-free conditioner and styling products. Get a trim. Wash your hair less often. Wash your hair with cold water. Dry your hair with care. Avoid using heat styling tools. Get regular trims. Eat nutrients that promote healthy hair. Drink plenty of water. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Dye-Pubic-Hair | How to Dye Pubic Hair | If you want to dye your pubic hair, look for a dye that's labeled “Chemical-free,” “Organic,” or “All-natural.” Non-natural dyes have strong chemicals in them that you don't want anywhere near your genitals. Even the natural, organic dyes can still irritate your genital region, so protect yourself by rubbing petroleum jelly on your penis or labia. Follow the instructions on the box for preparing and using your dye. This will probably involve mixing the dye into shampoo and applying it to your hair. After you dye your hair, leave it in for about 30 minutes. Then, rinse it out with warm water and a washcloth. | Choose a hair dye without ammonia or parabens. Your pubic area is very sensitive and vulnerable to harsh chemicals. Read the ingredients list on the back of the box of hair dye to make sure it doesn't contain ammonia or parabens that could irritate your skin. Look for dye that's labeled “chemical-free,” “organic,” or “all-natural.” You can use any color dye. Pick a color that matches your hair or, for a playful look, pick a bright color like pink or blue. Apply petroleum jelly to the most sensitive areas to protect them. Petroleum jelly acts like a barrier between your skin and the dye so it doesn't stain or irritate certain spots. Rub a thin layer onto your labia, vulva, penis, or scrotum. Avoid getting petroleum jelly on the hair you want to dye since the jelly blocks the dye. Put on plastic gloves and mix the hair dye according to the directions. Your box of hair dye will contain instructions for how to prepare the dye. It should also include plastic gloves. Place them on your hands before you begin working with the dye to protect your skin. If your hair dye doesn't come with gloves, you can buy them at any beauty store, grocery store, or online retailer. Test a small amount of dye on your skin before applying all over to make sure you don't have an allergic reaction. Stir an equal amount of moisturizing shampoo into the dye. This dilutes the dye so it isn't as harsh on your pubic area. Pour the same amount of shampoo as there is dye into the dye itself. Mix the 2 together with a spoon until thoroughly combined. The exact amount of hair dye should be listed on the front of the box. Use that measurement for your shampoo. For example, if you have 3 ounces (85 g) of hair color, you'll add 3 ounces (85 g) of shampoo. Choose shampoo that has hydrating ingredients, like argan oil, vitamin E, or Moroccan oil. Avoid one that has parabens, which will irritate your skin. Brush the dye onto your pubic hair. Use the hair dye applicator brush to gently apply the dye, making sure to completely saturate all of the hair. Avoid rubbing the dye or letting it get into any super sensitive places, like inside your vagina. Most boxed hair dye will come with an applicator brush. If yours doesn't, buy one from a beauty store or an online retailer. You can also use a small paintbrush with bristles instead the hair dye brush. Let the dye sit for about 30 minutes. This allows the color to fully soak into your pubic hair. Check the directions provided with the hair dye to find the exact processing time for that specific brand and type. Some dyes may be closer to 20 minutes. Wash off the dye immediately if you experience any burning or painful tingling sensations. Set a timer or use the clock app on your phone to keep track of the time. Don't leave the dye on for longer than the recommended time or you could damage your pubic hair and skin. Rinse off the dye with warm water and a washcloth. Stand under the shower so the water runs over the dye, removing it from your pubic hair. Gently rub the area with a clean washcloth to get rid of any excess dye or petroleum jelly, too. You'll know that all of the dye is gone once the water runs clear. If there's any dye left on your skin after you dry off, dab the area with a cotton ball dipped in astringent or witch hazel to remove it. Once it dries, if you aren't satisfied with the color, you should wait 4 weeks before re-dyeing it so you don't damage your hair. Mix 2 packets of Kool-Aid with 2 cups (470 ml) of water in a saucepan. Pour the water in first. Then add the contents of both Kool-Aid packets. Use a spoon to stir them together until thoroughly combined. Choose Kool-Aid that has powder the color that you want your pubic hair to be. For example, cherry Kool-Aid will result in red hair. You can also mix packets for different colors. Boil the liquid for 1 to 2 minutes over medium-high heat. Place the saucepan on the stove and bring the water and Kool-Aid to a boil. Stir it while it boils so the powder doesn't settle at the bottom. On a stove with 9 heat settings, medium-high heat is 6 or 7. Remove the pan from the heat and pour the liquid into a bowl. Don't leave the mixture in the hot pan or it will continue to cook, which can affect the strength of the color. Transfer it to a bowl immediately. A cup or basin will work if you don't have a bowl. If you use a plastic container, the Kool-Aid could stain it. Use a hair applicator brush to apply the mixture to your pubic hair. Dip the brush into the bowl to soak up the liquid. Then brush it over your hair, making sure to coat every strand with color. Avoid putting the Kool-Aid mixture on super sensitive spots of your pubic area. Do this over an old towel if you don't want to get Kool-Aid stains on the floor. You can buy a hair color applicator brush at a beauty store or from an online retailer. You can also use a paintbrush with soft bristles instead. Let the Kool-Aid mixture sit on your pubic hair for 15-30 minutes. Lighter hair, like blonde or gray, will absorb the color faster. However, darker brown or black hair will take at least the full 30 minutes to change color. To keep track of the time, use your phone's clock app or set a timer. Rinse the mixture off of your pubic hair with warm water and a washcloth. Run water over your pubic hair to remove the Kool-Aid. Gently scrub the area with a washcloth, too, to get rid of any extra color that may be on your skin. Once the water runs clear, all of the Kool-Aid mixture is gone. If you want a deeper color, repeat the entire process once your pubic hair dries. The color will last for 2 to 4 weeks, depending on how often you shower. | Choose a hair dye without ammonia or parabens. Apply petroleum jelly to the most sensitive areas to protect them. Put on plastic gloves and mix the hair dye according to the directions. Stir an equal amount of moisturizing shampoo into the dye. Brush the dye onto your pubic hair. Let the dye sit for about 30 minutes. Rinse off the dye with warm water and a washcloth. Mix 2 packets of Kool-Aid with 2 cups (470 ml) of water in a saucepan. Boil the liquid for 1 to 2 minutes over medium-high heat. Remove the pan from the heat and pour the liquid into a bowl. Use a hair applicator brush to apply the mixture to your pubic hair. Let the Kool-Aid mixture sit on your pubic hair for 15-30 minutes. Rinse the mixture off of your pubic hair with warm water and a washcloth. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Omegle | How to Use Omegle | To use Omegle, start by visiting Omegle.com and following the prompts to confirm that you are either 13 years old or have permission from your parents to use Omegle. Once you have confirmed that information, look for a box in the bottom right corner that says “Start chatting” and select the “Text” or “Video” option to begin your chat. Then, start chatting by texting or speaking, depending on your selection. Finally, click the “Stop” button when you are ready to end your chat. | Visit the Omegle Home Page. Getting started with Omegle is easy — all you'll need for basic chat is an internet connection! To begin, visit Omegle.com. Here, you'll see a variety of options for chatting. In the next few steps, we'll walk through the basics of starting a new chat with a stranger. Before you begin chatting, note the terms of use at the bottom of the homepage. By using Omegle, you confirm that: You are over 13 years old. You have a parent/guardian's permission if you are under 18 years old. You will not transmit obscene material or use Omegle to harass other users. You will not behave in any way that is illegal according to your local or national laws. Choose text or video chat. Near the bottom right of the home page, you should see a message that says "Start chatting:" with two options under it — "Text" and "Video." These options are just what they sound like: "Text" lets you chat with a stranger via text, while "Video" will allow the stranger to see your image and hear your voice (and vice versa). Pick whichever option you prefer to begin chatting. Note that, for video chatting, you'll need a fully-functional webcam and microphone. Most modern computers come with an internal microphone and a webcam built into the monitor, though this is not always the case. If your computer doesn't have these features built-in, you may need to buy the appropriate peripherals (see our articles on how to set up a webcam and computer mic for more information.) Start chatting! When you select your chatting option, you should immediately be connected to a stranger. You may communicate with him or her by typing messages in the chat bar and pressing your computer's enter key or clicking the "Send" button in the bottom right. If you chose video chat, you should also be able to see and hear both the stranger and yourself in video feed on the left side of the screen. If you chose video chat, you may get a pop-up message asking for permission to turn on your camera the first time you connect. Click "Yes" or "Okay" to activate your camera and start your video chat. When you're done chatting, click "Stop. " When you get bored of chatting to your stranger, click the button in the bottom left corner of the screen that says "Stop." The button will change to say "Really?" Click it one more time to confirm and end the chat. At any time during any chat, you may quickly click this button twice to end the chat immediately. This is handy, for instance, if you come across objectionable content that you don't want to view. Note that it's quite common for other Omegle users to end chats with you very quickly (even before either party has sent a message.) Try not to take this personally — some people like to browse through lots of strangers before picking someone to chat with. Key in your interests to meet like-minded people. If you return to the Omegle home page (which you can do at any time by clicking the "Omegle" banner in the top left of the chat screen), you can try adding keywords to the text box under "What do you wanna talk about?" that describe your likes and interests. After this, click "Text" or "Video" and Omegle will try to connect you with a stranger who wants to chat about something similar. If Omegle can't find any other users who want to talk about the same subjects as you, it will simply connect you to a random use as it normally would. Save chat logs from great conversations. From time to time, you may have a conversation on Omegle that's so hilarious, outrageous, or enlightening that you want to save it! Don't bother with manually copying and pasting — instead, use Omegle's built-in chat log exporting functionality. After you disconnect from a chat, you should see an orange button that says "Great chat?" followed by a selection of links. Click "Get a link" to have the chatlog open in a new tab with an easy-to-use link or click "Select all" to have the text of the chat become highlighted so you can easily copy it. You should also see links to Facebook, Twitter, and a few other social sites. Clicking one of these links will create a fully-formatted post for you to submit to your profile on the appropriate site — perfect for sharing hilarious chat logs! Enter your college email address for student chat. Omegle has special private chat services reserved only for college students. To access college student chat, you'll need to click the button that says "College student chat" on the Omegle home page, then enter a valid email address ending with ".edu" into the text box. Once you do this, you'll need to check your email inbox for a verification message from Omegle. Once you verify your email, you'll be able to use the college student chat services. Try spy/question mode. Sometimes, it can be fun to watch or listen in while strangers chat about a subject of your choosing! To do this, click the small button in the bottom right of the home page that says "Spy (question) mode." You'll be prompted to enter an open-ended question for discussion. Type in your question, then click "ask strangers" to see what people have to say! Alternatively, if you'd rather answer questions yourself, you can click on the "discussing questions" link below. Note that, in this mode, if your partner disconnects, the chat will end for too, so type your answer quickly! Try Adult/Unmoderated Chat (if you're over 18). There's no polite way around it — some people come to Omegle to have sexual chats. If this is what you're interested in, try clicking the "Adult" or "Unmoderated Section" links on the home page. The rest is up to you — it should be fairly self-explanatory! This may seem obvious, but it bears explicit mentioning: In the adult and un-moderated sections of Omegle, you will see adult pornographic content. Enter at your own risk! Don't take things too seriously. Omegle is a place for strangers from all over the world to meet each other, share their stories, and make fleeting connections. While the site can sometimes be great for this, it often doesn't live up to these lofty goals, so don't put too much stock in anything that happens on Omegle. Because Omegle users are anonymous, they often don't hold their behavior to very high standards (note that this is a well-observed trend in online communities). If you get insulted, called names, or creeped out, don't sweat it — just end the call! Don't type or display identifying information. As with any sort of anonymous online experience, it's important to take basic precautions to protect your identity on Omegle. Never share your real name, location, or personal information with a stranger on Omegle, even if you've had a friendly conversation with this person. You have no way of knowing who's really chatting with you, so play things safe and stay anonymous yourself. Though most Omegle users are normal, well-adjusted people, rare "bad apples" can sometimes be predatory or malicious. If you're in a video chat, be sure there's nothing in view of your camera that can possibly be exploited. This includes financial information, identifying documents, visible landmarks, address information, and so on. Avoid obscenity in non-adult chat. Omegle has designated sections for adult chat, so if this is why you want to use Omegle, keep your adult content in the sections where it's permitted. Don't type sexually explicit material in the text chat window or display it on your video feed. This type of behavior isn't just contrary to the spirit of Omegle's non-adult sections, but also inconsiderate of other users, who won't want to see it (if they did, they would be in the adult sections). It's also worth noting that Omegle chats outside of the "unmoderated" sections are, as you may have guessed, moderated. Though Omegle doesn't disclose exactly what this means, it's thought that there may be human moderators and/or automated programs in place to keep pornography and other inappropriate material out of the "clean" sections. Be kind to newbies. Omegle is for everyone — even people who don't know what they're doing. Now that you're an Omegle pro, take the opportunity to help other users who don't know their way around the site. For example, if your video chat partner is having a hard time getting his webcam to work, rather than disconnecting to find someone more interesting to chat with, you may want to type a message to him telling to click "Yes" on the permission popup (or simply refer him to our article on setting up a webcam ). Be patient — though they may be slow to learn, you're helping to make Omegle a friendlier, more welcoming place by taking your time. When in doubt, don't be afraid to disconnect. If anything ever goes wrong in an Omegle chat — like, for instance, if your chat partner is being a creep and asking for personal details — don't hesitate to double-click the "Stop" button right away. With roughly 6.5 million unique users per month, here are literally thousands of other people for you to talk to at any given moment, so don't waste your time with someone who won't respect you. | Visit the Omegle Home Page. Choose text or video chat. Start chatting! When you're done chatting, click "Stop. Key in your interests to meet like-minded people. Save chat logs from great conversations. Enter your college email address for student chat. Try spy/question mode. Try Adult/Unmoderated Chat (if you're over 18). Don't take things too seriously. Don't type or display identifying information. Avoid obscenity in non-adult chat. Be kind to newbies. When in doubt, don't be afraid to disconnect. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Slingshot | How to Use a Slingshot | To use a slingshot, first choose round, dense objects for ammo, such as marbles or ball bearings. Hold the slingshot's base with your dominant hand, place the ammo in the center of the pouch, and hold it there with your thumb and index finger. Next, aim your shot by keeping your feet facing forward, turning your body sideways, and extending your arm. Then, stretch the band all the way back, exhale completely, and release the shot. Make sure your thumb is not in the way of the projectile when you shoot. | Select your ammo. Round, dense objects will work best. Marbles or ball bearings are ideal. Avoid using stones. The object should be round so it shoots straight. Marbles are among the cheapest ammo choice, and the bright colors will make it easier to track your shot. Load your ammo. Hold the base with your dominate hand. With the opposite hand, place the ammo in the center of the pouch. Do not let the ammo shift away from the center of the band. Hold the ammo in place with your fingers. Use your thumb and index finger to keep the ammo in place. Your thumb should be parallel with the strap. You can curl your index finger slightly and press the other side of the pocket between your first and second knuckles. Avoid squeezing the pocket closed around the ammo. There should be enough space for the shot to release cleanly. Grip the slingshot by the base. Usually, you will want to grip the slingshot handle with your dominant arm and use your other arm to pull back the ammo. When you shoot, your arm may allow the slingshot to jerk forward slightly. This can throw off your accuracy. Your stronger arm will be more adept at keeping the slingshot steady when you release the shot. Hold the slingshot vertically or horizontally. Raise your arm to the side and hold up the slingshot. Some shooters prefer to hold the slingshot so that the forks are pointed upward, and some like to angle the forks slightly to the side. Either position works, and both can be useful depending on the shot you are taking. Not all slingshots are the same. Some have longer forks, or and some forks will be wider or narrower than others. You may have to adjust your grip based on the form of your slingshot as well. Turn your body sideways. The shoulder of the arm that will hold the grip of the slingshot should face your target. Raise the slingshot so it is perpendicular to your body, and slightly angled away from your body. This positioning will provide ample room for you to use your other arm and draw the slingshot band all the way back. Form a solid base with your legs. Keep your feet facing forward and even with the width of your shoulders. Keeping your feet too close together will make it harder to keep perfect balance and aim your shot accurately. Line up your shot. Take your time. Aim slightly above your target. You can angle your head slightly toward the slingshot to check your aim, but be sure to keep your head clear of the ammo. Try to use both eyes. Many shooters tend to rely on their dominant eye when aiming and close the other. While visual restrictions make this necessary, you will find you perform better when you practice using both eyes to find your target. Pull the ammo back with your free hand. Pull until the band is completely stretched out. Make sure you see all of the triangle formed by the forks of the slingshot. Exhale. Breathing is a big part of making accurate shots. Draw a breath into your lungs, release the breath completely, then take the shot. This will eliminate any chance that your slight body movements caused by breathing could mess up your shot. Take your shot during the body's NRP, or natural respiratory pause. Release the band. Make one last check to make sure there is nothing that you might accidentally hit with your shot. Then let go of the ammo and watch it fly. Try to flick your wrist forward slightly after letting go of the ammo for a better shot. Make sure your thumb is not in the way of the projectile as it leaves the sling. This can be very painful! Adjust the bands to increase or decrease range. You can adjust the bands by creating more or less length in the bands. You will likely need to loosen the band from the attachment. Slide the band to create the right length, then tighten the bands again. If the band is at full length and the ammo is still not going far enough, consider trying a band made from a different material. Flat bands usually generate more power, but they can wear out much faster than the common nylon tube material. Replace the bands if they break. If the band breaks, you can usually contact the manufacturer to get a replacement. Be sure to check how easy it is to replace and adjust the bands when you select your slingshot. There are many different ways to attach the band to the base and some are easier and more secure than others. Ideally, you should select an attachment made of rubber or even string, as there is minimal risk of injury if the attachment breaks loose. Check the forks if you accidentally clip the base with your ammo. Make sure there are not any cracks in the material that could affect the performance of the slingshot. You don't want to have the piece suddenly snap off when you go to pull the band back. It can cause serious injury. If you have damaged the base significantly you will likely need to replace it. | Select your ammo. Load your ammo. Hold the ammo in place with your fingers. Grip the slingshot by the base. Hold the slingshot vertically or horizontally. Turn your body sideways. Form a solid base with your legs. Line up your shot. Pull the ammo back with your free hand. Exhale. Release the band. Adjust the bands to increase or decrease range. Replace the bands if they break. Check the forks if you accidentally clip the base with your ammo. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Save-Money | How to Save Money | To save money, try to deposit between 10 to 20% of every paycheck directly into your savings account. If that's not possible, prioritize paying back any debt you may have before spending money on entertainment or other luxuries. You can also make a budget to track where your money is going. Most budgets include categories like Housing, Food, Transportation, and Recreation, but create a set of categories that works for you. Track your expenses over a entire month to understand your spending habits, and look for areas where you could adjust your lifestyle to save money. For example, you can cut expenses by buying used instead of new clothing, reducing your energy and water use to lower your utility bills, and cooking at home rather than eating out. Remember, saving adds up -- small choices can have a big impact. | Pay yourself first. The easiest way to save money rather than spending it is to make sure that that you never get a chance to spend the money in the first place. Arranging for a portion of each paycheck to be deposited directly into a savings account or a retirement account takes the stress and tedium out of the process of deciding how much money to save and how much to keep for yourself each month — basically, you save automatically and the money you keep each month is yours to spend as you please. Over time, depositing even a small portion of each paycheck into your savings can add up (especially when you take interest into account) so start as soon as you can for maximum benefit. To set up an automatic deposit, talk to the payroll staff at your job (or, if your employer uses one, your third-party payroll service). If you can provide account information for a savings account separate from your basic checking account, you should generally be able to set up a direct deposit scheme with no problems. If for some reason you can't set up an automatic deposit for each paycheck (like if you support yourself with freelance work or are paid mostly in cash), decide on a specific cash amount to manually deposit into a savings account each month and stick to this goal. Avoid accumulating new debt. Some debt is essentially unavoidable. For instance, only the very rich have enough money to buy a house in one lump sum payment, yet millions of people are able to buy houses by taking out loans and slowly paying them back. However, in general, when you can avoid going into debt, do so. Paying a sum of money up-front is always cheaper in the long run than paying off an equivalent loan while interest accumulates over time. If taking out a loan is unavoidable, try to make as big of a down payment as possible. The more of the cost of the purchase you can cover up front, the quicker you'll pay off your loan and the less you'll spend on interest. While everyone's financial situation differs, most banks recommend that your debt payments should be about 10% of your pretax income, while anything under 20% is considered healthy. About 36% is seen as an "upper limit" for reasonable amounts of debt. Set reasonable savings goals. It's a lot easier to save if you know you have something to save for. Set yourself savings goals that are within your reach to motivate yourself to make the tough financial decisions needed to save responsibly. For serious goals like buying a house or retiring, your goals may take years or decades to achieve. In these cases, it's important to monitor your progress on a regular basis. Only by stepping back and taking a look at the big picture can you get a sense for how far you've come and how far you have left to go. Big goals, like retirement, take a very long time to achieve. In the time needed to reach these goals, financial markets are likely to be different than they are today. You may need to spend some time researching the predicted future state of the market before setting your goal. For instance, if you're in your prime earning years, most financial commentators say that you'll need about 60-85% of your current yearly income to maintain your current lifestyle each year you're retired. Establish a time-frame for your goals. Giving yourself ambitious (but reasonable) time limits for achieving your goals can be a great motivational tool. For example, let's say that you set a goal of being on your way to owning a house two years from today. In this case, you'd need to investigate the average home cost in the area you'd like to live in and start saving for the down payment on your new house (as a general rule, down payments are often required to be no less than 20% of the purchase price of the house). So, in our example, if houses in the area you're looking at are about $300,000 apiece, you'll need to come up with at least 300,000 × 20% = $60,000 in two years. Depending on how much you make, this may or may not be feasible. Setting time frames is especially important for essential short-term goals. For instance, if your car's transmission needs to be replaced, but you can't afford the new transmission, you'll want to save up the money for the replacement as quickly as possible to ensure you're not left without a way to get to work. An ambitious but reasonable time frame can help you achieve this goal. Keep a budget. It's easy to commit to ambitious savings goals, but if you don't have any way to keep track of your expenses, you'll find that it's difficult to achieve them. To keep your financial progress on-track, try budgeting out your income at the beginning of each month. Assigning a set portion of your income to all of your major expenses ahead of time can help ensure that you don't waste money, especially if you actually divide each paycheck according to your budget as soon as you get it. For instance, on an income of $3,000 per month, we might budget as follows: Housing/utilities: $1,000 Student loans: $300 Food: $500 Internet: $70 Gasoline: $150 Savings: $500 Misc.: $200 Luxuries: $280 Record your expenses. Keeping a tight budget is a must for anyone looking to save money, but if you don't keep track of your expenses, you may find that it's difficult to stick to your goals. Keeping a running tally of how much you've spent on various types of expenses each month can help you identify "problem" areas and adjust your spending habits to fit your budget. However, keeping track of your expenses can require a serious attention to detail. While everyone should keep track of major expenses like housing and debt repayment, the amount of attention you devote to minor expenses generally increases with the seriousness of your financial situations. It can be handy to keep a small notebook with you at all times. Get in the habit of recording every expense and saving your receipts (especially for major purchases). When you can, enter your expenses in a larger notebook or a spreadsheet program for your long-term records. Note that, today, there are many apps you can download to your phone that can help you keep track of your expenses (some of which are free). If you have serious spending problems, don't be afraid to save every single receipt. At the end of the month, divide your receipts into categories, then tally each up. You may be shocked by how much money you spend on purchases that are far from essential. Double check all payment amounts. Always ask for the receipt when making a purchase in-person, and always print off a copy of any online purchases that you make. Make sure that you're not being overcharged or billed for items that you do not want; you'll be amazed how often that happens. Let's say you're at a bar with your friends and one of them orders margaritas for the group; make sure they don't end up going on your card. Depending on favors like this to be returned later on is one way to find yourself in a financial hole - potentially, a very deep, deep hole. Don't split the bill just for the sake of convenience. If your meal costs 1 / 3 {\displaystyle 1/3} that of your friends, you should not pay for half of the bill. Consider downloading a phone app to help you more accurately calculate tips. Start saving as early as possible. Money that's squirreled away in savings accounts usually accumulates interest at a set percentage rate. The longer your money remains in the savings account, the more interest you accumulate. Thus, it's in your advantage to start saving as soon as you possibly can. Even if you're only able to contribute a tiny amount to your savings each month when you're in your twenties, do so. Relatively small amounts of cash left in interest-yielding accounts for long periods of time can eventually accumulate to several times their initial value. For example, let's say that, by working a low-paying job during your twenties, you eventually save up $10,000 and put this money into a high-yield account with a 4% annual interest rate. Over 5 years, this will earn you about $2,166.53. However, if you had put this money away one year earlier, you would have made about $500 more by the same point in time without any extra effort — a small but not insignificant bonus. Consider contributing to a retirement account. During the years when you're young, energetic, and healthy, retirement can seem so far away that it's almost not worth even thinking about. By the time you're older and begin to lose steam, it can be all that you think about. Unless you're one of the lucky few who stand to inherit serious wealth, saving for retirement is something you'll need to think about once you establish a stable career — the sooner, the better. As noted above, though almost everyone's situation is different, it's wise to plan on having about 60-85% of your yearly income available to maintain your current standard of living for each year that you are retired. If you haven't already done so, talk to your employer about the possibility of contributing to a 401(k). These retirement accounts allow you to automatically deposit a set amount of each paycheck in the account, making saving easy. Additionally, the money you deposit into a 401(k) is often not subject to the same taxes as the rest of the money in your paycheck. Finally, many employers offer proportional matching programs with their 401(k) services, meaning that they'll match a certain percentage of each payment. As of 2014, the maximum amount of money you are allowed to place in a 401(k) per year is $17,500. Make stock market investments cautiously. If you've been saving responsibly and have a little extra money at your disposal, investing in the stock market can be a lucrative (but risky) opportunity to make extra money. Before investing in stocks, it's important to understand that any money you invest in the stock market can potentially be lost for good, especially if you don't know what you're doing, so don't use this as a method for long-term saving. Instead, treat the stock market as a chance to essentially make educated gambles with money you can stand to lose. In general, most people don't need to invest in the stock market at all to responsibly save for retirement. For more information on making intelligent stock investment decisions, see How to Invest in the Stock Market. Don't get discouraged. When you're having trouble saving money, it's easy to lose your nerve. Your situation may seem hopeless — it may seem almost impossible to save up the money you need to meet your long-term goals. However, no matter how little you're starting with, it's always possible to begin saving money. The sooner you start, the sooner you can be on your way to financial security. If you're discouraged about your financial situation, consider talking to a financial counseling service. These agencies, which often operate for free or very cheap, exist to help you begin saving so that you can meet your financial goals. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), a non-profit organization, is a great place to start. Remove luxuries from your budget. If you're having trouble saving money, it's wise to start here. Many of the expenses that we take for granted are far from essential. Eliminating luxury expenses is a great first step to improve your financial situation because this won't impact your quality of life or your ability to perform your work significantly. While it can be difficult to imagine life without a gas-guzzling car and a cable TV subscription, you may be surprised how easy it is to live without these things once you remove them from your life. Below are just a few easy ways to reduce your luxury expenses: Unsubscribe from optional television or internet packages. Switch to a thriftier service plan for your phone. Trade-in an expensive car for one that is fuel-efficient and cheap to maintain. Sell any electronic gadgets going unused. Buy clothing and home furnishings from thrift stores. Find cheaper housing. For most people, costs related to housing make up the single biggest expense in their budget. Because of this, saving money housing can free up a substantial amount of your income for other important activities, like saving for retirement. While it's not always easy to change your living situation, you'll want to seriously re-examine your housing situation if you're having a hard time balancing your budget. If you're renting, you may want to try negotiating with your landlord for a cheaper rent. Since most landlords want to avoid the risk that comes with looking for new tenants, you may be able to get a better deal if you have a good history with your landlord. If you need to, you may be able to exchange work (like gardening or maintaining the house) for cheaper rent. If you are paying a mortgage, talk to your lender about refinancing your loan. You may be able to negotiate for a better deal if you're in good standing. When refinancing, try to keep the repayment schedule as short as possible. You may also want to consider moving to a cheaper housing market altogether. According to a recent study, the cheapest housing markets in the U.S. are in Detroit, Michigan; Lake County, Michigan; Cleveland, Ohio; Palm Bay, Florida; and Toledo, Ohio. Eat for cheap. Many people spend much more on food than is necessary. While it's easy to forget to be thrifty when you're biting into a gourmet meal at your favorite restaurant, food-related expenses can become quite large if allowed to get out of control. In general, buying in bulk is cheaper in the long run than buying small quantities of food — consider getting a membership at a warehouse retailer like Costco if your food expenses are high. Buying individual meals at restaurants is the most expensive option of all, so making an effort to eat in rather than eat out can also save you lots of cash. Pick cheap, nutritious foods. Rather than buying prepared, processed foods, try checking out the fresh food and produce aisles of your local grocery store. You may be surprised by how cheap it is to eat healthily! For instance, brown rice, a filling, nutritious food, can come in large, twenty-pound sacks for less than a dollar per pound. Take advantage of discounts. Many grocery stores (especially large chains) give out coupons and discounts at the check-out counter. Don't let these go to waste! If you frequently go out to eat, stop. It's generally much cheaper to cook a meal at home than it is to order an equivalent dish in a restaurant. Regularly cooking your own food also teaches you a valuable skill you can use to entertain friends, satisfy your family, and even attract romantic interests. Don't be afraid to take advantage of local free food resources if your situation is serious. Food banks, soup kitchens, and shelters can all provide meals for free to those in need. If you need help, contact your local Department of Social Services for more information. Reduce your energy usage. Most people accept the price on their utility bill each month without question. In fact, it's possible to greatly reduce your energy usage (and thus your monthly bill) with just a few simple steps. These tricks are so easy that there's practically no reason to avoid them if you're looking to save money. Best of all, reducing the amount of energy you use also reduces the amount of pollution you indirectly produce, minimizing your impact on the global environment. Turn off the lights when you're not around. There's no reason to leave the lights on if you're not in the room (or in the house), so flip them off when you leave. Try leaving a sticky note by the door if you're having a hard time remembering. Avoid using heating and A/C when it's not essential. To stay cool, open your windows or use a small personal fan. To stay warm, wear several layers of clothing, wear a blanket, or use a space heater. Invest in good insulation. If you can afford to pay for a substantial home improvement project, replacing old, leaky insulation in your walls with high-efficiency modern insulation can save you money in the long run by keeping your house's warm or cool internal air from escaping. If you can, invest in solar panels. As a serious investment in your own future (as well as the planet's), solar panels are the way to go. Though the up-front cost can be quite high, solar technology becomes cheaper with each passing year. Use cheaper forms of transportation. Owning, maintaining, and running a car can eat up a large portion of your income. Depending on how much you drive, fuel can cost you hundreds of dollars per month. On top of this, your car will also cost you in licensing fees and maintenance expenses. Instead of driving, use a cheap (or free) alternative option instead. Not only will this save you money, but also potentially allow you to spend extra time exercising and cut down on the stress from your daily commute. Investigate public transit options near you. Depending on where you live, you may have a variety of cheap options for public transit at your disposal. Most big cities will have metro, subway, or streetcar lines running in and out of the city, while mid-sized towns can have bus or train systems for you to use. Consider walking or biking to work. If you live close enough to your job for this to be feasible, both are excellent ways to get to work for free while simultaneously getting fresh air and exercise. Consider booking flights and train tickets in advance online, to not only save time but to also save money. Often 'Early bird' deals exist for those booking early. If taking a car is unavoidable, consider carpooling. Doing this allows you to share fuel and maintenance expenses with the other members of the carpool. Plus, you'll have someone to talk to during your commute. Have fun for cheap (or free). While reducing your personal expenses can mean cutting frivolous luxuries out of your life, you don't necessarily have to stop having fun if you're trying to save money. Changing your leisure habits and recreational activities to more affordable ones allows you to strike the perfect balance between fun and responsibility. You may be amazed at the amount of fun you can have for just a few dollars if you're resourceful! Keep up-to-speed on community events. Today, most towns and cities will have an online events calendar listing upcoming events in the local area. Often, events put on by the local government or community associations will be cheap or even free. For instance, in a medium-sized town, it's often possible to explore free art exhibitions, see movies in a local park, and attend donation-based community rallies. Read. Compared to movies and video games, books are cheap (especially if you buy them at a used bookstore). Good books can be absolutely captivating, allowing you to experience life through the eyes of exciting characters or learn new things you might otherwise never have encountered. Enjoy cheap activities with friends. There is almost no end to the number of things you can do with your friends that require little or no money. For instance, try going on a hike, playing a board game, catching an old movie at a cheap second-run theater, exploring part of town you've never been to, or playing sports. Avoid expensive addictions. Certain bad habits can put a serious damper on your efforts to save money. In worst-case scenarios, these habits can become serious addictions that are almost impossible to defeat without help. Worse yet, many of these addictions can be extremely hazardous to your health in the long term. Save your wallet (and your body) the trouble of going through these addictions by avoiding them in the first place. Don't smoke. Today, the harmful effects of smoking are well-known. Lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and a variety of other serious illnesses are known to be caused by smoking. On top this, cigarettes are expensive — depending on where you live, up to about $14 per pack. Don't drink excessively. While a drink or two with friends won't hurt you, regular heavy drinking can cause serious problems in the long run, like liver disease, impaired mental function, weight gain, delirium, and even death. In addition, nursing an alcohol addiction can be a massive financial burden. Don't do addictive drugs. Drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine are extremely addictive and can have a variety of seriously harmful (even lethal) effects on your health and can be much more expensive than alcohol and tobacco. For instance, country musician Waylon Jennings is purported to at one point have spent over $1,500 per day on his cocaine habit. If you need help overcoming an addiction, don't hesitate to contact an addiction hotline. Several relevant hotlines are listed here. Spend money on absolute essentials first. When it comes to spending money, there are some things that you absolutely, positively cannot do without. These things (namely, food, water, housing, and clothing) are your first priority when it comes to spending your cash. Obviously, if you become homeless or suffer from starvation, it becomes very, very difficult to meet the rest of your financial goals, so you'll want to ensure that you have enough money to cover these bare minimum requirements before devoting money to anything else. However, just because things like food, water, and shelter are important doesn't necessarily mean that you have to splurge on them. For instance, cutting down on the amount that you go out to eat is one easy way to drastically reduce your food expenses. Along the same lines, moving to an area with cheap rent or home prices is a great way to spend less on housing. Depending on where you live, housing costs can eat up a large chunk of your income. In general, most experts recommend against agreeing to any housing arrangement that will cost more than one-third of your income. Save for an emergency fund. If you don't already have an emergency fund with enough money in it so that you can survive if you suddenly lose your income, begin contributing to one immediately. Having a reasonable amount of money stockpiled in a secure savings account gives you the freedom to comfortably sort out your affairs in the event that you lose your job. After you cover your essentials, you'll want to devote a chunk of your income to building up this savings account until you have enough saved to cover about 3-6 months of living expenses. Note that living expenses can vary based on the local financial climate. While it's possible to survive on $1,500 for a few months in Detroit or Phoenix, this might not even pay one month's rent for a cheap apartment in New York City. If you live in an expensive area, your emergency fund will naturally need to be bigger. Besides giving you the peace of mind of knowing that you'll be OK in the event of career difficulties, having an emergency fund can also earn you money in the long run. If you lose your job and you don't have an emergency fund, you may be forced to take the very first job you're offered, even if it doesn't pay well. On the other hand, if you can survive without working for a while, you can afford to be much pickier and potentially land a better-paying job. Pay off your debt. Left unchecked, debt can seriously derail your efforts to save money. If you're only making the minimum payments on your debt, you'll end up paying much more over the life of the loan than if you had paid it off more quickly. Save money in the long-term by devoting a good chunk of your income to debt payment so that you can pay off your debt as quickly as possible. As a general rule, paying off your highest-interest loans first is the most effective use of your money. Once you've covered your essentials and built up a reasonable-sized emergency fund, you can safely devote almost all of your extra income to paying off your debt. On the other hand, if you don't have an emergency fund, you may have to split your extra income up so that you use a portion to pay off your debt each month while simultaneously diverting some into your emergency fund. If you have multiple sources of debt that are proving overwhelming, look into consolidating your debts. It may be possible to roll all of your debts into one loan with a lower interest rate. It's important to note, however, that the repayment schedules for these consolidated loans can be longer than those for your initial debt. You may also want to try negotiating with your lender directly for a lower interest rate. It's not in your lender's best interest to let you go into bankruptcy, so s/he may agree to a lower interest rate in order to allow you to pay off the loan. For more information, see How to Get Out of Debt. Put away money next. If you've established an emergency fund and paid off all (or nearly all) of your debt, you'll probably want to start putting your extra money in a savings account. The money you save this way is different from your emergency fund — whereas you'll want to avoid dipping into your emergency fund unless you absolutely have to, your normal savings are available for big, important purchases, like repairs to the car you use to drive to work. However, in general, you'll want to avoid using your savings so that, over time, your total savings grow. If you can, try to devote at least 10 -15% of your monthly income to your savings starting in your 20s — most experts agree that this is a healthy goal. When you get paid, it can be tempting to immediately make an impulse buy. To avoid this, deposit your savings into an account as soon as you get paid. For instance, if you're trying to save 10% of your income and you get a paycheck for $710.68, immediately deposit 10% (find this by moving the decimal point one space to the left), or $71.07. This practice can help you avoid unnecessary spending and accumulate a good amount of money over the years. An even better idea is to automate as much of the saving process as possible so that you don't even have the tempting money to begin with. For instance, talk to your employer about setting up an automatic deposit system through your bank or with a third-party app. This way, you can transfer a set amount or percentage of each paycheck to a checking or savings account without having to make any extra effort. Spend on smart non-essentials. If, after adding a healthy amount of your income to your savings each month, you have extra money left over, you should consider making certain non-essential investments that can improve your productivity, earning potential, and quality of life in the long run. While these types of purchases aren't essential in the way that food, water, and housing are, they are smart long-term choices that can end up saving you money over time. For example, buying an ergonomic chair to sit in while you work isn't absolutely essential, but it is a smart long-term choice because it allows you to do more work while minimizing back pain (which, coincidentally, can be expensive to treat if it develops into a serious problem). Another example is replacing your home's old, troublesome water heater. While the old one may have sufficed in the short term, buying a new one means you won't have to spend money on repairs when the old one breaks, saving money in the long run. Other examples include purchases that allow you to get to work for cheaper, like monthly or yearly public transit passes, tools that help you work more effectively, like a phone headset if you're in a job that occupies your hands, and purchases that make it easier for you to work, like posture-improving gel inserts for your shoes. Spend on luxuries last. Saving money isn't all about living hard and lean. When you've paid off your debt, established an emergency fund, and spent money on smart purchases that pay off in the long term, it's OK to spend a little money on yourself. Healthy, responsible luxury spending is one way to stay sane while working hard, so don't be afraid to celebrate getting your financial situation in order with a reasonable luxury purchase. Luxuries include anything that's not an essential good or service and provides little or no long-term benefit. This broad category can include things like trips to expensive restaurants, vacations, new vehicles, cable television, pricey gadgets, and much more. | Pay yourself first. Avoid accumulating new debt. Set reasonable savings goals. Establish a time-frame for your goals. Keep a budget. Record your expenses. Double check all payment amounts. Start saving as early as possible. Consider contributing to a retirement account. Make stock market investments cautiously. Don't get discouraged. Remove luxuries from your budget. Find cheaper housing. Eat for cheap. Reduce your energy usage. Use cheaper forms of transportation. Have fun for cheap (or free). Avoid expensive addictions. Spend money on absolute essentials first. Save for an emergency fund. Pay off your debt. Put away money next. Spend on smart non-essentials. Spend on luxuries last. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Whiten-Yellow-Hair | How to Whiten Yellow Hair | If you want to whiten your hair naturally, squeeze some fresh lemon juice and rub it against the yellow areas of your hair. For a stronger whitening, sit out in the sun while the lemon is in your hair. Since leaving lemon juice in your hair for long periods of time can damage it, make sure to condition your hair after whitening to keep it healthy. To whiten your bleached hair using toner, purchase a purple toner, which will cancel out any yellow tones. If your hair has orange tones, opt for a blue toner. When you apply the toner, make sure to follow the directions and mix it with a creme developer to avoid weakening your hair. | Use a toner after bleaching. Dark hair often ends up with orange or yellow tones after bleaching. The right toner will cancel out these brassy tones and makes your hair closer to platinum or white blonde. Find purple toner in a drugstore or beauty supply store. Just about any pharmacy should carry toner, and you might even find it in the hair product aisle of a supermarket. You can also find purple toner at your local beauty supply store. Pick a purple or violet toner to remove yellow tones. If you have orange tones, select a blue toner. Mix it with red gold corrector (optional). If you also have undesired reddish tones in your hair, buy red gold corrector from a salon or online. Mix this with the toner according to label instructions. Green toner will cancel out reddish tones, and blue toner will cancel out orange tones. However, without a corrector, but these toners will leave your hair yellow, not white. Use a color wheel to help you choose the right toner. If you're not sure what color of toner or corrector to choose, look at a color wheel. Find the color that matches your hair best, and look at the color directly opposite from it on the color wheel to find the complementary shade. Your toner or corrector should match the color that complements the tones in your hair. Mix with a creme developer. Choose a developer with 30 volume or less. High volume developers may make bleached hair weak or even cause it to fall out. Apply according to label instructions. Check the toner label to find out how long you need to leave it on your hair. Leaving it in too long can make your hair purple, so don't overdo it. Alternatively, a very easy option is to simply book an appointment with a hairdresser for a toner to be put in. It takes less than half an hour. Pricing will vary depending on the salon, but a toner treatment can be as cheap as about $20. Get a professional whitening treatment. If you have the time and money, you can get the best hair-whitening results by going to a salon. This is the best way to minimize the risk of damage to your hair and get a true, brass-free platinum blond, white, or silver look. Select a purple shampoo for regular upkeep. A purple color-correcting shampoo will counteract the yellow tones and make your hair appear brighter and blonder. This is not as strong as toner, since it is intended for regular use. Here are a few examples of purple or violet shampoos: Tressa Watercolors Violet Washe Shampoo John Frieda Sheer Blonde Color Renew Tone-Correcting Clairol Shimmer Lights Pravana Pure Light Brightening Shampoo for Blonde, Silver, or Highlighted Hair Matrix Total Results Brass Off shampoo Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde shampoo Joico Color Balance shampoo Any shampoo with "D&C Violet" or "Extract Violet" in the ingredients list Wash your hair with purple shampoo. Follow the directions on your shampoo bottle. Apply the purple shampoo instead of normal shampoo, then rinse out and follow it with conditioner. Most purple shampoos need to be left in for 3-5 minutes for best results. Repeat every two or three washes. Too much purple shampoo will leave your hair with a light purple tint. Apply every two or three washes, or even less often once the brassy tones have gone. Buy gentian violet at a pharmacy. Find a tiny bottle of this dark purple liquid, at low concentrations (preferably 2%). It will usually be in the same aisle as bandages and antiseptics. Mix two drops in a basin of cold water. Don't add any more, or you may end up with purple hair! The water should be a violet color, not dark purple. Careful — gentian violet will stain anything it touches. You may want to try this outside instead of in your sink. Dip all of your hair in the basin. Leave your hair underwater for 30–60 seconds. This should lighten your hair color and reduce yellow or brassy tones. Dry your hair. Keep in mind that your towel may be stained purple. Repeat weekly. Repeat the process once a week for continuous color. Treat your hair with lemon juice. Squeeze out some lemon juice and rub it against the yellow areas of your hair. You can also apply it along with your shampoo for a more mild effect. Spend time in the sun (optional). Heat and sunlight will help the lemon juice lighten your hair. Condition your hair. Leaving lemon juice in your hair too long can cause damage from the acid. Conditioning your hair or using alkali products will help prevent this. | Use a toner after bleaching. Find purple toner in a drugstore or beauty supply store. Mix it with red gold corrector (optional). Use a color wheel to help you choose the right toner. Mix with a creme developer. Apply according to label instructions. Get a professional whitening treatment. Select a purple shampoo for regular upkeep. Wash your hair with purple shampoo. Repeat every two or three washes. Buy gentian violet at a pharmacy. Mix two drops in a basin of cold water. Dip all of your hair in the basin. Dry your hair. Repeat weekly. Treat your hair with lemon juice. Spend time in the sun (optional). Condition your hair. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-a-Pawn-Shop | How to Deal With a Pawn Shop | Pawn shops generally allow you to either sell an item outright or leave it in the store in exchange for a cash loan. If you pay off the loan by a specific date, you'll get your item back, but if not, they'll sell it on. If you're not interested in getting your item back, just sell it. However, if you really don't want to part ways with your item, pawn it to the shop for a short term loan. Expect to sell an item for about 30 to 60 percent of its online value. Pawn shops generally charge more due to their convenience, but if you're not happy with the price, walk away and sell it elsewhere. Most pawn shop owners will be willing to negotiate prices based on the items' condition, value, and demand. | Find valuable items. Before you can go to a pawn shop to get cash, you'll need to find and gather valuable items in your home. Some experts recommend checking the quality of certain items at home to ensure that only high-quality items are brought in. If bringing in glass items, look for brand names like Baccarat and Limoge as a good indication of the item's value. Jewelry that is stamped with "HGE" (heavy gold electroplate), "GP" (gold plated), or "RPG" (rolled gold plated) is virtually worthless in a pawn transaction. These pieces of jewelry are typically a baser metal coated with a thin plate to look more valuable. Look for jewelry stamped with "750," "750/1000," "PT," or "18k." These indicate that the items are 18 karat gold or platinum, which means they will fetch a high price at a pawn shop. Be sure to make your item look as appealing as possible. This may entail a simple dusting, or polishing off the tarnish on a piece of jewelry. Think about how the item would look to a consumer - if you were thinking of buying that item, would it look appealing in its current state? Decide between pawning and selling. Your transaction doesn't necessarily have to end when you walk out of the pawn shop. Pawn shops typically let you either sell an item outright, or pawn the item. Pawning an item means that you leave that item in the store's care in exchange for a short-term loan. If you pay off the loan plus its accrued interest by a predetermined date, you can get your item back. If not, the item becomes the store's property, and the owner of that pawn shop can sell your item to the public. The typical time span of a pawn shop loan is between 90 and 120 days. After that point, the item becomes the legal property of the pawn shop owner. The interest rates and fees applied to your loan are generally regulated by the state in which that pawn shop operates. Research your item(s). Before you hand over your valuables to pawn or sell at a pawn shop, it's important to know the actual value of that item. Pawn shop proprietors will typically try to cut you down to the lowest possible price when you pawn or sell an item, so you'll need to know the value of each item beforehand. Consider having your items appraised by a professional. Having a jeweler's (for example) written appraisal may help you bargain for a better deal on your items at the pawn shop. Don't expect to get the full value. Pawn shops are in the business to make money, so you will never get the resale value of your items at a pawn shop. Typically you can expect to get somewhere between 30 and 60 percent of the value of your items. Consider selling your items online instead. There are numerous online pawn shops, as well as online bidding sites like ebay. These options can fetch a higher price for your goods, but the downside is that you will not walk away with cash in-hand the same day like you would with a pawn shop. Look for the best pawn shop. Every pawn shop is different. Some shop owners will be more understanding and willing to work with customers than other shop owners. Rather than blindly walking into the nearest pawn shop, it's worth your time and effort to research a number of pawn shops in your area to find one where you'll have a better experience. Some pawn shops specialize in certain goods, like antiques or electronics. You might have better luck selling/pawning with one of these specialized locations instead of a general pawn shop. Read customer reviews online. By searching around and comparing reviews, you'll get a fairly decent feel for how honest, helpful, and fair a given pawn shop is. Look for pawn shops that have been around for several years or that operate out of multiple locations. If the pawnshop is a so-called fly-by-night operation and closes its doors before you're through with your loan terms, you may be out of luck. Ask the proprietor for details. Once you've chosen a pawn shop and walked in through the door, you'll want to ask the store's owner or operator some basic questions about how your pawn or sale will go. You should certainly ask about the price, of course, but there are other things to consider as well. Some good questions to ask include: What is the monthly interest rate? What additional fees (ticket fee, storage fee, lost receipt fee, etc.) are imposed by the store? Do you have insurance for items that are lost or stolen from the store? (Your copy of the paperwork you sign should detail the store's insurance policy, if any. Read it through before you sign and make sure it matches what the store operator has told you about their insurance policies.) Do you require any necessary documentation? (Pawn shop laws vary from state to state, but all shops are legally obligated to require at least proper identification from a pawner/seller. If they don't, you're probably in a shop that you don't want to do business with.) Where will you keep my items? (Small items like jewelry can easily be kept behind the counter, but bigger items like a boat or appliance may require outside storage. Make sure that your items will be kept in an insured, climate-controlled warehouse that won't expose your items to the elements.) Will you send me notifications/reminders that a payment will be due soon? Know when to walk away. If the pawn shop seems to operate with questionable business practices, offers you an unreasonably low payment, or has unfair loan terms, simply walk away. You have every right to turn down their offer. If you're walking away over the sum of money they're offering you, it may even convince the proprietor to make you a better offer. If you're walking away because of unfair terms or questionable business practices, do not change your mind no matter how much money the proprietor offers you. You're better off going elsewhere and finding a more trustworthy place to do business with. Pay your loan off on time. If you pawned your item in exchange for a loan, you'll have a certain agreed-upon time frame in which to pay back the loan, plus interest and fees. Make sure that you keep track of when your payments are due (not all pawn shops offer reminders, though some do send notifications by mail), as well as how much you'll owe after interest and fees. If you can pay everything back, you should be able to walk away with your valuable item in-hand once again. Research pawn shops online. Researching a given pawn shop for online customer reviews is just as important for a buyer as it is for a seller. You want to ensure that you're getting a reasonable deal, but you also want to ensure that the item you're buying matches the level of quality and performance you'd expect from such a purchase. If people say that items break fairly quickly after purchase, are badly damaged, or are simply overpriced, it's best to keep looking. Know what you want. Before you wander into a pawn shop, it's best to know what you're looking for and what that item typically retails for. Be aware of the item's condition when you view it in-store, as this may significantly change the value of that item. Negotiate for a better deal. Most pawn shops are willing to negotiate on the sale price of an item. However, the actual cost you end up paying will depend on the pawn shop owner/operator, the item's condition, and how long the item has been in the store. Items that have been on the shelf for a long period of time are typically more negotiable. The store's operator knows that regular visitors will recognize that certain items aren't moving and may be willing to offer some kind of deal. Know your limit. If you absolutely know that you are being ripped off, it's not worth it no matter how much you might like to own it. Bring cash. Paying in cash has numerous benefits for you as a consumer. It can help ensure that you stay within your budget, reduce the chances of credit card debt, and get you a better deal. Many pawn shop owners are more willing to negotiate with someone paying cash instead of with a credit card, as cash signifies a budget on the consumer's part and a guaranteed payment for the proprietor. Don't be afraid to walk away. Don't forget that as a consumer, you have the ultimate last word. If you're not being offered a fair deal, or if you can tell the items are of poor quality, just walk away. It might get you a better offer from the proprietor, or at the very least it will ensure that you don't get ripped off. | Find valuable items. Decide between pawning and selling. Research your item(s). Look for the best pawn shop. Ask the proprietor for details. Know when to walk away. Pay your loan off on time. Research pawn shops online. Know what you want. Negotiate for a better deal. Bring cash. Don't be afraid to walk away. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Measure-Water-Pressure | How to Measure Water Pressure | How forcefully water flows out of the faucets in your home is determined by the water pressure, and you can measure this using a bucket. First, turn off all faucets and water-fed appliances in your home so you get an accurate reading. Then, find the faucet closest to the bottom floor of your home, as this is closest to the main water supply. Place a 1 gallon bucket underneath the faucet and turn it on. Time how long it takes to fill up the bucket completely with water and then turn the faucet off. To calculate your house's gallons per minute, divide 60 by the number of seconds it took to fill up the bucket. | Turn off all running water in your house. If you keep a faucet or shower running while you measure your water pressure, it will give you a false reading. Make sure that there are no running faucets, toilets, or showers while you measure water pressure. Tell people that you're living with to refrain from using water while you test the pressure. Locate the main water supply. The main water supply is a metal or plastic pipe that pumps water into the house. There should be a large water meter attached to it that measures the amount of water that you use. The main water supply can usually be found in the garage, basement, or near your hot water heater. In warmer climates, the main water supply is sometimes located on the exterior of the house. Look for a pipe that goes from the ground to a spigot and then into the house. It may also be in a covered box near the street. If you have a home with a basement or crawlspace, the main water supply can usually be found inside on the front facing wall of the house. Attach a pressure gauge to the spigot near the main water supply. Once you locate the main water supply, there should be a threaded spigot that runs off the main pipe. This spigot has a valve or a lever next to it. Screw the end of the pressure gauge to the threaded side by fitting it over the threads and turning it in a clockwise motion. Take readings from the closest water spigot, the furthest spigot, and from a washing machine connection. If there are major differences, it could indicate a leak or other plumbing problem. You can purchase a water pressure gauge at home improvement stores or online. Make sure it has a female garden hose connector. If you are testing the pressure for an irrigation system, attach the gauge to the spigot that feeds into the irrigation system. Twist the valve next to the spigot counterclockwise. This will allow water to flow through the spigot and will give you a reading on your pressure gauge. Read the measurement on the gauge. The needle on the gauge should move to a number that represents your water pressure in pounds per square inch or PSI. Write this number down on a piece of paper. Unscrew the gauge after you get your reading. Once you take the reading, turn off the valve and unscrew the gauge. Make sure that the spigot is off when unscrewing the gauge or else water will come pouring out of it. The average house should have around 40 to 70 psi. If the pressure is much higher or lower than that, you know that you have a problem. You can do more than one reading to make sure that the water pressure is what it's supposed to be. Attach the pressure gauge to a faucet on the first floor instead. If you can't find your main water supply, you can also test the pressure on a different faucet or spigot. Attach the gauge to a faucet on the first floor of the house. Pressure is reduced as it travels through your pipes and the reading will be less accurate than if you tested the spigot that's closest to your main water supply. Turn off all faucets in your house. If you have multiple faucets, spigots, or appliances running while you test the flow rate, it will give you an inaccurate reading. Make sure all water-fed appliances and faucets are in the off position while you measure the water flow. Water-fed appliances include the dishwasher and laundry machine. Find a spigot or faucet on the bottom floor or basement. These locations will give you the most accurate reading because it's closest to your main water supply. Water loses pressure as it travels through pipes and the water supply is usually located in the basement or bottom floor. Use a bathtub faucet or a spigot near the main water feed since other fixtures may have factory restrictions. Place a 1 gallon (3.8 L) bucket under the faucet. Use a bucket that's exactly 1 gallon (3.8 L). You are finding gallons or liters per minute, and the size of the bucket needs to be exact. Fill the bucket and time it. Turn on the spigot or faucet and use a watch or timer and count how many seconds it takes to fill up the bucket completely. Once you get the time, mark it down on a piece of paper. The main water supply can usually be found in your basement, crawlspace, or next to your water heater. Sometimes the main water supply will be connected to the outside of your house or located in a covered box near the sidewalk. Divide 60 by the number of seconds it took to fill up the bucket. Dividing 60 by the number of seconds it took to fill up your bucket will give you your house's gallons (liters) per minute or GPM (LPM). Most residential houses should maintain a flow of 6 gallons (23 L) per minute. This will allow larger appliances, like a washer machine or shower, to operate at a normal water pressure. For instance, if it took 30 seconds to fill up the bucket you'd calculate 60/30 = 2 gallons per minute. Install a water pressure regulator for pressure over 6 GPM. If your flow rate is higher than 6 GPM, it may mean that your water pressure is too high. Hire a plumber or handyman to install a water pressure regulator to your main water supply to regulate the flow of water. If your water pressure is too high, water may shoot out of the sides and crevices in your pipes or spigots and could cause premature failure in your faucets and appliances. Call your landlord or water company for pressure lower than 6 GPM. If you have under 6 GPM it means that you may have low water pressure. Low pressure can be caused by blocked pipes, leaking pipes, or a water supply malfunction. A water booster can also sometimes be installed into to increase water pressure. | Turn off all running water in your house. Locate the main water supply. Attach a pressure gauge to the spigot near the main water supply. Twist the valve next to the spigot counterclockwise. Read the measurement on the gauge. Unscrew the gauge after you get your reading. Attach the pressure gauge to a faucet on the first floor instead. Turn off all faucets in your house. Find a spigot or faucet on the bottom floor or basement. Place a 1 gallon (3.8 L) bucket under the faucet. Fill the bucket and time it. Divide 60 by the number of seconds it took to fill up the bucket. Install a water pressure regulator for pressure over 6 GPM. Call your landlord or water company for pressure lower than 6 GPM. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Encourage-a-Sad-Friend | How to Encourage a Sad Friend | If your friend is feeling sad, you can help cheer them up by spending time with them and coming up with fun things to do together. Invite your friend to hang out and then rent a funny movie together. You could also offer to take them somewhere fun. For example, if your friend loves to shop, invite them to the mall and go to some stores you think they'd enjoy. Even if your friend isn't up for going out, you can still bring them a nice gift to cheer them up, like some candy or a good book. | Ask them what's wrong. Ask them if they want to talk about it. You can say, "I can tell that you've been really upset lately. Is something wrong?" They may want to talk and has been waiting for the invitation. Therefore, listen to their answer. Be silent and don't interrupt. You don't need to offer you words of advice unless they ask. If they don't want to talk about it, respect their choice. They may be too hurt at the moment, feeling that they will break down if they talk about it. They may just need to process the situation and their feelings for a while. Give them some time, and let them know you're there when they feel like talking. Support them emotionally. Remind them that they're a great person and how much they means to you. Acknowledge their feelings when they shares her pain. You could say something like, "I know that's got to hurt. I'm sorry you're going through this." Continue to show them kindness and encouragement. Continue to be a loyal friend. Now is not the time to abandon or avoid them. Don't go around telling others about their problem. If they ask for your advice, then give it. If you don't know what to tell them, then suggest someone else who could, like another trusted friend, a family member, or a professional. Try to understand what your friend is going through. If you can't understand, then just listen. You can offer support without encouraging a situation with which you disagree. Don't condemn them and rub salt in their wound. For instance, if they're upset over a fight that they had with their spouse, don't say, "I told you that you should have never married him." If you can't say anything in their favor, then simply tell them that you're here for them regardless. Don't minimize their feelings. A hug and a squeeze of the hand speaks volumes. Be patient. Your friend may be grumpy or short with you, and they may snap at you. Don't take it personally. Ignore it and realize they're not themself. They are under a lot of stress, and you know that they've seen better and happier days. Make them laugh. Get silly together. Play some music and silly dance. Rent a funny movie and watch it with them. Tell them some funny jokes. Reminisce about funny memories you share together. Offer to take them somewhere fun. Offer to go shopping together. That can be a fun venture. Offer to take them to lunch to talk or to get her around other people. Consider your friend's personality and hobbies. Ask yourself, "What can I do to encourage my friend and distract them? What do they enjoy doing?" Your friend may initially decline your invitation. They may tell you that they're not up to going anywhere. Encourage them and tell them that they don't need to be alone during this sad time, and that getting around other people would be good for them. Buy them a nice gift or card. The gift could be something as simple as a small box of candy, a bottle of scented lotions, or her favorite flowers. A sincere card that addresses their specific issue is appreciated as well. Any of those items will tell your friend that you appreciate them and that you're thinking of them in her time of need. This will also help them get her mind off of their problems, if only temporarily. Your action gives your friend evidence that there are people in the world who care about her pain and want to help. Your friend will remember what you did for them when they're alone and sad. Offer to help them with a job or task. Ask if there is anything you can do for them. Offer to watch their kids while they spend time alone working in order to through their sadness. Offer to go to the grocery store and/or cook a meal or meals for them. Offer to clean their house. If their parent is very ill, offer to go with them when they take them to the doctor. Let her know that you're there for them. They may need some alone time right now. Comply with their wishes, but tell them to call you when they need you, regardless of the time. If they take you up on your offer and call you at two in the morning, make sure you answer your phone and listen to them. If they need to see you at three in the morning, climb out of bed and go to them. Don't forget to call them to say, "Hi," and to ask how they're doing and how they're feeling. Talk to mutual friends. Friends who you both share can provide extra support and duplicate the cheering-up efforts. You don't want to tell them anything that your friend has told you in confidence. Ask your friend beforehand if you can tell your friends about their sadness, and clarify what you can say. Suggest professional help. If your friend's sadness continues, if their sadness is interfering with their life, and if you find that you can't cheer them up, then their problem may be more serious than being upset over a difficult situation. They may be clinically depressed. Be honest with your concerns. Suggest they talk to someone about her problems. Offer to help them find a counselor or therapist, and drive them to the appointment if needed. If you suspect that your friend may be suicidal, then seek help immediately. Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). If your friend is in an immediate medical crisis, call 911. | Ask them what's wrong. Support them emotionally. Try to understand what your friend is going through. Be patient. Make them laugh. Offer to take them somewhere fun. Buy them a nice gift or card. Offer to help them with a job or task. Let her know that you're there for them. Talk to mutual friends. Suggest professional help. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Build-Muscles-(for-Girls) | How to Build Muscles (for Girls) | Building muscle as a girl can be tricky due to your lower testosterone levels. However, there are ways to make it easier. Focus on strength-training exercises, like using free weights, using exercise machines, or doing pushups and crunches. You can also do lunges, squats, and step-ups to build your leg muscles. Aim to work out 3 or 4 times a week, rotating your muscle groups so you don't overwork them. It's also important to eat plenty of protein, like lean beef, chicken, turkey, eggs, and nuts. This will help your muscle tissue repair itself after workouts. Try to sleep at least 7 hours a night, which will give your body time to rest and recover after exercising and reduce the chance of injury. | Consult a physical trainer and/or a doctor. Before you start your muscle-building workout season, consult a doctor. Muscle-building exercises are highly demanding to your body, and people with some chronic illnesses (such as cardiac conditions, high blood pressure, or stroke) may not be candidates for this type of workout. If you have high blood pressure (hypertension) you should not do heavy weightlifting without consulting your doctor. If your blood pressure is above 180/110 mm Hg, do not lift weights until you have normalized your blood pressure with medications. Plan your strength-training workout. Strength training engages the muscles in your body and makes them work against a resistance. When you make your muscles work against a resistance, you are forcing your muscle fibers to respond to the added stress which leads to enhanced muscle size and definition. In order to build muscle, you need to add strength (also called resistance) training to your weekly routine. Typical strength training programs use free weights (dumbbells, barbells), exercise machines, elastic tubing, or even just the body weight (pushups, pull-ups, crunches). Plan a balanced, total body strength training program to build the muscles in your body (see third section). Do not overdo cardio. Muscle building is not fat burning. The best way to add muscle mass is weight training, while the way to get rid of muscles is extended cardio (you've never seen a Marathon runner with big muscles, have you?). However, you should not forget cardio exercises entirely as these strengthen your cardiorespiratory system and have numerous other health benefits, including improving bone strength, reducing blood pressure, reducing risk of chronic illnesses (diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular conditions), and improved mood. Also keep in mind that reducing overall body fat with cardio can cause muscles to "pop," and your body can look leaner and stronger. The key when planning cardio routine during muscle-building season is to do shorter sprints instead of long, aerobic workouts. Focus on 20 minute high-intensity exercises with 30 to 60 second high-intensity sprints followed by 1 minute rests. Do your cardio separately from your weight training workout. Never do your cardio after the weight training workout but reserve it to a separate day. Limit the amount of cardio workouts to 20 minute workouts 3 to 5 times a week. Rest, rest, and rest. Weight training actually causes the muscles to go to a catabolic state (breakdown of muscle proteins). In response, your body has to repair the muscle tissue and during this repair you are actually "building" the muscle mass. Thus, your hard muscle-building workouts need to be balanced with adequate rest. Limit your strength-training workouts to 3 to 4 days a week and do not work the same muscle groups on consecutive days. Ensure you get a good night's sleep every night; it is recommended that adults get at least 7 to 9 hours a sleep each night. Learn the correct techniques and know the risks. Lifting weights is not only straining to your muscles but your joints and bones as well. If you do not perform each exercise correctly, you may risk an injury. Always consult a trainer and take time to learn to do each exercise correctly before adding heavy weights. Consult your pediatrician. Before your child or adolescent participates in any form of strength training it's important they consult their doctor. Muscle building routines are slightly different for this age group as their body is still developing and growing. Too much and too hard exercises can cause injury that have lasting effects to a young body. Receiving a medical evaluation beforehand, can help you and your child identify: Training goals. Understanding the proper techniques. Risk factors, such as injuries and the use of steroids or other supplements. Please note that since the overall goal of strength training is to enhance muscle size, a discussion with a pediatrician about steroid use is highly important, especially if your child is involved in a competitive training program. Do strength training. This type of training mainly focuses on weight lifting but exercises using your own body weight (such as sit-ups and push-ups) as well as endurance and agility exercises can also be included to increase muscle strength and size. Weight lifting is the most common strength training technique used in sports and basic workouts. To get started, consult a fitness trainer who can help you or your child learn each exercise and how to perform it correctly. Always warm up to reduce risk of injury by doing at least 5 to 10 minutes of cardio. Stretch lightly before each exercise and after the workout to increase muscle flexibility. Start with low weights and move to heavier weights as your body gets stronger. Using weights that are too heavy can lead to an injury. Also, it is essential you learn to do each exercise correctly before adding extra weight. Maintain your body mechanics during each move: move slowly, breathe, and understand the complete range of motion. If you do exercises hastily or using the wrong range of motion, you can risk injury. Listen to your body. The intensity of your workout depends on the number of repetitions, the weight, and how long you rest before sets. Don't over exert yourself. However, you should still be pushing yourself. If you don't challenge your muscles and start moving on to heavier weights, your muscles will not grow or develop. Avoid powerlifting or competitive weightlifting. Teens and children should not engage in competitive weightlifting, powerlifting or bodybuilding. These are highly demanding types of muscle building that are not suitable for children and come with a high risk of injury. Consult with your doctor if you are unsure what type of weightlifting or strength training you or your child should do. The bodies of teens and children are still developing and growing, which greatly increases risk of injury. Add aerobic exercises to your weekly routine. Aerobic exercise (or cardio) is a physical activity that raises your heart rate and engages your respiratory system. Regular aerobic exercise has many health benefits, such as maintaining body weight, reducing stress, strengthening your cardiorespiratory system, reducing risk of chronic illnesses (diabetes, cancer), and releasing endorphins to boost your mood. Aerobic exercises that consist of weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, dancing, tennis, and running, also help strengthen your bone mass. Adding aerobic exercises to your weekly routine, helps balance your strength-training workouts and gives a better foundation for later in life. Know the risks. Any type of physical activity has risks, and this is especially true for strength training. According to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, 20,000 to 26,000 strength-training related injuries occurred in people under 21 years old; 40 to 70 percent of those injuries were due to muscle strain, mostly in the lumbar back. Strength-training programs should be well planned and executed to reduce risk of injury. This can be accomplished by: Having a spotter or supervision when weight lifting. Understanding the instructions of the workout so injury doesn't occur. Understanding the use of the machine. Clearing the workout space so it is hazard free. Including proper warm-up and cool-down exercises. Avoid too much exercise. Working out excessively can harm your body and lead to catabolic state (breakdown of muscle protein). During the teenage years, the body is still developing and therefore, overdoing strength training or burning too many calories can cause your growing body to malfunction. Training should only last one hour or less and you should take a rest day (or two) in between workouts so your muscles can rebuild themselves. Signs to watch to spot overtraining include: high resting heart rate, sleep difficulties, and exhaustion. If you or your child experiences any of these symptoms, cut back on the time or intensity of your workout and consult a doctor. Note to parents: too much exercise can also be a sign of an eating disorder. If you think your child is compulsively working out look for these symptoms: being upset because they missed a workout, exercising even when they're under the weather, being upset when sitting down because they are not burning calories, and thinking that they will gain weight from going a day without exercise. Get the most out of your workout with compound exercises. Exercises that work the main muscle groups (compound exercises) will give you the most significant gains in muscle mass and boost your metabolic rate. For instance, the bench press works your pectorals, your triceps, and your deltoids in a single exercise. An isolated exercise like a tricep kickback will work only your tricep. Compound exercises hit more muscle fibers with each lift, so you end up spending less time in the gym. Try creating a compound exercise routine with a a 4 day upper/lower split or a 3 day full body split to avoid overworking your muscles, which often happens with isolated exercises. Use isolated exercises to tweak your muscle growth an appearance once you have already met your goals. Build the muscle in your legs and buttocks. To add muscle mass to your lower body, you need to do exercises that target the large muscles in your thighs, calves, and hips. When it comes to building muscles, heavy weights (or high resistance) and low repetitions are the key (while the opposite is true if you are trying to improve your endurance). To build the muscles in your thighs, you need to do exercises that focus on the hamstrings, quadriceps, and hip adductors, such as different variations of lunges, squats, and step ups. To build the muscles in your calves (gastrocnemius, soleus, and tibialis anterior), do standing or seated calf raises. The muscles in your hips and buttocks (gluteus maximus, abductors, flexors, and deep external rotators) are engaged with some of the same exercises as your legs (such as squats and lunges), but to add more specific exercises to target these muscles, try hip extensions and leg presses. You should do these exercises using resistance that is heavy enough that you can only do 4 to 8 repetitions max. If you can easily do 8 or more reps, you are probably using too low resistance and are building endurance instead of bulking up your muscles. Note for teens: always consult a trainer and a pediatrician before engaging these exercises. Your body is still growing and developing so avoid high intensity and weights. Strengthen and build the muscles in your back. To build the muscles in your back, focus your training on the latissimus dorsi, teres major, trapezius (upper, lower, middle), levator scapulae, rhomboids, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis muscles. There are a vast variety of exercises you can choose from to build these muscles. Try the different rows (such as bent-over rows, lying rows, and seated rows) or do pull-ups, chin-ups, pulldowns, and shrugs. These exercises can be done using free weights and exercise machines or even just rubber bands or body weight. Strengthening your back muscles can help improve your posture as well. Strengthen your core to get strong abs. To build muscle in your abdomen, focus your training on the rectus abdominis, transverse abdominus, obliques, quadratus lumborum, and erector spinae muscles. When it comes to abdominal muscles, you can use your body weight and do crunches, sit-ups, and leg raises, or you can try something different and use free weights, cables or levers to add some extra resistance and really work those abs. Build the muscles in your chest. Women might overlook training the muscles in your chest, but you shouldn't. Working the muscles in your chest helps maintain muscular balance, especially if you are building your back muscles; focusing on just one side of the body, can lead to bad posture. To target the muscles in your chest, focus on exercises that work the pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, and the serratus anterior muscles. Choose two to three different exercises, such as chest dips, bench presses, power lifts, chest presses, and/or flies. Strengthen your arms and shoulders. Many women want slim and muscular arms and shoulders. To make this happen, target the deltoids (anterior, lateral, posterior) and the supraspinatus in your shoulder and the triceps brachii, biceps brachii, brachialis, brachioradialis and the wrist flexors and extensors in your arms. To build your shoulders, do shoulder or overhead presses, front raises, upright rows, or reverse flies, which can be easily done with cables, barbells or dumbbells for added weight. When working your arms, use dumbbells or exercise machines to do exercises such as triceps dips, kickbacks, triceps extensions, biceps curls and wrist curls and rollers. Start your mornings with oatmeal. Building muscle starts with paying attention to what you eat. When it comes to choosing the right carb that is minimally processed and has a low glycemic index (GI) value, there is no better breakfast food than oatmeal. Besides being high in fiber and low in calories, the dietary benefits of oatmeal include ideal micronutrient profile, decreased hunger and increased satiety, and lower subsequent energy intake (second meal effect). Overall, oatmeal is a good way to add healthy carbs to your diet. Avoid pre-packaged oatmeal, which is laden with sugar and artificial flavoring. Cook steel-cut oats and add healthy toppings, like chopped nuts and blueberries. Eat lean meat. Eating high-quality, high-protein, lean meat is an essential part of gaining muscle. Your digestive system breaks down the protein in meat to amino acids, which are the building blocks of muscle tissue and needed for repair and recovery after exercise. Eat lean cuts of beef (such as eye of round roast, sirloin tip, and top round steak) or ground beef that has less than 7% fat. Low-fat beef is favored by many bodybuilders due to its nutrient content (zinc, iron, and B-vitamins) and high-quality protein. Eat skinless chicken or low-fat turkey, which are excellent sources of lean protein. Consume low-fat milk products and eggs. These are also packed with essential nutrients and protein that are needed to build and maintain muscle. Milk products also help strengthen bones during childhood and teenage years. Add low-fat cottage cheese to your diet. Besides being a healthy dessert when combined with fresh berries, it contains protein that is slow to digest and is ideal for muscle maintenance. Note: if you are lactose intolerant, try soy products that are packed with calcium and Vitamin D. Add free-ranged chicken eggs to your diet, which are packed with protein and nutrients (including essential amino acids, choline, and vitamin D). Although eggs are considered high in cholesterol, several recent studies have shown that eggs are not harmful to your health. Add nutrient-rich carbs to your meals. Muscles need energy to contract and that energy comes from carbohydrates. If you do not consume nutrient-rich carbs, your workouts will struggle and you will feel tired.. Your first meal post-workout should be heavy in carbohydrates. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables that have antioxidants to keep your body healthy. Fruits and vegetables also contain essential vitamins and minerals as well as fiber. Add whole grains (such as brown rice and whole wheat pasta) to your meals, which are packed with good quality carbs and fiber. In addition, brown rice helps to boost hormone levels for growth, which are a critical part for the growth of lean muscle, strength gains, and fat loss. Avoid white bread and pasta made from processed flour. Don’t forget healthy fats. Even though fats have a “bad rap,” your body needs them to provide energy, absorb fat-soluble vitamins and keep your skin and hair healthy. But not all fats are good and you should only eat those foods that contain healthy fatty acids. Consume foods that are high in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, such as nuts, avocados, seeds, and oils (such as olive, safflower, and flaxseed). The above foods are also rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fats -- these are essential fatty acids that your body cannot produce on its own. Eat fish. Besides being packed with omega-3 fatty acids, fish is also a good source of protein. Avoid saturated and trans fats found in butter, regular milk, beef, processed foods and fast foods. Supplement with whey protein. Whey protein supplementation is popular among athletes wanting to build muscle, mainly because it is an affordable and convenient source of fast protein. Scientific research also shows that whey protein is an excellent source of protein for both adults and children. Use whey protein immediately after workout to replenish your muscles and promote muscle growth. Be sure to get high-quality protein from foods as well and not just from whey protein. Adults can use 20–30 grams (0.71–1.1 oz) of whey protein per day, without exceeding 1.2 grams (0.04 oz) per body weight (kg). Higher doses have been used but should be done with caution and only limited amount of time. Children should get 0.8–1 gram (0.03–0.04 oz) of protein per body weight (kg) per day. Strength training increases your protein consumption and you should consult your doctor on the amount of whey protein supplements (if any) you should consume. Note: too much protein can be harmful and can lead to kidney disease, cancer, and osteoporosis. Always consult your doctor if you are unsure how much protein to eat and before you start using any protein supplements. Take vitamin supplements (if needed). Healthy and balanced diet is the best way to ensure you are getting enough vitamins and minerals. However, if you are deficient in some vitamins and minerals, you can use supplements to replenish your diet. Always consult your doctor before taking any supplements. Too much fat-soluble vitamins can be toxic to your body. | Consult a physical trainer and/or a doctor. Plan your strength-training workout. Do not overdo cardio. Rest, rest, and rest. Learn the correct techniques and know the risks. Consult your pediatrician. Do strength training. Start with low weights and move to heavier weights as your body gets stronger. Avoid powerlifting or competitive weightlifting. Add aerobic exercises to your weekly routine. Know the risks. Avoid too much exercise. Get the most out of your workout with compound exercises. Build the muscle in your legs and buttocks. Strengthen and build the muscles in your back. Strengthen your core to get strong abs. Build the muscles in your chest. Strengthen your arms and shoulders. Start your mornings with oatmeal. Eat lean meat. Consume low-fat milk products and eggs. Add nutrient-rich carbs to your meals. Don’t forget healthy fats. Supplement with whey protein. Take vitamin supplements (if needed). |
https://www.wikihow.com/Patch-an-Exhaust-Pipe | How to Patch an Exhaust Pipe | To patch an exhaust pipe, start by jacking up your vehicle so you can inspect the exhaust pipe and locate the leak. Next, scrub the area around the leak with a steel-toothed brush, sand the surface of the pipe to rough up the metal, and wipe the pipe down with acetone. Then, wrap the exhaust tape around the pipe, covering the leak with at least two layers. Finally, mix the epoxy together, apply it to the leak with a wooden dowel, and let the mixture cure completely before driving your vehicle. | Park the vehicle on a level, firm surface. In order to repair the exhaust leak, you will need to jack the vehicle up to locate it. When you jack up a portion of the car, the weight of that portion will be centralized into the relatively small space beneath the jack. It's important that you choose a surface that can support that weight. You also need the surface to be level, as it's extremely unsafe to jack up a car at an angle. Black top or concrete are acceptable surfaces to jack up a car. Never jack up a car on grass, dirt or gravel as it may cause the jack to topple over. Allow the exhaust to cool. The exhaust piping in your vehicle can reach extremely high temperatures while the engine is running. Allow the vehicle to cool for a few hours before attempting to work on the exhaust to avoid burning yourself. It may take a number of hours to allow the exhaust to cool enough to touch. Touch the hood of your car. If it is still warm, the engine and exhaust are both still extremely hot. Jack up the vehicle. Slide a scissor or trolley jack below the vehicle at one of its designated jack points. If you are unsure where these jack points are, refer to the vehicle's owner's manual to help you locate them. With the jack in the correct space, jack up the car until it is high enough to safely work beneath it. Once the vehicle is jacked up, place jack stands beneath the vehicle to support its weight. Never work beneath a vehicle supported only by a jack. Inspect the exhaust piping. From beneath the vehicle, inspect the exhaust piping starting at the front of the vehicle and working your way back. If you have an idea of where the leak may be, you can begin your inspection in that area. Look for signs of damage such as scrapes, rust, cracks or holes. In lower vehicles, exhaust leaks can be caused by the underside of the vehicle bottoming out on things like speed bumps or pot holes. Rust is also a common cause of exhaust leaks. If rust penetrates through all the way through a pipe, it will result in a leak. Cracks in the piping are another common cause of exhaust leaks. Start the vehicle to help locate leaks. If you are unable to readily identify the source of the leak with a visual inspection, have a friend start the vehicle. From beneath the car or truck you should be able to spot the leak as puffs of exhaust smoke escapes from it. Be extremely careful working under a vehicle that is running. Keep your hands away from any moving parts. Make sure the vehicle is in park (for automatic transmissions) or is in neutral with the wheels chocked (standard transmissions) before starting it. Assess the extent and type of damage. Depending on the type of damage you identify on your exhaust piping, your repair options may vary. If the exhaust piping is covered in extensive rust, that entire component of the exhaust may need to be replaced by a professional. Small scrapes or holes can be addressed without cutting out portions of the exhaust. Small holes may be repaired using exhaust tape or repair putty. Larger holes will need a piece of aluminum in conjunction with an epoxy to seal. Scrub the area surrounding the leak with a steel toothed brush. Because the exhaust is located on the underside of the vehicle, it often gets caked with mud, dirt and rust. Once you locate the leak, use a steel toothed brush to scrub the area surrounding it. Most repairs will not stick or seal if done over dirt and grime. Scrub the entire portion of the pipe around the leak, including the top side if you can reach it. Make sure to wear eye protection while scrubbing the area to prevent debris from getting in your eyes. Use sandpaper to prepare the surface of the pipe. Once you have scraped off most of the dirt and grime, take a piece of fine grit sandpaper and use it to scrub the portion of the pipe you need to repair. Sandpaper will remove the last bits of dirt as well as creating tiny micro abrasions in the metal to help the tape or epoxy adhere to it. If you are using exhaust tape, make sure to scrub the pipe all the way around with the sand paper. Roughing up the surface of the metal will create a stronger bond for the patch. Wipe the surface down with acetone. Once you have brushed and sanded the pipe around the leak, wipe the area down with acetone to clean it and help the exhaust epoxy bond to the metal. Acetone is the primary ingredient in nail polish remover, so using nail polish remover will work well for this purpose. Be very careful not to drip acetone into your eyes or mouth while wiping down the pipe with it. You can purchase acetone in the cleaning chemicals section of many retail stores, or nail polish remover in the health and beauty sections. Determine if the hole is small enough to be sealed without a patch. Small cracks or pinholes can be sealed using just epoxy or exhaust tape, but larger holes will need a patch. If the leak is a thin crack or small hole, you can proceed without purchasing or making a patch to help. If the hole is larger, you will need a patch as well as epoxy. Attempting to seal too large a hole without a patch can result in an imperfect seal or the exhaust leak resurfacing after a few hours of driving. Wrap the exhaust tape around the pipe. If you are using exhaust repair tape, wrap it all the way around the pipe, covering the exhaust leak with at least two layers of tape. Make sure to wrap the tape around the pipe for a few inches to either side of the leak as well. Different kinds of exhaust repair tape will require different application methods, so be sure to read the instructions thoroughly before you begin. Some exhaust repair tape must be applied to warm pipes in order to establish a seal, so you may need to start the vehicle and let it run for a few minutes before applying. Other forms of exhaust repair tape needs to be wet before applying. You can purchase exhaust repair tape at most auto parts stores. Mix the epoxy together and apply it to the leak. If you are using epoxy to seal the leak, mix the two parts together using a wooden dowel. Once the two parts are mixed, it will begin to cure immediately, so apply it to the leak quickly. Dab the epoxy over the leak, then use the wooden dowel to spread it around the area. Leave a thick layer of epoxy over and around the leak. You may also choose to wrap the leak in exhaust repair tape after applying the epoxy. Different types of epoxy have different curing rates, so read the instructions on the package to know how long to allow it to sit before driving the vehicle. Determine the size of patch needed. You can purchase exhaust patch kits from your local auto parts store, but cutting up a piece of an aluminum can will actually do just as good as job at serving as a patch for a larger exhaust leak. After scrubbing and cleaning the area, determine how large the patch will need to be to cover the leak and leave at least a half inch or so of extra material beyond the hole itself. If the area that needs to be patched is larger than about three inches, that portion of the exhaust will likely need to be replaced. If you purchase a patch kit, make sure to read the directions to assess the size of a leak the kit can fix. Cut an aluminum patch to fit over the leak. Use a pair of heavy duty scissors to cut your aluminum can into a patch large enough to cover the leak. You may also choose to wrap the can around the pipe. For smaller leaks, you can simply cut a circle of aluminum that is a half inch larger in diameter than the hole. You may want to wear gloves while cutting a can or aluminum patch to avoid being cut by sharp edges. Wrapping the can or patch all the way around the pipe will provide the best seal. Cover the area surrounding the leak with epoxy. Just as you would seal a leak with epoxy, mix it together and apply it to the pipe around the leak. Make sure to apply enough epoxy to create a seal for the patch, but don't apply so much that the epoxy begins to drip into the exhaust piping. Apply the epoxy to an area surrounding the leak that is equal size to the patch you are applying. If you are going to wrap the patch all the way around the pipe, apply most of the epoxy to the area around the leak and a lighter coat all the way around the pipe. Place the patch over the leak. Either place the small patch directly over the hole or wrap a large patch all the way around the pipe. If wrapping the patch around the pipe, make sure the middle of the patch is over the leak itself. It's okay if some of the epoxy squeezes out the sides of the patch when you apply it. Make sure none of the leak extends beyond the sides of the patch. Apply epoxy over the patch. Use a wooden dowel to apply more epoxy to the edges of the patch. You may even choose to coat the patch itself with epoxy. This will help hold the patch in place as the epoxy dries while also creating a more solid seal to prevent any exhaust from leaking. Make sure to coat the perimeter of the patch with epoxy at the least to ensure there are no pinhole leaks. If you wrapped the entire pipe with a patch, you do not need to coat the entire patch, but pay special attention to wear the patch meets on the opposite side of the pipe from the leak. Secure a large patch in place with hose clamps. If you wrapped the patch all the way around the pipe, use two hose clamps to secure it in place and ensure a tight seal. Place one hose clamp on either side of the leak on the pipe, then use a socket wrench or flat head screw driver to tighten the clamps into place over the patch. The hose clamps will help ensure a tight seal along with the patch and epoxy. You may want to clip the excess ends off of the hose clamps once you are done. | Park the vehicle on a level, firm surface. Allow the exhaust to cool. Jack up the vehicle. Inspect the exhaust piping. Start the vehicle to help locate leaks. Assess the extent and type of damage. Scrub the area surrounding the leak with a steel toothed brush. Use sandpaper to prepare the surface of the pipe. Wipe the surface down with acetone. Determine if the hole is small enough to be sealed without a patch. Wrap the exhaust tape around the pipe. Mix the epoxy together and apply it to the leak. Determine the size of patch needed. Cut an aluminum patch to fit over the leak. Cover the area surrounding the leak with epoxy. Place the patch over the leak. Apply epoxy over the patch. Secure a large patch in place with hose clamps. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Groom-a-Miniature-Schnauzer | How to Groom a Miniature Schnauzer | To groom a miniature Schnauzer, start by brushing its coat to make sure there are no mats in its fur. Then, bathe your dog in lukewarm water using a gentle shampoo. Once you've finished washing your Schnauzer, dry its fur using a blow dryer and a towel. Next, cut your dog's fur starting from the base of the skull along its back with a #8 clipper. You should also cut the leg fur slightly longer so it sticks out to the side. Additionally, use scissors to cut the tail fur and the fur diagonally over its eyes. | Brush his hair. To start, you need to brush out your dog's fur. This is so there isn't any mats when you start to trim the hair, which can cause pain to his skin or disruption in the fur line. Brush the hair on the legs and the beard as well. You should use a pin brush followed by a comb. You should use a small soft slicker brush and a comb with 1/2 an inch bristles on your dog. Make sure you brush under the arms, on the belly, and between his toes to ensure all the mats or knots are combed out. If your has already dog has been trimmed or groomed before, he will not likely have a lot of mats. If he hasn't, this step is extremely necessary to ensure his cut looks as good as possible. Bathe your dog. Once you make sure that the mats are out of your dog's fur, you need to bathe him. This will help his coat be as clean as possible when you cut his hair. Use a gentle shampoo to bathe him and lukewarm water to rinse out all the soap. This also gives you time to brush his teeth. Dry the fur. Once you are done bathing your dog, you need to dry his fur. This takes a combination of towel drying and blow drying. Towel dry him off as much as possible. Next, using medium heat, take a blow dryer and dry the rest of your dog's fur, combing it as you go. Brush the leg hair up, starting at the top of the leg and working your way down. Also dry the back fur as well as that on the head. Don't blow the dryer in his face to avoid discomfort. You can use a grooming table for this and all remaining processes if you want to avoid back strain. If you don't have a grooming table, you can use any tall, flat surface. Clip the back fur. Schnauzer's are groomed in a very specific way. To obtain the right look, you need a dog hair clipper. Grab a #8 or #10 blade and put it on the clippers. Starting at the base of your dog's skull, gently press the clippers down on the fur, moving the clippers along the length of the back to the tail area. Starting back at the top, do the same on the areas directly around the spine. On his sides, continue to trim with the grain of the fur until you reach his underbelly. To get around his tail, follow the grain of the fur around his rump and down to about an inch or so above the joint in his hind legs in the back, just above his elbow on the side, and just above his shoulder bone in the front. If it is wintertime and you want your dog to have a little more fur, you can use a #7F clipper blade to allow him to keep more of his fur. You should periodically check the heat on the clipper blade with your wrist. You want to make sure it doesn't get too hot and burn your dog's skin. You should also clean out any fur that gets trapped in the blades as well. For a better idea of what the pattern of fur clipping should be, you can download a guide from the American Miniature Schnauzer Club or other reputable groomer. Use scissors on delicate areas. There are areas on your Schnauzer that need to be groomed with scissors instead of clippers because they are so sensitive. The fur on and around the tip of the tail should be trimmed with scissors. Cut the length the same as the rest of the fur on his back so it matches. You should also cut the hair on his underbelly about the same length, but be careful not to cut his genital region. You can use clippers on the underbelly, but you have to be extra careful not to hurt his tender underbelly or genital region. Cut the leg fur. The fur around the legs needs to be longer than his other hair. They need to be cut evenly and brushed so they stick out to the side. Make sure you brush them out so you can ensure that they are even all around. The fur of the legs is all the fur from where you stopped using the clippers on his body to the bottom of his feet. It's also typically a different color. Groom around the face. The face area is the most delicate. You have to be extremely careful so you don't hurt or aggravate his eyes or ears. Use the clippers to cut the fur from the base of his skull, where you left off on his back, up until just above his eyebrows. The fur around the neck should also be clipped up until his chin line. To cut the hair over his eyes, brush it straight down. Using scissors, point the scissors down towards his nose and cut the fur in a diagonal line over his eye. Do the same to the other eye. To trim the beard, you need to brush it out and trim some off the bottom. His whole face should look long and rectangular. Cut the outside fur on the ears. The fur on the outside your Schnauzer's ears will grow long, just like his other body fur. Brush the fur on the ears. Using scissors, cut the excessive fur growth that hangs free from the ear. Do not cut the fur that grows on his ears because it keeps his ears warm and looking nice. Be very careful. The ears are sensitive and you can easily hurt them. Pluck the inner fur in the ears. One of the main differences between Schnauzers and other dogs is that they grow long fur on the inside of their ears. Because of this, you need to periodically pluck the hair from inside his ears. Use a pair of tweezers and grasp the fur. Gently pull the fur, making sure not to hurt him. You can leave a little bit of each piece of fur behind, so there is something to protect his ears but not enough to prevent air from getting inside to dry them out. Just pluck off the top portion of the fur where it has gotten too long. You can also use scissors to do this, but be really careful. If cut, the ear can bleed profusely. Clean out the ear. Since fur grows so readily in his ear, your Schnauzer's ears are perfect for yeast and bacteria growth. To prevent this, you should also clean your dog's ears frequently along with trimming the hair. Use a cotton ball and pour dog ear wash on it. Gently rub the cotton ball on the visible portions of your dog's ear. Then, gently use a soft cloth to dry the ears so moisture doesn't build up in the canal. You can buy dog ear wash at your local pet store. Never use a q-tip to clean your dog's ears. It can damage his ear canal and lead to injury. Trim the hair. Inspect your dog's paws. Ruffle out any excessively long fur along your dog's paws. Using scissors, you need to trim all of this hair along the nails. You also need to trim back the hair that comes out from between the pads of his paw. Make sure you are careful not to cut too close to the skin. You don't want to accidentally cut his paw. Repeat on every paw. Cut the nails. Once you have trimmed the hair, you need to make sure the nails are cut to a comfortable length. You should use either guillotine dog nail clippers or a dog nail grinder. Gently cut or grind back the nail a little at a time. Once you see a dark area in the middle of the nails, you need to stop. Going below this will cut into the nail quick. The quick of your dog's nail is the living portion of the nail that contain blood vessels and nerves. Cutting the nails too far will cause them to bleed and will hurt immensely. It may also cause infection if not taken care of properly. Once you cut each of his nails, use a file to smooth out any jagged edges. Make sure you use dog clippers. Human clippers are not nearly strong enough to cut dog nails. Rub the paws. Once the nails are cut and filed, you should rub some vaseline or paw moisturizer to help hydrate his paws. This also gives his paws a break after the stressful process of having his nails clipped. Repeat this on every paw. This is also a good way of leaving your dog with a good impression of the whole experience. This way, he will start to look forward to the activity and not stress too much about the clippers or grinder while you are working on his nails. | Brush his hair. Bathe your dog. Dry the fur. Clip the back fur. Use scissors on delicate areas. Cut the leg fur. Groom around the face. Cut the outside fur on the ears. Pluck the inner fur in the ears. Clean out the ear. Trim the hair. Cut the nails. Rub the paws. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Mince-Vegetables | How to Mince Vegetables | To mince vegetables, start by removing the outer skin using a knife or veggie peeler, then chop off any stems or ends. Cut the vegetables length-wise into slices, then line the slices up and dice them. Hold the knife in your dominant hand and place the palm of your other hand on the dull side of the knife. Use your palm to rock the knife back and forth over the veggies, chopping them into the smallest pieces possible. Move the knife across the pile gradually, continuing the gentle rocking motion as you go. | Wash your vegetables. Wash your own hands in warm, soapy water for about 20 seconds. Then, rinse your vegetables under the faucet, gently rubbing as needed to remove any stuck on dirt. You may need to use a vegetable brush on tougher vegetables, like squash, to get out stuck on dirt and debris. Remove any skins. Things like onions, potatoes, and garlic should usually be peeled prior to cooking. You can simply peel off the skin of onion or garlic, but things like potatoes and squash require a vegetable peeler. When peeling an onion, you may accidentally peel off the top layer when removing the skin. You can still use an onion after peeling off the top layer, so do not worry if this happens. Not all vegetables require peeling prior to cooking. Consult your recipe to see if you need to peel your vegetables first. Cut the vegetables in half. Cut off any ends with leaves or stems. Then, cut the vegetables in half length-wise. This will make it easier to dice them prior to mincing. Chop the vegetables in perpendicular slices. Hold the vegetables with bent fingers as you cut, keeping your fingers just behind the knife. This allows for greater control while cutting. Cut the vegetables length-wise, keeping the slices about half an inch to a quarter of an inch apart. When you're done, you should have several thin slices of vegetables. Line up your vegetable slices. Take the perpendicular slices you just made and place the vegetables on a cutting board. Keep them close together when lining them up, but be sure to avoid any overlap. Dice the slices. Take your knife and cut along the vegetable slices cross-wise. Make a series of cuts, each one about a quarter of an inch apart, running down the lines of vegetables. When you're done, you will be left with small blocks of diced veggies. Push your diced vegetables into a small pile. Some overlap here is okay, as mincing is a less precise process than dicing. Your pile should be small and compact. You can either use your knife or hands to push the vegetables together. If you use your hands to push your veggies together, wash your hands first. Rock your knife over your vegetables. Start at one end of your pile. Place the palm of your hand on the dull side of the knife. Use your palm and the hand holding the knife to rock the knife back and forth, following the natural curl of the blade. Move the knife across the pile of veggies gradually, continuing this gentle, rocking motion as you go. Stop rocking just before the vegetables form a paste. Continue with the same basic motions, moving the knife back and forth across your vegetables. The goal is to get the vegetable pieces as small as possible. Once you notice some of the veggies forming a paste-like liquid, stop. This is a sign that the vegetables are adequately minced as they're starting to lose form. Minced vegetables should be mostly solid. Times vary depending on the type of vegetable you're mincing. Softer vegetables, like garlic, will mince faster than sturdier vegetables like potatoes. Invest in a garlic press. Minced garlic is commonly called for in recipes. A garlic press is a device used to mince garlic quickly. You simply peel the garlic, place it in the press, and squeeze the press closed to mince. Garlic presses are cheap and can be purchased at most grocery stores. Use a cheese grater or similar device. A cheese grater, or a similar device, speeds up the mincing process. You simply run the vegetables over the grater after peeling them. They should break apart in tiny, delicate pieces A grater is not the best choice for delicate vegetables, like garlic, as will cause them to form a paste. Try using a food processor. You can run vegetables through a food processor to mince them quickly. You can do so after dicing the vegetables into small, bite-sized chunks. If an actual food processor is out of your budget, buy a mini-food processor. | Wash your vegetables. Remove any skins. Cut the vegetables in half. Chop the vegetables in perpendicular slices. Line up your vegetable slices. Dice the slices. Push your diced vegetables into a small pile. Rock your knife over your vegetables. Stop rocking just before the vegetables form a paste. Invest in a garlic press. Use a cheese grater or similar device. Try using a food processor. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Pesto | How to Make Pesto | To make pesto, bake 1/4 cup of pine nuts in the oven until they're golden brown. Then, chop up the nuts, half a cup of Italian cheese, two cloves of garlic, and 3 cups of fresh basil. Put the ingredients in a food processor and gradually add 1/2 cup of olive oil through the spout as you process the mixture. Before serving, add salt and pepper to taste. Alternatively, leave out the pine nuts from the recipe to make pistou, a French variation of pesto. | Spread pine nuts on a baking sheet and toast until golden brown. Place the pine nuts underneath a broiler until golden brown or simply bake in a 400 degree Fahrenheit oven for 5-10 minutes, checking often. Alternately, toast the pine nuts in a pan over low or medium-low heat on a burner. Stir often. Pine nuts burn very easily , making them somewhat finicky to work with. When toasting pine nuts, pay attention closely and move them around often. The difference between perfectly toasted pine nuts and burnt pine nuts is often a matter of seconds. Chop garlic, cheese, and nuts (optional). Chopping before they are put into the food processor makes a finer ground pesto in the end. Add the chopped ingredients and basil into a food processor. Add the extra virgin olive oil in the spout gradually as the food is being processed. If you don't have a food processor, you can also use a blender in a pinch. (Pesto will turn out finer and less grainy when using a food processor.) Add salt and pepper to taste. Give the food processor one or two more pulses. Serve. Make pistou. Pistou is a french (Provence) variation of pesto made in a similar fashion, except without pine nuts. It consists of basil, garlic, olive oil, and sometimes cheese. Pistou is generally used in vegetable soup. Add mint leaves and almonds. To the original pesto genovese recipe, add a bit of fresh mint leaves and substitute almonds for pine nuts. The almonds may or may not be toasted. Make pesto alla siciliana, or red pesto. Red pesto is like traditional pesto, except it has tomato, much less basil, and substitutes almonds again for pine nuts. Make pesto alla calabrese. This pesto incorporates grilled red bell pepper, black pepper, and sometimes eggplant and ricotta cheese to go along with the basil and tomatoes. It has a distinctly spicy taste to it. Make pesto with sun-dried tomatoes instead of basil. For a very rich, sweeter pesto, combine sun-dried tomatoes along with pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil. Substitute other green herbs for basil. Although basil is the traditional ingredient in Italian pesto — and almost religiously used in authentic Italian recipes — you can experiment a bit with the green herbs you put into the food processor. As a substitute for basil, try: Arugula. Makes a very nutty pesto. Cilantro. Makes a light, fresh, and clean-tasting pesto. Ramson leaves. This makes for a German variety of pesto. Parsley. Makes a light, clean pesto. Substitute other nuts for pine nuts. Because of the cost of pine nuts, many people have taken to substituting other nuts into the original recipe in lieu of pine nuts. Substitutes often include: Walnuts. Cashews. Chinese pine nuts. Almonds. | Spread pine nuts on a baking sheet and toast until golden brown. Chop garlic, cheese, and nuts (optional). Add the chopped ingredients and basil into a food processor. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve. Make pistou. Add mint leaves and almonds. Make pesto alla siciliana, or red pesto. Make pesto alla calabrese. Make pesto with sun-dried tomatoes instead of basil. Substitute other green herbs for basil. Substitute other nuts for pine nuts. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Book | How to Make a Book | To make a book, choose a topic and genre, then create detailed profiles for your characters. Organize a written outline to help you structure the plot, or create storyboards to help you arrange the narrative. Next, set a realistic writing schedule for yourself, then get busy writing the book's content! Focus on getting the words down on the page—you can edit later. Revise, edit, and rewrite the content until you're happy with the story. Then, you can print out the pages and even create your own cover and binding for the book. | Select a topic. Grab a pad of paper and a pencil, a computer will work too, and generate a list of potential topics. Write or type down every idea that comes to mind. Remember, the most mundane idea could turn into an amazing story! Your topics could be as general as “a children's book about a zebra” or as specific as “a historical-fiction novel about George and Martha Washington's courtship.” At this stage in the process, every idea is a good idea! If you are struggling to come up with ideas, draw inspiration from your own life. What are your interests? Do you have a secret passion for car racing or anime? Draw ideas from you childhood memories. Dramatize your first trip to the zoo or your first swimming lesson. After creating a list of potential subjects, select a topic from the list that grabs your attention. You will dedicate the next few weeks, months, or years to writing about the topic, so pick a topic that excites you! To determine if your idea has legs, write an elevator pitch, a short, to-the-point speech about your topic. If it sounds innovative, thrilling, and or interesting as an elevator pitch, it should make an excellent story! If you are struggling to come up with a topic or narrow the list down to one topic, step away. Take your mind off of the book by exercising, shopping, or completing household chores. When you feel ready to tackle the task, return to the list refreshed, refocused, and re-energized! Identify your audience. Identifying your audience may give your book direction and focus. You would not write the same story for children, young adults, and adults. The plot of a children's book would be far less complex than the plot of an adult novella. Once you have selected your ideal age group, determine which faction of the age group is your target audience. Is your reader male or female? Does your ideal reader like mysteries, thrillers, romances, or sci-fi? Once you have identified your audience, create fictional reader profiles. Name your fictional readers and give each one a back story. Note their age, sex, education level, their likes, dislikes, and hobbies. Keep their profiles handy throughout the brainstorming and writing process. You will find yourself asking, “would Jason like this character?” or “will Stephanie laugh at this line?” Develop your characters. Your characters will bring your story to life! Create interesting characters capable of driving the plot forward. Create a stellar and complex protagonist and a brilliant antagonist. Develop your supporting characters too! Create a detailed profile for each character you create. Find or draw a picture of the character. Don't simply state surface level details. It is not enough to state that a character is tall, blonde, and an attorney. That information provides limited insight into the character's personality! Instead, provide information on their family history, the academic career, their job, their worst fear, their favorite foods. Keep these profiles out while you write. Spending time on the minor details—the little things, the imperfections—will make your characters more interesting and relatable! Outline your book. Writing a book of any length requires planning! Outlines will help you remain focused throughout the writing process and they will prevent you from straying from your plot. Get creative and use your strengths. If you are a visual person, develop a storyboard. If you are a more logical person, develop an outline organized by headings and subheadings, points and subpoints. When outlining, keep in mind that every plot has 5 sections: an inciting incident, complications, a climax, an anti-climax, and a conclusion. Construct your story arc around these 5 sections. Develop an incident that launches your book. Create complications that test your protagonist. Craft a climax that brings the conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist to an exciting peak. Tie up loose ends throughout the anti-climax. Bring your book to a close in the conclusion. You could also make a flowchart, use bullet points, write on note cards, create a concept map. Sometimes it is helpful to create multiple forms of an outline. Each type of outline forces you to think through your story in a slightly different way. Storyboarding requires you to visualize the plot and your characters; flowcharts force you to consider how one subplot flows into the next subplot. Don't aim for perfection. Outlines are meant to be rough sketches of your story! Research the market. Your topic will never be completely novel. To avoid completely reproducing a published work, research the market. Find 3 to 5 books that are similar to your topic and read them. Analyze how the plots differ from your plot. Determine if and how your characters are unique and innovative. Identify what makes your book special in comparison to all the other thrillers or romances on the shelves. If you are struggling to identify your book's individuality, don't panic. Revision is a natural part of the writing process! Return to your outline and be willing to make changes to your plot and characters. Your work will be stronger as a result of these alterations! Don't get disappointed when you discover a book with a similar plot. There is nothing new under the sun! Revise your outline. Revisions may be stressful and frustrating, but they are always necessary! Review your outline with a critical eye and a red pen. Does your story flow? Is the climax exciting? Does the plot reach a logical conclusion? Is the conclusion too obvious? Are there any tangential sections or subplots that should be cut? Are your characters developed enough? Do you need to develop more characters? Is the setting appropriate? Will my audience enjoy the finished product? After critiquing your outline, make any necessary changes. If you feel too close to your work, ask a friend to look it over for you. They may be able to identify any plot holes or tangential sections. Schedule your writing time. While it is ideal to write every day, it is not practical for everyone. Consider your commitments and set a realistic goal for yourself. Determine how frequently you will write. Decide if you will have time to write every day, twice a week, or just once in awhile. Some weeks or months you will have more time. Be flexible. If you see an opportunity to write for an hour, grab it! Set a word count goal. Set a realistic word count goal per writing session. This goal is meant to keep you accountable, focused, and progressing towards the completion of your work. If you are a slower writer, your word count goal may be 1000 words per session. If you only have one hour to devote per session and you are a speedier writer, set a word count goal of 1500 to 2500 words per session. If you are setting aside 4 to 8 hours a day to write, aim for 5,000 to 10,000 words per session. Don't stress over failing to reach your goal in the allotted time. Instead, remain positive and try to meet the goal during your next session. Write. Find a quiet place, free of distractions, and write! Don't stress about comma placement or noun-verb-agreement. Just get words down on the page and edit later. Have your outline, audience profiles, and character profiles out on your workspace in case you need to look up a detail here or there. If you are feeling stuck or having a hard time getting started, join a writing workshop. Talk over your problems with other experienced writers; get feedback on your work. Use one word file instead of multiple word files. Keeping your work together in one place will generate a sense of continuity. Plus, if you make a change to your plot that impacts an earlier chapter, all you have to do is scroll up to make the alteration. Revise, edit, rewrite, repeat. Open a new word document and copy-paste your novel into it. This will allow you to preserve each version of your work. Read through the document at a pace you are comfortable with. Some writers like to revise in one sitting, while others revise their work over the course of a day or week. Search for typos and grammatical errors. Pay attention to the flow of the story—are there any plot holes, is there a scene that needs to be removed, and is your climax at an appropriate point in the story? Read your dialogue carefully—does it sound realistic, does each character have a consistent voice, and is it easy to follow? After revising your book once, set it aside for a day before making your next set of revisions. When you feel confident with the story, declare it “finished.” A work is never completely finished, but at some point you must stop striving to perfect it. If you struggle to edit your work with a critical eye, ask a colleague, friend, or family member to serve as your editor. Research. Bookmaking comes with conventions that are hundreds of years old. Your readers will expect that your book follows these conventions. Before designing your book, educate yourself on the art of bookmaking! You will learn that every book has a cover page and a copyright page. The odd pages should always be on the right and even pages should be on the left. Your text should be justified instead of left aligned. Page through 15 to 20 books that a produced with a similar audience in mind. Study the books' formats. Make note of the elements you like and the ones you dislike. Decide who will create the book’s iconic look. If you feel unsure of your design skills, hire a professional book designer. If you are not particularly tech-savvy, consider using an online service that offers you a guided design experience and will even print the book for you! If you wish to have control over the entire process of designing the book, create the book's look yourself. When creating your own book, you assume responsibility for every element. Remain organized and detail oriented throughout the process. Design the book. When creating your own book, consider using Microsoft Word or InDesign. Both platforms allow you to create the book with a template. Rely on your research to guide you through the decision making process. Will your book be hardcover or paperback? What fonts will you use? Where will the page numbers be located? How will you format your chapters? How will you incorporate illustrations? These questions may appear menial, but your attention to detail will pay off! Once you have made your design decisions, start creating and styling the book. Don't be afraid to revise your design during the process. Decide how you will print the book. There are several methods of printing a book. You could choose to print your book at home. You may decide to send the book to a print shop. You could have an online service print and bind your book. A professional printing press could mass-produce your book. Select the option that is right for your budget and the scale of the print job. Print your book at home. Save your book as a PDF. Under the file menu, select print. Since your book is shorter, select “All” under “Pages to Print.” Under the section labeled “Page Sizing & Handling,” select Booklet. A “Booklet Subset” menu will appear on the screen. If your printer can print on both sides of the paper, select “Both Sides.” If your printer can not print on both side, choose “Front Side Only/Back Side Only.” You will have to print the front side, reload the printer, and then print the backside. Click “Print.” Print your novel at home. Save your book as a PDF. Under the file menu, select print. Select “Page Range” under “Pages to Print.” You will print your work in smaller sections of either 16, 24, or 32 pages. Under the section labeled “Page Sizing & Handling,” select Booklet. A “Booklet Subset” menu will appear on the screen. If your printer can print on both sides of the paper, select “Both Sides.” If your printer can not print on both side, choose “Front Side Only/Back Side Only.” You will have to print the front side, reload the printer, and then print the backside. Click “Print.” Repeat until all remaining sections are printed. Keep pages separated by section. Always start printing at page 2. Page 1 is your cover page and must be printed separately. Decide how you will bind the book. There are several ways to bind a book. If you send your book off to a professional printing press or an online printing company, the cost of binding the book is typically included. If you have your book printed at a print shop, you may request that the company also bind your book. You may also choose to bind your book at home. Fold, sew, and trim the book at home. Individually fold each page down the center. If you printed more than one section of pages, keep the pages separated by section. Restack the papers in the correct order. Using a sewing machine, sew a straight line down the center fold of each section of papers. Begin sewing 1 to 2 inches away from the paper's top edge; finish sewing 1 to 2 inches away from the paper's bottom edge. Don't trim the loose thread, but leave 3 to 4 inches of loose thread on each end. With a needle, Pull the loose threads to the outside of the book. Repeat this process on each section of papers. Once all batches are sewn, pull all of the loose thread from the inside of the book to the outside of the book with a needle. Trim off any excess paper with a paper cutter. Bind the book. If you have multiple sections, place them in the correct order. Align all of the edges. Using a Workmate, secure the book tightly between two pieces of wood. The sewn edges of the book, the side with the loose strings, should be facing up. Measure and cut a piece of scrap fabric. The fabric must be 2 inches longer than the book's spine. When placed on the spine, there should be 2 to 4 inches of fabric on each side, or wing of the book. Use a brush to apply a coat of binding glue to the sewn edges of the book and adhere the piece of fabric to the spine. Allow the glue to dry before removing the bound book. Create a cover. Measure the length of your book and the width of the front cover, spine, and back cover of your book. Trace out 4 pieces from cardboard. Piece 1 should be the length and width of the front cover. Piece two should be the length and width of the spine. Piece should be the length and width of the back cover. Piece 4 is the length the book and the combined width of front cover, spine, and back cover. Cut out the cardboard pieces. Use a glue stick to adhere pieces 1, 2, 3 to piece 4. Fold piece 4 along each edge of the spine. Allow it to dry. Pizza boxes work great! Cover the cardboard in fabric. Use any type of fabric, a spare sheet or set of curtains would work well! The fabric should be 1 to 2 inches longer or wider than the book on each side. Fold the surplus fabric over the edge of the book and adhere it to the cardboard. Allow it to dry before attaching the printed front and back covers to the fabric. Assemble the book. When the cover is dry, insert the bound book. Apply a coat of glue to the fabric attached to the spine of the bound book. Make sure to coat the flaps of fabric with glue too. Adhere the fabric attached to the bound book to the inside spine of the cardboard cover. Press the bound book and cover together using the Workman. The spine should be facing down. Wait for the glue to dry before showing off your finished product! | Select a topic. Identify your audience. Develop your characters. Outline your book. Research the market. Revise your outline. Schedule your writing time. Set a word count goal. Write. Revise, edit, rewrite, repeat. Research. Decide who will create the book’s iconic look. Design the book. Decide how you will print the book. Print your book at home. Print your novel at home. Decide how you will bind the book. Fold, sew, and trim the book at home. Bind the book. Create a cover. Cover the cardboard in fabric. Assemble the book. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Lock-Your-Bike | How to Lock Your Bike | To lock your bike, start by threading a “D” or “U” lock through the rims of the front and back wheels, the rear frame, and the handle bars, and attaching it to an immovable object. For a bike with a quick-release front wheel, remove it and put it next to the rear wheel when you secure your lock. If you can't remove the front wheel, wrap a cable lock around the front wheel and bike frame to keep it from being stolen. Finally, remove accessories, like baskets or reflectors, and take them with you, since these items are easily stolen. | Pop off the front wheel. If your bike has a quick-release front wheel, remove it and place it next to the rear wheel for locking. If you can't remove your front wheel, or your U lock is not large enough to encompass both wheels, secure the rear wheel then continue reading for alternatives. Secure the wheels and frame to an immovable object. Using a "D" or "U" lock, secure the back end of your bike to another object. Place the "U" section of your lock around the rim of your rear wheel, your unattached front wheel, your rear frame, and the immovable object, then attach the straight bar to ends of the "U" to lock it. See Using Decent Locks for advice on U locks, and Selecting a Lock Location for how to select an object to secure your bike to. If your U lock is too small to fit around every object, use it on just the rear wheel and stationary object but place it "inside" the triangle made by the three rear sections of the bike's frame. This makes it impossible to pull the frame away from the wheel. This is usually enough to deter a thief, since he would have to destroy the valuable rear wheel to take the bike. Do not attach your U-lock to the crossbar (or "top tube") of the bike. This is the horizontal or down-sloping bar between the seat and the handlebars. This makes it easy for thieves to use the bike frame as leverage to attempt to break the lock. Secure the front wheel (if not removed). The front wheel is less valuable than the rear, but some level of security should still be used or even an opportunistic passerby could steal the wheel. You can loop a cable lock around the front wheel and the bike frame, and optionally around the rear wheel as well if the cable is long enough. Lock the cable together using its built in lock or a padlock. For greater security, use a second U-lock instead to secure the front wheel to its frame. Remove or secure any accessories before leaving your bike. Bags, baskets, lights, reflectors, bells, and anything else that can be removed should be taken with you or secured with their own cable lock. Secure the saddle with a long cable. Use a D lock on rear wheel, through frame and an immovable object. Secure the front wheel using one end of the cable by pushing it through. Push a loop of the cable through the rails of your saddle; secure by passing the free end of the cable through the loop. Secure the free end in the D lock. Invest in good locks. Cheap locks can easily be cut open, especially ones from 99p or dollar stores and some underground sports shops. (And thieves know the difference.) You can find better locks at a bike shop or a general sporting goods store. Use two or more different locks. Using at least two good quality locks of different types (listed below) will deter thieves that only have the tools to deal with one type, or who don't want to deal with the extra hassle. Select a small, hardened steel U-lock. Also called D-locks, these inflexible loops affix the frame and/or wheels to a solid object. The smaller the U-lock, the harder it will be for a thief to lever it open with a jack or other tool. For best security, pick a U-lock that is just barely large enough to fit over your rear wheel, frame, and the object you're locking the bike to. While the space inside the U lock should be as small as possible, the U lock material itself should be thick and strong. Consider heavy chains. Sufficiently thick chains (ideally 15mm links or more) are an excellent thief deterrent. On the other hand, they are much heavier than other options. Chains are usually secured by a padlock, which can be the weakest link. Use as thick a padlock as possible to resist bolt cutter attacks. A short chain for locking one wheel of your bike to an object will be much lighter to carry around than a chain long enough for both wheels. In this case, you will need an additional lock (which is a good practice to adopt anyway). Use cable locks only as a supplement. You can purchase a thick (20mm) cable lock that is somewhat harder to cut, but the best course of action is to use cable locks as additional thief deterrent, not stand alone security. Cable locks can also be used to secure less valuable bike attachments to the frame, such as a basket. Know the neighborhood. When possible, avoid leaving your bike in areas with high incidents of bike theft. Your local bike shop or police department should know where the most bike theft occurs. Try not to lock your bike in front of loiterers. People hanging around near a bike rack may be there to steal bikes or to tip off a bike thief as soon as you leave. Don't use a train station or other commuter location. Thieves know where commuters typically leave their bikes unattended for a full workday, and will be more confident about spending a long time to steal a bike. Select a well-lit area with plenty of foot traffic. The more pedestrians there are, and the easier they can see your bike, the harder it is for a thief to unobtrusively break your locks. If possible, place your bike in view of a nearby building's video surveillance camera. Even if this fails to deter a thief, you may be able to obtain footage of the theft to aid in recovery. Find an immovable object for locking the bike. Don't assume that every bike rack is a safe option. Use an object with these attributes when locking your bike: Thick and sturdy. Don't select a wooden fence or thin steel object that can quickly be cut apart. Hard to disassemble. Check metal racks or railings for bolts; these can be removed by a dedicated thief. Firmly fastened to the ground. A strong thief or a team of thieves could simply pick up and remove a heavy object with the bike attached. Shake signposts to test whether they are anchored firmly to the pavement. Impossible to lift the bike over. A tall thief could simply lift your bike over the top of the object and take it home to remove the lock in private. Try to use something that is attached to the ground in two places, such as a sturdy bike rack, since a very dedicated thief could use a rope to hoist your bike even over a relatively tall object. Lock your bike between other bikes when possible. The bikes at the end of a row of bikes are most visible to thieves but also the easiest for them to work on unobtrusively. Make sure you don't lock your bike to another bike with a careless cable lock. Replace your quick release skewers with more secure options. Many bikes have quick release wheels and saddles, which can be removed with a touch of the right tool. Many bike thieves are happy to walk away with just a seat and wheels, or with a bike missing a wheel if you didn't lock the frame. Locking skewers, available at bike stores or online, require a unique handle or key to remove (or at least additional effort by the thief). Simply remove the quick release skewers as normal and insert the more secure skewers in the same slot. Some cheaper skewers attach to the bike with a hex nut instead. These are still removed with a common tool (hex key or Allen key), but deter casual opportunists. Never leave the means to remove the skewer next to an unattended bike. Secure your saddle in other ways. If you don't use locking skewers or desire additional security, you can use a length of chain to tie your seat to the frame: Wrap a long length of bicycle chain with electrical tape. This will prevent it from scratching your bike. Wrap the chain around the chain stays of the bike (the small bar of the frame parallel to the bike's chain). Then bring it up through the metal saddle rails that hold your saddle on the seat post. Secure the chain by clamping the chain together with pliers. Write your name on the bike. It's harder to sell an easily identified bike. Use a marker to write your name or initials twice on each tire (on opposite points of the circumference), and/or onto the top of the frame. If writing your name on the frame, protect it with several layer of clear tape. This isn't too hard for a thief to remove, but every deterrent helps the thief move on to search for an easier target. Make your bike less appealing. Before you enter a high-crime area, disguise your fancy new bike by wrapping easy to remove electrical tape around parts of the frame, seat, and handlebars. (This makes it look like you're repairing or hiding damage.) If you have a fancy, expensive bike seat, carry it inside instead of leaving it on the bike. You could also replace it with a secondhand seat when you're using your bike for commuting or routine errands. Keep proof of ownership. An easy way to accomplish this is to take a photograph of yourself at home next to your bike, holding a piece of paper with the bike's serial number written on it. Most serial numbers are located where the two pedal cranks meet. Other common locations include the headset (beneath the handlebars) and the rear stays (the bars parallel to the bike chain). Ask a friend or someone at your local bike shop for help if you cannot locate it. Register your bike in a database. Register your bike for free with Bike Shepherd or a different database to obtain unique scanning stickers for your bike, send out theft alerts, and similar benefits Attach a GPS tracker. For especially valuable or sentimental bikes, spend the extra money on a GPS tracker designed to attach securely to your bike. This will allow you or the police to track the bike's location in case of theft. File a police report as soon as possible. Have the bike's serial number ready to give them if you know it. You can do this online, but showing up in person at the nearest police station may lead to a faster response. Let the police know about your GPS tracker if one is attached to your bike. List your bike as stolen in an online database. There are many websites that keep a local or global registry of stolen bikes. You can enter information about your theft on these for free. Spread the word. Let your friends know that your bike is stolen, post about it on social media, and tell people who spend time near where it was stolen (such as the employees at the business you locked your bike in front of). The more people who know your bike was missing, the greater the chance someone will see it and tell you. Be sure to provide your contact information and a detailed description of your bicycle. Post stolen bike notices on telephone poles and online. Craigslist and other online noticeboards often have sections for announcing stolen bikes. If you receive information, pass it on to police. Ask for surveillance tapes, if available. Return to the spot your bike was stolen and look at nearby buildings for video cameras. If you see any, ask the owners if you or the police can review their tapes to help identify the bike thief. Keep an eye out for similar bikes sold online. eBay, Gumtree, and Craigslist are all common places for bike thieves to sell bikes. Check regularly for bikes of the model that was stolen for bikes that might be yours. If you find a likely candidate, notify the police and the website owners. The easiest way to do this is to set up an automatic alert on each site that will send you an email every time a bike of a certain model is put up for sale. The process varies for each website; search the FAQ or ask customer service about "automatic alerts", "auto-search", or "saved searches". Visit local flea markets and other places secondhand bikes are sold. Find out where used bikes are commonly sold in your area and visit them. If you see your bike there, make sure it's yours and contact the police. File a claim with your renter or homeowner insurance. Bicycle theft is covered under some plans, but you'll need to submit the claim within a certain time period following the theft. If you used a high-security lock, contact the manufacturers and see if they have an anti-theft guarantee. Do not take risks to recover the bike yourself. Once you've located your bike, let the police recover it rather than risking injury to do so yourself. | Pop off the front wheel. Secure the wheels and frame to an immovable object. Secure the front wheel (if not removed). Remove or secure any accessories before leaving your bike. Secure the saddle with a long cable. Invest in good locks. Use two or more different locks. Select a small, hardened steel U-lock. Consider heavy chains. Use cable locks only as a supplement. Know the neighborhood. Try not to lock your bike in front of loiterers. Don't use a train station or other commuter location. Select a well-lit area with plenty of foot traffic. Find an immovable object for locking the bike. Lock your bike between other bikes when possible. Replace your quick release skewers with more secure options. Secure your saddle in other ways. Write your name on the bike. Make your bike less appealing. Keep proof of ownership. Register your bike in a database. Attach a GPS tracker. File a police report as soon as possible. List your bike as stolen in an online database. Spread the word. Post stolen bike notices on telephone poles and online. Ask for surveillance tapes, if available. Keep an eye out for similar bikes sold online. Visit local flea markets and other places secondhand bikes are sold. File a claim with your renter or homeowner insurance. Do not take risks to recover the bike yourself. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-a-Cold-Compress | How to Apply a Cold Compress | To apply a cold compress, start by elevating the part of your body that's swollen or in pain, which will help reduce the swelling. Then, wrap a compress in a towel so it doesn't come into direct contact with your skin, which can cause further injury. When you apply the compress, press it down over the whole area to make sure the injury gets sufficient icing. After 15 minutes, remove the compress, since keeping it on any longer can damage your skin. Once you've waited 2 hours, apply another compress in the same way. Make sure to assess your injury to determine whether you need medical attention, like if you've fractured a bone or dislocated something. | Assess all injuries before deciding on a treatment. There are a multitude of injuries that call for a cold compress. Most of these are minor bumps and bruises that don't require further medical attention. Some, like fractures, dislocations, and concussions , require emergency medical treatment. If you are at all unsure, visit the doctor or emergency room to receive the correct diagnosis and treatment. Check for a fractured bone. A fracture is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. You can apply a cold compress to a broken bone to reduce swelling and pain. This should only be while you're waiting for help from a medical professional, and not in place of medical treatment. If you have any of the following symptoms, either call 911 or get to the emergency room: A deformed or misshapen body part. For example, a visible bend in the forearm would indicate a broken arm. Severe pain that gets worse when the body part is moved or pressure is applied. Loss of function in the injured area. Often the area below a broken bone will lose some or all motion. Someone with a broken leg may find it difficult to move his foot. Bone protruding from the skin. Some serious fractures push the broken bone through the skin. Check for a dislocation. A dislocation is when one or both of the bones that form a joint are forced from their normal positions. This also requires medical attention. You can apply a cold compress while waiting for medical help, just like with a broken bone. If you exhibit the following symptoms, keep the area immobile, apply a cold compress, and seek medical help: A visibly deformed or out of place joint. Bruising or swelling around a joint. Severe pain. Immobility. It is often difficult or impossible to move areas below the dislocated joint. Examine for a concussion. While ice packs are often applied for bumps and bruises on the head, you should make sure that you aren't suffering from a concussion. This is a serious injury that requires immediate medical attention. It may be difficult to evaluate yourself for a concussion, so someone else should check you for the following symptoms and seek medical help if a concussion is suspected: Loss of consciousness. Even if you only lose consciousness for a few seconds, this could be a sign of a serious injury and you should seek medical help immediately. Severe headache. Confusion, dizziness, and disorientation. Nausea or vomiting. Ringing in ears. Slurred or labored speech. Decide on heat or ice for treatment. When you've properly evaluated the injury and ensured that there is no medical emergency, you can decide on the right course of treatment. For minor injuries, people often ask if heat or cold is the ideal treatment. Both are useful in different situations. Apply ice directly after an injury takes place. Usually within the first 48 hours of an injury, ice is the best treatment. It will help reduce swelling, pain, and signs of inflammation. Heat is useful for sore muscles not associated with a specific injury. You can also apply heat to your muscles before an activity or sport that often makes you sore to loosen and warm them up. Select a cold compress. When it comes to cold compresses, you have several options. Some of these are available in in drug stores and some you can make yourself. While there are unique advantages and drawbacks to each, all work essentially the same way — by keeping an injury cold to prevent swelling and inflammation. Gel-based ice packs. These are full of gel that stays cold when placed in the freezer. Typically these compresses get much colder than the other options since they stay in the freezer. They are also reusable, which is appealing for cost purposes. However, they generally can only be used at home since they start heating up when taken out of the freezer. Instant cold packs. These are filled with two different chemicals separated by plastic. When squeezed, the plastic breaks, causing the two chemicals to react and get cold. Unlike gel packs, these are portable and can be used anywhere as long as the chemicals haven't touched each other yet. This makes them ideal to have on hand for sporting events. They aren't reusable, however. Homemade ice bags. Take a large plastic bag and fill it with ice cubes. Then fill it with just enough water to cover the ice cubes. Squeeze out the air and seal the bag. These are good in a pinch if you don't have a store-bought ice pack. As drawbacks, they don't last as long and the condensation on the outside of the bag can get you wet. Ice towels. This is another homemade method you can use. Wet a towel and then wring it out so that it's just damp. Place it in a plastic bag and then leave it in the freezer for 15 minutes. You can then wrap it around the injured area. This option also won't last very long so you'll have to keep putting it in the freezer to keep it cold. Elevate the injured body part. This will help drain blood away from the area and fight swelling. Ideally, the body part should be lifted above the heart. So for example, if your wrist is injured, lie back on a coach and place your arm up on the high part. Wrap the compress in a towel. This is important because if the compress directly touches the skin, it can lead to frostbite. Make sure that for the entire duration of the treatment, the compress remains separated from the skin by a towel. Apply the compress. Press it down to ensure that the entire affected area receives adequate icing. If necessary, you can secure the ice pack with a non-stick bandage or wrap. Loosely wrap this around the ice pack and the injured area. Be sure not to tie this too tight, or you could cut off circulation. If the limb starts to turn blue/purple, the wrap is too tight and should be removed immediately. Keep in mind that a tingling sensation does not necessarily indicate the wrap is too tight — this sensation may be caused by the injury itself. Remove the compress after 15 or 20 minutes. Don't leave it on any longer than this or you risk frostbite. Make certain that you don't fall asleep while wearing the compress, which could result in you keeping it on for several hours and damaging your skin. Either set an alarm or have someone alert you after 20 minutes. If you used a chemical cold pack, discard it after use. Check to see that your compress can be simply thrown away and does not contain materials that need to be disposed of in a specific way. If you used a gel pack or towel, place it back in the freezer to prepare it for your next round of treatment. Repeat the process in two hours. Make sure that the affected area is no longer numb. If so, wait until you regain feeling to reapply the compress. Continue alternating the treatment of 20 minutes on, two hours off, for three days or until swelling completely subsides. Visit the doctor if your symptoms don't improve. If you've been treating your injury with ice for three days and there is still swelling and no reduction in pain, you may have a fracture or dislocation that wasn't recognized. Visit the doctor to see if you have a more serious injury than you initially expected. | Assess all injuries before deciding on a treatment. Check for a fractured bone. Check for a dislocation. Examine for a concussion. Decide on heat or ice for treatment. Select a cold compress. Elevate the injured body part. Wrap the compress in a towel. Apply the compress. Remove the compress after 15 or 20 minutes. Repeat the process in two hours. Visit the doctor if your symptoms don't improve. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Wear-Chokers | How to Wear Chokers | If you want to wear a choker, measure the distance around your neck, then add 2 inches to that measurement to get a comfortable length for your choker. You should be able to comfortably slip one finger between the choker and your neck. If you want your choker to have a more subtle look, look for a thin choker make of natural materials or a simple chain. If you want more of a statement piece, choose a thicker, heavier choker, or one with embellishments. | Choose a choker material. Look for a material that will be comfortable against your neck and complement your outfit. You can choose from fabrics such as lace, velvet, ribbon, or a simple strip. You could also opt for a choker made of metal, leather, plastic, or beading. Fabric or leather are likely to be the most comfortable choker materials. Choose a length for your choker. While a standard choker length is 16 inches (41 cm), chokers can range in length from close-fitting to long strands or strips. Longer chokers can be wrapped multiple times around your throat for a layered look. Shorter chokers can be paired with other necklaces or worn by themselves for a simpler, more minimalistic look. Measure your neck before shopping for chokers. Make sure to add 2 inches (5.1 cm) to your neck measurement in order to find a comfortable fit. Select a width. Sizes range from thicker, more structured pieces to thin, delicate strands. For a more subtle look, go for a thin choker made of natural materials or a simple chain. If you want more of a statement piece, choose a thicker, heavier style with more room for embellishment. Large metal chokers are a popular statement accessory. Pick a neutral or statement color. Basic neutrals will likely match more outfits and give you more options. Colors like black, navy, or white are perfect for fabric chokers. Metals are often very versatile, so pick a metal that matches your skin tone. You could also choose a choker for in bright colors such as turquoise or red for a statement piece. Silver jewelry often looks best on cool-toned skin, while gold looks best on warm-toned. Determine your skin tone to decide which metals will complement you best. Choose a style of choker. For a simple, versatile option, go for a delicate chain or a thin strip of black velvet. If you're looking for a more adorned piece, look for chokers with a pendant, charm, or studded details. You could also choose a statement piece that accents a specific style. For example, you could choose a geometric piece, such as something metal, structured, and more architectural. You could also opt for something more boho, such as a braided leather strand. Locate and identify the choker’s type of closure. Many chokers will have a metal clasp or hook in the back. However, some chokers may use knots or wrapping instead of clasps, such as plastic, wrapped, or fabric chokers. If your choker has a clasp, check for an adjustable chain with several loops to choose from, or just one loop to attach the clasp to. Plastic tattoo chokers should be stretchy enough to fit over your head and around your throat. Wrapped chokers should comfortably circle your throat several times, with the ends tied or left hanging. Fabric chokers should wrap around your throat once and tie in the back, with the ends loose. Put the choker around your neck and settle it into place. Some chokers sit higher on the neck, such as stretchy or fabric chokers, while others settle over the collar bone. The fit will depend on the length of your choker and whether or not it has an adjustable chain. Close the clasp, if the choker has one, once you find a comfortable position. To attach the clasp, you may want to turn the necklace around so the clasp is in the front, then look in a mirror to have a clear view. Close the clasp, then rotate the choker back around so the clasp is at the back. Check if the choker is too tight. A good way to tell if your choker is too tight is fit a finger between the choker and your neck. If your finger doesn't fit, your choker is likely too tight. You should also be able to rotate the necklace around your neck. If the choker won't move or pinches and hurts when you try to turn it, then the choker is too tight. Adjust the choker to fit your throat comfortably. The choker should sit comfortably on your throat without feeling too tight or restrictive. Adjust the length or re-tie the ends, depending on what kind of choker you're wearing, until the choker feels comfortable and sits where you want it to. If your choker is not adjustable and continues to feel uncomfortable or too tight, it may be too small for you. Look for a different choker that you can adjust to get the perfect fit. If you have trouble finding a choker that fits, measure your neck's circumference with a tailor's measuring tape or a piece of string, then look for chokers specifically in your size. Add 2 longer necklaces to make a trio. Choose 2 longer necklace with delicate chains—such as a bar necklace and a pendant necklace—to pair with a sleek, minimalistic choker that rests at your collarbone. Your choker should be a little thicker than the chains of the other 2 necklaces so it anchors the look. Generally, you shouldn't mix metals, so choose 2 longer necklaces made from the same metal as the choker. For example, pair silver with silver and gold with gold—this will make your necklace trio look more cohesive. Vary the necklaces' lengths for a more balanced, curated look. The second necklace should be around 22 to 24 inches (56 to 61 cm) and the third necklace should be around 30 to 32 inches (76 to 81 cm). Pair a plastic “tattoo” choker with a 90s-style outfit. The stretchy black tattoo choker is a classic 90s accessory. To complete your 90s-inspired outfit, wear a plaid shirt, jean shorts, and dark lipstick. You could also wear a patterned dress and some knee high socks. Wear a monochromatic outfit and choker for a simple, clean look. Wear an outfit in a head-to-toe neutral, such as all black, navy, or white. Add a tied fabric choker in the same color to make your outfit look seamless and cohesive. A monochromatic dress and jacket or pantsuit are great options for professional events or office wear. Add a braided leather choker for a boho look. Wear a single braided leather choker or a longer, wrapped leather choker to achieve a classic boho look. Pair the choker with a flowy dress and some ankle boots for a complete outfit. Wear a glitzier choker for a night out. When you're going out for the night, opt for a sparkly statement piece and choose a choker decorated with little diamonds or crystals. Pair it with a dress or V-neck top with a lower neckline to showcase the choker's sparkling details. | Choose a choker material. Choose a length for your choker. Select a width. Pick a neutral or statement color. Choose a style of choker. Locate and identify the choker’s type of closure. Put the choker around your neck and settle it into place. Check if the choker is too tight. Adjust the choker to fit your throat comfortably. Add 2 longer necklaces to make a trio. Pair a plastic “tattoo” choker with a 90s-style outfit. Wear a monochromatic outfit and choker for a simple, clean look. Add a braided leather choker for a boho look. Wear a glitzier choker for a night out. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-a-Collar-for-Your-Cat | How to Buy a Collar for Your Cat | If you want to buy a collar for your cat, look for a collar or harness that is made from a strong, non-elastic material, as collars with elastic inserts can stretch and injure your cat if they become stuck on its paws or legs. The collar should also have a breakaway safety clasp to prevent your cat from choking if it gets caught on something. Inspect the edges of the collar to make sure they're rounded or folded, rather than sharp, so they won't irritate your cat's neck. For additional safety, choose a brightly colored collar that stands out against your cat's fur to make it more noticeable in case it gets out or wanders too far from home. | Evaluate your reasons for getting a collar. The type of collar you buy will depend greatly on why you want it. Are you looking to provide ID for your cat in case it gets lost? Do you want to start walking your indoor cat on a leash? Make sure you understand all your reasons for wanting a collar before you purchase. If you are looking for a place to hang ID tags, a standard collar should suffice. Alternatively, for permanent identification, you may opt to have your cat microchipped. A vet can insert a microchip the size of a grain of rice in between your cat's shoulders. The chip can be read by a scanner to bring up more detailed ownership information than a tag can provide. If you want to start walking your cat, you should consider purchasing a harness instead of a standard collar, as these are more secure and often more comfortable for cats. If you are looking for a flea collar, it is best to consult your vet prior to purchase. Flea collars can be especially irritating to cats, and your vet can help you find a collar with the proper dosage of the proper treatment for your particular feline. Pick a safe collar. Look for an adjustable collar or harness that is made from a strong webbing, has double stitching throughout, and has a breakaway safety clasp. Opt for d-rings in place of keyring-style split rings for securing tags. Collars with elastic inserts can stretch and may cause injury to your cat if they become stuck on their paws or legs. Collars that do not feature break-away safety clasps can increase the risk of choking if your cat gets caught on something. Take a look at the edges of the collar before purchasing. They should be rounded or folded over, rather than sharp. Sharp edges can dig into the skin and cause injury or discomfort. Look for a functional design. A collar is, in part, an accessory that allows you to show off your style or your cat's personality. More than that, though, a bright color with a bell on it can make your cat more noticeable if it happens to get out or wander too far from home. Opt for colors that will be highly visible against your cat's fur. A safety yellow or orange color, for example, might not stand out if your cat has a blonde or orange coat. A vibrant blue or green would provide better contrast. Consider purchasing a collar with a bell, or a separate bell attachment for the collar, especially if you let your cat outdoors. The noise provided by the bell makes them more noticeable and easier to track, and may scare away other animals. Look for bells that do not have tapering grooves. This helps your cat avoid getting their claws stuck in their collar. See it in person. Before you purchase a collar, it is best if you can see the collar in person. While there are many high-quality collars available through online retailers, the easiest way to get a sense of the strength, shape, and function of the collar is to inspect it yourself. Check at local pet stores or specialty cat retail stores to find a collar for your cat. Many pet stores have a wide selection of collars with one that is likely to fit your needs. If you do purchase through an online retailer, try to find one that offers free returns and exchanges if the collar does not fit correctly or is not up to your standards. Try it on. Many pet stores and specialty cat retail stores allow cats in the shops. If possible, bring your cat in and have them try on the collar to make sure it is appropriate for their size and does not cause them any great pain or discomfort. Cats who have never worn a collar before might find a foreign object around their neck to be awkward or uncomfortable. Look for signs of pain and distress, such as shallow breathing, increased heart rate, wide eyes, and increased biting or scratching as a sign the collar is causing true pain. Get tags, too. Purchase tags for your cat's collar at the same time you purchase the collar, itself. Many pet stores have machines that will automatically engrave tags for you. At the very least, the tag should include the cat's name, a mobile phone number where you can always be reached, and the city in which you live. Pets are often found near the same neighborhood where they escaped. If you are comfortable with it and the tag has room, you may also want to include your address. You may also include vaccination tags on your cat's collar. Rabies tags can help identify your pet and your contact information should your cat get out. Start loose and tighten. When fitting your collar to your cat, adjust the collar so that you know it will be loose. Secure it around your cat's neck and tighten until you can fit two fingers side-by-side underneath the collar. Collars need to have some extra space to avoid getting caught or choking, but should still be secure enough to keep your cat from slipping out. Distract your cat after fitting. A cat that has never worn a collar before may express some level of displeasure with the new object around their neck, even when fit properly. Help distract your cat by putting on the collar right before mealtime or playtime so that their focus can immediately turn elsewhere. You may want to distract your cat regularly with a training treat, a toy, or other means of play for the first few days while your cat adjusts to the collar. Check the collar regularly. Collar fit should be checked every couple weeks or any time you notice the collar looking loose or your cat expressing discomfort over the fit. Check the fit regularly to make sure the collar is secure and comfortable. Fits can change for a number of reasons, including weight gain or loss, your kitten growing, or the collar getting stuck on something that pulls. | Evaluate your reasons for getting a collar. Pick a safe collar. Look for a functional design. See it in person. Try it on. Get tags, too. Start loose and tighten. Distract your cat after fitting. Check the collar regularly. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Set-Realistic-Goals | How to Set Realistic Goals | To set realistic goals, start by coming up with some specific goals, like losing 10 pounds in 3 months or enrolling in a graduate program by the end of the year. Then, look at your goals and ask yourself how committed you are to achieving them and if there are any obstacles that will get in your way. If you have doubts or think your goals seem impossible, try adjusting them so they're a little more realistic. For example, maybe you'll try to lose 10 pounds in 5 months instead of 3, or enroll in graduate school by the end of next year instead of this year. | Think about what you want to achieve. The first step in setting any goal is deciding what you want. Most people have a general sense of things they want. It might be happiness, health, wealth, or a better relationship with your spouse. Your first tasks is translating that into some things you'd like to actually accomplish. A good place to start is defining your terms. If you want to be happier, think about what happiness means to you. What does a happy life look like? What would you need to do to be happy? It's okay to be general at this stage. You might decide happiness, for example, means having a fulfilling career. Your general goal might be to get a job you find personally satisfying. You may have several goals at this stage, some long-term some short term. It's a good idea to write them down. Get specific. Before you can determine if a goal is realistic, you have to make that goal specific. This will provide greater clarity in terms of what you actually would have to do to achieve it. Specific goals are also more motivating and achievable than vague ones. Your task at this stage is to take your general ideas and get as specific as you possibly can. For example, imagine you goal is to start a new, more satisfying career. At this stage, you need to decide what career would be most satisfying to you. You might decide you'd like to become a professional musician. That's a great start, but you can get more specific. What style or styles of music do you want to play? What instrument or instruments do you want to play? Do you want to be a solo artist, or play in a band or orchestra? Do some research. Determining how challenging a goal is might require some research, if you aren't already familiar with the process. The more you know about the process the better. As you do your research, try to answer questions like: What skills will you need to learn? What lifestyle changes will you need to make? How much will it cost? How long will it take? Determine the steps. To determine if a goal is realistic, you must know exactly how a goal would be achieved. In this step, you need to break your goal or goals into parts or steps. Breaking your goal down into subgoals will also help you make a plan for achieving it later on. It's a good idea to write the steps down as you go. For example, imagine your goal is to become a professional cello player with a classical orchestra. In general terms, this goal breaks down into several steps. You'll need to buy a cello, if you don't have one. You'll need to get very good at playing it. This will probably require taking lessons. You probably will even want to attend a conservatory or other music school or college. Along the way, you'll probably need to learn some musical theory. Then, you'll need to get a job playing for an orchestra. This will mean at least one (and probably several) auditions. Depending on where you live, this might require moving to a town with a professional orchestra. Assess your commitment. Once you have an idea of what it will take to achieve your goal, you can determine whether you are committed enough to follow through. You must be determined to put in the necessary time and effort to achieve your goals. Especially if your goal is a difficult or complicated one, you must be fully committed to it. You are less likely to achieve a goal that is only somewhat important to you. If your aren't sure you are committed enough to follow through on a goal or goals, it probably isn't realistic. This means you should either revise your goal or create a new one you are more committed to. Let's stick with the example of becoming a professional cellist. You might decide that moving to another city is something you can't commit to. If there isn't a professional orchestra in your town, you'll need to revise your career goal. If you have multiple goals on your list, it is a good idea to rank them in order of how important to you they are. Trying to achieve too many goals at once can make it harder to achieve any of them. Go for the ones you are most committed to first. Consider personal limitations. You've probably heard people say that if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. In some cases, this is true. In other cases, your personal limitations might make a goal unrealistic. So, you should consider whether the goals you've set are reasonable for you. Limitations come in many forms. They can be monetary, for example. They can also be physical. While some can be overcome, others might present too much of challenge. In such cases, you may wish to revise or reconsider one of your goals. Let's stick with the career as a cellist as an example. If you've been in a car accident and don't have full use of your hands, this will make achieving this goal much more difficult. You might be able to overcome this through intensive physical therapy and years of training. Certainly though, it will make the goal much harder, and might make it impossible. You should keep this in mind while assessing whether your goal is realistic. Write your limitations down. This will help you develop a more complete picture of the challenges you face. Determine the external obstacles. Aside from your own limitations, most goals also involve overcoming external obstacles. These are things that might happen, outside of your control, that could make it harder to achieve your goal. You should take such obstacles into account. For example, think about the music school you want to attend for cello training. How difficult is it to get accepted to that school? How likely are you to be accepted? What if you aren't accepted? What other options are open to you? You won't be able to anticipate every obstacle that might arise, but try to brainstorm as many as you can, writing them down as you go. This will help you develop a sense of how realistic your goal is. This can also be helpful later if you do decide to pursue your goal. Trying to anticipate obstacles in advance helps you develop ideas for dealing with them when they arise. Revise if necessary. After careful consideration, you may decide your goal is realistic. If so, you can move on to working toward making it a reality. If not, you're going to need to revise your goals. If you decide your goal isn't realistic, you have two options. You can try to revise the goal to make it more achievable. Or, you can let it go in favor of creating a new goal. For example, imagine you've decided that a career as a professional cellist isn't realistic for you. If your big-picture goal is a more fulfilling career, it's time to go back to the drawing board. Think about some other careers that would also make you happy. Keep in mind that this doesn't mean you need to give up on the cello. If you love music and the cello, you can also revise your goal. You can aim to learn the cello and play it as a hobby. This goal would be less challenging and might be more realistic for you and your current circumstances. Make a plan. Once you've settled on an realistic goal, your first step is to create a detailed plan for achieving it. This should be fairly easy at this point. You have already written down the steps and potential obstacles you might face. The main parts of your plan are already developed. You may need to get a little more specific with your steps. For example, if you are applying to a music school, you'll want to include the details of the application process in your plan. You might need to get letters of recommendation. There might be an essay to write, a form to fill out, and/or an audition. Completing all of these should be in your plan. The steps should be defined specifically enough that it will be clear when you have achieved each one. It's also a good idea to develop contingency plans for the obstacles you anticipated. If you aren't accepted to your first choice school, will you apply to other schools? Or wait and apply to your first choice again after strengthening your application? Come up with a goal/sub-goal statement which is measurable and time bound. For example: "I will save 20% of my weekly pay for the next 12 months and will purchase my cello on June 1st 2016." Set a timeline. Many people find having a specific timeline in their plan helps make their goal more achievable. It helps you track your progress an stay accountable. For example, you might aim to have money saved for a cello in six months. You might start lessons the following month. You might aim to have mastered the basics by the end of the year, and so on. Get to work. Once you've got a detailed plan, pick a date to begin and dive in! The only way to achieve your goal is to put in the necessary time and effort. Picking a date that's at least a few days in the future can help you build anticipation and motivation as the date approaches. Track your progress. Once you get started, keep track of your progress. You can use a journal, an app, or a simple calendar. Tracking your progress helps keep you accountable to the deadlines you've set. It also helps you see the progress you've made as you move through the process. This can help you stay motivated to keep making progress. | Think about what you want to achieve. Get specific. Do some research. Determine the steps. Assess your commitment. Consider personal limitations. Determine the external obstacles. Revise if necessary. Make a plan. Set a timeline. Get to work. Track your progress. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Improve-Leg-Circulation | How to Improve Leg Circulation | If you want to improve leg circulation, be sure to get up and move around at least once per hour, especially if you have a desk job that requires a lot of sitting. During the time when you are sitting down, it helps to keep your feet flat on the floor and avoid crossing your legs. Wearing compression hose and comfortable, low-heeled shoes with plenty of cushioning can help you increase blood flow, and adding 30 minutes of exercise to your daily routine is another great way to improve circulation. | Don't sit or stand for too long. It's important to move around during the day to get the blood flowing through your legs. Sitting or standing for long periods of time allows the blood to collect instead of flowing, and is detrimental to your health over time. If you find you've been in the same position for an hour or more, move around for a few minutes before resuming your position. If you work in an office and are required to sit for your job, get up and take breaks every hour and a half or so. Even if all you do is walk to the bathroom and back to your desk, you're moving your legs, which helps circulation. You could also look into getting a stand-up desk, which allows you to stand instead of sitting while you work. If you need to fly, try standing up directly in front of your seat for a few minutes at a time. Repeat this every 30 minutes. If you are unable to stand for any reason, try seated ankle rotations to help encourage circulation. Position your body to aid circulation. Do you tend to cross your legs when you sit? That common position cuts off the circulation to your legs, making it more difficult for blood to get to your leg tissue to keep it healthy. Make a habit of sitting in a position that's better for blood circulation. Sit with your legs spaced slightly apart and your feet on the floor. Remember to get up from time to time so you aren't in this position for too long. You can also slightly elevate your legs to help your circulation. Put your feet up on a stool 6 to 12 inches (15.2 to 30.5 cm) above the ground. Start an exercise routine. If you can work some exercise into your schedule, your circulation will certainly benefit. Any exercises that employ the legs will help your circulation. Try power walking, running, biking, swimming, hiking, and other exercises you enjoy that get your feet moving. Exercise daily for maximum benefits. Even a 30-minute walk 4-5 times a week will improve the health of your legs. If you're looking for a low-impact exercise, try yoga. Many yoga poses engage your legs and stimulate the circulatory system. Wear comfortable shoes. Wearing high heels, pointy-toed shoes, or other tight shoes can impede blood flow from your legs to your heart. When you're focused on improving leg circulation, it's important to wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes with plenty of cushioning. Wear tennis shoes or loafers that give your feet room to breathe. Go for dress shoes with rounded or almond-shaped toes instead of pointy toes. Choose wedges instead of heels if you want extra height. Wear compression hose. These are similar to panty hose, and they're specifically designed to stabilize the leg tissues and help blood circulate more easily. You can pick them up at the drugstore or see your doctor about ordering hose specially fitted for your legs and your individual needs. Stop using tobacco products. Smoking can actually lead to peripheral artery disease, a condition in which the arteries in the legs harden and can no longer circulate blood. If you have poor circulation, stopping smoking and use of other tobacco products is an important way to regain leg health. If you are in the U.S., you can call the national Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW. The Quitline can help you with practical quitting advice, counseling on quitting, and referrals to other stop smoking resources. Try birch bark tea. This herb is said to help stimulate the circulatory system. It can be taken as a supplement, but it's also great as a tea, especially brewed with a little ginger. Incorporate a cup into your daily routine. Take gingko supplements. Gingko has long been used for a number of medicinal purposes, and there is evidence that it can help to open up the blood vessels and improve circulation. A dosage of 120-240 mg per day of ginkgo leaf extract is recommended. Divide it into two or three doses. Drink cayenne pepper tea. This spicy pepper is said to help open blood vessels and improve circulation. You can sprinkle it over your food or stir it into some tea with honey. Consuming some cayenne pepper every day should improve your circulation over time. Take fish oil supplements. Fish oil contains omega 3 fatty acids, which are essential for a healthy lipid profile. Having a high level of "good" cholesterol improves circulation. Fish oil supplements come in pill gel capsule form and are usually made from mackerel, tuna, cod liver, salmon, or herring. Eat less salt. Salt causes your body to retain water and swell, which can put pressure on the veins and lead to poor circulation. Try halving your salt intake and avoiding sprinkling extra salt on your food after it has been prepared. You should aim to get no more than 2,000 milligrams of salt a day. Do most of your own cooking, rather than eating out or buying packaged foods. Restaurants and food manufacturers commonly make food with far more salt than you think. Avoid this by cooking your own dishes from whole foods whenever possible. Avoid salty snack foods, fast food, and microwaveable dinners and snacks. Drink plenty of water to flush the salt from your body. You need 2 or so liters a day to stay fully hydrated. If you really like salty foods, consider using a salt substitute. These are available in many health food stores. Maintain a healthy body weight. An important part of keeping your legs and feet healthy and improving circulation is maintaining a healthy body weight. Having extra weight places stress on your circulatory system. Follow a balanced diet and work with your doctor to reach a weight that is right for your body type. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. Make sure you're getting a good amount of fiber through legumes, nuts, oatmeal, and other fiber-rich foods. Ask your doctor about treatment options for the cause of your poor circulation. Poor circulation is generally a symptom of a larger medical condition. Talk to your doctor about what could be causing your poor circulation. Common conditions that cause poor circulation include obesity, diabetes, heart disease, arterial complications, and peripheral artery disease. Many of these conditions can be managed or treated with a combination of medication and healthy lifestyle adjustments to lower your blood sugar and cholesterol. Left untreated, peripheral artery disease may result in a heart attack or stroke. Take note of your symptoms. Your doctor will be able to help you best when they have a clear idea of your symptoms. Track what symptoms you experience, when you experience them, and how long they last. Common symptoms of poor circulation include: Tingling in your leg Numbness in your leg Throbbing or stinging in your leg Pain in your leg muscles Muscle cramps | Don't sit or stand for too long. Position your body to aid circulation. Start an exercise routine. Wear comfortable shoes. Wear compression hose. Stop using tobacco products. Try birch bark tea. Take gingko supplements. Drink cayenne pepper tea. Take fish oil supplements. Eat less salt. Maintain a healthy body weight. Ask your doctor about treatment options for the cause of your poor circulation. Take note of your symptoms. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Pediatrician | How to Become a Pediatrician | If you want to become a pediatrician, try to take science classes, like biology and chemistry, in high school. Spend some time around children if you can to be sure you're comfortable working with them. Additionally, do your best to treat people with patience and empathy, since these are skills pediatricians use every day dealing with children and their parents. You can also practice being detail oriented, which is especially important in diagnosing patients. | Obtain a high school diploma or pass the General Education Development (GED) test. This is the first step on the road to becoming a doctor. Classes like biology, physics, and chemistry will prepare you for the type of coursework you will be studying in medical school. How you perform in these types of courses will be a good indicator of whether medicine is the right field for you. If you dislike science courses like biology and chemistry, or find that you struggle to keep up with the classes, you might want to consider getting a private tutor to help you. If you are still having trouble even with the help of a tutor, then you should reconsider pursuing medicine and explore your other interests. Getting good grades in high school will be important when it come to applying to a four-year university. The grades you receive during your sophomore and junior years are important. Be sure to complete assignments on time, study for tests and quizzes, and keep up with reading assignments. Graduate from a four-year university. You should apply to several different universities and choose the most prestigious one, as this will increase your chances of getting into medical school. Most students who pursue medicine choose pre-med majors like Biology or Chemistry, but you don't necessarily have to graduate with a Bachelor of Sciences (BS). Students who graduate in social sciences and humanities can also be accepted to medical school. Even if you don't graduate in sciences, you may need to complete certain requirements in chemistry, physics, general biology, and calculus. The specific requirements will vary between schools, so check around with the various medical schools you plan on applying to. Increase your chances of being accepted to a top medical school by volunteering or working in an environment that deals with public health. Volunteer at a hospital or nursing home, or find a job working in a pharmacy. Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The MCAT is a standardized multiple-choice test that is required for admission to medical school. The topics covered in the test include physical sciences, biological sciences, and verbal reasoning. Prepare for the test by buying an official MCAT handbook, taking practice tests, hiring a private tutor, and/or taking an MCAT preparatory class. Finish medical school. Most medical school programs are four years long. During the first two years, you will study broader subjects like physiology, chemistry, human anatomy, and pharmacology. During your second two years, you will narrow down your focus to a specialized field, including family practice, internal medicine, and pediatrics. Annual fees for medical school average at $25,000 for state residents and $48,000 for non-residents. Consider getting a loan, grant or scholarship to help you pay for medical school. Complete a residency at a hospital. Once you have graduated from medical school, you will need to complete a three-year pediatric training program at a hospital before you can start your own practice. During this time, you will be given hands-on training and develop your skills in treating and dealing with sick patients. Over the course of the three years, you will be given an increasing amount of responsibilities and learn how to properly interact with patients. The training program must be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). Residencies are the most challenging part of becoming a doctor. You will be working very long hours (80-100 hours per week) and will be paid a minimum wage. Expect to devote all of your time to completing your residency; you will have very little time to spend with friends and family. Get board certified. You will need to receive and maintain a certification to practice pediatric medicine by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) or the American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics (AOBP). There is a limit of seven years that can pass between the time you finish your pediatric training and become board certified. Certifications expire on December 31 of the specified year of expiration, and doctors will have to renew their certifications to continue practicing. Be prepared for the physical and emotional challenges involved. Pediatricians work with both healthy children and sick children whose illnesses will vary in their severity, and may meet patients who do not survive their illnesses. Parents of sick children may be extremely emotional and touchy, so it is important to be empathetic, patient, and have strong communication skills. It is important to be detail-oriented and have a thorough understanding of medicine in order to effectively diagnose patients, especially infants, who cannot articulate their symptoms. Physicians usually work long hours and have limited time to spend with friends and family. They also experience a great deal of stress when it comes to both time-management and the prospect of losing patients. Know what to expect in medical school. Many students feel overwhelmed and discouraged by the heavy workload and breadth of study in medical school. The best way to prepare for medical school is to have a thorough understanding of the basic subjects, which include anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry, among others. Be prepared to spend a majority of your time either in school or studying. Take advantage of the months before medical school starts to travel and spend time with loved ones, as your free time will be very limited once the program begins. Start early. It is important that you fully apply yourself in all levels of your education, from high school through medical school. Getting good grades early on in life will increase your likelihood of being accepted to a reputable university, medical school, and residency program. More importantly, being able to grasp the basic subjects early on in life will build a foundation that will help you throughout your education and work as a doctor. Determine whether you enjoy working with children. Pediatricians should love children and feel comfortable working with them. Remember that you will be working with children of all ages, from infants to adolescents up to age 18. Treating younger patients requires more patience and intuition as a doctor, as patients may be uncooperative or unable to speak for themselves (especially infants). Make sure you take time to listen to parents and children when they explain how they're feeling rather than rushing through consultations. Work on your sense of humor so kids will feel more comfortable around you. | Obtain a high school diploma or pass the General Education Development (GED) test. Graduate from a four-year university. Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Finish medical school. Complete a residency at a hospital. Get board certified. Be prepared for the physical and emotional challenges involved. Know what to expect in medical school. Start early. Determine whether you enjoy working with children. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Oil-Out-of-Suede | How to Get Oil Out of Suede | To get oil out of suede, all you'll need is dish soap, a brush, and a cloth. If the stain is fresh, use a paper towel to soak up some of the oil. Then, squirt some dish soap onto the stain and leave it to soak for 10 minutes. After that, use a brush or old toothbrush to scrub the dish soap into the stain. Wipe off the soap with a damp cloth. If there's still residue from the oil, repeat the process. Alternatively, buy a commercial suede cleaner. | Soak up the oil with a paper towel if the stain is still wet. If the stain hasn't dried yet, blot up as much of the oil as possible before it sets into the suede. Set the suede down on a flat, solid surface, then hold the paper towel firmly against the oil stain. You may be able to take care of most of the oil before it becomes a bigger problem. For the best results, tackle the stain when it is fresh. Even if a stain sets in, you will have a much easier time cleaning it later. Cover the stain with a large amount of cornstarch for at least 1 hour. Spread enough cornstarch to hide the stain from view. You can't use too much of it, so don't hold back. Cornstarch is absorbent and very effective at drawing oil out of fabrics. If you don't have cornstarch, baking soda is a similar absorptive product. Talcum powder may also work well. At a minimum, leave the cornstarch on the stain for 30 minutes. If you have time, let it sit overnight to draw out as much oil as possible. Remove the cornstarch with a damp microfiber cloth. Most of the cornstarch will be easy to brush off by hand. To remove the rest safely, moisten the cloth lightly with lukewarm water. Squeeze it to remove any excess moisture. Excess water is damaging to suede, so be careful. Rinse the suede under lukewarm water, then let the shoe dry in open air away from heat sources. Raise the suede’s nap by scrubbing the stain with a toothbrush. Start at the top of the stain and work downwards. Sweep the brush along the treated area gently to avoid damaging the suede. Brushing suede removes any remaining parts of the stain and softens the fibers so they look as good as new. If you happen to own a suede treatment kit, the suede brush inside of it is safe to use on the stain. Repeat the treatment as needed to finish cleaning the stain. For tough oil stains, you may need to apply cornstarch 2 or 3 times. Alternatively, clean the suede with a grease-cutting liquid dish soap or vinegar to remove any remaining traces of oil. Blot the oil stain with a paper towel if it is fresh. Hold a clean paper towel against the oil for a minute, absorbing as much of it as possible. This will prevent most of the oil from setting into the fabric and turning into a tougher stain. Even if you're not able to wash the suede right away, try to sop up the oil before it sets in. Cover the stain with a grease-cutting dish soap for 10 minutes. Most liquid dish soaps will help eliminate oil stains, but ones specifically labeled to cut through grease work best. You can't use too much soap on the stain, but remember that you will have to rinse it all off when you're done. Remember that suede isn't the best fabric to expose to water, so cleaning with soap and water is best for small, pre-treated stains. Scrub the stained area with a suede brush or toothbrush. Starting at the top of the stain, brush downwards using short, light strokes. Scrubbing works the soap into the stain. A nylon brush and a nail brush, or a few other scrubbing options you can use to work the soap into the stain. Keep your touch light while scrubbing. Brushing suede too hard may damage it. If you do it right, the fabric will look fresh and soft when you're done. Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe off the soap. Dampen the cloth lightly in lukewarm water. Squeeze out the excess moisture before scrubbing the stain from top to bottom. This will eliminate most, if not all, of the oil. If you're willing to risk getting your suede wet, rinse the soap off under running water. Set the item aside in a spot that is out of direct sunlight but has good air circulation until it dries. Treat the suede with more soap if the stain is still present. If the stain doesn't come off after the first attempt, repeat all the steps. Continue scrubbing the spot to bring the oil back to the surface. You may need to do this a few times to eliminate older stains. If you're having trouble getting rid of a tough stain, getting a suede cleaning kit may help. Try scrubbing the spot with a suede specialty cleaner and eraser. Clear the dirt off the suede with a soft-bristled brush. Set the suede on a hard, flat surface. If you have a suede cleaning kit, use the brush included with it. Start at the top of the stain, then work down to the bottom with short, light strokes. Brush off as much dirt and debris as possible so it doesn't get stuck inside the fabric. Try using an old toothbrush or nylon scrub brush if you don't have a suede brush. Scrub the stain with a suede eraser to lift oil out of the fabric Go back over the stain from top to bottom again, this time with the eraser. A suede eraser is a small bar similar to a pencil eraser. Rub the entire stain a few times until the eraser no longer appears to affect it. Suede erasers, along with specialty suede cleaners, are often included in suede care kits. Order them online or from retailers that sell leather clothing. Spray a suede cleaner onto the oil stain. Cover the stain with the cleaner. Many cleaners come in a spray bottle, so all you have to do is point the nozzle at the appropriate area. If yours comes in liquid form, put about 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of it on a clean microfiber cloth and spread it over the stain. Another option is household vinegar. Dampen a cloth or paper towel with about 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of vinegar and dab it onto the stain. Dab the stain with a microfiber cloth and lukewarm water. Squeeze the dampened cloth to remove excess moisture, preventing it from dripping all over the delicate suede. Wipe the stain from top to bottom. The suede won't get too wet, but the remaining oil may come right off. Rinsing the suede under running water is safe as long as you dry it appropriately. Set it in a safe spot away from direct sunlight or other heat sources. Brush the suede again until it appears soft and clean. Using the suede brush or a similar soft-bristled brush, work from the top of the stain downwards. Keep your strokes short and light to avoid damaging the fabric. Brushing the suede raises its nap, or fur, making it feel soft and look clean again. If you have tried everything and still can't get the stain out, take it to a professional. | Soak up the oil with a paper towel if the stain is still wet. Cover the stain with a large amount of cornstarch for at least 1 hour. Remove the cornstarch with a damp microfiber cloth. Raise the suede’s nap by scrubbing the stain with a toothbrush. Repeat the treatment as needed to finish cleaning the stain. Blot the oil stain with a paper towel if it is fresh. Cover the stain with a grease-cutting dish soap for 10 minutes. Scrub the stained area with a suede brush or toothbrush. Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe off the soap. Treat the suede with more soap if the stain is still present. Clear the dirt off the suede with a soft-bristled brush. Scrub the stain with a suede eraser to lift oil out of the fabric Go back over the stain from top to bottom again, this time with the eraser. Spray a suede cleaner onto the oil stain. Dab the stain with a microfiber cloth and lukewarm water. Brush the suede again until it appears soft and clean. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Recognize-Obsessive-Compulsive-Personality-Disorder | How to Recognize Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder | To recognize Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD), look for signs of efficiency, perfectionism, and rigidity, since people with OCPD tend to be overly disciplined perfectionists. You should also note if the person is often indecisive or cautious when making decisions, especially if they exhibit an extreme aversion to impulsivity or risk-taking. Other signs of OCPD include attempts to "correct" others who perform tasks differently and difficulty delegating responsibilities to others, because of a strong desire to control the situation. In addition, when people with OCPD hang out with friends, they may appear "cold" because they are worried about "wasting time" by having fun and not being their most productive. | Look for an emphasis on efficiency, perfectionism, and rigidity. People with OCPD are perfectionists. They are overly disciplined and preoccupied with processes, procedures and rules. They spend a great deal of time and energy in planning, but their perfectionism may keep them from actually accomplishing tasks. People with OCPD have an eye for detail and their need to be perfect in each and every aspect pushes them to control every facet of their environment. They can micromanage people despite resistance. They strongly believe in going by the book and also that rules, processes and procedures are meant to be followed and any deviation from them would result in producing imperfect work. This behavior is diagnostic Criterion 1 for OCPD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V). Observe how the person makes decisions and completes tasks. Indecisiveness and an inability to complete tasks are hallmarks of people with OCPD. Because of his/her perfectionism, a person with OCPD has a strong urge to exercise caution in trying to decide what, when, and how things need to be done. S/he will often research the most minute of the details irrespective of relevance to the decisions at hand. People with OCPD are extremely averse to impulsivity or risk-taking. This difficulty with decisions and tasks extends even to very small things. Precious time is lost in weighing the pros and cons of each proposition, no matter how minor. The emphasis on perfection also causes people with OCPD to perform tasks repetitively; for example, a person might proofread a document for work 30 times and thus fail to get it in on time. This repetition and the person's unreasonably high standards often cause dysfunction for them in the workplace. This behavior is diagnostic Criterion 2 for OCPD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V). Consider how the person interacts in social situations. People with OCPD can often come across to others as “cold” or “heartless” because of their focus on productivity and perfection, to the exclusion of things like social and romantic relationships. When a person with OCPD does go on a social outing, s/he will generally not appear to enjoy it, instead worrying about how it could be done better or that s/he is “wasting time” having fun People with OCPD may also make others uncomfortable during social events because of their focus on rules and perfection. For example, a person with OCPD might become extremely frustrated by “house rules” in Monopoly because they are not the written “official” rules. The person might refuse to play, or spend a lot of time criticizing others' play or seeking ways to improve it. This behavior is diagnostic Criterion 3 for OCPD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V). Observe the person’s sense of morality and ethics. An individual with OCPD is excessively concerned about morals, ethics and what is right and wrong. S/he is excessively concerned about doing the “right thing” and has very rigid definitions of what that means, with no room for relativity or mistakes. S/he is constantly worried about any rules he might have broken or which he might have to break. S/he is usually extremely deferential to authority and will comply with all rules and regulations, no matter how insignificant they may seem. People with OCPD extend their concepts of morality and values to others. It is unlikely for a person with OCPD to accept that another person, for example from a different culture, could have a sense of morality if it is different from their own. People with OCPD are often harsh on themselves as well as others. They may see even minor mistakes and infractions as moral failures. “Extenuating circumstances” do not exist for people with OCPD. This behavior is diagnostic Criterion 4 for OCPD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V). Look for hoarding behavior. Hoarding is a classic symptom of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, but it can also affect people with OCPD. A person with OCPD may refrain from disposing of even those items that are useless or are of little or no worth. S/he may hoard with an intention that there is nothing that is of no use: “You never know when this might come in handy!” This goes from old, leftover food to receipts to plastic spoons to dead batteries. If the person could imagine that there could ever be a reason it might be useful, it stays. Hoarders truly value their “treasure” and any attempts by others to disturb their collection greatly annoys them. The inability of others to understand the benefits of hoarding surprises them. Hoarding is very different from collecting. Collectors get enjoyment and pleasure out of the things they collect, and they don't experience anxiety about getting rid of worn-out, useless, or unneeded items. Hoarders generally feel anxiety about discarding anything, even if it is no longer functioning (like a broken iPod). This behavior is diagnostic Criterion 5 for OCPD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V). Look for trouble delegating responsibility. People with OCPD are often perceived as “control freaks.” They find it very hard to delegate responsibility for a task to others, because the task might not be performed in the way they believe it should be. If they do delegate tasks, they will often provide an exhaustive list of instructions on how to perform even simple tasks like loading the dishwasher. People with OCPD will often criticise or attempt to “correct” others who are doing a task in a way other than they themselves would do it, even if the other technique is effective or makes no difference to the final result. They do not like to have others suggest different ways of doing things, and may react with surprise and anger if this happens. This behavior is diagnostic Criterion 6 for OCPD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V). Observe the person’s spending behaviors. People with OCPD not only have trouble getting rid of useless things, they also are perpetually “saving for a rainy day.” They are usually reluctant to spend money even on necessities because they are worried about saving for a future catastrophe. They may live well below their means, or even in a standard of living that is lower than is healthy, in an attempt to save money. This also means that they cannot even part from money by giving it to somebody in need. They will usually attempt to dissuade others from spending money too. This behavior is diagnostic Criterion 7 for OCPD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V). Consider how stubborn the person is. People with OCPD are extremely stubborn and inflexible. They do not like and cannot take people questioning them, their intentions, actions, behaviors, ideas and beliefs. For them, they are always on the right side and there is no alternative to what they do and how they do things. Whoever they feel opposes them and fails to submit to their dominance is not cooperative and responsible. This stubbornness often makes even close friends and family unhappy to interact with the person. An individual with OCPD will not accept questioning or suggestions even from loved ones. This behavior is diagnostic Criterion 8 for OCPD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V). Look for friction. People with OCPD do not restrain themselves from imposing their ideas and views on others, even in situations where most other people would consider such behavior inappropriate. The idea that this kind of attitude and behavior could upset people and lead to friction in relationships often does not occur to them, nor will it stop them from doing what they intend to do. A person with OCPD is not likely to feel guilty when crossing the boundaries even if it means monitoring, controlling, meddling and intruding into other people's lives so that there is perfection and order in everything. They get upset, angry and depressed if other people are not following their directions. They may become angry or frustrated if it seems like people are not aligned with them in their effort to bring everything under control and to make everything perfect. Look for work-life imbalance. People with OCPD generally spend a considerable part of their waking hours at work—and they do it by choice. They are hardly left with any time for leisure. Their leisure time, if any, is spent on trying to “improve” things. Because of this, the person may not have many (or any) friendships. If a person with OCPD tries to spend his/her leisure time on a hobby or some activity such as painting or some sports such as tennis, s/he does not paint or play for the fun of it. S/he is constantly in the pursuit to master the art or the game. S/he will apply the same theory to family members and expect them to set out on a pursuit to excel rather than trying to have fun. This interference and meddling gets on the nerves of the people around them. This not only ruins the leisure time but can cause damage to relationships. Observe how the person displays emotion to others. For most people with OCPD, emotions are a waste of precious time that could be otherwise used in their quest for perfection. They are generally very tight-lipped when comes to expressing or displaying feelings. This reticence is also due to a worry that any expression of emotion must be perfect; a person with OCPD will wait for an extremely long time to say anything to do with feelings in order to make sure that it is “just right.” People with OCPD may come across as stilted or overly formal when they try to display their feelings. For example, they may try to shake hands when the other person goes in for a hug, or use overly stiff language in an effort to be “correct.” Consider how the person responds to emotions in others. People with OCPD not only have trouble expressing emotion, they also have difficulty tolerating its presence in others. People with OCPD may visibly display discomfort in a situation where people are emotional (such as at a sporting event or family reunion). For example, most people would likely consider greeting a friend whom they haven't seen in awhile as an exciting, emotional experience. A person with OCPD may not experience it this way, and might not even smile or offer a hug. They may seem to feel “above” emotions and look down on people who display them as “irrational” or inferior. Consider the person’s work schedule. Satisfying people with OCPD through their work is a herculean task, let alone impressing them. They are the definition of workaholics, but workaholics who make things difficult for others at work. People with OCPD see themselves as loyal and responsible workers and put in long hours at work, even though those hours are often unproductive. This behavior is a usual practice for them and they expect all other employees in the company to follow suit. In general, people with OCPD put in long hours at work but are very poor role models. They have an inability to set a good precedent for people working under them and with them. They are more task-oriented and fewer people (relationship) oriented. They cannot strike a balance between tasks and relationship. They often fail at encouraging people to follow them and their directions. It's important to acknowledge that some cultures place a very high value on working long hours or spending most of one's time at work. This is not the same as OCPD. For individuals with OCPD, it is not a compulsion to work, but a willingness to work. Watch interactions with others. People with OCPD are rigid and stubborn in how they approach situations, including those with colleagues or employees. They may be “over involved” in the personal lives of their coworkers and do not allow room for personal space or boundaries. They will also assume that the way they behave at work is the way everyone should behave. For example, a manager with OCPD might deny an employee's request for personal leave because s/he would not take leave for the reason given. S/he might believe that the employee's first loyalty should be to the company, rather than any other obligation (including family). People with OCPD do not consider that something could be wrong with them and their way of functioning. They view themselves as the epitome of perfection and order; if this attitude irks somebody then it is because s/he is not dependable and does not believe in working for the welfare of the organization. Watch for signs of interference. People with OCPD feel that others are not aware of how to do things in a better manner. According to them, theirs is the only way and the best way to do things. Collaboration and cooperation are not valued. A person with OCPD is likely to be a “micromanager” or a terrible “team player,” as s/he will generally try to force everyone to do things his/her way. A person with OCPD is not comfortable with letting others do the job their way lest they make mistakes. S/he is generally reluctant to delegate responsibilities and will micromanage others if s/he must delegate. His/her attitude and behavior convey the message that s/he does not trust others and does not have confidence in them and their abilities. Look for missed deadlines. Very frequently, people with OCPD get so caught up in the pursuit of perfection that they miss deadlines, even important ones. They have a lot of difficulty with effective time management because of their compulsive attention to every single minor detail. Over a period of time their nature, fixations and attitude gives rise to dysfunctional conflicts which push them into isolation as more people tend to express their displeasure at working with them. Their intractable attitude and perception of themselves complicates things at work and can go to the extent of pushing peers/subordinates away from them. When they lose the support system, they become even more adamant about proving to the others that there is no alternative to how they do things. This can further alienate them. See a mental health professional. Only a trained mental health professional can diagnose and treat people with OCPD. Fortunately, treatment for OCPD is generally more effective than it is for other personality disorders. An appropriate mental health professional would be a psychologist or psychiatrist; most family doctors and general practitioners do not have the training to recognize OCPD. Participate in therapy. Talk therapy, and particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), is usually considered to be a highly effective treatment for people with OCPD. CBT is done by a trained mental health professional, and involves teaching the person how to recognize and change unhelpful ways of thinking and behaving. Ask your doctor about medication. In most cases, therapy is sufficient to treat OCPD. In some cases, your physician or psychiatrist may also recommend a medication such as Prozac, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Learn what OCPD is. OCPD is also called anankastic personality disorder (depending on where you live in the world). As the name suggests, it is a personality disorder. A personality disorder is where there is ongoing maladaptive patterns of thinking, behaviours and experiences that transcend different contexts and significantly affect much of the person's life. As such with OCPD, there is a preoccupation with the need for power and control over one's own environment. These symptoms must involve a pervasive pattern of a preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, interpersonal and psychological control. Such control must come at the expense of efficiency, openness and flexibility as there is a strong level of rigidity in one's beliefs that often interferes with the ability to complete tasks. Distinguish between OCPD and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. OCPD is a completely different diagnosis from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), although it shares some of the same symptoms. An obsession, as the name suggests, means the individual's thoughts and feelings are completely dominated by a persistent idea. This, for example, could be cleanliness, security or many other things that have significant meaning to the individual. A compulsion involves performing an action repeatedly and persistently without leading to a reward or pleasure. These acts are often performed to make the obsessions go away, such as repeatedly washing one's hands due to an obsession with cleanliness or repeatedly checking one's door is locked 32 times due to an obsession that if this does not occur, someone may break in. Obsessive compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder involving intrusive obsessions that must be addressed through acting out on compulsive behaviours. People who suffer from OCD often recognize that their obsessions are illogical or irrational but feel like they cannot avoid them. People with OCPD, which is a personality disorder, often do not recognize their thoughts or pervasive need for inflexible control of all areas of their lives as irrational or problematic. Recognize the diagnostic criteria for OCPD. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-V) states that in order to have the diagnosis of OCPD, the patient needs to have four or more of the following symptoms present in a variety of contexts that interferes with the individual's life: Is preoccupied with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the extent that the major point of the activity is lost Shows perfectionism that interferes with task completion (e.g., is unable to complete a project because his or her own overly strict standards are not met) Is excessively devoted to work and productivity to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships (not accounted for by obvious economic necessity) Is overconscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values (not accounted for by cultural or religious identification) Is unable to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value Is reluctant to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to exactly his or her way of doing things Adopts a miserly spending style toward both self and others; money is viewed as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes Shows significant rigidity and stubbornness Recognize the anankastic personality disorder criteria. Similarly, the World Health Organisation's International Classification of Disease 10 specifies that the patient must satisfy the general diagnostic criteria for a personality disorder (as mentioned above) and have three of the following symptoms to be diagnosed with anankastic personality disorder: Feelings of excessive doubt and caution; Preoccupation with details, rules, lists, order, organization or schedule; Perfectionism that interferes with task completion; Excessive conscientiousness, scrupulousness, and undue preoccupation with productivity to the exclusion of pleasure and interpersonal relationships; Excessive pedantry and adherence to social conventions; Rigidity and stubbornness; Unreasonable insistence by the individual that others submit exactly to his or her way of doing things, or unreasonable reluctance to allow others to do things; Intrusion of insistent and unwelcome thoughts or impulses. Know some risk factors of OCPD. OCPD is one of the most common personality disorders; the DSM-V estimates that between 2.1-7.9% of the general population suffer from OCPD. It also appears to run in families, so OCPD may have a genetic component. Men are about twice as likely to have OCPD as women. Children who grew up in controlling, rigid homes or environments may be more likely to develop OCPD. Children who grew up with parents who were too stern and disapproving or overly protective may be more likely to develop OCPD. 70% of people with OCPD also suffer from depression. About 25-50% of people with OCD also have OCPD. | Look for an emphasis on efficiency, perfectionism, and rigidity. Observe how the person makes decisions and completes tasks. Consider how the person interacts in social situations. Observe the person’s sense of morality and ethics. Look for hoarding behavior. Look for trouble delegating responsibility. Observe the person’s spending behaviors. Consider how stubborn the person is. Look for friction. Look for work-life imbalance. Observe how the person displays emotion to others. Consider how the person responds to emotions in others. Consider the person’s work schedule. Watch interactions with others. Watch for signs of interference. Look for missed deadlines. See a mental health professional. Participate in therapy. Ask your doctor about medication. Learn what OCPD is. Distinguish between OCPD and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Recognize the diagnostic criteria for OCPD. Recognize the anankastic personality disorder criteria. Know some risk factors of OCPD. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-Healthy | How to Eat Healthy | When creating your new diet, start by replacing simple carbs like sugar with complex carbs like vegetables and whole grains. Then, replace food items that contain trans and saturated fats with ones that have monounsaturated fats, like nuts, and omega-3 fatty acids, like eggs. Eat fish, chicken, and beans to make sure your body is getting enough protein, and stay away from sugary drinks, salty food, and fast food whenever possible. | Eat 225-325 grams (1-2.5 cups) of complex carbs each day. Complex carbs are slowly digested and absorbed by the body, which means they provide more nutrients and keep you full longer. It's a good idea to reach for complex carbs, which include whole-grain flour, sweet potatoes, oats, and brown rice. These healthy carbs are usually higher in vitamins and other nutrients than simple carbs, like white bread and white rice. Choose wheat, multigrain, or rye bread and whole wheat pasta. If you like oatmeal for breakfast, pick whole oats. Depending on your individual needs, your doctor might recommend that you eat fewer carbs. Fill at least half of your plate with vegetables to get 5 servings a day. Veggies are packed with nutrients and are surprisingly easy to sneak into your diet. Consider eating dark leafy greens like kale, collard greens, mustard greens, and Swiss chard. Create a simple sauté with olive oil, garlic, and a little salt and pepper, which will be a surprisingly tasty meal as well as a nutritious one. Add spinach to a smoothie in the morning to add a serving of leafy greens that you won't even notice. The next time you make tacos, try throwing in some peppers and onions. Pasta dishes are a great place to add extra veggies. Toss some mushrooms in with your spaghetti or lasagna. Don't be afraid to try new foods. If you think you don't like vegetables, just try another kind. Eat 2-3 servings of fruit each day for extra vitamins. Fruits are good for you and can be a delicious treat. You can grab an apple or pear as a mid-morning snack, or look for ways to integrate fruit into other dishes. Add berries or a banana to your morning cereal or oatmeal. Fresh fruits taste great in salads. Try adding some dried cranberries for a flavor boost or combining a pear with goat cheese over some leafy greens. Eat healthy, lean proteins to get more energy. Protein helps you build muscle and gives you a steady supply of energy throughout the day. Choose lean proteins to avoid adding too much fat to your diet. There are great choices that include meat and plant-based proteins. There's an ongoing debate about how much protein you need each day, so check with your doctor or use an online calculator for specific amounts. Some examples of healthy proteins include: Lean cuts of chicken, pork, and turkey Fish, such as salmon, white fish, and tuna Nuts like cashews, almonds, and pistachios Beans, such as black beans, pinto beans, and cannellini beans Lentils and chickpeas Choose healthy fats for 20-35% of your daily calories. You need to consume fat for your body to function correctly. However, it's important to choose the right kind of fats. Read food labels and select foods that are low in saturated fats. Typically, you should aim to eat less than 20-30 grams of saturated fat each day. Choose foods like avocados, salmon, tuna, and nut butter to get the healthy fats that you need. Monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids are good fats, which you should try to consume regularly. They help lower the "bad cholesterol" in your body by raising "good cholesterol". Foods that are high in fatty acids are olive oil, nuts, fish oil, and various seed oils. Adding these "good" fats to your weekly diet can lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease. Avoid trans fats and saturated fats. Trans fats, also known as partially hydrogenated oils, are a form of unsaturated fat commonly found in processed foods. Consuming them raises your risk of heart disease. Limit your salt intake to reduce sodium. A little bit of sodium is good for you and you can get enough just by eating a healthy diet. Avoid adding salt to your food after it is prepared and try to steer clear of packaged foods that can contain a lot of extra sodium. Instead of flavoring your food with salt, try adding fresh herbs like cilantro, chives, or dill for a big flavor boost. Canned vegetables can contain a lot of sodium so reach for fresh or frozen whenever possible. Talk to your doctor about how much salt is okay for you to have. If you have high blood pressure or heart issues, you might need to limit your intake even more. Drink at least 11.5 cups (2.7 L) of water each day. Water is essential for good health, so make sure to drink at least 11.5 (2.7 L) cups a day if you are a woman and 15.5 cups (3.7 L) if you are a man. Try keeping track of how much water you drink so that you know you are getting enough. Try getting a water bottle that is clearly marked so it's easy to measure. Another good idea is to drink before you even get thirsty. That will help you make sure that you don't get dehydrated. Carry water with you so you can easily pick it up when you're thirsty. If you do a tough workout or spend time outside on a hot day, make sure to replenish your body by drinking extra water that day. Talk to your doctor before drastically changing your diet. Your doctor is a great resource, so don't be afraid to ask them for help. Check-in with your doctor about what type of diet will be best for you. Everyone's health and body are different, so ask them to give you some ideas tailored for you. Your doctor can also help you figure out a healthy weight and suggest an exercise plan if you are interested in that. Always check with your doctor before taking vitamins or supplements, too. Eat when you are hungry instead of when you are emotional. It's normal to turn to food when you are experiencing certain emotions. The key is to pay attention to why you are eating and try to do it only when you are actually hungry. If you find yourself eating more than you would like, start writing down when you eat and how you feel so you can track patterns. For example, maybe you eat when you are stressed or sad. Try to find a relaxing activity that can serve as a replacement. Try taking a nice walk or listening to a good podcast instead of reaching for a snack. If you use food as a way to celebrate, that's totally fine to do in moderation. If you find that you are overindulging during happy times, try to celebrate by treating yourself to something other than food. Maybe you could book a trip or buy yourself a new pair of shoes. Enjoy your food and eat slowly. It takes some time for your stomach to tell your brain that it's full. Circumvent the problem by consuming your food slower. That way, by the time you get the message and start feeling satisfied, you haven't consumed extra food. As a bonus, eating more slowly can help you really savor and appreciate your meal. Chew each mouthful 20 to 40 times to fully release all of the flavors. Slow yourself down by waiting 5 or 10 minutes between each course if you're eating a large meal. Drink a full glass of water throughout your meal. Stopping for sips will slow your eating, as well as help you feel more full. Put your fork down between bites. This is a physical reminder to finish the food in your mouth before taking another bite. Focus on how each type of food makes you feel after eating. Pay attention to how you feel after each meal. You might start noticing that eating something with a lot of fat, like a cheeseburger, makes you feel overly full and sluggish. Or you might realize that eating a protein-packed salad makes you feel energized. Try writing down how you feel after each meal so that you can remember these sensations. If a food leaves you feeling kind of icky, look for a healthier substitute. For example, swap out your deep-dish sausage pizza for a veggie pizza on a thin, whole wheat crust. Feel more connected to food by paying attention to where it comes from. This will help you be more mindful, which can lead to a healthy relationship with food. The more you pay attention to how your food is made and where it comes from, the more likely you are to make healthy choices. Try to buy fresh, local food if your location and budget allows for that. For example, if you have a choice between local tomatoes and tomatoes shipped from a long distance, choose local. You might feel good that you're supporting your local economy and your produce will likely be fresher. Read labels. If you don't recognize many of the main ingredients, try to pick something else. The simplest food with the fewest preservatives is often the healthiest choice. Eat breakfast, even if you’re not really hungry. Eating breakfast gets your metabolism going and keeps it active throughout the morning. This will keep you energized throughout the morning. Skipping breakfast might leave you famished by lunch, causing you to binge as a way to compensate. Plan your breakfasts for the week in advance so that it's easy to grab a simple, healthy meal to start your day. A small breakfast is better than no breakfast. If you don't feel up to a full meal, at least drink some water and eat a piece of fruit, a protein bar, or a piece of whole-wheat toast. Try some make-ahead options like a fruit and yogurt parfait, a frittata, or overnight oats. Avoid skipping breakfast on the day of an important exam, job interview, or another critical event, where you may be distracted by your hunger or not have enough energy for your brain to work to its full potential. Eat several small meals and snacks throughout the day. Try eating three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), with two snacks in between. Doing this allows you to eat slightly less at your meals, giving your body a more manageable amount of food to digest, and keeps your blood sugar at a consistent level throughout the day. A good plan for the day might look like: Breakfast: A smoothie with protein, fruits, and vegetables. Morning snack: An apple with nut butter or a small portion of cheese. Lunch: A salad with lots of veggies, lean proteins, and a grain like quinoa or farro. Afternoon snack: Hummus, bell peppers, and whole wheat pita. Dinner: Grilled or baked fish, a sweet potato, and roasted broccoli. Cut back on eating meat and focus on plants. There are lots of health benefits to eating a more veggie-forward diet. Even if you don't want to cut back too much, you could try doing Meatless Monday, which is an international campaign that encourages people to give up eating meat one day per week. Most people already have enough protein in their diets, but check with your doctor if you have concerns. Sub mushrooms for meat in pasta dishes to get a meaty texture with less fat. Try using black beans for tacos or burritos instead of meat for great flavor and added protein. Plan your meals in advance to stay on track. Write down what meals and snacks you want to eat for the week. Planning in advance can help you make healthy choices instead of impulsively reaching for junk food when you are hungry. Try to choose meals that use similar ingredients (to make shopping easier), but that have enough variety so that you won't get bored. If you can, try to prep some of your meals in advance so that you always have a healthy option handy. You might plan to make veggie fajitas one night, and then use the leftover vegetables in a Mexican-inspired salad the next day, for example. Wash and cut up all of your produce for the week right after you get home from the store. That way, you'll always have a healthy snack to grab. Try boiling several hard-boiled eggs at the beginning of the week so that you can have a grab and go breakfast or a protein to add to salads. Take a list to the grocery store and stick to it. Write down what you need for your meal plan so that you have all of your essentials. When you go to the store, only buy what's on your list. This can help you cut down on impulse items, like snacks and sweets. Don't go to the grocery store when you're hungry. You're more likely to overbuy. Try using an app on your phone to store your list. That way you are less likely to forget your list at home or in the car. | Eat 225-325 grams (1-2.5 cups) of complex carbs each day. Fill at least half of your plate with vegetables to get 5 servings a day. Eat 2-3 servings of fruit each day for extra vitamins. Eat healthy, lean proteins to get more energy. Choose healthy fats for 20-35% of your daily calories. Limit your salt intake to reduce sodium. Drink at least 11.5 cups (2.7 L) of water each day. Talk to your doctor before drastically changing your diet. Eat when you are hungry instead of when you are emotional. Enjoy your food and eat slowly. Focus on how each type of food makes you feel after eating. Feel more connected to food by paying attention to where it comes from. Eat breakfast, even if you’re not really hungry. Eat several small meals and snacks throughout the day. Cut back on eating meat and focus on plants. Plan your meals in advance to stay on track. Take a list to the grocery store and stick to it. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Dress-Like-James-Bond | How to Dress Like James Bond | To dress like James Bond, start by picking a suit that's made out of black or dark blue wool-blend fabric and having it tailored so that it fits you perfectly. Next, wear a crisp, white shirt with a point or wing collar, and sleeves that just barely stick out of your suit jacket. Then, choose suspenders instead of a belt to add even more class to your outfit. Additionally, try adding a few classic details, like a cummerbund and silver cufflinks. Finish off your look with a pair of shiny, black Oxfords to keep things simple and classic. | Get a dark suit or tuxedo that fits. Even if your tux costs you $2,000 for a night's rental and was worn by Christian Bale at the Batman premiere, if it doesn't fit, it doesn't work. This is primo to being Bond-esque. If you're wearing what clearly looks like someone else's suit, you're not owning the clothes. Bond is all about refined manliness. The suit that you wear should give your torso a definite V shape, if at all possible. If you can, go to your tailor and get the button placed at the narrowest place on your waist. That will make those manly shoulders look as broad as possible. Stick to quality fabric. If you have the druthers and ability to do so, find a suit that's made of the right stuff. You'll be best off with a material that's 9 to 11 oz in weight -- it's not so heavy that you'll be sweating even before the girls arrive and not so light that it loses its shape when you start taking down ninjas. You'll also want fabric that's Super 100-120 superfine wool or wool-blend. Anything too coarse and you won't be touched by the ladies and anything too fine and you'll feel the heat from that explosion you set off. Get black or blue. As for color, you want to stick to black or at the most colorful, midnight blue (that's dark, dark blue). But black is your standard, is the safest, and is the most classic. Midnight blue might be used as dinner ensemble and that's about it. Patterns are a no-no. A big no-no when it comes to jackets and trousers. You may have a faint pattern in your cummerbund or bow-tie, but that's it. Find the right white shirt. You'd think this would be simple, but there's even detail to getting the white shirt right. You want a shirt that's clean, pressed, and not a button-down collar. Both single and double cuffs are okay, so long as they stick out just a twitch from beneath your suit jacket. Daniel Craig is often found sporting a shirt with a high neck. This is a good look, but a lower neck is fine, too (Craig doesn't have the longest neck in the world). And speaking of the collar, it should either be point or wing. Get the details right. Alright, so you know what color, what material, and the general basics of what to look for when it comes to your suit. Now let's talk about the details: Keep it single-breasted. It's easier to find and it just looks better. Go no vent or double-vented. Just...do it. Wear suspenders, not a belt. It's not dated, it's classy as all get out. Wear a cummerbund or waistcoat. You want the transition from your pants to your shirt to be utterly seamless. Shawl or peak lapels only. Again, just do it. A neatly-folded pocket square in either white or red (red if you're feeling frisky) Mother-of-pearl cufflinks or simple, basic, small silver studs. Hit your stride in Oxfords. To complete the suit, you need the right shoe. You'll look best in a pair of shiny Oxfords that match your threads -- so black will clearly be the easiest choice. Just make sure they're not scuffed and you could start fires with them, they're so shiny. Need more details? Okay, go for a basic, thin lace-up, with a thin leather sole and a defined heel. Think simple. Always simple. Keep creativity to a minimum. Dressing like Bond is not the time to bust out your velvet maroon fedora. He must remain classic and understated so his coolness takes the spotlight. There's nothing boring about a great tux or suit, so don't feel the need to ramp it up with color or patterns. If you absolutely must show your creativity, mix up your pocket square, get a barely-there pattern on your cummerbund, or mix it up with a vibrant lining in your jacket. Choose your Bond. To be frank, dressing like Sean Connery in "Diamonds are Forever" is a much different look than dressing like Daniel Craig in "Skyfall." And let's not even touch George Lazenby in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service." However, there are options. Whether fashion likes it or not. The casual look for each Bond is different. It could be a pair of khakis and a fitted sweater or the sports gear Pierce Brosnan donned in Goldeneye. However, if you want everyone to know you're 007, you'll probably want to go black tie. Stick to neutrals. Again, while a Bubblegum pink suit may have been appropriate in '71, you'll be better off getting your point across if you stick to neutrals in this day and age. Think in blacks, greys, and tans. Think Roger Moore in "Moonraker." A simple black shirt with nice pair of black trousers. Easy as pie, yet still refined and dressed to kill. Think about the weather. Bond isn't super-human; he's still subject to hot and cold. When he's gallivanting on the beaches of Fiji, he can be spotted in lightweight, light-colored linens. If it's hotter than hell on the face of the sun, drop the jacket. You can still drink martinis. In "Skyfall," we see Daniel Craig in a peacoat. There's a touch of femininity to Bond that's somehow masculine. Don't be afraid to get trendy -- in this case, it's a very good thing. When in doubt, rock the swim trunks. In Goldfinger, we saw Sean Connery in his baby blue swimwear. In Casino Royale, we see an homage to that with Daniel Craig's baby blue swim trunks. Not every Bond would rock the £125 swim trunks, though. What's the style of yours? Clearly, Bond exists outside of his fine formal wear. You can still maintain your Bond-ness in any setting -- it just might take a prettier penny. And lots of ironing and dry-cleaning! Smell like an international man of mystery. You know those Axe commercials where the women get woken from their slumber and follow their noses to the nearest guy donning the cologne? That guys needs to be you. Use your signature scent, whatever it is. James Bond doesn't smell like garlic. Maybe vodka once in a while, but never anything other than that. It should go without saying, but you need to be squeaky clean. Hop in that shower, lather up, rinse down and style your hair. Be clean-shaven. You can keep your leg hair, but everything else needs to be...taken care of. You won't be tempting the ladies with a hobo beard, that's for sure. Nor a fu manchu 'stache. Hate to break it to you. The entire thing needs to go. No sideburns, no pork chops, no five o'clock shadow. Clean, clean, clean. And the chest hair peeping out from underneath your collar? That too. Accessorize. Watches! You don't need high tech watches that can detonate bombs (though if you have one laying around, by all means!), just one with style, like Rolex or Omega. Just find a good watch. A watch with class. As for socks, long and black. Find a good pair from a good store and buy them for the rest of your life. Remember: long and black. Short and white? NO. Long and black. Have a holster on hand? Awesome. Shove that onto your side. No questions asked. Focus on your silhouette. If you're walking down the street, what does your shadow on the pavement look like? Are your pants the right length? Does everything come together at your middle, giving you a slight triangle shape? Are your sleeves not too long and not too short? We're not playing Goldilocks here! All the parts need to be great on their own, but they also need to be great together. Take a look at your entire outfit once you've pieced it together. Does it seem to gel? Rock it with confidence. Odds are you don't don a tux all too often. However, you gotta rock it like it's just a normal Tuesday. You know nothing besides Tom Ford and Brioni. This is what you wear when you're feeling down. This is what you wear when you want to convey indifference to the ladies. This is what you wear by yourself when you're watching the latest episode of "Orange is the New Black." This is nothing. All this effort? That just comes naturally to you. A tux (or other fancy formal wear) will look odd if you don't feel comfortable. Odds are if you have a tux that fits well, you look awesome. So strut your stuff! After all, what would James Bond do? | Get a dark suit or tuxedo that fits. Stick to quality fabric. Get black or blue. Find the right white shirt. Get the details right. Hit your stride in Oxfords. Keep creativity to a minimum. Choose your Bond. Stick to neutrals. Think about the weather. When in doubt, rock the swim trunks. Smell like an international man of mystery. Be clean-shaven. Accessorize. Focus on your silhouette. Rock it with confidence. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Banana-Loaf | How to Make Banana Loaf | To make a classic banana loaf, beat sugar and butter until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then, add eggs, bananas, and buttermilk and mix until all of the ingredients are completely combined. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and ginger. Fold the dry ingredients into the batter until they're just incorporated. Pour the batter into a buttered loaf tin and bake at 320 degrees Fahrenheit for 75 minutes. | Preheat the oven to 160C/fan 180C/gas 4. Butter a loaf tin. Use a conventional 20 x 13cm tin or a muffin tin. Beat the sugar and butter. Place them in a large mixing bowl and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs, bananas and buttermilk. Continue beating until the mixture is completely combined. Mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Stir together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon and ginger until fully combined. Stir the dry mixture into the batter. Use a wooden spoon to fold the dry ingredients in until they're just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix, since this will cause the loaf to come out too dense. If desired, stir in 50g chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds or chocolate chips (or a combination of all of your favorites). Mix until just combined. Spoon the batter into the loaf tin. Use the back of the spoon to level the top. Bake the loaf for 1 hour and 15 minutes. The loaf is ready when a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean. Remove it from the oven and allow it to cool before slicing. Serve the loaf with butter or whipped cream. Preheat the oven to fan 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Butter a loaf tin. Use a conventional 20 x 13cm tin or a muffin tin. Soften the dates. Boil 200ml of water in a small pot. Add the dates and let them boil for 5 minutes. Drain the dates and save the sweet liquid in a cup. Blend the dates with the bananas. Add them to a food processor or blender with 100ml of the date liquid. Blend until completely smooth. Mix up the batter. Place the nuts, dried fruit, flour, spices and baking powder in a mixing bowl and stir until combined. Add the date and banana puree as well as the rum. Stir until the mixture has the consistency of batter. Fold in the eggs. Beat them into the batter one at a time until just combined with the loaf batter. Spoon the batter into the tin. Use the back of the spoon to smooth the top of the batter. Bake the loaf for 1 hour. The loaf is ready when a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean, and the top is golden brown. Cool the loaf before serving. Cut it into slices and serve with tea. Preheat the oven to fan 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Oil a loaf tin. Use a conventional 20 x 13cm tin or a muffin tin. Mix the bananas, oil and sugar. Place them in a bowl and mix until smooth and creamy. Stir together the dry ingredients. Place the flour, baking powder and cinnamon in a separate bowl and stir until well combined. Add the flour mixture to the banana mixture. Use a spoon to stir the batter until just combined. Stir in the nuts and dried fruit if you choose to use them. Spoon the batter into the loaf tin. Use the back of the spoon to smooth the top of the batter. Bake the loaf for 1 hour. The loaf is ready when a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean, and the top is golden brown. Cool the loaf before serving. Cut it into slices and serve with tea. | Preheat the oven to 160C/fan 180C/gas 4. Butter a loaf tin. Beat the sugar and butter. Add the eggs, bananas and buttermilk. Mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Stir the dry mixture into the batter. Spoon the batter into the loaf tin. Bake the loaf for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Remove it from the oven and allow it to cool before slicing. Preheat the oven to fan 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Butter a loaf tin. Soften the dates. Blend the dates with the bananas. Mix up the batter. Fold in the eggs. Spoon the batter into the tin. Bake the loaf for 1 hour. Cool the loaf before serving. Preheat the oven to fan 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Oil a loaf tin. Mix the bananas, oil and sugar. Stir together the dry ingredients. Add the flour mixture to the banana mixture. Spoon the batter into the loaf tin. Bake the loaf for 1 hour. Cool the loaf before serving. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Adjust-a-Rear-Bicycle-Derailleur | How to Adjust a Rear Bicycle Derailleur | Before adjusting a rear bicycle derailleur, turn your bike upside down so you can spin the wheels as you work. Next, shift the bike to the highest possible gear. Then, locate the barrel adjuster, which is the small cylinder connecting the cable to the derailleur. Follow this cable through the bike to look for any issues, such as the tension being off or the housing being bent. If you find a problem area, turn the barrel adjuster in the direction you need the cable to fall. | Prop the bike up so you can spin the wheels as you work. You'll need to either lift the bike into a bike stand or flip the bike over so that it rests on the seat and handlebars. To adjust a derailleur, you'll need to pedal the bike while working. Shift the bike to the highest possible gear. On the rear axle, the lowest gear (1 ) is the largest sprocket, and the highest gear (5 , 6 , 7 depending on how many sprockets are on the cassette) is the smallest sprocket. It is furthest away from the centre line of the bike, or closest to the frame fork. A derailleur works by moving the chain from sprocket to sprocket. The derailleur is connected to the shift lever by a steel cable. The derailleur is moved by tightening or relaxing the cable tension. The highest gear (smallest sprocket) on the rear derailleur is actually the point of lowest cable tension, meaning the derailleur is doing the least work and is thus easiest to adjust. While pedaling the bike, locate the cable leading to your rear derailleur and pull on it gently. Note how this shifts the chain by moving the derailleur. All a derailleur does is align the chain with the sprockets on the cassette. Locate the barrel adjuster, then follow this cable through the bike to look for any issues. The barrel adjuster is the small cylinder connecting the cable to the derailleur. Follow your cable from the rear derailleur up to the handlebars. The tension on this cable is what actually causes gears to shift. Make sure it is seated in its housing and isn't bent, loose, or caught in anything. This isn't a common issue, but it happens. Attempt to shift through all of the gears in both directions, noting any issues. Keep pedalling the bike, shifting gears one at a time. Make a mental note of points where the chain skips a gear or needs to be clicked twice to shift a gear. Does the derailleur have problems going up or down the gears? Is there any noise or grinding? Return to the highest gear and start shifting until you reach a "problem area," as noted before. For example, if the bike struggles to get from fourth to fifth gear, stop shifting on the fourth gear. While still pedaling, turn the barrel adjuster in the direction you need the cable to fall which, in this case, would be counter-clockwise. Tightening the barrel changes the tension of the cable which, in turn, dictates the gear you're in. Note that if the bike is upside-down, you need to turn the barrel away from the direction you want the chain to move. Rotate the barrel adjuster counter-clockwise to help the chain shift down, towards the larger gears. Loosening the barrel adjuster tightens the cable, making it easier to pull up towards the larger gears. If you shift down and nothing happens, leave it in the shifted gear and keep turning the pedals. Turn the barrel counter-clockwise until the chain jumps up and shifts on its own -- your bike is adjusted. Rotate the barrel adjuster clockwise to help the chain shift up, towards the lower gears. If your chain struggles to move away from the bike, you can tighten the barrel. If it won't shift when you click it, keep pedalling the bike and rotate the barrel. This decreases the tension on the derailleur, allowing the chain to "fall" smoothly to the higher gears. Keep turning slowly until the chain shifts on its own, matching the gear you just tried to shift to. Loosening the barrel also helps if your chain is jumping two gears at once when heading to the larger sprockets. Check all of the gears by shifting up and down slowly. Once you've adjusted one gear to shift smoothly, the rest of the derailleur usually falls right into place. Check all of the gears to ensure you're adjusted, then move on. If you still have issues: Turn the barrel 2-3 turns to the right to full loosen it, then start over. If the cable was too tense when you started, it could need to be re-adjusted from scratch. Check for bent gears or derailleur arms. If this didn't work, there is likely a larger issue with the bike. Lubricate the screws and pivot points with bike grease to prevent further issues. Keep the chain lubricated with special chain lube to ensure that stiff chain links do not affect the shifting, and to make sure that the drive train will last a long time. Only adjust your limit screws if the chain is popping out on either side of the derailleur. The two screws labeled "L" and "H" are used to adjust your limits. Basically, they determine how far in either direction the chain can travel. Unless you're having issues with the chain falling out, there is no reason to adjust these screws on the rear derailleur (as they were likely set properly at the factory). However, if your bike was in an accident or you installed a new derailleur, these screws may need to be adjusted. If you keep slipping a chain, check your limit screws. If you can't shift into the highest or lowest gear, check limit screws. If your chain is grinding against your frame, check limit screws. Turn the "H" (high) limit screw clockwise to prevent the chain from moving too far to the right, away from the bike. Of course, you would turn it counter-clockwise if the chain is getting stopped too early. The high limit is for the smallest gear in the rear derailleur. Turn the "L" (low) limit screw clockwise to prevent the chain from moving too far to the left (and potentially into your wheel). Again, turn it the opposite way (counter-clockwise) if the limit is pushed too far in. On the rear derailleur, the low limit is for the biggest gear. Shift to the high and low gears, visually confirming that the derailleur is lined up with the center of the gears. Once you've got the limits where you want them, make sure they are lined up nicely. You should see the jockey wheel (metal arm with small cogs under the derailleur) lined up right underneath the chain. Test both screws and watch to see when the derailleur moves if the H and L are no longer marked. If you are in the furthest gear, you will see the derailleur moving as you adjust the screws. So, if you need to adjust the low limit, shift to the gear on the far left, the biggest one. Adjust both screws a 1/2 turn and notice if the derailleur moves at all. Make sure it lines up in the middle of the gear, then turn back both screws a 1/2 turn so you don't ruin the limits on the correct screw. | Prop the bike up so you can spin the wheels as you work. Shift the bike to the highest possible gear. Locate the barrel adjuster, then follow this cable through the bike to look for any issues. Attempt to shift through all of the gears in both directions, noting any issues. Return to the highest gear and start shifting until you reach a "problem area," as noted before. Rotate the barrel adjuster counter-clockwise to help the chain shift down, towards the larger gears. Rotate the barrel adjuster clockwise to help the chain shift up, towards the lower gears. Check all of the gears by shifting up and down slowly. Lubricate the screws and pivot points with bike grease to prevent further issues. Only adjust your limit screws if the chain is popping out on either side of the derailleur. Turn the "H" (high) limit screw clockwise to prevent the chain from moving too far to the right, away from the bike. Turn the "L" (low) limit screw clockwise to prevent the chain from moving too far to the left (and potentially into your wheel). Shift to the high and low gears, visually confirming that the derailleur is lined up with the center of the gears. Test both screws and watch to see when the derailleur moves if the H and L are no longer marked. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Pop-a-Whitehead | How to Pop a Whitehead | To pop a whitehead, start by disinfecting a sewing needle in rubbing alcohol for 1 minute. Next, prick the surface of the whitehead by inserting the needle at an angle and removing it when you see puss. Then, gently squeeze the whitehead with your index fingers until it's drained. Alternatively, fill a saucepan with water, bring it to a boil, and remove it from the burner. Place a towel over your head and steam your face for 5 minutes. Then, gently pull the whitehead outward until it pops and you can drain the puss. | Determine if your pimple is a whitehead. Look for a white or off-white area at the tip of your pimple. If the base of your pimple is red, you should notice the head right away. If you don't see this white pus-filled head, don't try to pop the pimple. You could damage your skin and cause an infection. The whitehead itself is already an infection, and popping it could lead to more inflammation. If your pimple is big and painful, give it a few days to develop a head. For a slightly quicker fix, apply warm compresses for about five minutes. Repeat every 3 to 4 hours for a day or two. For more information on determining whether you can pop a pimple, see the wikiHow article How to Pop a Pimple. Wash and disinfect your face. Use warm water and your regular facial cleanser. Move in an upward circular motion until all dirt and makeup have been removed. Blot most of your face dry. Follow up with antiseptic or toner for acne-prone skin. Blot the liquid on to the area without rubbing. Leave the whitehead moist to keep your skin supple. Avoid scrubbing your pimple or otherwise rubbing too hard. You could end up causing inflammation and spreading pus and bacteria to other places on your skin. You can use rubbing alcohol if you don't have antiseptic for acne-prone skin, but don't make a habit of it. Rubbing alcohol can be overly drying to your skin. Wash your hands with soap and warm water. Work up a good lather and rub your hands together long enough to sing the “Happy Birthday” song. Pay special attention to your fingertips, which will be in contact with the whitehead. If you can, scrub under your fingernails, too. Wrap your index fingers in tissue. This will prevent your fingernails from puncturing your skin. Do this even if your nails are short. Aim for one facial tissue or table napkin for each finger. Disinfect a sewing needle. Be aware that popping a whitehead with a sewing needle is not recommended by dermatologists or members of the medical community, so this is something to try at your own risk. If you want to do this, then use a regular needle from a typical sewing kit. It'll be sharp enough to get the job done and minimize the risk of scarring. Soak the tip of the needle in rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide for one minute. You can also hold the tip of the needle over the flame from a match or lighter before dipping it into the rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Prick the surface of the whitehead. Insert the needle at an angle. If you poke the needle in a vertical downward motion, you could hit live skin under the pus. Remove the needle as soon as you see pus oozing from the whitehead. If you see clear liquid or blood instead of pus, stop. Squeezing a whitehead that isn't ready to be popped can cause it to swell and stick around even longer. Squeeze the whitehead gently. Place each of your index fingers at the base of the white area. Squeeze in a down-and-in motion. Be gentle to avoid damaging healthy skin. Gently wipe away the pus with the tissue on your finger. Replace the tissue with a clean one to avoid infecting your skin. Continue until all the pus has drained. Steam your skin. Fill a saucepan about halfway full with water. Bring the water to a boil. Remove it from the burner and let it cool down for a few minutes. Place a body towel over your head and hold it out with your hands to make it form somewhat of a tent. Lower your face toward the saucepan enough to feel the steam. Allow the steam to hit your face for about five minutes. This step is easiest if the whitehead is on your face or neck. If you try it with a whitehead on your back or shoulders, it's really awkward. Stretch the skin on the whitehead. After you wrap your index fingers in tissue, place them on either side of the whitehead. Pull gently outward. At this point, it might begin to pop. If it does, you'll have less squeezing to do. Simply wipe away what comes out. Replace the tissue to avoid spreading germs. Squeeze out the pus. Place each of your index fingers on either side of the whitehead. Press down and in very slowly to avoid damaging your skin. Wipe away the pus that comes out. Continue to squeeze until the pus is completely drained. Blood and/or clear liquid is a cue to stop, regardless of whether or not you can drain all the pus. Stop any bleeding, if necessary. The popped whitehead might bleed after you drain all the pus. If that happens, apply gentle pressure with a tissue until the bleeding stops. About five to 10 minutes should do the trick. Apply antiseptic to the pimple. Use a toner or antiseptic liquid formulated for acne. If you only have rubbing alcohol available, use it only to disinfect the area. Too much can dry out your skin. Use topical medication. Purchase acne medicine with benzoyl peroxide or another over the counter medication, such as a retinoid cream, antibiotic ointment, or salicylic acid. Squeeze a small dollop onto the tip of a cotton swab. Gently dab the medicine on the pimple. Alternatively, you could apply a clay or benzoyl peroxide mask to the pimple. Allow the mask to dry completely and remove it according to the instructions on the packaging. Continue to treat the pimple. Over the next day or two, keep applying topical medication and washing your face as usual. If you prefer herbal remedies, buy a small jar of tea tree oil at your local health food store. Apply a drop or two to the pimple a few times a day until it clears up. If you wear makeup, avoid applying any to the affected area until the pimple has completely cleared up. Visit your doctor or dermatologist, if necessary. Do this if your whitehead begins to turn red and takes longer than a few days to clear up. You should also seek medical advice if your acne becomes cystic or if nothing you try seems to work. The doctor will likely prescribe medication like Retin-A or Accutane for severe cases. | Determine if your pimple is a whitehead. Wash and disinfect your face. Wash your hands with soap and warm water. Wrap your index fingers in tissue. Disinfect a sewing needle. Prick the surface of the whitehead. Squeeze the whitehead gently. Steam your skin. Stretch the skin on the whitehead. Squeeze out the pus. Stop any bleeding, if necessary. Apply antiseptic to the pimple. Use topical medication. Continue to treat the pimple. Visit your doctor or dermatologist, if necessary. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Frozen-Lobster-Tails | How to Cook Frozen Lobster Tails | To cook frozen lobster tails, start by defrosting them in your refrigerator 12-24 hours in advance. Once they are thawed, use a pair of kitchen shears to cut off the shell and remove any gelatin with your fingers. Then, rinse the lobster with cold water and set them aside while you heat up 2 tablespoons of water in a pan. Once that reaches a boil, reduce the heat and slowly add in 2-3 sticks of butter. Add your lobster to the pan and let it poach for 5 to 8 minutes or until the meat is firm and white. | Get your lobster tails out of the freezer 1 day before you want to cook them. Take out as many tails as you plan on cooking. Keep in mind that by defrosting them in the fridge, you can always refreeze them again if you change your mind and need to hold off on cooking them. Look at the seafood section of grocery store's freezer aisles for lobster tails. Some meat counter might have them in a case nearby. Arrange the tails on a plate in a single layer and cover them. Place the tails on a plate or in a bowl so they're not stacked. Then, wrap them with plastic wrap so they don't absorb flavors in the fridge as they defrost. If the tails are already in a single layer and in a package, you can leave them in the package. The wrapper will prevent juices from leaking in your fridge as the tails thaw. Refrigerate the tails for 24 hours or until they're completely thawed. Check on the lobster tails after you've defrosted them for 1 day. Remove the wrapping and try to bend a tail. If it's defrosted completely, it should be flexible and will bend easily. If the tail is still stiff or icy, refrigerate it for another 2 hours and check it again. Use kitchen shears to cut through the top shell of each tail. Place the defrosted tails on your work surface and get out a clean pair of kitchen shears. Hold 1 tail firmly while you cut lengthwise through the shell. Try to avoid cutting the meat so it remains in a single piece and stop cutting before you get to the tail fin. If you don't have kitchen shears, you can carefully use a sharp knife. Pull open each shell to expose the meat. Use your fingers to gently pull apart the sides of the shells you just cut. You should be able to see the meat of the lobster, but you don't want to pull so hard that you tear the shell off. The meat should look like it's sitting on top of the shell, which will protect the meat as it cooks. Adjust your oven rack and turn the broiler to "high. " Move your oven or broiler rack so it's about 3 inches (7.6 cm) below the broiler element. Then, turn the broiler on to its highest setting. Mix the garlic powder, smoked paprika, and white pepper in a small bowl. Put 1 teaspoon (2 g) of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon (2 g) of smoked paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of white pepper into the bowl and stir until the spices are incorporated. It's important to use garlic powder instead of minced garlic since the fresh garlic would burn under the broiler. Place 2 tails on a sheet and season them with the spices and butter. Lay the tails on a baking sheet or oven-safe dish and sprinkle the spice mix over them. Then, cut 1 1/2 (21 g) tablespoons of butter into 2 pieces and put 1 small piece of butter on each tail. The butter will melt and flavor the lobster tail. Broil the lobster tails for 8 to 10 minutes. Set the sheet of seasoned lobster tails on the rack that's 3 inches (7.6 cm) below the broiler element. Cook the tails until the meat is completely white. To test if the tails have finished cooking, stick a skewer into the meat. It should be tender and you should be able to slide the skewer out easily. Serve the broiled lobster tails with clarified butter. Turn off the broiler and wear oven mitts to remove the baking sheet. Use tongs to transfer the hot lobster tails to plates and serve them with clarified butter. You may want to sprinkle a little salt over the tails according to your taste. Store leftover broiled tails in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use them within 4 days. Heat a charcoal or gas grill to medium-high heat. Turn the burners of a gas grill on to medium-high. If you're using a charcoal grill , fill a chimney with briquettes and light them. Once the coals are hot and lightly ashy, dump them on the grill grate. Mix the butter, herbs, garlic, hot sauce, and pepper in a bowl. While the grill is heating, put 8 tablespoons (112 g) of softened salted butter into a bowl and mix in 2 tablespoons (6 g) of chopped chives , 1 tablespoon (2 g) of chopped fresh tarragon leaves, 1 minced clove of garlic, 1 dash of hot sauce, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. You can cover the bowl with a plate or plastic wrap and set it aside at room temperature while the lobster tails cook. Stick a skewer through each of the tails and brush them with olive oil. Get out 4 thawed lobster tails and insert a metal skewer through the length of each tail. Then, brush a little olive oil over the meat of each lobster tail and sprinkle them with salt according to your taste. The skewers will prevent the tails from curling as the lobster cooks on the grill. The olive oil will stop the lobster tail meat from sticking to the grill. Grill the lobster tails for 9 to 10 minutes. Lay the tails meat-side down on the grill and cover the grill. Cook the tails until the shells turn bright red. At the halfway cooking point, use tongs to carefully flip them over and brush some of herb butter onto the meat. The meat should be completely white and tender once it's finished cooking. Take the tails off of the grill and serve them with the herb butter. Use tongs to transfer the tails to a serving plate. Set out wedges of fresh lemon and the herb butter that you mixed earlier. The grilled lobster is great served with grilled vegetables , such as asparagus or peppers. Refrigerate leftover tails in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Set a large pot on the stove and fill it 3/4 full with water. Put a lid on the pot and turn the burner to high. Heat the water until it begins to boil and you see steam escaping from under the lid. Then, wear oven mitts to carefully remove the lid and add salt to season the water. Plan on using about 1 tablespoon (17 g) of salt for every 4 cups (0.95 L) of water you add to the pot. Add 4 tails and boil them for 3 to 10 minutes. Slowly lower 4 thawed lobster tails into the boiling water so they don't splash you. Keep the lid off of the pot and boil the tails until they turn bright red. If you stick a skewer into a tail, the meat should be tender once it's finished cooking. You'll need to boil the tails according to how much they weigh: 3 to 5 minutes for 3 to 6 ounce (85 to 170 g) tails 5 to 6 minutes for 6 to 7 ounce (170 to 198 g) tails 6 to 8 minutes for 8 to 10 ounce (226 to 283 g) tails 8 to 10 minutes for 10 to 16 ounce (283 to 453 g) tails 10 minutes for 16 to 20 ounce (453 to 566 g) tails Heat the butter with lemon juice, parsley, salt, and pepper in a separate pot. While the tails are boiling, you can make a simple dipping sauce. Melt 8 tablespoons (112 g) of unsalted butter in a small pot on the stove. Then, turn off the burner and stir in: 4 ⁄ 2 teaspoons (22 ml) of lemon juice 1/4 cup (5 g) of chopped fresh parsley 1 teaspoon (5.5 g) of salt 2 teaspoons (4 g) of freshly ground black pepper Use tongs to remove the tails and serve them with the pepper butter. Turn off the burner for the boiling pot of water and use tongs to take each tail out. Set them on a serving platter along with the pepper butter and your choice of sides. You could serve the tails with wedges of lemon, baked potatoes, or steamed broccoli , for instance. Refrigerate leftover lobster tails in an airtight container for up to 4 days. | Get your lobster tails out of the freezer 1 day before you want to cook them. Arrange the tails on a plate in a single layer and cover them. Refrigerate the tails for 24 hours or until they're completely thawed. Use kitchen shears to cut through the top shell of each tail. Pull open each shell to expose the meat. Adjust your oven rack and turn the broiler to "high. Mix the garlic powder, smoked paprika, and white pepper in a small bowl. Place 2 tails on a sheet and season them with the spices and butter. Broil the lobster tails for 8 to 10 minutes. Serve the broiled lobster tails with clarified butter. Heat a charcoal or gas grill to medium-high heat. Mix the butter, herbs, garlic, hot sauce, and pepper in a bowl. Stick a skewer through each of the tails and brush them with olive oil. Grill the lobster tails for 9 to 10 minutes. Take the tails off of the grill and serve them with the herb butter. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Add 4 tails and boil them for 3 to 10 minutes. Heat the butter with lemon juice, parsley, salt, and pepper in a separate pot. Use tongs to remove the tails and serve them with the pepper butter. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Hide-Wall-Flaws-with-Textured-Paint | How to Hide Wall Flaws with Textured Paint | If there are small flaws in your wall, like dents, chips, and nail holes, textured paint is a great way to hide them. You can buy premade textured paint or buy paint texture and mix it with regular paint. Apply the paint with a brush, textured roller, or sprayer. Make sure you apply extra paint to the flaws to make them level with the rest of the wall. You'll typically need 2 or 3 coats to make sure you fill the holes and get the color you want. If you have major holes in your wall, you'll need to fill them with joint compound before painting the wall. | Clean the surface. Before applying any paint to a damaged wall, you need to clean the surface. If you don't clean the surface, your paint job won't be as effective as you want it to be. In the end, you might create textures you don't want to create. Clean by: Removing any dust, pet hair, or other grime from the surface. For example, take a vacuum or shop-vac and vacuum up spider webs or dirt. Using a damp rag to wipe down the wall before you paint it. Making sure to use soap or vinegar to remove any substantial dirty or scum from the wall. Fill in holes or major flaws. While texture can hide minor or even moderate wall flaws, some flaws require you to fix them before painting. Fortunately, you won't have to spend too much time fixing the hole because your textured paint will hide imperfections. Either cut a new piece of drywall or use spackle to fill the hole. Use joint compound to smooth over the patch. Apply a second coat of compound, if you want. Either smooth over or leave the compound or spackle textured. Choose a painting instrument. After you've cleaned the surface and fixed any major issues, you'll need to choose how you'll apply the paint to the wall. This is perhaps one of your most important decisions, as its perhaps the simplest way to add texture to your paint job. Decide what you want to use and: Pick a roller with the type of texture you want. You can choose a smooth roller and apply your own texture after painting or you could pick a textured roller. Textured paints have a lot of roughness that naturally hides imperfections, so they will look subtly different all over the wall. Use a brush to paint your wall. The brush will leave a light texture and you can go back later and add more. Spray your paint on and apply more texture later. Use a paint that contains texture. Texture paint is one of the simplest ways to hide wall flaws. Texture paint, though, is a lot like drywall mud and may take extra time to apply. However, it should be able to hide a lot of minor flaws like dents, chips, nail holes, and more. Start by priming the wall and picking your favorite textured paint. Paint an entire wall quickly. This is important, as texture paint dries relatively fast. If one area dries before you've finished the wall, lines may appear where the paint dried first. Use a regular roller, brush, or a sprayer if you're painting a large area. Use extra paint on a flawed area, to fill it in or obscure it. Apply two coats of your texture paint. Add texture to regular paint. While texture paint may be a simple way to go, there are not many color options available. To get around this, you can purchase texture additive and combine it with your paint before applying it. In the end, you'll find that chips, nail holes, and other mild or moderate flaws will be obscured. Pick your paint color and: Pour your paint into a mixing container. Add about half a cup of additive to your paint at a time. Mix the additive in and then add more additive. Prime the wall. Paint the wall. Use extra paint around a wall flaw. This will help obscure it. Apply an orange peel texture. Orange peel texture looks like that of an orange peel. Thus, it is a great way to hide a variety of wall flaws including larger dents, scrapes, and small or medium sized holes. To apply orange peel texture, buy or rent a hopper gun and fill it with plaster. Spray the plaster over the wall until you get your desired texture. If you need, spray extra plaster over flaws. Prime and paint the wall any color you want. Create texture with old paintbrushes. Old brushes can add to your existing paint brush or roller work and create a rich texture that hides minor wall flaws like scrapes and chips. In the end, you'll likely have fun by using your brushes to add extra texture to your wall. Start by gathering different sized brushes from around your house. Wash your brushes so there is no dirt or other debris attached to them. Take your brushes and brush texture in all over your wet paint. Leave enough brush marks so the wall damage blends with your newly created texture. If you need more paint, feel free to use it. Try to complete one small section of wall at a time. For example, paint and texture one 8 foot (2.44 meter) by 10 foot (3 meter) section before moving on to another. Dab sponges on your paint. By dabbing sponges on your wet paint, you'll create a texture that will conceal wall damage or wall flaws like a poor mudding/taping job, indentations, and more. In the end, you'll have a unique paint job that reflects your personality and taste. Start by taking sponges and lightly dabbing them on wet paint. Make sure your sponges are clean and don't have any dirt or other debris attached. Repeat your dabbing over the entire surface of the wall. Create any pattern you want. Do some extra dabbing around wall flaws so they seem like they're just part of the overall pattern. If you need, dip the sponge into more paint so you can create a richer texture over your wall. Embrace faux painting. Faux painting is a great way of concealing flawed wall by making it seem like a deliberate part of your overall design. Thus, faux painting offers a unique opportunity to use large and small wall flaws to enhance your larger paint scheme. Paint a color lightly over a bright base coat, like a white. Take a cloth and wipe down the wall unevenly. In addition, take a brush and brush some uneven lines into the paint. Do this so it mimics any pre-existing wall flaws. That way, wall flaws will seem like they're just part of the faux paint job. To add more texture, use a sponge with a darker shade and dab over the wall flaw. For example, if you're main wall color is a cream color, use a slightly darker cream color to accent wall flaws and other textured areas. If you need to repair the wall, don't spend a lot of effort smoothly out your putty work. | Clean the surface. Fill in holes or major flaws. Choose a painting instrument. Use a paint that contains texture. Add texture to regular paint. Apply an orange peel texture. Create texture with old paintbrushes. Dab sponges on your paint. Embrace faux painting. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Defrost-a-Turkey-Safely-(USDA-Standards) | How to Defrost a Turkey Safely (USDA Standards) | To defrost a turkey safely per USDA standards, thaw it in the refrigerator for 24 hours per every 5 pounds of meat. For a faster method, defrost the turkey in cold water for 30 minutes per pound of meat. Just make sure you change out the water every 30 minutes so it stays cold enough. | Purchase the frozen turkey and place the turkey in the freezer until ready to defrost the frozen bird. Defrost the frozen turkey in the refrigerator. According to the USDA, allow 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey. Alternately, you could thaw the turkey in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Allow 30 minutes of cold-water defrost time per pound of turkey. For instance, it will take 7 hours to fully defrost a 14-pound turkey using the cold water method. Stuff the turkey, if desired, using USDA recommendations. | Purchase the frozen turkey and place the turkey in the freezer until ready to defrost the frozen bird. Defrost the frozen turkey in the refrigerator. Stuff the turkey, if desired, using USDA recommendations. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Juice-a-Lemon | How to Juice a Lemon | To easily juice a lemon, microwave it for 10-20 seconds beforehand so it's easier to squeeze the juice out. Then, cut the lemon in half lengthwise with a knife. To prevent the pulp and seeds from falling into your lemon juice, place a mesh strainer over the bowl or glass you're going to use. When you're ready, squeeze the lemon over the mesh strainer using a pair of tongs. You can also use a spoon or fork to scoop the pulp and juice out. If you don't have any utensils, just use your hands to squeeze the lemon. | Cut the lemon lengthwise. Cut the lemon in half, from tip to tip. This makes a more flexible lemon peel, easier to squeeze. If you have a hinge-style hand juicer cut them crosswise instead for a better fit. Place a mesh strainer over a bowl. The mesh will catch the lemon seeds and pulp, letting the juice drain through. Squeeze with a pair of tongs. Place a lemon half between the two arms of your kitchen tongs, near the prongs, and squeeze. This is fast, easy, and doesn't fill your kitchen drawer with a one-purpose tool. Scrape it out with a fork or spoon. This alternative requires even less specialized equipment. Hold the lemon half firmly with one hand, angling the lemon downward to avoid a squirt of juice in your face. Stick a fork or spoon in the pulp and rotate it around the lemon. Repeat until very little pulp remains. A fork will let you scrape out the last bits of pulp, getting more juice from each lemon. But if you're juicing a whole pile of lemons, pick the spoon for a faster job. If you only want a few drops of lemon juice to flavor a dish, just stick the fork in a whole lemon and squeeze. The rest of the lemon will stay good for much longer than a cut half. Use a manual juicer. These cheap tools speed up the job a little and are a bit less messy. Find one made from wood, plastic, or enameled aluminum, since the bare metal will gradually corrode if exposed to citric acid. They come in three varieties: A hand juicer sits over your bowl, with a ridged knob sticking up. Press the lemon half down and rotate several times around the knob. Squeeze to the edge of the skin to get all the juice. A reamer has an identical knob, attached to a handle instead. Hold the lemon half in one hand and rotate the reamer around the lemon. A hinged squeezer is the fastest, but only when juicing lemons that fit nicely into your model. Cut off the knobby tip if present, then place your lemon half face-down in the cup. Hold over the bowl and press the other arm hard against the lemon, turning it inside out. Buy an electric citrus juicer for large quantities. An all-purpose juicer will put a great deal of bitter pith in your juice, and its metal blades may corrode over time. Buy a specialized citrus juicer for better results. If using an all-purpose juicer, peel the lemon first or wash it thoroughly to remove trace pesticides. Many experts agree that hand-squeezed juice tastes better, possibly because an electric machine scrapes away too much pith, or fails to break out flavorful oils from the peel. Pick juicy lemons. Smaller lemons have a higher percentage of juice, so select these if buying lemons by weight or juicing a large number. Avoid rough-skinned lemons, which may have shriveled and lost juice as they aged. When shopping, heft two similarly-sized lemons, one in each hand. The heavier one has more juice. Meyer is the most common extra-juicy variety, but some areas will stock Fino, Primofiori, or Lapithkiotiki from the Mediterranean. Varieties low in juice include Femminello, Interdonato, and Verna. Store lemons in the freezer. When plants freeze, their water expands into ice crystals and ruptures the cell walls. Once thawed in the microwave or a 15-minute cold water bath, all that water trapped inside those cells will be ready to add to your juice. Wash and dry the lemons before freezing in an airtight container. Fresh lemons will retain quality for at least four weeks in the freezer. Microwave the lemons before cutting. A warm lemon is easier to squeeze, and some say it even produces more juice. Zap the lemons for 10–20 seconds, or a few seconds more if frozen, until soft and slightly warm to the touch. This weakens the material that holds the juice, and causes the juice to flow more easily. This works especially well on older lemons or lemon varieties with thick skins. If the fruit is steaming, you've gone too far and boiled away some of the juice. | Cut the lemon lengthwise. Place a mesh strainer over a bowl. Squeeze with a pair of tongs. Scrape it out with a fork or spoon. Use a manual juicer. Buy an electric citrus juicer for large quantities. Pick juicy lemons. Store lemons in the freezer. Microwave the lemons before cutting. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Survive-a-War | How to Survive a War | War can be an incredibly dangerous and stressful time, but you can increase your chance of survival by gathering supplies and finding somewhere safe to take shelter. If your home is in an active war zone, relocate to somewhere safer, like a rural area or small town away from the fighting. Or, if traveling isn't safe, find shelter in the basement of a strong, brick building, which will be able to withstand damage. Stay away from fighting as much as possible and don't touch any strewn materials, since they could be unexploded weapons. Bring essential supplies with you like your valuables, non-perishable food, water, medicine, hygiene products, and a radio to stay updated on the news. Additionally, you'll want to have a first aid kit on hand if anyone gets sick or injured. | Move to an area far from fighting if you can. Unfortunately, your home may become unsafe in the event of a war. If your area is no longer safe, do your best to relocate and find another place to live. Where you end up settling depends on the progress of the war. Stay updated on the fighting and try to discern which areas haven't been touched by the war. Try to find areas that aren't near the main fighting. These could be rural areas or strategically unimportant towns. There may be designated civilian safe zones set up. Travel to one of these if there is one nearby. Rural areas may be safer because fighting is often focused around cities and population centers. However, remember that you'll need wilderness survival skills to stay safe here. It may also be more difficult to receive aid, since relief organizations also focus on cities. Find a strong, brick building with a basement for shelter. These buildings types can withstand the most damage and remain standing. Look especially for a building with a basement. This provides added protection and a hiding place if you have to stay out of sight. Search your area for suitable buildings like these and move into one as soon as possible. Try to find a building that you can seal up in case there is a chemical leak or attack. Look for windows still intact that you can close and block off with damp towels. If there are multiple suitable buildings in your area, make a list of all of them and their locations. This will help if you have to flee your current shelter and find a new one quickly. If there are no buildings like this, then find any structure that has a basement to protect you from the fighting. Build an insulated shelter if you settle in a wooded area. If you flee the cities and hide in the woods, your biggest enemy will probably be the elements. Construct a suitable shelter as soon as you enter a new area to protect you from the cold, rain, and sun. Maintain this shelter by fixing any problems right away. Locate the shelter in a spot that's easy to hide in, just in case hostile people pass through the area. To make the job easier, try to build your shelter around an natural feature. A fallen tree, for example, could provide the support for a structure. Avoid confrontations as much as you can. While a war probably makes you think of fighting, in reality, civilians usually survive a war by avoiding fights as much as possible. Unless you're in the armed forces, in most cases you're much safer avoiding confrontations. Lay low and don't start fights with people. Take care of your family, friends, and yourself, but try not to get involved in problems that don't affect you. If hostile troops enter your area, it's best to hide or avoid interacting with them at all costs. Make it clear you aren't a threat. Don't try to steal from people or hurt anyone except in self-defense. This will lead to confrontations eventually, because desperate people will defend themselves. Avoiding fights may also mean fleeing an area that is unsafe. Always be ready for this possibility to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Learn to use weapons to defend yourself or hunt. While you should try to avoid violence, always be prepared for the possibility. This is much easier if you already have weapons in your home and know how to use them. If not, then gather any weapons you may find and learn to use them. Keep them close at hand in your shelter in case you have to use them. If you have a gun, ammunition might be scarce in a survival situation. Shooting for practice may also draw attention to you. Learn to use the gun as well as you can without firing if you've never used it before. Don't neglect other potential weapons like bows, axes, bats, or knives. These can all help you fight off attackers. Train other members of your family or group to use the weapons as well. Your group is at a disadvantage if only one member knows how to fight. Defend yourself if you have to. While you want to avoid violence, in some situations, fighting may be unavoidable. Some people try to hurt or exploit others during crises. If someone tries to hurt you or your loved ones, or steal supplies that you need to survive, fight back when you can. Try to drive off the people who are trying to hurt you. Having some weapons at hand will help in this situation. Keep all weapons in a safe place, away from children, and grab them quickly if you need them. If you do have to defend yourself or your family, having a good personal relationship with your community is a big help. The community could unite to defend itself from bandits or other people who want to cause harm. Hoard all of your resources and valuable items as soon as war starts. There is often little advanced warning about a war breaking out, so you may not have the opportunity to stock up on supplies. Work quickly as soon as you get the news. Take all of your valuables, money, food, and water and store them safely. Hide valuables so even if your home is searched, they won't be stolen. If you're able to, go out and get as many supplies as you can. Don't delay or everything could be gone by the time you need it. Especially store your canned or wrapped food and bottled water. Save these resources for emergencies, in the event that clean water and fresh food become scarce. Look for medicine and hygiene products as well. These are important for maintaining your health in stressful situations. Remember to store all of your important documents as well. Hold onto birth certificates, marriage licenses, Social Security cards, and any other documents that prove your identification. This is especially important if you have to flee your country. Other countries may prevent you from entering if you can't demonstrate your identity and family relationships. Withdraw money from the bank to have cash on hand. You may not have access to your bank electronically. Locate a clean water source. Water is the most important resource for humans, and clean water may become scarce in wartime. Bottled water sources will only last so long. As soon as the war starts, find all of the potential water sources in your area. Do the same for every new area you move into. Nearby lakes and streams are potential water sources, but you may have to purify the water before drinking it. If you live near the ocean, do not drink saltwater. It's difficult to resist, but saltwater will cause serious illness. If you do find a clean water source, use that and try to preserve your bottled water for emergencies. If no other water sources are near you, collect rainwater for drinking and bathing. Leave out buckets and tubs to catch the rain when it falls. Remember to purify all rainwater before you drink it. Gather canned and nonperishable food items. Your regular supply of food may be interrupted, so nonperishable items are essential. Once you get news that war has broken out, gather as many canned and nonperishable items as you can. Get them from the store or any other source you come across. This ensures you'll have a steady supply if food starts running out. After the war has been going on, canned items may be available in abandoned grocery stores. Whenever you find an unopened can, take it. You don't know when you'll come across more food. Try to avoid foods with high salt content that will make you thirsty. These will make you drink more water than you would normally. Ideally, you should have 3-days' worth of nonperishable food in your home at all times in case of natural disasters or other emergencies. If you have a stockpile already, you can avoid the rush to the food store that will occur once the war starts. Learn to hunt and fish for extra sources of meat. If food becomes unreliable, you'll be at an advantage if you know how to hunt and fish. Work on your tracking and hunting skills to find other sources of meat. Also practice fishing for a steady supply of nutritious fish. Both skills can help you get through times of food shortage. Learn how to properly skin, bleed, and dress an animal so the meat doesn't go bad before you can eat it. You don't have to be in a rural area to hunt. There are plenty of animals in city settings. Try setting up traps to catch small animals. Stockpile hygiene products if you find them. While hygiene may not be high on your list in a survival situation, it is more important than you may think. Practicing good hygiene can prevent illness and infection, and also help you feel better. When you're gathering supplies, always include as many hygiene products as you can carry. Also look for more if you're scrounging or searching for supplies. Important hygiene products to have are toilet paper, hand sanitizer, toothpaste and toothbrush, soap or liquid soap, feminine products, and disinfectant. Less critical but important products include combs or brushes, razors, shaving cream, and deodorant. These won't necessarily save your life, but keeping up a good appearance can help you feel much better in stressful situations. Determine which plants in your area are edible. Almost all areas have local plants that may be edible. Knowing which ones you can eat could save your life in a desperate situation. Study your local area and find the plants that are edible. Then gather them regularly for a steady supply of food. If you don't know what a plant is or if it's edible, smell it first. If the smell is terrible, it's a good bet that it's not edible. Then hold the plant on your skin for 15 minutes and see if you feel any itching or burning. If not, place the plant on your lips for 15 minutes. Then take a small bite of the plant. If you don't feel any burning or stomach pains after 15 minutes, then the plant is probably safe to eat. If possible, you could also start a garden on your property for extra produce. Try to keep this hidden, though. If food is short, people will almost certainly try to steal your produce. Avoid wasting anything. All resources are precious in wartime, so preserve everything you can. Reuse old rags to make clothes. Use food scraps to make stock. Catch rainwater. Don't let anything go to waste. Loot supplies if you have no other choice. Unfortunately, people sometimes have to do desperate things to survive. If you come across supplies or stores that no one is watching or look abandoned, then take everything you need. This might be ethically wrong, but you and your family have to survive. If you live in a populated area, you may come across many abandoned stores. Don't hesitate to search them for supplies and take what you need. If you're on the move, stop and check any buildings you come across. You never know what the previous residents left behind. Don't try to steal food or supplies that people area guarding, however. You could end up injured or killed for this. Learn basic first-aid to treat minor injuries. Injuries are unfortunately inevitable, and they can range from minor to serious. Develop at least a basic knowledge of first aid to treat the injuries you or a partner may encounter. When searching for supplies, take any first aid gear you may find and build a basic first aid kit. Wash all wounds with clean water only. Never use dirty or unfiltered water. Keep all wounds covered with clean bandages. If possible, replace the bandage with a clean one regularly. Learning CPR can also save someone's life in an emergency situation. Stay away from any weapons and ordnance you come across. Unexploded mines, bombs, and other ordnance are a major cause of civilian injuries and death in war. If you're near a fighting zone, there may be dangerous materials strewn out everywhere. Don't touch anything. At best, you could give yourself a cut. At worst, this could be an unexploded weapon that could seriously injure you. Keep yourself clean to avoid infections. While it may be difficult, washing yourself regularly is an important way to stay healthy. Take quick showers if running water is still available. If not, then use one of your water capture methods to gather enough water to clean yourself. Try catching some rainwater in a bucket. Then dip a towel in that bucket and rub some soap on it. Run the towel around your body, then rinse with the rainwater. Try not to waste your bottled water on bathing. You can use unfiltered water for bathing unless you have open wounds. In this case, purify the water. Purify any water you drink that isn’t from a sealed bottle. A waterborne illness can be life-threatening in a survival situation. If need to use any unbottled water for drinking, always purify it first. The most common method is boiling the water for 1 minute to kill any pathogens. Then filter out larger objects by pouring the water through a fine net or cloth. It isn't always obvious if a water source is contaminated. Boil all water from streams and rivers anyway, just as a precaution. If you're desperate, you may be tempted to drink unclean water to quench your thirst. Do not, under any circumstances, drink dirty water without purifying it. You could contract a disease or parasite that may be fatal. Eat as healthy as you can. This isn't always possible and you have to survive on whatever food you can find. But if at all possible, keep your health up with nutritious food. A steady supply of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fatty acids will help keep your immune system up and fight off sickness. Try to keep your meals as balanced as possible. Include fresh vegetables, fruits, and proteins if they are available. Find nutrient-dense foods like leafy vegetables, fish, potatoes, and nuts. Foods like these pack as many nutrients as possible into your meals. If you can't find fresh food, try to find dietary supplements to boost your nutrient intake. These may be available from abandoned stores and homes. Stay updated on news about the war. Information is critical to surviving a war. Monitor the progress of the war to find out which areas are safe or dangerous, and where you might find resources. This information may be scarce, but there are methods you can use to stay informed. Social media is a great new way to stay informed. Check for updates on Twitter and Facebook from residents of other areas. Use certain keywords or hashtags to find the information you're looking for. Handheld, battery-powered radios may also be a reliable information source. See if you can pick up any local news stations reporting on the war. Question any outsiders who pass through your area for information. Ask where they came from and if they have any news. Keep up personal relationships with family and neighbors. These personal relationships will help you get through the crisis. Having family members around helps to ease your stress. Protecting them also gives you a purpose, which can drive you to push yourself harder in stressful situations. A network of neighbors can also share food and resources, so treat the people around you kindly. These relationships may save your life. If you move to a new area, introduce yourself to locals. You don't have to become best friends with them, but don't remain a stranger. You may have to rely on these people for help if fighting reaches your area. Build a positive mental attitude. In any survival situation, maintaining your composure and ability to think logically is key. Letting despair and grief take over your mind will make logical thinking much harder. This will be especially difficult in wartime, but it's extremely important to keep a positive mindset. Do all you can to think positively. Developing and refining emergency plans can help you stay positive. It ensures that you'll always have a procedure in place if something goes wrong. Take steps to reduce anxiety and keep your head clear in stressful situations. Building and maintaining personal relationships can help you stay positive. | Move to an area far from fighting if you can. Find a strong, brick building with a basement for shelter. Build an insulated shelter if you settle in a wooded area. Avoid confrontations as much as you can. Learn to use weapons to defend yourself or hunt. Defend yourself if you have to. Hoard all of your resources and valuable items as soon as war starts. Locate a clean water source. Gather canned and nonperishable food items. Learn to hunt and fish for extra sources of meat. Stockpile hygiene products if you find them. Determine which plants in your area are edible. Avoid wasting anything. Loot supplies if you have no other choice. Learn basic first-aid to treat minor injuries. Stay away from any weapons and ordnance you come across. Keep yourself clean to avoid infections. Purify any water you drink that isn’t from a sealed bottle. Eat as healthy as you can. Stay updated on news about the war. Keep up personal relationships with family and neighbors. Build a positive mental attitude. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Rinse-Rice | How to Rinse Rice | To rinse rice, start by pouring it into a large bowl. Then, fill the bowl with enough water to completely cover the rice. Once you've added the water, stir the rice around with your hands to help get the starch off. Pour the cloudy water down a drain while holding the rice back with your hand so it doesn't pour out of the bowl. Repeat the process until the water no longer gets cloudy when you stir the rice around in it. | Pour the rice into a bowl. Choose a wide bowl with room to stir the rice. You can instead use a special rice-draining colander, which has extra-small holes so the water pools and drains slowly. Submerge the rice in water. Fill the bowl with tap water until the rice is completely covered. About three times as much water as rice should work. Stir the rice around with clean hands. The rice will rub against itself, your hands, and the bowl, which scrapes the starch off. Use light pressure to avoid breaking the rice grains. Tilt the bowl to pour out the starchy water. Since rice is not buoyant, it will sink to the bottom of the bowl. Pour out the cloudy water, plus anything that has floated to the surface. Pour the water through the palm of your hand so you can catch any rice that slips out. If the water looked dirty or an opaque, milky white, you can repeat this process with a second bowl of water. As long as there is no dirt or pesticides in the water, you can save it to add to recipes. The most common use of starchy water is as a thickener for sauces. "Punch" the rice gently. At this point, many Western cooks may be satisfied moving on to cooking the rice. Japanese and other Asian traditions, however, put great value in cleaning the rice thoroughly to achieve a perfect, fluffy texture. The next step in that process is "polishing" the rice grains against each other. Curl your fingers into a loose fist and punch the rice gently at a steady pace. Turn the bowl between punches to move the wet rice around the bowl, grinding it lightly against itself. Rinse and repeat. After a few punches, pour in more water, swirl the rice around, and pour it out again. "Punch and turn" a few more times, add more water, and pour it out. Repeat this until the water runs clear. Depending on the type of rice and how it was processed, this may take a couple bowlfuls of water, or it may take several minutes of washing. Soak the rice if desired. Transfer the wet rice to a mesh sieve to drain. Leave it there to soak for at least thirty minutes if you have the time. This gives the moisture on the rice time to soak into the center of the grain, ensuring an even texture once cooked. Soaking your rice lowers the cooking time. The exact amount of time it saves depends on the type of rice and how long you soaked it, so you may need to experiment. Aromatic rices such as basmati and jasmine rice benefit from soaking in another way. The flavor components that create the aroma are destroyed by cooking, so shorter cooking times means a more aromatic final dish. Understand the effect of rinsing on starch. One major effect of rinsing is the removal of starch that clings to the outside of the rice grains. If left unrinsed, the starch can cause rice grains to stick together, creating clumps or a glutinous texture. When you're making steamed rice, rinse it first to remove the starch and make clump-free, fluffy rice. If you're making a creamy dish like risotto, or a sticky dish like rice pudding, however, you need the starch to achieve the right texture. Thorough rinsing will remove that starch and leave you with a watery dish. Short-grain rice is the most likely to stick together, while long-grain rice like basmati tends to cook into dry, separated grains. If you want to make risotto but the rice is dirty, rinse it, then add a couple spoonfuls of homemade rice flour to the recipe. This will return the starch to the dish. Rinse off contaminants. In the United States, most domestically grown rice has been washed before sale, and contains few contaminants. Rice grown in many other countries, however, may contain dirt, insects, pesticides, or small rocks. If you notice a powder on the surface of the grain, this may be talc or another substance added to improve appearance. This is edible, but your rice will cook better and taste better if you rinse it off. Contaminants may be more likely in bulk bags of rice. Save the nutrients on enriched rice. Enriched white rice has been thoroughly washed, then coated with a dust of vitamins and nutrients. Rinsing will remove a large portion of these beneficial ingredients. This rice is typically low in dirt and other contaminants, but it does still contain surface starch. In the United States, some enriched rice labels include a warning not to rinse the rice for this reason. If U.S. enriched rice does not have this label, you can rinse it for one minute without major loss of nutrients. Consider arsenic risk for young children. More than other crops, rice tends to pick up arsenic that naturally occurs in in water and soil. If rice is a major part of an infant's or pregnant woman's diet, this could affect the child's development. The US FDA recommends feeding babies and toddlers a variety of grains (instead of only rice) to reduce this risk. Rinsing only has a small effect on arsenic content. A more effective treatment is cooking the rice in lots of water (a 1:6 to 1:10 ratio), then draining the excess water before eating. | Pour the rice into a bowl. Submerge the rice in water. Stir the rice around with clean hands. Tilt the bowl to pour out the starchy water. "Punch" the rice gently. Rinse and repeat. Soak the rice if desired. Understand the effect of rinsing on starch. Rinse off contaminants. Save the nutrients on enriched rice. Consider arsenic risk for young children. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Armadillos | How to Get Rid of Armadillos | To get rid of armadillos, set up a live trap, a large cage humanely catches pests. Place it in an area where you've seen the armadillo crawl through, or near the hole of its burrow. Once you catch the armadillo, release it in a wooded area at least 5 miles from your home. To deter armadillos from returning, install a fence that begins at least 1 foot below the ground. Additionally, spread castor oil, cayenne pepper, or mothballs around your yard since armadillos don't like these smells. | Purchase a live trap. An animal trap is a hands-free way to humanely catch an armadillo and get it out of your hair for good. Purchase a large one-door animal trap from a store like Home Depot or Walmart. Make sure that the trap you purchase is a live trap, also known as a catch-and-release trap. These traps are non-lethal and won't harm the armadillo. Try to get a trap with measurements around 12” x 10” x 30”. Observe the armadillo. Before setting up the trap, take note of where the armadillo likes to hang out in your yard. You may notice that it burrows in a specific hole or that it tends to hide in a certain corner. Understanding the armadillo's patterns will help you know where to set up your trap. Also check outdoor structures like your shed or garage. Position the trap. Since armadillos usually come out at nighttime and in the early morning, set your trap up during the afternoon when the armadillo is out of sight. Place the trap in an area you have seen the armadillo crawl through. If the armadillo has a burrow, place the trap with the mouth of the trap near the hole. If the armadillo likes a certain area of underbrush, place the trap with the mouth facing the path the armadillo usually takes. In general, armadillos prefer to crawl along the outskirts of a space rather than through the middle. Avoid placing the trap in the middle of the room or yard unless you've seen the armadillo there often. Some people decide to bait armadillo traps with earthworms. However, it's best not to bait traps since armadillos naturally burrow and dig to get their food and rarely eat things they find on the ground. The bait also may attract raccoons or other unwanted animals. Consider setting boards in a V-shape leading into the trap to lure the armadillos inside. Check regularly on the trap. Check on the trap several times a day after setting it. You don't want to trap the armadillo only to forget about it, causing the animal distress. If after a few days the armadillo is still loose, consider moving the trap to another location that the armadillo favors. If you have tried repositioning the trap and the armadillo still doesn't go in, call animal control. Release the armadillo. After you have captured the armadillo, try to release it as soon as possible. Put on protective gloves to protect your hands from the armadillo's claws. Place the cage on floor of your car or in the bed of your truck. Drive at least five miles away from your home to a wooded area, preferably one around water, and open the cage to release the armadillo. Stand behind or to one side of the cage as you release the armadillo. There's no reason for it to attack you, but you should still try to not stand directly in front of its path. Install a fence. A fence is the best way to prevent future armadillos from entering your house or backyard. Because armadillos tend to dig and burrow, make sure that the fence starts a foot below the ground. Through putting up a fence is a lot of work, so is repairing a damaged garden or backyard after an armadillo has dug it up. Though having just one armadillo may not warrant putting up a fence, if it is a recurring problem a fence may be your best option. The material of the fence doesn't matter as long as it's sturdy and is installed a foot into the ground. Figure out their point of entry. If you have caught armadillos inside your house, try to figure out how they got in. Look for any holes or spaces in your house, particularly in seldom-visited places like your basement. Once you have pinpointed the way that the armadillos are getting in, consult a carpenter about the best way to seal your house from small animals. Likewise, if you already have a fence around your backyard and the armadillo is still getting in, try to see if the armadillo has dug a hole under your fence that it's using to get in. Fill in the hole with dirt, and if the problem persists, consider installing the fence a foot or more into the ground. Close any burrows in your yard. Armadillos often dig burrows, or large holes, as they are scavenging for food in the ground. If an armadillo has left a burrow in your yard, fill it up with dirt. This will discourage other armadillos from continuing work on the burrow and further disrupting your lawn. Fill the burrow completely with pea gravel and dirt to make it less easy to dig up. Remove brush and potential shelter. Armadillos tend to like dark, enclosed places like the space inside clumps of bushes or behind low-hanging brush. If you repeatedly notice armadillos in your yard, consider changing the landscaping to eliminate potential shelter. This could involve snipping overhanging branches or moving patio furniture toward the middle of the lawn to prevent armadillos from hiding under it. Make your yard smell unpleasant. Armadillos have exceptionally strong senses of smell and are naturally repelled by certain scents. Castor oil is a substance proven to repel armadillos. It is usually marketed toward moles and gophers, but works on several foraging animals. Follow the instructions on the bottle for the best effect. The scent of mothballs also repels armadillos. Place mothballs around burrows as well as any areas you want to protect like your garden to stave off armadillos. Armadillos are also repelled by the scent of cayenne pepper. Shake cayenne pepper liberally around your yard to ward them off. You can also soak a rag in vinegar or ammonia and leave it near the burrow to repel armadillos. Purchase parasitic worms. If you are having trouble with armadillos in your garden, spread parasitic worms in your garden or flower beds. Parasitic worms feed on many of the insects that armadillos eat. After the worms have stayed in your yard for a few days, armadillos will see that your yard is not a good food source and won't come back. | Purchase a live trap. Observe the armadillo. Position the trap. Check regularly on the trap. Release the armadillo. Install a fence. Figure out their point of entry. Close any burrows in your yard. Remove brush and potential shelter. Make your yard smell unpleasant. Purchase parasitic worms. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Gentle-Person | How to Be a Gentle Person | To be a more gentle person, try to touch and speak to your loved ones without using too much force so they feel safe. For example, try to hug them closely enough that they can feel your warmth, but not so tightly that they can't breathe. Take care to respect other people's personal space, and if someone asks you to stop touching them, stop right away. If your own stress is making it difficult to be calm and kind when you talk to people, take time to de-stress each day by going for a walk, meditating, or anything that lets you forget your troubles for a while and calm down. This will allow you to be more patient with your friends and loved ones. It may be difficult to change your aggressive behavior, but consistent practice will lead you to form gentle habits, so be patient with yourself and don't stop trying to improve. | Know your strength and exercise caution. If you aren't careful, you may unwittingly hurt another person without intending to do so. Be especially cautious when interacting with fragile individuals--such as children, sick people, or very old people. Always err on the side of caution. Treat fragile people as though they might actually break. You do not need to be overprotective--just thoughtful. If you are picking up a small child, don't throw her in the air or swing her around. Hold her gently, with both of your arms, and be careful not to drop her. Be playful, but not careless. If you are trying to a get a child or other dependent to come with you, don't pull their arm or push them. Pulling a child's arm can bruise skin, dislocate a shoulder, and earn the mistrust of the child. Sternly but gently tell him or her to come. Do not touch people who don't want to be touched. Physical intimacy is an important part of being human, but you should not violate anyone's personal space. Be respectful. This can include playful touching. Acts like tickling, poking, or holding can seriously bother a person if they aren't in the mood. Respect consent. If someone asks you to stop: stop. If you don't respect peoples' space, then they will distrust you. If you absolutely must touch someone who doesn't want to be touched (say, your child is throwing a tantrum, but you need to change his diaper): be as soothing and careful as possible. Do what you need to do, and then give the person their space. Do not confuse gentleness with weakness. The strongest people are those who can interact with others--touch others, speak with others, love others--in a patient and caring way. Being gentle is being able to hold someone without crushing them. Think of a hug. Try to hug someone close enough that they feel your warmth, but not so close that they cannot breathe. Always be aware of how tightly you are squeezing. Walk softly, but with power behind every step. You do not need to use all of your strength all of the time in order to prove that you possess it. There is strength in self-control. Be patient. If you get into a disagreement with someone--or if you want someone to do something, but they aren't cooperating--be patient. Explain your reasoning and try to work out a compromise. Fighting--verbally or physically--will only inflame the situation. If you want to build a lasting peace, you must work to understand both sides of the argument. Do not be the first to react. Do not try to force anyone to do something against their will. Respect their position. Practice the art of compromise. Don't lash out. When you get angry, count to ten. If you are still angry, keep counting. You may act rashly and violently when you let yourself become swept up in the flood of anger--but you can learn to control these impulses. Give yourself time to cool down. You may find that are overreacting to a situation. There is almost always a solution that does not involve verbal or physical violence. Take deep breaths. If you become angry, try to center yourself and calm yourself down before you do something rash. Breathe in through your nose, deeply, for as long as you can. Breathe out, slowly. Close your eyes and focus on your breaths. Take the time to slow down your heart rate and balance yourself. Let the initial burst of anger fade into the background. Clear your mind. Consider counting your breaths--like meditation. As you inhale, count slowly: 1... 2... 3... 4. As you exhale, count out the same increment of time. This will keep you focused upon the act of breathing. Consider taking up meditation. This is a great way to center your thoughts, practice mindfulness, and control your emotions. Search for tutorials online, and consider attending a guided meditation session. You can also use free apps like Insight Meditation, Calm, or Headspace for unguided or guided meditations. Walk away. If you can't calm yourself down and focus your energy, then you may need to walk away from the situation. Take a few moments alone to reflect upon why you are so upset. Excuse yourself simply and gracefully. Ask whoever is making you angry, "Can we discuss this later?" or "I need to think about this. Can I get back to you on that?" Consider going somewhere that you can be alone. If you have a favorite spot--a shady tree, a beautiful vista, a dark and quiet room--go there. Surround yourself with calm. Consider finding a wise, balanced person to whom you can vent. Find a friend, or call someone, and tell them what's making you so upset. Your friend may be able to calm you down and give you perspective on the situation. Practice "constructive confrontation". Therapist Mark Gorkin, LICSW, author of Practice Safe Stress: Healing and Laughing in the Face of Stress, Burnout & Depression, offers a five-step method for "constructive confrontation": 1) Use an "I" statement, question, or observation: "I'm concerned," "I'm confused," or "I'm frustrated" are good ways to begin your exchange. 2) Describe the problem specifically. Avoid judgmental accusations such as "You never get your work in on time." Instead, be specific: "I've asked you three times this week for the status of the systems report and I haven't received the report or any response. What's going on here?" 3) Explain why you're upset. Talk about effects and expectations. For example: "Because I didn't receive the report on time, I wasn't able to present it at the meeting and we had to postpone making a decision." That's the effect. The expectation: "We really need the data. I want to meet tomorrow morning at 9 to discuss where you are with the project." 4) Acknowledge the other person and ask for input. Let the other person know you have some understanding of what he's going through. For example: "I know you're working on several important projects. Tell me what's on your plate. Then we'll need to set priorities and upgrade the importance of this project." Listen and let go. Once you've engaged in the first four steps, you can be more objective and can let go of any existing anger, hurt feelings, or questionable assumptions. Think before you act. If you are quick to anger, you may do something in the heat of the moment that you'll regret later on. Consider the consequences of what you are about to do. Don't react; respond. Try to grab hold of your anger and examine it. Ask yourself what exactly is making you so angry. Ask yourself if you are overreacting. Think through the consequences of your actions. If you react violently in this situation, will you burn any bridges? Will it negatively impact your relationships? Will you run the risk of being arrested, suspended, or otherwise punished for your actions. Make a conscious effort not to hurt anyone. It's easy to be rough with other people if you don't consider how your actions might make them feel. Be careful. If you find yourself hurting people without intending to do so, try to understand what it was that hurt them so. Is this person sensitive to a particular word or label? Did I grab their arm too hard without thinking? Consider treating others as if they are especially fragile, at least at first. Be as considerate as you can be without walking on eggshells. Empathize. Try to understand why someone is acting the way they're acting: try to figure out how they feel and what they are thinking. You may find it much harder to be angry once you understand where someone's coming from. If you can't understand why someone is acting a certain way, just ask them. Tell them what you don't understand, and listen carefully to their response. They may be just as confused about what you are thinking. Empathy is a two-way street. Try to be open about what you are thinking. Work to build a mutual understanding. Accept the things that you cannot change. Practice letting go. You may find that many of the things that stress you out are things over which you have absolutely no control. Consider each source of stress. Can you fix it with force? Can you change it with kindness? Do you understand why it bothers you? Let go of the things that make you angry--whether this is a toxic relationship, an awful job, or a grudge from the past. Commit to yourself that you will focus on the present and not on the past. Practice letting go, for example, when you are interrupted in the middle of speaking. Take a deep breath. Do not let yourself lose your head over something that you will forget about in a week. Change what you can. You can change your own behavior, as well as how you react to things. For example, you can choose not to do things that trigger negative feelings in others. Additionally, you can work to overcome your own triggers. Anger is useful for understanding your feelings about something. If you feel angry, look for the reason why. For example, if your job makes you angry, then it may be time for you to apply for a new position. Take time to de-stress. It's easy to become swept up in the day-to-day demands of work, school, relationships and family. Give yourself time to simply be yourself. Get outside. Find a quiet space. Go for a walk or take a swim. Go to the movies. Get a massage or get your nails done. Do anything that allows you to forget your troubles for a while. Consider leaving your phone behind. You may find it easier to leave the troubles of day-to-day life behind if you are not being constantly bombarded with texts, calls, and emails. Be present. Reducing stress is fantastic for your health. If you're always stressed and often angry, you may be at risk for high blood pressure. Practice de-stressing, and you may live a longer, healthier life. Avoid foods that make you feel more agitated or easily stressed. For example, caffeine can make you feel restless and antsy. Similarly, you may find that certain other foods stimulate you. Try hard to be more gentle. Actions speak louder than words. If you want to show the people in your life that you've turned over a new leaf, you will need to prove it by being especially careful. Be patient. It takes time to build trust. Practice being as gentle as you want to be, and continually evaluate your actions. Am I being gentle? Am I being kind? Do not expect anyone to forgive you. If people do forgive you for past violence, do not expect them to forget. You cannot change the past, but you can shape the future. Tell your loved ones. If you are trying to overcome your violent impulses and become a more gentle person, consider sharing this with the people in your life that have been hurt by your anger. Ask them to tell you when you step out of line. In order to do this, you must be prepared to take constructive criticism. It may be a challenge to stay calm when someone asks you to curb your anger--few things are more infuriating than the phrase, "Calm down!" Bear in mind that your loved ones are only trying to help you help yourself. Consider hiring an anger management coach. Search for therapists and psychologists in your area that specialize in helping people deal with their anger. It can't hurt to try just one session. Run a web search for "anger management coach" or "anger management classes". You can take these courses over the Internet. If you want to meet with someone face-to-face, search for "anger management coach" along with your city (e.g. "anger management coach san -francisco"). Enter with an open mind. No one can help you change unless you are prepared to help yourself. Work with the people in your life, not against them. Research your anger management coach before you make a final decision. If you can find reviews online, read them. Try to get in touch with someone who has been to see this particular coach. Join a support group. Your support group can help you make positive changes in your life. You'll be able to share what you're going through and learn from others in your meeting. Look for a group that is run by a mental health professional, who can ensure that the group maintains a therapeutic environment. Look for groups that meet in your area by checking online or with your local mental health clinics. Embrace your emotions. If you are acting in a rash, violent way, you are letting your negative emotions overwhelm you. Embrace your positive emotions and let them guide you through trying times. It's okay to be vulnerable, and it's okay to cry. You can be strong and also keep in touch with your feelings. Don't be afraid to vent. Find someone to talk to about your problems. You may find that an outlet of support makes it much easier to cope with your stress. Stick to it. Be gentle and be self-aware. If you get angry and do something rash, you may undo all of the work that you've done. Continually evaluate whether your actions are gentle or violent. Do not let yourself forget the person that you used to be. Eventually, with time and care, you can change your image: you can become a genuinely gentle person in the eyes of yourself and others. Practice leads to habit. Start today. | Know your strength and exercise caution. Do not touch people who don't want to be touched. Do not confuse gentleness with weakness. Be patient. Don't lash out. Take deep breaths. Walk away. Practice "constructive confrontation". Think before you act. Make a conscious effort not to hurt anyone. Empathize. Accept the things that you cannot change. Change what you can. Take time to de-stress. Try hard to be more gentle. Tell your loved ones. Consider hiring an anger management coach. Join a support group. Embrace your emotions. Stick to it. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Drains | How to Clean Drains | To clean a drain, pour ½ of a cup of baking soda down your drain followed by ½ a cup of white vinegar. Cover or plug the drain immediately and let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes. While that is happening, heat up some water in a tea kettle or on the stove and then pour in down the drain. You can also remove clogs by using a barbed plastic drain cleaning tool, which are sold at hardware stores. If your drain has smelly build up, use an enzymatic or bacterial drain cleaner. | Treat your drain with white vinegar, baking soda, and hot water. This can help eliminate odors caused by the buildup of bacteria, grease, and organic residue in your drain. It can also help clean out residue to prevent a future clog. Pour ½ of a cup (118 ml) of baking soda down your drain, followed by ½ a cup (118 ml) of white vinegar. Cover or plug the drain immediately and let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes. Next, boil some water in a kettle or saucepan and pour the boiling water down the drain. A solution of baking soda and vinegar can also be used to clean stains and mineral deposits off of the area around the outside of your drain. Treat dirty drains with a biological cleaner. Regular preventative treatments can keep your drains smelling nice, get rid of potentially harmful bacteria and mold, and prevent future clogs. Biological or enzymatic drain cleaners, like Zep or Citra-Drain, are relatively safe and environmentally friendly. They are also safer for your septic system than most chemical cleaners. Follow the packaging directions for treating a drain to eliminate odors and buildup. Scour out a stinky disposal with ice, salt, and lemon peels. If a garbage disposal runs well but smells bad, this probably means that organic residue and bacteria have begun to build up on the grinders. Fill the disposal with a few cups of ice cubes, a handful of course salt, and a few lemon peels. Let it grind this mixture for a bit to scour out buildup with an "abrasive" that will not hurt its steel grinders. Use a plunger to clear a clog. Plungers are great for unclogging toilets, but they also work well on clogged sinks and tubs. Fill the sink or tub with enough water to cover the drain and bottom. Press the plunger firmly down over the drain to create a tight seal and give it several quick pumps. Bellows-style plungers may work best. If you have a double-bowl sink, you may need to close one of the drains with a plug or a washcloth before plunging in order to create a complete seal. Keep a separate plunger for the toilet. You can also use a wet/dry vacuum hose to suck the clog out from the drain. Use a barbed plastic drain cleaning tool. Barbed drain cleaners, like the Zip-It Bath and Sink Hair Snare, are a great solution for clogs near the drain opening. Just slide the tool into the drain and pull it out. The back-angled barbs will pull out hair and other materials that have built up in your drain. Use a gas- or water-powered cleaner to blow out clogs. Aerosol drain cleaners can blast clogs out of a drain with compressed air or gas. Water bladders use pressurized water to accomplish the same result. If you choose a gas-powered drain cleaner, you will need to make sure the device fits over your drain properly. It may be necessary to use an adapter. If you don't create a good seal, the blast could be directed back at you instead of into the drain. Water-based drain cleaning devices typically attach to a garden hose, but you may be able to get an adapter that will allow you to attach it to an indoor faucet. Use a heating pad to melt grease clogs. Wrap a heating pad around the trap pipe under the sink. Turn the heating pad on to warm up the pipe, then run hot water through the drain until the grease clears. Add a little dish detergent to help dissolve the grease. Treat buildup biologically. Use an enzymatic or bacterial drain cleaner overnight periodically for slow or partially clogged drains. Follow the directions on the package. Biological cleaners are slower to work and less effective than chemical cleaners, but they are safer for you, your plumbing, and the environment. Biological cleaners may require repeated treatments to be effective. Call a plumber. If all else fails, or if you don't feel confident that you can safely handle the problem yourself, call in a professional to clear your clogged drain. If you live in a rental property, contact your landlord or property manager so that they can call someone for you. Buy an inexpensive cable auger, or plumber's snake. Augers are great for clearing deep clogs that can't be reached by other means. If you don't want to buy one, you may be able to rent one from a hardware store. While the cables coiled on a spool come in many lengths, a 25-foot (7.5 m) cable should be plenty for most household needs. You should also get rubber gloves with a good gripping surface and wear protective goggles, especially if you have recently used harsh drain cleaning products. Remove the trap under the sink, if necessary. Some sinks have a built-in strainer, so you may have to bypass this in order to reach the clog. The “trap” is a j-shaped pipe under your sink. Some sink traps can be removed by hand, but if this is not possible you may be able to remove it with a wrench or channel lock pliers. Have a bucket close by to catch any water that drains from the pipe after you remove it. Slowly push the auger cable or snake into the pipe opening. Once it's in a few inches, crank the handle on the auger while pushing the coil firmly into the pipe. The auger will slowly drive deeper into the pipe until it meets the obstruction. If your pipe has any sharp bends, you may need to wiggle the auger wire or turn the crank a little more firmly to get it through. Keep cranking the auger until you meet resistance. If the auger wire encounters a clog that is too big or strong to break up, it will resist turning. Crank the handle a few more times to lodge the wire firmly in the clog, then wiggle it gently to help loosen up the blockage. Turn the crank the other way to withdraw the auger from the pipe. If you successfully lodged the auger in the blockage, the clog should come out with the wire. Clean the debris off the end of the auger and dispose of them. Test your drain and repeat the process, if necessary. Run a little water in your sink or tub and check to see if it drains properly. If not, try running the auger through your pipes a second time, and repeat as necessary until your drain is clear. Use drain screens to prevent clogs. Drain screens let water and small particles flow through your drain while keeping out hair, soap scum, and big particles of food. Use drain screens in your tub during a shower and in your kitchen sink while washing dishes. Keep grease and fat out of your drains. Grease can gradually build up in your plumbing to create clogs and foul odors, and can even cause more far-reaching issues outside your home, like sewer clogs. Never pour cooking grease down your drain. Wipe down greasy dishes with a paper towel before washing them, and use plenty of hot water and dish detergent to break up any residual grease. Perform maintenance cleaning on drains and stoppers. Pour a few gallons of boiling water down sink drains once a week as part of your regular cleaning routine. Regularly clean built-in sink stoppers, which can accumulate grime and clogging materials like hair. | Treat your drain with white vinegar, baking soda, and hot water. Treat dirty drains with a biological cleaner. Scour out a stinky disposal with ice, salt, and lemon peels. Use a plunger to clear a clog. Use a barbed plastic drain cleaning tool. Use a gas- or water-powered cleaner to blow out clogs. Use a heating pad to melt grease clogs. Treat buildup biologically. Call a plumber. Buy an inexpensive cable auger, or plumber's snake. Remove the trap under the sink, if necessary. Slowly push the auger cable or snake into the pipe opening. Keep cranking the auger until you meet resistance. Turn the crank the other way to withdraw the auger from the pipe. Test your drain and repeat the process, if necessary. Use drain screens to prevent clogs. Keep grease and fat out of your drains. Perform maintenance cleaning on drains and stoppers. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Camera | How to Choose a Camera | To choose a camera, go with a point-and-shoot camera if you're looking for something cheap and easy to use. If you want more control over the photo-taking process, consider a DSLR, which will let you adjust things like shutter speed, aperture, and the lens you're using. A DSLR is a good choice if you're a serious hobbyist or a professional photographer. Or, if you have access to a darkroom or don't mind paying developing costs, get a film camera for a cheap, high-quality option. | Decide how large of a budget you have for the camera. This is a good way to gauge what quality of camera you will be buying. Larger, fancier cameras with high resolution images and interchangeable lenses—like a DSLR—can cost over $1,000 USD, while cheaper point-and-shoot cameras can be as little as $150 USD. A budget capped at $500 USD, for example, already excludes many cameras, and can help make your decision for you. Consider how often you'll use the camera. The best camera for you will vary based on whether or not you'll use the camera daily, monthly, or only a couple of times annually. The more you use the camera, the more it makes sense to invest hundreds of dollars in it. If all you need is a camera for vacation snapshots, then a cheaper model might be better for you. If you'll use the camera at least once a week (whether as a hobbyist or for professional purposes) consider a more expensive mirrorless camera or a DSLR. Or, if you'll use the camera frequently, but photo quality isn't a high priority, you could purchase a mid-range compact camera. Think about in what contexts you'll use the camera. A camera that's great for studio portraiture will not be a great camera to take on a hiking or backpacking trip. If you're planning on traveling with your camera or shooting outdoors, buy a camera that won't break the bank to replace. Likewise, if you're planning to shoot only high-quality indoor photos, opt for an expensive DSLR or mirrorless camera. As a general rule of thumb, smaller, more compact cameras and cameras with fewer removable or interchangeable parts are best for traveling with. Purchase a DSLR if you're a serious hobbyist or a professional. DSLR—or digital single lens reflux—cameras are what many people think of when they picture a camera. DSLRs comprise a body and detachable lenses. This type of camera takes extremely high-quality pictures, which can be enhanced to tremendous sizes. They're not cheap though: a good DSLR can cost around $500 USD, while professional-quality models can cost over $1,200 USD. Buying a high-quality DSLR allows you to purchase a variety of lens types—for example, wide angle, macro, or fish-eye—without having to purchase a new camera for each lens. Select a DSLR for complete control over the process of taking photos. With a DSLR, you have total control over the photograph. You can adjust the shutter speed alone, the aperture alone, change the ISO speed to whatever you want, or just use it like a large point and shoot. Unlike point and shoot cameras, you can use interchangeable lenses. This means that you have a wide range of lenses to choose from, depending on the manufacturer. The downsides of DSLRs are that they are heavier and more expensive. They are also less practical to carry around. Buy a point-and-shoot if you'd like a cheap camera that's easy to use. Point and shoot cameras are just what they sounds like: you point your camera at the subject, zoom in or out, then press the button to take the picture. Such cameras require very little effort on the part of the photographer. They typically focus themselves and adjust themselves to light conditions. One downside of the point-and-shoot style of camera is that, if you have any desire to capture fast moving kids or pets, the shutter lag of a point and shoot will make it impossible. Opt for a point-and-shoot if you want a bare-bones, inexpensive camera. Point-and-shoot cameras lack many of the bells and whistles of more expensive DSLRs. There are usually no manual controls, so have relatively little control over the output image. However, this isn't necessarily a bad thing: point-and-shoots produce good pictures and are good for casual, occasional photographers. This type of camera also has the perk of being small: most point-and-shoots can easily fit in a small backpack or purse pocket, and many could fit in your pocket. Point-and-shoot compact cameras range in price from $200-400 USD. Buy a mirrorless camera for portability and relatively high quality. Mirrorless cameras can be substantially smaller than DSLRs, since their internal structure is different and they don't have a light-bouncing mirror structure. While these cameras don't offer image qualities quite as high as DSLR cameras, they still produce high-quality photos. Interchangeable lenses are another perk, which allows users to use different lenses in different settings. Mirrorless cameras have various other names. Most frequently, they're called mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras (MILC). MILCs start in the $300-400 USD range. Professional-level MILCs can cost as much as $4,000 USD. Select an analog (film) camera if you'd like a cheap, high-quality option. Now that a good number of hobbyists and professionals are going digital, film cameras have the advantage of being extremely cheap compared to a digital camera of the same quality. Film cameras do not have the same issues with visual noise as low-range digital cameras, though of course you get grain from the film. Nearly all film cameras are SLRs, and their quality is comparable to that of DSLRs. Of course, using an analog camera brings many other expenses with it. You'll need to pay for film and for developing costs, unless you know someone with a darkroom and are prepared to learn how to develop your own B&W film. Developing film can get expensive if you're taking lots of photos. You can find decent, unused film cameras for $200 USD or less. Visit your local photo store and ask to try out some cameras. Once you have a rough idea of the type of camera you want, visit a photo shop and handle the cameras. With digital cameras, you can even snap a few shots right there in the store and see how you like it. It's important that you like how the camera feels in your hands, and that it feels natural to hold and shoot. Consider: Is it too complicated? Will you avoid taking pictures because it's a pain? Feel the weight. Is it too heavy to carry around while on vacation? Ask friends or family members if you can try out their cameras. Especially if you're considering buying a $1,000+ USD camera, it's wise to try before you buy. Ask someone you know well if you can borrow their camera, and shoot a few dozen photos. Make sure you like the degree of control the camera gives you, as well as its size and feel. If you know someone with a camera similar to one you'd like to buy, say something like, “Hi, I'm considering buying a camera just like yours, but would like to try out some of the features before I make the purchase. Would you mind if I try out yours for a couple of days?” Select a brand of camera to purchase. Most of the major camera brands—e.g., Camera, Nikon, and Fuji—all produce high-quality cameras. If you're purchasing a cheap point-and-shoot to use a few times a year, any brand will be fine. However, if you're buying a pro-level camera, you should do some research to figure out which brand—and which specific camera—best suits your needs. Review the camera listings on various brands' websites, or speak to the sales staff in your local photography store to see which specific brands and cameras they'd recommend. | Decide how large of a budget you have for the camera. Consider how often you'll use the camera. Think about in what contexts you'll use the camera. Purchase a DSLR if you're a serious hobbyist or a professional. Select a DSLR for complete control over the process of taking photos. Buy a point-and-shoot if you'd like a cheap camera that's easy to use. Opt for a point-and-shoot if you want a bare-bones, inexpensive camera. Buy a mirrorless camera for portability and relatively high quality. Select an analog (film) camera if you'd like a cheap, high-quality option. Visit your local photo store and ask to try out some cameras. Ask friends or family members if you can try out their cameras. Select a brand of camera to purchase. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Have-a-Social-Life | How to Have a Social Life | If you are craving more of a social life but are feeling nervous about making new friends, start by building your social network with people you already know. Think about people who you know from the past, like friends you made in school or at jobs, and try reaching out to them. For example, you might message an old friend and say “I know it's been a while since we've talked, but I would love to reconnect.” You can also work on getting to know your neighbors by bringing over cookies or tea and introducing yourself. If you're currently in school or have a job where you work with people your own age, try striking up conversations about a recent test or meeting to build a friendship. Another way to broaden your social network is to join a club, volunteer, or participate in community events. | Reconnect with old friends. Think about people who you know from the past, such as friends you made when you were in school or when you were working at a certain place. You may also have old friends from childhood or from when you used to be part of a club or group. Reach out to them so you can socialize. For example, you may message an old friend and say, “I know it's been awhile since we've talked but I would love to reconnect” or “Hello old friend, how are things?” Get to know your neighbors. Bring over cookies or tea to your neighbors as a way to introduce yourself. Focus on neighbors that you feel you might connect with, such as neighbors your age or that share your interests. For example, you may knock on their door and say, “I baked some cookies earlier, would you like some?” or “I just wanted to introduce myself and say hello.” Be friendly with people in your classes or at work. Connect with your peers in your classes, especially peers who sit next to you or near you. You can also be friendly towards people you work with as a way to grow your social network. For example, you may say to your peer, “Have you started studying for the test?” or “How did you do on the exam?” as a way of starting a conversation with them. You can also say to people you work with, “How are your weekend?” or “How are your meetings going?” to be friendly and social. Meet online friends in real life. If you connect with people online, see if you can move these interactions into real life. Propose meeting in person for a coffee or a drink with people you chat with online on social media or in online groups. For example, you may say to the person, “It's been fun chatting with you online, want to meet up for a coffee?” or “I would love to continue our conversation over a drink.” Join a club at school or work. Meet new people and socialize by joining a school club, such as debate club, math league, or the drill team. You can also become a member of a group at work, such as the social events club or the company softball team. You can also join a group outside of school or work, such as taking an arts class or joining a recreational sports league. Volunteer at local organizations. Pick an organization that you believe in and want to contribute to. Volunteer your time so you can meet other like minded people and bond with others while you help people. For example, you may volunteer at your local soup kitchen or homeless shelter. You can also volunteer at a local music or arts festival. Participate in community events. Look for local groups in your community that can help you connect with new people based on shared interests. If you like reading, for example, you could join a book club. If you like exercise, you could join a running group. There are groups for almost any interest. Check flyers in local hangouts like coffee shops and site like Meetup.com to find groups or events in your area. Greet the person in a friendly way. When you first meet someone new, begin the conversation by acknowledging them in a friendly, casual way so they know you want to engage with them. You may say "Hello" or "Hi," then introduce yourself. Ask them their name. A friendly, casual greeting might sound like, "Hey, my name's Mark. What's yours?" Memorize each person's name when you meet them. Try to remember their name so you can use it in your conversation with them. Repeat their name once or twice out loud to help yourself remember, and make sure you are pronouncing it correctly. You might say, "Frank Nguyen? Nice to meet you, Frank Nguyen." Ask them to repeat their name if you forget it, and apologize for forgetting. Demonstrate positive body language. Maintain eye contact when you greet the person. Keep your arms relaxed at your sides and turn your body towards them. You can also lean towards them. This will demonstrate that you are interested and engaged in the conversation. You can also nod and smile to show the person you want to be social and connect with them. Relax the posture of your body. Sit or stand with your head up and your shoulders back to exhibit that you're open, friendly, and confident. Use small talk to get to know the person. Small talk is when you chat with the person about their life in an attempt to learn more about them. You can also share details about your life if they ask. To get the small talk started, you may ask the person about their profession and their schooling. You can also ask them how they know the host if you are talking at a party. For example, you may say, “So, how do you know the host?” or “What brings you to the party?” You can also say, “What do you do for work?” or “Where did you go to school?” You can then answer any questions the person may have about your profession or schooling. This will keep the conversation going. Ask thoughtful follow up questions during the conversation. Follow up on information the person told you earlier in the conversation. Ask questions about something they told you. This will elevate the small talk to a more meaningful discussion. For example, you may ask the person, “What's it like to going to school in Japan?” or “What is it like to work in the field?” Focus on things you have in common. Pick up on interests you share with the person. This could be a favorite television show, a movie, or a book. Use things you have in common with the person to connect with them. For example, you may say, “I watch that show, too. What was your favorite episode?” or “I just finished reading that book. What did you think of the ending?” Suggest doing something fun or interesting with the person. If you feel you and the person are connecting in a friendly way, you may suggest a hang out where you do something you are both interested in together. You can also invite the person to go out with your other friends or to spend time doing something you are planning to do in the near future. For example, you may say to the person, “I was actually going to see that author talk at a bookstore next week, care to go with me?” or “I was thinking of watching the next episode with some friends, care to join?” Make plans to see friends regularly. Schedule in time to connect with your friends, even if you feel you are always busy. Make time for your friends so you can maintain an active social life. For example, you can try making regular coffee dates with a friend once a month on the same day so you can schedule around it. Or you may host game nights at your house with friends once a week so you all get to see each other. Say “yes” to invitations to hang out or socialize. Do not shy away from spending quality time with your friends. Be open to trying new things and socializing with friends regularly. Opt for saying “yes” rather than “no” to invitations to hang out. You should also try to be on time and follow through if you agree to hang out with friends. Don't be flaky or bail at the last minute unless you have a good reason. Be a good listener to your friends. Friendship is all about give and take. Being a good friend, and keeping your friends, means listening to them when they need it. Try to listen to your friends if they need someone to talk to. Be there for them emotionally when they need it. You should also try not to judge your friends, as this can cause conflict in the relationship. Instead, listen and support them when they need it. Value high quality friends over having lots of friends. Making good friends and maintaining a healthy social life takes time. Connecting to a lot of people may be challenging. Instead, focus on making one or two friends that you like and appreciate, or find a small group of people that you connect with on a deeper level. | Reconnect with old friends. Get to know your neighbors. Be friendly with people in your classes or at work. Meet online friends in real life. Join a club at school or work. Volunteer at local organizations. Participate in community events. Greet the person in a friendly way. Memorize each person's name when you meet them. Demonstrate positive body language. Use small talk to get to know the person. Ask thoughtful follow up questions during the conversation. Focus on things you have in common. Suggest doing something fun or interesting with the person. Make plans to see friends regularly. Say “yes” to invitations to hang out or socialize. Be a good listener to your friends. Value high quality friends over having lots of friends. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Snowcream | How to Make Snowcream | To make snow cream, first place a clean, metal bowl outside while its snowing so you can collect fresh snow. Once your bowl is full of snow, take it inside and place it in a bigger bowl full of ice water to keep it cold. Then, in a separate bowl, whisk together milk, sugar, and vanilla extract. After it's mixed, fold it into the snow until it has an ice-cream-like consistency. Keep in mind that the snow cream will melt quickly, so make sure to serve it right away. | Clean a 0.5 gallons (2 L) bowl and let it dry. Use dish soap and warm water to thoroughly clean your bowl. Let the bowl air dry overnight, or use a towel to dry it if you want to use it immediately. The bowl will need to be as clean as possible, since you'll be eating snow that you collect in it. Making sure the bowl is dry will prevent unwanted ice forming at the bottom of it. Place the bowl in a safe location outside while it’s snowing. Put it on a picnic table or the smooth top of a dog house where it won't be easily knocked over. Falling snow is generally much cleaner than snow on the ground, so collecting it in a bowl is the best way to get clean snow for your snowcream. Refrain from putting the bowl on the ground to keep small animals from getting into it. Make an ice bath in a 1 gallon (4 L) bowl and set it aside. Fill the bowl ¼ full with ice cubes and water. You'll place the 0.5 gallons (2 L) bowl of snow inside this ice bath, so be sure to not fill the bowl more than ¼ full. If you put too much ice and water in this bowl, putting the bowl of snow inside it may cause the water to overflow and pour out of the sides. Take the bowl inside once it’s full and place it in the ice bath. You'll want to collect 8 cups (2,000 mL) of snow, which is equal to the the volume of your 0.5 gallons (2 L) bowl. For best results, use the snow immediately after you collect it. However, if you can't use it right away, storing it in the freezer until you're reading to add the other ingredients to it is the next best thing. Whisk your milk, sugar, and vanilla extract together in a separate bowl. Mix together 1 cup (250 mL) of milk, ½ cup (50 grams) of granulated sugar, and 1.5 tsp (7.5 mL) of vanilla extract in a bowl with tall sides to prevent the milk from splashing out. Continue to whisk these ingredients until they're fully mixed together. You can use any type of milk for this step, even condensed milk! If you want to make flavored snowcream, use chocolate or strawberry milk for this step. Add the milk and sugar mixture to your snow. Use a wooden spoon to mix the milk mixture and the snow together. Chop and stir the ingredients with the spoon until they begin to resemble the consistency of ice cream. Make sure the ingredients are evenly mixed, as well. You shouldn't see any lumps of sugar or dark spots in your mixture. Add toppings to your snowcream, if desired, and serve. The snowcream melts pretty quickly, so serve it right away in small bowls for the best results. Some examples of toppings to put on your snowcream include sprinkles, chocolate chips, cherries, or whipped cream. Unfortunately, storing your snowcream in the freezer will lead it to freeze into a solid block of ice, so you'll have to eat it right away. | Clean a 0.5 gallons (2 L) bowl and let it dry. Place the bowl in a safe location outside while it’s snowing. Make an ice bath in a 1 gallon (4 L) bowl and set it aside. Take the bowl inside once it’s full and place it in the ice bath. Whisk your milk, sugar, and vanilla extract together in a separate bowl. Add the milk and sugar mixture to your snow. Add toppings to your snowcream, if desired, and serve. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Officially-Have-a-Crush-on-Someone | How to Officially Have a Crush on Someone | Having a crush on someone can be exciting and nerve-wracking, and how you approach it is totally up to you. You'll know you have a crush on someone if you're physically attracted to them and if they make you laugh and smile a lot. Try talking to new people and joining a club or sports team to find a crush. Get to know your crush by talking about things you have in common, like classes, hobbies, and mutual friends. You can let your crush know you like them by subtly flirting with them. Compliment them, make eye contact, and lightly tease them. If they start flirting back with you, consider asking them out. | Explore your attraction. Physical attraction is often the first step in developing a crush. Don't feel shallow for initially being drawn to someone because you like how tall they are or because their eyes make you swoon. When it comes to attraction, humans have biological impulses. Look around you at work or at school. If someone makes your heart flutter on first sight, try to meet them. Find excuses to spend time around them like asking them to help you with a school or work project. Don't discount people because they aren't your “type.” Sometimes crushes come in the least expected packages, so don't lose opportunity by being close-minded. Take a second look. Not all crushes come out of initial physical attraction. Look at the friends and acquaintances you already have. Who do you find yourself wanting to spend the most time with? Have you ever had an inkling of something more than friendship with any of them? Look for the laughs. Genuine and frequent laughter is often a good sign of initial compatibility. If someone makes you smile, it's worth a lot. If you know a friend has a crush on you but you're not sure if you're physically attracted to the person, ask yourself some questions about the emotional side of things. Try writing a list of all the things you like about that person. Ask yourself how the list makes you feel. Often, as emotional attraction grows, physical attraction follows. Put yourself out there. It's simple—if you don't put yourself into new situations, you won't meet new people. Try attending events and joining activities that reflect your interests. This will help you meet like-minded people and give you an automatic conversation starter. Try online. It's not for everyone, but it's an undeniable part of dating today. Online dating can be an easy way to break the ice and find people with similar interests. If you use online dating, be sure to meet in person as soon as you can. There's no substitute for body language in conversion, and you'll be able to determine if the spark is really there. Research dating sites. Like dating in real life, different dating sites are right for different people. They all offer different types of services and levels of customization. Don't overlook social media. Social media can be a great way to reconnect with old flames or old friends or to meet new people. It takes some of the risk out of online dating. Through someone's social media profile, you can see a slightly less curated version of their lives and check if you have mutual friends or interests. Sending a quick, personal message is painless, and there's no pressure for the other person to respond if they aren't interested. Be honest with yourself. Sometimes crushes are unavoidable. Know when you should let your crush in on your attraction or keep it to yourself. If your crush is in a relationship of any kind, let it go. Period. You don't want to break up your crush and their significant other, and chances are they won't return your feelings. Even if they do, it's sure to become messy quickly It should go with out saying, but only approach good people. If you have any knowledge that your crush has done or said something violent, cruel, or illegal, run in the other direction. No matter how romanticized in books and movies, the “bad girl” or “bad boy” never makes for a good partner. If you do like a friend, make sure it's worth the risk. Letting a friend know you want more out of the friendship might lead to awkwardness or distance. Make a pros and cons list, and think about how this specific person might respond if they don't return your feelings. Start subtle. If you decide your crush is worthy of your attention, begin with small gestures of attention. This way you can clue them in on your feelings without scaring them away. Invite them to group events. You don't have to start out asking your date to a romantic dinner for two. Try inviting them to casual hangouts with your friends. You can show them how fun you are in a social setting without the pressure of private conversation. Extend an open-ended invitation. For example, if you find out this person likes sushi, say something like, “We should get sushi sometime!” If they say “yes,” it leaves it up to them to make the actual plans, and if they never follow up, they probably weren't truly interested. Use body language. When you're hanging out, give them a small touch on the arm, or sit slightly closer to them than you would one of your friends. Gauge their physical reaction to your closeness. If they return these small gestures unconsciously, chances are good that they like you, too. Practice flirting. Simple flirting can help you win over your crush. Flirting doesn't have to be stressful or complicated. Add emojis. If you're texting, try adding just a few smiley faces to your messages to let your crush know that talking to them makes you smile. Tease him a little. Don't be mean, but little bit of playful teasing can go a long way. Use your eyes. Let him catch you staring and quickly look away. Conquer your shyness. Being shy can make talking to your crush that much more difficult. Work on your confidence so you can approach your crush. It's okay to be nervous. Don't try too hard to hide it. Your crush will think it's sweet. Focus on your crush, not yourself. Think about all the great things about them. Shyness often begins when you are too focused on your own insecurities. Start with a common interest. Talk about something you love and are very familiar with. This will help you avoid awkward pauses. Text. Communicating through texts can be a great way for a shy person to get to know someone. It will help you become comfortable and make it easier to talk in person. Keep it straightforward. After you have hinted your affections subtly for a while, let your crush know how you feel. Don't think you have to wait for your crush to make the first big move. Keep your statement short and simple. Don't feel like you have to initiate in person. Write a quick note or send a text message after a hang out sessions. After this, invite them to do something that is clearly a date. Say something like, “I have really enjoyed getting to know you better! Would you want to go out to dinner with me on Thursday?” Keep it simple and specific. Learn to take a no. If someone doesn't respond to your flirting or rejects you outright, let them go. Don't dwell on what you could have done differently, and don't try to change their mind. At this stage in the relationship, take what your crush says at face value. Look at a “no” as an opportunity to meet someone even better. Remember, this will take time. Don't be discouraged if you continue to have feelings for your crush. Just do your best to interact with new people, and don't be tempted to continue trying to flirt with your crush. Let yourself be sad. It's fine to take a day or a week to wallow a little. Vent to your friends. Treat yourself to a nice meal. Get a second opinion. If you've been flirting with your crush for a while, but you're still not sure whether or not they return your feelings, it can help to ask friends. Try to ask friends who know your crush fairly well. Sometimes, an objective opinion can help you understand what someone really feels. If your friends think your crush is interested, it may be time to be more blunt with your crush about their feelings. Just ask them like this: “Hey! I have a confession to make. I have been really crushing on you lately. Just wondering if maybe you felt the same?” Celebrate returned feelings. If your crush returns your feelings, let yourself enjoy the moment. Keep flirting, and keep things light-hearted for a while. Don't feel pressured to progress into the serious stage of a relationship too quickly. | Explore your attraction. Take a second look. Put yourself out there. Try online. Be honest with yourself. Start subtle. Practice flirting. Conquer your shyness. Keep it straightforward. Learn to take a no. Get a second opinion. Celebrate returned feelings. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Forgive-Yourself | How to Forgive Yourself | To start the journey toward forgiveness, think deeply about what you seek forgiveness for. Confront these demons and give yourself permission to let them go, reminding yourself that failure doesn't make you a bad person. If necessary, write down specific steps you can take to fix any problems you caused, including apologizing to people or making amends. Then, examine your past actions and see how you can learn from them and improve going forward. | Diagnose why you need to forgive yourself. If we recognize we are to blame, we may feel guilt and a need for forgiveness. When you think of memories, they may create these uncomfortable feelings. To identify why it is you may feeling like this, ask yourself: Am I feeling this way because of the outcome of what I did makes me feel bad? Am I feeling this way because I am to blame for a bad outcome? Accept that failures do not make you a bad person. Everyone fails at something at one point in her life or other. Do not think that failing at something - whether it be a job or relationship - makes you a bad person. As Bill Gates said: “It is fine to celebrate success, but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.” Learning from one's mistakes is a step of forgiving oneself. Do not be afraid to start anew. To really forgive yourself, do not be afraid to start from scratch. Learning to forgive yourself is not just learning to live with the past. It is learning from that experience. Take what you have learned and apply it to building a better you. Adapt a new mindset by learning from past mistakes. One way to move forward with yourself is to adapt from what you have learned. Set goals yourself for the future that help to promote a better and stronger mindset. This look into the future may help your forgive yourself in the present by focusing on the positive changes you are able to make. Whenever you feel guilt, follow the words of Les Brown, "Forgive yourself for your faults and mistakes and move on." This will help you whenever you make a mistake. Realize that no one is perfect. You may want to forgive yourself because of actions against another. You must first realize that you are not to blame for other people's actions. We all make mistakes and we all have times in our life that we do not act our best. Realizing this may be the step you need to being the self-healing process. Do not dwell on past mistakes. Learning from past mistakes is good, but dwelling on them can stunt self-forgiveness. It may stop you from being aware of present realities. Your life may become stagnant as you find yourself obsessing about what you did or did not do. Instead, focus on the present and what you can do in the future to make a better life for yourself. Plan for a bright future today by not being stifled by the past. Consider a “fix it and move on” approach to life. If you experience a similar encounter that caused you emotional turmoil in the past, focus on what you can control. Try and fix the issues that you know you can handle and try and let the rest of it go. You do not want to keep repeating the same mistakes. Learn to be mindful. Self-awareness of present actions can help for future healing. If you cultivate a strong sense of self and accept the actions you choose to take now, it will help you to build a better future and help you forgive past actions or reactions. Investigate your past choices. You do not want to dwell on mistakes, but you must learn from them to move forward in a healthier way. One way to forgive yourself is to identify the trigger, or cause, of emotions in the first place. If you identify what you did in the first place, then you can change your outlook for the future. Ask yourself: “What did I do the first time, and what may I do to avoid the same outcome?” Identify situations where you feel strong emotions. This will help you directly pinpoint situations in which you feel uncomfortable. Once you've identified the situation, you can more easily plot out a solution. Ask yourself: Do I feel anxious or guilty when I approach my boss? Do I feel strong negative emotions when I talk with my significant other. Does spending time with my parents make me feel angry or upset? Let people into your life. As the philosopher Derrida once said: “Forgiveness is often confounded, sometimes in a calculated fashion, with related themes: excuse, regret, amnesty, prescription, etc.”. Forgiveness is a two-way street. You may not be able to forgive yourself unless you learn to forgive others. You may need to let others into your life to help give you the support and structure to forgive yourself. Talk to loved ones to support yourself while you grapple with self-forgiveness. Outline a solution or plan. To forgive yourself, you must be aware of what you need to forgive. Writing out a detailed step-by-step guide may help you focus on what is important and give you the structure for an apology to yourself or others. Take into consideration the following aspects of creating a solution to ask forgiveness: Declare or ask for the apology using direct language. Do not step around the issue. Say “I'm sorry” or ask “Do you forgive me?” directly. You do not want to be ambiguous or come across as insincere. Investigate how you can actually fix a solution. If you are asking forgiveness from another, figure out specific actions that can help make amends. If you are forgiving yourself, ask yourself what steps you need to take to move forward with a healthier outlook on life. Promise yourself and others that you will strive to be better in the future. An apology is empty if you will not follow through with it. Make sure you do not repeat the same mistakes. Ask forgiveness from others. If you ask for forgiveness for others, you will feel better about yourself. Sometimes, clearing the air can help to resolve an existing issue. It may also help to show that you were internalizing a bigger issue than was actually present. Asking for forgiveness has been proven to bring more favorable outcomes and provide stronger relationships Be honest with yourself about your actions. Before you can forgive yourself completely, you first need to acknowledge your actions. It may help to write down your actions that you have strong feelings about. This will help pinpoint concrete examples of why you have negative feelings about yourself. Stop rationalizing, and start taking responsibility for what you say and do. One way to be honest to yourself is to accept the consequences of your actions. If you have done or said something wrong, you need to own the action before forgiving yourself for it. One way to achieve this is by letting go of stress. The more stress you hold inside of you, the more damage you do to yourself. Stress can sometimes lead you to releasing your anger out and harm yourself and others around you, but if you forgive yourself the anger will be gone and the bad stuff will be gone. The result is that you are more concentrated and better about the positive instead of the negative. Accept the guilt that you are feeling. Accepting responsibility is one thing, but understanding the emotions behind is another thing. Feeling strong emotions like guilt is not only common, but also good. Feeling guilt will encourage you to take action for yourself and others.. You may be feeling guilty over your own thoughts. You may have thoughts of wishing pain or misfortune on others. You may feel things like lust or greed. If you are overwhelmed by these guilty feelings, know that they are common. Your guilt may stem from these strong emotions; it is best to confront them and acknowledge why you are feeling this way. Only by doing this may you move on to forgiving yourself. You may be judging yourself (or others) too harshly out of guilt. You may be taking out your feelings on yourself and others, making you feel guilty for your actions. You may blame others out of insecurities and increase the feeling of guilt. If you find yourself blaming others, take a step back and acknowledge why you say these things. It may help you on the path to self-forgiveness. You may be taking on guilt because of another's action. It is not uncommon for a couple to feel guilt over his/her significant other's actions. You might feel guilty over a spouse's actions or insecurities. You should identify why you feel this way to realize if you should forgive yourself or another person. Identify self-values and self-beliefs. Before you can forgive yourself, you must identify what it is you value and what it is you believe. Take a moment to think about how you might atone for what you feel guilty for. Think about how you might make an actual difference. These actions may be based on a spiritual belief system, or based on societal demands. Analyze your needs versus your wants. One way to forgive yourself for feelings of inadequacies to is to identify what you need in your life versus what you want. Identify both concrete needs - such as shelter, food, and social needs - and compare them with concrete wants - nicer car, bigger house, nicer body. Identifying these needs vs. wants may help you realize that perhaps you were too hard on yourself or perhaps things are out of your control. Become a better person through personal challenges. To stop yourself from sliding back into a situation of doubt and guilt, design small challenges that will help you become a better person. You can do this by setting a routine for a month on something you want to improve. By doing something for a month - like tracking calories - you will begin to develop a helpful routine to improvement. This will help you self-actualize forgiveness by acting in a positive way. Work on identified faults. Try and give yourself a performance review to identify measurable means of self-improvement. If you find yourself feeling guilty over procrastinating, for example, make a to-do list and try to stick with it. It is important to identify things that you can control. This will benefit self-forgiveness by self-improvement. Practice self-awareness. Self-awareness is the ability to predict consequences of our actions. Thinking about ourselves and our actions can help us be better people by creating a self-imposed morality. You can practice self-awareness by noting your strengths, observing your reactions to situations, and expressing your emotions. | Diagnose why you need to forgive yourself. Accept that failures do not make you a bad person. Do not be afraid to start anew. Adapt a new mindset by learning from past mistakes. Realize that no one is perfect. Do not dwell on past mistakes. Plan for a bright future today by not being stifled by the past. Learn to be mindful. Investigate your past choices. Identify situations where you feel strong emotions. Let people into your life. Outline a solution or plan. Ask forgiveness from others. Be honest with yourself about your actions. Stop rationalizing, and start taking responsibility for what you say and do. Accept the guilt that you are feeling. Identify self-values and self-beliefs. Analyze your needs versus your wants. Become a better person through personal challenges. Work on identified faults. Practice self-awareness. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Resin-Jewelry | How to Make Resin Jewelry | To make resin jewelry, start by combining equal amounts of polyurethane casting resin and a resin catalyst. Then, pour enough of the mixture into a jewelry mold to cover the bottom of the mold. Next, turn on a hair dryer and hold it 4 inches above the resin to remove any air bubbles. Let the resin harden for 15 minutes, then add your embellishments, such as flowers or feathers, and pour another layer of resin over the embellishment. Afterwards, use the hair dryer again to remove any bubbles, then cover the mold and let the resin cure overnight. | Prepare your work space. Cover the entire work area with wax paper. Resin drips and splashes will be very difficult to remove, so it's best to avoid the problem completely. You should also protect yourself by wearing rubber or plastic gloves and safety goggles. Always work in a well-ventilated area. Open windows and run fans to prevent the fumes from building up. If you have breathing difficulties, you may even want to wear a respirator designed to block or filter strong fumes. Find embellishments to add. Get creative. You can use flat two-dimensional objects and more elaborate three-dimensional objects. Just make sure that your intended arrangement will fit inside the resin mold or bezel. Popular ideas include broken or re-purposed jewelry, flowers, glitter, sprinkles, transparencies with words printed on them, scraps of fabric, scraps of ribbon, and decorative scrapbook paper. Some objects may not work as well as others, though. For instance, cured resin obscures the facets of loose crystal gems, causing them to disappear inside the piece. Apply sealant to porous embellishments. Coat the top, bottom, and sides of all porous embellishments with Mod Podge or a similar clear sealant. Let the sealant dry before using the embellishments. Porous embellishments include all papers and fabrics. If you skip this step, these embellishments may discolor. They can also cause more air bubbles to appear in the resin. Trim everything down to size. When using transparencies and papers, make sure that the size of the piece precisely matches the dimensions of your mold or bezel. Determine whether to use molds or bezels. Bezels are easiest to work with since you don't need to remove the resin after it cures, but molds give you greater flexibility in design. Bezels are empty, open-ended charm settings. Once you pour the resin in and let it cure, the piece is finished and ready to attach to a chain. Molds will only allow you to shape the resin. You will need to take additional steps to turn the resin into a pendant or charm before using it as such. Make sure that any molds you use are labeled specifically for use with resin. Coat molds with mold release. If you decide to use a mold, you need to spray the mold with mold release product. Let the mold release dry before continuing. Do not spray bezels with mold release. Mold release makes it easier for you to remove the finished resin pieces. Since the resin is supposed to stay inside the bezel, you'll want it to remain stuck in place as firmly as possible. Give the bezel a backing. If you decide to use a bezel, cut a piece of thick, sturdy packing tape and carefully stick it onto one side of the bezel. Make sure that the tape is secure and that there are no gaps between it and that side of the bezel. This is not necessary if you are using a mold or if the bezel is already closed on one side. Only follow this step if you are using a bezel with two open sides. Choose the right type of resin. For best results, choose polyurethane casting resin, not polyester casting resin. Polyester resin is more toxic and tends to retain an odor even after the pieces harden. To make the process easier, you should also make sure that the resin you buy is mixed in a one-to-one ratio with its catalyst. Place the resin and catalyst bottles in hot water. Fill a small bowl with hot tap water and rest the two bottles inside, keeping the contents of the bottles submerged beneath the level of the water. Do not use boiling water. Warming the resin and catalyst in this manner makes it easier to mix the two components smoothly. It also reduces the likelihood of dealing with air bubbles. Combine equal parts resin and catalyst. Combine the resin and catalyst in a small plastic measuring cup, adding equal parts of each. Stir continuously for two minutes using a wooden stick. Follow the instructions that come with your resin for this step. Some resins may require more or less stirring time. Only mix as much resin as you expect to use. It will not stay in its liquid form for long, so if you make too much, it'll go to waste. Pour the resin in first, then follow it with an equal amount of the catalyst. Use a graduated measuring cup and measure out both components directly inside the cup. Old, clean cough syrup measuring cups work very well for this, but any graduated measuring cup should suffice. Make sure that you use a cup you don't mind sacrificing, though. It can be reused for other resin projects, but you should not reuse this measuring cup for food, drink, or medicine purposes. Stir slowly to prevent air bubbles from building up. Scrape the stick along the edges and bottom of the cup as you stir to ensure thorough, even mixing. Add color pigments, if desired. If you want to create clear resin jewelry, no color pigment is needed. If you want to give each piece a tint of color, however, now is the time to add the pigment. Add liquid colors one drop at a time, stirring after each addition. Combine dry pigments with a little resin in a separate cup first, then combine the colored solution with the rest of the clear resin. Pour a layer of resin in. Pour enough of the liquid resin mix into the mold or bezel to completely cover the bottom. Work slowly to reduce the number of air bubbles. Remove any air bubbles. Hold a hair dryer or heat gun roughly 4 inches (10 cm) above the resin for a minute or so. Any air bubbles trapped inside should rise to the surface and pop. Even though you'll be adding another layer of resin later, it's best to remove the air bubbles in this layer now instead of waiting until the end. Let the resin harden slightly before adding heavier embellishments. Wait 15 minutes or so, allowing the resin in your mold to harden slightly. Carefully place heavy three-dimensional objects on top of the bottom layer using tweezers. The bottom of the mold or bezel will be the front of your piece, so place the items in upside-down. By placing the heavy embellishments in between layers of resin, you help hold them in place. If you added them without using layers, the pieces would likely move around before the resin sets. Cover with a final layer of resin. Pour additional resin over the heavy embellishments, covering them completely. This layer of resin should reach the top of the bezel or mold. You may need to adjust the position of your embellishments with a toothpick if they shift during this time. Add glitter, if desired. If you want a glittery background, sprinkle the glitter over the top of the mold or bezel after filling it with your final layer of resin. Glitter is small and light, so it should float on the surface of the resin as it dries. Since the top will later become the back of the piece, the glitter will create a background. Coat transparencies in resin before adding them. If you plan to add any transparencies, dip them in a little leftover resin before placing them in the mold. Use tweezers to dunk the transparency into the leftover resin in your measuring cup. Quickly dry the resin with your heat gun or hair dryer. Coating the transparencies will help reduce the risk of air bubbles forming between them and the resin in your mold. The bottom of your mold or bezel will end up being the front of your piece, so place the transparency in upside-down. Remove any air bubbles. As before, use your hair dryer or heat gun to gently bring any air bubbles to the surface, where they can pop. Add any paper backgrounds. If you plan to use a paper background, use tweezers to carefully place the paper over the top of the resin, aligning it as evenly as possible with the opening of the mold or bezel. Make sure that the paper is upside-down when you place it in so that the decorative side shows from the front of the piece. Let the resin cure. Set the filled mold or bezel aside and cover it with a clean box. Allow the resin to cure overnight. It is important to cover the resin as it cures to protect it from dust or other debris. Curing times can vary, so you'll need to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Only cure it long enough for the resin to be touchable. Do not wait until the resin is fully cured. Remove the resin charms from their molds. Once cured, you should be able to pop the resin pieces out of their molds using your fingers. If the pieces are still too soft to remove, try placing the mold in your freezer for 10 minutes. That should make it easier to pop the finished pieces out. At this point, the resin piece is ready to work with, but you'll need to take additional steps before you can wear it as jewelry. Remove the backing from bezels. If you used a bezel instead of a mold, you will need to peel off the tape from the back of the bezel once the resin cures. Do not remove the resin from the bezel. At this point, the resin charm is complete and ready to use as wearable jewelry. Heat a metal eye pin. Grab the eye of an eye pin with pliers and carefully heat the metal over the flame of a candle or gas stove. Only heat the metal for about 5 seconds. Work carefully to prevent accidental burns. Use an eye pin that is just a little shorter than the width of the resin piece. Poke the metal into the resin charm. Grab the resin piece with one hand and carefully poke the straight side of the heated eye pin inside. Press the pin in until it extends roughly halfway through the resin piece. This will only work if the resin is only partially cured. If you allowed it to cure completely, it will be too hard and unyielding. Attach a jump ring to the loop. Once the metal eye pin is cool enough to touch with your bare fingers, slide a small jump ring into the eye. This completes the project and turns your resin piece into a wearable pendant or charm. Glue the mount to the back of the resin. Apply quick hold contact adhesive to the top of the ring mount or pin backing. Press the mount or backing over the center back of your resin piece. Work quickly to prevent the adhesive from setting before it's attached to the resin. Keep the mount or backing as centered as possible. Let dry. Follow the adhesive manufacturer's instructions and let the adhesive set completely. This step completes the project and turns your resin piece into a wearable ring or brooch. | Prepare your work space. Find embellishments to add. Apply sealant to porous embellishments. Trim everything down to size. Determine whether to use molds or bezels. Coat molds with mold release. Give the bezel a backing. Choose the right type of resin. Place the resin and catalyst bottles in hot water. Combine equal parts resin and catalyst. Add color pigments, if desired. Pour a layer of resin in. Remove any air bubbles. Let the resin harden slightly before adding heavier embellishments. Cover with a final layer of resin. Add glitter, if desired. Coat transparencies in resin before adding them. Remove any air bubbles. Add any paper backgrounds. Let the resin cure. Remove the resin charms from their molds. Remove the backing from bezels. Heat a metal eye pin. Poke the metal into the resin charm. Attach a jump ring to the loop. Glue the mount to the back of the resin. Let dry. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prime-a-Pool-Pump | How to Prime a Pool Pump | To prime a pool pump, start by turning it off and flipping the breaker to your pool system so you don't get electrocuted. Then, turn the multi-port valve on the pipes next to your pump to "recirculate," and turn the air valve on top of the filter counterclockwise. Next, pour water into the pump box under the filter cover for about 2 minutes before placing the lid back on the pump. Finally, turn the pump back on, close the air valve, and turn the multi-port valve back to "filter." | Prime the pump at the beginning of each pool season. While the pool has been covered for the offseason, the water in the pump and lines may have evaporated or drained off. When you prime the pump, you add water to it and bleed off the air in the lines. Prime your pump anytime your pool sits for 1-2 months. Turn the pump off. The pump should have an off switch somewhere on it. Flip the switch to turn it off. If it doesn't, find the cord that goes to the wall. At the wall, there should be a circuit breaker switch that you can flip to turn off the electricity to the pump. That way, you're not working on an electrical item while current is flowing to it! Flip the breaker to the pool system. Find your breaker box and look for the breaker that's labeled for the pool area. Flip the breaker so that the current is off running to your pool. This extra precaution ensures you won't get electrocuted! Take the lid off the pump. The pump is covered with a lid to create a closed system. You will likely need to unscrew the cover to get to the pump. The cover must fit on tightly so that it doesn't allow air into the system when it's running. Turn the multi-port valve to "recirculate. " The multi-port valve should be on the pipes next to your pump. If you're not sure which one it is, look in your owner's manual for your particular pump. Turn it to the place marked "recirculate." This allows the water to flow just into your pump and not through your filter. Relieve air pressure in your filter by turning the air valve. Find the valve on top of the pool filter. It's a little round knob. Twist it counterclockwise (anticlockwise) to open up the valve. The gauge should read 0 psi when you're done. Leave this valve open. Look for debris in the pump box basket. The pump basket should be just under the cover. If there's anything in it, pull it out of the pump and dump it out. Rinse out the basket with a hose if you need to. Put the basket back into the pump. Pour water into the pump box and pipes. Use a hose to fill the pump with water. You should see it fill up all the way to the top of the pump basket. Fill the area for at least 2 minutes so that you know the water has gotten down into the pipes. If it drains off, add more water. Put the lid of the pump back on. Make sure the cover is on tightly before moving on to the next step. The suction could knock the cover off as you turn the pump back on if the lid is not on tight. You need to screw the cover back into place. Now is a good time to check the lid and seal for cracks. If it's damaged, you'll need to replace it. Turn the pump back on. You will need to flip any circuits you turned off back on, including the one at the wall for the pump. With the pump back together, you're in less danger from working with it around water. Watch the water pump and the air valve. You should see water running through the pump pretty quickly. The water pump may gurgle with air bubbles at first, but it should soon be running smoothly with just water. You can also watch the air valve. It should leak air then start spraying a little water if the pump is running correctly. If you don't see these signs within a minute or so, turn the pump off again and repeat the steps from above. Close the air valve and turn the multi-port valve back to "filter. " Once the pump is running smoothly, turn the air valve clockwise until it's tight. That will close the valve and the pump system. Also, turn the valve for the water from "recirculate" back to "filter." Now, the water should be running back through the filter. Add more water to the pump and skimmer pipes if it won't run. Generally, if your pump is having a problem, it's because it can't get enough water through the pump. Turn the system off again and top off the pump with more water, then try again. Make sure to always turn the pump off before you take the lid off it to add water! Check the pool water level to see there's enough water for the pump. If the pump doesn't have anything to pull water from, it can't run. If your pool level is low, try filling it up to normal levels before working on the pump again. Tighten all the valves to ensure a good enough seal for the pump to run. Turn the pump off. Tighten the air valve and the water valves. Tighten any fittings you can, as well. You may need to use a wrench to tighten parts of your pump. Turn it on again to see if it helped. Wash and lubricate the lid to determine if that's why the pump isn't running. One issue that can cause your pump problems is if you're not getting a tight enough seal with the pump lid. Turn off the pump and take the lid off. Scrub the lid and the threads with dish soap and water and rinse it off thoroughly. Dry the lid and rub a lubricant into the O-ring under the lid. You can use petroleum jelly for this purpose. Put the lid back on tightly. The purpose of this is to make the seal as tight as you can. Turn the pump on again and see if it works. Look for leaks in the pipe going to the pump to see if that's the problem. Grab a can of shaving cream and add a layer all over the pipe that runs into the pump. Turn the pump on and watch the cream. If it flows into the pipe, you've got a leak. You'll likely need to replace the pipe or have someone else do it. Call in expert help if you can't find the problem. It may be that the repair is something only a professional can find and fix. That's particularly true if it's a problem with the motor or the wiring. If you try to troubleshoot your pump but can't seem to fix it, call in a professional! | Prime the pump at the beginning of each pool season. Turn the pump off. Flip the breaker to the pool system. Take the lid off the pump. Turn the multi-port valve to "recirculate. Relieve air pressure in your filter by turning the air valve. Look for debris in the pump box basket. Pour water into the pump box and pipes. Put the lid of the pump back on. Turn the pump back on. Watch the water pump and the air valve. Close the air valve and turn the multi-port valve back to "filter. Add more water to the pump and skimmer pipes if it won't run. Check the pool water level to see there's enough water for the pump. Tighten all the valves to ensure a good enough seal for the pump to run. Wash and lubricate the lid to determine if that's why the pump isn't running. Look for leaks in the pipe going to the pump to see if that's the problem. Call in expert help if you can't find the problem. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Win-a-Debate | How to Win a Debate | To win a debate, take good notes when your opposition is speaking so you can refute any inaccuracies. During your refutation, try to reframe any negative points by offering more positive interpretations of them. Point out flaws in your opponent's methodology if you can. You can also highlight any points your opponent makes that are based on factual, moral, or logical errors. Finally, argue your own proposition with conviction, using examples, quotations, and statistics to strengthen your case. | Research your topic. You'll need to know the general details of the topic that you'll be expected to debate, but in particular, you should take note of specific information and figures you might use. This will help with your rational appeal in your argument, as numbers can have a powerful impact in your audience while being difficult to refute. Research in an open ended fashion to improve your critical evaluation of facts. Open ended research usually entails shifting your reading and viewing habits to include sources that are educational or current event based. Conduct focused research on your topic. List the areas you feel you have strong background knowledge and any gaps in your knowledge on the topic. Try to fill in these gaps while coordinating your research with other teammates, so there is little to no overlap in your research efforts and you make the best use of your time. Dress suitably for your debate. How you present yourself to your audience is often considered to be part of your delivery and will likely affect your scoring. Depending on the level of your competition and the expectations of those involved, the right outfit for your situation may vary. You will want to come across from the very beginning as being respectful of your audience and a respectable person, both of which can be achieved by wearing more formal clothing. Ask your teacher or coach what the best clothing for your level of competition might be if you are unsure. Lower level or less serious competitions might only require a dress shirt or polo with a pair of khaki pants. High level competitions, championships for example, will probably be best attended in a suit and tie. Don't overdress; although a tuxedo will set you apart, it might seem to others like you are showing off. Write your speech. Once you have decided on your argument and the material you will use in it, you will need to write the speech you will use during the debate. Depending on the kind of debate and the rules your debate chapter, these can differ significantly, though every debate should have: An unbiased introduction that presents basic information and the topic. A body that includes an emotional point, a logical point, and an ethical point in favor of your side of the debate. You should also have examples, quotations, and statistics to strengthen your case. A conclusion that summarizes the important points made by you and/or members of your team. Rehearse your material. This is an important part of debate preparation. Rehearsal will help you feel more comfortable with your material, will make you more aware of your voice and body, and will help you identify problem areas. Record yourself if you are able. This way you can check your posture, gestures, and speaking volume. Try rehearsing in front of mirror. Note how you use your hands, how your words sync with your expressions, and the naturalness of your body language. Memorize your main points. Quick recall will allow you to respond to the oppositions points more quickly. Additionally, memorization will put information vital to your argument/counterargument at your disposal. Demonstrating your quick wit can earn you points with your judges and put you ahead of your opponents. Predict your opposition. While constructing your argument, you should take weak points into consideration, as these will likely be used by your opposition. Beyond that, what are the best arguments you can think to use for the opposing argument? Keep this in mind, and think of specific ways you can question or undermine the validity of these arguments. Make debate aids. Your level and the rules of your debate league might disallow the use of index cards during your debate, but these can still help you with memorization and organization. In the event that flashcards are allowed, these can help you keep your argument and rebuttals well organized and accurate. Organize your flashcards so that the most important information is offset from other details by using underlines, highlighting, or other marks. Include a bare-bones outline of your talking points so that if you are interrupted or lose your place, you can get back on topic easily. Study with your flashcards regularly. Choose intervals throughout the day to study, like after waking up, during lunch, and before going to bed. Repetition will help reinforce your memorization. Get plenty of sleep. This can be especially difficult if you are a nervous person, but tension can result in even laid back debaters having a poor night's sleep. Sleep deprivation can hurt your response time, recall, and mental sharpness, which may translate into penalties in your score. To prevent nerves from harming your sleep, you might: Exercise the day before a debate. Take a natural sleep supplement, like chamomile tea or melatonin, to help falling asleep. Eat sufficiently before your debate. Most veteran speakers will prepare for a debate by eating moderate meals. Most eat enough to keep hunger at bay during the debate, but avoid eating anything heavy that might cause drowsiness or lethargy. You might also want to avoid consuming dairy, as doing so can create mucous that might hurt your speaking voice, and caffeinated beverages, which can cause an over-active bladder. Speak in a clear voice. You will need to assess the environment in which the debate is held before you can know which speaking volume will be most effective. If there is a mic you are expected to use, you should check its volume before beginning your speech. Smaller rooms can benefit from a warm, conversational tone, while large presentation halls may require a louder than normal speaking voice. Adopt a suitable appearance. You will also be judged on how you integrate your body language with your speech. Identify emotional shifts in your speech and match these with the appropriate posture and gestures. Three key aspects of your appearance are: Posture : avoid slouching or lazy posture, as these can be interpreted negatively. A straight-back, feet shoulder width apart, attentive but at ease stance will make it easy for you to transition to other gestures/postures throughout your speech. Gesture : make sure there is enough variety in your gestures; repetitive motions can hurt your score. Keep your gestures above the waist so that each can be easily seen. Eye contact : it is generally expected that you will have to consult notes for specific figures and certain points, but maintaining strong and consistent eye contact is expected throughout your debate. You should practice speaking and scanning your notes before your debate. Take notes during the oppositions time. For you to properly refute inaccurate information, rebut a point, or address a counterargument, you will need to address specific points in your opposition's case. Check the other team's statistics against your own and jot down any information that seems false, incomplete, or mis-portrayed. Show your negative points in a positive light. Framing can drastically change the way information is interpreted by an audience, and if you have the last word, framing can be an effective tool to change a negative opinion to a positive one. You may want to re-frame the obvious counterexamples that the opposition is likely to use, so that you have a strong refutation partially prepared. The point, "School uniforms restrict students' individuality," might be re-framed, "School uniforms prevent individuality from negatively impacting the learning of all students." Argue your proposition with conviction. For your proposition to be accepted, you will need to convince the jury that your plan (motion) is the way to go. This will require you to defend it against the opposition while making points in favor of your proposition. Meet the opposition requirements. Classically, debate has objectives that are considered strong proof of a superior argument. Though these can take many different forms, there are three customary ways to win a debate as the opposition: Prove that the problem solved by the motion does not exist. Prove that the motion proposed does not solve the problem. Prove that the motion is not the appropriate way to solve the problem and/or that the plan proposed brings more negative consequences than benefits. Bring a new point to attention. This is especially useful if you are the third speaker, as it can shift attention away from other, more important points you have raised. This can also return attention to the main thrust of your argument. However, you should not make any new arguments at this point, as this is oftentimes judged negatively. Though you are still allowed to attack or defend any argument from a new perspective. Rebut the opposition. Identify and take note of the key arguments of the other team. Unraveling these will earn you points in refutation and put the other team on the defensive. You will need to refute the arguments of the other side while rebuilding any of your own points. An effective way of doing this during the debate is to ask the following questions: Is the methodology of the other side flawed in some way? Does the opposition make any claims that have factual, moral, or logical errors? Does the opposition make an assumptions or logical fallacies? Know the rules for Points of Information. POIs can only be made during unprotected time which is usually defined as the time after the first and before the third minute of a speech. A POI must be in question form, but aside from that it can be used for many different purposes. Some uses of POIs: clarification, disruption of someone's speech, pointing out weaknesses, or to get an answer useful for your own argument. An example of using a POI for your argument might go something like: "After the second speaker of the proposition side accepted my POI, she admitted that..." In most competitive debate, POIs are limited to 15 seconds. Offer your POI with adherence to proper etiquette. To offer a POI, you should stand up holding one hand atop your head with the other in the air. As a speaker, you can either deny or accept a point of information. During a speech of 4 minutes, it is considered good form to accept at least two POIs, but at minimum you should try to address at least one. Accept POIs by saying, "Yes," or "I'll take your point." Decline POIs by saying, "No thank you," or gently waving your hand downward to indicate an opponent should sit. Counter counterarguments. You and your team should pay attention to the POIs brought up by your opponents. These can provide an early warning for the direction of the opposing team's arguments and rebuttals, as pointed questions in the form of POIs can reveal the oppositions depth of knowledge or lack thereof. Use this foreknowledge to prepare your defense. If one of the opposing team's POIs references a specific study or authority, then you may want to consider what you know about that source. As you consider the source, think about how you can refute other points that your opposition might draw from that source. Be direct. Due to the 15 second time constraint of POIs, and the speaker's ability to cut the POI short, your POI should be motivated by a key principle or argument. The very first line of your POI should include your main point to prevent being cut off. Be sure you are prepared to move back into your speech after finishing your POI. | Research your topic. Dress suitably for your debate. Write your speech. Rehearse your material. Memorize your main points. Predict your opposition. Make debate aids. Get plenty of sleep. Eat sufficiently before your debate. Speak in a clear voice. Adopt a suitable appearance. Take notes during the oppositions time. Show your negative points in a positive light. Argue your proposition with conviction. Meet the opposition requirements. Bring a new point to attention. Rebut the opposition. Know the rules for Points of Information. Offer your POI with adherence to proper etiquette. Counter counterarguments. Be direct. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-a-Well-Fitting-Bra | How to Buy a Well Fitting Bra | To buy a well-fitting bra, start by measuring yourself to make sure you pick the right size. First, wrap the measuring tape around your rib cage just below your bust to figure out your band size. Round the measurement up to the nearest 1 inch, then add 4 inches if it's an even number and 5 inches if it's odd. Next, wrap the tape around your bust at its fullest point, right over the nipples. If you do not measure exactly to the inch, round up. Then, subtract the band size from the bust size to find your cup size. For every 1 inch of difference, go up a cup size. For example, a difference of 0 inches is an AA cup, a difference of 1 inch is an A cup, and a difference of 2 inches is a B cup. | Find your band size. Use a soft measuring tape to measure around your ribcage just below your bust, where your bra band would normally be located. Keep the tape snug around your chest. Round the measurement up to the nearest 1 inch (2.5 cm), then add 4 inches (10 cm) if it's an even number and 5 inches (13 cm) if it's odd. For example, if you measured 31 inches (79 cm), your band size would be 36. This measurement is taken tightly because you want the band of your bra to be very snug. Measure bust at the fullest part to get your bust size. Wrap the tape around your bust at its fullest point, so that the tape passes over the nipples. Don't pull the measuring tape too tight. If you do not measure exactly to the inch, round up. Subtract the band size from the bust size to find your cup size. The cup sizes are based on the difference between your band and bust size rather than on the size of your breasts alone. For every 1 inch (2.5 cm) difference, go up a cup size. For example: A difference of 0 inches (0 cm) is an AA cup. A difference of 1 inch (2.5 cm) is an A cup. A difference of 2 inches (5.1 cm) is a B cup. A difference of 3 inches (7.6 cm) is a C cup. A difference of 4 inches (10 cm) is a D cup. If your cup size is greater than a D, different manufacturers will classify your cup size differently, so you may have to try different cup sizes when you fit bras. Know that the size of the cup varies with the band size. It's important to realize that the size of the cup will increase along with the band size, and vice versa. For example, the cup of a size 36C bra will be bigger than the cup of a size 34C bra. So: If you want to try a smaller band size, you'll need to compensate by choosing a larger cup size. For example, if you find the band on a 36B bra is too loose, go for a 34C instead. And if you want to try a larger band size, you'd need a smaller cup. For example, if a 34B is too tight around the band, try a 36A. Hook the bra at your waist, then pull up only in the front. Lift the front up as high as it will go, without sliding over the front of your breasts. This will make sure the back stays low, for proper support. This will also ensure you get lift in front, where you want it. Lean forward and smooth all the soft tissue forward. Start from just behind your armpits, and push as much as you can into the cup. Breast tissue is soft, and if your bra fits properly, it should stay where you put it. Grasp the front of the bra and jiggle slightly to settle everything into place. Know how high on your chest your breasts should end up. With a properly fitted bra, the apex of your breasts should be approximately halfway between your elbow and your shoulder. Don’t overtighten the closures or straps. Doing so can make the bra uncomfortable, and this can affect your mood and posture. Never tighten the straps so much that they put pressure on your shoulders. This will cause you to slouch forward. Never tighten the straps so they pull the bra up at the back. Keeping the back band straight across is important for adequate support in front. When buying a bra, hook into the loops at the very end of the band. This gives you a way to tighten the bra as it stretches out over time. Get a professional fitting regularly. Your breast size will change along with other changes in your body. Get fitted every time you lose or gain more than 10 pounds (4.5 kg) or have hormonal changes such as with pregnancy or hormone therapy. Many lingerie stores and departments offer free professional fitting. Don't be embarrassed! These women are usually very kind and professional, and have seen it all before. Try to get fitted at a store with a wide range of brands and sizes, otherwise the information you get might be limited to what the store actually sells. Find a good retailer. While bras are widely available, most stores cater to “average” sizes. Find a store or a brand that is particularly suited to your body type. If you have a hard time shopping in department stores, consider going to specialty lingerie stores or ordering online. Don't feel pressured to buy in any store or from a particular salesperson. There are many options to choose from! Plan your budget beforehand. Bras can be expensive, but it's important not to sacrifice good fit for the sake of paying less. An ill-fitting bra is not worth buying. It will eventually make you uncomfortable, both physically and psychologically. Plan to have fewer bras in your wardrobe, if necessary. Buy bras that are versatile, such as “convertible” styles, or ones with removable straps. Thinks about the color of the clothes in your wardrobe and aim to buy bras to match. Always fit your bra before you buy it. Your size is just a starting point, as sizing can vary and every bra will fit a little bit differently. Take the time to try it on in the store and make sure it's right. When shopping for bras, plan to spend a fair amount of time in the store choosing and fitting bras. Don't be frustrated if you don't find the right fit right away. If you order online, make sure the site you buy from has a good return policy. Know which styles are flattering. The shape of your breasts and torso are unique. Depending on your particular proportions, certain styles will look better on you than others. Your bra will look better if it flatters the overall proportion of your torso. Ideally, your shoulders should look about the same width as your hips. If your shoulders are broad , try to find bras with narrower set straps, and a shape that plunges more in the middle. If your shoulders are narrow , consider bras that create a more distinct horizontal line across your torso. If your torso is short , a bra that plunges more in the middle can elongate your torso. Consider the shape of your breasts. There is a wide variety of breast shapes and sizes. To understand how to classify your breasts, look at this guide. Try moving around to make sure the bra stays put. Put your arms above your head and twist left and right at the waist. The bra should neither ride up nor pinch at this point. If the band slips, try a smaller size. If it cuts in, it's too tight. If you're trying on a sports bra, jog in place or jump up and down as well to test if it can control 'bounce' comfortably. Bend over. If your breasts are falling out, then the bra doesn't fit. Modify your bra if needed. There are plenty of add-ons that can make your bras more comfortable. Everyone has one breast larger than the other. Adjust each strap to the correct length and consider padding one side. If your bra band is too tight, consider purchasing a band extender. If your straps hurt because they're cutting into your shoulders, you may benefit from strap padding. If the straps keep falling off your shoulders, consider a clip to hold them together in the back. Make peace with your breasts. If you're unhappy with your body, bra shopping can be a truly unpleasant experience. However, it's important to remember that every woman's body is unique, but bras are mass produced. No bra can ever be made to look good on everyone. Remember that even with a perfect body (if such a thing exists) an ill-fitting, unflattering bra can do a woman a great disservice. If something doesn't suit you, remember that you can always wear something else. Refrain from passing judgement on yourself. If you're having a hard time finding a bra, this doesn't mean you are ugly or strangely shaped. It just means you're different. Know the parts of a bra. In order to pinpoint where a bra does or does not fit well, be aware of the various part of a bra. The cup: The part where your breasts fit into. It's usually made of stretchy fabric, and can have up to 3 tailored seams. The band: This is the elastic part that goes all the way around your chest. The wings: These are the portions of the band that extend from the end of the cups to the center of the back. The straps: These go over the shoulders and are often adjustable, and sometimes padded. The closure: This is usually a hook and eye set at the center back. However, it can also be in front, or absent. The center gore: This is the part between the cups in the front. Count your breasts. If you appear to have 4, you have what is called the “quad boob effect.” This indicates that the cups are too small, and there's not enough room inside. This is especially apparent if you try your shirt on over your bra. Check to see that the bra doesn't slide over your breasts. If it does, this means that the band is too loose. Try raising your arms and bending backward a bit to check if this happens. Remember, when you go up a band size, go down a cup size. Check that the middle of the bra is lying flat in front. If it won't, then the bra doesn't fit. This could be because the underwire is the wrong shape for your breasts. It could also indicate that the cup size is either too large or too small. Check that the band doesn't ride up your back or dig into your sides. You should be able to run your fingers around under the edge of the fabric. If you can pull it away from your back by more than 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm), it's too loose. If the band digs into your sides to the extent that it causes pain after wearing it, the band is too small. If the band rides up, try loosening the straps. If this doesn't work, the band is too big. Note that “back fat,” a common complaint, is normal. This does not necessarily mean the band is too tight. Instead, look for bras that have a wider band or a “leotard band” to create a smoother silhouette. Unless the band is causing you pain, don't go up a band size, otherwise you will not have enough support. This could also indicate that the cup size is too small. Another solution is to wear a body shaping undergarment. Make sure the cups don’t wrinkle or have gaps at the top. This could mean that the cup size is too big, the style is wrong, or that you have not put the bra on properly. Try adjusting your breasts to make sure they are centered in the cup. This could also mean that the bra is not right for your breast shape. If your breasts are fuller at the bottom than at the top, you may need a differently shaped bra, such as a “demi cup” or “balcony” style bra. Check that the straps do not dig into your shoulders. This can cause pain, and other problems. Straps that dig into your shoulders can cause long term problems, such as headaches, back pain, permanent indentations, and even nerve damage. Try looking for bras with wide, padded straps, especially if you have larger breasts. Shoulder pain could also indicate that the band is too big and not providing enough support. The support should come from the band, not the straps. Check that the straps do not fall off your shoulders. If you've adjusted the straps and they still keep falling, try a different bra. Petite women and women with sloping shoulders often have this problem. Make sure the straps are set close enough together and are fully adjustable. Make sure any underwires are comfortable. Underwires that are fitted properly should not cause any pain or discomfort. If the cup is too small, the underwire may not fit comfortably under your breasts. Also, your individual breasts may not necessarily be the same shape as the manufacturer's underwires. You may have trouble wearing underwires if you have a higher rib cage. Underwires are not recommended for pregnant women or women undergoing surgery. Some medical conditions may also make it inadvisable to wear underwires. Bras without underwire can be just as supportive, even if you have larger breasts, as long as the fit is correct. | Find your band size. Measure bust at the fullest part to get your bust size. Subtract the band size from the bust size to find your cup size. Know that the size of the cup varies with the band size. Hook the bra at your waist, then pull up only in the front. Lean forward and smooth all the soft tissue forward. Know how high on your chest your breasts should end up. Don’t overtighten the closures or straps. Get a professional fitting regularly. Find a good retailer. Plan your budget beforehand. Always fit your bra before you buy it. Know which styles are flattering. Try moving around to make sure the bra stays put. Modify your bra if needed. Make peace with your breasts. Know the parts of a bra. Count your breasts. Check to see that the bra doesn't slide over your breasts. Check that the middle of the bra is lying flat in front. Check that the band doesn't ride up your back or dig into your sides. Note that “back fat,” a common complaint, is normal. Make sure the cups don’t wrinkle or have gaps at the top. Check that the straps do not dig into your shoulders. Check that the straps do not fall off your shoulders. Make sure any underwires are comfortable. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Amaryllis-to-Rebloom | How to Get Amaryllis to Rebloom | To get amaryllis to rebloom, start by cutting away faded blooms where the old flowers meet the main stalk of your plant. Next, cut back any yellow, sagging stalks within 2 inches of the bulb to stimulate new growth. Then, position the plant where it will receive plenty of bright, indirect sunlight and keep the soil moist. Once summer arrives, replant the amaryllis in the ground outdoors and fertilize it every 2 weeks to encourage lots of new blooms! | Remove each flower as it fades. Once a flower has faded, cut the flower where it meets the main stalk with a clean knife or scissors. Make sure to remove the green lump and thin green stem attaching the flower to the stalk. This prevents the plant from producing seeds, which requires a lot of energy that could be going into survival and growth instead. Cut the flower stalks once they yellow or sag. The main stalks contain food and water the plant can use, but they will likely begin to droop or turn yellow shortly after the flowers fade. They are no longer useful at this point, and should be cut back to within 2 inches (5 cm) of the bulb. Be careful not to cut the leaves or the top of the bulb. Only the flower stalks should be removed. Do not be alarmed if sap runs out of the cut. This is normal for a well-watered plant. Move the amaryllis to an area with bright indirect light. Most people with amaryllis plants keep them indoors while they bloom in winter. If this is the case, move the plant to a windowsill with indirect sunlight to let it adjust to increased sunlight. Pick a spot that is bright and receives lots of sunlight, but not by direct exposure. You may skip this step if the plant was already exposed to indirect or full sunlight. In the northern hemisphere, north and east facing windows receive indirect sunlight. In the southern hemisphere, south and east facing windows do. Make sure to keep the plant relatively cool, too, at about room temperature. This is around or slightly warmer than 60 degrees F. Water the soil whenever it begins to dry. Your amaryllis will likely require daily watering unless kept in a humid environment or planted outside in moist soil. Don't let the soil dry out completely, at least not for longer than a few hours. You'll want to keep the soil just slightly moist at all times. After growth begins, also fertilize the plant with a half-strength, water-soluble fertilizer every two or three weeks. Continue on to the summer section as soon as the weather becomes warm. Depending on your local climate, this typically begins in May or June in the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere, warm weather usually begins in December or January. Once summer is underway, plant the container outside. Once the last frost has passed and the weather is consistently warm, plant the container outside in a flower bed or garden. Bury it so the rim is at or just above the surface. Select a location that receives full morning light if possible, but is protected from sun during the hottest part of the day. Amaryllis plants grow better in containers, which also protect against burrowing animals and insects. Growing them directly in the soil is possible, but will be more difficult. The leaves may flop over when the plant is first moved outside, but with proper care new, more upright leaves should grow. Continue to water regularly. Check the soil daily and water whenever it is dry or almost dry. Water the soil around the plant, not the leaves or bulb. Avoid watering any plants during the hottest part of the day, since the hot water can burn the plant. Keep the soil moist, not soaked. If your soil does not drain properly, the pooling water could rot the roots. Fertilizer once every two weeks. Make the bulb strong and healthy by applying a balanced fertilizer to the soil every two weeks. Use a soluble houseplant fertilizer and apply according to instructions. Do not apply more than instructed. You should see the plant grow new, darker leaves throughout the summer. Continue on to the autumn section when weather cools or the leaves change color. If the leaves begin to turn yellow, which is normal, the plant is entering its dormant period. This typically occurs in early autumn. Expect this change in August or September if you live in the northern hemisphere, or March or April if you live in the southern hemisphere. Reduce watering gradually as the leaves die. The amaryllis should lose its foliage as the summer ends and autumn begins. When this begins to happen, start giving the plant slightly smaller quantities of water, but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Remove the dead leaves. Trim the yellow or brown leaves once they have withered by cutting them off next to the neck of the bulb. Allow living green leaves to remain on the plant. Bring the plant to a cool indoor area. Once the weather is cooler and most of the leaves have died, bring the amaryllis indoors. Place the pot in a cool, dark area between 40 and 50ºF (5–10ºC), such as a basement. If you do not have a suitable area for a pot, you may carefully remove the bulb and roots from the soil and place it in the crisper (vegetable drawer) of a refrigerator. Always bring the amaryllis in before the first frost, which typically occurs at 32ºF or 0ºC night temperature. If storing in your refrigerator, do not store fruit in your refrigerator at the same time. Many fruits, especially apples, release chemicals that can sterilize your amaryllis bulb. Leave the bulb alone for 6–8 weeks. Store the amaryllis in the cool, dark environment for at least six weeks. Do not water it during this time, but do remove any remaining leaves as they die. This is the bulb's dormant period, and the plant must experience this in order to bloom again. Move on to the next section after 6–8 weeks. If you want the amaryllis to rebloom by a particular date, such as Christmas, remove the bulb from the cool area at least six weeks before that day. Test to see if the bulb is rotted. Reach under the soil surface and gently squeeze the bulb. If the bulb is soft, it may have rotted and become unusable. If you are not certain, you may wish to attempt to rebloom the bulb anyway, but acquire a backup amaryllis as well in case the original bulb dies. Replace some or all of the soil. Like most plants, amaryllis plants grow better in certain types of soil, and over a period of 1–3 years they may remove the nutrients from their soil. While it is not difficult to get an amaryllis to rebloom, you may have a larger, healthier plant if you use a special potting mix. Amaryllis roots are easily harmed during transplanting, so if you are not used to transplanting flowers you may wish to replace the top 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) of soil instead. The best soil for amaryllis consists of two parts loamy soil, without much sand or clay; one part perlite or gravel; and one part organic matter such as rotted manure, peat, leaf mold, or composted bark. A clay pot might be better than a plastic one, since the amaryllis can become top-heavy and tip a lightweight pot over. If you are replanting the amaryllis in your garden, remove any dead leaves and peel off the bulb sheaths. Place the plant in the soil with the bulb shoulders exposed, and give it a drink of water. This will help “wake” the amaryllis up. Water the soil thoroughly if you repotted it. If you transplanted the bulb into a new pot, you should water the soil thoroughly and allow the excess to drain through the base of the pot. Following the initial watering, you should keep the soil damp, but not soaked, as in the summer or autumn. Keep the plant in a relatively warmer location. The ideal temperature for forcing an amaryllis to flower is between 55 and 65ºF (13–18ºC). Moving the plant into a a warmer location will encourage growth, though too much warmth may lead to weak or floppy growth. Cooler temperatures may prevent or slow growth. Wait for the plant to flower. While a new amaryllis plant usually grows a flower before leaves, you may see these appear in either order when it reblooms. Keep the soil damp, but not soaked, and expect your new flower or flowers approximately six weeks after you moved it to warmer area. | Remove each flower as it fades. Cut the flower stalks once they yellow or sag. Move the amaryllis to an area with bright indirect light. Water the soil whenever it begins to dry. Continue on to the summer section as soon as the weather becomes warm. Once summer is underway, plant the container outside. Continue to water regularly. Fertilizer once every two weeks. Continue on to the autumn section when weather cools or the leaves change color. Reduce watering gradually as the leaves die. Remove the dead leaves. Bring the plant to a cool indoor area. Leave the bulb alone for 6–8 weeks. Move on to the next section after 6–8 weeks. Test to see if the bulb is rotted. Replace some or all of the soil. Water the soil thoroughly if you repotted it. Keep the plant in a relatively warmer location. Wait for the plant to flower. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Love-Studying | How to Love Studying | To love studying, pick an environment that suits your style of learning, like a school library if you prefer it quiet, or a cafe if you like some background noise. You could also try playing classical music in the background to stimulate your brain. Additionally, use colorful study materials, including stickers, pens, and paper, to stay focused. If you find reading boring, watch some educational study videos to learn the material in another way. Alternatively, try drawing pictures or graphs containing the key information you're studying. | Pick a quiet area that will help you stay focused. It is usually best to study in a place that is relatively quiet so that you can focus. There are many great places where you can study, both at home and in public. Your bedroom can be a great place to study. Just make sure you have a desk in there. Studying on your bed may make you sleepy. If you don't have a desk in your room, try working at the kitchen table or at a computer desk somewhere in your home. Ask your family to keep their voices down. Try a public, school, or university library. These often have desks in quiet areas where you can just study. You might even be able to book a study room for a few hours. Some people study well with a little bit of ambient background noise. If you feel this might help, try studying at a cafe. Keep your study area clean. Clutter can be distracting and discouraging, which will not make studying enjoyable. Clean up your desk or other chosen study spot and arrange your study materials in a neat way. Make sure you have room to spread out your books and take advantage of the space. Remove immediate distractions. To get the most out of your study time, make sure that there are no distractions that will bother you. Turn off the TV, radio, and computer and put away your phone, leisure reading material, and video games. You will be able to enjoy studying if you are able to engage with the material fully. If you are using a computer to study, try installing an app on your browser to filter out distracting websites while you work, such as FocusMe or Freedom. Vary your study locations. Whenever possible, bring your study session to a new locale. Take your books or laptop to a relaxing setting like a café, park, or beach to work. The enjoyable surroundings will boost your mood and help to make studying feel less stale or routine. If you get easily distracted while you study, opt to visit a library or secluded field so that you can work without disruptions. Use colorful study materials. Keep yourself engaged while you are studying by using bright, colorful school supplies to take notes and write down ideas. These may include pens and paper, note cards, stickers, highlighters, and Post-it notes. Adding color to the studying process will make it more fun and activate the creative part of your brain, which will help you retain things better. Play background music while you study. Atmospheric music will make studying more enjoyable and stimulate your brain without distracting you. Try playing classical music or movie scores in the background while you study. Play music at a moderate volume and avoid anything loud or jarring, which will break your concentration. Watch educational videos. Studying from textbooks and class notes can be boring, so improve your learning by looking for educational videos on the same topics. Video can be an effective learning tool because it engages students and enhances understanding. Search for credible videos online by making sure that they: are made by an expert in the field of study (e.g. a health video featuring a licensed doctor). cite the third-party sources of the information being shared, either in the video or in the video description. are produced or approved by a reputable institution. Draw pictures of your subjects and notes. Drawing can help you learn your material, and it may prevent you from getting bored while you study. Instead of reading or rewriting your notes, draw a picture to represent the information instead. For example, if you are studying biology, draw pictures of cells and organisms. Label these with their proper parts. If you're studying literature, make a comic of the main events of the novel or story. If you're studying business or public policy, maybe make a chart or graph depicting trends. Write a song about your notes to help you remember them. This can be a fun activity that will help you remember information more easily. Write the song before practicing a few times in your head. If you need to, use a melody from a popular song. For example, make your math equations into a song or sing about historical figures in chronological order. Find study partners with similar habits. Get to know people in your class and take the time to ask them about their study methods. Look for a potential study partner who likes to study around the same time of day as you do and who uses similar methods of learning. Ask them if they'd like to study with you sometime, which will make the process less isolating and boring. For instance, if you prefer to study in the library at night, seek a study partner who does the same. Ask fellow students about their study habits by saying something like, "I always need to set up in a library to study properly. What works for you?" Avoid studying with friends or classmates who will be a big distraction. Quiz a partner as a way of studying. Discuss the study material with your partner to gain new perspectives on it and understand better. Quiz them on course content to test what they have absorbed, and have them do the same with you. You can turn this into a fun game by keeping points and answering questions as fast as you can. Ask questions as if you are conducting an oral exam and review the correct answers together afterwards. Start a study group. Assemble a group of study partners that share a common goal, such as studying for a big exam. Set up regular times to meet in a venue that will accommodate everyone, like a library study room. Make the most of the group dynamic by dividing up study tasks and working together to solve difficult issues. Studying with a group of people is a great way to tackle subjects that you don't understand or simply don't enjoy studying. The social aspect of group meetings will make studying enjoyable, and it is a good way to make new friends. Schedule regular breaks during study time. For every hour that you study, schedule ten minutes of time to relax. Breaks will reduce your stress levels and help you retain what you've studied. If you are studying with partners, study breaks will help to combat the feeling of isolation that studying sometimes creates. Use a watch or alarm to mark the time while you study. You can use your breaks for brief activities such as going to the bathroom, getting a snack, or calling a friend. Take a short walk during breaks to prevent sleepiness. If you get sleepy while you study, movement can help wake you up. Instead of browsing the internet during your break, stand up from your desk. Stretch and run in place. Then take a short 5-minute walk around the room. Treat yourself at certain intervals of studying. Before you start studying, decide on certain "check points" where you will reward yourself for your hard work. You can mark these accomplishments in intervals of time or by the quantity of study material covered. Decide on specific rewards ahead of time, whether they be edible treats, entertainment, or leisure activities. Choose a reward that won't take too long to enjoy. For instance, you might reward yourself for every two hours of studying by watching a half hour sitcom episode. If you reward yourself with a snack, opt for something healthy and energy-boosting like fruits, vegetables, whole grain crackers, cheese, yogurt, and almonds. Break your material down into smaller chunks to avoid burnout. Studying too much information at once can cause you to feel overwhelmed. Instead, separate your notes into smaller sections. Each time you master a section, you'll feel a sense of satisfaction! For example, instead of trying to memorize all of your equations, focus on 1 or 2 at a time. Add more only once you have mastered the previous ones. If you're studying history, break up your notes according to event, historical figure, or time period. For example, you might study 10 years at a time or focus on the consequences of 1 historical event. You can organize your breaks around these smaller chunks. This will help you rest a little more while you learn your material. Set larger achievement rewards. To encourage yourself to accomplish large study goals, plan large rewards for your hard work. For instance, if you study all weekend for a midterm exam and cover all the material, reward yourself with tickets to a concert on the next weekend. Having an exciting incentive in mind while you study will make the whole process more enjoyable. | Pick a quiet area that will help you stay focused. Keep your study area clean. Remove immediate distractions. Vary your study locations. Use colorful study materials. Play background music while you study. Watch educational videos. Draw pictures of your subjects and notes. Write a song about your notes to help you remember them. Find study partners with similar habits. Quiz a partner as a way of studying. Start a study group. Schedule regular breaks during study time. Take a short walk during breaks to prevent sleepiness. Treat yourself at certain intervals of studying. Break your material down into smaller chunks to avoid burnout. Set larger achievement rewards. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Fun-to-Be-With | How to Be Fun to Be With | If you want to be a fun person to be with, try to relax and give people your undivided attention instead of playing on your phone or appearing distracted. Ask people fun or entertaining questions and do your best to be lighthearted and positive around others. Humor is a great tool, so don't be afraid to tell a corny joke or make a silly pun! Also, be willing to step outside of your comfort zone and do or suggest spontaneous activities to keep things lively. | Relax. People like to feel safe and comfortable with their friends, and always ready to have fun. You want to give off the vibe that you're comfortable with goofing around and also letting others have a good time. So chill out and you'll make everyone else chilled out, too. Give people a quick compliment. This will show them that you care and that you're paying attention. Laugh a lot. Have open, relaxed, body language. Show people that you're up for anything. Try to loosen up as much as possible. If you're tense, your friends will be too. Cut loose! Pay attention to your friends. Make eye contact, put away your phone, and make people around you feel important. If you look distracted and like you have a million other things on your mind, then people won't be able to let loose and have fun around you. Look at people with approval. Don't make them think you're condescending or judging them, or they'll be much less likely to open up around you. Crack lots of jokes. If you're unafraid of how silly or ridiculous you look, people will want to hang around you. Here are some ways you can be a total goofball: Do your best (or worst) impression of someone you all know, whether it's a teacher or a coworker. Dance like a complete fool, pretending like you think you're the best dancer ever. Sing the words to your favorite embarrassing song. Wear a ridiculous outfit, or a graphic tee with a silly message. Don't be afraid to tell a corny joke or make a silly pun. Go on adventures. If you've never done something before, that's a good reason to try it! Be spontaneous and try something new instead of making excuses. If you're the one coming up with the fun ideas to try new things, your friends will think you're fun to be around. Say "yes" more. Instead of saying, “No, because…” try to embrace new challenges and try new things. Check out the last section for some ideas about fun things to do with your friends. Keep things positive. Though we all have our bad days, you should focus on talking about the good things in your life and the things you have to look forward to instead of the annoying little things that upset you. This sets a positive tone for your social interactions and makes people want to be around you more. If you catch yourself saying something negative, try to counter your comment with two positive comments. If the people around you are bummed out, then you should work on trying to cheer them up instead of sinking down to their level. You don't have to completely fake it and plaster a fake smile on your face if you had a terrible day. However, you should make an effort to be more positive if you're just mildly annoyed or if you know that whatever is bothering you isn't a big deal. If you're having a really bad day, just mention it and move forward with a positive comment. Say, "Today's been rough, but I'm staying positive!" Bring your friends together. In a group, try to make sure that most people like each other or at least get to know each other. Be a uniter, making the people around you bond and become closer with each other, even if it's at your expense. Be subtle about it. If you're with two people who feel like they have nothing in common, bring up a mutual interest that can help them bond. If you have two friends who don't really get along, mention nice things about one person to the other that will make them more likely to get along. Help people bond by suggesting fun activities that everyone can agree on, such as bowling or playing Red Rover. The more fun the activity, the better. Ask people lots of entertaining questions. Get conversations started. You don't have to pry too much to ask some fun conversation starter questions and to make people feel comfortable and happy about opening up. Here are some things you can ask people about: An embarrassing moment they had as a kid A funny comedy sketch or show they saw recently A time when they really messed up or got in trouble A time when their first impressions were completely wrong The strangest place they ever visited Don’t complain too much. Unless your rants are funny, it's best to keep things positive. Nobody likes a complainer or a downer. This can make your friends think that you're no fun at all. If something is really bothering you, then write it down or tell a close friend, but avoid complaining loudly in a group setting if you want to be fun. Don't let other people complain too much, either. If other people around you are complaining too much, try to poke fun at the topic and steer the conversation in a more positive direction that is more likely to make people have fun. Open up with people. Fun people are comfortable with themselves and are happy to share personal experiences and ideas. If you open up, then the people around you will be more likely to open up, too, and you'll create an environment that is more fun and welcoming. Here are some things you can open up about: Funny moments in your childhood A time when you made a fool of yourself A botched attempt at romance Your relationship with a friend or relative who always cracks you up A ridiculous summer job you once had A blind date that went poorly Make fun of yourself. Don't take yourself too seriously. If this means you have to open yourself to being the butt of a few jokes or clown around a bit, it can be a good time. Doing this will make other people more likely to loosen up a bit, also leading to a more fun situation. Tell a funny story about something you did earlier that day that could make other people crack up. If you made an awkward comment, spilled coffee all over yourself, or made people stare at you for some reason, share the story all in good fun. If you trip or say something ridiculous by accident, don't act all flustered, like you're worried about looking like a weirdo. Instead, laugh at yourself and say something along the lines of, “There I go again!” Meet new people. Whether you're introducing yourself to a cute barista or just meeting some new interesting people at a coffee shop, the key to being fun is being up for whatever a new person has to say. This is the only way to open up yourself to new people and experiences and to have even more fun in the process. Even if the person is completely different from you, you should have fun and embrace those differences instead of just staying in your comfort zone. Every person has something to teach you and the more people you know, the more knowledge you can gain. Don't ever look at a new person as not a worthy investment or a waste of your time. Just say hi, introduce yourself, and ask the person a question or two about himself. You can keep the tone lighthearted as you get to know the person better. Explore a new part of your city or neighborhood. Be on the lookout for fun new activities in the place where you live, whether it's a bocce tournament, a folk singing competition, or a vegan food festival. Search for new opportunities in new part of your town you haven't seen before and invite your friends to join you, seeing it all as a new adventure. If the event makes you feel completely out of your comfort zone, whether it's a pig roast or a poetry slam, then all the better. Think of all of the new and exciting people you can meet when you try something that feels completely different to you. Encourage your friends to be adventurous with you. Let them know that it's fun to try something new. Step out of your comfort zone. Whether you try to learn a new language or run a 5K, trying to push yourself to try new and exciting things will make you a more fun person. The more things you know how to do, the more dynamic of a person you'll be, which means the more experiences you'll have to share with the people around you. Try the following: Juggling Ballroom, hip-hop, or belly dancing Making pasta from scratch Taking an improv or theatre class Learn basic gymnastics tricks Learn card tricks Learn to read tarot cards Dance even if you don’t know how. Whether you're dancing by yourself like a goofball at a party, hitting the dance floor with your friends to do a coordinated dance you don't quite know how to do, or moving around the dance floor with your partner, the most important thing is that you put yourself out there and have fun. If you flail your limbs, belt out the lyrics to your favorite song, and toss your hair back, then other people will be having fun around you. Encourage people to come out on the dance floor with you. Drag your wallflower friends out and show them how much fun they can have. Conquer your fears. Whether you're afraid of heights, clowns, or tiny dogs, spend some time trying to work through your fear and to step out stronger on the other side. You'll be surprised by what you're capable of. Make a habit of accepting more invitations to do new things. Though you may have been turning down your friend who is an avid hiker or avid oil painter because you've never tried these activities, you should say yes and see how much you can do the next time. The next time you're out at a party or social gathering, scan the crowd for the person you think you'll have the least in common with. Introduce yourself to that person to see how much you'll learn. If someone at a show asks for a volunteer, don't be afraid to raise your hand. Get loud and crazy at your favorite concert. Wear a crazy outfit that makes you feel good. Sign up to sing your favorite karaoke song even if you're tone deaf. Throw a ridiculous themed party. Be fun! | Relax. Pay attention to your friends. Crack lots of jokes. Go on adventures. Keep things positive. Bring your friends together. Ask people lots of entertaining questions. Don’t complain too much. Open up with people. Make fun of yourself. Meet new people. Explore a new part of your city or neighborhood. Step out of your comfort zone. Dance even if you don’t know how. Conquer your fears. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Confront-a-Family-Member-Who-Stole-from-You | How to Confront a Family Member Who Stole from You | Confronting someone who stole from you can be scary, especially when it's a family member, but you can approach them without ruining the relationship by being confident and honest. Before you confront your family member, take some time to calm down and plan your approach. It might help to write a letter that you don't actually intend to give them, as this will allow you to gather your thoughts. When you talk to your family member, let them know how much they hurt you so they can see the seriousness of their mistake. Instead of yelling, calmly tell them, “I'm disappointed you took my money. I feel betrayed by someone I trusted.” They may say they were only borrowing your money or other excuses, but you should stay firm and tell them they need to make things right or face consequences. | Plan your side of the conversation ahead of time. Think about what you want to say to your family member. Avoid confronting them right away, especially if you're feeling too angry or hurt to stay calm. Give yourself time to cool down and consider your approach. One helpful strategy is to write your family member a letter that you don't actually intend to give them. Put the letter away for a few hours or overnight. Then come back to it and revise it. This will help you sort out your feelings and decide what to say. Let your family member know how much they hurt you. To understand the seriousness of their mistake, your family member needs to know what kind of emotional impact their theft had on you. Tell them how disappointed and betrayed you feel. Stay as calm as you can. Don't raise your voice or let your emotions get the better of you. Say something like, “I am so disappointed that you took the money in my wallet. I never would have guessed that you would do something like that.” This part of the conversation will probably be uncomfortable, but it is necessary. If your family member doesn't feel remorse for what they've done, they may try to steal from you again in the future. Avoid letting your family member sway you with excuses. Your family member may say things like “I was only borrowing it” or “I meant to ask you, but I forgot.” Don't believe them or let them off so easily. Even if their excuses happen to be true, taking your things without asking is still stealing, and your family member needs to know better. Make plans for reparation. Have your family member help you come up with a plan for making things right. If they took an item, they should return it or replace it. If they stole money, they should pay it back. Make a payment plan if necessary. Set consequences. Let your family member know what you will do if they don't make amends. Set some consequences so that your family member won't get away with their theft, even if they refuse to cooperate with you. Your consequences should depend on the nature of the theft. Some possible consequences could include not allowing the person in your house anymore, severing your relationship with them, or going to the police. Involve another adult, if necessary. If the person who stole from you is younger than you or is the responsibility of another family member, you may need to involve them in the confrontation. If this is the case, you may want to talk to the parent or guardian before talking to the minor. They may be able to shed insight on what's going on with the youth. In addition, they may choose to discipline them in their own way. You might say, "Jared stole some money from my chest of drawers--I caught him in the act. I know he's your responsibility, so I wanted to come to you before I decided on any disciplinary actions." Consider what drove your family member to steal. People steal for many reasons. Some people steal things because they feel wrongfully deprived, while others are trying to support a drug habit or pay off debt. Children and teenagers may steal to get attention or express negative emotions. Understanding your family member's reasons for stealing doesn't mean you should excuse their actions, but it does give you a starting point for making sure it doesn't happen again. Help them get treatment, if you suspect addiction. Addiction is one of the most common reasons people turn to stealing. If your family member was always honest and trustworthy in the past, it's possible that an addiction could be making them act out of character now. Express your concern to them and help them find an addiction treatment program in your area. If your family member is abusing drugs or alcohol, approach them with kindness and encouragement. Tell them that you're worried about them, not that you're disappointed in them. If they feel like you're judging them, they may not want to accept help from you. Seek counseling. You may feel violated and mistrustful after someone has stolen from you, especially if the thief is someone you know. Talking to a counselor can help you work through your emotions and regain your sense of trust in other people. End the relationship if you need to. If your family member steals from you repeatedly, you may have no choice but to distance yourself from them. Though cutting ties with a family member can be very difficult, it may be less painful in the long run than letting them take advantage of you over and over. Expect to have trust issues after the betrayal. Your family member has broken your trust. It may be hard to accept, but right now you can expect to not believe much that they say. If this is a first-time offense, or if the theft involves a minor, a firm talking-to might be enough to ensure such an incident doesn't occur in the future. Depending on your relationship with them, they may be able to rebuild the damaged trust later. For now, though, you will have to keep an eye on your things when they are around. It may also help to get some distance from the person until you come to terms with what happened and they are able to make amends. Secure your accounts and valuables. Protect your money and other valuables so your family member can't steal from you a second time. Keep your bedroom door locked, invest in a home safe, and don't leave things of value lying around the house. If the theft occurred online, change your passwords and your checking account number. Consider whether you need to go to the authorities. If your family member has stolen your identity, you will need to file a police report in order to remove fraudulent information from your credit report. Reporting your family member may be difficult, but bad credit can haunt you for years, so it's important to protect yourself from the repercussions of their crime. If you feel guilty about filing a police report, remind yourself that your family member didn't feel guilty about stealing your identity and wreaking havoc on your credit. Don't let their crime turn into your burden. If the culprit is a child or teen, avoid involving any authorities and instead take the chance to talk to this individual about what's right and wrong. You might say, "When people leave things in their home, they expect for them to be where they left them. They feel secure at home. When you take things that don't belong to you from someone's home or any other place, you make that place feel less secure. You also jeopardize the trust you have with that person. You understand what you did was wrong, right?" | Plan your side of the conversation ahead of time. Let your family member know how much they hurt you. Avoid letting your family member sway you with excuses. Make plans for reparation. Set consequences. Involve another adult, if necessary. Consider what drove your family member to steal. Help them get treatment, if you suspect addiction. Seek counseling. End the relationship if you need to. Expect to have trust issues after the betrayal. Secure your accounts and valuables. Consider whether you need to go to the authorities. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Identify-Oaks-by-the-Acorns | How to Identify Oaks by the Acorns | To identify an oak tree by the acorn, look at the size, shape, and color of the acorn, as well as the pattern of the scales on the acorn's cup. Since there are over 400 species of oaks around the world, it can help if you can locate a local field guide and compare the pictures of the acorn to species native to your area. For example, the acorns of the Northern red oak and the Shumard oak are similar, but the scales on the cup of the Shumard often have pale margins. | Examine the acorn cup scales. The nut of the acorn grows from a woody cup, which may remind you of a hat. The small scales that make up the cup may be thin and flat, or thick and forming wart-like growths (tubercles). This variation is a great start for narrowing down the possible species. All oaks native to North America and Europe have a spiral of overlapping scales on the cup. Some (but not all) East Asian oaks have scales that form concentric rings instead. These are called ring-cupped oaks, and belong to the Cyclobalanopsis subgenus. Look at the shape of the acorn. Acorns come in many shapes, but you can divide them into two rough groups. Some are round ("globose"), or nearly round with a blunt tip. Others are elongated ("ovoid" or "oblong") and usually taper to a point ("fusiform"). The acorns of some species have parallel ridges (striations) running between the two points. This can vary within one species, so a smooth acorn isn't always diagnostic. Check the color. Mature acorns can be light brown, dark brown, black, or chestnut red. If the acorn is still green or greenish-grey, it probably fell off the tree early. Measure the nut. Acorns range in size from nubs less than ½ inch (1.25 cm) long, to behemoths the size of your palm. Most acorns within a single species and region are similar in length within about ½ inch (1.25 cm). One important exception is the cork oak of the Mediterranean, which drops large acorns in autumn and a smaller batch in winter. The size and shape of the cup is also useful, and you can easily eyeball it by comparing it to the nut. For example, the Northern red oak has a cup that sits flat at the top of the nut, while the overcup oak and bur oak wrap almost the entire nut in a cup. The length of the stalk the acorn grows on can also help identification. Look for hairs. The cup of some acorns have hairs on the inner and/or outer surface. You can also look for hairs on the inner surface of the shell, after cracking it open. Botanists describe this hairy material with these terms: Woolly: long, matted hairs. Some species only have hair near the tip of the acorn, so check there. Pubescent: short, fine hairs. Glabrous: smooth. Look for germinating acorns. If an acorn on the ground is sprouting through its shell, it must belong to a species that germinates at this time of year. In North America, oaks are divided into white oaks, which sprout in fall right after the acorns drop, and red oaks, whose acorns spend the winter dormant and sprout in spring. Here, we're talking about the white and red oak categories. These include the specific species "white oak" and "red oak," but there are many more possibilities. Most acorns lose their cup before sprouting. The Asian ring-cupped species are the main exceptions. Find a local field guide if possible. There are about 400 species of oak worldwide, and over 200 in North America. This guide only covers a few of the most common species in the United States. A tree identification guide for your region or state will help for the species that are less common or limited to smaller areas. Choose your region. This guide is divided by the region where the oaks grow. Note that many species only grow in a smaller area within this region. Central and Eastern United States : East of Minnesota in the north and Texas in the South. Florida is included, but many species do not grow there. Western United States : This covers the entire Midwest and Pacific coast. Narrow down brown, oblong acorns. These acorns have the classic oblong or ovoid acorn shape. Their nuts are light brown or dark brown in color, with few to no red tones. Here are the most common species that fit this description in this region, and their identifying characteristics: White oak ( Quercus alba ): short, light grey cup with warty scales; cup covers about ¼ of nut Chinkapin oak ( Quercus muehlenbergii ): thin cup with fine grey hairs and moderately warty scales; cup covers ¼ to ½ of nut Scarlet oak ( Quercus coccinea ): glossy, dark reddish-brown cup; nut has a blunt tip Willow oak (Quercus phellos) : shallow, flattened cup with hairs inside and out; nut is less than ½" (13 mm) long Northern red oak ( Quercus rubra ): cup scales are reddish-brown, hairy, often with dark margins; inside of cup is smooth or has ring of hair around the scar; nut may have grey stripes Shumard oak ( Quercus shumardii ): Similar to Northern red oak, but scales often have pale margins; some have a deeper, bowl-shaped cup, but not all Identify other acorns of the region. These species produce acorns that are round or have a distinct color or shape: Bur oak ( Quercus macrocarpa ): The largest acorns on the continent, about 1.5 inches (4 cm) long with a very deep cupule that covers at least half of the nut Water oak ( Quercus nigra ): shallow cup with fine hairs; round, blackish nut Southern red oak ( Quercus falcata ): thin, reddish-brown cup with fine hairs; nut sometimes have lines and hairs near tip. Pin oak (Quercus palustris ): thin, smooth, reddish-brown cup; light brown nut is often striped, and can be either round or ovoid Post oak ( Quercus stellata ): thin cup with grey, hairy scales; light brown nut ¾" (19 mm) long or less, sometimes with faint dark brown stripes; nut can be round or ovoid Black oak ( Quercus velutina ): reddish-brown, hairy cup with a knob on top and a fringed edge; hair inside cup as well; light reddish-brown, ovoid nut with faint stripes Learn about California oaks. California is dominated by oaks of many species, and naturally occurring hybrids. Here are some of the most common in various parts of California: California black oak ( Quercus kelloggii ): found throughout the state. Nut usually at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, cup varies but scales at margin are usually loose and may be warty Coast live oak ( Quercus agrifolia ): found along the coast. Variation makes identification by acorn tough, but cup scales have loose tips and are never warty. Blue oak ( Quercus douglasii ): found mostly in north and central California. Cup is extremely shallow with thin scales. Engelmann oak ( Quercus engelmannii ): found in the extreme south. Light brown, oblong nut. Cup has grey hairy scales, warty at the fringe Know the oaks of the Great Plains. Scattered oaks are found throughout this region, but of course they are only plentiful in forested sub-regions: Bur oak ( Quercus macrocarpa ): Found in the northeast Great Plains. 1.5 inch (4 cm) acorns with a cup that covers more than half the acorn. Post oak ( Quercus stellata ): Found in the Cross Timbers region. No more than ¾" (19 mm) long, light brown; grey, thin, hairy cup Blackjack oak ( Quercus marilandica ): Also in the Cross Timbers. Narrow nuts about ½" (13 mm) wide, half covered by the cup. Identify oaks in the Pacific Northwest. Much of the oak habitat in this region has disappeared. These three are the remaining species: Oregon white oak / Garry oak ( Quercus garryana ): The only oak in Washington state, and the most common one in Oregon. Nut is large (1 inch / 2.5cm+) and cup is shallow with yellowish or reddish brown scales. California black oak ( Quercus kelloggii ): found in southern Oregon. See California oaks above. Canyon live oak ( Quercus chrysolepis ): found in southern Oregon. Its acorns are extremely variable, so treat it as a "catch all" for this region. (Also present in CA and NM, where it is easily confused with the numerous other species.) | Examine the acorn cup scales. Look at the shape of the acorn. Check the color. Measure the nut. Look for hairs. Look for germinating acorns. Find a local field guide if possible. Choose your region. Narrow down brown, oblong acorns. Identify other acorns of the region. Learn about California oaks. Know the oaks of the Great Plains. Identify oaks in the Pacific Northwest. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Practice-Good-Hand-Hygiene | How to Practice Good Hand Hygiene | To make your own disinfectant hand wipes, first mix ⅔ cup (160 mL) of 99% rubbing alcohol and ⅓ cup (80 mL) of aloe vera gel. The rubbing alcohol will kill germs and viruses on your hands, and the aloe vera gel will help keep your hands moisturized. Pour the mixture into a clean plastic container and close the lid tightly. When you're ready to use a hand wipe, squeeze some of the disinfectant onto a paper towel or tissue. Then, wipe your hands thoroughly and let them air dry. | Wet hands. Wet both hands with running water. Warm or hot water is best, but cold water may be acceptable. Apply soap. Dispense a generous amount of liquid soap into your palm. Liquid soap is preferable. Rub your palms together. Spread soap onto both palms. Be sure this area is sufficiently covered by soap. Place the palm of the right hand over the back of the left hand and rub. Repeat this action with the left hand over the right. This will spread soap onto the backs of both hands. Be sure this area is sufficiently covered by soap. Interlace the fingers of both hands. Spread soap between your fingers. Move your fingers back and forth to ensure that soap reaches all areas between your fingers. Place the backs of fingers onto opposing palms. Interlock your fingers. This ensures that soap reaches the very back of your fingers. Use rotational rubbing on each thumb. “Rotational rubbing” simply means to rub in a circular motion. Use the palm of one hand to wash the thumb of the opposite hand by way of rotational rubbing. Repeat this on the other side. Use rotational rubbing to clean the palm of each hand again. Bring the fingers of one hand together. Use these fingers to wash the opposite palm by way of rotational rubbing. Repeat this on the other side. Clean your wrists. Use one hand to clean the opposite wrist by way of rotational rubbing. Repeat this on the other side. Rinse. Place your hands under running water. Remove all traces of soap. Again, warm water is preferred, but cold water may be acceptable. Dry your hands thoroughly. Use a clean disposable towel. Dry your hands until no wetness remains. Dispose of used towels right away. Dispense a palmful of alcohol rub into a cupped hand. Use enough alcohol rub to cover the skin of both hands. This method should only be used if hands are not visibly soiled, or if washing with soap and water is not possible. It should not be used if you have open cuts on your skin. Rub your palms together. Spread product onto both palms. Be sure this area is sufficiently covered by alcohol rub. Place the palm of the right hand over the back of the left hand and rub. Repeat this action with the left hand over the right. This will spread product onto the backs of both hands. Be sure this area is sufficiently covered by alcohol rub. Interlace the fingers of both hands. Spread alcohol rub between your fingers. Move your fingers back and forth to ensure that product reaches all areas between your fingers. Place the backs of fingers onto opposing palms. Interlock your fingers. This ensures that the product reaches the very back of your fingers. Use rotational rubbing on each thumb. “Rotational rubbing” simply means to rub in a circular motion. Use the palm of one hand to distribute product onto the thumb of the opposite hand by way of rotational rubbing. Repeat this on the other side. Use rotational rubbing to distribute product to the palm of each hand again. Bring the fingers of one hand together. Use these fingers to distribute alcohol rub onto the opposite palm by way of rotational rubbing. Repeat this on the other side. Ensure that alcohol rub reaches your wrists. Use one hand to distribute alcohol rub onto the opposite wrist by way of rotational rubbing. Repeat this on the other side. Allow your hands to dry. You will not need disposable towels. Simply wait a few moments. Once dry, your hands are clean. Wash your hands. Wash your hands with soap and water. Make sure all parts of your hands and wrists are properly cleansed. Dry your hands completely using a disposable towel. Cover any cuts or lesions. Any place where you skin is broken must be protected. Apply a waterproof dressing to all cuts and injuries, even very small ones. Remove any jewelry. Remove any rings or bracelets from your hands and store them in a safe place. Jewelry (even plastic jewelry) can easily damage your gloves. Ensure nails are short. Take a moment to look at your finger nails. They should be kept short. If fingernails are too long, take some time to groom them. Check gloves for tears. Look over each glove carefully. Ensure that each gloves in in tact, and free from any imperfections. If you notice any problems with the gloves, dispose of them and begin again with a new pair. Put gloves on your clean hands. Carefully place your hands into the gloves one at a time. Be sure that each finger fits into its proper slot. The gloves should fit well, but not too tight. Remove gloves carefully and dispose of them right away. When you are finished using the gloves, remove each one by carefully pealing back from the wrist opening. Dispose of used gloves immediately in the proper receptacle. Wash your hands after removing gloves. Wash your hands with soap and water. Again, make sure all parts of your skins are properly cleansed. Dry your hands completely using a disposable towel Wash your hands before preparing food or eating. Any time you will be working with food, you should first stop and make sure your hands are sanitary. This is true both if you are preparing food for others, or simply making a snack at home for yourself. Wash your hands before treating wounds, giving medicine, or caring for a sick person. Whenever you are treating an injury or sickness, you need to take special care not to spread bacteria. Stop and wash your hands before dealing with the illness or injury at hand. Wash your hands after handing food, especially raw meat or poultry. Raw meat or poultry can potentially contain bacteria, such as E. coli or salmonellosis. Always wash your hands after preparing or handling food. Wash your hands after using the bathroom or changing a diaper. Like raw meat, human excrement may contain large amounts of E. coli bacteria. Wash your hands after using the bathroom, changing a baby, or even scrubbing your toilet at home. Wash your hands after handling anything that may be contaminated. This can include garbage, household cleaning supplies, or garden chemicals. Garbage can contain many different types of bacteria from rotting food and other items. Household cleaners and other chemicals are also dangerous for your health. Wash your hands after touching anything you think might be dangerous. | Wet hands. Apply soap. Rub your palms together. Place the palm of the right hand over the back of the left hand and rub. Interlace the fingers of both hands. Place the backs of fingers onto opposing palms. Use rotational rubbing on each thumb. Use rotational rubbing to clean the palm of each hand again. Clean your wrists. Rinse. Dry your hands thoroughly. Dispense a palmful of alcohol rub into a cupped hand. Rub your palms together. Place the palm of the right hand over the back of the left hand and rub. Interlace the fingers of both hands. Place the backs of fingers onto opposing palms. Use rotational rubbing on each thumb. Use rotational rubbing to distribute product to the palm of each hand again. Ensure that alcohol rub reaches your wrists. Allow your hands to dry. Wash your hands. Cover any cuts or lesions. Remove any jewelry. Ensure nails are short. Check gloves for tears. Put gloves on your clean hands. Remove gloves carefully and dispose of them right away. Wash your hands after removing gloves. Wash your hands before preparing food or eating. Wash your hands before treating wounds, giving medicine, or caring for a sick person. Wash your hands after handing food, especially raw meat or poultry. Wash your hands after using the bathroom or changing a diaper. Wash your hands after handling anything that may be contaminated. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Help-Keep-Your-Community-Strong-During-Coronavirus | How to Help Keep Your Community Strong During Coronavirus | By giving back and supporting your community during the coronavirus pandemic, you can help keep your community strong. Donating your time, money, or supplies can make a big difference within your community right now. You could drop off food at your local food bank, donate money to a local healthcare facility, or volunteer at a food bank or animal shelter since a lot of them are desperate for help. It's not always easy, but try to support local businesses when you can to help keep them afloat. Ordering takeout or buying goods online from local businesses is a great way to support them while getting the things you need. Check in with your neighbors too if you can, especially if they're elderly or have a weakened immune system. They could use the extra help and support. | Buy food and goods online from local businesses. Many stores are moving to an online platform so they can still provide their services during the shutdown. If you would like to order takeout or purchase something that a local business sells, search online or give them a call to see how you can buy it from them. Unfortunately, some businesses have had to close during the shutdown. If you can't find a business online or by calling them, they may not be open. Call your neighbors to see if they need anything. Elderly people and those with weakened immune systems are more at-risk for COVID-19, so they are probably staying in their homes more. If you have any neighbors who can't leave their homes, consider calling them to ask if they need any food or hygiene products. You can drop off any food or products at your neighbor's door to avoid social contact. Stay in touch with your community virtually. If you are a member of a club or a community group, consider moving your meetings online so you can all stay in touch still. Try to stay involved with your community without breaking the social distancing guidelines. Zoom and Skype can both host multi-person video calls. Buy only what you need from the grocery store. Many people can't afford to stock up on essentials every time they go shopping. When you do your grocery store trips, try to buy enough food to last you and your family for about 1 week. Leaving food and hygiene supplies at the store will help other people in your community get access to it. Deliver food with Meals on Wheels. This organization provides food to those who cannot leave their homes. Reach out to the chapter in your area to see how you can help with sorting out donations and delivering food to those in need. To sign up as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, visit https://meals-on-wheels.com/volunteer/. Offer your online services if you have web skills. Since so many businesses are switching to an online platform, the need for web designers has grown a ton. If you have the skills, consider reaching out to your local businesses to see if they need any help setting up their website or making it more user-friendly. If you are a writer or a photographer, businesses may also need your help with creating content for their website. Online notary services and financial help are also needed in some communities. If you have legal skills, Lawyers for a Good Government is rolling out an online program nationwide where you can help those in need virtually. Donate PPE to your local medical facilities. If you have any medical-grade N95 masks, goggles, gowns, or gloves, contact your local hospital or medical facility to see if they are in need. You can also contact homeless shelters and nursing homes in your area to see if they need any personal protection equipment. Give non-perishable food to your local food bank. Canned food, nuts, nut butter, dehydrated food, bottled water, and sports drinks are all needed at food banks to give out to the community. If you have any extra food, round it up and drop it off at a food bank near you. Call the food bank ahead of time to make sure they are open. Go to the Red Cross to donate blood. Since so many people are staying home, there is a shortage of donated blood coming in. Find a Red Cross center near you to spend less than an hour giving your blood to those in need. You can find a donation center near you by visiting https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive. Donate money to local healthcare facilities. If you don't have any PPE to donate, the next best thing is to give money so healthcare facilities can buy what they need. Reach out to your local hospital to see if you can donate directly, or give money to a larger organization instead. Direct Relief and Americares are 2 charities providing PPE to healthcare workers. You can visit their websites to donate money online. Give money to the arts, if you can. Museums, operas, and theaters are all unable to operate during this pandemic. If you have any extra money and you'd like to keep these artists in business, reach out to your local performing arts center to see how you can donate to them. MusiCares and The Jazz Foundation for America have set up ways to donate directly to the arts through their websites. Keep paying for services even if you aren’t using them. Workers who provide babysitting, pet-sitting, elderly care, and other jobs that require human contact are out of work right now. If you can, consider paying those workers what you normally would, even if they can't offer their services right now. If you can't afford to continue paying for services, that's okay too. Volunteer at a food bank if you have time. Since people are staying home, there are less volunteers to run food banks. If you are able to, consider volunteering for a few hours a week at a food bank to sort through food donations. You can also volunteer to drop off food at people's homes if they cannot leave their house. Contact your local animal shelter to see what they need. Many animal shelters do not have the volunteers that they need right now to keep their organizations running. If you can, reach out to your local shelter and ask them if they need volunteers. Practice the social distancing guidelines recommended for your area. Try to stay at least 6 feet (1.8 m) away from other people when you go outside to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Check in with your local mandates often to see if those guidelines change. As of April 2020, the Center for Disease Control has recommended that everyone wear a cloth mask when they are out in public. Stay home if you feel sick. If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, like a fever, a cough, or shortness of breath, try to isolate yourself as much as you can. If you do need to leave your home, try to wear a medical-grade N95 mask outside. If you experience any shortness of breath or a tightness in your chest, call emergency services right away. Call your doctor ahead of time before you go in to get tested or treatment. Some hospitals have separate testing centers that they will direct you to if you have symptoms of COVID-19. Keep up to date with your local news. The situation surrounding COVID-19 is changing rapidly, and the expectations for you and your community may change along with it. Check your local news once a day to keep track of social distancing guidelines and to see if anyone is in need. | Buy food and goods online from local businesses. Call your neighbors to see if they need anything. Stay in touch with your community virtually. Buy only what you need from the grocery store. Deliver food with Meals on Wheels. Offer your online services if you have web skills. Donate PPE to your local medical facilities. Give non-perishable food to your local food bank. Go to the Red Cross to donate blood. Donate money to local healthcare facilities. Give money to the arts, if you can. Keep paying for services even if you aren’t using them. Volunteer at a food bank if you have time. Contact your local animal shelter to see what they need. Practice the social distancing guidelines recommended for your area. Stay home if you feel sick. Keep up to date with your local news. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Makeup-Artist | How to Become a Makeup Artist | To become a makeup artist, enroll in beauty school so you can learn how to do everything from wedding makeup to special effects makeup. You might also consider becoming a licensed cosmetologist, which can give you an advantage over competitors. Try to get a job at a department or beauty store cosmetics counter, where you can practice your skills on people of different ages and with different complexions. Also, read fashion magazines and blogs to keep up with what's trendy, and practice new looks on yourself and your friends. | Study famous makeup vloggers on YouTube or Instagram. Online video tutorials can be an excellent (and free!) way to get started learning more about makeup artistry. Find makeup artists whose looks match the styles you're most interested in learning. Keep in mind that, while tutorials are a great starting point, there's no substitute for in-person training and experience. Practice applying makeup on both yourself and your friends. This will help you develop your technique and perfect your craft. Remember that even though you may be a superstar at doing your own makeup, applying others' makeup takes a different set of motor skills and coordination. Apply makeup to people with different skin colors, face shapes, eye colors, and ages. This will help you develop the skills you need to work with a wide range of clients. Begin to put together a “kit”—the brushes, makeup, and other tools you use regularly. These can be drugstore brands to start out. As you develop your career, you'll be able to afford more expensive products. Familiarize yourself with current makeup trends. Read magazines, scour fashion blogs, watch films, go to plays, and pay attention to the different trends and styles of face makeup. It is important to be up-to-date on current beauty trends so that you can advise clients. Clients may request that you recreate a certain look that a celebrity had at an awards show or in a magazine. You will need to learn the terminology involved in makeup artistry so that you can effectively bring your clients' descriptions to life. Enroll in a makeup artist school that suits your schedule and budget. Since makeup artistry is not a licensed profession, states don't mandate course offerings from makeup artist programs—meaning that the curriculum varies widely between schools. Some schools offer full-time classes that cover all the bases, while others allow you to pick and choose courses that focus on particular industries or skills. These programs also vary widely in cost, with full-time schools being the most expensive. Typically, makeup training programs run 300-600 hours and can be completed in less than 6 months. Going to school is not a requirement for becoming a successful makeup artist. It may give you a boost in a very competitive field, however. Earn a degree in cosmetology for a wider range of job prospects. Enroll in a private cosmetology school or, for a less pricey option, attend a community college with a cosmetology program. With a cosmetology license, you can work in a beauty salon or spa applying makeup, which will give you access to a greater number of jobs. Full cosmetology programs require 1,500-2,000 hours and last 12-24 months. During cosmetology training, you will also learn other beauty services including hair, nail and skin care. Find a job at a cosmetics counter to gain professional experience. Apply for positions at department stores or pharmacies. You'll have the opportunity to practice your skills on hundreds of people with different complexions, styles, and expectations. Best of all, you'll get paid to practice your skills. Retail experience is helpful for landing jobs in department and beauty stores, since your job will be selling cosmetics in addition to your makeup artistry services. Search for a company that is dedicated to training its employees in applying makeup, rather than focusing entirely on sales. Join a local theater group to practice a different kind of makeup. Theater groups—at your school if you're a student, or in the wider community—are a great place to explore your creativity. You'll get a chance to practice a different style of makeup, learn to use greasepaint, and work with theatrical lighting. Land an internship or apprenticeship with a respected makeup artist. Find a top makeup artist in your local area whose work you admire and ask if they would be willing to take on an apprentice or intern. Make it clear that you're eager to get real-world experience in the makeup industry. If they can't commit to an internship, ask if you can shadow them for a day or two. Even a few hours of observation could teach you tons of new techniques. Find models to showcase your looks. While they don't have to be professional models, find people whose makeup you enjoy doing and whose faces are compatible with your style. Consider snapping some "before and after" photos of your models to include in your portfolio. Consider doing trade-for-print work with models. Get creative with collaborations to build your portfolio. Ask your friend who's making a music video if she could use your makeup artistry services, or offer to do your coworker's wedding makeup. You'll hone your skills and start making a name for yourself at the same time. You may even need to volunteer your services in the beginning stages of your career to develop more content for your portfolio. Take high-quality photographs of your work. Consider investing in a high-end camera or hire a photographer to help you put your portfolio together. The quality of the photographs can make or break a portfolio. If you're still early in your career, it's acceptable to take photos with your phone camera. Just make sure that your photos are well-lit and crisp. Create a compelling portfolio that features all types of makeup styles. Your portfolio should reflect the brand you are creating. Your best, most creative work should be showcased at the front so prospective clients get an immediate impression of your unique talent. Include a range of makeup styles, from fashion to special effects to film and television. Your portfolio should exist both online and in print. The benefit of an online portfolio is that it reaches a larger audience and can be promoted through various forms of social media. Focus on the fashion industry if you’re good under pressure. Once you've gained basic education or professional experience (or both!), you'll need to determine what industry to focus on. Makeup artists who work in fashion are typically asked to employ their services at runway shows and fashion shoots. You may be called upon to work fast in stressful environments, like cramped backstage areas at fashion shows or outdoors in inclement weather during shoots. In this field, looks are led by the editor, designer, or fashion photographers rather than the makeup artist. You'll often work as part of a stylist and hair team to help prepare models. Look for jobs in the television or film industry for a wide range of gigs. Most makeup artists are employed by the television and film industry, which offers a variety of opportunities in different styles of makeup. Applying makeup to a newscaster calls for a more natural look, while doing makeup on a sci-fi television show would require special effects work and a more imaginative style. Precision is important when working as a makeup artist in this industry. The crisper and clearer our television screens get, the easier it is to tell if someone's makeup isn't perfectly applied. Freelance as a makeup artist for a more flexible work schedule. Many makeup artists build a lucrative career from freelance projects, moving from gig to gig with their kit in hand. People often hire makeup artists when preparing for photo shoots of bridal and wedding parties, family reunions, or graduations. Use word-of-mouth to promote your talents. Ask friends and family to consider hiring you to do their makeup for weddings, parties, or other formal occasions Market yourself, particularly on social media. Whether you want to land a full-time job with a particular company or work as a freelancer on a project-by-project basis, start marketing yourself to get the word out that you're looking for makeup artistry work. Social media channels like Instagram and YouTube are very important, as well as a personal blog or even a Pinterest page. | Study famous makeup vloggers on YouTube or Instagram. Practice applying makeup on both yourself and your friends. Familiarize yourself with current makeup trends. Enroll in a makeup artist school that suits your schedule and budget. Earn a degree in cosmetology for a wider range of job prospects. Find a job at a cosmetics counter to gain professional experience. Join a local theater group to practice a different kind of makeup. Land an internship or apprenticeship with a respected makeup artist. Find models to showcase your looks. Get creative with collaborations to build your portfolio. Take high-quality photographs of your work. Create a compelling portfolio that features all types of makeup styles. Focus on the fashion industry if you’re good under pressure. Look for jobs in the television or film industry for a wide range of gigs. Freelance as a makeup artist for a more flexible work schedule. Market yourself, particularly on social media. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Wear-a-Fanny-Pack | How to Wear a Fanny Pack | The classic fanny pack look is wearing it around your waist like a belt, which you can add to any outfit for a casual and functional look. But you can mix this up by slinging a fanny pack across your chest by putting the strap on one shoulder like a messenger bag. Any way you wear it, though, you can make the fanny pack a little more chic and modern by either layering it under a light jacket or over a dress. The same effect can be achieved by using the fanny pack as a belt to hold up high-waisted trousers or clasp a long overcoat closed. | Wear your fanny pack around your waist for a classic style. This is the classic way to wear a fanny pack, though you may be surprised to learn you can create different styles just wearing it in slightly different places near your waist! For instance, try wearing it at your natural waist, which is just above your belly button, where your torso is the smallest. Wearing a fanny pack here helps define the shape of your body. Try wearing it on the front but slightly off-center. You can also place the fanny pack near the top of your pants for a bold approach. This position makes the fanny pack stand out, since it's sitting near your hips, pushing it outward. If you want to show off your fanny pack this way, position it at or just below your belly button. You can wear it in the front of your body right in the middle, slightly off-center, or off one hip. Wear a small bag through your belt loops for a subtle approach. Pull the straps through your belt loops from the front with the pack like a belt buckle. Secure it in the back, and then throw a jacket over your whole outfit. Try wearing your fanny pack turned to the back for a fun surprise. Wear it slung across your backside at your waist. People won't be able to see it in the front, but when you turn around, you'll have a fashionable accessory! Sling the bag across your chest for a more secure approach. While fanny packs are usually worn around the waist, using one as a shoulder bag can be a trendy look. Wear it across your chest with the bag centered in front. Because it fits close to your body, it will keep all your stuff within easy reach. Layer your fanny pack over your clothes to show it off. You can even put a fanny pack on over a jacket. The fanny pack can act as a belt, cinching in your clothes to create a more defined silhouette. This is the classic way to wear a fanny pack. Wear your fanny pack under a jacket for a chic look. Belt a small leather bag into your pants and wear a shirt you tuck in or that falls just at the fanny pack. Then, throw a jacket over it all to complete the look. This look is great for a rock concert or date night, depending on what jacket you choose! You can also try this look with a statement top and no jacket, such as a plunging silk top with billowy arms that falls just over the top of the fanny pack. Add a fanny pack to a t-shirt and jeans for a casual style. Pair a stylish bag with your favorite shirt and jeans. Sling the bag over your hips, and you're ready for a walk through the park or a fun day at a festival. Try adding flats for a bit of pizazz or simply stick with sneakers if you need to walk a long way. You could also wear corduroys or sporty pants. Put a fanny pack over a winter jacket for a sophisticated look. In the winter, wearing it over your clothes may still hide your fanny pack so move it so it's on the outside. Try wearing one over a trench coat, for instance, for easy access. Wrap it around your natural waist or just below to help define your silhouette. Pick one that adds a pop of color or try one that blends in with the outfit. You could also put one over a blazer. Try a fanny pack on top of a dress. You may not think a fanny pack goes over a dress, but think again. Many fashion-forward celebrities rock this look. Just pick a stylish bag in a quality material, and you're good to go. For instance, try a leather bag over a maxi dress. Other quality materials include silk and wool. This look works best for casual looks, date night, and semi-formal events, depending on the bag you choose. Skip it for formal events. Pick a small bag for a more sophisticated look. Just like a regular handbag gets smaller with a more elegant outfit, so should your fanny pack. Think of a smaller fanny pack as the clutch of the belt purse world. Opt for a diminutive bag that goes with your outfit. A "little black bag" is a good option, as it can go with many outfits. Try one with a slender leather strap or even a delicate chain. Pick a structured bag over a slouchy style. Try an envelope-style fanny pack with clean lines for a suit. This type of fanny pack is no-nonsense. Pick one that has few embellishments and choose a higher end material, like leather or suede. You can get away with wearing this style a little larger, as the simple lines won't overwhelm your outfit. Use a slouchy fanny pack for a fun look. A slouchy fanny pack is more of the traditional, 80s-style bag. It has less structure, and you can wear it loose over your waist. Try a black bag over other fun prints and colors. Alternatively, pick a bright, patterned bag, and wear it over more neutral colors. Go big and bold with a bright fanny pack over bright layers. This look works especially well when it's cold out. Everyone else will be wearing dark and drab colors, and you can stand out! Pick a color, and draw it throughout your outfit, including your fanny pack. Throw a bright jacket over it all for a fun and flirty look. For a truly bold option, try a fanny pack covered in faux fur! Add pins to make your bag your own. Pick fun little enamel pins or even buttons with colorful sayings. You could even add floral brooches. Arrange them on your bag for a fun look that's all yours! You could also sew on interesting coat buttons. Your local fabric store should have an aisle of buttons to choose from. Attach a bow for a girly touch. Clip on a kid's hair bow in a fun color to add a fun and feminine touch. Alternatively, make your own bow , and sew it into place. You could even make a series of small bows to attach across your bag. For a simple addition, tie a thin ribbon into a small bow. Trim the ends, and burn the ends quickly with a lighter to keep them from unraveling. Sew it into place with a needle and thread or glue it on with fabric glue or a bit of hot glue. Iron or sew on patches to make a statement. Embroidery patches come in a variety of forms, so that makes it easy to find one perfect for your style. You could add little stars, flowers, fun sayings, kittens, or even just your name. Find patches online or at craft stores. Tie on a small scarf for a pop of color. Lay a small square scarf out flat. Roll it up from one corner to make a long band, and then wrap it around a strap for your fanny pack. Make a knot, and you've added a bit of color to help the bag match your outfit! You could also use a bandana, as you can find many colorful ones at craft stores. | Wear your fanny pack around your waist for a classic style. Sling the bag across your chest for a more secure approach. Layer your fanny pack over your clothes to show it off. Wear your fanny pack under a jacket for a chic look. Add a fanny pack to a t-shirt and jeans for a casual style. Put a fanny pack over a winter jacket for a sophisticated look. Try a fanny pack on top of a dress. Pick a small bag for a more sophisticated look. Try an envelope-style fanny pack with clean lines for a suit. Use a slouchy fanny pack for a fun look. Go big and bold with a bright fanny pack over bright layers. Add pins to make your bag your own. Attach a bow for a girly touch. Iron or sew on patches to make a statement. Tie on a small scarf for a pop of color. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Color-White-Chocolate | How to Color White Chocolate | To color white chocolate, start by warming the chocolate slowly over a double boiler so that it doesn't burn. If you are using a liquid food dye, add a few drops to the chocolate before it starts to melt so that it doesn't cause the chocolate to seize up and thicken. Alternatively, if you are using powder or oil-based food dye, add it after the chocolate starts to melt. Then, stir the food coloring into the chocolate until it's blended and smooth. | Choose a white chocolate. The ingredient list should tell you whether a white chocolate is made with real cocoa butter, or with a cheaper vegetable oil substitute. Imitation products are less likely to seize (turn gritty) than chocolate made with real cocoa butter. Experts tend to back real chocolate in terms of taste, but some brands of imitation chocolate compete well in blind taste tests. Use freshly purchased chocolate. Chocolate suffers in flavor and texture when stored too long, especially if it's the real deal. For detailed chocolate artwork, use a thin dipping or coating chocolate. Pick your food coloring. Even a drop of water can turn your melted chocolate into a gritty mess. For best results, buy powder or oil-based food coloring from a specialty baking store or online. You can use the instructions below with regular liquid food coloring, but the process is much more difficult. Oil-based food coloring is best used for light colors, since too much of the coloring can add a bitter taste and stain mouths. These food dyes are more concentrated than liquid dyes. They will stain clothing, skin, and countertops. Warm oil-based coloring in advance. As though keeping the chocolate dry weren't difficult enough, chocolate can also seize if the food coloring is a different temperature than the chocolate. If you are using oil-based food coloring, raise it above room temperature first. (Keep other types at room temperature.) Place the closed bottle in a zip-locked bag. Remove as much air from the bag as you can, then seal tightly. Submerge the bag in a bowl of warm water for 10–15 minutes. The water should feel comfortably warm to the touch, not scalding. Shake the bottle once or twice during the process to distribute heat evenly. Replace water if it has cooled to room temperature. Remove the bottle from the bag and dry it thoroughly. Bring a double boiler to a simmer. If you do not have a double boiler make one from a large pan, plus a heatproof mixing bowl or small pan that can sit atop the larger one. Start with just the large pan, uncovered. Heat 1–3 inches (2.5–7.5 cm) of water until it reaches a low simmer. Dry the top container and a stirring utensil thoroughly while you wait, even if they don't look wet. A rubber or silicone stirrer is ideal, since wooden spoons may contain absorbed moisture. Decide when to add the food coloring. The timing depends on which type of food coloring you are using. Read the full instructions below before you start, since you may need to change the order of the steps: Add powdered dye as soon as the chocolate starts to melt. You can add oil-based dye after the chocolate melts, as long as you warmed the dye as described above. Liquid dye is less likely to cause seizing if added right away, before the chocolate melts. (This is why there is no need to warm the dye in advance.) Place the chocolate in the smaller container. Put the chocolate into the top portion of the double boiler, which should still be at room temperature. Place this container on top of the simmering pan. The indirect heat from the steam will warm the chocolate slowly, keeping it below seizing temperature. If using a chocolate bar, break it into small pieces of roughly equal size. Make sure your hands are completely dry. Any moisture could ruin your chocolate. If using chocolate with real cocoa butter, you may set aside 1/3 of the chocolate for later use. This is only necessary if you want your chocolates to look glossy. Stir until melted. White chocolate burns very easily, and should never get above 115ºF (46ºC). Keep the heat on the lowest setting, or turn it off completely if melting a small batch of chocolate. Stir slowly and constantly until smooth, then remove from heat. If the instructions above call for adding the dye before the chocolate is melted, see below for more information. If melting a large batch of chocolate (several pounds or kilos), a chocolate thermometer or an instant-read thermometer with 1 degree increments is highly recommended. Keep the chocolate between 100 and 110ºF (37–43ºC). Add the dye slowly. Most powdered and oil-based food dyes are more concentrated than the common liquid type. Add in small increments and stir in thoroughly before deciding whether to add more. Shake bottled food coloring well before adding. If the chocolate seizes (turns gritty), remove it from heat and stir in a neutral-flavored vegetable oil a spoonful at a time. The chocolate will usually smooth out again, but this can affect the flavor. Temper the chocolate (optional). If your white chocolate contains real cocoa butter, it may end up dull and slightly soft after melting and setting. This doesn't affect the taste, but you can restore the gloss if you like by "tempering" the chocolate. There are many ways to do this. Here's a common approach that doesn't require any extra equipment except an accurate thermometer: Remove the chocolate from heat and wrap a towel around the base to keep it warm. Add chopped, unmelted chocolate until you have a ratio of 1 part unmelted chocolate to 2 parts melted. Stir constantly until the chocolate reaches 80–82ºF (27–28ºC), and all the chocolate has melted. Let the chocolate set. Many chocolatiers cool their chocolate slowly at room temperature, so it is less likely to crack or sweat. Others prefer to let it set in the refrigerator for 10–20 minutes, which may work better if your kitchen is warm or humid. Store your finished chocolate in a cool, dry room away from light. For best results, place paper towels in your refrigerator to absorb moisture. If you are pouring chocolate into molds or using it as a dip, keep it warm until you've finished working with it. | Choose a white chocolate. Pick your food coloring. Warm oil-based coloring in advance. Bring a double boiler to a simmer. Decide when to add the food coloring. Place the chocolate in the smaller container. Stir until melted. Add the dye slowly. Temper the chocolate (optional). Let the chocolate set. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Your-Boyfriend-to-Stop-Ignoring-You | How to Get Your Boyfriend to Stop Ignoring You | If you want to get your boyfriend to stop ignoring you, talk to him about what's bothering him. Try saying something like, “You seem like you have something on your mind. Can we talk about it?” Really listen to his answer, and try not to get defensive if he's upset with you. Also consider that he may be busy, sick, or stressed out, and it might not have anything to do with you. If he keeps ignoring you, try to reconnect with him by talking about his passions and hobbies or taking him on a date. | Consider whether you might have given your boyfriend cause to feel overwhelmed. It may be that he has retreated just to gain some space if you've been too intrusive or intense of late. Maybe you're texting him often, or you've been calling three times an hour for the past three hours. Understand that guys generally appreciate their space and not having to be with you 24/7. See things from his perspective. There are a lot of very authentic reasons that might seem as if he is "ignoring" you, but actually, have nothing to do with you. He may be busy. You may have the habit of talking daily, then suddenly it stops, and you urgently want to chat. It has been a day, but you're frantic. And he, well he is very busy! When he's busy, you can expect him to cut off the communications until the task is done. He doesn't feel well. He has been trying to deal with a head cold, a shoulder pain or a stomach ache. Being the stoic that he is, he has only stopped replying because he doesn't want to burden you with his pain or let on that he doesn't even feel so great. He is tired. Genuinely, pooped. He just wants a bit of space to recover his lost energy, so he's withdrawing for a week of snooze catch-up. He has experienced a family issue. He is uncomfortable talking to you about it because he has issues with his crazy/possessive/insane/angry/moralizing/whatever family and it's just all too hard to go into the gritty details. He'd rather you didn't get involved because once you are, awful entanglements will ensue. This can be a very protective stance, both ways. He has hit a snag at work. The deadline is looming, the boss is breathing down his neck, the job's future is precarious. He's salvaging what is left of his work opportunity, and you are suddenly a distraction. Give things a bit of a break. If you think that you might have been a bit too "full on", try pulling back for a while and giving him back the space that you've tried to inhabit. This doesn't mean withdrawing affection or not seeing him at all; it just means learning to pace yourself and take it easy. Don't text or call him for an entire day. Try to stick with it. If he hasn't reached out to you at all during that day, talk with him about what he expects out of a relationship. If you expect something that he won't give you, you may want to look elsewhere for a boyfriend. Don't text or call him about pointless things. Don't call him just because Mindy broke up with Seth when your boyfriend doesn't know either of those people. You may think it's important, but he probably doesn't. Don't let it get to your head. Getting sad and emotional about it just lowers your appeal and may be the goal of some chauvinistic men. Be happy and smile more. Your days will not be hindered by the fact that he is ignoring you. The happier you are, the more he'll want to feed off that happiness. Be up front. Ask him if he's ignoring you for any particular reason. Did you bother him? Did you accidentally say something? If he's acting strangely for a particular reason, you'll want to know why so that you don't risk doing it again. If he tells you he just needs more space, figure out if you can live with that. If you're the kind of person who wants a complete partnership with your boyfriend, and that sort of space is going to be hard for you to deal with, things might not work out. Reach out to him on his level. As noted earlier, there can be any number of reasons why your boyfriend might be ignoring you. However, it's possible that he isn't answering because he doesn't think that the things you say are important; he sees your nattering as idle chatter, stuff that doesn't earn a reply or lead to a discussion. Learn to talk to him on his level, and he'll be interested in no time; or, leave the celebrity gossip and hair and nails stuff for the girls. Talk to him about his passions. Maybe it's sports; maybe it's racing, maybe it's chemistry. It could be anything. Talk about what he likes to do and be excited about his passions. Every boy has a passion; you just have to find it. Ask him questions about the things he likes. Ask him why he likes what he likes. Ask him to explain his favorite hobby, and how he first got interested in it. If you're excited about something he's excited about, he won't be able to ignore you. Don't interrupt him when he's on a roll. When he's all excited about something, let him keep talking. Don't interrupt when he's got momentum. Make an effort to go out on a date. Tell him that you want to go on a date, and hopefully, he'll get the hint that you want him to set it up. If he doesn't get the hint, then you might have to figure it out yourself. It'll be a small price to pay if the date goes well. Remember to do something that he enjoys. Shopping might be something you'd do all day long if you had the chance, but it's probably not his idea of a great date. See if you can go to an amusement park, the movies, a performance of a band he likes, etc. Dress your best, put a smile on your face, and wear your hair just the way he likes it. Sometimes, all a guy will need is a little wake-up call that his girl is the prettiest girl on the block. That should shake his funk up. Try to focus on good stuff during the date. Keep him engaged. Ask him questions. Be playful, warm-hearted, and optimistic. Give him a chance to make everything better, and remind him of why he's your boyfriend in the first place. If the date doesn't go well, tell him that you hoped the date would be an opportunity to connect and that you worry you just aren't connecting in the way you used to. If he still doesn't seem to care, he doesn't deserve another shot. Demand respect. If he thinks he can get away with ignoring you after your attempts to turn things around, and you let him, then he is getting away with ignoring you. If you demand respect from him, telling him what you will and won't stand for, he won't have any other option. Tell him how you feel. Tell him you need better communication, and that you'll try to communicate better too. Tell him if the communication doesn't get better, you might have to consider calling it quits. If he loves you and respects you, he'll change in an instant. If he doesn't love you and doesn't respect you, why would you want to be with him? Give him a little bit of the cold shoulder. Go hang out with your friends and guy friends. Make sure he understands that you have a life, too and that he's lucky you're including him in it. Most guys will immediately come running back and stop ignoring you, especially if you're hanging out with other guys. They'll get territorial. It's just how guys work. If he doesn't come back to you and keeps ignoring you, ask yourself if you want the relationship you're getting. One hundred percent effort from someone else is probably better than 50 percent effort from him. If you feel like he's cheating on you, end it. Of course, it helps to have proof: You don't want to break up with him just because you have a "feeling." But if stuff doesn't feel right, have a talk and figure out what's wrong. If nothing is wrong, and that's just how things are, then you probably want to start looking for a new boyfriend, because things just aren't working for you two. | Consider whether you might have given your boyfriend cause to feel overwhelmed. See things from his perspective. Give things a bit of a break. Don't let it get to your head. Be up front. Reach out to him on his level. Make an effort to go out on a date. Demand respect. Give him a little bit of the cold shoulder. If you feel like he's cheating on you, end it. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Ask-a-Boy-to-Dance-With-You-at-a-Middle-School-Dance | How to Ask a Boy to Dance With You at a Middle School Dance | If there's a boy you like, a school dance is the perfect opportunity to ask him to dance with you. If you feel nervous, dance with your friends first to get more comfortable on the dance floor. If he gets up to dance too, try to make occasional eye contact and smile to show him you're interested. When you feel ready, walk up to the boy confidently and say hi. Then, say something like, “Hey do you want to dance with me for the next song?” If he says yes, take his hand and lead him to the dance floor. If it's a slower song, you can put your arms around his shoulders and sway slightly. For more energetic songs, just dance in front of each other in whatever way you like. If he's too shy to dance, don't worry! You can still sit and talk to him or dance with your friends. | Wear something that catches his eye. If you know what he likes already, you might have an idea of what he finds attractive, and you should wear something that matches his taste. If you don't know him personally, wear something that stands out from other people at the dance. Ask your friends for advice on your outfit. Wear something modest but cute. You don't want to give him the wrong impression, but you still want to attract him. Don't go to the dance wearing something that makes you feel uncomfortable. If you feel uncomfortable, it'll reflect in your attitude and lower your confidence. Make eye contact with him across the dance-floor and smile. Locking eyes with someone lets them know that you're interested in them, which in turn, raises their interest in you. Making eye contact before you approach him will clue him into the fact that you're interested. Smile if he looks back, so he knows that you like him. If he looks down when you lock eyes but continually looks back into your direction, it may mean he's interested in you. If he smiles back and keeps looking at you, it's a sign that he likes you back. Dance with your friends to get rid of nerves. Dancing with your friends is a great way to loosen up and get used to the thought of dancing in front of your classmates. Form a circle and dance with each other. Keep making occasional eye contact with the boy you're interested in and maintain a smile. Read Learn-to-Dance if you don't know how to dance. Dancing can improve your self-confidence and reduces anxiety. Tell his friends that you want to dance with him. If you're nervous about approaching him and asking him to dance, then another strategy you can use is to talk to his friends and tell them that you're interested. He may end up approaching you if he gets this information from a buddy. If he is shy, there's a chance he will want to approach you but may be too nervous to do it. His friends may not tell him that you want to dance, so prepare to do the work yourself if all else fails. Choose the right time and right song. Think about what kind of song you want to dance to. Do you want to dance to something more energetic and fun or do you want to slow things down and get romantic? If you like the boy, pick a slow song. If you just want to be friends, pick something more energetic. Walk up to him with confidence. There are ways you can appear more confident with how you act. Standing up straight and maintaining eye contact with him will make you look more confident than if you were to look down at the ground or slouch. Approach him when he's alone so that his decision isn't affected by the people around him. Walk up to him when you feel comfortable, but don't wait too long, or you may miss your opportunity. Say "hi" and ask him how he's doing. Before you ask him to dance, see how he reacts to talking. If he's excited to talk to you and seems enthusiastic, it's a good sign that he likes you back. If his feet are pointed away, he rubs his neck or face, or he looks uncomfortable, he may not want to dance. If he ignores you and walks away to talk to his friends, it's a sign he isn't interested. Just because he doesn't say a lot doesn't mean he's not interested in you. He may just be nervous. Ask him to dance with you. Once you talk to him about how he is, ask him to dance with confidence. You can ask him to dance by saying "Hey, do you want to dance with me for the next song?" Wait for his response and if he says yes, take his hand and go to the dancefloor. He may be too nervous to dance. If he doesn't want to dance, then sit down next to him and talk to him. If he says no, try not to get too upset. Go back to your friends and try to enjoy the rest of your night and dance with them. Leave your fear behind and just go for it. You may feel nervous approaching the boy you like, but sometimes the best thing to do is just to go for it. The worst thing that could happen is the boy says no, and it hurts your feelings. Understand that even if he doesn't like you, it doesn't mean that you aren't attractive or likable. It just means that you weren't meant for one another. If you let your fear and anxiety win, then you'll never know if he wanted to dance with you. Hold his hands or put your arms around his back. Holding his hands or putting your arms around his back or shoulders will help you move as one. Try to move with him and avoid stepping on his feet. He may be new to dancing as well, so adjust his hands and arms if they are slipping too low on your waist. For slow songs, put your arms around his back or shoulders. If things feel awkward or tense, you can always back off and dance by yourself in front of him. Talk to him while dancing to reduce awkwardness. You don't have to talk while you dance, and you probably shouldn't for slow songs. However, if you feel awkward during other songs, a good way to relieve tension is to talk to the guy you're dancing with. You can ask him how his day went or how he feels about a certain class. Avoid talking badly about other people if you don't know him well. He may be friends with the people you are talking about and could get upset. Get his contact information after the dance. If you like the guy that you danced with and want to talk to him after the dance, make sure to get his contact information. Ask him for his phone number, or the usernames for social media accounts. If he danced with you all night, there's a good chance that he will want to stay in contact with you. You can say, "Hey, I really liked dancing with you. Do you want to talk later? Do you have a cell-phone or a Tumblr account?" | Wear something that catches his eye. Make eye contact with him across the dance-floor and smile. Dance with your friends to get rid of nerves. Tell his friends that you want to dance with him. Choose the right time and right song. Walk up to him with confidence. Say "hi" and ask him how he's doing. Ask him to dance with you. Leave your fear behind and just go for it. Hold his hands or put your arms around his back. Talk to him while dancing to reduce awkwardness. Get his contact information after the dance. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Divide-by-a-Two%E2%80%90Digit-Number | How to Divide by a Two‐Digit Number | To divide by a two-digit number, try to determine whether that number would fit into the first 2 digits of the dividend. If it does, write down how many times it will go into those numbers. Follow the same rules of division that you would with a smaller number. Calculate the remainder, if any, and add the remainder as a prefix to the next number in the dividend. Continue solving the problem to either a whole number with a remainder or a decimal. | Look at the first digit of the larger number. Write the problem as a long-division problem. Just like a simpler division problem, you can start by looking at the smaller number, and asking "Does it fit into the first digit of the larger number?" Let's say you're solving 3472 ÷ 15. Ask "Does 15 fit into 3?" Since 15 is definitely larger than 3, the answer is "no," and we move on to the next step. Look at the first two digits. Since you can't fit a two-digit number into a one-digit number, we'll look at the first two digits of the dividend instead, just like we would in a regular division problem. If you still have an impossible division problem, you'll need to look at the first three digits instead, but we don't need to in this example: Does 15 fit into 34? Yes, it does, so we can start calculating the answer. (The first number doesn't have to fit perfectly, it just needs to be smaller than the second number.) Use a little guesswork. Find out exactly how many times the first number fits into the other. You might know the answer already, but if you don't, try making a good guess and checking your answer with multiplication. We need to solve 34 ÷ 15, or "how many times does 15 go into 34"? You're looking for a number you can multiply with 15 to get a number less than 34, but pretty close to it: Does 1 work? 15 x 1 = 15, which is less than 34, but keep guessing. Does 2 work? 15 x 2 = 30. This is still less than 34, so 2 is a better answer than 1. Does 3 work? 15 x 3 = 45, which is greater than 34. Too high! The answer must be 2. Write the answer above the last digit you used. If you set this up like a long division problem, this should feel familiar. Since you were calculating 34 ÷ 15, write the answer, 2, on the answer line above the "4." Multiply your answer by the smaller number. This is the same as a normal long division problem, except we'll be using a two-digit number. Your answer was 2 and the smaller number in the problem is 15, so we calculate 2 x 15 = 30. Write "30" underneath the "34." Subtract the two numbers. The last thing you wrote went underneath the original larger number (or part of it). Treat this as a subtraction problem and write the answer on a new line underneath. Solve 34 - 30 and write the answer underneath them on a new line. The answer is 4. This 4 is still "left over" after we fit 15 into 34 two times, so we'll need to use it in the next step. Bring down the next digit. Just like a regular division problem, we're going to keep calculating the next digit of the answer until we've finished. Leave the 4 where it is and bring down the "7" from "3472" to make 47. Solve the next division problem. To get the next digit, just repeat the same steps you did above for the new problem. You can use guesswork again to find the answer: We need to solve 47 ÷ 15: 47 is bigger than our last number, so the answer will be higher. Let's try four: 15 x 4 = 60. Nope, too high! We'll try three instead: 15 x 3 = 45. Smaller than 47 but close to it. Perfect. The answer is 3, so we'll write that about the "7" on the answer line. (If we ended up with a problem like 13 ÷ 15, with the first number smaller, we would need to bring down a third digit before we could solve it.) Continue using long division. Repeat the long division steps we used before to multiply our answer by the smaller number, write the result underneath the larger number, and subtract to find the next remainder. Remember, we just calculated 47 ÷ 15 = 3, and now we want to find what's left over: 3 x 15 = 45, so write "45" underneath the 47. Solve 47 - 45 = 2. Write "2" underneath the 45. Find the last digit. As before, we bring down the next digit from the original problem so we can solve the next division problem. Repeat the steps above until you find every digit in the answer. We've got 2 ÷ 15 as our next problem, which doesn't make much sense. Bring down a digit to make 22 ÷ 15 instead. 15 goes into 22 one time, so we write "1" at the end of the answer line. Our answer is now 231. Find the remainder. One last subtraction problem to find the final remainder, then we'll be done. In fact, if the answer to the subtraction problem is 0, you don't even need to write a remainder at all. 1 x 15 = 15, so write 15 underneath the 22. Calculate 22 - 15 = 7. We have no more digits to bring down, so instead of more division we just write "remainder 7" or "R7" at the end of our answer. The final answer: 3472 ÷ 15 = 231 remainder 7 Round to the nearest ten. It's not always easy to see how many times a two-digit number goes into a larger one. One useful trick is to round to the nearest multiple of 10 to make guessing easier. This comes in handy for smaller division problems, or for parts of a long division problem. For example, let's say we're solving 143 ÷ 27, but we don't have a good guess at how many times 27 goes into 143. Let's pretend we're solving 143 ÷ 30 instead. Count by the smaller number on your fingers. In our example, we can count by 30s instead of counting by 27s. Counting by 30 is pretty easy once you get the hang of it: 30, 60, 90, 120, 150. If you find this difficult, just count by threes and add a 0 to the end. Count until you get higher than the larger number in the problem (143), then stop. Find the two most likely answers. We didn't hit 143 exactly, but we got two numbers close to it: 120 and 150. Let's see how many fingers we counted on to get them: 30 (one finger), 60 (two fingers), 90 (three fingers), 120 (four fingers). So 30 x four = 120. 150 (five fingers), so 30 x five = 150. 4 and 5 are the two most likely answers to our problem. Test those two numbers with the real problem. Now that we have two good guesses, let's try them out on the original problem, which was 143 ÷ 27: 27 x 4 = 108 27 x 5 = 135 Make sure you can't get any closer. Since both our numbers ended up below 143, let's try getting even closer by trying one more multiplication problem: 27 x 6 = 162. This is higher than 143, so it can't be the right answer. 27 x 5 came closest without going over, so 143 ÷ 27 = 5 (plus a remainder of 8, since 143 - 135 = 8.) | Look at the first digit of the larger number. Look at the first two digits. Use a little guesswork. Write the answer above the last digit you used. Multiply your answer by the smaller number. Subtract the two numbers. Bring down the next digit. Solve the next division problem. Continue using long division. Find the last digit. Find the remainder. Round to the nearest ten. Count by the smaller number on your fingers. Find the two most likely answers. Test those two numbers with the real problem. Make sure you can't get any closer. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Break-Into-a-Car | How to Break Into a Car | To break into a car, start by using a putty knife or doorstop to wedge into the space between the door and the top of the car. Next, create a rod out of the antenna of your car or a straightened wire hanger. In the gap you created with the wedge, insert the rod and guide the tip toward the lock button inside door. Then, firmly press down on the unlock button with the rod and carefully pull the rod back out before opening the door. | Find your tool of choice. The basic method for breaking into a car with automatic locks without damaging anything is to wedge a space in the door and use a long poker to hit the lock button. It may be crude, but it's more or less exactly what a locksmith will do if you call one, except doing this won't waste you $80 bucks for five minutes of work. To do this, you'll need one wedge and one poker. Possibilities include: The best wedges can include putty knives and door stops, the thinner the better. Ideally, you want to open up only as much space as is necessary to insert your poker. Locksmiths use an inflating balloon to pump air and create space. The best pokers include the antenna from the car, unscrewed, and a straightened wire hanger. You might need a pair of pliers to straighten out the hanger, and consider doubling it up to have better control and pushing power when you get to the lock button. Pretty much any tool that is narrow enough to fit through the window crack and long enough to reach the lock button will work. Wedge the door open. Jam a doorstop or equivalent wedge-like tool into the space between the upper part of the door and the car. Firmly tap the wedge into the door/car space using the heel of your hand. If you are concerned about damaging your car's paint, cover the wedge with cloth or some kind of felted surface to protect the paint before beginning. Insert your rod. The jammed wedge will create a gap between the door and the car body. Insert your rod into the space between the door and the car body. Guide the rod towards the lock button. Press button and unlock. Firmly press the button with your rod. It may take a few tries to get at it, but once you do, you'll have successfully broken into your car. Open the door and retrieve your keys. Lasso the lock with a coat hanger. The biggest difference between breaking into a vehicle with manual locks is that you have to pull up on the locking pin once you get in if you want to do it manually. Follow the same directions, wedging and poking through the space you create, but then you'll have to carefully pull up to unlock the car. Pushing a button is one thing, but lassoing the pin is much more difficult. You'll have to slip the loop over the head of the lock nub like a noose and pull up to unlock the car. It may take a few tries to get it. Consider using a slim jim, or fashioning your own. A slim jim, otherwise called a lockout tool, is a car tool commonly issued to police officers to help open doors with manual locks. It's used by wedding into the door mechanism itself, between the window and the weather stripping, hooking the locking pin, and pulling it from the inside. If you've got access to a slim jim, it can be a quick fix. Create your own by straightening out a coat hanger, leaving only the curved (hook) end in its original shape. You may need to use needle nose pliers to unwind the coat hanger to straighten it out, and double it over to reinforce it. Note that this method is not recommended for cars with automatic windows and locks. Those cars have a lot of wiring in their doors, which might get damaged in this breaking in process. Pick the passenger side door. There is usually less wiring on the passenger side than on the driver's side door, making it somewhat easier to break in. Insert your tool. Identify the black rubber weather stripping along the lower edge of your car window. The locking mechanism is generally lined up with the lock itself, usually toward the back of the door itself. With your fingers, peel back this rubber strip back from the window slightly to expose the gap between the window and the outer part of the car door. Gently insert your straightened coat hanger, curved end first, into the gap between the window and the weather stripping. Lower the coat hanger in. You should be able to lower the coat hanger into this gap a few inches without resistance, then start feeling for the pin. If you can look at the vehicle's shop manual, you'll be able to have a great sense of where the locking pin will be and how to access it. If you blindly dig around in the door, you do risk messing up the wiring and causing damage. Try to find out where the locking pin is before you insert the slim jim. Find the pin. Move the coat hanger around in the gap until you feel a small pin. This pin can be pulled to disengage the door lock. It will usually be located about 2 inches (5 cm) below the bottom of the window, near the interior door handle. Gently pull the pin towards the rear of the car. When you find the pin, hook it and gently pull. If successful, you will feel the pin move and hear the door unlock. After successfully unlocking the door, gently pull the coat hanger out and open the door to get your keys back. Find the emergency cord. If your trunk is unlocked by any chance, but the cab is locked with your keys inside, open it and look around inside for the emergency open trunk cord that opens into the car. It is often in the trunk "door" or the roof of the trunk. Pull the cord. Once you find the cord, pull it. This will unlock the back passenger seats allowing them to fall forward in some models of car. This is a common feature in some sedans. Crawl in. Once the passenger seats are unlocked, push them forward. Now you can climb into the car through this new entry, and unlock a back passenger door yourself manually. | Find your tool of choice. Wedge the door open. Insert your rod. Press button and unlock. Lasso the lock with a coat hanger. Consider using a slim jim, or fashioning your own. Pick the passenger side door. Insert your tool. Lower the coat hanger in. Find the pin. Gently pull the pin towards the rear of the car. Find the emergency cord. Pull the cord. Crawl in. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Start-Your-Own-Country | How to Start Your Own Country | To start your own country, get creative with how you want to run your new territory. What kind of government and constitution do you want to have? What about a national anthem and language? You'll also want to establish an economy. You can stick to established currencies or create your own. Finally, coming up with a state seal with a national motto can help clarify your mission. Once you address some of these more creative questions, you may want to establish some rules about defining your territory and relating with other states. | Learn about your country. It makes sense to learn about your country before you go off making a new one. Make your plans. Write what its name is, The capital(s), State or province names, Language(s). You can think about it. If possible make a custom National flag, song(s), anthem(s), symbol(s). Create rules. As Bob Dylan said, "to live outside the law you must be honest." The same thought holds true for forming a micronation: to make your own rules you must follow established rules and conventions. Much of the basis for current nation building comes from the 1933 Convention on Rights and Duties of States , also known as the Montevideo Convention. These are the basic rules set out in Article 1 of the Convention: The state as a person of international law should possess the following qualifications : A permanent population A defined territory Government The capacity to enter into relations with the other states The balance of the first ten Articles go on to explain that the existence of a state is independent of recognition by other states, and is free to act on its own behalf—and that no state is free to intervene in the affairs of another. Note that these are not laws in the conventional sense. You are free to declare yourself a country, anytime, and anywhere. However, nobody will take you seriously, which translates to the simple truth that you will have no legitimacy as a nation. Find territory for your micronation. This is the hard part. With two exceptions, existing land has all been claimed by existing countries. The main exception is Antarctica. Even then, should you brave the weather and lack of "population appeal," Antarctica is managed by the most powerful countries in the world, and it's unlikely they'll let you just plant a flag and say, "Mine!" Second, there is Bir Tawil, a tiny plot of land between Egypt and Sudan, which neither claim. However, there is very little appeal to this country, due to it being only a patch of sand. Also, it has been "claimed" by Jeremiah Heaton, and is referred to as North Sudan. Still, there are things to try, to get around this earth of available dirt: Conquer an existing country. There are many small island nations dotting the Pacific, and it's unlikely they have much of a defense force. Sure, it's crazy—but crazy enough that it might just work! All you need is an army, a navy, and the support of the world community—many of whom protect these small nations from intruders. This has been attempted in the Comoros, Vanuatu, and the Maldives, but ultimately failed. However, this is not recommended due to the devastating impact colonization has had on numerous countries around the world today, as well as the fact it is unjust to take land from the indigenous rulers of the land without consent. It's much better to just make a treaty and take over that land with a fair and just agreement. Buy an existing country. If you're wealthy enough, you can buy an island , though it's unlikely that the host nation will just cede sovereignty to you. A more corrupt or destitute country might be more easily swayed, but even that is difficult: a pack of libertarians tried to buy Tortuga from impoverished Haiti, but were rejected. There are some things money just can't buy. Find a loophole. The Republic of Indian Stream, for example, was founded on land between the U.S. and Canada that was poorly defined in the 1783 Treaty of Paris. It lasted from 1832 to 1835, when it was annexed by the U.S. Look for regions that are otherwise unproductive for the local government. Chances are that the local authority won't have any interest in keeping a disputed, resource consuming territory that is otherwise economically/politically unproductive. At this point, you might be thinking there's no hope, but we've saved the best for last. As land has become scarce, but the human need for new land continues apace, creative (and financially abundant) individuals have begun taking to the sea. Build an island. The ocean, as they say, is the last great frontier. International waters are owned by no nation, and this has spurred interest and activity. The Principality of Sealand. Sealand, initially created as a military base in the North Sea, off the coast of England during World War II, is a football-field-sized structure that housed troops and weapons to strike at German invaders. After the war it was abandoned until 1966, when a rogue DJ named Roy Bates—tired of battling the British government over his pirate radio station—moved there to set up shop. The station never went back on the air, but he declared the floating fortress the Principality of Sealand. He raised the flag, named himself Prince, and his wife Princess Joan. Sealand withstood court challenges, and remains an independent nation to this day. Palm Island Group. While not a nation, the Palm Island Group off the coast of Dubai is indicative of the direction that holds the most promise for nation builders. Extending out into the Persian Gulf are 3 palm tree-shaped man-made islands that provide opulent living for the world's millionaires and billionaires. The Seasteading Institute. Founded by the grandson of Milton Friedman and PayPal founder Peter Thiel, this would-be libertarian utopian foundation believes in bringing the free market to bear on government—a start-up for democracy. Their hope is that experimental, innovated governments will be able to generate new ideas of governance that will change the world. They are fostering the goal of building sea-based platforms with loose building requirements, no minimum wage, and limited restrictions on firearms. Proponents see this as a the key to the next generation of free enterprise. Critics suggest that loose building codes and low-wage workers with lots of weapons, being run by a bunch of would-be John Galts as a recipe for disaster. While the politics of the Seasteading Institute may or may not be your cup of tea, it's a fair bet that the ocean is truly the new frontier. The Republic of Minerva. One millionaire activist piled sand onto a reef located in the Pacific Ocean south of Fiji and created an artificial island to start the Republic of Minerva. But if you're not rich enough to make land, then just make it up—some of the more lighthearted micronations claim land on imaginary continents or planets. In addition to the traditional territory-based nation, there exists a largely untapped, unregulated, and unexplored territory that is virtually limitless—because it exists only virtually. Call it the cloud, call it the web, or borrow from William Gibson and call it cyberspace, people are spending more and more time connected emotionally and interactively with their friends and colleagues through the internet. Virtual worlds such as Second Life and Blue Mars create 3-dimensional habitats, have their own currency, and their own constitutions (aka "Terms and Conditions"). Flatter worlds such as Facebook (aka Social Media) encourages groups of like-minded people around the world to work together for the common good—as defined by the particular group. Like the ocean, virtual nations will have a growing impact, and may result in very real, separate national identities within the next 100 years. Invite your friends. One of the key requirements for a nation—aside from territories—will be a population. If the land you conquer or build doesn't come with an indigenous people, you will have to bring your own to the party. Invite your friends and family to join you in this venture, and you will have a small, but dedicated population. These days, if you're serious about anything (and creating a micronation can be serious, indeed), then you will have a website. Use this to find like-minded people, and give them good reason to populate your new Republic. It could be for work and money, or the freedom to have many wives, or simply the opportunity to be part of the birth of a nation. You will need to decide what you require of your citizens. Do they have to pass a citizenship test, or abide by certain laws? What form of identification will they need—a passport? Driver's license? Subcutaneous RFID? Establish a government and/or constitution. The success or failure of your venture will be determined, in large part, by your leadership in governance. Consider the success of the United States, rooted in a Constitution that is at once clear and defined, yet open to interpretation and growth. Without that, it may have fallen into disarray and dozens of small nation-states rather than an arguably united whole. Your government, and your constitution, should be guided by the principles you wish to establish from the start. Here are some examples of various micronations, and their founding principles: Nova Roma , dedicated "to the restoration of classical Roman religion, culture and virtues". The American Empire , based on a strong sense of humor and a love of science fiction, fantasy, and games. Political simulations or political movements. These micronations tend to have strong political views and are often controversial. In the past, some of them have managed to attract media or political interest, although this is rare. Despite their relative obscurity, they are some of the most common types of micronations. Cultural missions. These micronations, similar to historic projects, exist to promote a particular culture and tradition. There are many Germanic micronations such as Domanglia that attempt to recreate the culture and traditions of the former German Empire. Many of these also include nationalistic and patriotic projects. Secessionist entities. By far the most serious form of micronation, secessionist entities are often much older then other forms of micronations. Notable secessionist micronations include Sealand, the Hutt River Province, and Freetown Christinia. Establish a law system. Every good country has a system on how laws are made there. Here are some examples of systems used in existing countries: Votation. This process is where citizens make decisions about governance and elect officials. It is used in Switzerland. True Democracy. The people themselves vote on everything. This is hard to do with a big country, but might work for your micronation. Declare your independence. Now that you have territory, a population, and a government with a constitution, it's time to declare yourself. One of three things will happen, depending on what you have prepared for the world: A collective yawn. The world may look at your declaration of independence, and promptly go back to watching a rerun of Star Trek. A welcome into the community of nations, an invitation to a seat at the UN, and requests for ambassadors and embassies. An armed invasion. If your nation runs afoul of borders, existing treaties, human rights, or other legal protocols, you may receive anything from a knock at the door by Rent-a-Cop Officer Friendly informing you that the "Independent Nation of 1234 N. Raynd Avenue" is in a covenant-controlled community that does not recognize your sovereignty, and that you must to take your flag off the roof or be fined, to an all-out invasion by a United Nations coalition ordering you to stand down and please get into the bullet-proof Mercedes SUV, where you will be whisked off to The Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity. Alternatively, your micronation could suffer the same fate as the Republic of Minerva: soon after libertarian millionaire and activist Michael Oliver created a landmass by pouring sand onto the Minerva Reefs south of Fiji, and subsequently proclaimed sovereignty, the island was invaded and annexed (with international support) by Tonga. Establish an economy. If you're not trading in dollars, Euros, or other currency, you will need to create your own financial system. Will you base your nation's wealth on gold, on securities, or on a whing and a prayer? While your word may count among your friends, for national debt, you will need some serious collateral for that to be of any use. If you stick to established currencies, you will still need to determine how to fund your government, and the best way to do this may be anathema to the very reason you start your own country: taxes. Through taxation, your government will be able to provide essential services such as a power grid, water lines, a necessary bureaucracy (as minimal as you like), and an army. It's a fundamental obligation for every state (small or large) to be able to defend its citizens from enemies. Whether this is a standing army, national guard, compulsory service, or some other defensive solution, this will be something to consider when creating your constitution. Be recognized by the world community. Barring any untoward issues resulting from the founding of your country (see above), you will want to become a player in the world. To do this, you will need other nations to recognize you. This will require you to become adept at international law, politics, and diplomacy. If these are not among your strongest skills, you would be wise to recruit a cabinet of skilled politicos to take on this task. This is perhaps the most difficult step of all. Some nations, such as Palestine, Taiwan, and Northern Cyprus have all the checkboxes checked—but are still not recognized by many countries. There are no rules here—every country has their own standards by which they determine recognition. Things that could have an effect on the outcome are issues such as where you stand on Al Queda, or communism, or capitalism. They might hinge on your approach to human rights, or control of natural resources. In the United States, the decision to recognize a nation is made by the President. Your request will hinge on who occupies the White House at that time, and their policies and preferences may swing wildly every four years. Also, membership to the UN requires that none of the five powers US, UK, China, Russia and France veto your membership. In other words, you will have to have neutral stands on controversial issues like territorial disputes including those with Palestine, Taiwan and Crimea. If you live near or in Europe, try applying for membership to the European Union as well. This will ensure your sovereignty in world politics. Manage your branding. Every country needs a flag, of course, and yours will be no different. This is the most prominent of national symbols, but there are other symbols that will help establish your identity as a nation: Money. What will your currency look like? Will it have your profile boldly embossed on gold coins, and in 3D hologram on paper money, or will you use a symbolic icon such as Lady Liberty or Charlton Heston? Will you go full-tilt modern, or attempt to hearken back to a time when each piece was carved by hand? State Seal. You can come up with a national motto and translate it into Latin. There are many free online translators. Add some florid graphics with a shield, all to suggest you're descended from royalty—or you can state your mission clearly in your own language, and have a graphic designer create a logo. A good logo can be worth more than the crown jewels of England! Official correspondence. With all the letters you'll be writing to the President, the UN, the Prime Minister, and other heads of state, you'll want nice letterhead on high-quality paper, embossed with your seal. National Anthem. You'll want a national anthem to play at important events. Establish a language. Every country must have some verbal language. For this you can: Use an existing language (like English). You can also use ancient languages. E.g: futhark. Make a dialect of an existing language (e.g. Canadian English, American English). Make your own language. If you do this make sure the citizens of your country understand it (in other words teach them the language). You can combine languages. Believe it or not, English is one. In fact, most of the English language is actually based off of Latin and of Germanic languages. The Americans borrowed zero from the Arabs. Create an article on Microwiki. This platform allows you to make an article on a site like Wikipedia. Go to https://micronations.wiki/ and take a look at the guidelines. Then, you may write an article about your micronation. Here, you can also open up relations with other micronations. Look at the Nation Page Guide. This gives information on how your article should be structured. Get out there and do it! The world isn't getting any bigger, and governments aren't getting any smaller, so the sooner you get out there and stake your claim, the sooner you can declare yourself King, Prince, Emperor, Sheikh, Ayatollah, Supreme Ruler, and President for Life of [insert your imperial dynasty here]. | Learn about your country. Make your plans. Create rules. Find territory for your micronation. Build an island. Invite your friends. Establish a government and/or constitution. Establish a law system. Declare your independence. Establish an economy. Be recognized by the world community. Manage your branding. Establish a language. Create an article on Microwiki. Get out there and do it! |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Your-Credit-Report-for-Free | How to Get Your Credit Report for Free | Lenders use your credit report to determine if they should lend to you and at what rate, so it's important to check your report annually to make sure that all of the information is correct. Accessing your credit report online is a quick and easy process. Go to annualcreditreport.com, which is the only site authorized to issue free credit reports. Fill out your birthdate, social security number, current address, and previous address if you haven't lived at your current address for 2 years. You'll also need to verify your identity by answering questions about your credit history, for example, how much you owe or when you opened certain accounts. You can then view your report online. | Go to annualcreditreport.com. This is the website set up by the three credit reporting agencies – Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian – to allow customers to easily request a credit report. This is the only site authorized to issue free credit reports, so be sure to use it, and not other “impostor” sites. Fill out the required information. You will need to provide basic information to establish your identity, including your: Birthdate Social security number Current address Previous address if you have not lived at your current address for 2 years Decide which credit reports to order. The three reporting companies get their information from different places and so may have slightly different information. They also present it in different ways. If you are about to seek credit for a large purchase like a car or house, it is a good idea to get all three reports to make sure your credit information is accurate. If you are not about to make a big purchase, it makes more sense to space out your requests so that you can keep track of your credit information over the course of the year. Equifax – Equifax conveniently groups accounts into “open” or “closed”, making it easy to review your current accounts. It also provides an 81-month credit history for each credit account, reflecting whether the account was paid or overdue in each of those months. For more on the Equifax report layout and codes used, see here. Experian – The most helpful feature of Experian reports is that they tell you when an account or a negative report is scheduled to fall off your credit report. Experian also offers an 81-month payment history for each account. Experian is also the only company to report on-time rent payments, as opposed to just late ones. For more on the Experian report layout and codes used, see here. TransUnion – TransUnion tends to have the most up-to-date previous address and employment information. You can correct the employment information via their website when you get the report, though this will not change your credit score. They are also the only credit agency to report your monthly balance and payment as part of your credit history. For more on the TransUnion report layout and codes used, see here. Verify your identity. Each credit reporting agency will ask you questions regarding your credit history in order to verify that you are who you say you are. The questions will concern your credit accounts – when they were opened, how much you owe, etc. – and your previous addresses. Don't be worried if you don't recognize some of the information. “None of the above” is a very popular answer in credit companies' identity verification questions. View your report or reports online. You will be able to view all the reports you ordered online. If you register an account with the reporting companies, you may be able to return to view them for up to 30 days. Otherwise, you will only be able to view them once, so be sure to save the reports or print them. Request a credit report by phone or mail. If you're not the internet type, there are two other ways to request your free annual credit report: By phone – To request that your report be mailed to you by phone, call 1-877-322-8228 and ask for a copy of your report from each of the three reporting agencies. You will go through a simple verification process over the phone, similar to the online process, and should receive a copy of your report within 2 to 3 weeks of your request. By mail – To request your report by mail, you will need to complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form available here and then mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. You can expect to receive a copy of your report in approximately two to three weeks from the date your request is received by AnnualCreditReport.com. Check your credit report, from all three bureaus, every year. If one of the bureaus gets false information from your credit company, or it simply makes a mistake, it pays to fix the problem quickly. A lingering blemish on your credit report might go unnoticed and then get buried if you fail to request a report every year, leaving you with a mysteriously low credit score and no reasons why. Print and archive your credit report. Having a physical copy is so old-school, but it's also smart. Having copies of your credit reports dating back to when you first started using credit may come in handy if you ever need to show proof, for example, in a dispute with a credit company or the bureau itself. Know what all the information on your report means. All three reporting agencies report the same type of information on their reports: Identifying Information – Your names, address, social security number, date of birth, and places of employment. Credit Accounts – These include mortgage accounts and home equity loans, revolving accounts (credit cards), and installment accounts, where the amount and term of payment are fixed, such as a car or student loans. The payment history for each account will be recorded for 81 months (or more in the case of TransUnion). Satisfactory and negative accounts will be reported separately, with negative accounts usually reported first. Credit Inquiries – Hard inquiries occur when you apply for a loan and authorize a lender to ask for your report. These inquiries negatively impact your credit score if there are too many in a short period. Soft inquiries are when a creditor orders your report in order to send you a “pre-approved” offer. Soft inquiries do not impact your credit score. Public Record and Collection items – This includes bankruptcies, foreclosures, lawsuits, wage attachments, liens, judgments, and information on overdue debt from collection agencies. Examine your report for signs of identity theft or credit fraud. The first thing to do with your credit report is to scroll through it to be sure there is no inaccurate information. This will help to protect your credit score and to prevent identity theft. Make sure you check: Name – There should be no names listed other than your own. Address – Be sure the only addresses listed are places you have lived. If another address appears, it may be a sign of identity theft. Credit Accounts – The report will list all your present and past credit accounts, along with information regarding whether payment has ever been late, and if so, how late. Make sure all accounts belong or belonged to you, and check to be sure any negative information is correct. Public Records Information – Check to see if your report lists any delinquent accounts, bankruptcies, foreclosures, lawsuits, wage attachments, liens, or judgments, be sure they are accurate. This sort of information can devastate your credit score, so be sure it is accurate if reported. Report inaccurate information. You can inform reporting companies that you think information is inaccurate via their websites while reviewing your report, or you can write to the companies. They must investigate the disputed item and forward your dispute to whoever provided them the information. You should also report the inaccurate information to the creditor in question, otherwise, they may report it again and it will reappear on your credit report. If the reporting agency refuses to remove the disputed item, you can ask that a statement of your dispute be included in all future credit reports. Equifax – You can start an online dispute here , call them at 866-349-5191, or write them at Equifax Information Services, LLC; P.O. Box 740256; Atlanta, GA 30348. Experian – You can start an online dispute here or write them at Experian; P.O. Box 4500; Allen, TX 75013. TransUnion – You can start an online dispute here , call them at 800-916-8800, or write them at TransUnion LLC; Consumer Dispute Center; P.O. Box 2000; Chester, PA 19022. Put a fraud alert on your reports. If you do find inaccurate information, it may be a sign of attempted identity theft. To safeguard your credit, contact Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax to put 90-day fraud alerts on your accounts. These alerts will inform lenders and creditors that they need to take extra precautions to verify your identity before issuing any more credit. You only need to contact one agency, and they will tell the other two to put alerts on your accounts. Know the difference between your credit report and credit score. Your credit score is a number that lenders use to determine your eligibility for loans or credit cards, and it is calculated using your credit history. One website describes it this way: "If credit was a term paper, the score would be your grade at the top and the report would be the feedback your professor wrote about how well you performed on the back." If viewing your report online, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion will all give you the option to pay to view your credit score. Scores are as follows: 600 or less – This qualifies as bad credit, meaning you will find it difficult to secure credit for a car loan or mortgage. You will probably only qualify for a secured credit card , which requires a deposit before you can make charges, much like a debit card. 600-700 – This is average credit. You will qualify for loans and credit cards, but with higher rates and worse terms 700+ – You have good credit and will be approved for most loans with competitive rates and also by most card companies, so long as you don't have too many credit card accounts or too much debt. 780+ – This high rating requires a history of at least 5 years of on-time payments, along with a mix of debt – credit cards, student loans, mortgage, etc. You should be able to get top rates on loans and any of the best credit cards. Take steps to improve your credit score. The simplest ways to improve your credit score are to pay your debts on time and to reduce your debt to total credit ratio on your revolving debt (credit cards) to 20% or less. You can do this by either paying down your balances or obtaining more credit. Re-order a credit report if necessary. The FCRA provides for certain situations in which consumers are entitled to another free credit report, even if they have already obtained one from that reporting agency in the last 12 months. Some situations that may entitle you to a free report include: You had an "adverse report" - i.e. a credit, insurance, or employment application denied because of information on your credit report. The employer, insurer, or bank will send you a notice that includes the contact information for the reporting agency that provided the report used. You have 60 days from the date you learn of the denial to contact the agency and ask for a copy of your credit report. You are unemployed and plan to begin looking for a job within the next 60 days. You receive government welfare assistance. You are a victim of fraud or identity theft and believe is has resulted in inaccurate information being placed on your credit report. Get an extra free report courtesy of your state. If you are a resident of Colorado, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, or Vermont, you are entitled to one additional free report per year from each reporting agency. See here to learn how to get your additional free report. If you are entitled to another free credit report for any reason, request it from each of the three reporting agencies. Each agency has a different procedure for requesting and obtaining your report. Equifax: Request your report online , by calling: 800-685-1111 or by writing to Equifax Disclosure Department, P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374. When writing, be sure to include your name, social security number, current and previous addresses, date of birth, and telephone number. For your protection, you will also need to verify your identity by providing copies of certain documents. For a list of acceptable documents, see Equifax's Acceptable Forms of Identification page. Experian: If you have had an adverse report, you can get an extra free report online here. If you are getting a report in response to fraud, go here. Otherwise, call 888-200-6020. TransUnion: Request your report online , by calling 800-888-4213, or by writing to TransUnion LLC, 2 Baldwin Place, P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022. When writing, be sure to include your name, social security number, current and previous addresses, date of birth, and telephone number. | Go to annualcreditreport.com. Fill out the required information. Decide which credit reports to order. Verify your identity. View your report or reports online. Request a credit report by phone or mail. Check your credit report, from all three bureaus, every year. Know what all the information on your report means. Examine your report for signs of identity theft or credit fraud. Report inaccurate information. Put a fraud alert on your reports. Know the difference between your credit report and credit score. Take steps to improve your credit score. Re-order a credit report if necessary. Get an extra free report courtesy of your state. If you are entitled to another free credit report for any reason, request it from each of the three reporting agencies. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Put-a-Stamp-on-an-Envelope | How to Put a Stamp on an Envelope | To put a stamp on an envelope, stick the stamp on the top right corner of your envelope, making sure it doesn't cover any part of the address. If you're mailing a standard envelope that's less than 13 ounces and are okay with it arriving in 3-5 business days, you can send it First Class with a regular 50-cent stamp. For any other size envelope or any heavier letter, or to mail your letter Priority to get it there faster, you'll need to go to the post office and have them tell you how much postage you'll need to send your envelope. | Check the size of your envelope. This should be marked on the packet of envelopes, or on the envelope itself. Size 14 envelopes measure 5" x 11.5" and are considered the standard size. They will be rectangular in shape and will often be sold in packages at your local post office. You can also mail a letter in an envelope that is smaller than a size 14, such as a size 10 envelope (4.125" x 9.5"), with a regular stamp. If possible, fold your letter so it fits in a standard rectangular envelope, as this may cut down on the price of postage. Envelopes larger than size 14 are considered large envelopes, or flats, and will be more expensive to mail. Card sized envelopes, made for small greeting cards or wedding invitations, will also likely have additional postage fees. This is because pieces of mail that have an odd shape or are square shaped and made of rigid card can jam mail processing machines and need to be processed separately. Weigh your letter. You can do this at the post office or on a small office scale. The weight and size of your letter (plus the envelope) will affect the price of postage, or how much you will pay for a stamp. Often, the heavier the letter is, the higher the price of postage will be. Letters in a standard envelope that weigh less than 13 ounces can be sent via First Class Mail at one flat rate. Letters in a standard envelope that weigh more than 13 ounces will be upgraded to Priority Class Mail, and the price for postage will be more than the flat rate. Decide if you want to send the letter by First Class, Priority, or Standard Mail. There are three basic levels of mail, according to the US Post Office. First Class Mail is often what is used to send letter-size pieces that are rigid and square. To send a letter First-Class, it must weigh no more than 13 ounces. The price for sending First Class Mail is the same, regardless of the distance the letter is traveling. The arrival time for First Class Mail is two to three days for destinations within the U.S. Sending mail First Class is ideal for a single letter as all you need is a standard stamp and access to a post box. Priority Mail is ideal if you want your letter to get to the addressee by the following business day. To send a letter by Priority Mail, it must weigh no more than 70 pounds. At the post office, you can add on extra services to your Priority Mail item, such as USPS Tracking and Registered Mail, especially if your letter contains legal or sensitive information that must reach its destination. The price of Priority Mail postage is based on the distance the mail must travel; the further the distance, the more you will pay for postage. This is broken down by nine “zones”. For example, “Zone 1” is local, or the area close to you, and “Zone 9” is the furthest distance away from your location. Standard Mail is used for larger quantities of mail, at least 200 pieces or 50 pounds of mail at one time. Envelopes must weight less than 16 ounces. Large envelopes, also called flats, cost more than letters. People use Standard Mail to send flyers, advertising documents, newsletters, catalogs, and bulletins. You can only send domestic mail by Standard Mail and you cannot send one single envelope through Standard Mail. Buy postage based on the size, weight, and class for the letter. If you need the letter to reach its destination fast, send it by Priority Mail. If you do not need the letter to get there any sooner than three to five business days, send it by First Class Mail. If you aren't sure what class is right for your letter, ask the attendant at your local Post Office. To send a letter that weighs less than 13 ounces in a standard envelope to a domestic address by First Class Mail, it will cost $0.49. To send a letter that weighs less than 13 ounces in a standard envelope to a “Zone 1” (local) address by Priority Mail, it will cost $5.75. The price of postage will go up based on the “Zone” or area you are sending the letter to. Attach the stamp to the envelope. If you are using sticker stamps, peel the paper off the back of the stamp. If you are using lickable stamps, lick the back of the stamp. Put the stamp on the top right corner of the envelope. This will allow the postage scanning equipment to read the envelope and process it. Make sure the address of the sender and the address of the receiver are not covered or obscured by the stamp. Place the letter in the mail. Do this by dropping the letter off at your local Post Office, or by putting it in a post box in your area. You can also put the letter in your home mailbox for your mailman to pick up. Any letters that weigh more than 13 ounces must be mailed at your local Post Office. Purchase postage based on the size, weight, and class for the letter. Send the letter by Priority Mail if it weighs more than 13 ounces and the letter needs to get to its destination by the following business day. Send the letter by First Class Mail if it weighs less than 13 ounces and the letter can get to its destination within three to five business days. If you aren't sure what class is right for your letter, ask the attendant at your local Post Office. To send a letter that weighs less than 13 ounces in a large envelope to a domestic address by First Class Mail, it will cost $0.98. To send a letter that weighs less than 13 ounces in a large envelope (12-1/2" x 9-½ or smaller) to a “Zone 1” (local) address by Priority Mail, it will cost $5.75. The price of postage will go up based on the “Zone” or area you are sending the letter to. Place the stamp on the envelope. If you are using lickable stamps, lick the back of the stamp. Sticker stamps can be used by peeling off the back paper on the stamp. Put the stamp on the top right corner of the envelope. Make sure it is in line with the return address on the top left corner of the envelope. Do not cover or obscure the return address or the receiver address with the stamp. Mail the letter. Drop the letter in the mailbox at your local Post Office or in a post box in your area. You can also leave the addressed letter in your home mailbox. Your mailman will then pick it up and put it in the mail for you. Letters that weigh more than 13 ounces must be mailed in person at your local Post Office. | Check the size of your envelope. Weigh your letter. Decide if you want to send the letter by First Class, Priority, or Standard Mail. Buy postage based on the size, weight, and class for the letter. Attach the stamp to the envelope. Place the letter in the mail. Purchase postage based on the size, weight, and class for the letter. Place the stamp on the envelope. Mail the letter. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Adjust-a-Mesh-Watch-Strap | How to Adjust a Mesh Watch Strap | You can easily adjust your mesh watch strap to fit more comfortably around your wrist. You'll need a small flathead screwdriver to pry open the metal clasp. Place the watch on a flat surface and hold it steady as you put the screwdriver head into the small hole on the clasp to pry it open. You can now slide the clasp up or down the mesh strap to adjust it to your size. Sliding the clasp up will tighten the watch on your wrist, while sliding it down the strap will loosen the strap. Once you've found the right size, align the back of the clasp with a groove in the mesh strap and close it to lock it in place. | Find a small flathead screwdriver. You will need a small, pointed object to pry open the mesh clasp. The type of screwdriver used to adjust eyeglass screws would work well. A Phillips head screwdriver will not work, since it will be too large to fit into the clasp. If you do not have a small screwdriver, you could use a different small, blunt tool. For example, try one of the prying tools built into a Swiss Army knife. Do not use a knife blade. The point of the knife could slip and scratch the watch, or you could accidentally cut your fingers with the blade. Hold the clasp steady. Place the watch flat on a table or other firm surface. Use your non-dominant hand to hold the clasp firmly in position. If you're not near a table, it's possible to adjust the clasp if you're holding the watch in your hand. However, if this is your first time adjusting a mesh watch strap, doing it on a table will make the process easier. Place the screwdriver head into the small hole on the clasp. The front side of the clasp (which will be facing up when the watch is laying face-up) will have a small hole about ⁄ 4 inch (0.64 cm) wide directly in its center. You'll use this hole to pry the strap open. Put the tip of your screwdriver—or other tool—directly into the hole. The hole will be shaped and sized differently depending on the brand of mesh strap you're adjusting. Some clasps may even have a small arrow pointing to the hole. Pry the clasp upwards to open it. There will be a small set of hinges at the base of the watch clasp, on the side closest to the watch's face. Slowly exert pressure down on the screwdriver to pry the top portion of the clasp up and open. If the clasp doesn't fully open with the use of the screwdriver, use your thumb and index finger to open it completely. Slide the clasp up or down the mesh strap. Adjust the clasp to accommodate your wrist. Sliding the clasp farther up the mesh strap (towards the watch) will tighten the strap on your wrist, and sliding the clasp down the mesh strap (away from the watch) will loosen the strap. Be careful not to drop the clasp on the floor. Align the back of the clasp with a groove in the mesh watch strap. Due to its design, the back of the mesh watch strap will have a small groove every ⁄ 8 in (0.32 cm) or so. The back of the clasp will have a corresponding indentation that fits snugly into any of these grooves. If you try to close the clasp without first having aligned it with a slot in the mesh strap, the clasp will be unable to close. Close the clasp. Once you've found the best position for the watch strap and aligned it with a groove in the mesh strap, close the clasp to lock it in place. You should hear a “pop” sound as the clasp snaps shut. At this point, the watch is ready to be worn. | Find a small flathead screwdriver. Hold the clasp steady. Place the screwdriver head into the small hole on the clasp. Pry the clasp upwards to open it. Slide the clasp up or down the mesh strap. Align the back of the clasp with a groove in the mesh watch strap. Close the clasp. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Caulk | How to Caulk | Before caulking, apply strips of painter's tape vertically on both sides of the area you're caulking to ensure that the line will be straight. Then, cut the caulk tube's nozzle to the width of the line you'll be caulking, and insert the tube into the caulk gun. Next, place the nozzle tip where you want to begin, and apply gentle, steady pressure to the trigger. Check the neatness of the line every 5 feet, and smooth it out with a damp rag or putty knife, if necessary. | Use silicone caulk if you need a neutral-colored waterproof sealant. There are two main types of caulk – silicone and acrylic latex. Silicone caulk is a completely waterproof and flexible sealant. It will bond with a lot of different kinds of surfaces. Silicone is a good choice if you're caulking outdoors, or wet indoor spots like around shower stalls and bathtubs. It's quite expensive and doesn't do well in high-traffic areas. Silicone caulk is ideal for areas of high moisture that need to remain mildew-free. Silicone caulk can also be useful when you need to adhere surfaces, like fastening countertops to walls or putting a top on a vanity. Silicone caulk is typically only available in three shades – clear, white, and almond. Silicone caulk cannot be painted over. Use acrylic latex caulk if you need a colored water-based sealant. Acrylic latex caulk is easier to use and cheaper than silicone. It can be used for a wider range of projects and it comes in a rainbow assortment of colors to match bathtub and sink glazes. Acrylic latex is water-based so it's best used indoors. It is not as durable as silicone caulk and won't last as long. Since acrylic latex is water-based, it is possible to paint over it. Acrylic latex caulk shrinks up more than silicone. It also dries much harder. Unless specifically noted on the packaging, latex caulk isn't suitable for any exterior surfaces. Acrylic latex caulk is not suitable for tiling or areas with direct sunlight. Remove existing caulk from your work surface. Old caulk must be removed before you add more. Use a utility knife, razor scraper or painter's tool to cut away existing caulk. Use quick, sharp strokes. Keep in mind that metal blades aren't ideal to use around plastic fixtures. Use a tool with a plastic razor blade, which you can get at any home improvement store, to avoid damaging the plastic. For concrete and masonry applications, use a wire brush for removal. Home improvement stores sell caulk remover products that will chemically remove old caulk. Keep in mind that these products will damage plastic surfaces. For silicone caulk, you may just need to rip up enough that you can grab an end with a pair of needlenose pliers. Then, you can pull the caulk out in one long strip. Clean the surface. Use a brush or vacuum to remove any remaining debris from the work area. Scour the surface clean with a dry, nonabrasive sponge or pad. Use rubbing alcohol to remove soap scum and body oils from a bathtub or shower stall. Dry the area completely before you begin caulking. Both kinds of caulk need a clean surface, but if you're using silicone, it's imperative that you remove all debris and residue from the surface before you begin. For silicone clean up, soak a rag with mineral spirits (such as turpentine) and wipe the surface down with it. Then use a damp rag to wipe the surface down again. Use blue painter’s tape to mask off areas and ensure straight lines. Apply strips of the tape to protect any surface area where caulk shouldn't appear. Put them down vertically on either side of the area you plan to caulk. The painter's tape acts as a guide to ensure your caulk lines are straight and uniform. The end result will look more polished and professional if you use painter's tape. Get a high quality caulk gun made of sturdy metal. Caulk guns cost between five and ten dollars at any home improvement store. Make sure you get one that is made of heavy duty metal. Solid-shaft caulk guns produce very smooth lines and generally get better results. Solid-shafts are a better choice than notched-shaft caulk guns. Cut the caulk tube’s nozzle to the desired bead size. Trimming the nozzle allows the caulk to flow freely out of the tube. You can control the size of the caulk line, also called the “bead,” when you make the snip. The further down on the nozzle you make the cut, the wider the bead will be. For quick, basic jobs, trim the end of the nozzle straight across. Cut the nozzle at a 45-degree angle if you need more precision and control. Check inside the nozzle for a foil seal. If it does have a foil seal, use something sharp and narrow (like a long nail) to puncture it. Insert the caulk tube into the gun. There will be a long, hooked rod on the end of the gun. Pull it all the way back. This will open up the gun so you can insert the caulk tube. Situate the tube base into the gun first. Then tilt the nozzle end of the tube into the top part of the gun. Turn the hooked rod so that the hooked part is facing up and the side with the teeth is facing down. Gently squeeze the trigger to get the caulk flowing and then it's ready to use. Place the nozzle tip on the spot where you need to begin caulking. Apply gentle and steady pressure to the trigger. Caulk will begin to flow. Pull the caulking gun along the line or area to be caulked. Keep squeezing the trigger gently as you go to ensure a continuous release of caulk. Move the gun at a steady speed. The caulk will form "beads" as it emerges. Try to get one continuous, even bead along each length. Keep a damp rag (dipped in water or mineral spirits) handy, for fast wiping of mistakes. It is always better to use less caulk than too much. You can always add more on a second pass. Using smaller amounts of caulk will make it easier to smooth it out. To stop the flow of caulk, press the button under the shaft behind the needle. This will relieve tension to the gun and avoid a mess. Check the neatness of your bead. Don't run the length of the bead any longer than around 5 feet (1.5 meters) before stopping and assessing your work for neatness. If the caulk bead already looks neat and uniform, leave it alone. If it needs to be smoothed out, use a caulking tool, a putty knife, your finger (dampen it first) or a damp rag to pull along the joint and press the caulk smooth It is far easier to neaten caulk as you go, while it is still damp. Get to it within two to five minutes of application for best results. If you don't stop frequently to neaten the caulk, the earlier portions might dry before you can neaten or mend errors. You'll have to scrape off dried caulk if you want to neaten it. Pull the painter’s tape up. The tape needs to be pulled up before the caulk dries. Lift the edge of the tape up slowly. Pull it away from you and at a 45-degree angle. Do this carefully and try to avoid touching the fresh caulk. You can pull the tape up immediately after you create the bead if you like, but definitely get it up within a few hours. If you go any longer, the caulk could skin over. Allow the caulk at least 24 hours to cure before disturbing it or getting it wet. Use a squeeze tube for small, interior caulking jobs. A caulking gun isn't necessary for all caulking jobs. Use 5 ounce squeeze tubes when you have a small, indoor project. Remove the cap from the squeeze tube, then trim the end off the nozzle with scissors. For the most control over caulk flow, cut the nozzle at a 45-degree angle. Squeeze the bottle with steady pressure so your bead will look uniform and neat. Caulk overhead with a pressurized can of caulk. Pressurized cans are usually about 7 ounces a piece. They are ideal when you need to create a uniform bead while you're caulking overhead, or any other time you are caulking with only one hand. You should be able to obtain pressurized cans of caulk at any home improvement store. Practice applying caulk first. If you've never caulked before, it's best to get a feel for how the caulk flows before applying it. Even if you have caulked before, it's a good idea to get a feel for the specific caulk you're using for this job. Practice by applying caulk on the inside corners of a cardboard box or on some other throw-away material. Work on creating a steady flow and uniform bead. Try using a caulk finishing tool as you practice. These give inexperienced home handy workers a more professional result. Once you've got the hang of it, move on to the actual caulking task. | Use silicone caulk if you need a neutral-colored waterproof sealant. Use acrylic latex caulk if you need a colored water-based sealant. Remove existing caulk from your work surface. Clean the surface. Use blue painter’s tape to mask off areas and ensure straight lines. Get a high quality caulk gun made of sturdy metal. Cut the caulk tube’s nozzle to the desired bead size. Insert the caulk tube into the gun. Place the nozzle tip on the spot where you need to begin caulking. Check the neatness of your bead. Pull the painter’s tape up. Use a squeeze tube for small, interior caulking jobs. Caulk overhead with a pressurized can of caulk. Practice applying caulk first. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Find-Valence-Electrons | How to Find Valence Electrons | To find valence electrons using a period table, first see if your atom is a transitional metal, which are the elements in the middle rectangle of the table. If the atom is outside this block, locate its group number along the top of the table. The ones digit in the group number is the number of valence electrons. To solve without a periodic table, find the electron configuration of the element and count the electrons into 1 group of 2, and then into shells of 8. The number in the last group is the amount of valence electrons. | Find a periodic table of elements. This is a color-coded table made up of many different squares that lists all of the chemical elements known to humankind. The periodic table reveals lots of information about the elements — we'll use some of this information to determine the number of valence electrons in the atom we're investigating. You can usually find these inside the cover of chemistry textbooks. There is also an excellent interactive table available online here. Label each column on the periodic table of elements from 1 to 18. Generally, on a periodic table, all of the elements in a single vertical column will have the same number of valence electrons. If your periodic table doesn't already have each column numbered, give each a number starting with 1 for the far left end and 18 for the far right end. In scientific terms, these columns are called the element "groups." For example, if we were working with a periodic table where the groups aren't numbered, we would write a 1 above Hydrogen (H), a 2 above Beryllium (Be), and so on until writing an 18 above Helium (He). Find your element on the table. Now, locate the element that you want to find the valence electrons for on the table. You can do this with its chemical symbol (the letters in each box), its atomic number (the number in the top left of each box), or any of the other pieces of information available to you on the table. For example purposes, let's find the valence electrons for a very common element: carbon (C). This element has an atomic number of 6. It is located at the top of group 14. In the next step, we'll find its valence electrons. In this subsection, we're going to be ignoring the Transitional metals, which are the elements in the rectangle-shaped block made by Groups 3 to 12. These elements are a little different from the rest, so the steps in this subsection won't work on them. See how to deal with these in the subsection below. Use the group numbers to determine the number of valence electrons. The Group number of a non-transition metal can be used to find the number of valence electrons in an atom of that element. The ones place of the group number is the number of valence electrons in an atom of these elements. In other words: Group 1: 1 valence electron Group 2: 2 valence electrons Group 13: 3 valence electrons Group 14: 4 valence electrons Group 15: 5 valence electrons Group 16: 6 valence electrons Group 17: 7 valence electrons Group 18: 8 valence electrons (except for helium, which has 2) In our example, since carbon is in group 14, we can say that one atom of carbon has four valence electrons. Find an element from Groups 3 to 12. As noted above, the elements in groups 3 to 12 are called "transition metals" and behave differently than the rest of the elements when it comes to valence electrons. In this section, we'll explain how, to a certain extent, it's often not possible to assign valence electrons to these atoms. For example purposes, let's pick Tantalum (Ta), element 73. In the next few steps, we'll find its valence electrons (or, at least, try to.) Note that the transition metals include the lanthanide and actinide series (also called the "rare earth metals") — the two rows of elements that are usually positioned below the rest of the table that start with lanthanum and actinium. These elements all belong to group 3 of the periodic table. Understand that transition metals don't have "traditional" valence electrons. Understanding why transition metals don't really "work" like the rest of the periodic table requires a little explanation of the way electrons behave in atoms. See below for a quick run-through or skip this step to get right to the answers. As electrons are added to an atom, they are sorted into different "orbitals" — basically different areas around the nucleus that the electrons congregate in. Generally, the valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell — in other words, the last electrons added. For reasons that are a little too complex to explain here, when electrons are added to the outermost d shell of a transition metal (more on this below), the first electrons that go into the shell tend to act like normal valence electrons, but after that, they don't, and electrons from other orbital layers sometimes act as valence electrons instead. This means that an atom can have multiple numbers of valence electrons depending on how it is manipulated. Determine the number of valence electrons based on the group number. Once again, the group number of the element you are examining can tell you its valence electrons. However, for the transition metals, there isn't a pattern you can follow — group number will usually correspond to a range of possible numbers of valence electrons. These are: Group 3: 3 valence electrons Group 4: 2 to 4 valence electrons Group 5: 2 to 5 valence electrons Group 6: 2 to 6 valence electrons Group 7: 2 to 7 valence electrons Group 8: 2 or 3 valence electrons Group 9: 2 or 3 valence electrons Group 10: 2 or 3 valence electrons Group 11: 1 or 2 valence electrons Group 12: 2 valence electrons In our example, since Tantalum is in group 5, we can say that it has between two and five valence electrons , depending on the situation. Learn how to read an electron configuration. Another way to find an element's valence electrons is with something called an electron configuration. These may at first look complicated, but they're just a way to represent the electron orbitals in an atom with letters and numbers and they're easy once you know what you're looking at. Let's look at an example configuration for the element sodium (Na): 1s 2s 2p 3s Notice that this electron configuration is just a repeating string that goes like this: (number)(letter) (number)(letter)......and so on. The (number)(letter) chunk is the name of the electron orbital and the is the number of electrons in that orbital — that's it! So, for our example, we would say that sodium has 2 electrons in the 1s orbital plus 2 electrons in the 2s orbital plus 6 electrons in the 2p orbital plus 1 electron in the 3s orbital. That's 11 electrons total — sodium is element number 11, so this makes sense. Keep in mind that each subshell has a certain electron capacity. Their electron capacities are as follows: s: 2 electron capacity p: 6 electron capacity d:10 electron capacity f: 14 electron capacity Find the electron configuration for the element you are examining. Once you know an element's electron configuration, finding its number of valence electrons is quite simple (except, of course, for the transition metals.) If you're given the configuration from the get-go, you can skip to the next step. If you have to find it yourself, see below: Examine complete electron configuration for oganesson (Og), element 118, which is the last element on the periodic table. It has the most electrons of any element, so its electron configuration demonstrates all of the possibilities you could encounter in other elements: 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p 5s 4d 5p 6s 4f 5d 6p 7s 5f 6d 7p Now that you have this, all you need to do to find another atom's electron configuration is just fill in this pattern from the beginning until you run out of electrons. This is easier than it sounds. For example, if we want to make the orbital diagram for chlorine (Cl), element 17, which has 17 electrons, we would do it like this: 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p Notice that the number of electrons adds up to 17: 2 + 2 + 6 + 2 + 5 = 17. You only need to change the number in the final orbital — the rest is the same since the orbitals before the final one are completely full. For more on electron configurations, see also this article. Assign electrons to orbital shells with the Octet Rule. As electrons are added to an atom, they fall into various orbitals according to the order given above — the first two go into the 1s orbital, the two after that go into the 2s orbital, the six after that go into the 2p orbital, and so on. When we're dealing with atoms outside of the transition metals, we say that these orbitals form "orbital shells" around the nucleus, with each successive shell being further out than the ones before. Besides the very first shell, which can hold only two electrons, each shell can have eight electrons (except, again, when dealing with transition metals.) This is called the Octet Rule. For example, let's say we're looking at the element Boron (B). Since its atomic number is five, we know it has five electrons and its electron configuration looks like this: 1s 2s 2p. Since the first orbital shell has only two electrons, we know that Boron has two shells: one with two 1s electrons and one with three electrons from the 2s and 2p orbitals. As another example, an element like chlorine (1s 2s 2p 3s 3p ) will have three orbital shells: one with two 1s electrons, one with two 2s electrons and six 2p electrons, and one with two 3s electrons and five 3p electrons. Find the number of electrons in the outermost shell. Now that you know your element's electron shells, finding the valence electrons is easy: just use the number of electrons in the outermost shell. If the outer shell is full (in other words, if it has eight electrons or, for the first shell, two), the element is inert and will not react easily with other elements. Again, however, things don't quite follow these rules for transition metals. For example, if we're working with Boron, since there are three electrons in the second shell, we can say that Boron has three valence electrons. Use the rows of the table as orbital shell shortcuts. The horizontal rows of the periodic table are called the element "periods." Starting from the top of the table, each period corresponds to the number of electron shells the atoms in the period possess. You can use this as a shortcut to determine how many valence electrons an element has — just start from the left side of its period when counting electrons. Once again, you'll want to ignore the transition metals with this method, which includes groups 3-12. For example, we know the element selenium has four orbital shells because it is in the fourth period. Since it is the sixth element from the left in the fourth period (ignoring the transition metals), we know that the outer fourth shell has six electrons, and, thus, that Selenium has six valence electrons. | Find a periodic table of elements. Label each column on the periodic table of elements from 1 to 18. Find your element on the table. Use the group numbers to determine the number of valence electrons. Find an element from Groups 3 to 12. Understand that transition metals don't have "traditional" valence electrons. Determine the number of valence electrons based on the group number. Learn how to read an electron configuration. Find the electron configuration for the element you are examining. Assign electrons to orbital shells with the Octet Rule. Find the number of electrons in the outermost shell. Use the rows of the table as orbital shell shortcuts. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Trip-Sitter | How to Be a Trip Sitter | When your friend is taking psychedelics, you can be a good tripsitter by grounding them and keeping them calm if they start to feel uncomfortable. Before the trip, research the drug they'll be taking and its common effects so you know what they'll be experiencing. Don't drink or take any drugs yourself so you can be clear-headed in case your friend needs you. Before they take the drug, make sure your friend's in a relaxed, positive mood and that they're in a familiar, comfortable environment so they're more likely to have a good time. If your friend starts to feel anxious or uncomfortable, remind them that those feelings are normal and they will pass soon. Try putting on some calming music or a relaxing TV show. If your friend feels anxious or uncomfortable, suggest moving to a different room or going outside for some fresh air. | Do some research on the substance. Although trip sitters can be used with any sort of mind-altering substance, they are usually assigned when dealing with hallucinogens, which are classified into three groups: psychedelics, deliriants, and dissociatives. Educate both yourself and the user on the specific substance to know what the effects will be and the duration. Psychedelics, such as LSD, peyote, and psilocybin mushrooms, alter cognition and perception. Common effects include visual and auditory hallucinations, sensory changes, and feelings of happiness, euphoria, and relaxation. Deliriants, such as atropine, induce a state of delirium, characterized by vivid hallucinations, confusion, and stupor (a state of non-responsiveness). Dissociatives, such as ketamine, PCP, and DXM, cause the user to go into a state of dissociation (meaning one becomes detached from reality). Distortions in sight and sound are also present. Unwanted adverse effects common in all drug classes include nausea, anxiety, paranoia, fatigue, and irregularities in heart rate. Know about the five levels of psychedelic experience. In Timothy Leary's book entitled, The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead , there are five levels that depend on the substance and dosage strength. Level 1 : user feels relaxed and subtle visual enhancements can be observed, as well as music having a richer sound. Light doses of magic mushrooms and common doses of cannabis can bring on this level. Level 2 : colours and visuals appear brighter and closed-eye hallucinations may appear as geometric 2-D patterns. Thought processes may be abstract and the user's train of thought may not be easily followed. This level is caused by strong doses of cannabis, light doses of LSD, and light to common doses of mushrooms. Level 3 : open-eyed visuals become very obvious, with patterns and warped textures. Closing one's eyes brings on extremely vivid multidimensional geometric patterns. Time begins to become noticeably distorted and movement can be difficult. Brought on by common doses of LSD, mushrooms, and very high doses of cannabis. Level 4 : Strong hallucinations as objects may morph into one another. Personification of objects may be observed, such as things speaking to the user. Ego death may occur, resulting in a loss of sense of identity. Time is no longer apparent. Strong synesthesia. Achieved with strong doses of LSD, mushrooms, and mescaline. Level 5 : high-intensity experience; total disconnection with reality to the extent that attempting to explain the effects would be near impossible. Senses no longer function normally. The ego is completely gone. Extreme euphoria and enlightenment may occur and the user may feel a sense of complete oneness. Consuming salvia or extremely high doses of mushrooms or LSD brings on this level. Ensure that the user's schedule is completely empty. Depending on the substance and dosage, the high may last for up to 8 hours. Aim for a weekend or a day when the user won't be bothered by unexpected phone calls or guests. Because some physiologic effects may still occur even after the high is gone, consider a date when the user doesn't have any plans or deadlines the next day. You wouldn't want the user to get high on Sunday, only to skip the very important meeting on Monday due to fatigue. Create a proper set and setting. Keeping the user relaxed and comfortable will minimize the possibility of a bad trip. " Set " refers to the mindset of the user, such as thoughts, moods, and expectations of the experience. Because these substances alter how the user thinks and views the world, it's important for the user to have a relaxed state of mind prior to consumption. Address any concerns the user may have to prevent the possibility of a bad trip. " Setting " is the physical and social environment surrounding the user. Negative experiences and feelings are less likely to occur if the user is located in an open, familiar, and relaxing environment, such as a bedroom. Do whatever it takes to make the room as comfortable as possible: adjust the lighting, change the temperature, or put on some music. Consider filming the experience. Psychedelic drugs have the potential to widen the user's sense of self-awareness with the world and consciousness. Because psychedelic experiences are largely influenced on the drug, dosage, tolerance level, and personal expectations, trips can be quite vivid and extremely difficult to describe. Filming the trip allows both you and the user to easily discuss and reflect on the experience. Choose whether you want to actively interact with the user or stay uninvolved. In some situations such as during psychedelic therapy, the user may engage in guided meditation with the sitter. In other cases, the mere presence of another person is enough to keep the user calm. Have a supply of water nearby and encourage the user to keep hydrated. A common side effect is dry mouth. Anticipate "the munchies" by preparing food. Many drugs, like cannabis, cause an increase in appetite and users often experience greater enjoyment of food. Savoury foods like pizza, sandwiches, and chicken wings are sure to enhance the experience. Intervene if the user feels a bad trip coming on. Overwhelming fear, anxiety, and depression are signs of an unpleasant experience. Calm the user by reminding them that this experience was brought on by a mind-altering substance and it'll fade away in a matter of hours (or minutes). Because a person's thoughts can influence the nature of the experience, reassure the user that everything will be okay. Try to change their mood by telling them that they took this substance to have a good time and nothing bad will physically happen to them. Move the user to another relaxing location. If the weather is nice and sunny, go for a walk. A change of scenery should provide more reassurance. Know what situations you can and can't handle and consider calling for professional medical assistance if you need to. Hospitals provide a safe environment and doctors are able to administer sedatives to help the user calm down and become less agitated. Discuss the experience. If it was being filmed, play back the recording. When practicing psychedelic therapy, integrate the experience into your notes and make connections as to how the experience changed the user's thoughts and cognition. Monitor the aftereffects. Some users may still feel a bit anxious and paranoid after the drug's peak has passed. Dry mouth is a common aftereffect, so continue hydration. Allow the user to rest. Fatigue and tiredness is common after a trip (for instance, cannabis indica has the potential to induce sleepiness after the initial high). Sleep will also bring the user back to sobriety. | Do some research on the substance. Know about the five levels of psychedelic experience. Ensure that the user's schedule is completely empty. Create a proper set and setting. Consider filming the experience. Choose whether you want to actively interact with the user or stay uninvolved. Have a supply of water nearby and encourage the user to keep hydrated. Anticipate "the munchies" by preparing food. Intervene if the user feels a bad trip coming on. Discuss the experience. Monitor the aftereffects. Allow the user to rest. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Mango-Float | How to Make a Mango Float | If you want to make a mango float, start by dicing 3 cups of ripe mango. Line a baking pan with parchment paper before covering the pan with graham crackers. Next, whip 1 3/4 cups of heavy cream into soft peaks, then mix in 3/4 cups of condensed milk. When the mixture is combined, pour part of the cream over your crackers to form a layer before adding a layer of mango. To complete the cake, layer the crackers, cream mixture, and mango until you have 3 layers before covering the pan and chilling it in the fridge for 4 hours. | Clean and dice your mangoes. Try to get Champagne mangoes (also called Ataulfo, yellow or baby mangoes) or Manila/Philippine or Mexican mangoes. These mangoes are oblong-shaped golden yellow mango with very thin skin. They are sweet and not fibrous. You may need to venture to an Asian or Latin market during the summer months to find them. If you have trouble finding the right mangoes, you can still use any mangoes you can find as long as they are nice and ripe! Make sure you peel your mangoes first. Mango skin is bitter, and you don't want this ingredient in your cake. Line a 9-inch (22.86-cm) square baking pan with parchment paper. Use a baking pan with a removable bottom for ease in serving. Line the parchment paper along the bottom and the sides of the pan to allow for easy cake removal. Line the baking pan with a layer of graham crackers. Cut the crackers to fit the pan. Mix the heavy whipping cream. In a chilled bowl, use an electric mixer to whip the cream into soft peaks (about 3 minutes). Add the condensed milk. Continue to mix the cream and slowly pour the condensed milk into the bowl. Whip to firm peaks. Add your cream mixture to your pan. Pour about 1 cup (240 mL) of your sweetened whipped cream mixture into your graham cracker lined pan. Use a rubber spatula to evenly distribute the whipped cream. Add a layer of diced mangoes. Sprinkle an even layer of diced mangoes (about 1 cup or 100 g) over the whipped cream. If you prefer more mangoes, you can make this layer thicker by adding another ½ cup (50 g) of mangoes. Add another layer of graham crackers. Top the graham crackers with another layer of whipped cream sweetened with condensed milk. Evenly distribute diced mango over the whipped cream. Repeat until you have 3 layers of cracker/cream/mango. Cover the mixture then put it in the fridge. Place a layer of plastic wrap over the top of the pan and put it in the fridge for at least 4 hours. Let the cake chill overnight for the best results. Chilling your cake will allow the cream to soften the graham crackers. This will create a sponge cake like texture. The whipped cream will firm up a bit and turn into a rich, luscious frosting. You can also freeze your mango float for more of an ice cream cake-like texture. Freezing your cake will soften the graham cracker but also allow the cream to freeze. Enjoy! Gently grab the edges of the parchment paper and lift the mango float out of the pan. Slice and serve. Slice mangoes. Use extra ripe mangoes for easier slicing. Try to get Champagne mangoes (also called Ataulfo, yellow, or baby mangoes) or Manila/Philippine or Mexican mangoes. These are oblong-shaped golden yellow mangoes with very thin skin. They are sweet and not fibrous. You may need to venture to an Asian of Latin market during the summer months to find them. If you have trouble finding the right mangoes, you can still use any mangoes you can find as long as they are nice and ripe! Make sure you peel your mangoes first. Mango skin is bitter, and you don't want this ingredient in your cake. Puree 1 cup (100 g) of mango. Place small slices of mango into a blender with ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of water. Blend until smooth. Mix the heavy whipping cream. In a chilled bowl, use an electric mixer to whip the cream into soft peaks (about 3 minutes). Add the condensed milk. Continue to mix the cream and slowly pour the condensed milk into the bowl. Whip to firm peaks. Add the vanilla extract and mango puree. Add a small amount of honey if your mangoes are a little tart, or if you prefer a sweeter overall cake. Line a 9-inch (22.86-cm) square baking pan with parchment paper. Use a baking pan with a removable bottom for ease in serving. Line the parchment paper along the bottom and the sides of the pan to allow for easy cake removal. Line the baking pan with a layer of graham crackers. Cut the crackers to fit the pan. Add cream to your pan. Pour 1/3 of your sweetened whipped cream mixture onto your graham cracker lined pan. Use a rubber spatula to evenly distribute the cream. Arrange mango slices and sliced almonds onto the cream. Spread them evenly and use about 1/3 of your mango and almond slices. Repeat this twice to create 2 more layers. On the third layer, add the maraschino cherries for garnish. Add all the mango and almond slices you have left. You can add as many mango slices as you have available. Cover and chill. Place a layer of plastic wrap over the top of the pan and put it in the fridge for at least 4 hours. Let the cake chill overnight for the best results. Chilling your cake allows for the cream to soften the graham crackers, creating a sponge-cake like texture. The whipped cream will firm up a bit and turn into a rich, luscious frosting. You can also freeze your mango float for more of an ice cream cake like texture. Freezing your cake will soften the graham cracker but also allow the cream to freeze. Enjoy! Gently grab the edges of the parchment paper and lift the mango float out of the pan. Slice and serve. Crush graham crackers. Put graham crackers in a resealable bag with a zipper, and be sure to squeeze out all the air. Use a rolling pin or a meat tenderizer to gently press the crackers into powdery crumbs. Gather about 3 tablespoons (15 g). Peel the mangoes and slice them into strips. You may want to slice them on the thinner side or even dice them. Combine the thick cream and the condensed milk. In a chilled bowl mix ingredients just until combined. Avoid excessive mixing. You want your mixture to be a syrupy consistency. Assemble your jar cakes. Be sure you have washed your mason jars thoroughly with warm water and soap. Break up a couple pieces of graham cracker and place the chunks at the bottom of the jars. Pour some cream over the graham cracker pieces until the crackers are covered. Layer the mangoes on top of the cream. Repeat until you reach the top of the jar. Cover the top with your crushed graham crackers. Chill. Close the lids and refrigerate for at least 4 hours so the cream has time to harden. Enjoy. You will need a spoon to eat this delicious hand held treat. Make several and surprise party guests with their own individual float! Crush the graham crackers. Put the graham crackers into a resealable bag with a zipper top. Squeeze out all the air, seal the bag, then use a rolling pin or other heavy object to gently press the crackers into powdery crumbs. Using crushed graham crackers will create a finer crust. You can also just crush graham crackers for the top layer of your cake to create a decadent powdery topping. Use frozen mangoes. Slice your mangoes ahead of time and freeze them. Freezing mangoes prevents them from getting overly mushy. Just make sure to freeze them carefully so they don't all stick together. Try other fruits for an interesting twist. You can actually make these cakes with peaches, strawberries, and pretty much any other similar fruit. You can also use canned fruit that's been drained, if desired. You can even play around and mix different fruits together. | Clean and dice your mangoes. Line a 9-inch (22.86-cm) square baking pan with parchment paper. Mix the heavy whipping cream. Add your cream mixture to your pan. Add a layer of diced mangoes. Add another layer of graham crackers. Cover the mixture then put it in the fridge. Enjoy! Slice mangoes. Puree 1 cup (100 g) of mango. Mix the heavy whipping cream. Line a 9-inch (22.86-cm) square baking pan with parchment paper. Add cream to your pan. Arrange mango slices and sliced almonds onto the cream. Cover and chill. Enjoy! Crush graham crackers. Peel the mangoes and slice them into strips. Combine the thick cream and the condensed milk. Assemble your jar cakes. Enjoy. Crush the graham crackers. Use frozen mangoes. Try other fruits for an interesting twist. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Day-off-Work-by-Pretending-You%27ve-Experienced-a-Death | How to Get a Day off Work by Pretending You've Experienced a Death | Although it's unethical and risky, you can easily get a day off work by pretending you've experienced a death. Before you ask for time off, check your company's handbook for its bereavement policy. Most companies in the U.S. should offer 2 or 3 days off. You should also consider the details of your story first, like how they died and when the funeral is in case your boss asks. It's best to choose a distant relative, like your grandparent or cousin, since this will be an easier lie to maintain. If you're calling in to work, say something like, “I'm sorry, but I've had a death in the family and I'll need a few days off.” If you tell your boss in person, make sure you maintain eye contact and look sad. | Plan your story before speaking with anyone. You are likely to get many questions about your deceased loved one, so make sure that the story is believable. Get your facts straightened out, stay focused, and think about how you're going to speak about the death. Consider choosing a distant relative. Telling your boss that your close relative or spouse has died could lead to problems if the person texts your or shows up at your job! By choosing a distant relative you barely know, there's little chance for a slip up. Choose a great-grandmother instead of your mother, or your cousin instead of your sister. Decide how to tell the story. Whether you send an email, call in or talk to your boss face to face, there will be a different set of clues that tell them you're lying. Your voice, facial expression or demeanor could all be tips that the story is fake. Call in to work. Because they'll only have your voice as a clue to whether you're lying, rather than your eye contact or facial expressions, this may be the best option. Say: “I've had a death in the family and you will need some time off.” Answer any questions your boss may have and keep it short. Stay consistent with the story you made up. Try to sound sad, and if you want, sniff and cough often to make it sound as though you've been crying. Tell your boss in person. It may help story come across as more sincere and it might fit with your story better if the fake death happens during work. It's morally questionable to lie to your boss, especially to their face, but if you stay relaxed you can avoid being caught. Tell your boss about the situation, and ask for time off. Maintain eye contact with your boss, and think about how they may perceive your body language. Steady eye contact and relaxed, but slouched posture will help your boss think that you're both telling the truth and genuinely sad. Make yourself cry if you think it is appropriate. Think of a truly sad thought or stare at a bright light until your eyes begin to water before you meet with your supervisor. Write an email. If you send an email, there'll be practically no way for your boss to know if you're lying or not. Emailing isn't an acceptable method for skipping work at many companies, but if it's alright, write a short, succinct email about the death and that you need a few days off. Be prepared to show proof. Many employers will be more than happy to let you take time off for a death, but others may be more skeptical. If they ask for proof, be prepared to back it up with some falsified evidence, but be very careful as you'll only make the lie more offensive if you're caught. Find an obituary in a local paper that matches the story you told. You'll be moving even further in a morally wrong direction, but if an obituary seems close enough, you can turn that in to your boss as is. It's also possible to photoshop an obituary by taking the existing text and adding the right name in the same font. For a really gutsy move, fake a death certificate. Death certificates are available online, and need only to have their information changed in Photoshop or Paint. Be aware that this could lead to serious repercussions if you're caught, and could be illegal depending on where you live! Schedule your day off! Once your boss is satisfied with the information you've given, work with them to determine which days you'll take off, including a day for the funeral. Read your employee handbook. There will often be information in the handbook about how absences are handled in the case of death. Whether it's a few days or a whole week, it'll be important to know how much time you can expect to take off. Two or three days is the norm in the United States. Find out if the time off is paid. If you've used up paid sick days and are trying to fake a death to get paid days off, you'll need to make sure that bereavement time is paid by your company. Many companies offer paid time off, but in America, there is no federal law mandating that you receive it. Check how long you’ve been with the company. Many companies do not offer any paid time off, even for a death in the family, if you haven't been with the company for a long time. Ask people around the office. Be very careful not to arouse suspicion of what you're planning to do, but ask close coworkers if they've ever taken bereavement leave and see how easy it is to get. | Plan your story before speaking with anyone. Consider choosing a distant relative. Decide how to tell the story. Call in to work. Tell your boss in person. Write an email. Be prepared to show proof. Schedule your day off! Read your employee handbook. Find out if the time off is paid. Check how long you’ve been with the company. Ask people around the office. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Snowblower | How to Start a Snowblower | To start a snowblower, set the choke to “full” and increase the throttle to the “fast” setting. Next, turn the fuel shutoff valve to the "on" position and hit the ignition switch, which typically looks like a light switch. If your snowblower has a key, insert it now. Then, push the primer bulb a few times to circulate the fuel. If your model has a starter rope, pull it to engage the engine. If your snowblower is electric, plug it in and press the "start" button. Finally, turn the choke to the “off” or “run” setting. | Check the oil level. Before starting your snowblower, you'll want to make sure that the oil level is at the “full” mark. If not, top off as needed, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Fuel up. Your snowblower's manufacturer will recommend a specific fuel type/grade. You'll want to have plenty of fuel before you begin. Make sure it's fresh, especially if you haven't fired up your snowblower in a while. Drain your gas if your snowblower has sat longer than a month with ethanol fuel in it. Ethanol fuel can deteriorate over time, and bad fuel can cause engine problems. Set the drive control to neutral. For safety reasons, you'll want all drive controls set to “off” before starting your snowblower. Keeping your snowblower in neutral will prevent unintended activity once the machine starts. Set the choke to “full. ” This is important for a cold start, so the fuel will mix properly with air and the engine will fire correctly. However, if you used your snowblower very recently (within five minutes), set the choke to the warm start setting, or about halfway. Increase the throttle. Turn it to the “fast” setting. Many models will identify this with a rabbit symbol. You should always start your snowblower on this setting. Turn on the fuel. Your snowblower will have a fuel shutoff valve. To start using your snow blower, you will have to turn this to the “on” position. If you are unsure of the valve's location, check the manual. Always make sure to turn the fuel shutoff valve back to “off” when you are done with your snowblower. This will reduce the risk that fuel will leak. Hit the ignition switch. Usually, this control is a simple up/down switch, much like a light switch. Turn it to the “on” or “run” position. Insert the key, if applicable. Some snow blowers include a key as a safety feature. These models won't run unless the key is inserted. If you need to quickly stop your snow blower while operating it, just remove the key. Push the primer bulb. This is a bubble-like switch that helps circulate fuel. Pushing it a few times should be enough. Try twice if the temperature is above 15 degrees Fahrenheit (-9 Celsius), or four times if the temperature is below this. Don't push the primer for a warm start (if you used the snowblower less than five minutes prior to starting again). Pull the starter rope, if your model has one. Grasp the starter rope by its handle. Pull slowly until you feel it “catch” some resistance. Then quickly and smoothly pull upward to start the engine. Plug in the snowblower’s power cord if applicable. If your model has an electric starter, take the three-pronged cord and plug the other end into an outlet. The outlet must be the same voltage as your snow blower. Read your model's instruction manual if you are unsure of the voltage level. Press the start button, if your model has an electric start. Push the button in short cycles of only five seconds until the engine fires and stays running. Overtaxing the starter can damage it. Disconnect from the power source once your snowblower is running. Turn the choke switch off when you're ready to use the snowblower. Let your snowblower run for a few minutes to warm up. Then, turn the choke to the “off” or “run” setting. Your snowblower is now ready to use. | Check the oil level. Fuel up. Set the drive control to neutral. Set the choke to “full. Increase the throttle. Turn on the fuel. Hit the ignition switch. Insert the key, if applicable. Push the primer bulb. Pull the starter rope, if your model has one. Plug in the snowblower’s power cord if applicable. Press the start button, if your model has an electric start. Turn the choke switch off when you're ready to use the snowblower. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Reinvent-Yourself | How to Reinvent Yourself | To reinvent yourself, try switching up your look by changing your hair or wardrobe.. For example, you could cut your hair short if it's always been long or dress more professionally if you usually dress grungy. You could also make a change by taking up a new hobby, such as surfing or writing poetry. Another option you could try is to redecorate your home to freshen up your environment. To go all the way with your reinvention, you could also consider making a career change, like by retraining to do your dream job. | Reflect on the changes you want to make. Before you jump into reinventing yourself, you need to slow down, reflect, and spend some time writing down your thoughts. Ask yourself why you want to reinvent yourself and what you want your future to look like. Make a list of all the things you want to change, and all the ways that you can begin to do so. Write down the big changes you want to make. Maybe you want to lose a considerable amount of weight; maybe you want to learn to be generous; maybe you want to go from working on Wall Street to being a scuba diving instructor. Whatever big changes you want to make, write them down, and make a list of how you can go about accomplishing those goals. Write down the small changes, too. Though reinventing yourself takes big leaps, Rome wasn't built in a day, and the new you won't be, either. Make a list of small things that can slowly help you build up to your new life. This could be learning to meditate in the morning, volunteering in your community for just an hour a week, or eating more fruits and vegetables every day. Create a game plan for making those changes. Once you've written down the changes that will give you a new future, write down a reasonable goal for a time when you can say, "Yeah, I accomplished this thing." It could be months, or even a year or more away. But once you pick a date, you'll be closer to your goal. You can make goal dates for the small stuff; for example, you could say, "I will read three new books by the end of the month." Making a plan is a part of the commitment. Write your goal dates into your calendar, just like you would with any other commitment. Stay motivated. If you want to get closer to reinventing yourself, then you need to stay positive and motivated throughout this journey, even if you're not feeling energetic or hopeful on a particular day. Staying mentally strong means winning half the battle to becoming a better person. Here are some ways to motivate yourself: Surround yourself with images that remind you of your vision for your future. If your plan is to devote yourself to gardening full-time and to expand your property, then surround yourself with potted plans and images of beautiful gardens. Write about your goals in a journal. Take at least 10 minutes out of your day to write about how close you are to achieving your goals, and chronicling your process as you make the big changes. You'll feel more confident about your goals once you reflect. Write down at least three reasons why you want to reinvent yourself on an index card. Carry it around with you at all times so that you can pull it out and stay pumped in a moment of weakness. Share your plans to reinvent yourself with others. Reinventing yourself will be much easier if your loved ones, coworkers, or any other people in your life know about your decision. Sit down with all of the important people in your life and tell them about the change you want to make, and ask for their support during this period of adjustment. They should understand that you're serious about changing and should help motivate and encourage you as you go through this process. If you're active on social media, share with your online community as well. The more people who know about your plans, the more indebted you'll feel to making this serious commitment. Make sure your loved ones take you seriously. They shouldn't try to draw you in to the "old you" that you want to shed. Improve the way you think. Reinvention starts at the mind. You won't be able to reinvent yourself if you're stuck in the same old thinking patterns. While you may have many healthy thinking patterns, you could always improve some of the aspects of your thinking as you move forward in your journey. Here are some great places to start: Think more positively. If you find yourself often picturing the worst thing that could happen in any scenario, thinking that everyone is mad at you because you've made a mistake, or convinced that nothing you do can improve your life, then it's time to make a concerted effort to be a more positive thinker every single day. Start by pinning down your negative thoughts and practicing positive responses to assure you that you're going down the right path. Improve your thinking about the future. Many people are filled with anxiety and dread when they think of the future -- but not you! At least, not anymore. Make sure that any thoughts of the future, however uncertain, put you in a happy and excited place. Improve the way you think about yourself. Gain confidence and learn to love the person you really are, how you look, and what you do. Without confidence, you won't have the ability to change. Improve the way you view your situation in life. Learn to be more grateful for the things you do have instead of focusing on the things you want. Improve the way you interact with others. Though you may think you're a model mother, significant other, or friend, there is always room for improvement. If you want to reinvent yourself, it's time to change the way that you interact with others -- whether it's the mailman or your husband of thirty years. Here are some things you can do: Be a better friend. Take the time to listen to your friends more, to help them with their problems, and to do little favors that will light up your friends' days. Work on being less selfish and more caring toward your friends. Be a better significant other. Take the time to be more romantic and more adventurous, and to tell your loved one how you really feel every single day. Be a better employee. Whether you're the boss, or working on the ground floor, take the time to get to know your coworkers and to be kind and helpful. Be a better citizen. Take the time to be generous and to volunteer in your community, whether it's to teach children how to read at your local library, or to clean up your community park every Saturday. Improve your health. Unless you're a complete health guru, it's likely that you can take some steps to improve your overall health. Improving your body will lead to major improvements in your mind, and you will be better equipped to deal with daily problems and will feel more positive and energetic along the way. Here are some great ways to improve your health: Find a new exercise routine. Take a yoga, salsa dancing, or karate class, and fall in love with the new activity as well as its health benefits. Take time for a few 20-minute walks a few times a week. Taking walks will not only improve your health, but it will give you time to reflect on your new vision for your future. Be a healthy eater. Learn to eat three balanced meals a day, filled with healthy carbs, lean proteins, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Do whatever you can to reduce stress in your life -- this will have numerous health benefits. Take the time to unwind for half an hour before you go to bed, minimize your extra commitments, reduce caffeine intake, and try to eliminate as many stress-causing factors in your life as you can. Improve your education. If you really want to reinvent yourself, then you need to understand that reinvention is a never-ending process. Though you may reach your set goals, if you want to be an improved, well-rounded person, you should recognize that there is always more to learn. This will keep you from being complacent and will continue to drive your hunger for knowledge. Here are some traditional and non-traditional ways to get an education: If you've been thinking about going back to school for the last few years, it's time to put down your reservations and apply, no matter how old you are or how insecure you feel. You should enroll in courses at your local community college or a university to improve yourself, especially if you need a more formal education to reach your career goals. Read works by experts on subjects you want to know about. You can learn a lot about almost any given topic by getting the information straight from the horse's mouth. You can make a goal of learning about one completely new subject each week. Travel. Seeing the world in all its glory can help you change your perspective and will help you become more open-minded and learn about how other parts of the world function on a daily basis. Learn a new language. Taking a language class in person, online, or through a textbook can help you expand your brain and learn to think in more than one set way. Read more. Reading is the key to expanding your learning. If you don't read, you won't be able to gain knowledge and work to become your best self. You can read a variety of materials, from newspapers, fiction, historical nonfiction, memoirs, or science journals. Anything you read, as long as it comes from a credible source, will help you build knowledge and become a more well-rounded person. Here are some great things to read: Read philosophy. Philosophy will expand your worldview and will show that the world is more complicated than it seems. It will also open up more ways of viewing your daily life, and will help you improve the vision you have of the future you. Read international fiction. Reading works by authors from different countries will help you gain an understanding of how people live on the others side of the world. Reading about other countries is also a great way to travel without moving from your couch. Read the newspaper. Make a goal of reading the newspaper for just 10-15 minutes a day, so that you feel more complete as you follow current events and have a stronger sense of how the world works. Read the classics. Indulge in Tolstoy, Dickens, or Poe, and you'll feel like you have a more well-informed knowledge of the history of literature. And after all, literature can teach you a lot about how to live, and many classics are about a central character who is trying to reinvent himself. Learn from others. The people around you can be just as useful of a resource as a college class or a classic novel. Take the time to talk to the people around you to see what valuable knowledge they can impart, and how they can give you the skills you need to fully tackle your reinvention goals. Here are a few ways to learn from others: Ask a close friend to teach you a skill. If you have a friend who cooks like a world-class chef, dances like a professional, or just really loves watercolor painting, ask if the friend can spend an afternoon with you to teach you the ropes. Ask your colleagues for work-related help. Talk to people who have been working at your company longer than you and ask a few questions that can help improve your productivity or the way you approach your work. And if you're looking for a career change, talk to some people who are experts in your new career of choice, and see what advice they can give you. Talk to your older relatives. Take the time to talk to your older relatives, not only for life advice, but to learn more about your family history. You don't want to be left with tons of questions about your family's past when it's too late. Learn to focus like a laser. Almost every person has trouble focusing at one point or another, and the better you are at focusing, the more equipped you'll feel to gain knowledge and to work towards achieving your goals. No matter what you may think, any person can improve his focus if he just puts in the hard work. Here are a few ways to do it: Be more organized. Keep a clear work space, a logical filing system, and a decluttered home. If you know where everything is all the time, it'll be easier for you to concentrate on any given tasks. Learn to avoid distractions. Spend less time browsing the Internet, watching shows that don't matter, or texting your friends nonstop instead of just making one phone call. Push away all of the things that are keeping you from accomplishing your goals. Let yourself take a break. Part of focusing means taking breaks after every hour of intense work. If you don't let your mind rest from time to time, it will be harder from you to accomplish your goals, whether it's to finish writing a paper or to change your entire outlook. Change the way you look. If you want to reinvent yourself, then changing your physical appearance can help you feel more like a completely different person. You won't feel completely reinvented if you look in the mirror and see the same old thing you always see. Here are some ways to change the way you look: Consider a dramatic change to your hair. If you have long hair, why not chop it just above your chin? Sick of the same brown hair you've had since the beginning of time? Go blonde. Change the way you dress. Have you always gone grungy? Go for a sleek look. Have you always been preppy? Try the hipster trend. Improve your body language. Your body language is a big part of your appearance, so you can work on standing taller, keeping your arms at your sides instead of crossed over your chest, and making eye contact when you talk. Smile more. Smiling will give you a healthy glow and will make you look like a more positive person. Change the way you talk. The things you say and how you say them can say a lot about you, so you should reinvent the way you engage in everyday conversation to be your best self. If you speak differently, you'll begin to feel like a different person. Here are some ways to change the way you talk: Change the amount of talking that you do. If you're a big talker, take the time to listen more and talk less, and you'll find that you'll learn a lot more. If you're shy, try to talk more often in everyday conversation, and you'll find that you have more to contribute than you think. Change how you talk. If you're a fast-talker, take the time to slow down and articulate every word. If you talk softly, work on talking louder and with more confidence. Change the things you talk about. If you spend more time grousing or complaining than you'd like, work on talking about the positive things in your life, and the things that make you happy. Gossip less. Though it's tough to stop gossiping completely, try to avoid saying bad things about people behind their backs, making fun of people, or just generally being not nice. You'll feel much better about yourself if you find yourself saying nice things about people when they aren't there. Change what you do. If you really want to reinvent yourself, then you have to change many of the things you do on a daily basis. This can be anything from your work to your eating routine. Here are some ways to change the things you do as a way of reinventing yourself: Change your career. Part of reinventing yourself can mean to change your career path into something that makes you more fulfilled and happy. Change your hobbies. Pick up a completely new hobby or interest, such as bird watching, surfing, writing poetry, or training for marathons. Do what you have to do to make yourself feel new. Change who you hang out with. Try making new friends, turning new acquaintances into friends, and getting to know complete strangers. This will make you feel even more like a new person. Change your environment. Changing your environment can help you feel like a completely new person, get in a new headspace, and just feel closer to achieving your goals for your future self. Here are some great ways to change your environment: If you really want to reinvent yourself, consider moving to a completely new place where you don't know anybody. This may be scary, but this will make it easier for you to disconnect from your old self. Move into a new home. If you're sick of your old apartment but have been too lazy to move to a new place, now's the time. Living in a place that makes you feel comfortable and different can help you transition more smoothly into your new skin. Go on vacation. Though a vacation isn't a good permanent solution to any problem, taking a week or two to travel in a new place, whether it's a foreign country or a national park a few hours away from home, will help you clear your head and better complete your vision of your future. Renovate your space. If you can't move and don't have time for a vacation, try painting your walls a new color, moving your furniture around, and throwing out or donating any furniture or clothes you don't need. You can change your space enough to make it feel like a new environment. Consider working abroad. This is a dramatic move, but it will certainly help you reinvent yourself even faster. | Reflect on the changes you want to make. Create a game plan for making those changes. Stay motivated. Share your plans to reinvent yourself with others. Improve the way you think. Improve the way you interact with others. Improve your health. Improve your education. Read more. Learn from others. Learn to focus like a laser. Change the way you look. Change the way you talk. Change what you do. Change your environment. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Breathe-Properly-for-Singing | How to Breathe Properly for Singing | To breathe properly for singing, you want to fill your lower lungs with air when you inhale, almost like you're filling up your stomach. When you inhale, you should feel your stomach expand. Then, when you exhale, contract your stomach so you're releasing all of the air in your lungs. Avoid moving your chest or shoulders when you're breathing for singing since that can be a sign that your breathing is too shallow. Instead, you want your abdomen to be moving while you're singing. | Place one hand on your lower back and one on your abdomen. Before you even begin to sing or practice breathing, place your hands on your back and abdomen, near waist-level. This will help you feel your body's movement as you inhale and exhale deeply. You will feel your body expand as you breathe in and contract as you breathe out. Inhale by filling your lower lungs with air. As you inhale with a deep breath, visualize yourself filling the lower portion of your lungs with air. This will feel different from your normal breathing because our relaxed, daily breathing is usually quite shallow. As you breathe in, your hands on your back and abdoment should move outward. It may help to visualize yourself filling your stomach with air, as it if is a balloon. Exhale by allowing your stomach to contract. As you exhale, try to exhale all of the air in your lungs, so that the next time you inhale, you will be starting with all new air. Imagine that your stomach is a balloon and you are deflating it. Your abdomen will contract at this point, moving your hands inward. Do not move your chest. As you breathe, do not allow your chest to move. Your chest and shoulders normally move up and down in your daily breathing, but when you are singing, you will want to always breathe from the deepest part of your lungs. When you are breathing from the lower part of your lungs (your diaphragm), your chest should very little, if at all. Focus on breathing horizontally, rather than vertically. Breathing horizontally means that your diaphragm and abdoment should move outward instead of the usual up-and-down movement that accompanies shallower breathing. Place one hand on your abdomen and the other on your back. You will place your hands near waist level. This will allow you to feel how your body moves as you inhale and exhale. Inhale forcefully. As you inhale through your mouth, visualize the air moving into your diaphragm, the muscles below your lungs that help you to inhale and exhale. Your hands should move outward as you fill your lower lungs with air. Exhale forcefully. Use your stomach muscles and diaphragm to force the air rapidly and with force. Exhale through your mouth. You will feel your hands moving inward as your diaphragm contracts. Repeat thirty times. As you do this, visualize yourself breathing horizontally, rather than vertically. Your abdomen will expand and contract horizontally as you do so. Start out slowly and then pick up the tempo as you continue. If you find yourself slipping into breathing with your chest, stop and start over, breathing slowly again. Repeat this exercise once or twice daily. Imagine there is a rubber ring around your waist. The key to effective breathing for singing is in the breath. The most important aspect of breathing is breathing with your diaphragm, the muscles underneath your lungs that help them to move air in and out. A great way to visualize breathing with your diaphragm is to picture a rubber ring around your waist. This ring will move in and out, getting bigger and smaller, with each inhale and exhale. Breathe in and attempt to push the ring outward. As you inhale through your nose, visualize the ring around your waist getting bigger and expanding horizontally. Your stomach should protrude as you inhale this way. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. As you exhale, attempt to make the ring contract and become smaller. This visualization should help you to breathe with your diaphragm, thus improving your singing. Breathing through your nose ensures better breath control and helps you to breathe in more slowly, allowing you to focus on how you are breathing, rather than how much air you are sucking in. Avoid tension in the shoulders. It is common to hunch your shoulders as you breathe. Sometimes tension creeps up on us. Another important aspect of singing is to relax our muscles. This will allow them to move properly. If you feel tension in your shoulders, remind yourself to relax. Visualize your neck getting longer and the tension melting away from your shoulders and into the ground. It can also help to take a few long, deep, slow breaths to relax and stabilize your mind and body. Lay flat on your back. Find a flat surface where you will be able to comfortably lay down and stretch out. If you have trouble laying flat on a hard surface, try a carpeted surface or your bed. Use a pillow to support your neck, back, or knees, wherever you feel you need support. Place your hands on your waist. You will place your hands on either side of your belly button. Your fingers will point toward your belly button. Fill your stomach from the bottom to the top as you inhale. Do not aim to fill yourself until you feel like you are bursting; rather, inhale just enough air to feel the difference between shallow breathing with your chest and deep breathing with your diaphragm. During the inhale, you will feel your hands raise up and outward as they rest gently on your belly. As you breathe in, fill your abdomen from the bottom to the top, noticing your stomach rising first, then your chest. You should not only feel your body expanding at the front, where your hands are, but also at the sides and back. Breathe out to a count of five. Gently exhale and slowly count to five. Do not worry about getting all of the air out of your lungs. You will simply notice your stomach area contract, starting with your stomach and ending with your chest. Repeat ten times. Whenever you do this breathing exercise, repeat it ten times. Practice it daily, once before you get up in the morning and once before you go to sleep at night. | Place one hand on your lower back and one on your abdomen. Inhale by filling your lower lungs with air. Exhale by allowing your stomach to contract. Do not move your chest. Place one hand on your abdomen and the other on your back. Inhale forcefully. Exhale forcefully. Repeat thirty times. Imagine there is a rubber ring around your waist. Breathe in and attempt to push the ring outward. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Avoid tension in the shoulders. Lay flat on your back. Place your hands on your waist. Fill your stomach from the bottom to the top as you inhale. Breathe out to a count of five. Repeat ten times. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Guy-Feel-Sorry | How to Make a Guy Feel Sorry | If you want to make a guy feel sorry, try letting him know that he's hurt you, since he might not have thought about things from your perspective. When you tell him how you feel, try to focus on your own emotions, so you don't sound like you're accusing him. For example, instead of saying, “You were a huge jerk when you joked about my weight,” say, “I felt pretty down and self-conscious about that joke you made.” If you don't want to tell him directly, try avoiding him for a little while so he starts to miss you and thinks about what he might have done wrong. | Avoid the guy to a certain extent. Don't talk to him, look at him, or smile at him. If he sends you a casual text, such as "hey babe," do not reply. He may start to miss you, and if he knows what he did wrong, he may start to feel sorry that he ever did so. On the other hand, if the guy asks you what is wrong or what he did, use this opportunity to tell him. He may not realize that he did something wrong, and he may genuinely feel sorry when he finds out. Make him feel your detachment when you have to interact. Sometimes, it is not possible to avoid the guy, especially if you work together, are taking classes together, or are living together. What you can do, however, is make him miss the person you used to be, as well as the warmth, love, and cheerfulness you reserved for him. When he talks to you, stay neutral and give him polite but short answers. Don't respond the way you used to; instead, act like you would with an acquaintance. This may make him sorry that you two aren't talking the way you used to. Spend your time with other people. If you used to be friends with the guy, consider spending time with other friends instead. If you share the same group of friends and often hang out together (such as at the lunch table at school), then talk only to your other friends. Keep in mind, however, that this might also alert your other friends that something is wrong, and they may or may not support you. Consider dating other people. If you have broke up with the guy, consider going out on dates with other people. This does not mean that you have to enter another relationship, especially if you are not ready for one. If the guy sees you enjoying yourself with other men, he might start to feel jealous. If he knows what he did wrong, he might start to regret it. Do not date other people if you are still in a relationship or if you are not ready to date other people. If you are not ready to date other people, try flirting with other guys instead, especially where your ex can see. Consider getting rid of some of the items he gave to you. If he gave you some flowers the week before the offense, consider giving them away or tossing them out. If you have a picture he gave you that you usually keep in your locker, get rid of that picture—especially if there is a chance that he might see it. This might send the guy the message that he hurt you, and he might start to feel guilty for what he did. Getting rid of the things your guy gave you might also help you feel better, especially if this is after a breakup. Show the guy that you don't need him. Guys like to feel like they are needed. If you show a guy that you don't need him to be happy or get by, his pride will take a dent. He might even realize that he messed up somewhere. He may not apologize, but he may at least try to make things up to you. Have fun without the guy, especially if you recently broke up with him. If your guy believed that he was the sole reason for your happiness, this could be especially effective. Go to a concert, a club, or a theme park. Let him see you having fun and enjoying yourself without him. If he sees how happy you can be without him, he may feel sorry for doing what he did to lose you. Don't sulk when you are not around him. He might take that as a sign that you are missing him. Instead, act cheerful. Laugh, smile, and be social. If you are in a relationship with the guy, do this with caution. He might suspect that you are cheating on him, which can make things worse. If you recently broke up with the guy, going out and doing something that you enjoy might help you feel better. Show off your strengths where he can see them. For example, if you are a good dancer, go dancing where he will be but dance with other guys instead. He will see your talents and miss them. He will also start to miss you too and might regret hurting you. Continue dressing up when you go out alone. If you used to dress up for your man, continue doing it even you are not going out with him. He sees you looking nice for other people, he may start to feel jealous and less special. If your man knows what he did wrong to make you so upset, he may feel sorry he ever did it. If you never dressed up in the past, consider doing so when you go out by yourself. Only do this if you feel comfortable doing so. Build a new world that he can see but not join. This might take a while, but it might show the guy that you don't need him to be happy. In turn, he might realize that he messed up and feel sorry for it. Try to find some new interests and friends. Visit new places and try new things. Post about it on social media, bring your new friends to parties he is at, or talk about the things you are doing when you see him again. Do not take revenge lightly. Seeking revenge and finding ways to make him suffer might be tempting, especially if his offense was serious (such as cheating). Unfortunately, revenge usually ends poorly for both parties. Sometimes, revenge can go too far and land you in trouble. Instead of physical revenge, try emotional revenge, such as spending time with other people (especially males), or having fun without him. Ignore him, and keep your attitude cold and reserved when you must speak with him. Try talking with the guy instead. Some guys do not take hints, verbal or physical; they need to be sat down and spoken to. Sometimes, this is the only way a guy will understand that he messed up and hurt you. Once he understands that he hurt you, he may feel sorry. This section will give you a few tips on how to talk to the guy and get him to understand what he did wrong. Set up a time to talk with the guy. Talking about serious matters at the wrong time can only make things worse. For example, if you or the guy are in a bad mood, the conversation is less likely to go smoothly. If the guy is busy doing something, he may not pay attention to you, and he may not remember the conversation later on. Instead, let the guy know that you need to talk to him, and try to set up a time and date when the two of you can talk without distractions. Do not enter conversation when you are feeling emotional or in a bad mood. This can only make things worse. You might find yourself saying the wrong things, or taking things the wrong way. Try to enter the conversation with a calm, level mind. Get to the point quickly but do not jump to accusations. For example, instead of saying "You were a huge jerk when you made fun of my figure, you know that?" try telling him that "Your jokes about my figure the other day really hurt my feelings." If you start accusing the guy right of the bat, he may start feeling defensive and stop paying attention to what you are saying. Stay on topic. Do not bring up any previous offenses, no matter how angry or upset you are. If you start bringing up part arguments, he may start accusing you of the things you did in the past. This will result in a verbal tennis match of who did what and not get you anywhere. Some guys may also find it more difficult to apologize when they are being accused of too many things at once. Some guys might be hesitant to apologize because they are afraid that might get accused for other things right afterwards. Thus, it is important to stay on topic. Act open-minded and listen to the guy. If he feels sympathy from you, he might be more likely to feel sorry. If he feels overly-accused by you, he might be more likely to feel defensive. This does not mean that you should accept or forgive his offenses; some things, such as cheating, are always wrong. At the same time, it might be worth listening to him. He might be feeling just as hurt as you are. If the guy mentions that you hurt him too, try not to take offense, or your conversation might turn into an argument instead with both parties feeling angry instead of sorry. Some guys might be hesitant to apologize if they feel like they have to take sole responsibility for the offense. Even if it really is all his fault, try hard to make it seem that way. Don't force an apology. Sometimes, the harder you force something, the more resistant it becomes. For example, some guys find it patronizing when someone depends an apology from them. As a result, they become even more reluctant to apologize for what they did. Instead, just explain to the guy that what he did hurt you. Most guys do not like to see those that they care for hurt. He may apologize in his own way. Know that not all apologies are verbal. Men tend to find it difficult to say "sorry." Instead, look for physical apologies. Some of the more charming guys might apologize with a bouquet of flowers, but others might apologize with smaller things. Take a look around and try to notice them. For example, did he finally fix that cabinet you were complaining about? If your guy is a gamer, did he skip out on that high-level raid just to spend time with you? | Avoid the guy to a certain extent. Make him feel your detachment when you have to interact. Spend your time with other people. Consider dating other people. Consider getting rid of some of the items he gave to you. Show the guy that you don't need him. Have fun without the guy, especially if you recently broke up with him. Show off your strengths where he can see them. Continue dressing up when you go out alone. Build a new world that he can see but not join. Do not take revenge lightly. Try talking with the guy instead. Set up a time to talk with the guy. Do not enter conversation when you are feeling emotional or in a bad mood. Get to the point quickly but do not jump to accusations. Stay on topic. Act open-minded and listen to the guy. Don't force an apology. Know that not all apologies are verbal. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Hide-Treats-for-Your-Cat | How to Hide Treats for Your Cat | Before hiding treats for your cat, first let it smell them so it's familiar with the scent that it will need to track down! Next, hide the treats around the house in your cat's favorite hiding places, such as under the couch or on top of its scratching post. Make sure your cat can see you as you hide them, so it knows where to go to find the treats. Once your cat finds a treat, reward it with verbal praise and petting to encourage it to find more. Try playing this game once a day to improve your cat's treat-finding skills. | Place treats under furniture. Cats tend to enjoy hiding under furniture like beds, tables, sofas, and bureaus. Place treats in these spots for your cat to find the next time it crawls into its regular hiding spot. You may try scattering a few treats under different items of furniture in your home for your cat to find. Put treats behind drapes or curtains. Cats also tend to like hiding behind drapes or curtains, especially if the drapes reach all the way to the floor. Try putting treats in these spots for your cat to find. Some cats also like to curl up under a bedspread or a blanket. You can try hiding treats under your cat's favorite blanket or bedspread for them to find. Hide treats by your cat’s scratching post or bed. One of your cat's favorite spots in your home is likely its scratching post, if it has one, and its bed. Try hiding treats by its scratching post, such as on the top step or shelf of the post. Or you can place treats by its bed for it to find. If your cat has more than one scratching post or climbing post in your home, hide treats on each post for them to find. Place treats in baskets or open drawers. Cats tend to like to hide in baskets, such as laundry baskets or wicker bathroom baskets. They also like to curl up in open drawers. Hide treats in these spots for your cat to discover. Sometimes cats will hide in kitchen cupboards or bathroom cupboards. Try hiding treats in these spots for your cat to find. Avoid places where your cat can become stuck or injured. There are certain places where you should not place the cat treat, just in case the cat becomes stuck or hurt while they are there. Do not put treats in a fireplace, near electrical wires, or in air ducts. You might also want to avoid putting treats in places where the cat can easily break items, such as inside of a vase or on a shelf with glass plates. Place treats in your cat’s favorite toys. To play hide and seek with your cat, start by putting treats in its favorite toys, such as a stuffed mouse toy. Use toys that have a slot in them to hide treats or cut a hole in your cat's stuffed toys to put the treats inside them. If you do not want to stuff the treats in your cat's favorite toys, you can just use the treats themselves. However, using a stuffed toy can prevent small children and other animals from getting at the treats. Show your cat the treats and let it smell them. Start by showing your cat the toy stuffed with treats or the bag of treats. Let it smell the treats so it is aware of the smell and can use it to hunt down the treats. You may also use verbal cues for your cat, such as, “Look at the treats” or “Smell the treats.” Hide the treats in spots in your home. Make sure your cat can see where you are hiding the treats. Put them all over the house so your cat has to move around to get them. Once you have hidden the treats, wait for your cat to find them. For example, you may hide the treats in your cat's favorite hiding spots, such as under furniture or on high shelving in your home. Or you may hide the treats near your cat's bed or its scratching post. Let your cat find the treats. Once your cat finds the treat, reward it with verbal praise and heavy petting. Try playing the hide and seek game once a day, rotating out the hiding spots so your cat gets better at hunting down the treats. Over time, try not showing your cat where you are hiding the treats. This will help your cat learn to find the treats on its own. This can up the challenge of the game for your cat. Look for healthy, store bought treats. When you buy cat treats from your local pet store or online, make sure you read the list of ingredients. The ingredients should be items you recognize, such as protein like tuna, beef, or chicken. Avoid treats that contain additives, preservatives, or dyes. You should also look at the number of calories and the fat content to ensure the treats are not too high in calories or fat. The treats should also contain an Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) certification. This ensures the treats meet the industry guidelines and are considered safe for your cat to eat. Use catnip. Catnip, also known as catmint, catwort, or field balm, is a fragrant herb that is natural and low-calorie. It is very popular with cats and makes a great treat. You can find dried and fresh catnip at your local pet store or online. You can also buy catnip seeds and grow your own catnip at home by a sunny window. Avoid giving your cat human food as a treat. Cats can find it difficult to digest human food. Try to give your cat human food as an occasional treat, such as small pieces of cheese, cooked tuna, chicken, fish, or liver. Do not give them too much human food at once, only small bites or pieces at a time. Avoid giving your cat human foods that are toxic or harmful to cats , such as raisins, grapes, onions, alcohol, salt, tea, and whole milk. Make your own cat treats. If you really want to ensure you know exactly what is in your cat's treats, make your own at home. Prepare organic cat treats made with tuna, chicken, or cheese. Use basic ingredients and a few easy steps to make healthy cat treats that also taste good. Making your own cat treats is also a good idea if your cat is a picky eater and only likes certain cat treats. This way, you can customize the treats to suit your cat's preferences. Ask your vet for cat treat recommendations. If you are not sure what types of cat treats will be beneficial for your cat, ask your vet for recommendations. Speak to them about which brands of cat treats they would recommend as well as any human food they suggest you avoid giving your cat as treats. Talk to your vet if your cat suffers from obesity or other medical problems before giving it treats. | Place treats under furniture. Put treats behind drapes or curtains. Hide treats by your cat’s scratching post or bed. Place treats in baskets or open drawers. Avoid places where your cat can become stuck or injured. Place treats in your cat’s favorite toys. Show your cat the treats and let it smell them. Hide the treats in spots in your home. Let your cat find the treats. Look for healthy, store bought treats. Use catnip. Avoid giving your cat human food as a treat. Make your own cat treats. Ask your vet for cat treat recommendations. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Flintknap | How to Flintknap | If you want to create primitive tools through flintknapping, start with a triangular-shaped flake of flint or obsidian. Grind the edges of the stone, then fold it into a piece of thick leather. Place a pointed pressure flaker against the edge of the stone, and press in and down at about a 45° angle until you remove a small piece from the stone. Continue around the entire edge of the flake, then grind the edges again. Be sure to work in a ventilated area and wear goggles, gloves, and protective clothing so you aren't injured by the sharp stone. | Select a material for shaping. The easiest materials to start with include chert, flint (a subtype of chert), and obsidian. These all leave smooth surfaces behind when fractured, require comparatively little force to chip, and usually have a uniform, fine grain. Once you've made a few small objects with these, you can experiment with materials that are a bit more difficult to work with, including basalt, lab-manufactured quartz, glass from the bottom of a wine bottle, and some types of porcelain. Tap the material with a hard object. Generally speaking, the higher the pitch you hear, the better it is for knapping. You can find many of these on eBay, or you can look for the right stones in nature if you have a geological guide to your local area. However, do not disturb piles of stone or stone surrounded by flakes and fragments. These are part of the archaeological record and should be left undisturbed. Choose a suitable piece. Select a stone that has few, if any, large cracks, fissures, bubbles, significant grain, noticeable inclusions (traces of other minerals), or other irregularities which would likely cause it to break or flake off in ways contrary to the shape you are trying to achieve. When it comes to size and shape, you have two options: A flake is ready to be turned into an arrowhead or other tool. These are slightly convex, and relatively small. A core is a large stone, which you can break to create flakes. If you're hunting on your own, you'll likely have to start with one of these. Note that the term "preform" can refer to either of the above stages. The term means a material that has not yet been formed into a tool. Gather your flintknapping tools. If you are working with a ready-made flake, all you need is a pressure flaker, typically an antler tine or copper nail set in a wooden handle. If you have a core, you'll also need a more powerful striking tool, either a cylindrical "billet" or simply a dense, round stone that fits your hand (a hammerstone). A piece of limestone or other stone softer than your material, or an old grinding wheel, is also required if you are starting with a core. See the Tips section below for more information on choosing billets and pressure flakers. A pressure flaker tool at least 1 ft (0.3 m) long will give you more control and reduce the risk of "tennis elbow" from repeated use. A smaller one may be easier to use for your first attempt, however. Wear protective clothing. You'll be handling sharp, broken stone, and sending fragments of it flying. Goggles and thick, long pants are essential. Wear long sleeves and gloves as well, or expect to receive cuts and scrapes. A piece of leather to drape over your leg, and a smaller one to hold your materials with, are recommended. Work in ventilated areas. Always work outdoors in an open area, away from structure, or in a ventilated area with a high-powered fan constantly blowing away from your face. Stone dust is extremely sharp and can damage lungs and eyes over time, especially in an area of still air where it creates clouds of dust. Work over a tarp or cloth, so you can gather up and discard the fragments once you are done. Fragments left on the ground can cut feet. Sit comfortably. You can knap on a table or bench, of course, but traditionally knapping is done sitting cross-legged, with the stone in one hand in one's lap. This method can be difficult for beginners. Experiment to find out which sitting position gives you the most control, especially with pressure flaking. If you have a core, continue on to the next step, "create a flat platform," or to "use direct percussion" below that if you already have a flat side on your core. If you have a flake, continue on to "abrade the edge" below, or directly to the section on pressure flaking if you bought a ready-made flake with a thick, dull edge. Large, heavy stones may require a table or a large, flat stone – but better yet, pick something smaller for your first project. Create a flat platform on the core (if necessary). If your core is round or has an irregular surface, you'll need to strike it with a hammerstone to create a relatively flat "platform" to start with. The stone will fracture at roughly a 50º angle from the direction of impact, so for a round rock you'll want to tilt the core to about 40º and strike straight downward. The platform must be next to a side that narrows inward. You won't be able to use any side that bulges outward from the platform, or goes straight down at a 90º angle. Use direct percussion to create flakes (if necessary). If you are using a core, once you have a flat platform, use your hammerstone or billet to strike off flakes, or thin, relatively flat pieces you can turn into tools. Always remember that the stone fractures at a 50º from the point of impact. To use this to your advantage, tilt the core so the platform is at a 40º angle from the vertical. Strike the lower end of the platform with the tool, hitting it with a glancing blow that carries on past the point. You may need to repeat this several times around the platform, until you get a piece that is mostly flat, and a fair amount larger than the tool you want to make. If the material splits into three pieces, or the platform crumbles around the blow, the angle is probably too small (the blow is too direct). If you're only getting tiny chips, the angle is probably too large (the blow is too glancing). Trim the flake shape. Unless you were lucky enough to get a perfect triangular or rectangular flake, you'll probably need to break it further. Do this using the same direct percussion technique, until you have a piece a bit larger than what you want to end up with, and with no concave "bites" taken out of the edge. Abrade the edge of the flake. Abrading is one of the most important processes in flint knapping. A newly struck flake typically has thin, fragile areas around the edge, which need to be ground down to a dull, thicker edge so it can withstand the impact of the tool. To accomplish this, grind the edge of your flake in a sawing motion against another flattish sort of stone of slightly lesser hardness. Old grinding wheels work well for this, or any smooth hunk of limestone. If grooves appear in the tool you are grinding with, this is a good sign, since it means the tool is softer than the flake. Once the fragile edges have chipped off or been ground down, you'll have a dependable platform able to take the extreme rigors of lithic engineering. Understand pressure flaking. After your flake is reduced so that it is about seven or eight times wider than it is thick (for a larger project), it's time to begin pressure flaking. Pressure flaking is achieved by placing your work into a fold of thick leather. Hold this in your hand, place a pointed tool (the pressure flaker) on the edge of the stone, and apply an inward pressure to the tool, focusing energy toward the inner area of the flake, usually at a more severe angle of about 45º. You don't want to drive the tool directly toward the center, or it could shatter. The goal is to apply pressure until the tool removes a small, thin piece from the stone, leaving a shallow scalloped shape behind. Remember, you are working from the edge inward. This is the opposite direction of the force you used in direct percussion. Never push down on a concave portion of the edge, or the piece could break. You may need to skip some areas or guide the pressure flaker around it from both directions in order to shape that section to a more usable area. Learn how to hold the pressure flaker. If your pressure flaker is long enough, rest it against your hip for more leverage. Let your other hand, holding the flake, rest against the inside of your leg. Try not to flex the elbow of the hand holding the flake; rather, use the inside of the leg for stability, with a little extra strength from the wrist. Hold the pressure flaker just above center, and the wood will flex and push down into the flake for you. Apply pressure to the lower side of the flake, not the upper. The slower and longer you apply pressure, the longer your flakes will be. Do not bend either wrist while knapping. Pressure flake around the entire edge of the flake. Now that you're down to the main flake or "preform," take off additional, smaller flakes using the pressure flaking method. Make a flake, flip the preform over, then make another flake along the same edge, but on the opposite face. This lets you inspect each flake after you make it, and make adjustments for irregularities or mistakes. The end result should be a "bifacial edge" with a row of scalloped marks on each side. For this first pass, remove short flakes with relatively fast pressure. Most beginners find it easier to make short flakes than long, so this shouldn't be an issue. This is the longest, most difficult part of a flint knapping project. Take it slow, and accept that you may break a few flakes while learning. Abrade the edge. Never make two flakes in the same place without abrading in between, just as described in the abrasion step above. The closer you get to the finished product, the less heavily you will have to abrade, as you are working towards the final product of a delicate, razor sharp edge and point. Sharpen your pressure flaker periodically. The copper or antler tip will wear down quickly, so sharpen it several times during the creation of a single tool, using a knife or a stone to scrape the edge. Many knappers pound the copper tip flat to a thin chisel shape to sharpen it and change the behavior of the tool slightly. You can try it at this point to see if you prefer the chisel to the point tip. Repeat until you reach the desired shape. After abrading, repeat the same pressure flaking process. On the next few circles, try to use slower, more prolonged pressure to create longer flakes, in order to thin the tool right up to the raised convex center. Remember to abrade after each full circle. Once the final shape is complete, which may require some focused attention on certain areas, do a final run of pressure flaking. For most tools, you do not abrade the edge after you finish, leaving it sharp for use as a cutting or piercing tool. Most commonly, you would use longer flakes near one end to taper it gradually to an arrow or spear point, while the other end is shaped through smaller flakes into the wider base. Experienced knappers can make long flakes quite quickly, but it takes a lot of practice to get to that point. One of them recommends pointing the pressure flaker at the opposite edge (away from your hand), quickly building up to maximum pressure, then rotating the hand holding the preform slightly until the flake pops off. Make a notch or stem (optional). You may put the finishing touches on a point by notching the base or forming a stem at the base. This is a difficult skill to learn, and many beginners break their first tool or severely alter the shape. Still, if you plan on tying the tool to an arrowhead or handle, this is a necessary step. Hold your finished tool flat and press the tool at a steep angle and high pressure through the entire tool. Flip the tool over and repeat to extend the notch, then use gentler pressure to trim it flat. While you can use your pressure flaker, a flattened steel nail in a wooden handle makes a better notching tool, as the harder metal focuses the energy to a smaller area. Grind the inner edge of the notch before tying it onto anything, to prevent it cutting the string. | Select a material for shaping. Choose a suitable piece. Gather your flintknapping tools. Wear protective clothing. Work in ventilated areas. Sit comfortably. Create a flat platform on the core (if necessary). Use direct percussion to create flakes (if necessary). Trim the flake shape. Abrade the edge of the flake. Understand pressure flaking. Learn how to hold the pressure flaker. Pressure flake around the entire edge of the flake. Abrade the edge. Sharpen your pressure flaker periodically. Repeat until you reach the desired shape. Make a notch or stem (optional). |
https://www.wikihow.fitness/Stretch-Your-Deltoids | How to Stretch Your Deltoids | Stretching your deltoids is a great way to keep your arms loose and flexible and prevent shoulder injuries. To stretch the front of your deltoids, relax your shoulders and pull your arms behind your back with your hands clasped. Then, slowly extend your arms behind you until you feel a stretch. To stretch the sides of your deltoid muscles, pull your arm over to the opposite side and pull it close to your body with your opposite arm. Then, switch arms. You can place your arms behind your back with your elbows bent until you feel a stretch. Do these stretches for 15-30 seconds each, 2-3 times a day. | Do behind-the-back stretches to open up the front of your shoulder. Stand with your feet about hip-width apart, shoulders relaxed so that your shoulder blades are tucked down along either side of your spine. Clasp your hands behind your lower back, then lift them away from your body, keeping your elbows straight. Lift until you feel a stretch, then hold the stretch for 15 to 30 seconds. Stay upright while doing this stretch – resist the urge to fold forward. If you have difficulty clasping your hands behind your back, hold a towel between your hands. Do this stretch a total of 2 or 3 times. Isolate internal rotation to target your anterior delts. Lie on your back with your arms extended out from your shoulders. Raise one hand so that your elbow is at a 90-degree angle and your forearm is perpendicular to your body. Slowly lower your hand until it is resting beside your body. Hold the stretch for a second, then return to start. Do 3 to 4 sets of 20 repetitions of this exercise, then repeat with the other arm. Only lower your arm as far as you can go without pain. If you can't do the full repetitions at first, do as much as you can without pain, then try to add a few more repetitions each week. Stretch your anterior delts in the doorway. Stand in a doorway with your feet about hip-width apart. Place one palm on the doorway slightly lower than your shoulder, bending your elbow slightly. Turn your body away from your extended arm until you feel a stretch. Hold the stretch for 10 to 20 seconds, then repeat on the other side. You can also use a wall or a stationary vertical bar or pole rather than a doorway. Lengthen your anterior delts with the bridge position. Start in a seated position with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor and your hands next to your body, fingers pointed forward. Inhale and press your feet and hands into the floor as you lift your hips up into a bridge position with your torso and thighs parallel to the floor. Straighten your legs 1 at a time without lowering your hips to get into the bridge position. Relax your neck and lower your head down. Hold the position for 30 seconds, then release to a seated position. When you first get started, you may not be able to hold the position for the whole 30 seconds. Start with 5 seconds, then gradually work your way up. Breathe slowly and deeply while holding the position, in through your nose and out through your mouth. Start with the basic side delt stretch. Stand with your feet about hip-width apart and position one arm across your chest with your elbow slightly bent. Grasp just above your elbow with your other hand and push your elbow towards your chest. Hold the stretch for about 30 seconds, then repeat with the other arm. Only push gently until you feel a stretch. Keep your shoulders relaxed with your shoulder blades tucked alongside either side of your spine. Move your arm in a pendulum motion to stretch your delts. Stand with your feet about hip-width apart, next to a countertop or table. Lean forward, placing one hand on the countertop or table for support. Gently swing your other arm forward and back like a pendulum, keeping your body still. Repeat moving your arm side to side, then in a circular motion. Turn around and do the same movements with your other arm. Do 2 sets of 10 repetitions of this exercise on each side. Keep your back flat and your shoulders back with a soft bend in your knees. Place your arm around your back to stretch anterior and lateral delts. Stand with your feet about hip-width apart. Place one arm behind your back and bend your elbow to 90 degrees. Then grab the elbow with your opposite hand and pull your arm across your back towards the opposite shoulder until you feel a stretch. Hold the stretch for 15 to 30 seconds, then repeat with the other side. Complete the stretch 3 times on each side, making sure to breathe deeply as you hold the stretch. Keep your shoulders relaxed with your shoulder blades tucked down along the sides of your spine. Start with crossover arm stretches. Relax your shoulders, pulling them back so that your shoulder blades fall down along either side of your spine. Reach one arm across your body and grip it at the upper arm with your other hand. Gently pull it as far across your chest as possible until you feel a stretch at the back of your shoulder. Hold for 30 seconds, then relax for 30 seconds. Repeat the stretch with the other arm. Aim to do 4 repetitions on each side for this exercise. Be sure to grab your upper arm, not your elbow. Don't push against or put any pressure on your elbow. Try the sleeper stretch to activate supporting muscles. Lie on your side with your lower arm bent at a 90-degree angle so that your forearm is perpendicular to your body. Use your other arm to gently push your arm down until you feel a stretch. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds, breathing deeply, then relax your arm for 30 seconds. Repeat with the other side. Do 2 to 3 repetitions, and then switch sides. Old the stretch gently for 15 to 30 seconds on each side. Work your posterior delts with bent-over horizontal abduction. Lie on your stomach on a bench or bed, allowing one arm to hang over the side. Start with your arm hanging straight down, then slowly raise it to eye level, keeping your arm straight. Then slowly lower it to the starting position. Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions, then switch and do the other arm. Only raise your arm as far as you can without pain. Once the exercise becomes easy, you can hold a dumbbell to add resistance and build further strength in your delts. If you cannot lift your arm above your torso, try lifting it with your elbow bent and gradually work up to straightening your arm as you lift it. | Do behind-the-back stretches to open up the front of your shoulder. Isolate internal rotation to target your anterior delts. Stretch your anterior delts in the doorway. Lengthen your anterior delts with the bridge position. Start with the basic side delt stretch. Move your arm in a pendulum motion to stretch your delts. Place your arm around your back to stretch anterior and lateral delts. Start with crossover arm stretches. Try the sleeper stretch to activate supporting muscles. Work your posterior delts with bent-over horizontal abduction. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Hemp | How to Grow Hemp | To grow hemp, wait until after the last frost of spring to sow your seeds. Plant them about an inch deep to protect them from birds and pests. Make sure your soil is well-aerated and has a pH between 6 and 7.5 so your hemp will grow properly. Throughout the growing season, check that the soil is always damp 1-2 inches deep. If it's dry, water the soil to keep the plants healthy. Once your crops germinate, spread them with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer. You should also spray them with a pre-emergent herbicide to protect your plants while they grow. | Plant hemp seeds in late spring. Wait until after the last frost to plant hemp seeds. Check the temperature 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep with a soil thermometer to see if it's above 50 °F (10 °C). Once the temperature has been consistent for a few days, you can plant your seeds. Check the estimate for your last frost date here: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/frostdates. Hemp grows best when the outdoor temperature us between 60–80 °F (16–27 °C). Grow hemp in a field with well-aerated soil with a pH between 6-7.5. Check the pH of the soil with a probe or paper test strips to see if the soil has the right growing conditions. Break the soil up using a hoe or tiller to aerate it. While hemp grows in most soils, poorly-drained soil could cause damage to your plants. Test the drainage by digging a 1 × 1 × 1 ft (30 × 30 × 30 cm) hole and filling it with water. Time how long it takes for the water to completely drain and if it's longer than 1 hour, find a different location. It's easier to find a place with healthy soil conditions rather than amending your existing soil. Put the seeds 3⁄4–1 1⁄4 inches (1.9–3.2 cm) deep. Use a seed drill attached to a lawnmower or tractor to space your seeds evenly and cover them with soil. Pour the seeds into the hopper and let the machine do the work for you. The machine will also bury the seeds to the correct depth so birds and pests can't get to them. Keep the seeds closer together if you want to grow hemp for fibers since this will make them grow up rather than branch out. Spread the seeds further apart if you want to harvest seeds. This encourages the plants to branch out and grow shorter. Clean the machine after you use it. Ask local farm machinery stores to see if they have seed drills available to buy or rent. Water your hemp 12–15 in (30–38 cm) throughout the growing season. Check the moisture of the soil by sticking your finger down to the first knuckle. If it feels dry and doesn't rain, water the hemp until the soil is damp 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) deep. Watering is the most important within the first 6 weeks of growth while the plant is still young. After that, hemp is drought-resistant and can survive without water for a few days. Use an irrigation system if you're growing a large hemp crop. Spread a nitrogen-rich fertilizer over your crops. Work on a warm, dry day so the fertilizer doesn't stick to the plants, and only apply fertilizer once right after the seeds have germinated. Put the fertilizer down between the rows of hemp rather than directly on the plants. Water your hemp immediately after you apply the fertilizer so it absorbs into the soil. Spray a pre-emergent herbicide on your hemp. Though most hemp crops will block any weeds from growing, use a garden sprayer filled with pre-emergent herbicide on your hemp once it germinates. This helps protect your plants while they're still growing. As of 2018, there are no herbicides or pesticides officially registered to use on hemp in the United States. Collect the stalks with a sickle as soon as seeds start to develop. Cut the stalk as close to the ground as you can to get the most fibers. If you have a small crop, use a handheld sickle in a back and forth motion to slice the stalks. For larger crops, consider buying or renting a sickle-bar attachment for a tractor. Sickles are curved blades that can be purchased at gardening or farm care stores. Leave the stalks in the field for 5 weeks. Pile the stalks on top of one another so the outer shell can rot slightly. During this time, microbes and moisture will work to separate the bonds that hold the stems together. This process can take up to 5 weeks. Letting the stalks rot is known as “retting.” Retting will not occur below 41 °F (5 °C) or above 104 °F (40 °C). Dry the stalks in a cool, dry area until they have a moisture level of 15%. Stand the stalks up on end and separate them so they can completely dry out. Use a moisture meter to figure out how much water the stems are still retaining. Once the stems are below 15% moisture, the fibers can be harvested. Moisture meters can be purchased online or from your local gardening stores. Use a decorator to separate the fibers. A decorticator is a machine with 2 rollers that break off the exterior pieces of the hemp stalk. After turning the machine on, feed 1-2 stalks of hemp at a time through the rollers. The fibers will come out on the other side of the machine where you can then collect them. Ask your local farm machinery store if they have dedicators you can purchase or rent. Harvest hemp seeds with a sickle after 16 weeks. Feel the seed pods near the flowers to see if they are hard to the touch. At this point, most of the leaves will have fallen off of the stalk. Hold the top of the stalk and cut just below the lowest seed pod with a sickle. In the United States, harvest usually takes place in October. Leave any fallen leaves in the soil to use as compost for next year. Thresh the seeds onto a tarp. Lay a tarp down in a well-ventilated area so it lays flat on the ground. Hold the stems in your non-dominant hand and then hit them with a baseball bat or stick to break the seeds off over the tarp. Once you've threshed all your crops, gather all the seeds in the center of the tarp. If you are working with a large crop, use an industrial machine thresher. Winnow the seeds to remove any residue. Transfer the seeds into a 5 US gal (19 L) bucket. Hold the bucket 1 foot (30 cm) over a second empty bucket and pour the seeds into it. When you do this, any residue from the stem will blow away. Pour the seeds back and forth 6-10 times to completely clean them. If there isn't a breeze, point a fan at the buckets when you pour them. Use an industrial winnower if you're working with a large crop. Keep the seeds in an area between 32–40 °F (0–4 °C). Store the seeds in a large container sealed with a lid. Keep the container in a large fridge or in a cool area so the seeds don't germinate. Otherwise, they may burst and become germ infested. You can keep seeds in a burlap sack if they have a moisture level less than 12%. | Plant hemp seeds in late spring. Grow hemp in a field with well-aerated soil with a pH between 6-7.5. Put the seeds 3⁄4–1 1⁄4 inches (1.9–3.2 cm) deep. Water your hemp 12–15 in (30–38 cm) throughout the growing season. Spread a nitrogen-rich fertilizer over your crops. Spray a pre-emergent herbicide on your hemp. Collect the stalks with a sickle as soon as seeds start to develop. Leave the stalks in the field for 5 weeks. Dry the stalks in a cool, dry area until they have a moisture level of 15%. Use a decorator to separate the fibers. Harvest hemp seeds with a sickle after 16 weeks. Thresh the seeds onto a tarp. Winnow the seeds to remove any residue. Keep the seeds in an area between 32–40 °F (0–4 °C). |
https://www.wikihow.com/Print-Your-Own-Wedding-Invitations | How to Print Your Own Wedding Invitations | Printing your own wedding invitations is a great way to save money and create your perfect. If you don't mind cutting your own invitations to size, you can purchase some cardstock and matching envelopes to use for your invitations. Otherwise, you can purchase an invitation suite, which should include blank invitations, enclosures, and envelopes. Once you have your paper, use a word processing program or design software to create a design for your invitation. Then, set your printer settings so they match the size of your cardstock or invitation. Feed the paper into your printer's paper slot. Make sure to do a test print to ensure the design comes out the way you want it before you print on all your invitations. | Select traditional invitations. Traditional invitations include several enclosures (often called an invitation suite), including a wedding invitation, reception invitation and response card. Traditional invitations are printed on high quality paper and are ideal for formal weddings. Select casual invitations. Casual invitations may not include as many enclosures, and may direct guests to a website for additional information about the wedding. Casual invitations are ideal for a themed wedding or a less formal event. Casual invitations may feature embellishments and distinct paper designs. Purchase an invitation suite. Many companies offer invitation kits that provide the invitations, enclosures and envelopes for wedding invitations. Invitation suites are available in many paper colors and designs, ranging from traditional formal invitations to casual themed invitations. Order at least 20 to 25 percent more invitation suites than you plan to send. This allows for extra pieces in the event of mistakes as you are printing them. For example, if you plan to print 100 invitations, order 125 invitation suites. Purchase cardstock and matching envelopes. If you don't mind cutting your invitations and enclosures to the desired size, order cardstock and matching envelopes. This is a less expensive option than an invitation suite and offers design versatility. Order at least 25 to 50 additional pieces of cardstock to allow for printing mistakes. Order envelopes for the invitations and enclosures. An invitation suite comes with envelopes for the invitations and enclosures, but if you are making your own invitations from cardstock, you will need to order the envelopes separately. For example, if you want guests to mail back a response card, you need to supply an envelope that fits the response card. Some couples choose to use outer envelopes and inner envelopes. The outer envelopes are addressed, while the inner envelopes protect the invitation and enclosures. If you are using both outer and inner envelopes, be sure to order the correct quantities and sizes for your invitations. Purchase layering papers. Add some visual interest and color to wedding invitations by layering the printed card on top of a different color cardstock. This makes the invitation appear to have a border, and results in a thicker invitation. The layering cardstock should be about 1/4-inch larger than the printed cardstock. Do not add layering papers to pre-cut invitation suites, as the final invitation size may not fit in the envelopes provided with the invitation suite. Evaluate the paper color. Most standard wedding invitations are printed on a white or cream cardstock. However, there are different shade of white and cream. Consider whether you prefer a bright white, an eggshell, a light cream or an ivory tone for your invitations. Mix and match color palettes to find colors that complement each other. If you choose to use layering papers or colored inks, evaluate how the colors look with the white or cream cardstock you choose before purchasing any paper. Consider your paper preferences. Environmentally conscious couples may want to choose 100% recycled with 30% post-consumer waste paper. Those who desire a luxurious feel to the paper may prefer 100% cotton paper. Couples who want a more dramatic invitation may choose textured paper. Request paper samples before placing your order. Most paper distributors will provide samples either free of charge or for a small shipping fee. The paper sample will allow you to evaluate the paper weight, color and texture. Choose a word processing or design software to create your invitations. Professional desktop publishing or design software may be helpful in creating elaborate invitation designs. However, any word processing program can be used to create basic wedding invitations. Select the fonts for the invitation. A font is the typeface (or sometimes called lettering) used for your invitation. Most wedding invitations feature 2 fonts--1 script font and 1 block font. Do not use more than 2 different fonts or the invitation may be difficult to read. Experiment with free fonts available for download online. Try different font combinations and font treatments, such as italics, lowercase and uppercase typeface. Try different font sizes. The font size is how big the text appears on the invitation. Because fonts vary in typeface size, it is difficult to provide a suggested font size for invitations. As a rule of thumb, avoid font sizes smaller than 9 point. Consider using larger font sizes to highlight different parts of the invitation text, such as the names of the bride and groom. Determine the text alignment. The text alignment is how the text is aligned or arranged on the invitation. Traditional wedding invitations feature center alignment. However, consider right or left justified alignments depending on your invitation design. Consider the line spacing. Line spacing is the amount of space between the lines of text. If the line spacing is too far apart or too close together, the invitation will be difficult to read. Adjust the line spacing as necessary to meet your design needs. Add visual interest with graphic elements. If you are not an artist or graphic designer, the easiest way to add graphic elements to a wedding invitation is through high-end clip art. Look for clip art with resolutions of at least 300 dpi (dots per inch). Low resolutions graphics do not reproduce well and often appear blurry. For crisp, high quality graphics, use only high resolution images. Incorporate graphic elements that carry out the theme of your wedding. If your wedding does not have a specific theme, consider images like florals, branches and Victorian flourishes to create invitations with timeless appeal. Add color to your invitation design. Evaluate the color scheme of your invitation as a whole, and then add carefully placed pops of color. Consider colored graphic elements like clip art or choose text in a color that complements the invitation design. Consider adding color to the finished invitations with embellishments like ribbon or paper strips. Wrap a single ribbon around the invitation suite (with the invitation in front and the enclosures behind it) and secure with a piece of tape along the back of the invitation. You can also use patterned strips of paper or fabric instead of the ribbon to add color. Print the invitations using your home printer. Before you begin printing the final invitations, run a test print to make sure the invitation prints correctly. Feed the cardstock into your printer. If you are printing many invitations, the printing process may take a while. Be patient and allow for plenty of time to print the invitations. Stay by the printer while the invitations are printing. You will be able to notice the moment there is a printing problem, stop the printing process and not waste paper. Purchase extra printer ink before beginning the printing process. You don't want to be halfway through printing your invitations and suddenly have to run to the store to get more ink. Pay a printing company to print the invitations for you. Evaluate the cost of the printer ink for your home printer compared to having the invitations printed at a local print shop. In some cases, it may be cheaper to have the invitations printed locally. Most printing companies require a.pdf of the invitation image in order to print it, but inquire about the file requirements at your local print shop. Assemble the printed invitations. This can be a good opportunity to involve family and friends in the wedding preparations. If you are involving others in the assembly process, be sure to provide a completed invitation as an example. Depending on your invitation, assembly simply may involve putting printed invitations in envelopes; or it may require mounting printed invitations on cardstock, adding enclosures and embellishments, and then placing invitation suites in envelopes. | Select traditional invitations. Select casual invitations. Purchase an invitation suite. Purchase cardstock and matching envelopes. Purchase layering papers. Evaluate the paper color. Consider your paper preferences. Request paper samples before placing your order. Choose a word processing or design software to create your invitations. Select the fonts for the invitation. Determine the text alignment. Consider the line spacing. Add visual interest with graphic elements. Add color to your invitation design. Print the invitations using your home printer. Pay a printing company to print the invitations for you. Assemble the printed invitations. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Draw-the-Avengers | How to Draw the Avengers | To draw the Avengers, start by making an outline for Iron Man in the center, followed by Captain America and Thor at his sides, and finally Hawk Eye, Black Widow, and the Hulk in the background. Then, go back in and draw detailed lines for each of the characters. Once you've done that, erase any unnecessary outline sketches and color in each of the Avengers. Finally, add shading and highlights to your drawing to make the characters look more realistic. | Begin by making the outline sketches for Iron Man. Add the outline sketches for Captain America. Try to show the outline sketches of the subject's accessories already to make it easier for you to see the composition of the subjects towards each other's area. Draw the outline sketches of The Mighty, Thor. You can see that the hammer is already included in the outline sketches. Add Hawkeye’s outline sketches. Continue with the outline sketches of Black Widow. Finish the outline sketches of The Hulk at the back of the other subjects. Since The Hulk is a huge character, we should put him behind the others to avoid blocking. Start drawing the actual lines for Iron Man. Add the actual lines of Thor. Draw the actual lines of Captain America. Continue with the actual lines of Hawkeye. Draw the actual lines of Black Widow. Finish the actual lines of The Hulk. Erase the outline sketches. Fill in the basic colors of Iron Man. You can put a primer of white on the areas to be colored. Fill in the basic colors for Thor. Fill in the basic colors for Captain America. Fill in the basic colors of the Black Widow. Add the basic colors of Hawkeye. Fill in the basic colors of The Hulk. Add the highlights and shadows. Finish the draft by emphasizing visual effects of their powers. Thor's hammer shows bright light on it, indicating its power. Begin by drawing six lines that separates each member of the Avengers. Start the outline sketch for The Falcon. Continue with the outline sketch of Hawkeye. Draw the outline sketch of The Hulk. Make the outline sketches for Iron Man. Draw the outline sketches for Captain America. Add the outline sketches for Thor. Continue with the last outline sketch for Black Widow. Start drawing the actual lines for Black Widow. Draw the actual lines for Thor. Draw the actual lines of Captain America. Continue with the actual lines for Iron Man. Draw the actual lines of the Hulk. Draw the actual lines of Hawkeye. Add the actual lines for Falcon. Erase the unnecessary lines. Fill in the basic colors. Add the highlights and shadows to finish the draft. | Begin by making the outline sketches for Iron Man. Add the outline sketches for Captain America. Draw the outline sketches of The Mighty, Thor. Add Hawkeye’s outline sketches. Continue with the outline sketches of Black Widow. Finish the outline sketches of The Hulk at the back of the other subjects. Start drawing the actual lines for Iron Man. Add the actual lines of Thor. Draw the actual lines of Captain America. Continue with the actual lines of Hawkeye. Draw the actual lines of Black Widow. Finish the actual lines of The Hulk. Erase the outline sketches. Fill in the basic colors of Iron Man. You can put a primer of white on the areas to be colored. Fill in the basic colors for Captain America. Fill in the basic colors of the Black Widow. Add the basic colors of Hawkeye. Fill in the basic colors of The Hulk. Add the highlights and shadows. Finish the draft by emphasizing visual effects of their powers. Begin by drawing six lines that separates each member of the Avengers. Start the outline sketch for The Falcon. Continue with the outline sketch of Hawkeye. Draw the outline sketch of The Hulk. Make the outline sketches for Iron Man. Draw the outline sketches for Captain America. Add the outline sketches for Thor. Continue with the last outline sketch for Black Widow. Start drawing the actual lines for Black Widow. Draw the actual lines for Thor. Draw the actual lines of Captain America. Continue with the actual lines for Iron Man. Draw the actual lines of the Hulk. Draw the actual lines of Hawkeye. Add the actual lines for Falcon. Erase the unnecessary lines. Fill in the basic colors. Add the highlights and shadows to finish the draft. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Skim-Fat-Off-Soup | How to Skim Fat Off Soup | To skim off the fat while you're cooking soup, bring the soup to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat. Don't let it boil heavily, since this will cause the fat to melt and break up. The fat should start to foam up and make a froth on top of the soup. Stir the center of the broth with a wooden spoon so that the foam moves to the edges of the pot. Then, use a fine mesh skimming utensil to scoop the frothy fat out of the pot. If you don't have a skimmer, put some ice cubes in a large metal ladle or stirring spoon and skim the back of the cold spoon over the surface of the soup so that the fat sticks to it. | Bring your soup to a gentle simmer on the stove. When you're ready to skim off the fat, turn the heat down to medium-high so that the soup gently simmers. You'll start to see the fat particles floating or foaming towards the top of the stockpot. Don't allow the soup to continue at a rolling boil. Boiling soup over high heat melts the fat, meaning it will blend into the broth. This makes it harder to remove. Stir the liquid so the foaming fat moves to the edges of the stockpot. Submerge a long-handled ladle or wooden spoon into the center of the pot. Stir it around to get the simmering liquid swirling in a circle. The stirring movements will cause the oily foam and globules to migrate to the outside edges of the stockpot. Scoop up the foaming fat with a fine mesh skimming utensil. Once the oils start to foam up and float on the top of the soup, dip the edge of the shallow skimming utensil just below the surface of the soup. Then lift it upwards quickly to scoop up the foam and fat. You'll see some of the foamy fat stuck to the inside of the mesh. Continue scooping up the fat until there's enough collected in the mesh to discard. Dunk the mesh skimmer in a bowl of water or rinse it off under running water to remove the fat residue. This method works particularly well for skimming chicken stock. Use the back of a cold metal spoon if you don’t have a mesh skimming utensil. Place a handful of ice cubes into a deep metal spoon or ladle to chill it down. Keep the ice cubes in the spoon while you touch the back of the spoon to the surface of the soup. Glide the back of the spoon gently across the fatty globules. The fat will solidify and stick onto the back of the spoon. Lift up the spoon and discard any fat that's stuck to the bottom. When the cold metal touches the hot soup, the fat that has gathered near the surface will quickly coagulate onto the spoon so you can peel it off. Wipe off the fat onto a paper towel and repeat the process to remove all of the fat. You must use a metal spoon for this method. A wooden or plastic spoon won't get as cold. Don't submerge the whole spoon into the soup. Just hold it parallel to the surface of the liquid while the fat gathers on the back of the spoon. Remove any vegetables, meat, or noodles before straining the soup. Use a slotted spoon to lift out any meat and veggie chunks, noodles, and rice from thicker soups once the soup has cooked completely. Set these aside in a bowl and cover it. Feel free to leave it at room temperature while you cool and strain the broth. If you're making a bone broth, follow the same process to remove and discard the bones. To speed up the separating process, cook the soup with a double-layered pasta pot. Insert the strainer layer before adding your ingredients. Everything will be submerged in the stock while you cook the soup, but you can lift out the inner strainer to remove just the chunky pieces. Allow the stock to drain out into the bottom pot. Cool the broth until the fat particles just start to solidify. Remove the stockpot from the heat source and allow the soup to cool down slightly, for about 15 to 30 minutes depending on the quantity of soup. Wait until the soup stops bubbling and steaming, and you see the oils float to the top of the stockpot. They don't need to completely solidify, but you don't want them to be boiling hot. Cooling and straining the broth takes a little extra time. Plan ahead if you're aiming to have the soup ready by a certain time. Leave the soup uncovered as it cools, but don't stir it around. Pour the broth through a gravy separator if you want to skim the fat quickly. Once you're left with just the liquid broth, carefully pour it from the stockpot directly into a fat-separating pitcher known as a gravy separator, a fat separator, or a skimming pitcher. Set the pitcher aside for 5 minutes or until most of the fat has risen to the top of the soup. Then pour the broth back into the stockpot or a serving bowl. The liquid should pass through the spout and the fat should remain trapped inside the pitcher. These tools can be found at specialty cookware shops and online retailers. They look like a large measuring jug with a spout extending out from the bottom. A bottom-draining fat separator works in a similar way. To use this tool, hold the pitcher over the stockpot or a serving bowl. The broth will drain out into the stockpot while the fat stays trapped inside the pitcher. Strain the broth through a kitchen towel if you don’t have a separator. Soak a clean, plain-weave or cheesecloth kitchen towel in cold water and wring it out so it's damp but not dripping. Arrange the towel as a lining within a sturdy colander. Place the colander within another stockpot or deep serving bowl. Then, carefully pour the broth through the towel-lined colander and into the pot. The fat globules will solidify and stick to the cold towel as the rest of the soup runs into the stockpot. Choose a stockpot or serving bowl with plenty of space below the bottom of the colander. If it's too shallow, the soup will fill up around the colander and it won't strain properly. You can also try this technique with a cold, damp coffee filter instead of a cloth towel. Chill the soup in the refrigerator overnight. Once you've finished cooking the soup, remove it from the heat and cover the stockpot with cling wrap or aluminum foil. Allow it to cool down at room temperature for about 10 to 20 minutes, then place it in the refrigerator. Leave it to chill for at least 6 to 8 hours, or until the fat floats to the top and completely hardens. Try to prepare your soup the night before so it has time to chill overnight. If you need to serve the soup right away, this technique won't be suitable. Try skimming the fat while you're cooking the soup or straining the broth instead. Scoop away the solidified fat with a spoon if you’re skimming a thick soup. Once you see a solid layer or solid chunks of light-colored fat solids, they'll be easy to remove these from the soup. Glide a large spoon underneath the solid pieces of fat and carefully lift them out. Discard the solid fat. After removing the fat, reheat the lean soup on the stove or in a microwave before serving it. This method works for chunky soups as well as broth. Pour chilled soup a hole in a plastic bag if you’re skimming broth. Carefully pour the chilled broth from the stockpot into a resealable gallon-sized plastic bag. Seal the top and hold the bag over a serving bowl or another stockpot. Snip off one of the bottom corners of the bag and allow the broth to pour out into the bowl. The fat solids will get stuck in the bag and can be discarded. If you have more soup than can fit in the bag, repeat the process with a second bag and discard the first. This technique won't work for thick soups containing meat, vegetables, noodles, or rice. But it's great for skimming broth. | Bring your soup to a gentle simmer on the stove. Stir the liquid so the foaming fat moves to the edges of the stockpot. Scoop up the foaming fat with a fine mesh skimming utensil. Use the back of a cold metal spoon if you don’t have a mesh skimming utensil. Remove any vegetables, meat, or noodles before straining the soup. Cool the broth until the fat particles just start to solidify. Pour the broth through a gravy separator if you want to skim the fat quickly. Strain the broth through a kitchen towel if you don’t have a separator. Chill the soup in the refrigerator overnight. Scoop away the solidified fat with a spoon if you’re skimming a thick soup. Pour chilled soup a hole in a plastic bag if you’re skimming broth. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Run-for-Congress | How to Run for Congress | Before running for congress, you must be at least 25 years old, have been a citizen for 7 years, and live in the state you're running in. In many states, you'll also need signatures of voters willing to endorse you. After you fill out the forms to register, begin raising money and gathering a campaign team. Next, develop a position on key issues and meet with voters in person and through media to let them know what your policy goals are and how you can help them. | Meet federal and state requirements. Candidates for Congress must meet certain conditions required by federal and state governments. At their most basic level, these requirements are outlined in the United States Constitution, state constitutions, and federal and state election laws. All candidates for Congress must be 25 years of age, hold citizenship for 7 years, and live in the state they will represent. Some states require candidates to collect a certain number of signatures. For example, Florida requires candidates to gather 2,298 signatures. All states require candidates to pay some sort of filing fee. The average state fee to run for the House of representative is $1,465. This fee runs from $100 in states like Alaska to $10,440 in states like Florida. A candidate's political party may be responsible for paying their filing fee. Fill out important paperwork. There is a variety of paperwork any candidate and their campaign must fill out and submit to various governmental authorities. This paperwork settles legalities and formalities associated with running for Congress. The most important paperwork includes: Registering with a political party. If you intend to run with No Party Affiliation in states like Florida, you must file the appropriate paperwork and inform the state's electoral commission. Providing signatures and other required paperwork to the state you intend to run in and represent. Reporting finances to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) after you raise $5,000 for your campaign. Registering with the FEC within 15 days of raising $5,000 and formally campaigning. In addition, you must name a treasurer for your campaign. Providing financial reports to the FEC every quarter and before primaries and general elections. Raise money. After verifying that you meet basic requirements to run for Congress, you need to raise the money needed to fund your campaign. Without raising money, your campaign will never get off the ground and you'll likely meet electoral failure. To raise money: Establish a campaign fundraising committee. This committee could be small or large but must have a designated treasurer. Use direct mail to fundraise. For example, put together a flyer announcing your candidacy and requesting donations and mail it to potential supporters. Hold fundraisers, such as benefit dinners. For example, charge $100 per person to eat at a banquet you will attend. Use the internet to fundraise. Create a website, use social media, and request financial support through emails. Take a stand on important issues. Before campaigning, you'll have to take a position on issues that are important to people who live in your congressional district. This is important, as your opponents, the press, and voters will want to know where you stand. While every district has key issues that are extremely important to voters there, many issues transcend districts. Some include: Taxes. Do you support higher taxes, lower taxes, or do you think they should remain the same? Foreign policy. Do you support intervention in global conflicts? Social issues. Key issues like abortion, gender issues, and marijuana legalization may be of interest to your constituents. The environment. Depending on your district, you may need to take a stand on climate change and government regulation that protects the environment. Work with others to manage your campaign. Without an organized campaign, you won't be able to get the word out about your candidacy. Thus, you need to spend time, effort, and money putting together a campaign organization and apparatus that will be able to get you votes and spread your message. Establish a campaign headquarters. This is where you, your staff, volunteers, and others will meet to plan and execute your campaign. You'll likely need to rent some sort of office space. Recruit volunteers and hire staff. Depending on your election and resources, you may need dozens or even hundreds of volunteers and paid staff. Volunteers, including interns, may help with office tasks such as copying memos or going door-to-door informing voters of your candidacy. Line up experts, polling companies, and others who can provide important advice about running for election in your community. Pick people who will head, lead, and manage your campaign. Campaign actively. Campaigning is perhaps the most important part of running for Congress. This takes a lot of work, though, as you'll have to visit different groups of constituents in your district. In the end, active campaigns that can reach many people are those that are most likely to succeed. Visit churches, synagogues, and other houses of worship. Talk to civic groups like the Rotary Club, the League of Women Voters, the Lion's Club, and more. Hold town halls and meetings where voters can ask you questions about your policy positions. Go door-to-door introducing yourself to voters. Have your volunteers and staff put up campaign signs and buy advertising time on radio and television. Convince local civic and political leaders to endorse your candidacy. Get an education. Although there is no specific educational prerequisite for serving in either the House or the Senate, both chambers of Congress are engaged in the writing of laws and the crafting of public policy. The actions of these lawmakers have real-time consequences on large numbers of people, and many of the skills required of legislators are too important to learn on the job. As of 2015, almost all of the 535 members of Congress have a Bachelor's degree. A little less than half have law degrees. About one hundred had a Master's degree and another twenty had Doctoral degrees. There is no one educational path to Congress, but most Congresspersons have advanced degrees. Meet the minimum Federal requirements. There are three Constitutionally mandated requirements to serve in the House of Representatives or the Senate, and they are the exclusive qualifications for the office. These are: Age. A Representative must be at least twenty-five, while a Senator must be at least thirty. Citizenship. A Representative must be a citizen of the US for at least seven years, while a Senator must be a citizen for at least nine years. Residency. Both Representatives and Senators must be residents of the states they represent. Pick the right district—or state. It doesn't really matter how charismatic, good looking, or well-funded you are if you aren't running in an area where you can be successful. Some areas (districts or states) are highly partisan, some lean in the direction of one party or another, and others are toss-ups. The partisan loyalty of an area can be measured by its Partisan Voting Index, or PVI. The PVI of a jurisdiction indicates how much more partisan it is compared to the nation as a whole. For example, if the US has a party identification of 55% Democrat to 45% Republican but your district has voted 55% for the Republican candidate the past two cycles, the PVI of your district is R+10, meaning your district is 10 points more Republican than the nation as a whole. If the PVI of your district or state is strongly at odds with your own political leanings, it's extremely unlikely you're going to win. If you're trying to run to “make a statement,” or “send a message,” that's your own business, but running for a seat in Congress is very hard work. It strains personal and familial relationships, demands countless hours, and can open you up to all manner of embarrassment, humiliation, and antagonism. Think long and hard about whether you want to embark upon a fruitless quest. Get the support of your party. Political parties provide support with fundraising, get-out-the-vote efforts, volunteers, and a rich network of individuals who can help you win your race. The instances of a non-incumbent running against their own party and winning are vanishingly small, and the candidate would almost certainly have a special quality (like celebrity) giving them a special edge. If you think you've got that “it” factor, the party leadership is weak and disliked in your area, and you are running for an open seat, you might have a shot at pulling out a victory. But it would still be an uphill battle. Don’t run against an incumbent. An incumbent is an individual who holds an office. Whoever currently occupies the seat you're looking at running for is the incumbent. When an incumbent retires, is impeached, appointed to another office, dies, or is imprisoned, the seat will vacate. That makes it an “open seat.” An open seat is much easier to win than a seat held by an incumbent. Incumbents are re-elected about 85% of the time. When they aren't, they're usually defeated after their first term. Raise money. In most (27) states you'll have to pay something to even become a legitimate candidate. And filing fees are only the beginning of an array of expenses. The average House race cost more than $1.6 million in 2012. Stretched over the course of a typical election season, that's about $2,000 per day. If you're really serious about making a run for Congress, you need to think about fundraising before virtually anything else. Time to hit the phones. When you're starting to raise money, hit up your friends and family first. It might make you uncomfortable, but it's where every fundraising operation begins. And most of the time, they're happy for you and happy to give. Just tell them why you're running and the kind of effort required and ask them to chip in. You'll be amazed at what you come up with. Say something like, "Hey, I'm running for Congress for these reasons... I'm going to need to start fundraising right away, and I wanted to know if you could contribute $100 to get me started." Get the requisite signatures. In many states (27), you'll need to obtain a certain number of signatures endorsing your run in order to file as a candidate. Check and see how many you'll need at https://ballotpedia.org/Filing_requirements_for_congressional_candidates. You can pay canvassers to get signatures for you or you can rely on yourself and a few volunteers (who will probably be your family) to get them. Clearly, paying canvassers is more expensive, but is much quicker. No matter what you do, aim for 150% more signatures than the law requires—it will help make up for invalid signatures. Pay the state filing fee. Once you've obtained the necessary signatures (if you live in a state requiring them), go ahead and register as a candidate with your state's board of elections. Pay whatever filing fee you need to pay in order to formally register. These state filing fees vary widely in cost, but in some states can be considerable. In Florida, for example, you'll have to pay a $10,440 to file as a candidate for House or Senate from a major party (although Florida is an outlier in terms of cost). Register with the FEC. Once you've received or spent at least $5,000 on your campaign, you're required to register as a candidate with the Federal Election Commission, or FEC. Registration is a two-step process. First you file a Statement of Candidacy, then you file a Statement of Organization. The former authorizes you to form a principal campaign committee (which will technically be what is raising and spending donations, not you), while the latter informs the FEC about the committee's relevant details. You'll need to file the Statement of Candidacy within fifteen days of hitting the $5,000 threshold. The Statement of Candidacy is a simple form to fill out, but you will need to know exactly which district you're running in and the office you're running for. If you've never run before, leave the space for Federal Election Number blank. Once you've filed the Statement of Candidacy, you should open up a bank account on behalf of the committee. File the Statement of Organization within ten days of filing the Statement of Candidacy. The Statement of Organization is a little more complex, because you'll have to list your committee's bank account number and designate a committee treasurer and assistant treasurer. These are the only crucial positions in a campaign committee, because the committee cannot receive or spend funds without the authorizations of the treasurer. Raise more money. Once you've made your major filings, you'll probably need to double up on your fundraising efforts, because it's very difficult for most candidates to meet their fundraising targets in the beginning of the campaign. After all, you're going to need to hire staff as soon as possible, and staff like to get paid. If you've already tapped your circle of close friends and family, move on to acquaintances, friends of your friends, and donors you've met through the party. It's important to concentrate on gathering enough cash to fund a staff for the next few weeks. Recruit a staff. While the candidate is the single most important part of a campaign, the staff as a collective entity might be just as important. Good staffs have propped up bad candidates and bad staffs have sunk good candidates. Campaign staff fall into the following categories: fundraising, communications, data, political, field, and operations. They are overseen by a campaign manager. Communications crafts messages, writes speeches, and deals with the media. Data keeps track of voter information, like contact history, neighborhood partisanship and income levels. Political rounds up endorsements from important people and institutions like union leaders, newspapers, and other candidates and deals with party figures like local chairpersons to get surrogates, volunteer help, or donor leads. Field is in charge of directly engaging with voters over the phones, at the doors, and in public spaces. Operations keeps the lights on, the paper in the office, the pens in the desks, and often balances the books and issues payroll. There's debate about which roles are the most important, but most people are going to want to hire a campaign manager or a fundraiser first. If the candidate is new to electoral politics altogether, a campaign manager should probably be the first hire and the fundraiser second. If the candidate is not new to electoral politics, they might want to hire the fundraiser before all else. Buy voter management software. Voter management software is a key tool in today's political world. It allows you to isolate households by income, likely race, party affiliation, voting frequency, and much more. It also keeps track of phone numbers, addresses, and the history of contacts from the campaign to the voter. Democrats and Republicans both have separate types of software used by the party, NGP VAN for Democrats and Votes Data Center for Republicans. Party nominees and primary candidates for open seats get access to the databases at a steep discount. There are other types of software other than those used exclusively by the parties, and some are quite good—even better than VAN and rVotes (and more expensive). Of these, Aristotle is thought of as the gold standard. Define the issues. You want to be the one defining the issues at all times. Constantly responding to your opponents is a quick way to blend into the background and seem smaller in stature than your opponents. To use a recent example, Donald Trump was a master of this. No matter what the news was during the 2016 cycle—good or bad—it was always about Trump. Sometimes it was Trump attacking, sometimes it was Trump issuing a blanket denial to an attack on him, other times it was arguing about a policy that he proposed. No matter what, he kept the conversation focused on him, his character, his temperament, and his solutions. Attack without being negative. Very few people can aggressively attack their opponents without becoming unlikeable in the process. That's not to say it can't happen. Sometimes a person's behavior is so odious that righteous anger is the only response, but that's rare. It's much safer to attack your opponent through implication than it is to openly attack. You want to highlight your good qualities while leaving your opponent's bad qualities understood. For example, imagine yourself, a political novice, running for an open seat amidst a long-running corruption scandal going on in your opponent's party. Your opponent hasn't been implicated, and you wouldn't want to accuse her of something that she hasn't done. But you might say “The other party's been in power for so long, and it's been one scandal after another this whole year. Let's leave the old politics behind. We need a fresh start all around—in this district, in the committee chairs, in the House leadership. What me and my party represent is that fresh start…” Reach out to media. Relative to advertising, media have more influence on campaigns than ever before. The best kind of exposure you can get is positive coverage in the news (earned media). It pays to forge relationships with reporters in your area early and cultivate them often, because it increases the likelihood of positive earned media. Give them early access to stories, the occasional leak and several rounds of free drinks. Supplement this by appearing at public events, because that gives reporters (who should theoretically think positively of you) an excuse to give you coverage. Cultivate a volunteer base. Having an army of volunteers seems more typical of a presidential campaign than a congressional campaign, because congressional races have less money and are usually less competitive. However, a congressional campaign investing in the type of field operation that can recruit a lot of volunteers is a powerful statement in and of itself. Since your field operation—which is largely managing and recruiting volunteers to conduct voter outreach—is what really drives turnout, a well-developed one can create a movement type of atmosphere and an air of inevitability. It energizes your base and depresses your opponents. Still, you must use your field operation smartly. Use your voter management software to target the most likely voters first. Pay for media. Once you've done all you can to frame the narrative, develop your field operations and create good relationships with the media, you should turn your attention to paid media. Paid media includes television and radio ads, yard signs, mailers, billboards, and any other type of political advertisement. All forms of paid media are of diminishing effectiveness in this day and time. While TV and radio are still more effective than the others, most studies show that they are really only effective in the last few weeks before the election. Any other form of paid media is of dubious impact at all. Get out the votes. When Election Day comes, it's time to get your voters to the polls. The volunteers you've recruited during the campaign season should knock on as many doors and make as many last minute phone calls reminding people to vote as they can. If you live in an early voting state, encourage your voters to vote early. An early vote doesn't count more than another, but getting the confirmation of the vote is important in and of itself, because that's one less door to knock on or phone number to call on Election Day. | Meet federal and state requirements. Fill out important paperwork. Raise money. Take a stand on important issues. Work with others to manage your campaign. Campaign actively. Get an education. Meet the minimum Federal requirements. Pick the right district—or state. Get the support of your party. Don’t run against an incumbent. Raise money. Get the requisite signatures. Pay the state filing fee. Register with the FEC. Raise more money. Recruit a staff. Buy voter management software. Define the issues. Attack without being negative. Reach out to media. Cultivate a volunteer base. Pay for media. Get out the votes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Braid-Short-Hair-for-Men | How to Braid Short Hair for Men | If you're a guy and you want to braid your short hair, start by brushing or combing your hair to get rid of any knots or tangles. Then, part your hair down the middle, separate it into sections, and secure the sections with hair clips or bobby bins. Once you've sectioned and clipped all of your hair, choose a braiding style that's suitable for your hair length. For example, if you have shorter hair, go with a 2 strand twist. If your hair is longer, try regular braids or cornrows. Keep alternating the strands until you've braided the first section and use a rubber band to secure the end. Once you're happy with your first braid, repeat the process for the remaining sections. | Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner. Make sure to wash your scalp with a non-sulfurous clarifying shampoo to get it as clean. Use a moisturizing conditioner to fortify your hair and make it as soft as possible before you braid it. Read the label on the shampoo and conditioner and make sure that it's intended for your hair texture. You can read the ingredients label to make sure that it doesn't have sulfur. Sulfur can dry out and damage your hair, especially if your hair is naturally dry or coarse. Detangle your hair with a brush or comb. Brush your hair right after you wash it to get all of the knots and tangles out. Opt for a wide-toothed comb if your hair is more coarse and/or curly. If your hair has dried since you've washed it, you'll need to re-wet it with water by misting it with a spray bottle. Continue brushing or combing until your hair is smooth and there aren't any knots in it. Getting the knots and tangles out of your hair with a brush or a comb will make braiding it much easier. To remove stubborn knots and tangles, begin at the ends of your hair and work your way up to the roots. Create a center part in the middle of your head. Use the teeth of a comb to create a part, from the front of your hair to the back. Drag the teeth of the comb across your head so that it separates the hair into two portions. When done correctly, you'll see a line where your scalp is. Make sure to make this part as straight as possible, as it will affect the placement of the other braids. From here on out, braiding your hair will be difficult to do yourself, so you may want to get someone to help. Part your hair into sections. Use your comb to create additional parts that run parallel to the center part that you created. The hair in between these parts will be the hair that makes up your braids, so keep this in mind as you're parting it. Decide how many braids you want and how large you want the braids to be as you create your parts. Moisturize your hair. As you create the parts, hair will start bunching up in one area. Grab these strands of hair and put moisturizer in it. This will soften the strands and make them easier to work with as you braid. Shea butter, argan oil, hair butter, leave-in conditioners, and olive oil can all be used as hair moisturizers. You can purchase moisturizers online or at the salon. Clip up the different sections of hair. Take the bunched up hair that you just moisturized and hold it in place with a hair clip or bobby pin. Do this with the rest of your hair after it's been moisturized. Once you're done, you should have several visible parts and the hair in between them should be pinned with bobby pins or hair clips. Choose a braiding style. The braiding style will depend on how long your hair is. Use a two strand twist if your hair is 1 inch (2.5 cm) or shorter, as creating a Dutch braid is difficult with shorter hair. If you have more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) of hair, you can try a dutch braid style. Take two portions of hair on the front of your head and separate them. The two portions of hair that you grab should be next to each other and along the edge of a part. The amount of hair that you grab will determine the size of the braid. Twist one strand of hair over the other strand of hair. Twist one portion of hair over the other. Then, twist the other portion of hair over and around it. Tighten the braid by pulling on both ends of your hair. Continue to twist your hair to the back of your head. Grab more hair and add it to the braid after every twist. Continue to twist the strands over each other and work towards the back of your head along the part that you created. Every time you make another twist, you should grab a little more hair along the part so that you can extend the braid back. The more hair you grab, the thicker your braid will be. Continue twisting the braid to the back of your head. Continue twisting your hair all the way to the back of your head until you don't have any more hair to grab. The braid should be along the part and run across the entire top of your head. Secure the end of the braid with a rubber band if necessary. Depending on your hair's texture, you may need a rubber band to secure the braid. If your braided hair tends to unravel on its own, take a small hair rubber band and wrap it around the end of the braid until the rubber band is tight. Braid the rest of your hair. Create as many braids as you want over your head until you're satisfied. Look in the mirror and see if the braids look good. It may take some practice until you can braid your hair the way that you want. Grab and separate three portions of hair along the part. Separate the hair into three small but equal pieces--a left portion, a middle portion, and a right portion. This hair will make up your braid. Cross the left section under the middle section. Once you do this the left section will become the middle section because you crossed it under. Continue to hold all three sections separately with your fingertips and make sure that they don't come undone. Cross the right section under the middle section. Once you cross the right section under the middle section, the braid should start to form. Pull on the ends of your hair to tighten the braid. Continue to braid from the front to the back of your head. Repeat the process and grab more hair as you continue braiding. Make sure that the amount of hair you're adding to the braid is the same each time so that it looks uniform. Tie a rubber band around the end of the braid if necessary. Tying a rubber band around your hair will hold the braid in place and ensure that it won't come undone. Wrap the rubber band enough times so that it's tight on your braids. You may not need to use rubber bands if your braids stay in tact without them. Braid the rest of your hair. To get the traditional cornrow look, you'll want to create several braids that run across the top of your head. Each braid should be placed ⁄ 2 –1 inch (1.3–2.5 cm) apart from one another. Once you're done, look in the mirror and make sure that the braids are straight. Make wavy parts for wavy braids. Instead of creating straight parts, try to create wavy parts by moving the teeth of the comb side to side as you create the part. Then, braid your hair as you normally would along the part. This will dictate the shape of the braids and can create a cool, wavy effect. Get creative with your part placement. Braided hair isn't limited to cornrows that run from front to back. Once you become proficient at tying braids, try to mix up your part placement. Create parts that run horizontally across your head instead of front to back, or create parts that make shapes on your head for an interesting style. For example, you can create zig-zag braids or braids that form an X. Create a man bun if you have longer hair on the top of your head. If your head isn't entirely covered in braids, comb your non-braided hair back and tie it to the end of the braid with a rubber band. This will create a topknot, or man bun on the top of your head and will give your braid a fresh and trendy look. This style works best for hair that's longer than 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm). | Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner. Detangle your hair with a brush or comb. Create a center part in the middle of your head. Part your hair into sections. Moisturize your hair. Clip up the different sections of hair. Choose a braiding style. Take two portions of hair on the front of your head and separate them. Twist one strand of hair over the other strand of hair. Continue to twist your hair to the back of your head. Continue twisting the braid to the back of your head. Secure the end of the braid with a rubber band if necessary. Braid the rest of your hair. Grab and separate three portions of hair along the part. Cross the left section under the middle section. Cross the right section under the middle section. Continue to braid from the front to the back of your head. Tie a rubber band around the end of the braid if necessary. Braid the rest of your hair. Make wavy parts for wavy braids. Get creative with your part placement. Create a man bun if you have longer hair on the top of your head. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-Body-Spray | How to Apply Body Spray | To apply body spray for men, hold the bottle 6 inches from your body and press the button over your armpits, chest, and neck before putting your shirt on. Try to only apply the spray once a day to avoid an overwhelming scent, unless you want to reapply after exercising or playing sports. If you're a woman, apply a spritz to your wrists, the insides of your elbows, and the front of your neck, then let the spray dry. Alternatively, you can spray the air in front of you and walk through the mist to lightly scent your clothes. | Remove your shirt. Body sprays for men usually double as deodorants. So it is more effective to use the spray on your body as opposed to your clothes. Spray your upper body. Hold the spray can six inches (152 mm) away from your body. Press the spray button and spray your armpits, chest and neck. Spray each body part for only two to three seconds. For more coverage, hold the spray can farther away from your body, like seven to nine inches (178 to 229 mm). Apply the spray once per day. In general, body sprays have a very strong scent. By applying the spray only once per day, you can avoid overloading your senses, and the senses of the people around you. You also want to avoid over spraying since there may be negative health effects associated with using body sprays excessively. The only exception is if you plan to exercise or engage in sports or another physical activity that will cause you to perspire. If this is you, then you may re-apply the body spray after the physical activity. Spray your pulse points. Hold the body spray four to five inches (102 to 127 mm) from your pulse points. Spray each pulse point with one spray. Try to avoid rubbing in the spray. Instead, let the body spray soak in and dry on your skin. Your pulse points include your wrists, the insides of your elbows, the front of your neck, the back of your knees and between your breasts. Spritz your clothing. Do this once you have spritzed your pulse points. However, hold the spray can seven to nine inches (178 to 229 mm) from your body/clothes. Spritz your top and pants once or twice. Alternatively, you can spritz the air in front of you and walk through the mist to scent your clothes. Spray your hair. Try to avoid spraying your hair directly. Instead, spritz the air above you once or twice with the spray. Quickly stand underneath the mist to lightly scent your hair. Choose a fragrance you like. Choose a scent that matches your personal taste and style. Start by sampling popular fragrances to see which scents appeal to your taste. Then explore other fragrances that are made with similar scents. If you are a girl, then you may prefer sweet, floral scents or musky scents. If you are a guy, then you may prefer woodsy or spicy scents. Apply the body spray after you shower. Applying body spray on a clean body will help the scent stick to your body better and last longer. After you shower, lightly towel off. Spritz your damp body with the body spray. Layer fragrances. Layering fragrances will also help your body spray last longer. While you are showering, use a body gel that has similar scents to the ones in your body spray. After your shower, apply a lotion with similar scents to your damp body. Once the lotion has dried, spritz your body with the body spray. For example, if your body spray contains vanilla, lavender and mint notes, then choose a body wash and lotion that contains lavender, vanilla or mint to layer with. If you cannot find a complementary lotion or body wash, then use an unscented lotion or soap. Some body sprays come with complementary lotions and body washes. | Remove your shirt. Spray your upper body. Apply the spray once per day. Spray your pulse points. Spritz your clothing. Spray your hair. Choose a fragrance you like. Apply the body spray after you shower. Layer fragrances. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Set-up-a-Home-Owners-Association | How to Set up a Home Owners Association | Before trying to set up a homeowners association (HOA), make sure HOAs are permitted by law in your local area. If they are, gather a small group to discuss why you want to start a HOA. Then, reach out to other neighbors and ask them what changes they want to see in the neighborhood. Hold information events to explain the benefits of a HOA, like accessing garbage collection services. | Gather a core group of people to start the HOA. When choosing a group to form the association, it may be best to start with a smaller number of people who will be responsible for actually setting up the legal entity and talking with neighbors about the benefits of forming and joining an HOA. However, before setting up the actual HOA, it is important that you generate support from most, if not all, of the neighbors. You should choose a convenient time and place to hold the initial HOA meetings so that all of the core group members can attend. You can consider having each of the members host a meeting at their home, condo, or duplex. During the initial meeting, discuss why you are interested in starting an HOA. Before your second meeting, members should research local and state laws to ensure that HOAs are permitted in your community. You should also discuss the best ways to convince others to join the HOA. For example, you can circulate a survey asking everyone what changes and/or services that they would like to see in their community or complex. You can use the survey responses as a guide to developing a plan for the HOA. Hold information sessions. Once the core members have established a basic outline of what the HOA would provide, you should host information sessions for all of the neighbors. This allows people to ask questions of the core members and voice their concerns about the HOA. It also allows people to discuss how they want to interact with the HOA and provide suggestions and input on desired services. Promote the benefits of the HOA. You should use the information meetings to try and “sell” the idea of an HOA to your neighbors. Explain how membership dues will be used to provide specific benefits to the community, such as landscaping to beautify the neighborhood and increase property values. If you live in a duplex or condo, an HOA might help pay collective bills and save for building repairs. You should also discuss how the HOA can pool community resources to provide benefits that families could not afford on their own, such as a new playground. Offer different fee arrangements to allow for more involvement. Consider preparing different tiers of HOA dues. For example, if everyone in the neighborhood or complex wants to build a pool for community use, plan out how much money that would take and the cost to each member. You should also provide lower cost options and specifically detail what services the HOA would provide. Consider making the HOA voluntary. When starting a new HOA, you will most likely need to make the organization voluntary, at least in the beginning. By making the organization voluntary, families will not feel “trapped” by the organization and may be more likely to join. As the HOA demonstrates its benefits to the community or complex, more homeowners, condo owners, and duplex owners may be willing to join and participate. A mandatory association requires all homeowners, condo owners, and duplex owners in a certain community to join the HOA. HOA membership would actually be linked to the sale of one's home, condo, or duplex. Decide what services to provide to members. After you have a majority of property owners in your neighborhood willing to participate in an HOA, you should determine what services the HOA will provide to its members. You may have already compiled a list of desired services during your informational sessions. When deciding which services you want to offer you can consider the following: High speed internet. Satellite TV. Garbage pick up. Snow removal. Landscaping. Consider what restrictions to include. As a way to maintain property values and create a consistent and pleasing appearance of the area, HOAs often place restrictions on what can be done on the outside of owners' properties. For example, an HOA may restrict owners from painting their house certain colors, such as hot pink. Some potential restrictions could include the following: Requirements to mow the lawn every week in the fall and spring and every other week in the summer. Limits on what color owners can paint the exterior of their home. Requirements as to where visitors can park. Required maintenance for backyards. Limitations on decorations. Determine whether the association will build any new structures. In addition to landscaping or other services meant to beautify the neighborhood, some HOAs build structures for the benefits of its members. This can be a costly undertaking but can provide long-term benefits and increase property values. These structures may be more or less desirable depending on whether HOA members have access to these types of amenities in the community already. Some examples of structures that HOAs can build and maintain include: Neighborhood swimming pools. Clubhouse. Playground. Picnic areas. Establish a budget. After deciding which services and amenities that the HOA wants to provide, you should create a budget. Those who are helping to set up the HOA must determine the necessary expenses and costs of operating the HOA, as well as some reserve funds to guard against any unforeseen costs. Once a yearly budget is determined, you can then divide that amount by the number of homeowners participating in the HOA and then divide the total by 12 in order to calculate the monthly dues amount for each participant. Once you have calculated the monthly amount, you should hold a meeting to discuss the budget plan. Some members may think the amount is too high and you can decide what services to drop in order to reduce the overall monthly dues. The goal of the budget is to determine the amount of money that it will take to keep the property in good condition and have enough money in reserve to pay for unforeseen costs, such as repairs. Set forth a fees and collection schedule. Once the pledged HOA members agree to the monthly fee amount, you should determine a timetable that sets forth when fees are due, how they should be paid, and the consequences for late payments. While the HOA is not yet a formal legal entity at this stage, it is important that everyone knows and accepts their responsibilities before going through the process of forming a business. You should also elect someone who is responsible for collecting dues, preparing the budget, and handling the accounting matters for the HOA. This person will become the HOA's treasurer. Set up committees, if needed. When deciding to form an HOA and even after the HOA is up and running, it is important to involve as many people as possible in sharing the burden of running the HOA. By establishing committees to conduct the business of the HOA, you ensure that multiple people are getting a say in how the HOA is run. Committees may be divided into 2 major categories: Internal affairs committees include fund raising, publicity, bylaws and social events. Neighborhood affairs committees include housing conditions, traffic safety, law enforcement/neighborhood relations, neighborhood maintenance, economic development and community services. Review local and state laws regarding homeowners associations. When creating an HOA it is important that you review state law and local ordinances to determine what legal requirements that you must meet. You should begin by reviewing your state's property codes. You can review most state's laws online. Once you have located the appropriate law, do a keyword search for “homeowners association.” States may have laws that govern the way that HOAs must be formed. For example, Texas requires that a three-person committee must be formed in order to petition to form an HOA. Form an LLC. A limited liability company is a legal business entity that allows for flexible management of the company and also limits liability for all members, if the LLC is sued or goes bankrupt. Each state has different laws regarding the formation of an LLC so it is important that you carefully review your state's laws and follow its requirements. The LLC is usually created by the initial property developer. However, anyone can ultimately create the HOA so long as they comply with state law. Therefore, not every member of the neighborhood or complex has to be named in the LLC documents. Anyone can file this paperwork. Whoever creates the LLC will be ultimately responsible for its business. While the homeowners, condo owners, and duplex owners will be bound by HOA rules, they will not be responsible for any business liabilities. Generally, to form an LLC you must: Choose a business name. Apply for a federal tax number. Choose a registered agent in the state. Draft and file the Articles of Organization. Pay any required fees. Create Articles of Organization. Most states will require that you file your LLC's governing documents when you register your LLC with the state. Typically, you will be required to draft and file Articles of Organization. This document provides the state with basic information about the LLC, such as: The business name and address. The registered agent's name and address. The names of the organizers of the LLC. Basic information about management structure. A description of the purpose of the LLC. Draft bylaws. In addition to the Articles of Incorporation, you should draft bylaws for your HOA. This document will outline how the business of the LLC should be conducted. For example, your bylaws should outline how often the HOA's board will meet, how member's will vote on the HOA's rules and regulations, and how the HOA's board will be elected. Draft rules and regulations. You should also create a separate document that outlines all of the services that the HOA will provide as well as the restrictions that HOA members must follow. This document should also specify the procedures that will be followed if someone fails to meet their obligations as a member of the HOA. For example, if a person fails to pay their dues, the rules should specify any late fees that will be assessed and at what point the late fees become applicable. Elect a governing board. The governing board of the HOA will be responsible for managing all aspects of the HOA, including paying taxes, enforcing the HOA's rules and regulations, and preparing financial reports. When deciding which individuals to vote onto the board, consider the following: Choose someone who has an attention to detail and is willing to focus on the needs of the HOA. Choose someone who you believe will enforce the rules and regulations consistently. Choose someone who you believe is honest and will treat all members fairly. Choose someone who would be willing to seek out expert advice, if warranted. Choose someone who will listen to multiple points of view while making a decision. | Gather a core group of people to start the HOA. Hold information sessions. Promote the benefits of the HOA. Offer different fee arrangements to allow for more involvement. Consider making the HOA voluntary. Decide what services to provide to members. Consider what restrictions to include. Determine whether the association will build any new structures. Establish a budget. Set forth a fees and collection schedule. Set up committees, if needed. Review local and state laws regarding homeowners associations. Form an LLC. Create Articles of Organization. Draft bylaws. Draft rules and regulations. Elect a governing board. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Lowchen-Puppy | How to Choose a Lowchen Puppy | To choose a Lowchen puppy, ask your vet for a list of reputable breeders or visit online breed clubs, like The Lowchen Club of America or the American Kennel Club. When visiting breeders, tell them a bit about your personality and lifestyle so they can try to match you with the right puppy. You'll also need to make sure the puppies appear well fed, friendly, and lively. After spending time with them individually, decide which puppy is a good match for your family. | Get in touch with your local vet. Visit local veterinarian offices in your area. Ask the secretary if the office can provide you with a list of Lowchen breeders or referrals. You can also try calling the office first to avoid wasting time. If the office has a list, either visit the office personally, or have them email or fax you a list of reputable Lowchen breeders or referrals. You can say, "Hello, my name is James. I am interested in owning a Lowchen puppy. Does your office have a list of reputable breeders or referrals I can contact for Lowchen puppies?" Visit online breed clubs. The websites of dog breed clubs often have a list of breeders or a list of referrals for you to contact. Referrals are not breeders themselves, but can refer you to breeders in your area. For example, visit the websites of the AKC and The Lowchen Club of America to search for referrals. When calling a referral, these individuals are often volunteers that have been appointed by their clubs. Referrals may take a few days to get back to you, so try to be patient. Go to a professional dog show. Visit the AKC website or a show's superintendent website, for example infodog.com, to find out show dates and times. In the website, click the schedule section/judging program section to see what time the breed you are interested in will be showing, and in which ring. You can say, for example, "Hi, my name is John. I am interested in owning a Lowchen. Would you be able to refer me to a responsible breeder?" When approaching the breeder, do not approach them ringside, or 20 minutes before they enter the ring. Wait until they are finished showing their dog, then approach them a few minutes afterwards. Some dog shows have a designated “Meet the Breed” area, where you can interact with the breed and meet the owner. Call the breeder. Make a list of at least four breeders you would like to contact. When contacting the breeder, give a brief introduction. Ask the breeder if they have puppies available. If they do not, you can either ask to be put on a list, or tell them that you will call back once you looked into other breeders. You can say, “Hi, I'm Jessica, my partner and I have two kids, and we are looking for the perfect Lowchen for our family. Do you have any puppies available?” Set up an appointment. If the breeder does have puppies available, they will encourage you, or you and your family, to come and visit the puppies. Set up an appointment that is convenient for both you and the breeder. You might have to travel a long distance to visit a breeder. Therefore, try to set up an appointment on the weekend. This way, you will have enough time to drive to the breeder, visit the puppies, and drive back home. Tell them about your personality. Like humans, Lowchen's have different personalities and temperaments. Upon meeting the breeder, let them know about your daily activities and what kind of person you are. This way, they can match you with a Lowchen that has a similar personality. Are you active? A homebody? A social person who has people over a lot? Do you have children? These are important questions to ask yourself in order to help the breeder make the perfect match between you and your Lowchen. Inspect the home. Upon arriving at the breeder's home, inspect the areas the puppies spend their time in for cleanliness and spaciousness. Make sure the breeder treats the puppies like a responsible pet owner would. If the puppies seem crowded or confined to one space or cages, this is not a sign of a reputable breeder. Is it clean and odor free? If not, keep your options open. Examine the puppies. Puppies should be clean, well fed, friendly, and lively. Signs of malnutrition are protruding rib cages, illness, runny noses and eyes, coughing, lethargy, and skin sores. The breeder should provide the puppies with toys, socialization, and exercise. You can ask, “How often do you take the puppies outside?” “Do you separate the puppies or keep them together?” and “What kind of enrichment do you provide specifically for the Lowchen breed?” If the puppies seem scared or aggressive when interacting with you, these are possible signs that a puppy has been mistreated. A reputable breeder will encourage you to meet and spend time with the puppy's mother. Interact with the puppies individually. Once you have examined the puppies, take one aside to see how it interacts with humans without other puppies around. Examine the puppy for fearful behavior and a general lack of socialization, such as extreme shyness, aggression, and anxiety. If the puppy displays this behavior, then pick another puppy. If all the puppies seem fearful of humans, these are possible signs that the puppies came from a puppy mill. Healthy puppies are playful, curious, and they will want to interact with you. Bring the family to meet the puppy. A responsible breeder will encourage you to make multiple visits. They will want you to take your time to make a decision about purchasing and owning a puppy. They will also want you to bring the whole family to meet the puppy. Let other family members interact with the puppies individually. This way, you and your family can come to consensus about which puppy you like the most and want to bring home. Observe the breeder’s interactions with the puppies. You should get a sense that the breeder genuinely cares for the puppies. A breeder that genuinely cares about the puppies will make sure they are going to a good home, will be knowledgeable about the breed, and express concern about the puppies. A reputable breeder will offer guidance in the training and caring of your puppy. They will also provide you with their contact information in case you need assistance during any stage of your puppy's development. Ask for documentation. Breeders should be willing to show proof of health screenings through OFA and CERF certificates. You can also ask for documentation verifying the mother and father's breed. A reputable breeder will be open about potential genetic and developmental problems inherent to the breed. The breeder should be able to show documents indicating that the puppy's parents and grandparents have been professionally evaluated to breed these problems out of their puppies. A reputable breeder will be able to provide you with veterinary records indicating that the puppies have had initial deworming and vaccinations. A reputable breeder will provide references from other families who have purchased puppies from them. Sign a contract. A reputable breeder will require you to sign a contract. The contract may have various sections verifying that you provided proof that you are allowed to have a dog (if you live in an apartment or condominium), that you will spay or neuter the dog, and that you will return the dog to the breeder if you are unable to care for the dog. A reputable breeder will also want you to explain why you want the dog, who will be responsible for the puppy's training and care, where the dog will be spending most of its time, and what rules have been decided for the puppy. | Get in touch with your local vet. Visit online breed clubs. Go to a professional dog show. Call the breeder. Set up an appointment. Tell them about your personality. Inspect the home. Examine the puppies. Interact with the puppies individually. Bring the family to meet the puppy. Observe the breeder’s interactions with the puppies. Ask for documentation. Sign a contract. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Obtain-a-Copy-of-Your-Birth-Certificate-in-California | How to Obtain a Copy of Your Birth Certificate in California | To obtain a copy of your birth certificate in California, go to the California Department of Public Health website and click the link for death and birth certificates. Then, download the pamphlet that teaches you how to file for a birth certificate and read it thoroughly. Fill out the application that is included in it and get it notarized by taking a sworn statement at a notary public. It usually takes 15 days for the application to be processed after it's been mailed in. | Visit the California Department of Public Health (CDHP) website. In order to obtain a copy of your birth certificate you need to apply through the CDHP. Alternatively you can go straight to the relevant page by following this link: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/pages/vital-records.aspx. Here you will see all the steps you need to follow. You can download all the necessary forms directly from this website. Determine which copy you are entitled to. Depending on who you are, and whose birth certificate you are attempting obtain, you will be able to obtain either an "authorized copy," or an "informational copy" of the document. In California, “authorized copies” can only be obtained by the person named on the birth certificate, parents of the person named on the certificate and a few other people. The other people who can obtain authorized copies of your birth certificate are: your children, your grandparents, your grandchildren, a member entitled to a record of your birth by court order, a licensed adoption agency complying with Section 3140 or 7603 of the Family Code, a representative of the law (such as a police officer,) your attorney or anyone court appointed to act on your behalf. All other requesters may obtain an informational copy only. An informational copy contains the same information as an authorized copy, but is not a valid document to establish identity. All birth certificates issued—whether authorized or informational—are certified. Download the required forms. The next step is to download a pamphlet for obtaining certified copies of birth records from the CDPH website here, which is available as a PDF here: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/CDPH%20Document%20Library/ControlledForms/VS111.pdf. This pamphlet is a comprehensive guide to the processes and fees. It also includes answers to some frequently asked questions. The pamphlet includes the application form, and sworn statement, which you need to complete and submit. Be sure to read through all the instructions on how to complete the application before you get started. You can also download the application form and the sworn statement directly here: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/CDPH%20Document%20Library/ControlledForms/VS111.pdf. Fill out the application form. Now you will need to complete the application form in full, following the guidelines given. You will need to state what kind of copy you require, authorized or informational, as well as stating your connection to the person named on the birth certificate. You must provide personal information about the person applying for the birth certificate. This includes the name and address, as well as the reason for requesting the certificate. You will be asked to the name, city of birth, date of birth, and parents of the person named on the certificate, to the best of your knowledge. Find a notary public to authorize your sworn statement. A notary public is someone who is legally authorized to perform legal formalities. If you're ordering an “authorized copy”, you must have your sworn statement notarized. This means that you need to take your sworn statement to the notary public. They will authorize your sworn statement and seal it. You can access a full and updated database of Notary Publics in California by visiting the Secretary of State's website: http://www.sos.ca.gov/notary/notary-public-listing/. You can also look up Notary Publics by city, zip code, and county through online search tools. You don't need to do this if you are only ordering an “informational copy,” but you must indicate this on your application. If you do not state that you want an “informational copy,” and you do not present a notarized statement, your application will be sent back to you and you will have to send it in again with the proper information. Write a check. A certified birth certificate fee must accompany your application. Requests received without the appropriate fee will be returned. The current fee for a certified copy of a birth certificate is $25. Check the list of fees online in case of any changes, before you write the check: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Vital-Records-Fees.aspx. Make your check or money order payable to CDPH Vital Records. The check must be from a United States bank. Do not send cash. CDPH won't be responsible if cash is lost in the mail. Know that if no record is found, the CDPH will issue a statement stating Certificate of No Public Record, and will keep the fee for the search, as per state law. Mail your application into the CDPH. You should send in your completed application, your notarized sworn statement (if you applying for an “authorized copy”), and the check or postal order for the certified copy fee to the California Department of Public Health. Send your application to: California Department of Public Health Vital Records - MS 5103 P.O. Box 997410 Sacramento, CA 95899-7410 If you are using a courier service, and must send the application to a physical address, use: California Department of Public Health Vital Records - MS 5103 1501 Capitol Avenue Sacramento, CA 95814 Wait for it to be processed. Once you have submitted all the forms and payment, you just have to wait for your application to be processed. Requests for certified birth certificates typically take around 15 business days to process. This is an estimated time that is subject to change depending on the volume of applications received. Sometimes County Record Officers can process applications more quickly. If you need the certificate sooner, contact the Officer from the county where the birth took place. | Visit the California Department of Public Health (CDHP) website. Determine which copy you are entitled to. Download the required forms. Fill out the application form. Find a notary public to authorize your sworn statement. Write a check. Mail your application into the CDPH. Wait for it to be processed. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-an-Online-Proofreader | How to Become an Online Proofreader | To become an online proofreader, you'll need a good understanding of writing technicalities and styles. Pick up a few stylebooks, like the AP Style Guide, which is used by most newspapers and news websites. You'll also need experience with Microsoft Word's editing and reviewing features so you can easily collaborate on work. If you're just starting out, consider taking a class in English, journalism, or literature to develop your writing and editing skills. If you have a particular area of interest, like finance, law, or medicine, focus your attention on learning vocabulary and style in that field. When you're ready to find a job, look on websites like Mulberry Studio, Proofread NOW, and Wordfirm. | Be well-read. To be an online proofreader or any proofreader requires a love of reading. You should enjoy reading several forms of writing and become familiar with several writing styles, as well as acquire knowledge in a broad range of subjects. Understand the specific skills required of an online proofreader. Proofing online text successfully requires knowledge of correct word usage and punctuation, spelling words correctly and recognizing common word confusions ("then" for "than," etc.), and understanding what the writer intended to say through careful re-reading of the text. Develop your computer skills. Website text you'll proofread will either be sent to you by email, or you'll be given access to a site where the draft text can be downloaded from or edited directly. If you download the text to your computer, you'll need to be familiar with the proofreading and editing tools in your word processing program, such as Microsoft Word's "Track Changes" and "Insert Comments" features. If you proofread the text directly, you'll need to learn whatever online proofing tool you'll be asked to use. Some clients may instead prefer you to print out the text, proofread it manually, then fax it back. In those cases, you'll need to know how to use a printer and fax, as well as the symbols used in proofreading and copyediting by hand. Consider formal training as a proofreader. At a minimum, high school courses in English, journalism, and literature will give you a foundation in the language and proofreading skills you'll need to have. You can supplement this knowledge with courses at a college or university, a community college, or online, as well as with online tutorials. Online classes are available from such organizations as eLearners, Universalclass.com, and Mediabistro.com. Familiarize yourself with several stylebooks. While classes can give you a foundation in English, the organizations you'll be working with often adopt an established style guide or create their in-house guide. At a minimum, you should become familiar with the AP Style Guide, used by most newspapers and online news organizations and many websites, and the Yahoo Style Guide, used by many other organizations with a Web presence. Other stylebooks to consider include the Chicago Manual of Style, the New York Times Manual of Style, and the AMA Manual of Style. For an overall refresher on usage, read "The Elements of Style" by William Strunk and E.B. White. Build a reference library. In addition to the style manuals listed above, you should have a dictionary and thesaurus and, depending on the clients you plan to work for, specialized dictionaries of medical, scientific, legal, or financial terminology. You should also become familiar with and bookmark reference websites such as Dictionary.com; however, it can sometimes be faster or more effective to look something up in a book than online. Practice your proofreading skills on what you read. Look at books, newspapers, websites, and even the text displayed on TV news programs and commercials with a critical eye. This will teach you to spot errors in spelling, punctuation, and usage of words. Decide on the area(s) in which you wish to specialize. If you have particular areas of interest, such as proofreading financial, legal, or medical websites, you may want to concentrate your efforts in these areas. You may need some additional training in your area(s) of specialty, but you may also reap more financial rewards and more personal satisfaction from specializing than from trying to proofread anything that comes across your radar. Use the Internet. You can find several websites offering online proofreading jobs by typing "online proofreading jobs" or "proofreading at home assignments" into an Internet search engine. You can register with these sites, and you can list your services on job boards and freelance marketing sites. Websites that specialize in providing proofreading and editing services include Mulberry Studio, Proofread NOW, and Wordfirm. Some services specialize in areas such as business communications, while others provide additional services such as transcription, indexing, or proofreading in multiple languages. Some services also offer promotional assistance to proofreaders who contract with them, such as the ability to create or link to their websites. You may have to have at least 2 to 3 years of proofreading or editing experience, sufficient computer equipment, and typing speed, and you may also have to take a test to qualify to work with them. Freelance marketing sites include Guru and Upwork. These sites list clients with jobs, and you bid competitively with other freelancers to win the job. Freelancers are listed on these sites by the level of experience; some sites also offer enhanced listings for a fee. Job boards include Monster.com and Jobs.com. You post a resume with your experience and set up a keyword search for jobs you're interested in. Job boards are devoted primarily to job seekers looking for full- or part-time work as employees of a company, but they may also offer to telecommute positions or contract work as well. Approach website owners directly. Look for websites with a lot of written content and approach the site owner or webmaster. Look in the Contact Us section of the website for email addresses; you'll want one with a person's name or at least "webmaster" in the address instead of a generic term such as "info." Build your website. Having your website will let you advertise your online proofreading services and show your professionalism to prospective clients. You'll have to develop your skills in search engine optimization (SEO) to help clients find your site in an Internet search, and you'll also have to make sure your site is free of spelling and grammatical errors. Consider volunteering your services initially. You can approach non-profit organizations and start-up businesses with an offer to proofread their websites for free, in exchange for referrals to other, paying clients. Be upfront about your purpose at the beginning, so that you receive the kind of referrals you want, instead of other volunteer assignments. | Be well-read. Understand the specific skills required of an online proofreader. Develop your computer skills. Consider formal training as a proofreader. Familiarize yourself with several stylebooks. Build a reference library. Practice your proofreading skills on what you read. Decide on the area(s) in which you wish to specialize. Use the Internet. Approach website owners directly. Build your website. Consider volunteering your services initially. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Catch-Crawfish | How to Catch Crawfish | Before you can catch crawfish, you'll need to obtain a fishing license in your state, which you can get at most sporting goods stores. Plan to fish between April and October, since these are the months when crawfish are the most active. Find a freshwater lake, pond, or creek, with still or slow-moving water and plenty of rocks and vegetation. You can either sit by the water at night and try to catch the crawfish by hand or with a pole and bait, or you can set a trap overnight and return the next morning to collect your catch. | Try string and bait catching. String and bait catching is a simple way of catching crawfish and makes for a fun family activity. All you need is a fishing pole, rod or stick, some fishing line or string, and some bait. You can attach the bait to the string using a fishhook or even a safety pin—this will ensure that the bait remains attached to the string and prevents the crawfish from getting away. Artificial lures like grubs work well. Lower the bait into the water and jiggle it 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) from the bottom until you feel a tug on the end of the string. Then slowly move the crawfish and bait as close to the shore as possible before gently pulling it out of the water. Immediately place the crawfish into a bucket. If you like, you can use a fishnet with a long handle to scoop up the crawfish as soon as you reel them in. This will prevent them from releasing the bait and getting away. Use open or closed traps. Traps are the best way to catch large quantities of crawfish with relatively little effort. So if you want to feed your friends and family a crawfish feast, this is the way to go. There are 2 main types of traps: open traps, which are basically collapsible nets that are open on one end, and closed traps, a more advanced variety with a funnel on one end which allows the crawfish to enter the trap, but prevents them from escaping. Avoid using square-shaped traps as these can catch on rocks at the bottom of the water and become trapped or broken. Cylindrical-, conical- and beehive-shaped traps are all better options. Crawfish traps should be less than three feet in height, width and depth. Before you lower the traps into the water, you will need to bait them. Some traps have a hook in the center to which you can attach the bait, while others require the use of bait boxes or bait jars. Open traps can be left in the water for several hours at a time, as long as there is enough bait, while closed traps can be left overnight. With any luck, when you pull the trap up again it will be filled with crawfish. Under the right conditions, you can catch 15–20 pounds (6.8–9.1 kg) of crawfish per trap! Catch crawfish by hand. A third option for catching crawfish is just to catch them by hand, as they are often found amongst the rocks in shallow pools and can easily be picked up —just watch out for those sharp claws! To catch a crawfish by hand, you will need to find a pond, creek, or lake that is well known for its crawfish population. Crawfish typically like to hide under rocks and plants in the shallow parts of the water. To catch a crawfish, wade into the water and look for rocks that seem likely to be hiding a crawfish. Then very slowly reach your hand into the water and gently lift up the rock. If you lift it too quickly it can startle the crawfish and stir up mud which obstructs your vision, allowing the crawfish to scurry away. If you lift the rock correctly, you should see a crawfish just sitting underwater. Now you have two options. The first option is just to pick the crawfish up with your bare hands. If it's very small, you can reach your hands into the water and cup it between both hands. If it's larger, you can pick it up using the thumb and forefinger of one hand, just behind the pinchers. Your second option is to use a small bucket and stick. Gently place the bucket 4 to 6 inches (10.2 to 15.2 cm) behind the crawfish, then wave the stick in front of it or give it a light tap. Crawfish swim backwards, so it should swim directly into the bucket. Once it's in there, scoop the bucket out of the water. Whatever you do, don't blindly thrust your hand into the water, or you could get a nasty pinch! Get a fishing license. In many states, a fishing license is required to catch crawfish. However, once this license is acquired, you can catch as many crawfish as you like, 365 days a year. Family fishing licenses (which entitles any member of the family to fish) are available for purchase at your local state department, for a fee of approximately $60. When using crawfish traps, the license number must be engraved on or attached to the trap, along with your name and address. Go crawfishing between April and October. Crawfish are most active during the warmer months of the year, so the best time to go fishing for them is between April and October. However, it is still possible to catch crawfish during the colder months, just don't expect to find as many. Look for crawfish in freshwater lakes, ponds, and creeks. Crawfish are freshwater crustaceans and can be found in many bodies of water across the U.S.A. and in countries around the world. They make their homes in streams, ponds and lakes, in addition to canals, reservoirs, springs and bedrock pools. Most crawfish prefer still or slow-moving water, with plenty of rocks and vegetation to provide cover. They are most likely to be found close to the bank or in a deep hole in the middle of a river, pond or lake. Go crawfishing at night. Crawfish are nocturnal, which means they are most active at night, especially in warmer waters or during the summer months. Therefore, many people will set out to catch crawfish at dusk, or will leave traps in the water overnight and collect them in the morning. If you plan on leaving traps in the water overnight, make sure to attach a piece of string tied around a cork. The string should be long enough for the cork to float on top of the water, accounting for the pull of the current.This will allow you to find the traps easily in the light of day. However, crawfish can still be tempted by bait during the day, so catching them during daylight hours is not impossible. Go fishing at whatever time works for you. Just remember that nighttime crawfishing expeditions can be a lot of fun! Use the correct bait. The best bait to use for crawfishing is widely debated, however, most sources will agree that you can't go wrong with the heads, tails, and guts of oily fish that are native to the local area. Fish like salmon, herring, carp, perch, walleye, and trout all work well as crawfish bait, but things like sardines, squid, clams, sole, and eel will not. Other options include any kind of fatty, raw meat such as chicken or pork. Crawfish are also attracted to pieces of hot dog and even fish-based cat food (though some crawfish experts would disagree with this). The most important thing when it comes to bait is that the meat is fresh. Crawfish will not be attracted to old, spoiled or smelly meat, contrary to popular belief. Secure the bait properly. When you are using traps to catch crawfish, it is essential that the bait is properly secured. With some basic traps, the bait is simply hung from a hook in the center of the trap. This works well, but if the traps are left underwater for too long, the crawfish will eat all of the bait, then lose interest and escape from the trap. Therefore, many crawfish experts recommend using bait boxes—these allow the crawfish to feed and enable the smell of the bait to disperse through the water, attracting more crawfish. But because the bait is less accessible, it will not be eaten as quickly, so the crawfish remain in the trap for longer. Another option is bait jars—these allow the smell of the bait to disperse through the water, but do not allow the crawfish to feed. The bait will last for longer, but the crawfish are not as likely to stay in the trap once they realize that they cannot feed. Follow the laws regarding crawfish for your area. Be aware that some states forbid people from taking live crawfish away from their capture site. Some states (such as Arizona) forbid people from taking live crawfish home—they must be killed at the site of capture. So if you are considering bringing a crawfish home for a pet, make sure to look up your state's regulations first. Avoid releasing extra crawfish back into the water after you've caught them. Some states view crawfish as a pest and would like to reduce their numbers, as a result of the damage they've done to certain aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, you should get rid of the crawfish as humanely as possible or give them to another angler once you are done. You can also use them as bait when fishing for steelhead and salmon, particularly if they're from the same river. Cook the crawfish if desired. Crawfish contain a delicious sweet white meat that can be eaten on its own or used in a variety of southern-style dishes such as crawfish jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, and crawfish bisque. Crawfish can also replace other shellfish such as lobster and crab in most dishes. First, kill the crawfish by thrusting a sharp knife between the head and thorax, or by submerging them in ice or boiling water for several minutes. To cook them, boil a pot of plain water and add some salt, black pepper and cayenne for authentic Acadian seasoning. Rinse any mud or debris off the crawfish with clean water. If you wish to purge the vein inside the crawfish (intestines) before cooking, mix half a cup of salt or white vinegar with a bucket of clean water and leave the crawfish to soak in it for 30 minutes. When the water turns murky, they are ready to cook. Place the whole crawfish (or just the tails and large claws) into the pot of boiling water and leave for approximately 5 minutes, or until the shells turn bright red. If you like, you can add additional ingredients to the water such as seafood boil, onions, jalapenos or cilantro. Eat the crawfish on their own, dipped in butter and lemon juice or covered in cocktail sauce. Serve with corn on the cob and boiled potatoes for a hearty post-fishing lunch or dinner. Keep them as pets as an alternative. Some people like to keep crawfish as pets, as they are easy to care for and are fascinating for children to watch. Sometimes they can even be brought to school and kept as a classroom pet! Transport the crawfish by keeping them somewhere damp and cool. Do not place the crawfish in a bucket of water as most species need oxygen to survive and will die in stagnant water. As long as the crawfish is kept moist, it can survive out of water for several days. Keep the crawfish in an oxygenated aquarium on its own, as it will eat other fish. It can feed off any vegetation you place in the aquarium or you can feed it fish heads and trimmings, fatty meats or any of the bait described above. | Try string and bait catching. Use open or closed traps. Catch crawfish by hand. Get a fishing license. Go crawfishing between April and October. Look for crawfish in freshwater lakes, ponds, and creeks. Go crawfishing at night. Use the correct bait. Secure the bait properly. Follow the laws regarding crawfish for your area. Cook the crawfish if desired. Keep them as pets as an alternative. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Check-a-Wound-for-Infection | How to Check a Wound for Infection | Before checking a wound for infection, wash your hands with soap and water to keep bacteria out of the affected area. Next, examine the wound for any swelling or redness spreading out from the area. You may also feel a throbbing pain that gets worse over time. Additionally, look for any yellowish or greenish pus or fluid draining from the wound. If you notice any of these warning signs, seek medical care as soon as possible, before the infection spreads or worsens. | Wash your hands first. Before you inspect a wound you should always wash your hands thoroughly. If you are concerned about a wound being or becoming infected, poking around with dirty fingers could make the wound worse. Be sure to thoroughly clean your hands with an antibacterial soap and water before doing anything else. Remember to wash your hands after touching the wound. Examine the wound closely. You must remove any bandages from the wound you are inspecting. Do this carefully so you don't risk aggravating a sensitive area. If your bandage sticks to the wound, you can use running water to tease it off the wound. The water sprayer on a kitchen sink is helpful for this. Once you have taken off the soiled bandages, they should be discarded and thrown into the garbage. Never try to re-use a soiled bandage. Look at your injury for redness or swelling. When you look at the wound think about whether it looks excessively red or if it has gotten redder than it was before. If the wound looks very red and the redness appears to be spreading out from the wound site, this is an indicator of infection. Your skin may also feel warm at the hurt area. Contact a doctor for advice if either of these symptoms are present. Ask yourself if the pain is getting worse. Feeling new or increasing pain is a symptom of an infected cut. Pain by itself or with other signs (such as swelling, heat, and pus) may indicate an infection is present. Consult a doctor if you notice growing pain at the site. The pain may feel like it is coming from deep within the wound. Generally, swelling of the affected area, heat/warmth and tenderness/pain are the best initial indicators that the wound may be infected. You might feel a throbbing pain. Itching is not necessarily a sign of infection, although you should never agitate a wound by scratching it a lot. Fingernails can carry more bacteria and scratching can make issues worse. Don't apply an antibiotic unless recommended by your doctor. Studies haven't shown that antibiotic ointments significantly help a wound infection. An infection that has spread has also entered into your body, so treating the external wound after this has happened won't also treat the bacteria in your body. Your doctor may recommend antibiotic ointments if the infection is minor and superficial. Observe the wound for yellowish or greenish pus or fluid. This discharge may also have a foul odour. If you see pus or a cloudy fluid, draining away from the wound this is a big indicator of an infection. You should get medical care as soon as possible. Some drainage from a wound is normal, as long as the fluid is thin and clear. Bacteria may create clear drainage that is not yellow or green. In this a case, your doctor may examine the fluid to determine a specific cause of infection. Look for a build-up of pus around the wound. If you notice pus forming beneath the skin, around the wound site, you may have an infection. Even if you can see a build-up of pus, or feel a tender, growing lump under the skin, but it is not leaking out of the wound, this can still be a sign of infection and should be taken seriously. Replace the old bandage with a new sterile one after inspecting the injury. If there's no sign of infection, this will cover and protect the wound. If there are signs of infection, a sterile bandage will protect the wound from further contamination until you can see a doctor. Take care to only apply the nonstick part of the bandage to the actual wound. The bandage should be large enough to easily cover the wound. If the wound continues leak pus, consult a doctor. Some drainage may be normal from a wound as your body fights infection. But, if the pus becomes yellow or green and increases in amount (or refuses to subside), consider seeing your doctor. This is especially true if many previously discussed signs of infection are also present. Examine the skin around the wound for red lines. You may notice these lines moving along the skin away from the injury. Red streaking of the skin around the wound can mean that an infection has spread into the system that drains fluids from tissues, which is called the lymph system. This kind of infection (lymphangitis) can be serious and you should get prompt medical attention if you see streaking redness from a wound site, especially if you are also experiencing a fever. Locate the lymph nodes (glands) closest to your injury. The nearest lymph nodes for the arms are around your armpits; for the legs, it would be around your groin area. Elsewhere on the body, the closest ones to check would be the nodes on either side of your neck, just under your chin and jawbone on the left and right side. Bacteria is trapped in these glands during an immune response. Sometimes you can suffer infection to the lymph system without the streaking lines being visible on your skin. Check your lymph nodes for abnormalities. Use 2 or 3 fingers to apply gentle pressure and palpate the area for any enlarged lymph nodes, which may also be tender. A relatively easy way to find any abnormality is to use both hands to feel both sides simultaneously. Both sides should feel generally the same and symmetrical when healthy. Feel the selected lymph nodes for swelling or tenderness. If you can feel either swelling or tenderness, this might be a sign of a spreading infection, even if streaking lines are not present. Your lymph nodes are normally only about a half-inch across and you shouldn't be able to feel them. They can swell up to two or three times this size at which point you will be able to feel them clearly. Swollen lymph nodes that are softer and move easily usually signify infection or inflammation. Hard lymph nodes that don't move, cause pain, or last more than 1 to 2 weeks should be examined by a doctor. Take your temperature. Besides symptoms at the wound site, you may also run a fever. A temperature over 100.5 can indicate an infected wound. You should get medical attention when a fever accompanies one or more of the infection signs listed above. Consider if you are feeling generally unwell. An indicator of an infection in a wound can be as simple as feeling under the weather (general malaise). If you have a wound and start feel sick a few days later, it could be correlated. Check your wound again for signs of infection and if you continue to feel unwell contact a medical professional. If you notice body aches, headache, dizziness, upset stomach, or even vomit, you may have an infection. A new rash is another reason to check with your doctor. Be aware of your hydration levels. Being dehydrated could be indicator of an infected wound. Some of the main symptoms of dehydration include urinating less, having a dry mouth, sunken eyes, and dark urine. If you are experiencing these symptoms you should pay close attention to your wound, check it closely for the other signs of infection, and contact a doctor. Since your body is fighting infection, it is important to stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids. Know which types of wounds are prone to infection. Most wounds heal with little to no trouble. However, a wound is more likely to get infected if it has not been properly cleaned and treated. Cuts on the feet, the hands, and other areas that commonly come into contact with bacteria are also especially susceptible. Bite and scratch wounds inflicted by an animal or a human are also more likely to become infected. Keep a special eye on bites, puncture wounds, and crush injuries. Be careful when handling wounds from an unsanitary source: a crusty knife, a rusty nail, or a dirty tool. If you've been bitten, talk with your doctor about your risk of getting rabies or tetanus. You might need antibiotics, or vaccines or other treatments against tetanus or rabies. If you are healthy and your immune system is strong, most wounds will heal with little risk of infection. Your body's defenses have evolved to keep infections from taking root. Understand other risk factors for infection. If your immune system is compromised by conditions like diabetes, HIV, or malnutrition, you are at a much higher risk of getting infected. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi that normally would not cause problems for the body's immune system can infiltrate and multiply to distressing levels. This is especially true in severe 2nd- and 3rd-degree burn wounds, where the skin—your first line of physical defense—has been greatly compromised. Notice the signs of a severe infection. You may have a fever, and you may feel dizzy. Your heart might be beating faster than usual. The wound will be warm, red, swollen, and painful. You may notice a foul odor, as of something rotting or decaying. All of these symptoms can manifest as mild or as very severe – but if you are experiencing several of them, you need to seek medical treatment. Do not drive if you're feeling dizzy and feverish. If possible, have a friend or family member drive you to the hospital. You may need to get some strong antibiotics to stabilize your system. When in doubt, get checked out. In the case of infection, it is not enough to merely self-diagnose using the Internet. A legitimate medical diagnosis is the best way to know for sure. See a doctor. If you believe that your wound is getting infected, visit a medical clinic or make an urgent appointment to see your doctor. This is especially important if you have any other medical conditions, or if you meet any of the risk factors for infection. Consider taking antibiotics and NSAIDs. Antibiotics may help fight or prevent a bacterial infection, and they can be the most powerful way to knock out a roaring inflammation. NSAIDs will help your body recover from swelling, pain, and fever. You may be able to buy NSAIDs without a prescription, but most effective antibiotics will need a doctor's order. Avoid NSAIDs if you're using blood-thinning medication. Be aware that these drugs can cause stomach ulcers and kidney malfunction in some people. Ask your doctor! | Wash your hands first. Examine the wound closely. Look at your injury for redness or swelling. Ask yourself if the pain is getting worse. Don't apply an antibiotic unless recommended by your doctor. Observe the wound for yellowish or greenish pus or fluid. Look for a build-up of pus around the wound. Replace the old bandage with a new sterile one after inspecting the injury. If the wound continues leak pus, consult a doctor. Examine the skin around the wound for red lines. Locate the lymph nodes (glands) closest to your injury. Check your lymph nodes for abnormalities. Feel the selected lymph nodes for swelling or tenderness. Take your temperature. Consider if you are feeling generally unwell. Be aware of your hydration levels. Know which types of wounds are prone to infection. Understand other risk factors for infection. Notice the signs of a severe infection. See a doctor. Consider taking antibiotics and NSAIDs. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Train-a-Cat-Not-to-Jump-on-Your-Furniture | How to Train a Cat Not to Jump on Your Furniture | To train your cat not to jump on your furniture, firmly say "no" whenever you see it on the furniture, and pick it up and place it somewhere else. Make sure you're consistent so that over time your cat associates jumping on the furniture with being removed from it. You can also try placing aluminum foil or double-sided tape on the furniture to startle your cat when it jumps on it. Also, provide other things for your cat to climb and jump on, like a cat tree or hanging cat shelf. | Start training early. Train your cat immediately, whether you've brought home a new cat or just noticed your cat jumping on the furniture. Don't assume that the cat will simply stop jumping or will grow bored with it. Instead, show your displeasure and let your cat know that she's not allowed to jump on the furniture. Avoid punishing your cat since she will not understand why you're yelling, hitting, or spraying with water. Say "no". When you see your cat jump on the furniture, look at her and say "no" in a firm voice. Do not yell at her, but let her know you're unhappy. Pick her up and remove her from the furniture while saying "no." Set her down in a spot she's allowed to be (like her cat bed, a cat tower, or some other comfy place that she enjoys). Don't punish your cat once you've removed her from the furniture. Let her go find somewhere else to explore. Be consistent. If your cat returns to the furniture and jumps on it, say "no" again and remove her. You need to do this every time you see your cat jump up on the furniture. Over time, she'll associate jumping on the furniture with being removed from it. Your cat will be confused if you only remove her some of the times she jumps on the furniture. Send a consistent message that jumping on the furniture is not allowed. Set a noise trap. Startle your cat by placing something like aluminum foil on the furniture. Your cat will be surprised by the noise when she jumps up on the furniture. You can also fill a can with rocks and shake it when you notice her jumping, although she shouldn't see you shaking it. Instead, she should associate jumping on the furniture with a surprising noise. Consider using something that will make noise when you're not home (like the aluminum foil). Place double-sided tape on the furniture. Cats don't like the feeling of being stuck, so place double-sided tape along all parts of the furniture. Your cat will probably jump up, feel uncomfortable, and then jump off. You may want to leave the adhesive on for a day or two, so that she understands not to jump on the furniture. Some pet stores carry a double-sided adhesive that doesn't leave a residue when it's removed. Spray your cat. Surprise your cat by spraying her with water or an unpleasant-tasting spray. You can buy bitter apple spray from pet stores. When you see your cat jump on the furniture, immediately spray her. This will startle her and she should begin to associate the furniture with an unpleasant surprise. Spraying your cat with water might prevent her from jumping on the furniture, but some argue that it destroys your bond with your cat and can increase her stress level. Block the furniture. This may be a hassle for you, but you may want to fill the furniture so that you cat can no longer jump on the furniture and rest comfortably. You might place books, large boxes, or just make it difficult for the cat to even get close to the furniture. It may take a few days for your cat to move on. Be aware that very determined cats might keep trying to jump on the furniture, regardless of the obstacles you throw in her way. Figure out why your cat is jumping. Know that your cat wants on the furniture for a reason. There may be a good view from the couch. Or, she may like cuddling on a big armchair. Your cat may be determined to keep jumping on the furniture and she might be doing it out of boredom. Remember that your cat isn't jumping on the furniture to bother you. Don't take the behavior personally, just work to prevent it. Provide other things to jump on. Your cat might be jumping on the furniture to get a good view. Help her look outside by hanging a cat shelf. This shelf can be hung low enough for your cat to jump up on and get to a window. Or, place several cat shelves so she can jump around. You can also place a cat tower near a window. This way, she can climb up and still get a good view. Clicker train your cat to jump on other things. Teach your cat to respond to commands by using a clicking device. Make your cat associate the clicking sound of the device with reward. For example, click the device and give your cat a cuddle or treat. Do this a few times until she understands that she gets a reward after the click. Once your cat understands the clicker, use it to encourage her when she jumps onto places she's allowed, like her bed, cat tower, or designated space. Give your cat new toys. Your cat may be jumping up on the furniture because she's bored. Offer her new toys to help her use up energy. Get several toys that you can scatter along the floor. This might also redirect her interest back to the floor and away from the furniture. Some good toys might be: Corks Ping-pong balls Plastic balls with bells inside Sisal-wrapped tubes | Start training early. Say "no". Be consistent. Set a noise trap. Place double-sided tape on the furniture. Spray your cat. Block the furniture. Figure out why your cat is jumping. Provide other things to jump on. Clicker train your cat to jump on other things. Give your cat new toys. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Say-%E2%80%9CI-Love-You%E2%80%9D-in-Arabic | How to Say “I Love You” in Arabic | To say “I love you” to a female in Arabic, say “uHibbuki,” which is pronounced oo-heh-boo-kee. To say “I love you” to a male, say “uHibbuka,” pronounced oo-heh-boo-kah. | Say “uHibbuki” to express “I love you” to a female. “uHibbuki” is pronounced “oo-heh-boo-kee,” with the “oo” portion rhyming with “too” and “you.” Say “ana uHibbuki” to publicly and officially declare your love to a female. “Ana” is pronounced “ah-nuh,” and rhymes with the girl's names “Hannah” and “Anna.” Using this method to say “I love you” is normally reserved for situations in which you want your lover and everyone else to know your true feelings. Say “uHibbuka” to express “I love you” to a male. “uHibbuka” is pronounced “oo-heh-boo-kah,” with the “oo” portion rhyming with “too” and “you.” Say “ana uHibbuka” to publicly and officially declare your love to a male. “Ana” is pronounced “ah-nuh,” and rhymes with the girl's names “Hannah” and “Anna.” Using this method to say “I love you” is normally reserved for situations in which you want your lover and everyone else to know your true feelings. | Say “uHibbuki” to express “I love you” to a female. Say “ana uHibbuki” to publicly and officially declare your love to a female. Say “uHibbuka” to express “I love you” to a male. Say “ana uHibbuka” to publicly and officially declare your love to a male. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Along-With-Others | How to Get Along With Others | To get along with others, smile a lot and make eye contact when you're talking to them so you seem friendly and engaged in the conversation. Also, don't feel like you need to dominate the conversation or prove how great you are since that can actually be off-putting. Instead, listen intently to what people have to say and show a genuine interest in them. Over time, they'll learn how awesome you are on their own without you having to tell them! | Smile. Smiling is never overrated. Though you may think that smiling won't have an impact on what people think of you, taking the time to smile at people will show them that you're happy to be in their presence and that you're a warm, friendly person who is worth talking to. Whether you're talking to people or just walking by them, make the effort to smile, the next time around. Besides, scientific research has shown that smiling actually makes you feel happier, so everybody wins! Make an effort to smile at at least 10 people today. Once you get into the habit of it, it'll feel perfectly natural. Be fully present. If you make it clear that you're fully engaged in the conversation and have nowhere else you'd rather be, then people will be much more likely to be drawn to you. Don't check your phone every five minutes, look around the room, play with your nails, or talk about the meeting you have to go to later, or people will feel like chopped liver when you talk to them. Instead, take the time to make eye contact, ask people questions, and make them feel like you're enjoying the moment you're spending talking to them. It can be hard to shut off those distractions and to learn to live in the now. Sometimes the first step is unplugging. If you're talking to a co-worker, step away from your computer. If you have a dinner date with a close friend, turn your phone off for a few hours. Give the person you're speaking to the attention he or she deserves. Take the time to read his or her body language and facial expressions to see how he or she is feeling, instead of seeing what all the other people in the room are up to. Cultivate positivity. Another easy way to make people like you is to have a positive demeanor. If you radiate positive energy instead of complaining, making fun of people, or just being mean, then people will be more drawn to you because they'll feel energized in your presence. Work on focusing on the good things in life and learning to laugh at the bad. If you want to get along with people, then it'll be much easier if you approach life with a smile instead of a frown. Every time you hear yourself making a negative comment, make two or three positive comments to compensate. It's okay to be negative every once in a while, but you should focus on the good things ahead instead of the ones that are dragging you down. Another way to keep things positive is to work on complimenting people more often. This sets a more positive tone to the conversation and may lead to some compliments in return. Another way to cultivate positivity is to surround yourself with positive people. Their mindset and behavior will be contagious and will help you get along with others. Bringing around a fun, positive friend can also help you get along with people, too. Know your audience. If you want to make a good impression on people, then you have to learn how to read them quickly to understand what kind of a person you're dealing with. If you see that you're facing a conservative from the South, then the subjects you discuss may be quite different than they would be if you were talking to a hippie from Berkeley; make sure you consider the person you're talking to before you introduce what might be a controversial subject. If you want to get along with people, then it's important to know what they would and would not want to hear so you can make a positive first impression. Watch how the other person responds to others to get a better sense of things kinds of things that will or will not appeal to him. If the person cracks up at the raunchy joke of another person, then you'll know that that kind of humor is okay. Be aware of the age of the person, too. An older person may not appreciate a comment about how old you're getting when you're a decade younger; a younger person may not understand one of your cultural references. Education level can play a part in this, too. If you're talking to a person with a PhD in English, then he may be insulted if you try to explain who Ernest Hemingway is. Make small talk. Another skill that people who make good first impressions posses is knowing how to make small talk. Though you may think it's frivolous, small talk is what leads you to have deeper conversations and to really connect with people, so it's important to know how to chat with new people when you first meet them. All you have to do is ask lighthearted questions to get to know them a bit, learn to banter, and be comfortable feeling out the personality of a new person. Here are some tips for how to make small talk effectively: Compliment an item that the person is using or wearing. It may lead to a good conversation. Don't be wary of discussing the weather. It could lead to a conversation about your weekend plans or even your hobbies. Ask questions that require more of a response than a “yes” or “no” answer. This can help get the conversation going. Don't put too much pressure on an awkward silence. Instead of commenting on it, ask a simple question or make a statement to move the conversation forward. Show a genuine interest in people. One of the easiest ways to make a good first impression is to show a genuine interest in them as soon as you shake their hands. You don't have to ask them a million questions, but show an interest in their ideas, their hobbies, or their background without being too nosy. The truth is, people love it when others show an interest in them, and acting like you'd rather get to know them instead of talking about yourself can go a long way in helping you get along with others. The best way to show a genuine interest is to really listen instead of going through the motions until it's your turn to speak. When a person gives good news, make sure he sees that you really care instead of just glossing it over. If a person is an expert at something, ask him questions about it to show that you're interested in what he has to say. Let your virtues speak for themselves. In order to get along with people in conversation, you should avoid bragging about how great you are at work, tennis, or writing novels. If you're really good at something, then people will be able to see that for themselves over time or they'll hear about it from someone else. If you dominate the conversation by talking all about how awesome you are, then it'll be hard to get along with people because they may think of you as self-absorbed and may get bored or even annoyed. You can talk about your interests without talking about how great you are at them. There's no need to mention any awards you won and it'll make people cringe a little. Instead, praise the virtues of other people. That's much more interesting to them. Think before you speak. One key part of being a good conversationalist is taking the time to consider your words before they come out of your mouth. If you're the kind of person who thinks before he speaks, or who even thinks by speaking, then it's time to slow down and consider how your words will impact the people around you so you avoid offending people. It's also a good trick because you may realize that you may be saying something just a little bit awkward or even boring to the people around you. Spend a few seconds forming a question in your head if you know it's going to be of a sensitive nature. This is far better than blurting out something you may regret. Don’t dominate conversations. A good conversationalist never takes over a conversation; instead, he knows how to get people talking and how to make them feel comfortable. If you want to get along with people, then you can't go on and on about yourself; instead, you should talk enough to be interesting and winning, but make sure not to do more than roughly half the talking when you're having a one-on-one convo so the other person doesn't feel bored or uncared for. If you're in a group conversation, then you can tell a funny anecdote or two, but make sure other people contribute to the conversation. Let other people talk when they have something to say and don't interrupt them just to prove them wrong. Even if someone is saying something a bit untrue, you should avoid the temptation to argue with every little thing he or she is saying. This won't win you any friends and definitely won't help you get along with people. Avoid topics that are likely to lead to a disagreement. Another way to get along with people more easily is to avoid topics that may cause people to get easily upset. These include abortion, gay rights, general political views, and controversial views on marriage or raising children. Once you get to know people better, you'll be able to discuss more serious topics with them, but when you're first trying to get along with people in conversation, you should stick to more agreeable topics, such as your weekend plans, your hobbies, or your favorite bands. If someone else brings up a sensitive topic, then it can help you get along with people if you can tactfully steer him or her away from that subject to something more user-friendly. Be tactful. Tact is key when it comes to getting along with people in a conversation. Having tact means choosing your words and your timing carefully. If you want to give someone personal advice, for example, you should do it when you're alone so the person doesn't feel embarrassed; the same goes for telling a person he has something stuck in his teeth. You should avoid making careless comments, like saying “Marriage is the most important part of life” to someone who has just been divorced, and you should always be sensitive to the feelings of others before you speak. Another way to be tactful is to avoid revealing too much personal information to people you don't know all that well. While you may feel like this will help you get along with people, it can actually push them away. Tactful people also acknowledge cultural differences when they talk to people. This can help you see whether or not your comments will be received well. Find common ground. Another great way to get along with people conversationally is to find common bonds to bring you closer together. As you talk to people, keep your ears open for hints that you might have similar interests; if it turns out you come from the same state, for example, then it may be a sign that you follow the same sports teams. Though you don't have to have everything in common with the person you're talking to, just finding one or two things to bond over, whether it's your love of The Bachelor or your obsession with cooking pastries. Even if you and a person disagree about almost everything in the world, if you're both 49ers fans, you can build an entire relationship out of that. Never underestimate how important it is to have something to bond over. Pick your battles. Another way to get along with people is to be picky about when you really want to start an argument or a fight. You may feel that every little conflict is worth addressing, but in reality, it may be better to keep your mouth shut most of the time. Whether you're talking to a colleague or a new acquaintance, there's often little reason to start a fight about politics, sports, or how to evenly split the check. Though it's important to stand up for yourself, it's equally important to know when you're better off holding your tongue. Before you start to argue with the person, ask yourself if it's really worth it and what you'll gain from proving that you're right. Sometimes it's worth it to stand up for yourself, but other times, it's easier to just get along with people. There are some arguments that you just can't win, and it can be far better to agree to disagree than to start a controversy. Give people the benefit of the doubt. People who have trouble getting along with others tend to think that other people are jerks unless they prove otherwise. People who get along with most people tend to see the best in others, and to even assume the best for them when they don't have enough information. You should work on assuming that every new person you meet is a kind, reasonable individual unless they've made a truly horrible impression; give people enough time to prove themselves to you and you'll find it much easier to get along with them. Give someone at least two or three chances to win you over. Not everyone is good at first impressions. If someone else has said something negative about a new person to you, you should give the person a chance yourself before writing him off. Apologize if you’ve made a mistake. In order to be truly considerate, you have to recognize when you messed up and be ready to fess up. Whether you've made an offensive comment or shown up over half an hour late to your dinner date, if you want to get along with people, you have to work on apologizing for your mistakes and really meaning it. This shows that you have compassion and that you don't just want to brush your mistakes under the rug. People will be able to get along with you much more easily if they know you don't think you're perfect. When you apologize, look people in the eye to show you really mean it. Don't look away or check your phone or they'll think you're not putting in an effort. One key to getting along with people is also to avoid repeating your mistakes. It's one thing to apologize and another to follow through. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. One of the main ways that you can be considerate and get along with people better is to practice putting yourself in their shoes before you have a conversation with them. Try thinking about how the other person may be thinking and feeling and tailor your conversation with that person accordingly. Though it's impossible to know exactly what's going on in another person's mind, just making the effort to try can help you get along with people because you'll be working on making conversation that appeals to them. For example, if your co-worker just suffered a family loss, you should see that you should treat her with sensitivity and avoid talking about anything too dark. If your friend is getting married in two weeks, then now may not be the best time to unload all of your emotional problems on her because she's likely feeling overwhelmed. Take the time to thank people. Showing gratitude is one of the best ways to be considerate. Taking the time to tell people you're grateful for what they've done for you, whether you're writing a thank you card to your boss or giving your friend flowers for helping you clean your apartment, it's important to be grateful if you want to get along with people. If you don't give credit where credit is due, then people will find it difficult to get along with you because they'll think you think you're too good to say thank you. Don't underestimate the power of a letter or a thank-you card. Though it may sound old-fashioned, they can really show people how much they mean to you. Remember important details. One way to show people that you really care is to remember the important details they tell you. If you remember a person's name after meeting him for only a few minutes, he'll be more likely to like you. If you remember the names of his siblings, then he'll be even more impressed and will be much more likely to give you the benefit of the doubt. Pay attention to what people tell you so you can show them how much you care by bringing them up later. If you're the kind of person who quickly forgets anything he is told, then people will be likely to get frustrated or annoyed with you. If you really care, you can even write down a few important details that a new person has said to you so you can remember them next time. Try to remember birthdays and anniversaries, too. Acknowledging these can help people get along with you because they'll know that you care. Make the person feel good about him or herself. Another way to get along with people is to work on making them feel good about who they are. Give people genuine compliments about their new haircut or their sense of humor if you really mean it instead of sucking up to them. Let your face light up when a person walks by instead of looking barely pleased to see him. Ask people for advice in their areas of expertise to show that you really do value their opinions. People get along with people who make them feel good and tend to not get along with people who put them down. It's that simple. At the end of the day, it's much more important to be interested in others instead of being interesting. Don't worry so much about trying to impress them and focus on caring about them instead. | Smile. Be fully present. Cultivate positivity. Know your audience. Make small talk. Show a genuine interest in people. Let your virtues speak for themselves. Think before you speak. Don’t dominate conversations. Avoid topics that are likely to lead to a disagreement. Be tactful. Find common ground. Pick your battles. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Apologize if you’ve made a mistake. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Take the time to thank people. Remember important details. Make the person feel good about him or herself. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Chicken-Pox-Scars | How to Treat Chicken Pox Scars | To treat chicken pox scars, try applying vitamin E oil to your skin every day since it's a natural antioxidant that may help your scars fade. As an alternate home remedy, you can put a dab of honey over your scars and leave it there for 5 minutes at a time to help heal your skin. Along with these natural methods, consider using a silicone-based cream with zinc to treat your scars. If you need more help getting rid of your chicken pox scars, ask a dermatologist about getting a chemical peel or laser therapy, which are both procedures that can reduce the appearance of scarring. | Get a punch excision. If you want to get rid of chickenpox scars, see your dermatologist and ask about a punch excision. This is a method where scars are removed by a doctor cutting into the skin surrounding a scar and removing it. The doctor will use a round, sharp-edged tool to remove the skin surrounding the scar. Then, she will close up the skin surrounding the wound. The main downside to a punch excision is that it also leaves behind scars; however, the scars are much lighter and smaller than the original. Try the punch elevation method. The punch elevation method is usually used to treat deeper, more set in scars. This is a surgical method and will involve the use of local anesthetics but may be effective if your scars are particularly deep. Similar tools used in the punch excision method are used for punch elevation, but the cuts made are slightly deeper and you will be put under for the procedure. Punch elevation is usually effective in reducing the appearance of scars. The downside is, as with punch excision, it does also leave scars behind; however, these scars tend to be less noticeable as they're less elevated and lighter. Try a chemical peel. A chemical peel is a procedure in which the top layer of your skin is removed. This can reduce the appearance of chickenpox scars. Chemical peels come in a variety of forms depending on the intensity of your condition and the desired outcome. Talk to your dermatologist about what type of peel would be right for you given your scarring. Chemical peels may take up to two weeks to heal. While they are not extremely painful, the procedure can sting. Side effects may include temporary redness of the skin, scarring, and the appearance of cold sores. Ask about laser therapy. Laser therapy can be used to treat chickenpox scars. Ask your dermatologist if laser therapy is right for you. Laser therapy is sometimes preferable to other methods as it's a non-invasive procedure with a fairly low risk of causing scars. It will not completely remove chickenpox scars but will lessen their appearance. Use a silicone-based cream that contains zinc. If you're treating chickenpox scars in young children, procedures like punch excisions and chemical peels are not the best option. Try using a silicone-based cream that contains zinc. This can result in a reduction of chickenpox scars. Follow the directions on the bottle to know what dosage to use and how often to apply the cream. Apply vitamin E oil. Vitamin E oil is considered a natural antioxidant. As such, it may help to speed up the healing process of the skin. This could potentially help your chickenpox scars fade. Rich sources of the vitamin include spinach, vegetable oils, seeds like sunflowers, raw nuts like almonds, fruits as papaya and avocado. Vitamin E supplements are available at the pharmacies that you can take once or twice daily. Apply the oils directly to your skin every day. You can also apply a slice of avocado to the area. Keep in mind this method is not as well researched as medical solutions, and results are inconclusive. It may not work for you personally. Be careful when taking new supplements and always talk to your doctor before incorporating them into your diet. Try lemon juice. Lemon juice has been known to clear up dark spots on skin for some. This may be because it contains vitamin C and citric acid, which both act like exfoliating agents and remove the outer layer of the skin. Try using lemon juice and see if it has an effect. Apply the juice on the affected spots for about ten minutes then wash gently. Pat dry with a clean towel. Avoid using lemon to children who have scars as children's skin are known to be more sensitive than adults. Like many home remedies, the use of lemon juice to remove scars has not been medically tested. If it makes scars worse or causes skin irritation, cease use and talk to your doctor. Experiment with raw honey. Honey is one of the best natural antioxidants. In some cases, it's been shown to improve the look of skin. It may be helpful for removing chickenpox scars. Apply a dab of honey over the scar, leave in for 5 minutes, and then remove. Repeat as needed. This may result in scars lessening in appearance. Unlike lemon, honey is safe to use on children. Get medication during the duration of the virus. As chickenpox scars can be difficult to remove, it's best to work on preventing their occurrence to begin with. Using the correct medications for the duration of your symptoms can greatly reduce the risk of scarring. Your general practitioner will likely prescribe anti-itch creams as well as a round of antibiotics. Take all medication as directed. Finish antibiotics even after symptoms lesson. Take oatmeal baths. An oatmeal bath can soothe your skin. This can result in less scratching and, therefore, less scaring. To take an oatmeal bath, place a mugful of uncooked oatmeal into a muslin bag and tie it with a string. Fill a tub with lukewarm water and drop the bag in the bath. Squeeze the bag until a cloudy white substances fill the water. Soak for about 20 minutes. Use scratch mitts for young children. Scratching is a major contributor to the development of chickenpox scars. Young children may have to wear scratch mitts to prevent the temptation to scratch. This means wrapping their hands in oven mitts or other protective coverage to discourage scratching. This is particularly effective if you have a toddler with chickenpox. | Get a punch excision. Try the punch elevation method. Try a chemical peel. Ask about laser therapy. Use a silicone-based cream that contains zinc. Apply vitamin E oil. Try lemon juice. Experiment with raw honey. Get medication during the duration of the virus. Take oatmeal baths. Use scratch mitts for young children. |
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