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https://www.wikihow.com/Change-a-Lock | How to Change a Lock | To change a door lock, first unscrew the knobs and take them off. Next, take the lock apart and remove the strike plate and latch. You can then install the new latch and lock, replace the strike plate, and put the knobs back on. If you have a deadbolt, use a screwdriver and an Allen wrench to take it apart. Then, put in your new deadbolt. Be sure to test whichever lock you're replacing before you tighten the final screws, so you can be sure everything is correctly aligned working properly. | Determine which brand of lock you have. This is usually printed on the latch, but can also be found on the key — useful if the plate has been painted over, or is a leftover from an old doorknob set. You won't need an exact replacement of your old lock, but knowing the brand, style, setback, and features of the old lock will help ensure that your new lock looks, fits, and works as advertised. Replacing your lock with another of the same brand and basic style will help ensure that no modifications will have to be made to the door itself. Measure the size of your doorknob. Often, front and back door locksets will be larger than interior locksets. Knowing in advance which size you need will save you headaches later. Draw a tape measure from the latch edge of the door to the center of the doorknob or deadbolt lockset. Most contemporary locksets are either 2-3/8 inch (6cm) or 2-3/4 inch (6.5cm) diameter. The bolt or latch in many new locksets are adjustable for both, but make sure before leaving your hardware store to keep from having to backtrack. Older locksets may vary in size, but are generally smaller, requiring more extensive carpentry (and greater woodworking skills). If that's what you have, try checking vintage renovation stores for a "new" lockset. Remove the interior knob, if possible. Release the springs holding the knob in place. The doorknob should come off easily, leaving you only with a decorative cover. If the springs on the knob cannot be accessed before removing the decorative cover, remove the interior cover first before removing the knob. Remove the interior decorative cover. The screws for the cover may or may not be visible once you remove the knob. If they are, simply remove them and set them aside. If they are not visible, look along the edge for a hole, where they sometimes hide an allen bolt. If there are no holes or hidden screws, the plate is simply snapped in place — use a thin flathead screwdriver to gently pry off the cover, exposing the locking mechanism. Disassemble the lock sections by unscrewing the two interior screws. Remove the screws that secure the interior lock section to the exterior half. These are found on the inside half of the knob. Once both screws are removed, simply pull each half of the knob straight away from the door. Don't let the door close or you will either have to re-insert the half of the knob with the "blade" on it or use a screwdriver or butter knife to unlatch it. Remove the latch assembly (doorknob). Remove the two screws from the latch assembly on the side of the door. Remove the strike plate on the door jamb as well. If your new lock is the same brand and model as the old one you may be able to keep your existing latch plate and strike plate. Hold the new plates up to the old and compare — if they're the same, it is better to leave the old ones in place if possible. Removing and replacing screws tends to weaken their hold in the door. If you can't get the new screws to bite, you may have to shove a small splinter of wood (or two) into the screw hole and snap them off flush with the edge of the door (toothpicks work well for this). Another alternative is to purchase longer screws, but make sure that the screw heads are identical to the ones provided by the manufacturer or they may not seat properly and cause problems. Install the latch. Chisel out any uneven recesses in the latch so that your new latch will fit perfectly. Place the new latch into the recess. If the new latch rests snugly into its recess, don't worry about adding the screws until the remaining parts of the lockset have been installed. If the new latch has trouble staying put in its recess, fit the screws into the latch and then tighten down. Install your new lockset, making sure that the keyed section is on the outside. Slide the outside parts of the lockset into the hole, through the latch assembly. Holding them roughly parallel to the floor, insert the inside set, sliding it onto blade of the outside part of the lockset. Insert the mounting screws, and tighten them down. Make sure that the strike plate lines up with the new lock. If it doesn't, it's advisable to replace the strike plate. Test the latch operation and the locking mechanism with the key. Test this with the door open. If something is amiss, you don't want to be locked out! Tighten any remaining screws and check for accessibility. Your new doorknob should be fairly springy, opening and closing with ease. Disassemble the deadbolt lock by unscrewing the two exterior screws. This will allow you to have access to the interior of the deadbolt lock. Use an Allen wrench to remove the interior screws from the deadbolt. A couple of quick turns using your Allen wrench (or hex key — they're the same thing) should be able to loosen the deadbolt mechanism from the inside. Remove the inside cylinder and outside cylinder. If your deadbolt lock has decorative caps over the screws, use a punch and hammer to knock the caps off center and then grab them with pliers. Then use the Allen wrench to unscrew the mountings. If you cannot remove the screws using an Allen wrench, you may want to try to drill into the deadbolt to remove it. This is not the best option, and it requires a strong drill bit, but it will help remove a deadbolt. From the outside, drill into the cylinder in the middle of the deadbolt lock where the tumblers are found. Remove the tumblers. Alternately, drill on both sides of the deadbolt, halfway between the top and bottom. Drill through on both sides until the exterior covering comes out. Insert a screwdriver into the latch and turn the knob lock. Undo the Phillips head screws on the side of the door to remove the deadbolt. Take the old deadbolt out and clean up any remaining debris or dust from the deadbolt recess. Orient and load in the new deadbolt lock into the side of the door. Make sure the top of the deadbolt is facing up. After lining it up, load in the deadbolt and fasten to the side of the door with two Phillips screws. Be careful not to over-tighten. Once you've installed the deadbolt on the side of the door, use a screwdriver to test the functionality of the deadbolt. Line up the tongues of both the interior and the exterior cylinders into the deadbolt controller. The tongues of both cylinders are flat on one side and curved on the other. Fit both tongues into the cylinder so that the flat sides are touching each other. For ease of installation, fit one cylinder in first, and then the other; fitting in both at the same time can be difficult. Screw in the screws on the interior of the door. Screw in both screws and fasten tightly, but not so tight that the deadbolt is off-center. Check that the deadbolt performs its job as advertised. Fit your key into the deadbolt and turn. Look for a nice fluid turn. Check that the deadbolt is centered. | Determine which brand of lock you have. Measure the size of your doorknob. Remove the interior knob, if possible. Remove the interior decorative cover. Disassemble the lock sections by unscrewing the two interior screws. Remove the latch assembly (doorknob). Install the latch. Install your new lockset, making sure that the keyed section is on the outside. Test the latch operation and the locking mechanism with the key. Tighten any remaining screws and check for accessibility. Disassemble the deadbolt lock by unscrewing the two exterior screws. Use an Allen wrench to remove the interior screws from the deadbolt. If you cannot remove the screws using an Allen wrench, you may want to try to drill into the deadbolt to remove it. Undo the Phillips head screws on the side of the door to remove the deadbolt. Orient and load in the new deadbolt lock into the side of the door. Line up the tongues of both the interior and the exterior cylinders into the deadbolt controller. Screw in the screws on the interior of the door. Check that the deadbolt performs its job as advertised. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Bed-for-Your-Cat | How to Make a Bed for Your Cat | If you want to make a bed for your cat, find a big, sturdy box and carefully cut off the top flaps. Cut a U-shaped opening in the front of the box, extending from the top to about 3/4 of the way down one side of the box. If you'd like, you can decorate the outside of the box with construction paper or fabric. Then, line the inside of the box with a folded towel, quilt backing, or a thin pillow. Place the bed in a quiet place so your cat will have a comfortable place to rest! | Find a box. Get a nice big cardboard box. You may be able to ask for one at your local supermarket. It must be in good condition, and must be big enough to hold your cat. Remove the flaps from the box. Using a pair of scissors or a box-cutter, carefully remove the top “flaps” from the box. You may want to save these for future art projects. Leave the bottom “flaps” intact. Cut an opening in the front. You are going to create a U-shaped opening in the front of your box to act as a doorway for your cat. First, take a pencil and mark the location you plan to cut. Then, using your scissors or box-cutter, carefully cut this opening in your box. Decorate the outside of the box. Using construction paper or fabric, and some craft glue, decorate the outside of your box. This will transform your cardboard box into an attractive cat bed. Line the inside of the box. The final step is to create a soft area inside the box for your cat to rest upon. This may be a folded up towel, some quilt backing, stuffing, or a pillow the right size. Place your soft materials in the bottom of your box, and your cat bed is ready for use! Gather materials. You are going to need an old suitcase with hard sides (look at a thrift store), four wooden legs (which can be found at a hardware store), strong glue, some art supplies, and a small pillow (that can fit inside the suitcase). Attach the legs. Turn your suitcase over so that the bottom is facing up. Then, apply some glue to bottom of each wooden leg, and affix each of them to the bottom of the suitcase (one near each corner.) Place some books or other heavy items on top of the legs, and allow the glue to dry (usually this takes about an hour). Another option is to drill through the bottom of your suitcase and into the wooden legs. This is a good choice if your wooden legs came with screw holes, and if you are proficient with power tools. Place the pillow inside. Hopefully you have located a pillow that is roughly the same size as the inside of your suitcase. (You can look at thrift stores, home goods stores, or if you are feeling very adventurous, you can make your own.) Then simply place your pillow inside the suitcase. Avoid pillows with tassels, sequins, or long strings that your cat may choke on. Make decorations. The inside lid of your suitcase-turned-cat-bed is a wonderful place for some cute decorations. You may want to cut pictures out of a magazine, or draw some images (e.g., little fish) on construction paper and cut them out. Decorate the inside of the lid. Take the decorations you have created and arrange them on the inside of your lid. When you've figured out the best configuration, use some craft glue to stick your decorations down. Your cat bed is now ready to use! Gather materials. You are going to need a heavy-duty needle, yarn, stuffing, and an old sweater. Except for the sweater (which you can find at a thrift store), you can find all of these materials at a craft store. A good choice of material for the sweater is 100% wool, for warmth and comfort, but any material will do. If you have a sewing machine, you may want to use it, but it is not required. Sew up the neckline of your sweater. Begin by flipping your sweater inside out. Then, sew along the neckline. (This closes the top of the sweater off so that you can stuff it later.) Finally, turn your sweater out the right way. Sew a line from armpit to armpit. Visualize a line that moves from one armpit of your sweater to the other. You are going to sew both sides of your sweater together, across this line, using either your heavy-duty needle and yarn (or a sewing machine). Ultimately, you are creating a “tube” that runs all the way from one wrist-opening to the other. Fill your "tube" with stuffing. After you have sewn the line from armpit to armpit, take your stuffing and insert it into one wrist of the sweater. Keep adding stuffing through the wrist-opening until you have a soft tube, that runs all the way from wrist to wrist. Now touch the wrists together to form a soft circle. This will form the "edge" of your cat bed. Sew the sleeves together. Once again, the “tube” of stuffing you have created is going to form the soft, plush edge of your cat bed. In order for this work, you need to sew the sleeves together, forming a loop. First, tuck one sleeve inside the other. Then, using your heavy-duty needle and yarn, sew around in a circle. Attach the bottom. The “body” of your sweater will now form the bottom of your cat bed (where your cat will lay). Line up the “body” with the plush loop you have created, with the body fabric on the bottom. Any fabric that extends out farther than your plush loop is excess. Remove this excess fabric with scissors. Then, using your heavy-duty needle and yarn, attach the bottom to the loop. | Find a box. Remove the flaps from the box. Cut an opening in the front. Decorate the outside of the box. Line the inside of the box. Gather materials. Attach the legs. Place the pillow inside. Make decorations. Decorate the inside of the lid. Gather materials. Sew up the neckline of your sweater. Sew a line from armpit to armpit. Fill your "tube" with stuffing. Sew the sleeves together. Attach the bottom. |
https://www.wikihow.com/File-a-Complaint-Against-Your-HOA-Management-Company | How to File a Complaint Against Your HOA Management Company | If you have a complaint against your homeowners association management company, or HOA, try talking to them and giving them a chance to fix the problem. If they don't take action to fix the problem, find your copy of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions, which you should have gotten when you moved in. These rules explain the process for filing complaints against the HOA management. If you have to write a letter of complaint, clearly identify the problem and use certified mail so you have proof that the HOA received it. When you've exhausted all of the options provided in your Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions, then investigate which state or local agency fields HOA complaints. Find the relevant office by searching “your state” and “homeowners association complaint” on the internet. | Call Housing Code Enforcement if you have an emergency. Emergencies include things like no heat or hot water or a pest infestation. The housing inspector should come out and investigate. Try to get a copy of the investigator's report. You should keep it for your records. Read your CC&Rs. Every homeowners association (HOA) should have Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions, called “CC&Rs.” You should have received a copy when you moved in. Take out your copy and read them. These rules should explain the process for filing complaints against HOA management. If you don't have your CC&Rs, then contact the HOA and ask for a copy. Because many states require that you exhaust your remedies with the HOA first, you need to follow the complaint process in the CC&Rs. Format a letter. You may have to write a letter complaining to HOA management. You should set it up like a standard business letter. Set the font to something readable, such as Times New Roman 12 point. Identify the problem. In the letter, you should explicitly state what problem you are having with the HOA's management company. Provide as much detail as possible, including dates and any witnesses. For example, the management company might have denied you access to look at their books. You can write, “I made an in-person request on September 1, 2016 to review the books. However, Ms. Smith told me that I would need permission from the entire board even though Section 12.3 of the CC&Rs gives all members a right to review the HOA books. On September 15, 2016, the entire board turned down my request at its monthly meeting.” Mail the letter. Make sure that you mail your letter certified mail, return receipt requested to the HOA. You will need proof that HOA management received it, and the receipt serves as that proof. Also remember to keep a copy of the letter for your records. Complain to the management company. You probably have to exhaust whatever remedies are provided for in your CC&Rs before you can complain to a state or local agency. Read your CC&Rs and follow the complaint process. Find your state or local office. You can find the relevant office by searching “your state” and “homeowners association complaint” on the Internet. For example, Nevada's Department of Business and Industry handles complaints against HOAs. In some states, county agencies might handle complaints against HOAs. If you don't see a state office, check your county. Complete the complaint form. Your state might have a complaint form that you can print out or download. Be sure to fill it out neatly by printing with black ink. Each form is different, but they generally will ask for the following: your name and unit number the complainant (if this person is not you) your mailing address and phone number the name of the association and its location information about the HOA, such as the president and the property manager your reasons for complaining Sign in front of a notary. You may need the form notarized, which means you should find a notary public and sign in front of them. You can find notaries at the courthouse, in your town office, or at most large banks. Be sure to take acceptable forms of identification to show the notary. Typically, a valid state-issued ID or a valid passport is sufficient. Submit the complaint. Mail the complaint form to the address provided. Be sure to include a copy of the letter that you sent to the HOA. Mail the entire complaint certified mail, return receipt requested and keep a copy for your records. Read the CC&Rs. Before you file a lawsuit against HOA management, you need to make sure you are allowed to do so. In some cases, CC&Rs dictate that parties must submit to binding arbitration as opposed to litigation. If the CC&Rs you agreed to have this type of provision, contact your HOA about starting the arbitration process as opposed to filing a lawsuit. During binding arbitration, a judge-like third party will listen to each party present their case. At the end of this presentation, the arbitrator will draft a written opinion stating who won and what the award will be. Because this is binding arbitration, both parties will be bound by the arbitrator's decision. Look for attorney fee provisions. Most CC&Rs include an attorneys' fee provision within them. Under these provisions, if you lose a court case, you may have to pay the HOA's attorneys' fees. Depending on the complexity and length of your case, this could get extremely expensive. In addition, even if the CC&Rs do not contain attorneys' fees provisions, some state statutes allow prevailing parties to recoup attorneys' fees. Be aware of this before you file a lawsuit. On the other hand, if you have a strong case, these provisions can work in your favor. Identify your legal claim. You can sue your homeowners association for a variety of reasons. The following are typical legal claims that people bring against HOA management: The HOA is not fulfilling its duties under the CC&Rs. For example, it may not be maintaining the common areas or making necessary repairs. The HOA is misusing the homeowners association fees. You have a dispute about remodeling your unit or making some other change. If the CC&Rs are silent on the issue, then you might want to sue if the HOA is trying to prevent the change. The HOA is discriminating against you based on a protected characteristic, such as your religion, ethnicity, race, disability status, etc. Document your complaint. You will need evidence to bring a successful lawsuit. Accordingly, you should begin gathering evidence that supports your complaint against HOA management. Consider finding the following: Communications between you and HOA management, such as emails or letters. Pictures or other visual evidence. If the HOA hasn't made repairs, then you should document it. Your memories. If you had a conversation with HOA management, then write down the date of the conversation and its substance. Any medical records. You might have been physically injured by a defect that HOA management has not addressed, such as a defective elevator or rickety stairs. Determine the correct court to sue in. Where you sue will depend on what you are suing for. For example, you might sue for money compensation. Alternately, you could sue for an “injunction,” which is a court order commanding the HOA to do something or refrain from doing something. Generally, you can use the following rules to determine the correct court: If you are suing for discrimination, then you probably will sue in federal court. You can find the nearest federal court by using the Locator tool at the U.S. Courts website. If you are suing for a personal injury, then you can sue in state civil court. If you are suing for a breach of the CC&Rs, then you will sue in regular civil court if you want the judge to give you a sum of money as compensation. If you are suing for an injunction, then you might need to sue in an equity court, depending on your state. In most states, equity courts have merged with the regular civil court, but in a few states you still must sue in equity for an injunction. Meet with a lawyer. You might have a valid legal claim but not know whether you should sue. Lawsuits are time-consuming, and you might want to meet with a lawyer before filing suit. The lawyer can listen to your complaint and advise you about what evidence you will need and whether you have a strong case. You can get a referral to a lawyer by contacting your local or state bar association. Call up the lawyer and ask to schedule a consultation. Also ask about fees. You can also hire the lawyer to represent you throughout the lawsuit. It is ideal to have an experienced attorney represent you, especially if the case is complicated. However, money might be a concern. Draft a complaint. You start your lawsuit by filing a “complaint” with the court. Stop into your courthouse and see if there is a printed, fill-in-the-blank complaint form you can use. If not, you will need to draft your own. Be sure to include the following information in the complaint: the names of all people bringing the suit the names of the HOA or individual members of management who you are suing the factual circumstances surrounding the complaint what you want the judge to give you (such as money compensation or an injunction) File your complaint. Make several copies of your complaint and take the copies and the original to the court clerk. Ask to file the original. The clerk can stamp your copies with the filing date. You will probably have to pay a filing fee, which will differ depending on your court. Try to call ahead of time, or look online, to find out the amount of the filing fee. If you can't afford a filing fee, then ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. Serve notice of the lawsuit on the HOA. You have to give the HOA notice of your lawsuit so that they can respond. You will provide notice by delivering a copy of the complaint and a “summons,” which you can get from the court clerk. Generally, you can serve notice in the following ways: Have the sheriff hand deliver the notice. In many counties, you can pay the sheriff a small fee to make hand delivery. Hire a private process server. For a small fee, process servers will make hand delivery on the HOA. You can find process servers in your phone book or online. Ask someone 18 or older to make hand delivery. Usually, any adult can make hand delivery provided they are not part of the lawsuit. For example, don't ask your child who lives with you to make hand delivery. However, you could have a colleague at work deliver it for you. Mail it to HOA management. In some courts, you can send the complaint and summons by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. Mail is less ideal than hand delivery. File the proof of service. Whoever makes service typically has to complete a Proof of Service or Affidavit of Service form. This might be on the back of the summons or it could be a different form. You can get it from the court clerk. After signing the form, the server returns the form to you. You should keep a copy for your records and then file the original with the court. Read the HOA’s response. HOA management gets to respond to your complaint. Generally, they will file an “answer,” in which they respond to each allegation that you made. You should receive a copy of the answer, unless you have a lawyer, in which case they will receive the copy. The HOA might also raise “affirmative defenses.” These are defenses which allow the HOA management to win the lawsuit even if all of your allegations are true. For example, one affirmative defense is that you waited too long to sue. If the management company raises affirmative defenses, then you should talk about them with a lawyer. Continue on with your lawsuit. Most lawsuits follow the same sequence. After receiving the management company's response, the case will enter a fact-finding phase called “discovery.” In discovery, you and HOA management will swap information and answer questions under oath. You can expect a lawsuit to take up to a year or longer, depending on the issues. See Sue a Homeowners Association for more information. | Call Housing Code Enforcement if you have an emergency. Read your CC&Rs. Format a letter. Identify the problem. Mail the letter. Complain to the management company. Find your state or local office. Complete the complaint form. Sign in front of a notary. Submit the complaint. Read the CC&Rs. Look for attorney fee provisions. Identify your legal claim. Document your complaint. Determine the correct court to sue in. Meet with a lawyer. Draft a complaint. File your complaint. Serve notice of the lawsuit on the HOA. File the proof of service. Read the HOA’s response. Continue on with your lawsuit. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-to-Someone-Who-Has-Been-Diagnosed-With-Cancer | How to Write to Someone Who Has Been Diagnosed With Cancer | If you want to write to someone who has been diagnosed with cancer, remember that sending a letter can be a great way to start a conversation and express your support and encouragement. Start your letter by letting them know that you're upset about the situation and that they're on your mind. Then, write a sentence to offer emotional support, like "Whenever you want to talk, I'm here for you." If you're close with the person, offer practical support by saying something like "I'm planning to bring over some food for you and your family this Sunday." | Say something. When someone you know is diagnosed with cancer, you might feel completely numb or unable to process the situation. It is perfectly normal to be sad and upset about the situation, and not know what to do, but it's important that you don't drift away from your friend. Even if you don't know what to say or how to react, make an effort to reach out and show your friend that you are there. Just sending a short note or email at first saying you have heard the news and are thinking of them can help your friend feel a bit less alone. You could say, “I'm sorry this has happened. I'm thinking of you.” If you don't know what to say, it's okay to admit this. Say “I'm not sure what to say, but I want you to know that I care and I'm here for you.” Offer emotional support. Everybody is different, but someone who has just been diagnosed with cancer will probably be feeling very lonely. It's imperative that you show that you are there to support and help in any way you can. You can express your support by saying “Please let me know how I can help.” Just being a good listener can make a difference to somebody. Say something like, “If you want to talk, I'm there for you.” While you should offer to listen, you shouldn't press her to talk or pass on more information to you about the diagnosis. Offer practical support. In your letter will you want to show that you are there to help in any way you can. This support can be practical as well as emotional. In some cases, practical help can be a big help to a friend suffering from cancer. Offering to do everyday tasks such as helping to look after children and pets, or washing and cooking, can really help somebody who is tired or feeling weak. Keep in mind that your friend may not want to feel that she is putting you out by asking for something. Try to help in a way that looks casual, even if it isn't. For example, if you are offering to pick the kids up from school, you could say “I'm always in the area when they finish school and could pick them up on the way home.” Don't just say, “would you like me to pick up your kids from school?” Make a direct offer, like "Let me pick up the kids from school for you." Be encouraging. It's important to express encouragement and not be pessimistic or too downbeat. It can be difficult to find the right balance, as it's equally important not to display false optimism or downplay the seriousness of the situation. Acknowledge the situation, but always express your support and encouragement. You could say, “I know this is an incredibly difficult journey you are on, but I am here to support you and help you in any way I can to help you get through it.” Use humour when appropriate. Depending on your friend and your relationship, humour might be a good way to show encouragement and support while also helping your friend smile. This can be difficult to achieve in a letter when you are not able to judge the reaction and body language of the other person. For example, joking about something like hair loss can be a good way to relieve stress. Use your judgement, and if in doubt avoid making any jokes in the letter. As the person goes through treatment, they may need some easygoing entertainment. Use comedy as a form of relief. Watch a funny movie, visit an improv night, or watch a comedian on the internet together. Remember that each cancer journey is different. You might know someone who has been through cancer, but you shouldn't try to relate that experience to your friend's diagnosis. Try to avoid sharing stories about people you know who have suffered from cancer, and remember that each case is different. Instead you can let your friend know that you are familiar with cancer up to a point, and let your friend decide whether or not to ask you to elaborate. Saying something like, “my neighbour had cancer, and he came through just fine” is not that likely to reassure your friend. You may give the impression that you are detracting attention from her when you are trying to show support and solidarity. While you may want to say the right thing to your friend, it is more important that you can be a good listener for the other person. They may tell you what kind of support they need. Don’t say you understand what your friend is going through. You might think you are expressing support and solidarity, but unless you have been through cancer, you do not know how your friend will be feeling, so don't say you do. If you say something like “I know just what you're going through,” or “I really know how you feel” it might seem like you are not taking it seriously enough. If you try to equate your friend's diagnosis to a difficult period is yours or somebody else's life; it can come across badly and be insensitive. If you know somebody who has been through cancer, you can mention this and offer to introduce them, but don't push it. You can just say, “I have friend who went through cancer a few years ago, if you like, I can put you in touch.” You can also offer sympathetic statements of support like "I can't imagine how hard this is on you" or "if you need me, I am here for you." Don’t offer advice and don’t judge. You might think it is helpful to offer advice on how to deal with cancer, or how somebody you know was helped by some alternative treatment. Your friend, however, will not want to read a long story about something that doesn't really have anything to do with her. Offering advice about something you have no clear experience of us, no matter how well meaning, can appear insensitive. Leave the advice to the doctors. This is also not the time to ask questions about your friend's lifestyle or habits. Maybe your friend is a long-time smoker, who you spoke to about lung cancer countless times. That doesn't matter now. Just focus on supporting her and being sensitive. No matter what your beliefs are, try not to convince the person to try a certain type of treatment. Whether they are going through conventional or alternative treatments, it is their decision. Don’t be blindly optimistic. While it is important to be positive, you shouldn't say something like “I'm sure you'll be fine,” or “you'll get through it no problem.” You may just be trying to show support, but what you say might be interpreted as belittling the seriousness of the situation. You may not know all the facts about the diagnosis and the prognosis. Don't push your friend to reveal more about the prognosis than she has already. Rather take the time to educate yourself as much as possible independently. You can talk to friends or family to find out more information, but respect your friend's privacy at all times. | Say something. Offer emotional support. Offer practical support. Be encouraging. Use humour when appropriate. Remember that each cancer journey is different. Don’t say you understand what your friend is going through. Don’t offer advice and don’t judge. Don’t be blindly optimistic. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Enjoy-a-Visit-to-a-Water-Park | How to Enjoy a Visit to a Water Park | To enjoy your visit to a water park, start by planning which rides you want to go on, since you'll want to make the most of your time at the park. To do this, look at a map online before you leave, and choose the best route to get to all the rides you want to try within the time you've got. If you can, aim to get to the most popular rides at when the lines are shorter, like early morning or late in the day. And even though you'll be spending most of your time on the rides, plan a little down time to have your lunch to boost your energy and perhaps to visit the other attractions at the park, like aquarobics or simply lounging by the pool to have a rest! | Check what time the park opens and ticket prices. This allows you to plan your day and budget for your trip. It's best to arrive at the park early, this way you will have more time to enjoy the rides, and the lines will be shorter. You will also have a few hours to enjoy the attractions before mid-day when the sun is at its strongest. While water parks are great when it's sunny, cloudy days will give you more protection from the sun. You can also check if the park has a restaurant, and decide if you want to purchase food there, or if you are permitted to bring your own. Pack your bags. Remember to bring a bathing suit, sunblock if the park is outside, lip balm, money for tickets and snacks, towels, goggles, a padlock to secure your locker, and a change of clothes for the end of the day. If you have long hair, you could also bring a hairbrush or a swimming cap. It is a good idea to bring some flip flops or water socks along. These are easy to put on and will protect your feet from hot concrete if the park is outside. To save time, you can put your bathing suit on under your clothes, but remember to pack clean underwear for the end of the day if you decide to do this. You can also change in the locker rooms when you get to the water park. Check what kind of swimwear the park permits. Some parks ask visitors to wear swimsuits without zips or things that can catch on the rides. Others require toddlers to wear water diapers. Inquire about express passes. Some parks might offer express tickets that allow you to skip long lines and access rides faster. Plan which rides to go on first. It may be helpful to get a map so that you can hit all the rides in one area and then move on to the next. You and your family might want to go on the water park's website before your trip and create a list of all the attractions you want to visit. Find a locker room. Most water parks have locker/changing rooms where you can store your things and get changed. You can lock your valuables in the lockers so that they don't get stolen or damaged by the water. This way you won't have to worry about your belongings while you are having fun on the rides. Use the park restroom just before you go on the rides. That way, you won't waste time looking for a restroom once you're in the ride section and you can maximize your ride time. Go on popular rides at off-peak times. Go to the popular rides early in the morning or late in the evening when lines are shorter. During mid-morning and afternoon, the lines might be very long. This is a good time to enjoy the wave pool or attractions that you don't have to queue for. Check age and height restrictions before you queue. Some rides will not be suitable for younger riders, so to avoid disappointment or wasting time in long lines, check the rules for each ride. Most rides will have a sign at their entrance, so you can check these out on the day. See how busy the park is in the evening. Many water parks will start to empty out when 4:00 or 5:00 pm rolls around. Now is a good time to ride some of the more popular attractions (although they might still have long lines). Plan a meeting time for lunch. This is a great time to refuel and rehydrate. It will also give you a chance to have a rest and plan the second half of your day. After lunch remember to reapply your sunblock and go to the toilet. Take advantage of park activities. Some parks might offer group activities for children, arcade games, or adult only pools. This is a great time to explore what else the park has on offer. Relax. If you are feeling tired from the day's activities, your water break might be a nice time to relax on a sun lounger, read a book, or have a snooze. Plan safety measures. If you are visiting the park with young children who are not yet confident swimmers, make sure that they have a life-saving device. Some parks will offer this free of charge, but remember to find out before you arrive. Decide on a meeting point. This will stop children feeling anxious if they get lost. Remember your phones will be in the locker room, so a designated meeting spot is critical. Relax before you start swimming again. If you jump straight back into the pool after eating, you might get a stomach cramp or feel nauseous. Give your body some time to digest your lunch and only go onto rides once your food has settled. This might also be a good time to relax in the wave pool or enjoy less strenuous activities. Apply sunblock. If the park is outside, it is important to apply sunblock regularly to avoid getting burnt and nothing will ruin your day more than getting burnt. A waterproof sunblock is best, but even this should be reapplied throughout the day, especially after body slide rides. Drink lots of liquid. It might be easy to forget that you need to drink lots of liquid when you're surrounded by water, but this is really important. Drinking lots of fluid will ensure that you don't get dehydrated. It is a good idea to pack water, fruit juice or juicy snacks like watermelons and oranges. | Check what time the park opens and ticket prices. Pack your bags. Check what kind of swimwear the park permits. Inquire about express passes. Plan which rides to go on first. Find a locker room. Use the park restroom just before you go on the rides. Go on popular rides at off-peak times. Check age and height restrictions before you queue. See how busy the park is in the evening. Plan a meeting time for lunch. Take advantage of park activities. Relax. Plan safety measures. Decide on a meeting point. Relax before you start swimming again. Apply sunblock. Drink lots of liquid. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Dry-Coconut | How to Dry Coconut | You can easily dry coconut right in the oven. Start by drilling through the eye of the coconut using a ⅜ inch drill bit. Once you've drilled a hole, pour the coconut water out into a cup. Then, put the coconut directly on your oven rack and bake it at 350 degrees or 20 minutes. Once it's baked, use a hammer to break the coconut open, then pry the flesh out from the shell with a strong pairing knife. Shred the coconut flesh in a food processor, then spread it out on a baking sheet. Let your coconut dry out in a 250-degree oven for 10-15 minutes. | Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Drill the coconut through the eyes using a 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) drill bit. Pour the coconut water into a dish or cup. The water should be clear. Cloudy or colored water means the coconut is bad. You can discard the water or drink it if desired. Put the coconut directly on the rack in the preheated oven. Heat the coconut for 20 minutes. Remove the coconut from the oven and wrap it in a towel, creating a sack. Hold the end of the towel to keep the coconut stable and hit the coconut several times with a hammer to break it up. Pry the flesh out of the coconut with a strong knife, such as a paring knife. The flesh may have a thin brown skin attached from where it was touching the shell. Remove the skin with a vegetable peeler. Reduce the oven temperature to 250 degrees F (121 degrees C). Shred the coconut pieces in a food processor and spread them onto a cookie sheet. Dry the coconut in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool and transfer the dried coconut to an airtight container. Store the coconut in a cool, dry place. Bust up the coconut with a hammer. Peel the innards out of the coconut. Use a cheese grater to grate the flesh. use the coarse side of the grater. If you want the dried coconut to be a little sweet, put some sugar on it (1 - 2 teaspoons). Dehydrate for about 8 hours at 135 degrees F. Bag the dried coconut. Use an airtight container or an airtight resealable bag. | Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Drill the coconut through the eyes using a 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) drill bit. Put the coconut directly on the rack in the preheated oven. Remove the coconut from the oven and wrap it in a towel, creating a sack. Pry the flesh out of the coconut with a strong knife, such as a paring knife. Reduce the oven temperature to 250 degrees F (121 degrees C). Shred the coconut pieces in a food processor and spread them onto a cookie sheet. Let cool and transfer the dried coconut to an airtight container. Bust up the coconut with a hammer. Peel the innards out of the coconut. Use a cheese grater to grate the flesh. If you want the dried coconut to be a little sweet, put some sugar on it (1 - 2 teaspoons). Dehydrate for about 8 hours at 135 degrees F. Bag the dried coconut. |
https://www.wikihow.com/String-a-Recurve-Bow | How to String a Recurve Bow | Before you string a recurve bow, make sure to purchase a bow stringer if you don't already have one. Then, fit the string's large loop over the bow's upper limb, the smaller loop into the lower limb, and the stringer pocket over the tip of the lower limb. Afterwards, hold the bow horizontally in your non-dominant hand, then bend at the waist so you can step on the bow stringer with both feet. Finally, pull up the bow while sliding the string loop into the notch near the bow tip at the same time. | Purchase a bow stringer. This cheap tool is 100% necessary to string your recurve bow without damaging the limbs. Choose one designed for a recurve bow (not a longbow), and intended for your bow's length and draw weight. Confirm that the ends of the stringer fit snugly over your bow's limb tips. Some sources recommend the "pocket and saddle" design for recurve bows, but "double pocket" stringers are also common. This guide covers both types. Place the string over the bow tips. Slide the string's large loop over the bow's upper limb, positioning the string on the correct side of the bow. Fit the smaller loop into the notch on the lower limb, double-checking that it fits snugly. Since the bow is in a relaxed position, the string should have plenty of slack. The lower limb is on the heavier side of the handle. The bow's draw weight is usually marked on the lower limb. Fit the stringer pocket over the lower limb tip. If your stringer has two pockets, the larger one fits over the lower limb. This should cover the small string loop, keeping it secure in the groove. If this doesn't feel secure, wrap a rubber band tightly around the string loop. Place the small pocket or saddle onto the upper limb. If your stringer has two pocket, place the small pocket over the upper limb tip. If your stringer has a saddle (a leather or rubber pad) on one end, slide this over the top limb and just behind the string loop. Position the saddle about 3 inches (8 cm) from the tip, just behind the string loop. Some saddles can be secured against the bow, while others require you to hold it in place. The dimpled surface should press against the limb to reduce friction. Hold the bow horizontally. Hold the bow grip with your non-dominant hand. Hold it horizontally so your dominant hand is near the upper limb, holding the loose string loop in place. Position the bow so its limb tips point upward, with the bowstring and stringer underneath. Step on the bow stringer. Bend at the waist to lower the bow until the stringer (but not the string) touches the ground. Step on it with both feet, about shoulder-width apart. Use the balls of your feet, not the arches, or the cord may slip. If using a saddle bow stringer, use one hand to keep the saddle in place. You may use one foot, but planting both feet gives you extra stability. This is particularly helpful for children and shorter adults. Draw up on the bow. Take up the slack in the bow stringer and confirm you have a secure grip. Be prepared to pull upward, bending the bow limbs back toward the ground. Read the next step before you start this motion. Slide the large loop onto the notch. At the same time you pull up on the bow, slide the loose string loop up until it fits into the notch near the tip of the bow. If you have trouble with this, the stringer may be too long. Shorten it by tying knots near the bottom pouch. Confirm the string is secure. Run your finger over the string loop to confirm it's secure in the groove. Keep your finger over the string for the rest of this process, so you can stop if the string starts to slip off. Lower the bow slowly. Slowly lower the bow until the stringer is slack. Do not rush this step, or a loose string could slip off and slingshot the limb into your face. Check the string. Immediately turn the bow so its limbs face away from you. Double check the string loops once again. If they aren't secure, stand on the stringer again to repeat this process. Keep your head back and turn it away from the string, in case the loose string snaps off. Do not point the limbs at a nearby person, or a mishap could cause an injury. Remove the bow stringer. If you used a rubber band in an earlier step, remove this as well. For best results, adjust your bow according to the instructions below before you shoot. When you're ready to unstring the bow, attach the bow stringer the same way you did before. Step on the stringer and draw the bow up, then slide the upper string loop off the notch and down onto the limb. Slowly relax the bow. Adjust the nocking point height. Imagine a line running from the top of your arrow rest to your bowstring, hitting the string at a 90º angle. Position your nocking point on the string about ½" (1.25 cm) above this line, so your arrows are perfectly horizontal when nocked. Shoot in a new string. If your bow or string are brand new, the string will stretch out a little. Expect it to adjust to its final stretch over the course of your first one or two shooting sessions. Alternatively, you can leave the bow strung overnight once to help it settle. Don't spend too much time adjusting the brace height (described below) until the string had adjusted. Flemish twist strings stretch out more than endless loop strings. Test the brace height. The brace height is the distance between the handle of the bow and the string. Measure this distance, then shoot a few arrows to see how your bow feels. A high brace height will slow down your arrows, while a lower brace height will make a loud, jarring noise on release. Ask someone to stand on the side and watch as you shoot. The noise and vibration are easier to judge from the side. Adjust brace height. If you think brace height needs adjustment, unstring the bow. Twist the string a few times to flex the limbs further, increasing brace height. Untwist the string a few times to lower brace height. Measure carefully and write down the number each time, along with notes about how the bow fires. You'll probably have to make several adjustments to find the perfect point, but after that you're set. Most recurve bows shoot best with a brace height between 7.5 and 9.75 inches (19–25 cm). Replace the string with a smaller or larger string if you can't get it near this range, or if you have to twist more than 20 or 30 times. If you're having trouble getting your arrows to fly straight, buy a T-square to measure nocking point height and brace height more accurately. | Purchase a bow stringer. Place the string over the bow tips. Fit the stringer pocket over the lower limb tip. Place the small pocket or saddle onto the upper limb. Hold the bow horizontally. Step on the bow stringer. Draw up on the bow. Slide the large loop onto the notch. Confirm the string is secure. Lower the bow slowly. Check the string. Remove the bow stringer. Adjust the nocking point height. Shoot in a new string. Test the brace height. Adjust brace height. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Do-the-Hokey-Pokey | How to Do the Hokey Pokey | To do the Hokey-Pokey, start off with everybody standing in a circle, then put your right foot out in front of you before moving it back. Then, put your right foot forward again and shake your leg however you like. Next, do the Hokey-Pokey by lifting each arm to a 90 degree angle and wheeling them around as you turn in a circle on the spot. When you're finished, clap your hands once or twice. To complete the dance, repeat the same pattern with your left foot, right hand, left hand, and whole self. | Stand in a circle with the other dancers. This dance is traditionally done with everyone standing in a circle, with enough space between each person so that people can move around without bumping into one another. You should have about an arm's length between you and the people on either side of you. However, if you're performing the dance for an audience, then the dancers will all stand facing the front, in multiple staggered rows if necessary, so everyone can see your moves. Put your right foot in. As the first lyrics go, " You put your right foot in ". Simply place that right foot out in front of you and let it hang a few inches from the floor or just move it out in front of you and point your foot on the floor. You can keep your hands on your hips or at your sides. Most people like to sing the song along with doing the motions, so you can join the singing! This can get your energy up and make it easier to remember what moves to do next. Put your right foot out. As the next lyrics go, " You put your right foot out. " Just take that foot and move it back to its starting position, next to your other foot. Put your right foot in and shake it all about. As the next words go, " You put your right foot in and you shake it all about. " Now, just put that right foot in again and shake it back and forth, up and down, or however you'd like to shake it. Just make sure to keep your balance! Do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around. As the next lyrics go, " You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around... " Now, you can just place each arm out and up at your sides at a ninety degree angle, point the fingers of both hands and wiggle them up and down as you turn yourself around. This only takes a few seconds, so make sure to keep up with your fellow dancers! Clap at the lyrics, "That's what it's all about! " After you're done turning yourself around, just clap once or twice at these lyrics. For a variation, you can clap your hands down on your knees instead. Congratulations! You've done one full cycle of the hokey pokey—now, you'll repeat these same motions with different parts of your body until the song is over. Put your left foot in. Follow the lyrics, " You put your left foot in." Now, place your left foot in, a few feet out in front of you. You can either point it or let it hover a few feet above the ground; repeat whatever you did with your left foot. Put your left foot out. Follow the lyrics, " You put your left foot out. " Now, just move your left foot back to its original position. Put your left foot in and shake it all about. Follow the lyrics, " You put your left foot in and you shake it all about. " Now, just put your left foot back out in front of you and shake it around as much as you want! Do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around. Follow the words, " You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around." Simply do the hokey pokey dance again and turn around in a circle, so that you're facing forward again once the words are over. Clap at the lyrics, "That's what it's all about! " After you're done turning yourself around, just clap once or twice at these lyrics. For a variation, you can clap your hands down on your knees instead. Put your right hand in. As the first words to the song go, " You put your right hand in... " Just dip down a bit and place your right hand in to the center of the circle or out in front of you. You can leave your other arm at your side or keep it up on your hip, depending on what you and the group decide. It's that simple. Put your right hand out. As the song goes, " You put your right hand out... " Now, take that right hand and place it back at your side or out at your side. Just exaggerate the gesture a bit. Again, keep your left hand either at your side or on your hip, depending on where it was before. Put your right hand in. As the song goes, " You put your right hand in... " Just do exactly what you did before with your right hand. Shake it all about. Next, the song says, " And you shake it all about." This just means you shake that hand up and down, from side to side, or however you want to shake it. You can get a little crazy and really shake it up and down, depending on your energy level! Do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around. Follow the words, " You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around " and do the hokey pokey and turn around again. Clap at the lyrics, "That's what it's all about! " After you're done turning yourself around, just clap once or twice at these lyrics. For a variation, you can clap your hands down on your knees instead. Put your left hand in. Follow the words, " You put your left hand in. " Place your left hand out in front of you. Put your left hand out. Follow the words, " You put your left hand out." Just move your left hand back "in" and either return it to its original position or let it hover above your left side a bit. Put your left hand in and shake it all about. Follow the words, " You put your left hand in and you shake it all about. " Simply place that hand back in and shake it however much you want to. Do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around. Follow the words, " You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around " and do the hokey pokey and turn around again. Clap at the lyrics, "That's what it's all about! " After you're done turning yourself around, just clap once or twice at these lyrics. For a variation, you can clap your hands down on your knees instead. Put your whole self in. Follow the words, " You put your whole self in ," and either jump around a foot into the center of the circle or lean your body forward. This is the final "body part" that you'll move during the hokey pokey, no matter what variations may come before it! Put your whole self out. Follow the words, " You put your whole self out." Now, just either jump back to your original position or lean back to your starting position, depending on what you did to "put your whole self in." Put your whole self in and shake it all about. Follow the words, " You put your whole self in and you shake it all about." Just move your body around from side to side, moving your hands up and down at your sides. You can lower and raise your body, shimmy, point your fingers, or really do anything you'd like to do in order to "shake it all about" once last time! Do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around. Follow the words, " You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around " and do the hokey pokey and turn around again. There are some variations of the end of this dance that repeat the words " That's what it's all about " an extra time for a grand finale. Clap at the lyrics, "That's what it's all about! " After you're done turning yourself around, just clap once or twice at these lyrics. For a variation, you can clap your hands down on your knees instead. Congratulations—you're all done! Repeat as many times as you'd like until the fun wears off! Learn the song. If you really want to be an expert at the Hokey Pokey, then you should know the song before you begin the dance. This will help you get oriented with what to do next with your body, and it will also just help you have more fun when you're doing the dance! Though the words change slightly depending on where and with whom you're singing them, here's what you should know: You put your right foot in You put your right foot out You put your right foot in And you shake it all about You do the hokey pokey And you turn yourself around That's what it's all about! You put your left foot in You put your left foot out You put your left foot in And you shake it all about You do the hokey pokey And you turn yourself around That's what it's all about! You put your right hand in You put your right hand out You put your right hand in And you shake it all about You do the hokey pokey And you turn yourself around That's what it's all about! You put your left hand in You put your left hand out You put your left hand in And you shake it all about You do the hokey pokey And you turn yourself around That's what it's all about! You put your whole self in You put your whole self out You put your whole self in And you shake it all about You do the hokey pokey And you turn yourself around That's what it's all about! Add variations. Though the version here only uses the arms, feet, and whole body, you can add as many variations to this dance as you'd like, as long as you still end with the whole body. Once you finish the arms and legs, you can also add other body parts, such as putting the nose, shoulders, knees, elbows, or even your bottom into the mix! You should also note that, in some versions of the song, the arms go in before the feet. It's all up to you! In some versions of the song, the lyrics for the lines that say, " You put your [body part] out, " actually go, " You take your [body part] out, " instead. | Stand in a circle with the other dancers. Put your right foot in. Put your right foot out. Put your right foot in and shake it all about. Do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around. Clap at the lyrics, "That's what it's all about! Put your left foot in. Put your left foot out. Put your left foot in and shake it all about. Do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around. Clap at the lyrics, "That's what it's all about! Put your right hand in. Put your right hand out. Put your right hand in. Shake it all about. Do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around. Clap at the lyrics, "That's what it's all about! Put your left hand in. Put your left hand out. Put your left hand in and shake it all about. Do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around. Clap at the lyrics, "That's what it's all about! Put your whole self in. Put your whole self out. Put your whole self in and shake it all about. Do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around. Clap at the lyrics, "That's what it's all about! Learn the song. Add variations. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Come-up-With-a-Good-Title | How to Come up With a Good Title | To help you come up with a title for an essay, write a draft of your paper first so you know what its main themes are. Then, write down key points in your essay that you could include in the title. Before making a decision, take your audience into account, such as by trying to include keywords in a title if your article is for an online audience. Additionally, decide whether you want to state the conclusion of your piece up front with a declarative title or introduce the subject as a question with an interrogative title. | Write a draft of your essay. A title is the first thing your reader will see, but it is often the last thing a writer creates. You may not know what your essay will really be saying until after you've written part of it. Essays often change during the drafting and revising process. A title you come up with at the beginning may not reflect your essay when you have finished it. Make sure to also revise your title after you finish your paper. Identify major themes in your work. Typically, works of non-fiction have an argument. Create a list of two or three main points you're trying to make. Look at your thesis statement. This sentence contains the major argument of your paper and can help you craft a title. Look at your topic sentences. Reading these sentences together can help you pick out themes, symbols, or motifs in your paper that can be integrated into the title. Consider asking a friend to read your work to help you identify themes. Determine your target audience. Write down a few groups of people who would be interested in your topic, and why they would be drawn to it. If you are writing a school assignment, or your audience are academics and specialists in your topic, use formal language. Avoid using a playful tone or slang terms. If you are trying to reach an online audience, think of what keywords a reader might use to find your article. For example, if you wrote a how-to article, include words like "beginner" or "do it yourself" that would identify your writing as appropriate for all levels of ability. If your piece is a news story, consider who you are writing about. For example, if are writing about an athletic team write down terms like "fan," "coach," "referee," or the team name. Readers with an interest in sports or that team can quickly identify your perspective and the topic of your story. Think about the function of a title. Titles predict the content in the essay, reflect the tone or slant, include keywords, and catch interest. Your title should never mislead the reader. A title can also reflect the purpose of the article, such as historical context, theoretical approach, or argument. Decide between a declarative, descriptive, or interrogative title. When you are choosing one of these titles, think about the kind of information you want to convey to your reader. Declarative titles state the main findings or conclusions. Descriptive titles describe the subject of the article but do not reveal the main conclusions. Interrogative titles introduce the subject in the form of a question. Avoid titles that are too long. For nonfiction, titles should convey the important information, keywords, and even methodologies. But a title that is too long can be cumbersome and get in the way. Try to keep it around 10 words or less. Seek ideas from your own writing. Reread your work to find sentences or phrases in which you refer to your main ideas. Often the introductory or concluding paragraphs of your work will have a phrase that would work well as a title. Highlight or make a note of any words or phrases that explain your ideas. Look for attention-grabbing descriptions or phrases you're proud of. For example, in an essay on censorship choose a phrase like "forbidden music" that is descriptive but also intriguing. Review your sources. Search quotations from sources you've used to support your points for something that grabs a reader's attention. For example, in an essay on religious persecution, a quote like "God was silent" is arresting and thought-provoking. Readers may immediately agree or disagree and will want to read your explanation. If you use someone else's words, make sure to put them in quotation marks, even in the title. Create a list of possible titles. Using your lists of themes, possible audiences, phrases, and quotes created in the previous steps, brainstorm possible title words and phrases. Try combining two different elements, such as a quote and a theme. Often writers separate two elements with a colon. The parenthetical notes in the following examples indicate which elements the author chose. The Negative Impact of Replacement Referees on Football Fans (Theme and Audience) "A Crucible of Victory": Understanding the Western Front in World War One (Quote and Theme) The Queen of Diamonds: Marie-Antoinette and Revolutionary Propaganda (Phrase and Theme) Respect conventions. Different disciplines, such as the sciences, the humanities, or the arts, may have different rules about what a title should look like. If you are aware of a specific expectation, you should conform to those guidelines. There are some general rules to remember: Most words in your title should begin with a capital letter. The first word and the first word after a colon should always be capitalized even if one of the "short words." In general, do not capitalize the following words: and, a, an, the, or short prepositions if they are not the first letter in the title. If the title of a book or film is part of your essay title, it should be put in italics, e.g., Gender Relationships Between Vampires in Twilight. Short story titles are always in quotation marks. Know if the paper follows MLA, APA, or another style. Websites like Purdue University's Online Writing Lab , APA Style , and MLA Handbook can help you with conventions for titles. Brainstorm ideas. Write down every word that comes to mind about your story. Include keywords about the topic, character names, phrases you love, and anything else that comes to mind. Arrange these in different combinations to see if anything speaks to you. Study titles in your genre. Look for stories or books that are popular with your target audience. Readers may be drawn to your work because it reminds them of something they already like. For example, many young adult fantasy novels hinge on one or two intriguing words: Twilight, Bitten, Cinder, The Selection. Make the title exciting. Dull or generic titles won't catch the reader's eye. Titles such as "The Tree" or "The Train" might name the subject or a symbol in the story, but it doesn't excite the reader. Try adding a more descriptive word to the basic title. Successful titles using the above words include The Giving Tree, A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, The Mystery of the Blue Train , and The Orphan Train. Make the title easy to remember. Titles are not only supposed to catch the reader's attention, but also spread the word about your work. Something too difficult to remember won't appeal to editors or agents, and your reader won't remember and be able to tell someone else the title. You want to come up with an exciting, yet catchy and easy to remember, title. Read your title out loud. Does it roll off the tongue? Is it exciting? Does it sound boring? Would you check out this title? The answers to these questions can help you revise the title. Pay attention to the wording. A title should be appropriate for the story, but it doesn't need to confuse your potential readers. Make sure that your wording doesn't depict the story as something it is not. Your title shouldn't sound like a science fiction story if it's a romance. Use strong, vivid language. A title needs to stand out. Strong action words, vivid adjectives, or intriguing nouns can all make your title compelling. Look at the words in your potential title. Are there synonyms that are more descriptive or unique? Can you choose a word that has a less general meaning? Some words are so common their meaning doesn't impact readers the same way. For example, the use of the word desire in Eugene O'Neill's Desire Under the Elms is far more interesting than Love Under the Elms. Seek inspiration. Book titles often derive from established great works, such as the Bible, Shakespeare, song lyrics, or other sources. Write down phrases that are meaningful, beautiful, or intriguing to you. Examples of this type of title include: The Grapes of Wrath; Absalom, Absalom; Gaudy Night and, The Fault in Our Stars. Read your own work. Titles are often memorable lines from the book or story itself. Readers may enjoy the moment when they realize why a story has a particular title. Examples of this type of title include To Kill a Mockingbird, Catch-22, and Catcher in the Rye. Write down your inspirations when they come. Often, good writing ideas come to you when you least expect it. You may forget these, so keep a paper and pencil handy to jot down ideas that come to you whenever inspiration may strike. | Write a draft of your essay. Identify major themes in your work. Determine your target audience. Think about the function of a title. Decide between a declarative, descriptive, or interrogative title. Avoid titles that are too long. Seek ideas from your own writing. Review your sources. Create a list of possible titles. Respect conventions. Brainstorm ideas. Study titles in your genre. Make the title exciting. Make the title easy to remember. Pay attention to the wording. Use strong, vivid language. Seek inspiration. Read your own work. Write down your inspirations when they come. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Manage-a-Warehouse | How to Manage a Warehouse | Managing a safe, productive warehouse is a multifaceted job, but there are some guidelines that can help you do a great job while protecting your employees and merchandise. Keep the warehouse clean, neat, and organized by making sure that aisles and walkways are clear and all walkways and vehicle lanes are marked in a way that's highly visible. You'll also want to make sure that all areas are properly lit to keep workers safe and alert. Also, enforce safety regulations, like wearing proper gear or making sure that employees who use mechanical equipment are properly trained. To keep merchandise safe, have a consistent and efficient organization system, like clearly labeling aisles and establishing an inventory management system. | Keep the warehouse clean, neat, and organized. Aisles and walkways should be free of spills and debris. Do not allow boxes or merchandise to be left in walkways where people might trip. Mark all pedestrian walkways, vehicle lanes, and inclines with highly visible floor markings. Make sure to keep cables or suspended equipment from hanging over pedestrian walkways or vehicle lanes. Take advantage of wall space to add storage lockers or hooks. Manage cords on the floor with tape, or cover them with cord covers. Make sure all areas are properly lit. Bright lights will promote alertness and workplace safety by keeping your employees awake and aware of their surroundings. Make sure light bulbs are replaced immediately when they go out and that there are no dark areas in the warehouse. Train employees on general warehouse safety practices. All warehouse employees should attend training on warehouse safety standards and confirm in writing that they have received adequate training. Many injuries arise from improper material handling, so your safety program should place a heavy focus on the proper ways to pick up, reach for, and carry heavy objects. You should also include a section on loading-dock safety, including limiting the height of stacked pallets and keeping the dock area free of obstructions. You may wish to develop a safety program specifically tailored to your company. Work with human resources to develop training materials. Consider online training, which may allow you to archive training materials (videos and print-outs) so they can be viewed many times. Make sure employees that use mechanical equipment are properly trained. An employee operating warehouse equipment -- forklifts, mechanical loaders, electric stackers, lifters, linear wrappers, etc. -- must be fully trained in their use and certified if necessary. Make sure these employees are trained to identify hazards, respond to them quickly, follow safety protocols, and take special care in the loading-dock area. If certification is required to operate vehicles or equipment (such as a forklift), you must verify that employees have received this training. Enforce safety regulations. Such rules are designed to avoid employee injuries that could deprive you of skilled labor. Enforce safety regulations by placing reminder signs where appropriate and punishing employees seen regularly disregarding safety rules. Do not make exceptions for anyone violating the rules. Educate your employees on appropriate protective gear such as hard hats, steel-toed boots, safety goggles, and heavy gloves. Make sure forklift or other machinery operators are properly trained to use only designated lanes when moving such equipment around the warehouse. Do regular safety checks. Make sure everything is up-to-date. Plan regular vehicle, machinery, equipment and loading-dock examinations and maintenance in order to keep them in proper working order. Report, replace or repair any damaged or missing safety features. Lights, reverse sensors, and warning signals should be tested on vehicles. Test repaired equipment to make sure it is safe before returning it to the warehouse floor. Immediately attend to any reported safety hazards. Communicate clearly with your employees. To run a successful warehouse operation, you'll need to listen and respond to your workers. Consider implementing an open-door policy for any employees with questions or concerns. You can also allow workers to make anonymous comments or suggestions via a comments box. This will allow you to deal with employee complaints before they become serious problems. Interview qualified candidates. Look for potential employees who conduct themselves professionally and are skilled enough for the position. Once you have several applicants for the position, make a hiring decision based on their applications and interviews. Involve the appropriate supervisor in the decision. He or she may have good insight in picking the right applicant. Train new employees. Once a new employee has been hired, you may need to help them get started. This may involve supervising their training or performing parts of their training yourself. You may want to show them around the warehouse and introduce them to other supervisors with whom they may be working. Make yourself available in case new hires have questions while they are settling in. Retraining may also be required, as processes within the warehouse's organization may change. Make sure to schedule time for retraining each employee if this is the case. You can also cross-train employees (train them in more than one role) so that if one employee is ill or fired, others can temporarily take their place. Give feedback and performance reviews. Meet with all employees regularly and review their performance. This is an opportunity for growth an encouragement. Talk to the employee about his strengths and reward excellent performance and behavior. Discuss ways in which the employee can improve, address any weaknesses or bad behavior, and make a plan for improvement. You may also ask supervisors for input regarding employee performance. Make sure you follow up with any corrective actions. Fire employees when necessary. Letting employees go is never easy, but a good manager recognizes when doing so is necessary. The important thing is that the manager fire the employee in a professional manner and do the firing him or herself. Consider firing an employee if they consistently ignore safety procedures, show up late for work regularly, skip work, show up intoxicated to work, fail to complete tasks in a timely manner, or otherwise disrupt warehouse operations on a regular basis. Keep up with employment laws. Workplace and compensation regulations change frequently, so it is important to monitor changes and implement them as soon as possible. Make sure to look out for changes in state or federal laws that could have anything to do with your warehouse or employees. You may be able to follow these changes more closely by subscribing to a relevant trade magazine. Establish a consistent and efficient organization system. Your primary goal as a warehouse manager is to manage products , namely by ensuring that the right products go where they need to go when they need to go there. To save employees time in searching for products, create a logical organizational system that can be easily interpreted and used. For starters, you should place the most-moved products in an easily accessible area such as the center of the warehouse. Additionally, group products that are often shipped together near each other. Make sure your warehouse is easily navigable by clearly labeling aisles and product groups. For example, let's say your warehouse stocks computer components. You have everything from memory and processors to accessories like keyboards and webcams. However, the items you move most are replacement power cords. In this case, you should keep your stock of power cords closer to the loading area and easily within reach at waist or shoulder height so that they can be moved quickly and easily. This area should be labeled clearly as "power cords" or something similar. Make picking more efficient. Picking, or gathering products into shipments, can take up a large amount of your workers' time. However, you can make changes to your picking process to speed it up. For example, if you regularly ship large orders to a few key customers, consider organizing pick lists so that similar items are grouped together. For smaller orders to a large number of clients, you can set it up so that the pick lists are grouped, and the actual products are divided at a later stage. Imagine that your computer-components warehouse regularly ships small numbers of your power cords to a large number of electronics stores. Try organizing your picking lists so that the total number of power cords is taken from the power cord aisle at one time and then separated before shipping. This will avoid having your pickers go back and forth all day. Some managers choose to implement a system of color-coding on picking lists that can either organize items by warehouse area or by customer priority, where certain colors indicate high-volume clients. Establish an inventory-management system. Ideally, any movement of an item should be recorded with all relevant information, including time, product status, and product code. An effective management system can be implemented through the use of RFID tags or barcodes linked to an inventory-management-software program. Make sure that all of your employees are thoroughly trained in the use of this system. In some cases this system will have to comply with overall company policy. Make sure to learn this policy so that you can correctly implement it in warehouse operations. Do a visual inspection of storage areas regularly. Walk around and make sure storage areas are neatly maintained and contain the appropriate products. Use only designated areas for merchandise storage. Make certain employees have clearly marked these areas and are storing only the specified items according to the markings. Check pallets for damage, and make sure staff know how to load pallets properly for stability. Record inspection dates and any damage you find. Start the repair process or discard items as needed. Meet regularly with key staff. Organize monthly or weekly meetings with important upper-level staff members. These include managers and supervisors of warehouse inventory, storage, and purchasing. Discuss new ideas, improved procedures, equipment replacement, budgets, staff promotions, recommendations and all other work-related topics. Address questions relating to damaged merchandise or to purchasing concerns regarding vendors, pricing, quality, or merchandise availability. Make changes when necessary. To keep the warehouse running smoothly, you may have to make changes to product storage or product movement processes. Take time every six months or so to assess storage areas and each individual process. Note areas where you can make improvements. Coordinate trucks and drivers carrying merchandise to and from your warehouse so that each function runs smoothly. Coordinating arriving and departing trucks promotes the efficient use of your loading docks. This is easier if you use a specially designed software package. This doesn't mean buying into a full-service program right away. You should be able to find a program that just handles delivery and shipping coordination. Make use of free-trial offers before picking a program. Coordinating loading and unloading means trying to schedule the arrival and departure of trucks in such a way that they will not have to wait while other trucks are being loaded or unloaded. Make sure that your docks are constantly being used and that there are never more trucks present than available spaces. You should also focus on limiting arrivals such that your unloading team has adequate time to unpack and sort the arriving items before more arrive. If they arrive faster than that, it creates a "bottleneck" that leads to costly inefficiencies, not to mention employee stress and frustration. Arrange employee schedules so there are enough handlers available to load and unload trucks. This may require planning for additional employees to be present for large shipments. Organize your receiving process. Assign enough merchandise checkers and receivers to each shift to compare invoices with merchandise received and to check the condition of the merchandise on arrival. Make sure your staff knows what to do with a damaged shipment. Ensure that received products are quickly shelved to avoid discrepancies between received shipments and what is actually on the shelves. Give your receiving team enough space to work. This ensures that recently received products are not mixed up with existing product. Control shipment quality. Implement controls to check the quality of products before they leave the warehouse. Organize a system such that defective or incorrectly packed items are checked and removed from the shipment before it leaves the warehouse. This can help prevent costly returns. Put an experienced employee whom you trust in charge of quality control. Their experience can save your warehouse a good amount of money. Track your shipments. Your customers will want to know exactly where their products are and when they will be arriving. This will also help you deal quickly with missing packages. Be sure to implement shipment tracking with whatever shipping service you use, and regularly check their tracking for accuracy. | Keep the warehouse clean, neat, and organized. Make sure all areas are properly lit. Train employees on general warehouse safety practices. Make sure employees that use mechanical equipment are properly trained. Enforce safety regulations. Do regular safety checks. Communicate clearly with your employees. Interview qualified candidates. Train new employees. Give feedback and performance reviews. Fire employees when necessary. Keep up with employment laws. Establish a consistent and efficient organization system. Make picking more efficient. Establish an inventory-management system. Do a visual inspection of storage areas regularly. Meet regularly with key staff. Make changes when necessary. Coordinate trucks and drivers carrying merchandise to and from your warehouse so that each function runs smoothly. Arrange employee schedules so there are enough handlers available to load and unload trucks. Organize your receiving process. Control shipment quality. Track your shipments. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Knock-Down-a-Wall | How to Knock Down a Wall | It's important to knock down a wall the right way so you don't cause unnecessary damage to your house. You'll need to make sure the wall's not load-bearing, or you'll risk the roof or ceiling coming down. You'll also need to make sure there's no plumbing or electrical wiring going through the wall. You can do this by making small holes in the plasterboard and looking inside the wall. If there is plumbing or electrical lines in the wall, hire a plumber or electrician to remove them. If the wall's clear, you can knock more holes through the wall with a sledgehammer and pull off the drywall with your hands. It's best to do this one side of the wall at a time. Just make sure to wear gloves, a mask, and safety glasses to protect yourself from dust and debris. | Identify load-bearing walls by solid headers above the doorways. A header is a solid section of wood that is installed over a doorway on a load-bearing wall in order to redistribute the weight and compensate for the studs that were removed to widen the opening to install the doorway. Use a stud finder to see if the space above your door is a solid header. Look for a solid section of wood that would indicate a header was installed and the wall is load-bearing. If the space above a doorway on the wall is hollow, then it's likely not a load-bearing wall. Note that stacked walls are structural and shouldn't be removed. Check the beneath the wall to see if it's stacked on another wall. Go to the first floor, basement, pilings, or crawlspace and look to see if there are piers or girders underneath the wall that would indicate that it is a load-bearing wall. If there is, then it is likely a load-bearing wall. If the wall you plan to knock down is on the second floor, check to see if there's a wall in the exact same place on the floor below it. Piers or girders look like solid metal beams and are used to support structures. If you see them below your wall, then it means the wall also supports the weight of the building. If you see pylons, which look like large posts, beneath your wall, it means your wall is load-bearing. Be careful crawling beneath the structure to inspect the walls. See if the wall runs parallel to the frame for signs that it’s load-bearing. If the wall runs through the center of the building and is beneath the trusses or frame of the structure, then it may be a load-bearing wall. Just because the wall runs parallel to the framing above it doesn't necessarily mean that it's load-bearing, but it is a sign that it could be and it needs to be confirmed before you try to knock it down. If you see ceiling or floor joists at the edges of the wall, then it's definitely a load-bearing wall. Review the blueprints to confirm if the wall is structural. If you have the original blueprints of the building, there should be a key that includes markings to indicate which walls are load-bearing. Look for an “S” which means “Structural” near walls, joists, and other features on the blueprint. Look for the wall you plan to knock down and determine whether it's structural or not. Read the blueprints closely to look for indicators that a wall is load-bearing. Use the key to identify structural features. Have the wall inspected by a structural engineer to be sure. The best way to determine that a wall isn't load-bearing is to hire a structural engineer to come out and inspect it. They'll be able to analyze the structure and confirm whether or not it's safe for you to knock down the wall. Look online for structural engineers or engineering firms you can pay to inspect your wall. Hiring a structural engineer can cost between $300-$500. Clear the rooms on both sides of the wall. Take out any furniture, rugs, decor, and anything else from the room so they're not in the way and they don't get any dust or dirt on them. Make sure the rooms on both sides of the wall are completely empty. Be sure to take down anything that may be hanging on the wall as well. Lay down a plastic tarp over the floor to protect it. Once the rooms are clear, put down enough plastic tarp to cover all of the floors and baseboards so they're protected from any dust, dirt, and debris that may get on them from the wall being knocked down. Use masking tape to seal the edges of the tarp and connect them to the other walls. You can also use plastic drop cloths, but make sure there aren't any gaps between them. Find tarps and drop cloths at home improvement stores, paint supply stores, and online. Hang plastic sheeting in the doorways to block off the room. Taking down the wall can release a lot of dust and dirt in the air, which can escape into adjacent rooms through the doorways. Use masking tape to hang plastic sheets over the entrances so the room is sealed and dust is contained inside of it. Tape the sheets to the top of the doorways so they hang down over the opening. Cover any vents in the rooms to keep dust from escaping. Place towels or plastic sheets over the air vents in the room so dust isn't distributed to the other rooms in the building. Use masking tape to seal the edges of the vents. Keep any ceiling fans turned off to minimize the dust being shifted around. Put on gloves, safety glasses, and a face mask to protect yourself. Knocking down a wall will produce lots of dust and dirt that you don't want to breathe in or get into your eyes. Put on safety glasses and a face mask for safety. You'll also want to protect your hands by wearing a sturdy pair of work gloves. You can find work gloves, safety glasses, and face masks at home improvement stores, at department stores, and online. Shut off power to the room before you start working. Flip the breaker that controls electricity to the room so you can knock down the wall without the risk of shocking yourself. Even if you don't see electrical outlets on the wall, then you need to make sure there isn't a live current before you begin working. Plug in an electrical device and try to turn it on to test that the outlets are off. Test that the power to the room has been shut off by flipping the light switches on and off. Score the paint and caulk where the wall meets the ceiling. Use a utility knife or a sharp knife to cut a line along where the wall meets the ceiling to make it easier to knock down the wall. Make sure the cut is deep and penetrates the paint and caulk that connects the wall and ceiling together. Scoring the ceiling will help prevent the wall you're knocking down from pulling down the ceiling. Locate 2 studs so you can hammer between them. Use a stud finder or tap against the wall lightly against the wall and listen for a hollow or solid sound that indicates that a stud is located there. Then, locate the stud adjacent to it so you can avoid striking them when you start to break up the drywall. Use a flashlight to help you see inside of the wall. Mark the location of the studs on the drywall using a pen, pencil, or marker. Make a small hole in the drywall between the studs with a sledgehammer. Strike the wall with a sledgehammer to make a hole in it. 1 small hole is all you need in order to check for wiring and pipes in the wall before you start pulling off the drywall. If you strike a wall stud, aim your next blow to the side of where you hit so you can strike the drywall. It will be much easier to remove the studs once you take down all of the drywall. Look for plumbing and wiring and hire a professional if there are any. When you make a hole with your sledgehammer, look inside and try to identify any plumbing or electrical lines that may be running through the wall. If you do have any active electrical wiring or plumbing running through the wall, you need to hire a plumber or an electrician to remove them properly. A plumber can cost between $45-$150 an hour. Look online for local plumbers you can hire. You can hire an electrician for about $50-$100 an hour. The total cost will depend on how extensive the required work is to remove the wiring. Create additional holes and use your hands to pull off the drywall. Add more small holes in the drywall between wall studs with the sledgehammer. Grip the edges of the holes with your hands, pull off pieces of the drywall and dispose of them. Continue making holes and pulling off the drywall until it's all gone. Use the sledgehammer to break up the drywall to make it easier to remove by hand. Remove all of the drywall on 1 side of the wall, then repeat the process on the other side of the wall. Bash the studs out of the way with the sledgehammer. Once the drywall is out of the way, use the sledgehammer to strike the studs and break them up into pieces. Pick up the pieces as you remove them and place them into the trash. Continue breaking the studs into pieces and removing them until the entire wall is gone. Strike the studs from the side to break them into pieces. Use a pry bar to pull the stud out of the wall if necessary. Clean up the debris, turn on the power, and replace the items in the room. When the wall has been completely knocked down, use a broom and duster to sweep up the dust, dirt, and debris from the floor and walls. Pick up the plastic sheets and dispose of the debris in the garbage. Flip the breaker to restore power to the room and then move the furniture, decor, and other objects back into the room. Remove any masking tape, hanging plastic sheets, or anything else you used to protect the room. | Identify load-bearing walls by solid headers above the doorways. Note that stacked walls are structural and shouldn't be removed. See if the wall runs parallel to the frame for signs that it’s load-bearing. Review the blueprints to confirm if the wall is structural. Have the wall inspected by a structural engineer to be sure. Clear the rooms on both sides of the wall. Lay down a plastic tarp over the floor to protect it. Hang plastic sheeting in the doorways to block off the room. Cover any vents in the rooms to keep dust from escaping. Put on gloves, safety glasses, and a face mask to protect yourself. Shut off power to the room before you start working. Score the paint and caulk where the wall meets the ceiling. Locate 2 studs so you can hammer between them. Make a small hole in the drywall between the studs with a sledgehammer. Look for plumbing and wiring and hire a professional if there are any. Create additional holes and use your hands to pull off the drywall. Bash the studs out of the way with the sledgehammer. Clean up the debris, turn on the power, and replace the items in the room. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Do-Yoga-Eye-Exercises | How to Do Yoga Eye Exercises | To do yoga eye exercises, try strengthening your eyelids by closing your eyes halfway and focusing your gaze on a distant object to increase the oxygen in your blood. After 10 to 15 seconds, close your eyes completely and take a few deep breaths. Alternatively, hold a pen at arm's length and focus your gaze on the tip. Then, bring the pen close to your nose at a slow and steady pace. Repeat the exercise 5 to 10 times to provide relief from eye strain. | Strengthen your eye lids. The muscles that surround your eyes can be strengthened just like the other muscles of the body. Begin by partially closing your eyes; the lids should only be halfway shut. You'll notice that your upper eyelids will tremble with the effort. Focus your efforts on stopping this trembling. Hint: Stopping the trembling of your eye lids will be easier if you focus your gaze on objects further away. After holding for 10 to 15 seconds, close your eyes very slowly. Take a few deep breaths to increase oxygen in the blood. As you inhale through your nose, imagine the fresh, oxygen-rich air coming through your nose and into the eyes. Then, exhale out through your mouth. Continue this breathing exercise for one to minutes. Perform focusing exercises. By focusing on objects at different distances, you exercise your eyes in focusing at distances both far away and near as well as provide relief from eyestrain. There are two types of focusing exercises you can try: Hold a pen at arm's length. Focus your gaze on the tip of the pen. Bring the pen closer to your nose at a slow and steady pace. Repeat this exercise 5-10 times. Concentrate your vision on the tip of your nose. Then shift your gaze to an object further away, either at arm's length or 20 feet away. Then shift your eyes back to the tip of your nose. Repeat this exercise 10 times. Be inventive and challenge yourself. Choose objects at several different distances to focus your eyes on. Do lateral and medial eye stretches. These exercises stretch and strengthen specific eye muscles, those that move the eye from side to side. For instance, when looking to your right, you are using the lateral rectus of your right eye as well as the medial rectus of your left eye. When you look to your left, you use the lateral rectus of your left eye and medial rectus of your right eye. Sit in a relaxed but upright position. Begin by look to the left-most position (without moving your head) and hold to stretch your eye muscles. Hold for 5 counts. Blink and return your gaze back to look straight in front of you. Then look to the right-most position with your gaze and hold for 5 counts. Repeat 3 times, blinking between each hold. Make sure to move your eyes either during inhalation or exhalation; try not to hold your breath. Then, repeat this exercise looking up and then down. Do not forget about blinking. Do diagonal stretches. As in the previous exercise, diagonal stretches require looking in a fixed position for a few seconds. There are additional muscles worked here, however. For instance, when looking up towards your left, you are using the superior oblique of your left eye and the inferior oblique of the right eye. Sit in a relaxed but upright position. Look up and to your right for 5 seconds. Return your gaze to center. Look up to and to your left for 5 seconds. Return your gaze to center. Look down and to your right for 5 seconds. Return your gaze to center. Look down and to your left for 5 seconds. Repeat 3 times. Draw an infinity sign with your eyes. Imagine an infinity sign or horizontal figure eight in front of you. Trace the eight with only your eyes slowly, and about ten times, without moving your head. Blink between repetitions. Draw circles with your eyes. One helpful way to do this is to imagine that you are looking at the number 12 on a clock. Then, follow the numbers around the clock with your eyes. Repeat going the other way around the clock. Massage your eyes. Massage is a common treatment to relieve tension or stress because it helps stimulate increased blood flow to targeted areas. Begin by gently massaging your upper eyelids for 10 seconds. Then, gently massage your lower eyelids. If you wear contact lenses, take them out before doing this exercise. Apply light pressure when massaging and use the first three fingers of your hand. Make gentle, circular movements. The soft pressure on the lacrimal glands, which produce most of your tears, helps to stimulate tear production and wetness in the eyes. This, in turn, provides soothing and much-needed hydration to tired eyes. When massaging the lower lids, make sure to massage across the lacrimal bone, which is located near the inner eye. Blink more. Blinking offers much-needed breaks and moments of relaxation for our eyes. However, it is often something most people disregard since it is such a natural activity that generally requires little thought. However, making an effort to blink more frequently can help ameliorate eye strain. Blinking helps lubricate and hydrate your eyes. Not only does blinking push out toxins with tears, it also works to spread tear film evenly over your eyes. Blinking can thus help ameliorate eye dryness. Try to blink once every four seconds to keep your eyes from drying out. Take breaks. Giving your eyes more breaks during periods of intense focus or concentration, particularly at a computer screen, will help alleviate eye strain. Try the 20-20-20 method: Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen at any object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. If you have a hard time remembering to take breaks, set an alarm as a reminder to rest and reset your eyes. You can also try fully opening and closing your eyes every once in a while. Research suggests that this action can reduce the symptoms of eye strain, eye fatigue, and dry eyes. Perform palming to relax your eyes. Palming can be done very simply. Take your palms and cover your eyes for a few minutes. Sit comfortably in a chair with a straight back. Place your elbows on a table, on top of a pillow or blanket for added comfort. Rub your palms together beforehand to produce some heat before you begin palming - this heightens the relaxation component of this technique. Cup each hand and close your eyes. Place each cupped hand over each eye. Breathe normally and rest in this position for 5-10 minutes. You may want to set an alarm to keep the time. If after your alarm goes off you feel refreshed, then this the right amount of time you should spend palming. If you don't feel refreshed, add an extra five minutes and observe any changes afterwards. | Strengthen your eye lids. Perform focusing exercises. Do lateral and medial eye stretches. Do diagonal stretches. Draw an infinity sign with your eyes. Draw circles with your eyes. Massage your eyes. Blink more. Take breaks. Perform palming to relax your eyes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Draw-a-Plane | How to Draw a Plane | To draw a plane, start by drawing a horizontal upward curve that looks like a hook at one end. Then, draw a horizontal downward curve on top of it to close the shape and make the body of the plane. Next, sketch 2 slanted rectangles on either side of the body, which will be the wings. Add 3 quadrilateral shapes to the thin end of the plane for the stabilizers, and draw 2 curved lines under each wing to make the engines. Once you've done that, erase any unnecessary lines, sketch the windows and doors, and you're finished! | Draw an oval for the front part of the plane. Draw a curve on the left part of the oval for the nose and a semi rectangle for the plane fuselage. Draw a triangle for the back part then draw a trapezoid above it for the tail fin. Draw a set of semi trapezoids for the wings and stabilizer. Draw another small trapezoid for the winglets and small triangles for the funnel connector. Draw a set of ovals for the funnels. Based on the outline, draw the whole body of the plane. Add details such as the windows, doors, wing details and funnel details. Erase unnecessary lines! Color your airplane! Draw a long curved shape. Note that the left end looks more like a C. Draw an inverted version of the first curve you have drawn on top to connect the ends of the curves to produce a rough outline of the airplane’s body. Sketch the airplane’s wings on each side using a slanted rectangle. Draw a quadrilateral shape on the rear part of the plane to serve as the horizontal and vertical stabilizer. Erase unnecessary lines from the outline. Draw curved lines beneath the wings for the engine. Add details to the plane like windows and doors. Color the drawing and add clouds or other planes for details. Draw a slanted cylinder for the fuselage
Draw two an arc for the nose and a sharp curve for the back part of the plane. Draw a trapezoid at the back part for the tail fin. Draw another series of trapezoids for the wings and horizontal stabilizer. Draw two cylinders attached to each wing for the funnels. Based on the outline, Draw the whole body of the plane. Add details such as the windows, doors, wing details and funnel details. Erase the unnecessary outlines. Color your airplane. Draw a big X shape at the center of the paper. This will be the guide in drawing the plane. Press down lightly with your pencil so that it is easy to erase. Using one of the slanted lines as guide, draw a rectangular shape on the lower left side. Add a triangular shape connected to the rectangle extending towards the right upper line. Remember to skip the pointed end of the triangle, instead, replace it with a small slanted line so that it appears to have four angles. This will serve as the body of the plane. To make it appear three dimensional, reproduce the same shape on the bottom of the original one and connect it with vertical lines. Draw the cockpit or flight deck of the airplane using quadrilaterals on top of the plane’s body. Draw extended rectangles on each side of the plane for the wings. Add the horizontal and vertical stabilizers of the rear part of the plane. Draw the landing gear using a circle and connect this to the plane using slanted lines. Draw the propeller and spinner on the frontal part of the airplane. Erase unnecessary lines and refine details of the drawing. Add color to the drawing. | Draw an oval for the front part of the plane. Draw a curve on the left part of the oval for the nose and a semi rectangle for the plane fuselage. Draw a triangle for the back part then draw a trapezoid above it for the tail fin. Draw a set of semi trapezoids for the wings and stabilizer. Draw another small trapezoid for the winglets and small triangles for the funnel connector. Draw a set of ovals for the funnels. Based on the outline, draw the whole body of the plane. Add details such as the windows, doors, wing details and funnel details. Erase unnecessary lines! Color your airplane! Draw a long curved shape. Draw an inverted version of the first curve you have drawn on top to connect the ends of the curves to produce a rough outline of the airplane’s body. Sketch the airplane’s wings on each side using a slanted rectangle. Draw a quadrilateral shape on the rear part of the plane to serve as the horizontal and vertical stabilizer. Erase unnecessary lines from the outline. Draw curved lines beneath the wings for the engine. Add details to the plane like windows and doors. Color the drawing and add clouds or other planes for details. Draw a slanted cylinder for the fuselage
Draw two an arc for the nose and a sharp curve for the back part of the plane. Draw a trapezoid at the back part for the tail fin. Draw another series of trapezoids for the wings and horizontal stabilizer. Draw two cylinders attached to each wing for the funnels. Based on the outline, Draw the whole body of the plane. Add details such as the windows, doors, wing details and funnel details. Erase the unnecessary outlines. Color your airplane. Draw a big X shape at the center of the paper. Using one of the slanted lines as guide, draw a rectangular shape on the lower left side. To make it appear three dimensional, reproduce the same shape on the bottom of the original one and connect it with vertical lines. Draw the cockpit or flight deck of the airplane using quadrilaterals on top of the plane’s body. Draw extended rectangles on each side of the plane for the wings. Add the horizontal and vertical stabilizers of the rear part of the plane. Draw the landing gear using a circle and connect this to the plane using slanted lines. Draw the propeller and spinner on the frontal part of the airplane. Erase unnecessary lines and refine details of the drawing. Add color to the drawing. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Put-on-a-Puppy-Harness | How to Put on a Puppy Harness | To properly put an overhead hardness on a puppy, have the dog sit and stay, or ask someone else to help you hold the puppy to keep it still. Find the neck part of the harness, or the large round hole in the middle, and slide it over the puppy's head. Once that's in place, slide the straps between the dog's front legs, then wrap the straps up around the dog's belly and back and snap the buckle together. Adjust the harness so it fits snugly, but is still loose enough that you can slide 2 fingers comfortably between the dog and the harness. | Purchase an overhead harness. An overhead harness fits over your dog's head and has straps or tabs that adjust to fit around her belly. Some overhead harnesses also come with chest protection to prevent rubbing and added safety features like reflective trim and a car seat restraint loop. Look online for an overhead harness, or at your local pet store. You will need to measure your pup's girth or belly area and her neck area to determine her size. Alternatively, you could also take your dog with you when you go shopping for a harness and have your pup try the harness on before you buy it. To confirm the harness fits your dog properly, make sure you can fit at least two fingers between the harness and your dog's body at all points, including her belly and her neck. Note that most harnesses are not adequate restraints in a motor vehicle. Do not use a regular harness as a seat belt /restraint unless it specifically says on the packaging that it is designed for this purpose. Have your dog sit and stay. This will keep her from moving around while you attach the harness. You may also need to ask a friend or partner to hold your dog to keep her still. Keep some treats around to reward her once you put on the harness. Let the harness hang loose in your hands. This will help you identify the neck part of the harness. Reassure your pup with a few pets. Slide your dog’s head through the neck piece. The neck piece will be the large round hole in the middle of the harness. It should be large enough for you to slide it over your dog's head without squeezing or pulling on her ears or face. If it is too small to slide over her head, the harness may be too small for her neck. Arrange the bottom straps. Slide the straps between your pup's two front legs. The straps should sit between her two front legs, under her belly. They should fit snugly, but not be too short or too tight around your pup's legs. If the straps don't reach around your pups' belly, they are likely too short and the harness may be too small for her. Snap the strap buckles together. Reach around your dog's legs and secure the buckles on either side of the harness together. The straps should wrap around your dog's upper belly area. Depending on the type of strap buckles your harness has, you may need to simply slide the two pieces together or push one piece through the other piece to secure the buckles. Adjust the harness to fit your dog. Step back and look at your dog in the harness. Does it look like it is pinching or squeezing her? Does it hang too low on her body? Use the adjustment points, or clips that are attached to the straps, to adjust the harness so it fits her properly. It should be snug but also loose enough for you to fit two fingers comfortably between your dog and the harness at any point. Test the fit of the harness before you attach the leash to the harness and give your pup a treat for a job well done. Purchase a step in harness. A step in harness is great for dogs that go on long walks or hikes. It is a very minimalist design, with a wraparound style that reduces pressure on your dog's throat. These harnesses have a single buckle over the shoulder, making them easy to put on and take off fast. In most models, the lead is attached to D-rings for an even distribution of pressure on the harness. A step in harness with a thinner chest pad is good for dogs who do not like added bulk in their chest area. A step in harness with a wider chest pad is good for dogs who don't mind extra bulk. The wider chest pad will give the harness more comfort and coverage. The wide size will also help to stabilize the harness in case your dog pulls on the leash during the walk. Look online for a step in harness, or at your local pet store. Most step in harnesses come in small, medium, and large, depending on the girth or belly measurement of your dog. Note that most harnesses are not adequate restraints in a motor vehicle. Do not use a regular harness as a seat belt /restraint unless it specifically says on the packaging that it is designed for this purpose. Unbuckle the harness and lay it flat on the ground. It should be open, with the top of the buckle facing the ground. Keep some treats close by to reward your pup once you put on the harness. Have your dog stand over the harness. Then, place her left leg in the left loop and her right leg in the right loop. You may need to pet her and coax her to stand over the harness. You can also enlist the help of a friend or partner to help you place your dog over the harness. Secure the straps. Reach around your dog's neck and snap the buckles together over her neck. Adjust the harness to fit your pup. Step back and look at your dog in the harness. Does it look like it is pinching or squeezing her? Does it hang too low on her body? Use the adjustment points, or clips that are attached to the straps, to adjust the harness so it fits her properly. Most step-in harnesses have adjustment points on either side of the straps around your dog's neck and on the straps around her belly. The harness should be snug but also loose enough for you to fit two fingers comfortably between your dog and the harness at any point. Test the fit of the harness before you attach the leash to the harness. Only give your pup a treat for a job well done once she is in the harness and ready for a walk. Introduce the harness to your puppy after some playing and petting. Like a collar, your puppy will likely have to get used to wearing a harness. But it can take more time for your puppy to get used to a harness than it did for her to get used to a collar. Some puppies recoil or struggle against the harness. So play with her and pet her for a few minutes before putting on the harness so she is a relaxed, comfortable state of mind. Attach the harness right away or wait a few seconds before attaching it. Dog owners have differing opinions on whether you should wait before attaching the harness on your pup or just secure it right away. Gauge your puppy's reaction to the harness. If she recoils from it or struggles against it, pet her for a few seconds before securing the harness. But if she doesn't seem to mind the harness, secure it right away. Reward your puppy with a treat once the harness is secure. Don't give her a treat if she recoils from the harness and you have to remove it. You only want to reward her if she consents to wearing the harness and is ready for a walk. Let her wear the harness 5-10 minutes a day. This will help her get used to wearing it. Once your pup gets comfortable with the harness, she will look forward to her daily walk and you will look forward to not having to worry about her running off without you. | Purchase an overhead harness. Have your dog sit and stay. Let the harness hang loose in your hands. Slide your dog’s head through the neck piece. Arrange the bottom straps. Snap the strap buckles together. Adjust the harness to fit your dog. Purchase a step in harness. Unbuckle the harness and lay it flat on the ground. Have your dog stand over the harness. Secure the straps. Adjust the harness to fit your pup. Introduce the harness to your puppy after some playing and petting. Attach the harness right away or wait a few seconds before attaching it. Reward your puppy with a treat once the harness is secure. Let her wear the harness 5-10 minutes a day. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Pass-the-Parcel | How to Play Pass the Parcel | To play musical pass the parcel, wrap a gift in 10-15 layers of wrapping paper for a 5 minute game. When you're ready to start the game, have all of the players sit in a circle and choose 1 person to sit out to control the music. As the music starts, pass the wrapped gift clockwise around the circle as quickly as possible, and have the music controller turn off the music randomly. When the music stops, that person will remove a layer of wrapping paper. Continue passing the parcel when the music is playing until all of the layers are unwrapped, and the player who unwraps the last layer gets to keep the gift! | Prepare your parcel. Place a gift at the center of the parcel. Use a small box if you want an even shape or to make it look larger than it is. Wrap as many layers as players, with some to spare in case more players turn up. The parcel should be large enough for at least a 5 minute game, so add more layers even when you have only a few players; it just means they get more turns. Begin the game. Sit in a circle. All the players should be seated comfortably and close enough to the person each side of them that they can pass the parcel quickly. Select the music-keeper. This person will be responsible for turning the music on and off. It should be someone who is able to keep an eye on the players and stop the music in a fair way that allows everyone a turn at unwrapping. It is a little tricky because the music-keeper must be able to both see the players but at the same time, players should not be able to see the movements of the music-keeper getting ready to stop the music. Stop the music. The music-keeper plays the music and stops it when least expected. The player holding the parcel unwraps a layer. If the parcel was midway in the air between exchanges, the parcel goes to the player it was being passed to. Restart after each layer is unwrapped. The music-keeper starts the music again. This continues until all the layers have been removed. Continue playing until the last layer is unwrapped. The player who unwraps the last layer keeps the item. Prepare the parcel. This is the part that varies from method one. Instead of placing a gift at the centre of the parcel alone, also place a smaller gift on every layer of the parcel. This is the best way of preparing the parcel for children ages 3 - 8, as then each child receives a prize no matter who wins the prize wrapped in the middle of the parcel. Begin the game. Sit in a circle. All the players should be seated comfortably and close enough to the person each side of them that they can pass the parcel quickly. Select the music-keeper. This person will be responsible for turning the music on and off. It should be someone who is able to keep an eye on the players and stop the music in a fair way that allows everyone a turn at unwrapping. It is a little tricky because the music-keeper must be able to both see the players but at the same time, players should not be able to see the movements of the music-keeper getting ready to stop the music. Stop the music. The music-keeper plays the music and stops it when least expected. The player holding the parcel unwraps a layer. If the parcel was midway in the air between exchanges, the parcel goes to the player it was being passed to. Restart after each layer is unwrapped. The music-keeper starts the music again. This continues until all the layers have been removed. Continue playing until the last layer is unwrapped. The player who unwraps the last layer keeps the item. Place a gift at the centre of the parcel. Only this time, you have extra work to do. Instead of a gift on each layer, you leave a label. The label should state "For the person who...". Add reasons such as: "is wearing green", "has a pink ribbon", "likes penguins", "got an A in math this week" etc. The labels should be more descriptive the better you know the children, and less descriptive for parties where you aren't very familiar with the children. Colors, hairstyles, types of clothing and shoes are always a safe bet. Read "Tips" for how to make this more fun for adults. Begin the game. This version does not require music. Rather, each player reads out the labels and everyone in the group has to guess who the parcel is meant for. The person who made the parcel should act as the umpire if there is any disagreement. Everyone should still sit in a circle; it makes seeing each other a lot easier. If it's for adults, everyone can be seated on couches and chairs in a sort-of circular way around the room. Continue reading out descriptions and choosing unwrappers until all the layers have been unwrapped. The last unwrap is the winner; sometimes it can be nice to make sure that this goes to a particular person, such as the birthday girl/boy or the kid who never wins anything. Put a small shareable gift in a paper bag. Wrap many extra layers over it, writing a silly activity for the player to perform on every layer outside the first one, up until the second last. An activity example: Jump on one foot while clapping your hands over your head and sing the alphabet backwards. That's a good one for older children and adults; don't make the activities too difficult for young children or they'll lose interest. Make enough layers and activities for at least two per person. A bag of candies, balloons, plastic toys, etc. makes a good shareable choice. Sing hot potato. Pass the parcel around the circle while singing it, passing it as fast as possible. Perform the activity. When the song ends, the player holding the parcel removes a layer and does the activity written underneath. Continue until the last layer. The shared prize should be shared around by the last person to unwrap. | Prepare your parcel. Begin the game. Sit in a circle. Select the music-keeper. Stop the music. Restart after each layer is unwrapped. Continue playing until the last layer is unwrapped. Prepare the parcel. Begin the game. Sit in a circle. Select the music-keeper. Stop the music. Restart after each layer is unwrapped. Continue playing until the last layer is unwrapped. Place a gift at the centre of the parcel. Begin the game. Continue reading out descriptions and choosing unwrappers until all the layers have been unwrapped. Put a small shareable gift in a paper bag. Sing hot potato. Perform the activity. Continue until the last layer. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-an-Encouragement-to-Someone-Who-Is-Sick-or-Ill | How to Be an Encouragement to Someone Who Is Sick or Ill | Being sick or ill can be emotionally and physically draining, but you can support a loved one through this difficult time by showing them you care with your actions and words. Visit them regularly, whether they're in a hospital or at home, which will help them maintain some normalcy. Try to think of a fun activity to do while you're their, such as playing cards or going for a walk outside. You could also help them do things they can't manage alone, like shopping. When you're with your friend, tell them a bit about your day and what you've been doing recently, since being ill is often lonely and they'll appreciate having someone to talk to. Even if you can't visit for some time, send them a card or call them on the phone, which will let your loved one know you've thinking about them. | Visit. If your loved one or close friend is sick in the hospital or confined to their home, the most important way to encourage them is by being present. You can help to take their mind off of their illness and to maintain a semblance of normalcy during this hard time. Think about what you might do on your visit. If your friend likes to play card or board games, you might bring something along. If you have children, you might want to leave them at home, but you could ask them to draw a picture for your friend to help cheer her up. Be sure to call first and make sure it's a good time, or schedule your visit in advance. Sometimes illnesses require extra care in planning for visits to schedule them around appointments, timing for medications, naps and early bedtime, and other contingencies. Treat her like your friend. Someone with chronic or terminal illness lives with daily reminders that she is sick. What she needs is reminders that she is still the same person that you love and care about. Treat her the same as you would if she was not sick. Maintain regular contact. A chronic illness can be a true test of a friendship, and for your friendship to withstand the emotional and logistical challenges of the illness you must make a point to prioritize staying in touch. Someone who is undergoing treatment or confined to a hospital or their bed is often "out of sight, out of mind," so be sure that you put a note on your calendar to remember to reach out on a regular basis. Help her do the things that she normally enjoys. If your friend is living with chronic or terminal illness, its important that she still finds pleasure and joy in life. You can help by offering to take her out for their favorite activities. Don't be afraid to joke around or make plans for the future! This is still the same person that you know and love. Support her and her family. If your friend has a family or even pets, this illness is probably even more stressful because not only does she have to worry about her own recovery or prognosis, but she has to worry about those who are depending on her. There are practical ways you can help to support her family through this time: Cook for them. This is a classic, tried-and-true way to support someone who is ill. Whether or not the ill person will be able to partake, cooking a home-cooked meal for her family will ease her burdens by letting her rest easy knowing her children, husband, or other dependents are well taken care of. Help her plan for their care. If your friend has small children, elderly parents, or others who depend on her, ask how you can be proactive in their care during her illness. For instance, she may need someone to visit and check up on her father, someone to walk the dog, or someone who can take the kids to and from school or pick them up from soccer practice. Sometimes planning for small logistical errands can be difficult for people suffering from illness, but having a trusted friend to help carry the burden can make a difference. Clean her house. Some people may be uncomfortable with this kind of support, so be sure to ask your friend first; but if your friend is open to it, ask her to let you commit to one day a week (or more, or less, whatever you are capable of offering) that you can come by and take care of chores. You can offer a specific chore that you know you are good at (mowing the lawn, doing the laundry, cleaning the kitchen, grocery shopping) or you can just let her tell you what will be most helpful. Ask her what she needs, and follow through. People often say "Let me know if you need help," but most people are too timid to ever reach out and take them up on that offer. Instead of making her get in touch with you when she needs something, call her and ask her what she needs. Tell her you're headed to the grocery store and wanted to know if you can pick something up for her, or ask her if there is a night this week that she needs any help around the house. Be specific, and be sincere in your willingness to help. Then follow through and do it- that's the most important part! Send flowers or a fruit basket. If you can't be present, at least send a token of your affection so that your friend will know she is in your thoughts. Keep in mind if the illness might make your friend more susceptible to strong scents (some cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, for instance, may not like a bouquet) and instead think of other things that might work like their favorite chocolate, a teddy bear, or balloons. Many hospitals offer a delivery service from the gift shop, so if your friend is an in-patient, consider purchasing a bouquet or balloon arrangement directly from there. Most hospitals list the phone number for their gift shops on their website, or try calling the hospital operator. Consider going in with mutual friends or co-workers to buy a nicer gift or flower arrangement. Be yourself. You are unique, and you don't need to pretend to be Mr. or Mrs. Fix It, or Do it all or Got the answer for everything. Just be yourself. Don't pretend to know the answers. Sometimes, even if you do, its best to let them figure some things out on their own. Also being yourself can involve your sense of humor; it can feel like treading on eggshells being with a sick person but if you're nervous or acting as though you don't know what to say you could make them feel uncomfortable so be your laughing, joking self (if that's the way you usually are). Be pleasant. You want to be as supportive and as comforting as possible. You want to lift their spirits up, not bog them down with gossip or negative opinions. Even wearing cheerfully colored clothes could brighten their day! Make her feel needed. Sometimes asking advice or asking small favors can help someone with a chronic or terminal illness feel needed, which can give them some motivation to stay engaged. In many health conditions people's brains are as sharp as they ever were and thinking about other people's lives and problems can take their minds off their own for a while. Think about your friend's area of expertise, and ask any questions you have that might be relevant. For instance, if your friend is an avid gardener, and you've been meaning to put in your Spring beds, ask her advice on when to get started and what kind of mulch to use. Talk to your friend. Learn how to be a good listener and let your friend know that you are there for them if they want to vent about their condition or if they'd rather talk about something else. Either way, having someone to talk to can be a huge relief to someone who is ill. Be honest with your friend if you don't know what to say. Illness often makes people uncomfortable, and that's ok. What is important is for you to be present for your friend and offer your support. Tell your friend that you are there for her no matter what. Send a card or make a phone call. If you can't be physically present with your friend, send a card or make a phone call. It's easy to send a text or make a Facebook post, but mail and phone calls feel more personal and will feel more thoughtful to the recipient. Consider writing a thoughtful letter. This can be easier if you are someone who doesn't know what to say around people who are in difficult situations. You can write a letter, and then take time to edit it and rewrite it if you feel like you haven't conveyed your feelings well. Focus on kind wishes, prayers for recovery, and good news that is unrelated to their illness. Ask questions. While its important to respect your friend's privacy, if your friend is open to questions they can be a great way to learn more about her condition and to find out more ways that you can support her. You can research her illness online, but asking her questions is the only way to know how her condition affects her as an individual, and just as importantly, how she feels about what she is experiencing. Talk to her children. If your friend has kids, they are probably feeling isolated, lonely, and confused. Depending on the severity of her illness, they may also be feeling scared, angry, and worried. They need someone to talk to, and if they know and trust you, you can serve as a mentor and friend to them during this time. Take them out for ice cream and let them talk to you. Don't force them to say more than they seem comfortable. Some children just need you there as a reassuring force in their lives, while others may want to pour out all their feelings to you. Be open to their lead, and follow up with them every few days or weeks, depending on how close you are. Watch out for common faux pas. There are a lot of cliches that people use when other people are going through hard times, and more often than not these common responses just feel insincere or painful to the recipient. Examples of what not to say include: "God will never give you more than you can handle," or its even-worse variation, "This is God's will." Sometimes well meaning people of faith say this phrase, and they may truly believe it, but it can feel very harsh to the recipient, especially if she is experiencing something that is very difficult or overwhelming. Also, the person may not believe in God. "I know how you feel." Sometimes people say this phrase to others who are going through hard times, and while its true that everyone has experienced trials in life, it's impossible to know how someone else is feeling. This phrase is even worse if its accompanied by personal anecdotes that really don't match the intensity of what the sufferer is experiencing. For example, if someone is facing the loss of a limb, don't equate it to the time that you broke your arm. It's not the same thing. However, if you have truly had an experience that is on par with the experience the sufferer is going through, it's ok to talk about and say "I've been through something similar." You'll be ok." This is a common phrase when people don't know what to say, and we often say it more as a wish than a statement of fact. In fact, you don't know if someone will be ok, and in many cases of chronic or terminal illness, the person will NOT be ok. They may die, or be condemned to a life of physical suffering. Saying they will be ok minimizes the experience they are having. "At least..." Don't minimize the person's suffering by suggesting they should be thankful that their situation isn't worse. Don't complain about your own health problems. In particular, avoid discussing minor health issues such as a headache or a cold. This can vary depending on your relationship with the person and the length of their illness. If they are chronically ill, or a very close confidant, it is more likely to be appropriate to discuss things that you're going through. Don't let fear of doing the wrong thing keep you from doing anything at all. While its true that its important to be sensitive to the feelings of someone who is sick, sometimes we overcompensate for our fear of doing the wrong thing by doing nothing at all. Its better to stick your foot in your mouth and apologize than it is to just ignore your sick friend altogether. If you do mess up and say something insensitive, just say, "I don't know why I said that. I really don't know what to say. This situation is just very hard." Your friend will understand. Be considerate. Try to pay attention to your friend's cues so that you don't visit too frequently or overstay your welcome. When someone is extremely sick especially, it can be very difficult to carry on a conversation and they won't want to offend you so may over-tax themselves by trying to please you. If your friend seems distracted by television or her phone, or seems like she is struggling to fall asleep, those might be signs that she is growing tired of the visit. Don't take it personally! Just remember she is dealing with lot, both physically and emotionally, and it can be taxing. Be mindful of the time, and be sure that you don't extend your stay into mealtimes or other times that your friend may need to be alone. Ask if your friend would like you to pick up some food for them or cook them a meal if you plan to visit during mealtime. Be sensitive to your friend's limitations. Educate yourself about their condition and treatment plan so that you are prepared for side effects, changes to their personality, or limits on their energy or stamina. Ask your friend about their condition, if they want to share, or take time to read about it online. Watch your friend's body language to understand how she is feeling and how her illness affects her ability to participate in activities, stay alert, and remain emotionally predictable. Be gentle and understanding if she does not act like her old self, and remember that she is carrying many heavy burdens. Keep in mind effects on your friend's moods. Dealing with debilitating, chronic, or terminal illnesses very frequently results in depression and other problems, and sometimes the medications to treat illnesses also have side effects that can affect the mood. If your friend struggles with depressive thoughts, remind her that this illness is not her fault and that you will be there to support her no matter what happens. Show empathy. Try to place yourself in that person's situation. One day you might have a similar illness and you'll want people to be kind and sympathetic to you. Remember the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have others to do unto you. If you were ill with a similar condition, what types of daily activities would be a struggle? How might you feel emotionally? What type of support would you hope you friends would offer? Imagining yourself in their place can help you best determine how to help them. | Visit. Treat her like your friend. Support her and her family. Send flowers or a fruit basket. Be yourself. Make her feel needed. Talk to your friend. Send a card or make a phone call. Ask questions. Talk to her children. Watch out for common faux pas. Don't complain about your own health problems. Don't let fear of doing the wrong thing keep you from doing anything at all. Be considerate. Be sensitive to your friend's limitations. Keep in mind effects on your friend's moods. Show empathy. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Conduct-a-School-Quiz-Bee | How to Conduct a School Quiz Bee | If you want to conduct a school quiz bee, start by deciding if you want participants to compete as individuals or teams. Then, create a simple set of rules, such as how participants will answer questions, how much time they have to answer, and what to do in case of a tie. Next, make up questions for your quiz bee or ask teachers to submit questions for you to use. Finally, invite students to compete in your school quiz bee. For more tips, such as how to do a quiz bee online, keep reading! | Determine the format for the quiz bee. You should determine the format of the quiz bee, including the subject matter of the quiz bee, the number of students competing in the quiz bee, and how the quiz bee will unfold. Having a set format for the quiz bee will ensure it runs smoothly. Decide if the participants in the quiz bee are going to be in teams or competing as individuals. If your school is fairly large, you may break up students into teams based on classroom so there is enough time for each team to compete in the quiz bee. If your school is fairly small, you may be able to allow the students to compete individually. If there are going to be many teams or students competing in the quiz bee, you may have each team or student compete in heats against each other in their classrooms. The winners of each heat may then go on to the final round of the school quiz bee and compete in front of the entire school. You may also want to host a classroom bee for just your students, using the same instructions. However, you can tailor the instructions to focus on just your class. Outline the rules for the quiz bee. It may be best to keep the rules simple for a school quiz bee, as you want the quiz to appeal to a wide range of students and age groups. Write the rules down so you can reference them and share them with the participants of the quiz bee. It's best to collaborate with classroom teachers at your school to create the rules. Ask other teachers to review the rules to make sure they're easy to understand. For example, you may institute a time limit for each response to a quiz question by a team or individual student. You may allow the host to read out the quiz question to the team and then start the timer. If you are timing the responses, have a timekeeper on hand or use a stopwatch that is large and easy for all participants to see. You may also make a rule about what to do in the event of a tie, such as a rapid fire deciding round where whichever team or participant responds to a quiz question first wins. Compile the content for the school quiz bee. Consider if the quiz bee will test students on a particular subject, such as a spelling quiz bee, or on a variety of subjects, such as mathematics, science, and social studies questions. You may pull test questions from existing quizzes from previous classes or create new test questions for the quiz bee. Ask other teachers in your school to submit questions for the quiz bee. Not only will this make your job easier, it will also ensure your quiz bee reflects the material taught in each classroom. You may also use sample quiz questions from standardized tests in the school quiz bee. You may go for a variety of quiz questions, ranging from very easy to very difficult to ensure the participants have a fair chance at winning the quiz bee. If you pull questions from previous tests and quizzes, include questions from different teachers' tests and quizzes. Additionally, ask other teachers in your school to review the questions you plan to ask to ensure fairness, since they may have taught a subject differently or focused on different topics. Look for a host at your school. You can conduct the school quiz bee by first finding a host at your school, such as a teacher, a teacher's aide, or a member of the school's administration. If you are a teacher, you may host the school quiz bee yourself. The host should be able to be present for the entirety of the school quiz bee. If you're hosting a classroom bee, you can be the host. Bring in a guest announcer. You may also opt to bring in a host or announcer that is not from your school. This could be a parent, a former student, or a member of the community. You may choose a guest announcer who has participated in school events before or someone you believe will make a good host. Make sure the host is confident in front of a crowd. You should check that the host is comfortable speaking clearly and slowly to students, as they will need to read out the questions in the school quiz bee. The host should also be able to project their voice so they can be heard in a room and have a friendly, encouraging demeanor so the participants in the school quiz bee feel supported while they compete. You may look for a host who has experience with conducting school quiz bees or who is comfortable speaking in front of a crowd. If your school has a drama program, talk to the drama teacher to find out if they might be willing to host. Use an existing online quiz. You may also consider using a quiz creation program on your computer to conduct the school quiz bee. You can find quiz creation programs online. Some quiz creation programs are free to use or may require a small fee. You can use existing quizzes in the program in your school quiz bee and adjust them to fit your needs. Some programs have an option where you allow the program to conduct the school quiz bee for you, with animations and automated cues that play when a student or team clicks on a question. Design your own school quiz bee. If you are familiar with how to use animation programs, you may try designing your own school quiz bee program. You may need to use a quiz design program to create a custom quiz for your school's quiz bee or use animation programs like Adobe Flash. You should include interactive elements into your school quiz bee, such as buttons that trigger audio prompts or a running total of the player's score on the bottom of the screen. You may also allow the participants to enter in text into the quiz to answer a question or have a results screen at the end of the quiz. You may also include interesting background images in the school quiz bee and make the quiz appear visually appealing so the participants are more engaged in the content. Test the school quiz bee on a school computer. Before you launch the school quiz bee in front of students, you should do a test run of the quiz on a school computer. You may put yourself in the role of a participant and run through the quiz on your own. Using a school computer to test the quiz can help to ensure it will run smoothly for students at school. You should make sure any interactive elements of the quiz are functioning properly. You should also check to make sure the questions and answers that appear in the quiz are correct, as you do not want a participant to notice an error during the quiz bee. Additionally, you need to make sure all students have equal access to the quiz. For example, programs like Kahoot! require students to join the quiz with a smart phone or tablet, so you would need to ensure all students had access to these. Enlist participants. Get the word out about the event so students can sign up to compete. Ask teachers to announce it in their classes. Make posters about the event to put up around school. You want as many students as possible to be involved so everyone at school has an opportunity to compete. You may also work with other teachers to put together a list of students to enlist as participants in the school quiz bee. This may be a list of start students or students who show potential and might make good competitors. Choose your date well in advance of the quiz bee so students have plenty of time to sign up. This also allows time for word of mouth to spread. Provide sample questions to the participants. You may provide contestants with sample question packets so that they can practice ahead of time. These can be especially helpful if the competing teams plan to practice together beforehand, or if students are unfamiliar with what a quiz bee is like and want to get a sense of the question levels beforehand. You may create your own sample question packets with questions that are similar to the questions in the school quiz bee. You may hand out the sample question packets one week before the competition so the students have time to prepare. Do a practice round. To get the participants warmed up, you might want to conduct a practice round before the school quiz bee begins. These can be easy questions just so people get the hang of how it works with the reading, the timing, and their answers. Doing this can also allow the participants to get used to the format of the school quiz bee and be better prepared to compete once the event begins. | Determine the format for the quiz bee. Outline the rules for the quiz bee. Compile the content for the school quiz bee. Look for a host at your school. Bring in a guest announcer. Make sure the host is confident in front of a crowd. Use an existing online quiz. Design your own school quiz bee. Test the school quiz bee on a school computer. Enlist participants. Provide sample questions to the participants. Do a practice round. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Professional-Dog-Walker | How to Become a Professional Dog Walker | To become a professional dog walker, use the app Wag to find dog walking jobs near you. You can also offer to dog walk or pet sit for friends and neighbors as a way to build your experience and references. Alternatively, join an agency to gain experience, network, and get a feel for the dog-walking market. When you're ready to start your own business, set the amount you want to charge, print some stylish business cards, and pass out flyers with your information on them. You'll also want to give your business a name, and learn how to keep good financial records. | Start dog walking or pet sitting for friends and neighbors. Apart from it being a fantastic way to make some extra cash, you're resume building, too! Ask those in your neighborhood or family friends at even the slightest mention of a vacation or being too busy to walk the dog. And when you do it once successfully, you'll likely be asked to do it again. Mention to your new network that you're considering making this a career, so if they could drop any of their other soon-to-be-departing or dog-owning friends of your interest, that'd be great! Right now is the time for shameless advertisement. In time, you won't have to do it at all. This stage is all about building up a reputation. Whatever you do, don't risk damaging it by abusing your powers. Having the key to someone's home is a serious gesture of trust -- be as responsible to your new clients as you would yourself, your grandma, or the President. That means no throwing parties, no forgetting to feed the dog, and no raiding the refrigerator (unless they allow it, of course). Consider joining an agency. Point blank, the easiest way to start making money walking dogs is to join an agency. Sure, they'll take a cut of the money that's charged, but you'll get experience and they'll handle the legal mumbo-jumbo. Whether the agency is for pet sitting or walking, join. It's a simple Google search away. The only downfall of this is that you're not your own boss. Relax -- that can come with time. But right now you're meeting people, networking, learning the ropes, and getting a feel for the dog walking market, not to mention beefing up your resume. Joining an agency is not an absolute, 100% must-do. You can get around it by building up your dog-walking network yourself. However, it's a lot easier to get experience and clients (and meet other people with acumen in the dog-walking business) if you join an agency. Consider licensure or certification. Obtaining a dog handling certification would build some serious credibility with clients. Some schools, such as the Canine Club Academy, offer full-tuition scholarships. And the best agencies may even require you to obtain it, either before becoming a full-time employee or after hiring. Certain academies, like DogTec, will help you in starting your own business too (if that interests you) in addition to dog handling and protocol. Their classes last 4 days and are in locations all across the US and British Columbia. Check with Animal Care and Control to see if you need certification to walk certain numbers of dogs. For example, if you live in San Francisco, you need to get certified to walk 4 or more dogs. Know the ins and outs of your city. First off, you've gotta know what your city's laws are when it comes to canines and their walkers. Some cities require dog walkers to be insured; if you're working with an agency, hopefully they took care of that for you. But if you're thinking about doing it on your own time, it's something not to be taken lightly. Get to know your city's layout, too. The less you're driving around wasting money on gas, the better. Know the parks, the hidden hideaway spots, the dog parks, and back trails you can frolic with your new furry friend. You want to spend as little time commuting and as much time "working" as possible. Get in good with your human clients. It may seem like dog walking is the perfect career for a surefire introvert, but the humans are where your bread and butter is. Make small chat with the doormen, the guy who works from home, and your coworkers and bosses. The better rep you have, the more professional contacts you'll have in the future. In addition, realize that your human clients will have all sorts of expectations, based on their own beliefs in dog-care and often with a dose of guilt that they can't spare the time to do what you are doing for them. Be generous in your compassion for their concerns (after all, they know their own pooch best) and be tolerant of the more difficult requests. Gentle persuasion and negotiation will often win the human client over! Love and understand your canine clients. You need to love dogs to have a successful career with dogs. It is as simple as that. Dogs sense non-dog people and it won't be smooth riding if you aren't truly comfortable around them. There are some important considerations to think about: Do you know as much as possible about dogs? Know as much as you can, not just from your own experience with them but also from reading and speaking to the owners and to your local vet. How many dogs will you walk at any one time? Some dog-walkers can walk as many as ten dogs at once, all shapes and sizes. Consider whether you think this is a good thing or even achievable for you! {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Become-a-Professional-Dog-Walker-Step-6Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Become-a-Professional-Dog-Walker-Step-6Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Become-a-Professional-Dog-Walker-Step-6Bullet2.jpg\/aid27654-v4-728px-Become-a-Professional-Dog-Walker-Step-6Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Do you know which breeds of dogs might not be compatible or will be compatible with one another? Know this before teaming them up for a walk. Do you know what to do if a dog is in heat? It'll attract more than its fair share of attention and you'll need to be prepared. Do you know how to handle a dog that suddenly turns aggressive on you ? Or on passers-by around you? Do you know how to poop-scoop ? Do you know the local by-laws on walking dogs in certain areas etc? Read up! Your being well-informed will impress clients and will reassure them that you are not amateur and will help them to feel you are going to have their dog's best interests at heart. Be able to withstand the not-so-glamorous side of dog walking. While it may sound like a dream come true (and it very well could be), not all dog walking is a glitzy, paid way to gallivant the sidewalks. You'll be dealing with poo in its very literal sense, in addition to ornery owners, ornery dogs, and ornery pedestrians. Are you ready? You'll also need to consider your climate. If this is going to be your main source of income, can you dog walk in the winter months? How do you feel about rain? If you're ready to tackle the less than stellar climes, be prepared! Boots, rain jacket, snow gear -- and maybe some for the pooch, too. Get in shape. Being relatively fit is obviously a necessity to dog walking for a living. If you find that you get tired after a dog or two, use your free time to get in shape. Adding cardio (swimming, walking, tennis) to your list of activities will make the hours spent trotting along with Fido much more enjoyable. Get a good pair of shoes. When you're on the job, you'll probably be on your feet for hours on end. You don't have to go running triathlons to get accustomed to it, but it is a good idea to get a nice pair of shoes so you don't go home every night crawling on all fours like FrouFrou over here. A decent pair will make the new physical stressors much more manageable. Consider how large you want your dog walking career to be. Be realistic - you'll probably need to start small, and allow yourself time to grow. Do you want it to be a part-time or a full-time career? How much time can you devote to dog-walking? If you are young and want to make money by dog walking, make flyers and offer around your neighborhood, or put up notices on notice boards or in shop windows. For example, consider these scenarios: If you are a student who needs income during studies, you will have crunch times around exams and essay due dates but you will likely be fairly flexible during the rest of the time. Be honest with a potential client and explain your availability, including the possibility that there may be certain times when you will be very busy and may need to reschedule temporarily at such times. Always let them know you'll make up for it during vacation etc. If you want to start a permanent business, consider whether it is something you want to work 9 - 5 (or extended hours) 5 - 7 days a week, or is it something that only interests you part-time, say 2 - 3 days a week of a few hours here and there? These are important considerations that will either expand or limit your options and availability. More hours means more clients and a likelihood of referrals. Less hours will mean more devotion to a small corps of clients and a need to make it clear to them that your availability is limited to them. Learn how to start a small business. If you have no business past, it's more than just a good idea to take some classes and get your feet wet. Enlist the help of others that have a good grasp on the endeavor, can get you through the red tape, and form a solid business plan. If you want a large business, are you prepared to manage employees and cover a larger part of the city than you could do alone? Instead of just you, you'll be taking care of an entire team. You will need to: Get insurance and become bonded. Interview pet sitters, check them for reliability, train them and pay them. Be able to trust them to do their dog-walking according to your instructions. Keep good financial records, manage a payroll system, pay taxes on business income, and manage other worker's requirements. Keep a tight leash (no pun intended) on the client arrangements. As owner of the business, you should make all arrangements for dog-walking directly with clients and then provide the instructions, keys etc. to your employees. That way, if things don't work out with your dog-walker employee, you keep the client and substitute with a new employee. Set the amount you want to charge. How you price your services will depend on the quality of your service and the length of time you have been dog-walking professionally. It will be difficult to charge higher amounts until word-of-mouth begins to boost your business and you have solid references. Research the field first. What are other dog-walkers charging in your area? Ask them if they are willing to divulge information to a potential competitor. Compete fairly with them - you could undercut slightly at first to get a toehold in the business. Don't undercut viciously; after all, you want to stay in this industry, not be cold-shouldered by your fellow dog-walkers. If there is no one competing, then use the internet to get some idea of the costs for your region. Don't under-charge or over-charge. Undercharging will lead some to think you are an amateur, perhaps even the local school kids looking for odd jobs. Charge a fair amount in return for good, reliable and professional services. Print some stylish business cards. Make sure that they present a professional image and provide your contact details. Include a few short, pithy lines or words about what you offer as part of the dog-walking service. For instance: Say where the dogs will be walked - for example, to the parks, on green grass, in quieter areas of the city - whatever you think dog-owners would appreciate and trust. Explain what you will do with the dogs to keep them entertained and well-exercised - for example, that you are prepared to run with the dogs for exercise, that you will play ball/tug rope/fetch with the dogs etc. The ways in which you will pay attention to nutritional and medical requirements of your canine charges. Advertise. Pass around flyers or business cards to let people know about your business. Stop residents walking their dogs as you walk around, introduce yourself and offer your business card to them. Begin to network with family and friends regarding your business. Start small and let your good business spread by word-of-mouth. There is no harm in asking your first set of clients to refer you to their friends, colleagues, etc. If they are happy with your work, many will be happy to do this. If you've built up relationships with people from past clients (security guards, doormen, maids), they may be a potential hot bed of business, too. Bid on keywords on Google's Adwords program, and purchase paid directory listings on dog walker directories and other websites. Hit up Craigslist, Facebook, and even veterinary bulletin boards. Get a good website. The internet is increasingly becoming people's first port of call and aids them in their decision making. When choosing your domain name keep it simple by choosing a domain with relevant keywords (so your website appears on the first page of Google). Consider the layout and design. First impressions count and if your website is a reflection upon your service it should depict your core values (such as friendliness and professionalism) and what you have to offer. Enhance it with images or even a video so people can get a real feel for you and your service. Consider a website that allows users to book a time slot and services online. Some customers prefer to book online rather than over the phone. If you don't know the first thing about making a website, odds are you know half a dozen people who do. So ask! Provide your (prospective) clients with informative resources. People looking for dog walkers have often just gotten a puppy and are looking for tips on training. New dog owners are also interested in learning about dog health, local parks, and pet organizations. If you can be a vital source of information (cue Lori Beth Denberg) for them, they'll likely keep you around. Join a professional organization or two that can keep you on the up-and-up when it comes to doggy care. The International Association of Canine Professionals and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters are two good places to start. When they ask where you learned that tidbit of info from, you just respond, "Oh, you know. I've been a member of IACP for a while now." Consider value-adding with other services. It might be worthwhile adding other dog-services to your skill set. While these additional services will also add costs and some may even require business or home-office style space, if you are seriously considering making an entire career from dogs and their care, this may be the key to a lucrative career. Consider extra services such as: Dog-bathing and dog-grooming Dog-sitting (either on client's premises or at yours if you have space for boarding kennels) Dog-training and/or dog-listening (if you are properly qualified only) Spending extra time after the walk at client's home with a dog to simply be with it, play with it, feed it etc; and Dog medical attention - some owners can't stay home from work to medicate their dogs; you could be the answer. Learn some basic dog first-aid. Ask at a local veterinary clinic for some training in basic dog first-aid (expect to pay the vet for this advice). It will help you to fix some of the little problems that you may encounter. And while you're at this, do you know the first-aid for a dog bite? Your local Humane Society may be another resource you can tap into. If a veterinarian seems a bit hard to get work in with, the staff here may be a useful alternative. And you could help out pups that need love. | Start dog walking or pet sitting for friends and neighbors. Consider joining an agency. Consider licensure or certification. Know the ins and outs of your city. Get in good with your human clients. Love and understand your canine clients. Be able to withstand the not-so-glamorous side of dog walking. Get in shape. Consider how large you want your dog walking career to be. Learn how to start a small business. Set the amount you want to charge. Print some stylish business cards. Advertise. Get a good website. Provide your (prospective) clients with informative resources. Consider value-adding with other services. Learn some basic dog first-aid. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-Eyebrow-Color | How to Choose Eyebrow Color | If you want to choose the right eyebrow color for you, consider going for your most natural shade by matching your brow color to your hair. For example, if you have blonde hair, red hair, or blonde highlights, pick a taupe color for your eyebrows, so it doesn't look too dark against your brow hair. In general, you should choose an eyebrow color that's at least 1 to 2 shades darker if you have blonde or light brown hair. Alternatively, if you have brown or black hair, opt for an eyebrow color that's at least 1 to 2 shades lighter than your hair, like a soft brown. | Select a shade that is at least 1-2 shades lighter if you have brown or black hair. This will ensure the eyebrow color looks natural and not too dark on your brows. The oils in your skin also tend to make the eyebrow color look darker, so going 1-2 shades lighter than your hair color will ensure the color does not become too pronounced or defined. You may try an eyebrow color that is 1 shade lighter to start and then go for an even lighter shade if you do not want your brows to appear too dark when you color them in. Go for a shade that is 1-2 shades darker if you have blonde or light brown hair. If you have hair that is lighter in color, make sure the eyebrow color is a bit darker so it stands out on your face. The shade should be light enough to look natural but dark enough to give your brows some definition. Start with an eyebrow color that is 1 shade darker and then try an even darker shade if you'd prefer your brows to look more defined. Pick a taupe color if you have blonde hair. This will ensure your eyebrow color looks natural and not too dark against your brow hair. You may also want to try a taupe color if you have very light brown hair or light hair with blonde highlights. Go for a soft brown color if you have brown or black hair. Look for a shade that is light brown so it does not appear too dark, especially if you have medium brown hair. If you have black hair or dark hair, go for a dark brown shade. Unless your brows are naturally black, avoid using a black color for your brows, as it can look too harsh and dark. When in doubt, opt for a dark brown shade instead. If your brows are naturally black or a very dark brown, opting for a lighter shade might look unnatural. In these cases, you should use a black brow product. Select a blonde color if you have red hair. Complement the red tones in your hair with a light blonde eyebrow color. Usually, the lighter the shade of blonde, the better, as eyebrow hair for redheads tends to be very light. Pick an ashy blonde color if you have light skin with pink undertones. You usually have pink undertones if you tend to turn pink or red when you blush. Complement your skin tone by using a light blonde color that looks a bit ashy so it does not appear too yellow or orange. You may also try a light brown color that is ashy if you have light skin and darker hair. Try to avoid using reddish or warm tones for your brows even if you have warm blonde or brown hair. Eyebrows tend to be ashier than the hair on your head, so using a cooler shade will provide a more natural look. Select a light to medium brown color if you have olive skin. If your skin tans easily or you have naturally olive skin, go for an eyebrow shade that is medium brown. This will ensure your browns stand out against your complexion. Go for a brown matte color if you have dark skin. Look for a light to medium brown shade that has a matte finish if your skin is dark or black. The color should be 1-2 shades lighter than your skin tone so it stands out on your face and makes your brows look defined. Test the color on your skin before applying it to your brows. Find out if the eyebrow color is a good fit by dabbing or swabbing a small amount of color on your cheek or the skin beside your eyebrow. You can test an eyebrow pencil or gel this way. The color should look 1-2 shades darker or lighter than your hair color, depending on your hair color and skin tone. It should complement your skin tone and hair color, rather than create an obvious contrast. Keep in mind that the oils in your skin will make the brow color appear darker, especially as it sets throughout the day. It's usually best to err on the side of caution and start with a lighter shade first. Use an eyebrow pencil with a fine tip to make your eyebrows appear more full. Do not try to fill in any gaps in your brows with the pencil. Instead, fill in above and below your brows with the fine tip for a more natural look. Avoid a hard outline and instead use short, quick strokes or flicks of the pencil to create lines that look like strands of hair. Then, use a spoolie brush to brush the color in an upward and outward motion. Some eyebrow pencils come with a fine tip on one end and spoolie brush on the other end for easy application. You can buy eyebrow pencils at your local beauty supply store or online. You may want to shop for an eyebrow pencil in person at a store so you can try out the color before you buy. Try an eyebrow gel for a quick, easy application. Eyebrow gel is a good option if you do not want to have to try to fill in your brows with a pencil and are short on time. Use a spoolie brush or an angled brush to apply the eyebrow gel on your brows in an upward and outward motion. Eyebrow gel can also help to keep your eyebrows in place throughout the day and lock in the color so it does not flake off or fade. Shop for eyebrow gel at your local beauty supply store or online. Shopping for the product in person may be ideal so you can try it out before you buy. Try filling your brows in with eye shadow for a softer look. Shadow can be a great alternative to more defined pencils and gels. Load up a small, angled brush with a shadow color that matches your brows. Then, gently flick the brush up from the base of your brow toward the top. This helps create hair-like lines, instead of a single hard outline. Continue this process until your brows are to your liking, using a spoolie to help blend the shadow into your natural brow. Get your eyebrows tinted for a semi-permanent option. Tinting your eyebrows can help your brows appear full for 3-4 weeks with minimal touch ups. The dye is applied to just your eyebrow hairs and not your skin, leaving you with well shaped, defined brows. Get your eyebrows tinted by a professional cosmetologist at a brow bar or a beauty salon to ensure they look their best. If you want to try tinting your eyebrows at home , do so with caution, as you do not want to tint them too dark. Look for a color that is the same level or a level darker than your natural brows. Eyebrow tinting is a better, and safer option than dying your brows a specific color, as it is less harsh on your hair and skin. Even with tinted eyebrows, you may still need to use a pencil to fill in thin spots or to balance out the shape of your brows. | Select a shade that is at least 1-2 shades lighter if you have brown or black hair. Go for a shade that is 1-2 shades darker if you have blonde or light brown hair. Pick a taupe color if you have blonde hair. Go for a soft brown color if you have brown or black hair. Select a blonde color if you have red hair. Pick an ashy blonde color if you have light skin with pink undertones. Select a light to medium brown color if you have olive skin. Go for a brown matte color if you have dark skin. Test the color on your skin before applying it to your brows. Use an eyebrow pencil with a fine tip to make your eyebrows appear more full. Try an eyebrow gel for a quick, easy application. Try filling your brows in with eye shadow for a softer look. Get your eyebrows tinted for a semi-permanent option. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Groom-a-Gerbil | How to Groom a Gerbil | To groom your gerbil, put a dish of chinchilla sand in its cage once a week so it can roll around in it and clean itself off. Gerbils live in the desert in the wild, so they keep their fur clean using sand instead of water. You should also put a small, rough surface in your gerbil's cage, like a rock or the backside of a tile, so your gerbil can file its claws down. Put some chew toys in there too, which will help wear down your gerbil's teeth so they don't become too long. | Assess your gerbil's coat. The best way to determine if your gerbil needs to be groomed is by examining his coat. If your gerbil's hair appears greasy or oily, it may be time to let him groom himself. Grooming takes up a great deal of a gerbil's day, and along with eating and sleeping, it is one of his main activities. Give your gerbil a dust bath. Gerbils naturally thrive in the desert. Because their natural habitat is dry and sandy, gerbils are not used to bathing in water. Instead, they take what is known as a "dust bath," which means they roll around in sand and use it to groom the exterior coat. Use chinchilla sand for your gerbil's dust bath. You can find chinchilla sand at most pet stores, or through online retailers. Even though it is called a dust bath, it's important to give your gerbil chinchilla sand. Do not give your gerbil chinchilla dust, which is a product at many pet stores. The name may confuse you, but remember to only use sand. Do not give your gerbil sandbox sand or sand from outdoors. Store-bought chinchilla sand is the safest and most effective way to let your gerbil groom himself. Pour the chinchilla sand into a heavy crock bowl and leave it in your gerbil's cage at least once each week. Let gerbils groom each other. If you have multiple gerbils living together (who are not aggressive or trying to breed), they will probably groom each other from time to time. This is a normal part of gerbil behavior. It's used for both cleanliness/hygiene, as well as for social bonding. Gerbils that are close with one another may groom each other on a daily basis. You should still provide your gerbils with a chinchilla sand bath, even if they groom one another regularly. Evaluate your gerbil's health. A common indicator of health problems in gerbils is a coarse, rough coat of hair. Though you may assume this means he needs to be groomed, it's actually a sign that something is wrong with your gerbil. Talk to your vet about possible causes of, and solutions to, your gerbil's condition. In addition to a rough coat of hair, look for a dull coat, matted hair, and any underlying skin irritation. A healthy gerbil should have a glossy, smooth coat, plus bright eyes and a normal level of energy. It's possible your gerbil's rough coat is simply caused by his environment. Make sure your gerbil's cage is well-ventilated and kept in a stable temperature with humidity levels below 50%. More serious causes of a rough coat of hair include infection, parasites, or other diseases. Give your gerbil a rough surface. While the floor of your gerbil's living quarters should be lined with something soft and comfortable (like wood chips), your gerbil will also need a small, rough-surfaced object in one corner of his cage or tank. This is to help wear down his claws so they do not become overgrown. A hand-sized stone or the backside of a bathroom tile would make an excellent scratching surface. A running wheel may also help your gerbil's nails trimmed, but be sure the wheel is a continuous surface and not a wire bar surface. Trim your gerbil's nails. If your gerbil is not keeping his own nails trimmed through regular wear, you can trim them at home. However, it's important to exercise great caution so you do not injure your gerbil or yourself in the process. Wear leather gloves when handling your gerbil to trim his nails. This will help keep you from getting scratched, which in turn will help ensure you do not accidentally drop your gerbil. Do not trim too close to the quick (the soft, inner part of an animal's claw). This can cause bleeding and serious injury. Have a vet examine your gerbil. You should take your gerbil to see a veterinarian at least once a year, though some experts recommend twice a year. In addition to the regular checkups that can be performed, your vet can also cut your gerbil's nails if you aren't comfortable doing so at home. Provide your gerbil with chew toys. Most pet stores carry chewing blocks made of wood. These are designed for gerbils, as their teeth grow continuously. Your gerbil will need access to his chew toys every day to manage his ever-growing teeth so he can keep them sufficiently worn down. Make sure the chew toy you give your gerbil is made with untreated wood. Treated wood could contain harmful chemicals that can be dangerous for gerbils. Give your gerbil a wooden branch. If you're skeptical of buying chew toys or just want to save some money, a small branch from a fruit tree is a great option for your gerbil. It will allow him to chew as much as he wants to keep his teeth in check. Apple trees make an ideal wood for gerbils. You can also give your gerbil willow, beech, birch, or pine branches. If you give your gerbil a wooden branch, make sure the tree was not sprayed with any pesticides. These can cause serious health problems for your gerbil, so make sure the wood is clean and untreated. Recognize dental problems. You should check your gerbil's front teeth on a regular basis. If you are providing your gerbil with wooden objects to chew on, his teeth should not be a problem. However, if your gerbil has any tooth pain or other dental problems, he may stop eating/chewing, leading to overgrown teeth. If your gerbil's teeth become overgrown, take him to the vet. Your vet may be able to fix his dental problems. Do not attempt to cut or file your gerbil's teeth at home under any circumstances. This can cause serious injury to your gerbil, and could stress him out to the point where he no longer trusts you. | Assess your gerbil's coat. Give your gerbil a dust bath. Let gerbils groom each other. Evaluate your gerbil's health. Give your gerbil a rough surface. Trim your gerbil's nails. Have a vet examine your gerbil. Provide your gerbil with chew toys. Give your gerbil a wooden branch. Recognize dental problems. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Recognize-the-Signs-of-Autism | How to Recognize the Signs of Autism | If your child is showing early autistic traits, request an evaluation from your pediatrician, who can evaluate them as early as 9 months and then track their progress. If your baby doesn't follow objects with their eyes or smile by 3 months old, these could be very early signs of autism. Typically, babies will also babble by the time they're 7 months old and begin saying single words by 1 year, but autistic babies may never speak. Around this age, most babies will also respond to simple games and respond to their name, but autistic babies may not have this ability. Another early indicator of autism is if your baby isn't crawling or gesturing by 12 months. You'll also want to look for stimming, like rocking, spinning, or waving constantly, as a possible sign of autism. | Note your baby's facial expression. By 7 months old, typical babies express happiness and smile. A baby's first smile often occurs even before 3 months. If a baby doesn't follow objects with its eyes by 3 months, this could be a very early indicator of autism. Observe their other facial expressions. By 9 months old, babies communicate with others by displaying certain expressions like grimacing, pouting and grinning to fit their mood. Notice when babbling begins. Babies that develop typically will babble by the time they are 7 months old. The noise might not make any sense. It is common for babies to make repetitive sounds, but autistic babies will make different sounds and rhythms. By seven months, non-autistic children are able to laugh and make squealing sounds. Consider when your child begins speaking. Some autistic children experience a delay in speaking, or never learn to speak at all. Around 15-20% of autistic people never speak, although this does not mean they do not communicate. By one year, non-autistic children are able to say single words such as "Mama" and "Dada". By age 2, most children are able to string words together. A typical 2-year-old should have a vocabulary of more than 15 words. Check your child's response to language and play. An autistic child might not respond to their own name or avoid play with others. By 7 months, a typical child responds to simple games like peekaboo. A non-autistic child responds to its own name at about one year old. By 18 months, a typical child will start to play "pretend" games, such as pretend feeding a baby doll. Autistic children tend not to play pretend, and may appear unimaginative to onlookers. By age two, non-autistic children will imitate your words and actions. Pay attention to speech regression. Some infants meet their milestones and then lose skills at an older age. Examine your child's movements. Babies will reach for objects typically by 7 months of age. Place a toy out of your child's reach to see if he will reach for it. Babies as young as 7 months old will try to attract your attention with movements. Autistic children may be less active. By 6 months old, children should turn their head towards sounds they hear. If your child does not do this they may have a hearing problem, or early symptoms of autism. Many babies start waving bye-bye and pointing to objects they want by the time they are 12 months old. If your child has not started to walk or crawl by 12 months, this is a very serious developmental disability. By age 1, most babies will start to use gestures such as shaking their head to say "no". If your child cannot walk by age 2, you should definitely have them evaluated by a doctor for autism and other disabilities. Look for stimming. Stimming serves a variety of purposes: from self-calming to expressing emotions. If your young child waves their hands, rocks their body, or spins in circles constantly, this is a likely sign of autism. Observe your child's interaction with others. Autistic children may not develop friendships with peers. They may want to form friendships but not know how, or they may not really care. They sometimes struggle with understanding and reacting to others' feelings. Autistic children may not want to join group activities, either because it's hard or because they aren't interested. Autistic children may be unusual in terms of personal space: some may resist touch or not understand personal space. Another symptom of autism is when a child does not respond to being comforted by others when they are distressed. Notice the child's nonverbal communication. Autistic children may feel uncomfortable with eye contact. They may have a flat facial expression, or exhibit exaggerated experiences. Autistic children may not understand or respond to other's non-verbal cues. Autistic people may not use gestures or have trouble interpreting when others use gestures. Autistic children often don't point to objects or respond to others pointing. Pay attention to your child's verbal communication. Children who do not develop speech or have delayed speech may be autistic. Autistic children who are verbal may use a flat or monotone voice. Some autistic kids use echolalia , or the repetition of words and phrases, to communicate and focus. For example, you may notice that if you ask them a question, they'll repeat the question back to you instead of answering it. Reversing pronouns (using "you" instead of "I") is another common trait of children who have ASD. Many autistic people don't understand jokes, sarcasm, or teasing. Some autistic people may develop speech later, or not at all. They can live happy and functional lives, using alternative communication such as typing, sign language, or picture exchange. Early intervention can help an autistic child learn how to use these tools. Determine whether your child has passionate special interests. Fascination with one topic, like computer games or license plates, may indicate autism. Autistic people become fascinated with particular subject areas, studying them passionately and sharing information with anyone who will listen (enthusiastically or not). For example, a younger child might be almost obsessively fascinated with dinosaurs or trains. Autistic people often become fascinated with memorizing categorized facts and figures. Consider whether your child's interests are considered "age-appropriate. " Autistic people's emotional development differs from the development of their peers, and this may result in them liking different things. Don't be surprised if a 12-year-old reads classical literature for fun and watches cartoons for young children. They may be both "behind" and "ahead" in some respects. Watch how they play. Autistic children tend to play differently than other children do, focusing more on systematizing than on imaginary play. They may show unusual aptitude with STEM-type toys. Autistic kids may fixate on a part of a toy, such as the wheels. One sign of autism is lining up toys in different patterns. Ordering things does not necessarily indicate a lack of imagination. Autistic children may have intense inner worlds that are not easily detected by adults. Pay attention to how your child reacts to sensory stimuli. Many autistic children have Sensory Processing Disorder, a condition in which their senses may be hypersensitive, or hyposensitive. Children with Sensory Processing Disorder may become overwhelmed easily when they are overstimulated. Notice if your child hides from loud things (e.g. the vacuum cleaner), wants to leave events early, has trouble concentrating when there are distractions, is constantly active, or gets upset in loud or crowded areas. Some autistic children react strangely to strong smells, bright colors, unusual textures, and specific noises, even if those stimuli don't seem strong to other people. Children with Sensory Processing Disorder will often have meltdowns or act out when they are over stimulated. Others may withdraw. Take note of meltdowns. Meltdowns appear similar to tantrums, but they are not thrown on purpose, and cannot be suppressed once they have begun. They occur when bottled-up stress explodes to the surface. Sometimes they are triggered by sensory overload. Examine your child's routine. Many autistic children need routines in order to feel secure, and will become very distressed if the routine is disrupted. For example, your daughter might insist on sitting in the same chair at dinner each night or she might insist on eating her foods in a particular order. Many autistic people follow specific routines or rituals when they are playing or doing certain tasks, and autistic children may become very upset by changes in this routine. Watch for social mistakes. While all children can do rude or inappropriate things, autistic people will do them more frequently, and act surprised and apologetic when told so. This is because autistic people don't learn social norms as easily, and may need to be taught explicitly what is appropriate and inappropriate. For instance, you might notice that your child doesn't smile when you smile, they have trouble making friends, they don't make eye contact, or they don't seem to understand other people's emotions. Keep watch for other symptoms. Autism is a complex disability that affects every person differently. Here are some examples of symptoms that some autistic people have: Hyperactivity (this may come and go) Impulsivity Short attention span Aggression Self-injury Temper tantrums or meltdowns Unusual eating or sleeping habits Unusual mood or emotional reactions Lack of fear or extreme fear of harmless situations Distinct facial features. In a 2011 issue of Molecular Autism, researchers found out that autistic children have distinct differences in facial characteristics. The study found they had wider eyes, and a "broader upper face," compared with typically developing children. Abnormal lung airways. In 2013, a study was published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, claiming that "Bronchoscopic evaluations revealed that some children have double branching of bronchi (designated "doublets") in the lower lungs airways, rather than normal, single branching. Retrospective analyses revealed only one commonality in them: all subjects with doublets also had autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD)." | Note your baby's facial expression. Notice when babbling begins. Consider when your child begins speaking. Check your child's response to language and play. Examine your child's movements. Look for stimming. Observe your child's interaction with others. Notice the child's nonverbal communication. Pay attention to your child's verbal communication. Determine whether your child has passionate special interests. Consider whether your child's interests are considered "age-appropriate. Watch how they play. Pay attention to how your child reacts to sensory stimuli. Take note of meltdowns. Examine your child's routine. Watch for social mistakes. Keep watch for other symptoms. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Cute-at-School-(Girls) | How to Be Cute at School (Girls) | Being a cute girl at school is all about being approachable and embracing your own style. With a cute hairstyle like braids, curls, a ponytail, or just wearing your hair down, you'll look just like a princess. If you can choose your clothes at school, wear bright-colored tops and dresses you'll feel confident in. If you wear a school uniform, you can still show off your personality with some cute jewelry like a bracelet, necklace, or earrings. Don't be afraid to act confidently and be yourself so people will want to talk to you. You should also be as positive and friendly as you can to everyone you meet. Don't worry too much what people think about you, and just enjoy being at school. | Choose bright or pastel colors to wear. Cute clothing tends to be associated with soft colors, not dark ones. Choose clothes with colorful or pastel tones, and stay away from dark colors such as black, gray, and brown. Pastel blues, purples, and pinks are good options for cute colors. Spend some time looking on Pinterest or fashion blogs for inspiration on how to create cute outfits. Pick out tops that are flowy or loose. Not only are these tops super comfortable, but they give off a very cute and laid-back vibe. Look for loose tops that have lace, ribbons, bows, or any other decorative add-on. Patterned or printed shirts are always a great option, just make sure the colors stay light! Wear skirts and shorts that are pastel-colored or patterned. Skirts are a great clothing option for looking cute. Choose skirts that are flowy and made of a comfortable fabric. Picking shorts that have flowers, stripes, or another pattern on them will show off your sense of style. Stick to colorful or pastel colors, and make sure your skirts and shorts are school-appropriate. Be careful not to choose shorts or skirts that are too short, and stick to your school's dress code. If you're not a fan of skirts, no problem! Look for pants that have patterns on them or are made of a unique fabric or color that you like. Embellished jeans are always a cute option, too. Throw on a dress for the ultimate cute option. The right dress will do wonders for making your outfit look cute. Choose a dress style that's appropriate for school — short- or long-sleeved dresses are best, but if you're allowed to wear spaghetti strap dresses, go for it! Pick out dresses in light colors, and look for special additions such as lace or pleats. Some school dress codes will allow you to wear a spaghetti strap dress if you wear a sweater over your shoulders, so see if this is an option for you. Opt for outerwear and shoes that have flair. To take your outerwear to the next level of cute, find jackets that have their own style. Look for large buttons on jackets, outerwear made of a unique material, or coats that have floral or animal prints. When it comes to shoes, look for pretty colors, fabrics, and unique patterns as well. Options for cute shoes include ballet flats, colorful or patterned sneakers, and stylish boots. Add leggings to your outfit for added warmth. When the weather gets cooler, your skirts and dresses aren't going to keep you warm. Leggings these days come in tons of different colors, patterns, and styles. Choose leggings that are light in color, or even opt for tights that have a feminine touch. Accessorize your outfit to add personality. To make your outfit even better, add some jewelry or a hair accessory. Find some statement pieces that you love, such as a pair of silver heart earrings or a patterned headband. You don't need to go crazy with the accessorizing, but adding one or two pieces can greatly improve your outfit. If you wear glasses, find a pair that comes in a pretty color or unique design. You can do the same for sunglasses, too. Braid your hair for a put-together look. Braiding your hair will not only look cute, but it's also a great way to keep your hair out of your face. There are many different options, from a waterfall braid to a French braid , or even the traditional braid. Choose a style that works with your hair type and length. Curl your hair for a soft, girly look. Curls are always cute, as they give your face a softened look. There are several ways you can curl your hair. By using things such as a curling iron, flat iron, or hair rollers, you'll have curly hair in no time. Some methods of curling your hair, such as using hair rollers or braids, should be started the night before. Plan ahead and make sure you have enough time to properly style your hair. Pull your hair into a ponytail for a quick style. For days when you want a quick hair fix that's also stylish and cute, pull your hair into a ponytail. This could be a side ponytail, pigtails, a high ponytail — whichever style you think looks the cutest. Add an accessory such as a colorful scrunchie or headband to your ponytail if you want. Wear your hair naturally if it doesn't need styling. If you happen to be one of those girls who rolls out of bed with naturally beautiful hair, then you're ready to go! Either give it a quick brush or use a styling product to bring out volume and tame unruly hairs. Wearing your hair naturally gives you a soft, gorgeous look. Use a hair accessory if you have short hair. If your hair is on the shorter side or you don't have a lot of time in the mornings, opt for a hair accessory. Headbands, scrunchies, clips, and so many other hair accessories are available in a variety of colors, patterns, and fabrics. Visit an accessory store, drug store, or big-box store near you to pick out a new hair accessory. Most hair accessories cost less than $10, and they can be found online as well. Apply your makeup minimally for a natural look. Wearing makeup can be a great way to boost your self-confidence and cover up any imperfections you don't want seen, but don't overdo it. When it comes to looking cute while wearing makeup, less is more. Highlight your face using a blush, and pick out a natural or light shade of lip gloss. Swipe on a little bit of mascara if you have light eyelashes, but keep any eyeliner very minimal. If you feel like you don't need makeup, awesome! Only apply it if you want to. Putting a thin line of eyeliner on each of your top eyelids will make your eyes stand out more, but avoid putting much, if any, on the bottom lid. Be confident. Being cute isn't just about your appearance, it's about having self-confidence and feeling good in your own skin. Embrace all aspects of yourself and don't spend time worrying about insecurities. If you think confident thoughts on the inside, that confidence will show through on the outside. Doing things such as taking care of your personal hygiene, having great posture, and making eye contact with people when you talk to them will help bring out your confidence. Think about activities you're good at or talents you might have. If these are things you love doing, take more time to pursue them — this will help increase your confidence as well. Talk using feminine tones. People don't tend to associate “cute” with a loud, abrasive voice. You don't need to whisper, but talk softly. Use tones that are warm and bubbly, without speaking too loudly. Keep a positive outlook. The happier and more positive that you are around others, the more they're going to want to hang out with you. Spread your positive outlook to others by saying positive things and cheering people up when they're feeling down. A cute girl is cute because her attitude radiates bubbliness, kindness, and acceptance of herself and others. Smile as often as possible. One of the best ways to radiate positive vibes is to show how happy you are with a smile. If people see you smiling, they'll be much more likely to want to interact with you. Give a smile to people you pass in the halls, the peers that sit next to you in class, and to your teachers. A little happiness goes a long way. Be yourself. If you're spending all of your time trying to be something that you're not, you aren't going to be happy. Relax and just be yourself — don't stress about your appearance or what people think of you. By being your own cute, authentic self, everyone around you will think you're cute as well. Cute girls tend to observe more and talk less, so if you're not super outspoken, that's OK! Embrace your shyness and use it to your advantage — oftentimes, shy people are seen as coy or flirtatious, which can be very cute. If you are outspoken, don't feel like you need to suddenly convert to being shy. Keep being your outgoing self, but just try to listen to others as much as you talk. Stick to your studies. Don't let being cute become your entire focus. A cute girl is intelligent and interested in learning more about the world, so don't forget to focus on your schoolwork as well. Doing your homework and studying hard will make you a cute girl who is knowledgeable and mature. Don't pretend to be dumb or clueless because you think it's cute. You should be able to show off how cute you are while also being yourself. Be a friend to everyone. Cute girls are nice to everyone that they talk to and are able to make others feel comfortable when they're around. To do this, try to be friendly towards all of your classmates. Compliment someone on their shirt, say hello in the halls, or help out a classmate with their schoolwork. By being nice to everyone, your peers will see you as a cute, friendly person. Be polite. This one is simple — the more polite and well-mannered you are, the cuter. Everyone likes someone who is polite and kind to them, so try to be friendly and courteous whenever you interact with someone, whether it's a peer or a teacher. | Choose bright or pastel colors to wear. Pick out tops that are flowy or loose. Wear skirts and shorts that are pastel-colored or patterned. Throw on a dress for the ultimate cute option. Opt for outerwear and shoes that have flair. Add leggings to your outfit for added warmth. Accessorize your outfit to add personality. Braid your hair for a put-together look. Curl your hair for a soft, girly look. Pull your hair into a ponytail for a quick style. Wear your hair naturally if it doesn't need styling. Use a hair accessory if you have short hair. Apply your makeup minimally for a natural look. Be confident. Talk using feminine tones. Keep a positive outlook. Smile as often as possible. Be yourself. Stick to your studies. Be a friend to everyone. Be polite. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Find-Your-Singing-Range | How to Find Your Singing Range | If you want to find your singing range, start by playing middle C on a piano or in a program like Garageband. Sing the note strongly, matching the pitch as close as you can, then continue playing descending keys while matching your voice to the piano. When you reach a note that you can't sing comfortably without your voice wavering, you've found the lowest note in your range. Return to middle C and repeat the same process going up the keyboard. | Press middle C (C4) on the keyboard. Because it can play a relatively wide range of notes perfectly in tune, a piano (or an electric keyboard) is usually the most useful instrument for finding your vocal range. Start by pressing the note middle C (also called C4) on the keyboard. Note that you won't need to know how to play the piano to use this method of finding your vocal range. If you're not familiar with the keys on a piano, middle C is the fourth C natural note counting from the left side of the keyboard. In other words, it is the fourth white key that is to the left of 2 black keys. Usually, this is right in the middle of the keyboard, under the manufacturer's name or logo. If you're not sure whether you're using the right note, consider using a digital middle C reference tone (which can be found on YouTube, etc.) to help you find it. Starting at middle C is a good idea because it's contained in all of the traditional voice classes (i.e., bass, baritone, tenor, alto, soprano.) However, middle C falls at the top of a bass's vocal range and at the bottom of a soprano's, so if you have an exceptionally low or high voice, you may not be able to hit it. This is OK — simply start at a more comfortable note instead. Sing the note, matching your pitch carefully. When you've found middle C, sing the note out loud. Use a good amount of air support — you don't have to belt the note, but you need to sing it (and all of the other notes in this exercise) strongly and confidently. Play descending notes, matching your pitch each time. Press the white key to the left of middle C. This note is called B3. If you can, sing this tone as you try to match your pitch to the piano's. Next, press the white key to the left of B3 (which is called A3) and repeat. Keep moving down the piano through G3, F3, and so on until you reach a note that you can't sing comfortably. The previous note is the bottom of your singing range. For example, let's say that Sandy starts from middle C and reaches F3 (4 notes below it) comfortably. However, when she tries to sing the next note, E3, her voice wavers and she can't produce a clear tone. This means that F3 is at the bottom of her vocal range. Play ascending notes starting from middle C, matching your pitch as before. Next, return to middle C and simply go in the other direction. When you reach a note that's too high for you to sing clearly and comfortably, you'll know that the previous note marks the top of your vocal range. Let's say that Sandy starts from middle C and reaches D5 (8 notes up — over a full octave) without any problems. When she tries to sing E5, she can't maintain her pitch. This means that D5 is at the top of her vocal range. Repeat as needed. Your singing range contains all the notes in between (and including) your highest note and your lowest note. In our example, Sandy can sing from about an F3 to a D5. This means her vocal range makes her roughly a contralto — traditionally the lowest vocal category for women. Use a video or app for reference tones. If you don't have a piano or you just don't want to bother with one, fear not — it's easy to find the reference tones you need on streaming video sites like YouTube, etc. Simply search for a query like "middle C" or "finding vocal range" to get plenty of results that can help you sing the right tones to determine your vocal range. Alternatively, use a tool like the SingScope app. This app lets you record your voice and will show you what note you're singing in real time. It can also slide from your lowest note to your highest note to help you determine your range. Use a vocal range-finding lesson. This article offers a simple but effective path to finding your vocal range. However, this isn't the only way to find your vocal range. A wide variety of lessons and tests are easy to find with simple search engine queries like "find my vocal range" and so on. For a fairly thorough DIY lesson for finding your own vocal range with 5 exercises and instructions for each, go to http://www.singwise.com/cgi-bin/main.pl?section=articles&doc=UnderstandingVocalRangeRegistersAndType. Use singers' resources for further information. If you're willing to spend a little extra time and energy, there's much more to learn about what gives each person his or her unique vocal range. Try browsing "serious" journals and articles written for moderate-to-advanced singers as your next step — there are are an absolute wealth of these available with a simple search engine query! Alternatively, http://www.vocalist.org.uk/vocal_range_key.html has a more technical text article available. Included in this article are definitions for over a dozen categories of vocal ranges. Learn the note ranges for the most common traditional vocal classes. Your personal vocal class is the option with the range that you most closely match. Note that your range may not match one of these categories perfectly and that vocal profiles besides the ones below, though rare, are possible. Class: Soprano. Range: B3-C6 (Female). Famous examples: Maria Callas, Mariah Carey, Kate Bush. Class: Mezzo-Soprano. Range: A3-A5 (Female). Famous examples: Maria Malibran, Beyoncé, Tori Amos. Class: Contralto. Range: F3-F5 (Female). Famous examples: Adele, Sade. Class: Countertenor. Range: G3-D5 (Male). Famous examples: Alfred Deller, Philippe Jaroussky. Class: Tenor. Range: C3-Bb4 (Male). Famous examples: Luciano Pavarotti, Freddie Mercury. Class: Baritone. Range: F2-F4 (Male). Famous examples: David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix. Class: Bass. Range: E2-E4 (Male). Famous examples: Klaus Moll, Barry White, Louis Armstrong. Work with a professional voice teacher. A voice teacher can help you find your range and tell you which vocal part fits your voice best. Ask for referrals from friends and family or do an online search to find voice teachers in your area. Meet with at least 3 voice teachers before selecting one to ensure they will be the best fit for you and your goals. Determine which notes sound the best if your range spans multiple voice types. If you can sing baritone, bass, and tenor, for instance, think about which notes are easiest for you to produce. Also, consider which notes sound full and rich compared to others. This can help you determine the best vocal part for your particular voice. Find your voice break. Your voice break, also called passagio, occurs when you transition from chest voice to head voice. Chest voice is used to sing lower notes, while head voice is used to sing higher notes. Your voice might crack or yodel when you slide through your break. | Press middle C (C4) on the keyboard. Sing the note, matching your pitch carefully. Play descending notes, matching your pitch each time. Play ascending notes starting from middle C, matching your pitch as before. Repeat as needed. Use a video or app for reference tones. Use a vocal range-finding lesson. Use singers' resources for further information. Learn the note ranges for the most common traditional vocal classes. Work with a professional voice teacher. Determine which notes sound the best if your range spans multiple voice types. Find your voice break. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Practice-Two-Point-Position-Without-a-Horse | How to Practice Two Point Position Without a Horse | To practice two point position without a horse, mount your saddle on a stable object, then mount up. Concentrate on your body position as you push yourself up into two point position, and hold it for as long as you can. If you're having trouble maintaining good form, consider setting up a mirror across from you, so you can check on your positioning. You can also practice two point position by standing up on the pedals of a bike and leaning slightly forward, so most of your weight is on your ankles and heels. However, if you don't have a saddle or bike handy, lower yourself down towards the seat of a chair, without letting your backside touch it, then lean forward with a straight back to improve your leg strength for two point position. | Mount the saddle on a stable object. If you have a saddle but not a horse, you can to improvise in order to practice your two point position at home or when you can't get to the stables. You will need to find an object that you can use to secure the saddle above the ground. Ensure it is sturdy and can take your weight before you use it. It could be a wide fence outside, or a barrel, a wooden polo practice horse, or something similar. Secure the saddle on the object you are using, and be sure it does not slip around or fall off. Now mount up and push yourself up into two point position and hold it for as long as you can. Concentrate on your form and body position. If possible set up a mirror or camera so you can correct your position. If you find yourself losing balance and falling forwards or backwards use this to improve your position. If you fall forwards, try to open your chest a little and concentrate on pressing your shoulder blades down and back while in position. If you fall backwards, try to press your hipbones forwards towards where the horse's ears would be. Practice by standing on the pedals of a bike. If you don't have a saddle or an object to use as a practice horse you can try to replicate the position by standing up on the pedals of a bike. You can do this static or on the move. If you do on a static bike, you will need to secure the bike so you don't fall over. Stand up in the pedals and try to mimic the two point position. Lean slightly forward and take most of the weight on your ankles and heels, as you would in the saddle. Doing this can also help you improve your balance, and with practice you might find you are able to keep your balance on the bike when it is static. Use a chair. One very simple way to try and practice two point position at home is just to use a chair as your imaginary horse. Turn the chair around so you are facing the backrest and then squat over it with your hands on top of the back rest holding imaginary reins. Lower yourself down towards the seat of the chair, but don't let your backside touch it. Lean forward with a straight back and try to your body into a position similar to the two point position. This will help improve the strength in your legs, and can allow you just to focus on your body position without thinking about your balance. Ride a bike. In order to have a good strong two point position you need to have strong legs which can carry your weight for extended periods. Practising two point on a horse will work your legs, but it is easy to supplement this with some targeted strength training at home. One of the best ways to strengthen your legs is to go cycling often. Try to ride everyday when you can't ride a horse to keep your legs strong and improve your stamina. Riding a bike out of the saddle to some extent mimics riding in two point position on a horse. You will have to lean forward a little and keep your balance in the same kind of way. Improving the strength of your legs will help your remain stable and balanced in two point position, as well as improving your endurance. Do calf raises. If you have been working on your two point position you will have noticed how much it makes your calves burn. Calf raises are a great and very simple exercise which you can do at home. There are some variations which increase the difficulty, but the basic movement remains the same. To start with, stand up straight and lift yourself up onto your toes, contracting your calf muscles as you go. Keep your knees straight as you do this. You can increase the intensity by standing on a block or a stair, and dangling your heel off the end. Doing this will increase the range of motion available, allowing you to drop your heel below the level of the rest of your foot. You can add weight to increase the difficulty simply by holding onto dumbbells or any weighted object as you do the raises. If you do regular sets of calf raises you will begin to notice your calves strengthening and the muscle becoming more defined, which can translate to a more stable and enduring two point position. Do squats. The second main exercise you can do at home to help you develop your leg muscles for a better two point position is squats. Like calf raises, you can do squats anywhere and you don't need any equipment, but you can increase the difficulty by adding weight. Stand up straight with your legs shoulder width, or slightly wider, apart and turn your feet out to around 45 degrees. Inhale, contract your abdominal muscles and drop down. You backside should go out behind you as you go down. The movement is as if you were sitting down on a chair that is a little behind you not directly underneath you. Keep your knees in line with your feet, your chest forward, your chin up and your back with only a slight bend as you drop down. Go down so that your thighs are as close to parallel with the ground as you can before pushing back up to a standing position. Practice yoga to improve your balance. As well as strengthening your legs, it will be beneficial for you to work on improving your balance when you are away from the stables. One very good way to do this is with regular yoga routines. Yoga can help you improve your core strength and flexibility which can translate to better balance on and off your horse. Try regular routines which involve the tree pose, the eagle pose and the dancer's pose. The tree pose involves you standing up on one leg with the sole of your other foot pressed up against the inside thigh of your standing leg. For the eagle pose stand on one leg and bend the knee of the standing leg so you are squatting. Then raise your other leg and wrap it around your standing leg. Your arms should be crossed in front of you. To do the dancer's pose stand on one leg and raise your other leg up behind you. Grab the foot of the other leg with the hand on the same side and pull it up towards your back as you lean forward and extend your other arm in front of you. | Mount the saddle on a stable object. Practice by standing on the pedals of a bike. Use a chair. Ride a bike. Do calf raises. Do squats. Practice yoga to improve your balance. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Decorate-for-a-Graduation-Party | How to Decorate for a Graduation Party | To easily decorate the walls and tables of your graduation party, cut out the class year in foam board and glue on crumpled bits of colorful tissue paper. Blow up balloons in the school colors and set up a “photobooth” with a pretty background and fun props, like graduation caps and big glasses. Show off the grad's diploma and awards on a subtly decorated table. | Choose a graduation-related theme for more focused decorations. Talk to the grad about what they enjoy, their dreams or aspirations, their school's mascot--anything having to do with graduation and your grad in particular! If coming up with a theme and decorating for one feels too complicated, just come up with a simple color scheme instead. If you want to try for a more focused theme, consider ideas like: Nautical or All Around the World, for a grad who's looking forward to traveling. You could include sailboats, fish, and other nautical decorations. Oh, the Places You'll Go! , for a cute, general graduation theme centered around the popular Dr. Seuss book. Decorate with bright, pastel colors and pictures of characters from the book. Safari Adventure, especially if the grad's school has an animal mascot. You could decorate with stuffed animals and safari accessories, like hats and sunglasses. Something to do with the city or school they're going to next--Hollywood Glam if they're moving to California, for example, with glittery stars and film reels. A theme centered around their high school life. For example, a baseball theme for a baseball player, or a music theme for a grad that was in band. Choose a color scheme based on the grad’s school. If the grad is in high school, you might choose to decorate in their high school colors, but you could also deck the party out in the colors of their new college. Choose whichever one the grad likes most, or do a mix of them both! You can also go with something even simpler, like the grad's favorite colors. To combine both color schemes without clashing, use them on separate tables, or use one scheme indoors and the other outdoors. Try to get a mix of 3 colors per color scheme so you have a few shades to work with. If the school only uses 1-2 colors, use white or black as the third. Use tissue paper numbers to highlight their grad year. Cut big block numbers out of foam board with sharp scissors. Cut your tissue paper into squares of 2 inches (5.1 cm). Pinch one square of tissue paper, and dip the middle, folded part into a small pool of liquid glue, then stick it on a foam number. Repeat until the numbers are totally covered, then let dry for an hour. You can hang your tissue paper numbers on a wall or prop them up on a table. You can also push sticks into the bottom of the foam board and stand them up in tall glasses side-by-side. Fill the glasses halfway with sand for extra stability. Get 2-3 different tissue paper colors and dot them randomly over the board for a fun, textured look. Use tassel garlands as bunting on the walls. Fold 1-2 sheets of tissue paper lengthwise, then twice widthwise. Cut long strips from the bottom of the paper up towards the fold, leaving about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of space before the fold. Unfold the paper once, cut it down the middle widthwise, and open up the sheets. Roll up the paper so that the tassels are sticking out on both sides, twist it in the middle, and make a loop. String it up on a cord and repeat until the cord has 6-7 tassels on it. One sheet of tissue paper will turn into 4 tassels, so you won't need to buy a ton of tissue paper. When you're done, your bunting will look like the tassels that attach to a graduation cap. Hang it up on a wall or table as a festive decoration. Blow up balloons in school colors. Head to your local party supply store and buy a pack of balloons in each of the colors in your color scheme. Get help from family and neighbors to blow them up, then attach a long ribbon to each and tie them together in big bunches. You can also tie them onto the ends of tables, chairs, or trees. You can also buy clear balloons and sprinkle a couple pinches of glitter into each before blowing them up. Shake the balloon a bit to distribute the glitter for a sparkly addition to your balloon bouquet! Make sure that none of your guests have latex allergies before buying your balloons. If they do, you can buy shiny, crinkly latex-free balloons instead. Some colleges sell balloons with their logo on them. Check online to see if your grad's college does! Write inspirational quotes on chalkboards around the party. Look online for simple, inspirational graduation quotes and neatly print them on small chalkboards. Set them up on tables or walls around the party to inspire the grad and their guests! You could choose bright, catchy quotes, like from Dr. Seuss' “Oh, the Places You'll Go!”: “You're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So… get on your way!” You could also choose more serious quotes, such as this one from Henry David Thoreau: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” You can find chalk and chalkboards at craft stores and online. Look for chalkboards outlined in a matching color and choose simple white chalk for a clean look. Set up a “photobooth” with a fun background and props. Hang a long piece of cloth or paper as a backdrop, and string lights around it or hang up bunting or streamers. Set out funny props, like graduation caps, big sunglasses, and fake mustaches, for guests to wear in their pictures. You can set up a timed camera on a tripod, or you can let guests use their own cameras and phones to take pictures. For added entertainment, print out yearbook superlatives (like Most Likely to Achieve and Class Clown) in bright colors and glue them onto sticks for guests to pose with in their pictures. Set out a decorated table on the edge of the main party room. Throw a colored tablecloth over a fold-out table and accent it with twinkly lights or ribbons. Place it to the side in 1 room but make sure people can see it by placing a balloon bouquet or some bunting nearby. Keep the decorations neutral and let the grad's accomplishments take the spotlight. Display the diploma and awards on the table. Prop up the grad's diploma on your table and lay out any awards or trophies they might have from academics, sports, or other extracurriculars. Set out pictures from their time at school for guests to look at. If the grad has a letterman's jacket, you can hang it nearby or fold it up and place it on the table. Make a collage of old yearbook photos to place on the table. Find as many wallet-sized yearbook pictures of the grad as you can and attach them to a piece of construction paper or cardstock with blue painter's tape (which is easily removable). Prop up the collage on the table for guests to enjoy. Besides yearbook pictures, you can use any photos you like of the grad playing sports, hanging out with friends, smiling with family, or studying. Fun photos will add a bit more personality to the table, which would otherwise be just awards and a diploma. Tack up pictures and paper awards on a decorated corkboard. Another creative way to display the grad's achievements is on a bulletin board. Decorate it with paper, ribbons, and other decorations in your color scheme, then tack up a few pictures, pins, or paper certificates. Prop it up on the table or hang it on the wall behind. You can add pictures of the grad to the bulletin board, or even use it to hang up a picture collage. Some grads receive pins from sports, classes, or national achievement organizations. This is a great place to display these too--simply stick them in the corkboard. Collect cards and gifts in a basket or a cute, open suitcase. Place some colored tissue paper in a small basket. Make a label by folding a piece of cardstock in half and writing “Cards” on the front. Place the basket on a nearby table, or on the same one if you have room, for guests to drop off cards or other gifts for the grad. Set the folded label in front. For a unique, creative alternative, lay open an old-fashioned suitcase and string the word “Cards” across the top. This is especially great if the grad is planning on travelling or heading away for school! Pick up tablecloths and utensils to match your color scheme. Grab a few packs of disposable plates, cups, and silverware for your guests to use. Choose a few tablecloths as well. Go with plastic ones to save money, or choose linen for a more upscale look. Choose colors in your color scheme for the most put-together look. If you can't find colors that match your theme, go with clear utensils and cups. You could also choose dishware and silverware with a generic graduation theme. Tie a ribbon around long pretzels or cookies to make edible diplomas. Choose a ribbon color to match your color scheme and tie it in a bow around each pretzel or pirouette cookie. If you want your ribbon to be edible, use a Twizzler or Sour Straw. You can do this with any oblong snack food. Try it with rolled pastries--they'll look even more like diplomas. Set out a bowl of Ring Pops as “class rings. ” For a simple grad-themed treat, buy a pack of Ring Pops and lay them out on a tray or in a bowl. Fold a small piece of cardstock in half and write “Class Rings” to use as a label and clue guests in on the joke. Make graduation s’mores pops for a sweet finger food. Melt 3-4 blocks of chocolate in the microwave and push a popsicle or lollipop stick into the bottom of a jumbo marshmallow. Dip the top of the marshmallow in the chocolate, then place a small square of graham cracker on top and let it dry for a few minutes. Cut a Twizzler string to 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) long and stick it to the top with melted chocolate, then place an M&M on top to hold it in place. When you're done, your s'more pop will look like a head with a graduation cap on it! You can make a face on the marshmallow by using small sprinkles for eyes and a nose, and red icing for a mouth. Place the pops in a tall glass or in styrofoam to keep them upright. Place them on the table and enjoy! Place a square chocolate on top of cupcakes to make a grad cap. Make a batch of cupcakes and wait until they cool, then turn them upside down and slather some frosting on the bottom. Place a large square of chocolate on top. Cut a 1.5 inch (3.8 cm) piece of Twizzler and use a dot of frosting to secure it to the top like a tassel. You can also place the chocolate “cap” on the top of the cupcake, but turning it upside down looks a bit more symmetrical. Wrap utensils in a napkin with a ribbon to look like a diploma. This simple trick can make even the cutlery part of the graduation theme! Wrap up a plastic fork, knife, and spoon in a white napkin and tie it all together in a bow. Place your utensil diplomas in a basket next to the food. Set out cookies and cupcakes on a graduation cap stand. Place a plate on top of an upside down bowl, sticking it in place with scotch tape or a small piece of duct tape. Tape an extra graduation tassel in the middle of the plate, so that the tassel hangs off the edge like a graduation cap. Set cupcakes, cookies, and other snacks on the plate and enjoy! This graduation cap serving dish looks best when the plate and bowl are the same color, especially black. You can buy extra tassels online. | Choose a graduation-related theme for more focused decorations. Choose a color scheme based on the grad’s school. Use tissue paper numbers to highlight their grad year. Use tassel garlands as bunting on the walls. Blow up balloons in school colors. Write inspirational quotes on chalkboards around the party. Set up a “photobooth” with a fun background and props. Set out a decorated table on the edge of the main party room. Display the diploma and awards on the table. Make a collage of old yearbook photos to place on the table. Tack up pictures and paper awards on a decorated corkboard. Collect cards and gifts in a basket or a cute, open suitcase. Pick up tablecloths and utensils to match your color scheme. Tie a ribbon around long pretzels or cookies to make edible diplomas. Set out a bowl of Ring Pops as “class rings. Make graduation s’mores pops for a sweet finger food. Place a square chocolate on top of cupcakes to make a grad cap. Wrap utensils in a napkin with a ribbon to look like a diploma. Set out cookies and cupcakes on a graduation cap stand. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Paint-Laminate-Furniture | How to Paint Laminate Furniture | To paint laminate furniture, start by sanding down the surface using 120-grit sandpaper so that the paint will stick better. Next, apply an oil-based primer with a brush or roller and wait 4 hours for it to dry. Once it's dry, gently sand the surface with a 220-grit sandpaper. Then, apply a coat of an acrylic latex paint with a brush or roller using short, even strokes. Allow the paint to dry for 2 hours, then repeat the process with two more coats of paint. | Take off any handles or knobs from the furniture. Put them in a plastic bag so you don't lose them. If something won't detach from the furniture, cover it with painter's tape. Fill in dents in the furniture with a wood filler. You can find wood filler at your local hardware store. Let the filler dry per the instructions on the label. Use a 120-grit sandpaper to lightly sand the furniture’s surface. Sand in circular motions until the surface of the furniture looks dull and less glossy. Don't sand too much or you might tear up the laminate from the surface. Wipe down the furniture with a damp cloth to remove any wood dust. Make sure the surface of the furniture is clean before you begin the priming process. Lay down a tarp in a well-ventilated area. Move the furniture onto the tarp so no primer or paint gets on the floor. Use newspaper if you don't have a tarp. Apply a high-quality latex primer to the furniture’s surface. Look for primer at your local hardware or paint store. Apply the primer using a brush or roller until there's an even coverage on the entire surface of the furniture. Use a spray can primer for an easier application. Let the primer dry for at least four hours. After four hours, gently touch the primed surface with the tip of your finger to see if it's fully dried. If the primer is still wet, let it finish drying. Sand the primed surface with a 220-grit sandpaper. Lightly sand in circular motions like you did the first time you sanded the furniture. Wipe off any dust from the surface with a damp cloth. Use an acrylic latex paint. Decide whether you want your finish to be glossy or matte, and look for an acrylic latex paint with that finish. You can find acrylic latex paint at your local hardware or paint store. Apply the first coat of paint using a brush or roller. Paint using short, even strokes going in the same direction. It's OK if the first coat looks slightly patchy or uneven. Let the paint dry for at least two hours. Some paints may take longer to dry, so check the label on the paint you're using for specific drying instructions. After two hours check to see if the first coat of paint is dry using your fingertips. Alternate between painting and drying until you get an even coverage. This could take between three to four coats of paint. Allow the furniture to dry for at least two hours between each coat. Let the newly-painted furniture cure for a week. You can re-attach any handles or knobs to the furniture once the final coat is dry, but avoid setting anything on the furniture until it's cured for a week to prevent peeling. You can also add a paint sealer to the surface of the furniture after the last coat dries. | Take off any handles or knobs from the furniture. Fill in dents in the furniture with a wood filler. Use a 120-grit sandpaper to lightly sand the furniture’s surface. Wipe down the furniture with a damp cloth to remove any wood dust. Lay down a tarp in a well-ventilated area. Apply a high-quality latex primer to the furniture’s surface. Let the primer dry for at least four hours. Sand the primed surface with a 220-grit sandpaper. Use an acrylic latex paint. Apply the first coat of paint using a brush or roller. Let the paint dry for at least two hours. Alternate between painting and drying until you get an even coverage. Let the newly-painted furniture cure for a week. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Tourist-Visa-for-Dubai | How to Get a Tourist Visa for Dubai | To get a tourist visa for Dubai, start by figuring out the rules for your specific country. For example, U.S. citizens and all EU member states get a free visit visa at United Arab Emirates airports that are good for 30 days. In order to get your free visa, make sure you have a U.S. passport that's valid for more than 6 months. Alternatively, if you need a student visa to attend a licensed university, you'll have to submit a copy of your passport, proof of travel insurance, and paperwork establishing the university as your sponsor. | Determine the rules for your specific country. If you want a visit visa for Dubai , be aware that it's a lot easier if you are a citizen of the United States or are from 32 other countries (including the European Union countries) whose citizens don't need a pre-entry visa to enter Dubai. Citizens of the United States and all EU member states qualify for free visit visas at United Arab Emirates airports or other points of entry. They last for 30 days. That means you don't need to get a visa in advance of arriving in Dubai. If you are a citizen of a Gulf Cooperation Council country, you don't need a visa at all and could also qualify for a visa for domestic help. GCC countries are countries along the Arabian peninsula. These countries include: Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia. If you are from a country not on that list of 33 and aren't from a GCC country, you may still get a day tourist visa, depending on the country you are from, but it needs to be sponsored by a local entity, like a hotel or a tour operator, and you should get the visa before entering Dubai. Check with your embassy before traveling to Dubai because the list of countries not requiring a pre-visa or sponsor can change. Determine the type of visa you need if you don’t qualify for the free visit visa. If you're not from America, the EU or a few other countries, you will need to find the sponsor to apply for a visa for you. Valid sponsors include hotel and tourist companies, airlines and airline handlers, organizations based in the United Arab Emirates, and some individuals who already live there. You will need to choose the type of visa. Possibilities include a tourist visa that is valid for 30 days, a service visa valid for 14 days or a visit visa, which is valid for 30 days and can be extended for another 30. Airlines and airline handlers can qualify for a 96-hour transit visa. Get a 30-day visa as an American citizen. If you are a U.S. citizen who carries a U.S. passport, you will qualify for a visa to United Arab Emirates. Your passport must be valid for more than six months, so make sure it's not about to expire. As noted, you do not need to obtain a visa prior to entry to the UAE if you will be staying in Dubai for less than one month. Proceed directly to customs check, and you will be instructed on how to get your visa. You will need your U.S. passport. This includes U.S citizens who have visas or entry stamps from other countries in their passports. You will need a confirmed round trip airline ticket and an original passport signed by the bearer that should not expire within six months of the time you expect to arrive in Dubai. The visas are available when you arrive at the airport. If you are going to stay longer than one month, you could just ask for an extension from the immigration office in the UAE. Obtain a diplomatic or official visa. The rules are more complicated for people needing a U.S. diplomatic or official visa. You must submit two completed application forms that are typed and contain the particulars of the sponsor host in the UAE (such as the U.S. Embassy). You also must provide the residence address in the country. You need the original passport signed by the bearer, and it should not expire within 6 months of your arrival. You will need a copy of the passport and application, two original passport-sized photos, and an original letter from the U.S. Department you are representing that lists your position, purpose of your visit, name and phone number of your contact person in UAE and a confirmation of your sponsor. Figure out if you need a multiple-entry visa. Sometimes people on cruise ships need multiple-entry visas because they are going to enter the country more than one time during the trip. Frequent visitors to the country and those who are business visitors tied to a multinational or reputable Dubai company can also qualify for a multiple-entry visa. You must enter the UAE first on a visit visa. Obtain the multiple-entry visa while in the country. The visa will be stamped in your passport. Citizens of the United States and all EU member states qualify for free visit visas at United Arab Emirates airports or other points of entry. U.S. citizens can apply to the UAE embassy in the United States to obtain one to 10-year multiple entry visas. This requires a sponsor. The visa is free. Tourists and business people using this visa should not stay longer than six months for each visit. German citizens can apply to the UAE embassy in Germany but only qualify for 1 to 2 year multiple entry visas. They don't need a sponsor. They can't stay longer than three months per year and must pay a visa fee. Obtain a transit visa. If you're just stopping at the Dubai International Airport but will be there for at least 8 hours, you could qualify for a 96-hour transit visa. You need to show a valid onward ticket. You must present passport and travel documents. If you are from Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Niger, or Yemen, you don't qualify for a transit visa. Airlines often arrange these transit visas for their passengers. Obtain a student visa. If you will be attending a licensed university or educational institution in the country, that institution could sponsor you for a student visa. You will need to submit a clear passport copy of the sponsor, a copy of the establishment card, copy of the trade license, and travel insurance. There are fees associated with student visas You will also need to provide a clear personal photo of the sponsored person and authorized signatures. Obtain a medical treatment visa. In order to seek medical treatment in the country, you need to have a sponsorship from a medical establishment that is approved by the Ministry of Health or Health Authority. Medical visas last 60 days and can be renewed twice for 60-day periods. You will need a clear passport copy of the sponsor, a copy of the establishment card, a medical certificate attested by the Health Authority or MOH, and travel insurance. You will also need a clear personal photo of the sponsored person. Obtain a visa for a conference, festival or exhibition. You can get a special visa for these kinds of events by providing a clear photo of the sponsored person approved by the sponsors with proper signatures. You will need a passport of the sponsor, copy of the establishment card, copy of the trade license, a letter from the concerned entity announcing the event, and travel insurance. Such visas last for 30 or 60 days and can't be renewed. | Determine the rules for your specific country. Determine the type of visa you need if you don’t qualify for the free visit visa. Get a 30-day visa as an American citizen. Obtain a diplomatic or official visa. Figure out if you need a multiple-entry visa. Obtain a transit visa. Obtain a student visa. Obtain a medical treatment visa. Obtain a visa for a conference, festival or exhibition. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Talk-With-a-Gay-or-Lesbian-Person | How to Talk With a Gay or Lesbian Person | Talking with someone who's gay or lesbian doesn't need to be any different to talking to straight people. Homosexual people can vary greatly so try to forget about stereotypes. Just keep an open mind and take them at face value when getting to know them. If their sexuality makes you uncomfortable, just don't talk about it and focus on positive aspects of their personality. However, if they're happy to talk about their sexuality and you're cool with it, go right ahead. You should also avoid telling jokes about their sexuality unless you know they're fine with it, just in case they find it offensive. If in doubt, just think about whether something would be appropriate to say to a straight person, and if it isn't, then avoid saying it. | Understand that interacting with a gay or lesbian person is not different. Understand that you do not need to act differently when talking with a person just because they are different from you. Being gay or lesbian is only one aspect of a person, and it doesn't have to be at the forefront of every interaction. If you want to become friends with a person, you should do so because you enjoy similar interests (e.g. volunteering, going to the movies, reading literature, etc.). Being platonic friends with someone has nothing to do with sexuality. Forget about stereotypes. Gay men and lesbians vary greatly in their appearances, the way they talk, and the way they behave just the same as everyone else. A person's sexuality will not always be apparent based on their appearances or actions. Accept the fact that the ability to love or care for another is not solely related to sexuality, and that all relationships, whatever genders are involved, should be built on mutual attraction, love, respect and trust. Be open minded, as you would be with any other person. There are nice and mean gay people; just as there are nice and mean straight people. Dealing with the challenges of life takes a lot of courage for everyone. Try to think about the reasons why you or other people might object to being gay or lesbian and write some of these reasons down. After you have written these things down, try writing a defense of the opposite perspective. What might the person who is gay or lesbian say to defend him or herself against your list? Keeping an open mind will open your world up to a lot of opportunities you might have otherwise missed out on. Do not assume that a person is sexually attracted to you. If you are female, do you assume that all straight boys are attracted to you? If you are male, do you think all straight girls are interested in you, just because they like boys? The same thing applies to everyone; just because a person is attracted to your gender does not mean that they are sexually interested in you. Being a gay man or lesbian does not mean that they are attracted to every single person they meet that is of the same sex, just like you aren't attracted to every single person you meet that is of the opposite sex. Be respectful. If you have questions , be aware that you may be treading on sensitive ground. Would you appreciate being asked about your sex life by a work colleague? Probably not. Think about if you were asked that kind of question about being straight and about your partner. Use this as a gauge for what is appropriate and what is not. A gay or bisexual person may wish to disclose their sexual preferences with you, or they may not. Talking about sexuality is the same regardless of orientation. If you have a question you want to ask, you would probably only ask someone you are very close with and only under the right circumstances. Realize that friendship requires work. Being friends with a gay man or lesbian is just like having a straight friend. You will have to take all of the same steps to maintain a friendship with a gay or lesbian person as you would with a straight person. For example, you have to make time for them, respect them, listen to them, and of course, have fun hanging out with them. As with all people, if you have a close gay or lesbian friend who is struggling in their life, be supportive. If they need someone to listen, then be there for them. There problems might have their own unique aspects that are hard to understand, but that doesn't mean you can't be a loving, supportive friend. Don't act like you feel sorry for a gay or lesbian person. LGBT+ people have their problems just like everyone else does. They have faced challenges that have shaped who they are and how they see the world, just like everyone. You don't need to treat an LGBT+ person as though you feel sorry for them, and they will probably notice that you are doing it, just like anyone would. Treat them with respect because they have dealt with the challenges that life has given them, just as you and everyone else you know has. Be respectful. If you are a person who struggles to accept LGBT+ people for whatever reason, and believe that it is wrong then you may feel tempted to be mean to a gay or lesbian person. Try to remind yourself that you won't accomplish anything by doing this. If you find yourself in the presence of a gay or lesbian person, and you need to interact with them, treat them with respect. Don't try to lecture them. Lecturing a gay or lesbian person about why their sexuality is, in your opinion, wrong will not make them suddenly say, “Oh, you know what, you're right. I'll be straight now.” This is because they didn't choose to be the way they are. Therefore, you won't get yourself anywhere by trying to force your own ideas on to them, and you might also miss out on the chance to get to know a really cool person. Think about how you would feel if the situation were reversed. Would you change your mind about being heterosexual if a gay or lesbian person came up to you and started talking about why heterosexuality is wrong? Understand that kindness is not dependent upon having the same views. It is easy to get caught up in our own ideas about right and wrong, but try to remember that you probably have lots of friends with differing views. Keep this in mind when you meet a gay or lesbian person. They are still a person, and whether or not their orientation plays a big role in their life they still have other things they care about and are interested in. If a gay person does ask you about your views, then feel free to talk about them, but do it with kindness. Don't be defensive. For example, if they are religious reasons, talk about what you have been taught and why it makes sense to you. Don't assume that a conversation about differences has to be a huge fight. If you do have this conversation, listen to what they have to say too. Be open about your lack of understanding. If you do not understand the person's sexuality, then expressing this in a respectful, but clear way may be a good option. If you have a good relationship with this person and you want to understand his or her sexuality better, then you might ask the person to speak with you and help you understand. For example, you might say something like, "I respect you and I care about you. However, I do not fully understand what it means to be gay/lesbian. I was hoping you might be willing to tell me more about it and help me to develop a better understanding of that aspect of your life." Respect gender variance. If you want to be an ally of the community, or if you simply want to learn more about it, then the first thing to understand is that sexuality and gender aren't necessarily related. This means understanding and accepting that just because someone is born a woman does not mean that they should necessarily be attracted to men, or that someone born a man should be attracted to a woman. This is not the same as gender identity. Just because someone is gay or lesbian does not mean that they don't identify with their own gender. People who identify with a gender that is not their biological gender are transgender Report misrepresentations of LGBT+ people in the media. If you are watching television and find a news channel or TV show saying things about LGBT+ people that you know is false, you can report that program to GLAAD, which works to build support for the community. This also applies if you feel that a TV show is portraying an LGBT+ person in a very offensive, inaccurate way. You can report misrepresentation by contacting them here. Don't make jokes. You may not mean anything by it, but making jokes about gays and lesbians can be hurtful. Avoid making them, and if someone makes them around you, let them know that you feel uncomfortable with such jokes. You don't have to do this rudely. Just simply say, “I know you only meant that as a joke, but I find it very offensive to the LGBT+ community, and I would appreciate it if you would avoid these jokes when you are around me, please.” Don't assume that everyone you know is straight. Although heterosexual people are the majority, coming out as LGBT+ is a very difficult thing to do for many people. They may feel afraid that the people they love will abandon them. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/02\/Talk-With-a-Gay-or-Lesbian-Person-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Talk-With-a-Gay-or-Lesbian-Person-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/02\/Talk-With-a-Gay-or-Lesbian-Person-Step-14.jpg\/aid14493-v4-728px-Talk-With-a-Gay-or-Lesbian-Person-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} For example, if you have a great male friend, but he's never given any indication about whether he is gay or straight then you should avoid trying to set him up on dates with girls you know. If you have a friend who is gay that hasn't come out, then your assumptions that they are straight may make the process even more difficult for them. Deal with your own biases. Even if you whole-heartedly support the LGBT+ community, you might still have some biases against the community that you haven't dealt with. For example, many people tend to assume that a gay man will be dressed in brightly colored clothing, have perfectly styled hair, and speak in a feminine way. Although this may sometimes be the case, it isn't always. Gay men and lesbians come in all shapes and sizes, just like straight people. | Understand that interacting with a gay or lesbian person is not different. Be open minded, as you would be with any other person. Do not assume that a person is sexually attracted to you. Be respectful. Realize that friendship requires work. Don't act like you feel sorry for a gay or lesbian person. Be respectful. Don't try to lecture them. Understand that kindness is not dependent upon having the same views. Be open about your lack of understanding. Respect gender variance. Report misrepresentations of LGBT+ people in the media. Don't make jokes. Deal with your own biases. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Unlock-an-Oven | How to Unlock an Oven | To unlock an oven, hold down the Lock button on your control panel for 2 or 3 seconds and wait for the oven to beep to indicate it's unlocked. If this doesn't work, unplug it from the electrical outlet and wait a few minutes. Then, plug it back in again, which may reset the temperature gauge and cause it to unlock. If this doesn't work, hold down the child lock button for 5 seconds, since the lock often accidentally gets activated during cleaning. You can also hold down the clear or off button for 5 seconds to clear the lock. | Unplug the oven for 5 minutes, plug it back in, and press “Clear/Off”. This can sometimes prompt the oven's computer to reset and release the lock button. It's fairly common for the lock function to get stuck if the self-cleaning cycle was interrupted for any reason, like a power outage. If the outlet is hard to reach, you could also turn off the circuit breaker that powers your kitchen. Leave it off for 5 minutes before flipping it back on. This will also cut the power to your oven and hopefully reset the computer. Press the “Self-Clean” button, then “Clear/Off” after 60 seconds. If turning the oven on and off didn't reset the computer, try asking it to run a self-cleaning cycle and then promptly cancel it. This should hopefully engage the lock function (even though it is already engaged) and then release it after you press the “Clear/Off” button. Make sure to wait long enough after pressing “Self-Clean” for the process to start. You can usually hear your oven's system start the cycle. Run a short self-clean cycle and let the oven cool off for several hours. If starting and canceling the self-cleaning cycle didn't work, try letting the oven run a self-cleaning cycle. Set the timer for 1-2 hours and then let it do its thing. Give it several hours after the cleaning cycle to cool down, which should prompt the internal temperature gauge to release the lock function. The internal temperature needs to get back to around 200 °F (93 °C) or lower, and that may take anywhere from 30-90 minutes after the cleaning cycle is finished. Call a professional so you don’t damage the oven door. Find an appliance repair company in your area who can fix the brand and model of oven you have. Some companies may offer a free estimate, especially if you're a new customer, so spend some time looking at companies, reviews, and rates to find a provider you're comfortable with. Doing a DIY repair or finding a way to force the door open can result in more expensive damage than if you were to just call a repair person to come to take a look at the oven. Even if you manage to get the oven door open on your own, you still don't know the underlying cause that is making the lock function engage when it shouldn't be. Check that the “Child Lock” button isn’t engaged. This button often gets accidentally engaged during cleaning, and turning it off is simple! Hold down the button for 4-5 seconds to see if that clears the lock icon. If not, try holding down the “Clear/Off” button for 4-5 seconds. Remember that every model of oven is slightly different, so if you know you need to hold down that lock button for longer, make sure to do that. Read the user manual to see if there is a way to reset the computer. Every brand of oven is slightly different, but many have a process that will reset the oven's computer panel and trigger the oven door to unlock. It may be something like pressing the “Clock” button and the “Clear/Off” button at the same time for 10 seconds, or holding down on the “Child Lock” button for 30 seconds. The exact way to do this will depend on the brand of oven you have. For instance, the way to unlock a General Electric oven is different from unlocking a Bosch. Let the oven cool down to room temperature if there is food inside of it. Many newer ovens have a safety feature that will lock the oven if it registers a super high temperature, and sometimes the internal temperature of your oven gets to be higher than what it was set to. Turn off the oven and give it 30-90 minutes to cool down; then try opening the door or pressing the “Clear/Off” button to disengage the lock function. This can be super frustrating since your food is in the oven! But if you can't get the door to unlock any other way, this is your only option. Make sure to turn the oven off so that it doesn't maintain the same level of heat and burn your food. Turn the circuit breaker off for 5-10 minutes, then turn it back on. This is a simple way to cut the power to the oven and hopefully reset the computer. If this doesn't work and you've tried several other methods to get the door unlocked, it may be time to call in a professional. It's best to avoid using alternate means to try and force the door open, like a bent hanger or wire. This can cause more damage and cost you more money to repair in the long run. Unplug the oven for 5 minutes and then plug it back in to reset the computer. Sometimes the oven door is opening and closing perfectly fine, but the lock button is showing on the computer panel, making it so that your oven can't function normally. Before trying anything else, cut off the power to the oven to see if that will jog it to reset. You could also try turning off the circuit breaker directly if the outlet to your oven is hard to reach. Open the door and locate the door jamb and locking mechanism. There generally is a small metal latch or hook located on the exterior of the oven that hooks into a small opening on the interior of the oven door. It's usually on the top of the oven (beneath the burner buttons), but it can sometimes be along the right- or left-hand side. The oven door does need to be open for you to locate the door jamb and locking mechanism. Push the door jamb manually so the oven thinks the door is shut. While the oven door is still open, use a pair of pliers to push the hook or latch in to signal to the oven's computer that the door is shut. It's now signaling that the oven is shut and locked, while neither is true. You may be able to just push the latch in with your hand, but sometimes the opening is too slim. Press the “Self-Clean” button, wait 10 seconds, then press “Clear/Off. ” Give the oven enough time to start prepping for the cleaning cycle—you can usually hear the computer whirring and the oven gearing up to start the process. Once that happens, while still holding the door latch in, press the “Clear/Off” button. This should hopefully reset the computer and remove the lock icon from the computer panel. The oven door must be kept open during this process, otherwise, it's possible that it could get stuck in the locked position once the cleaning cycle is engaged. Call a repair person if the lock icon is still displayed. If this doesn't work, it could mean that there is something wrong with the actual computer inside the oven and it may need to be replaced. Unless you have experience working with those types of systems, it's generally less expensive and frustrating to have a professional service company fix things for you. When you call to set an appointment, check to make sure the company can work with the brand of oven you have. | Unplug the oven for 5 minutes, plug it back in, and press “Clear/Off”. Press the “Self-Clean” button, then “Clear/Off” after 60 seconds. Run a short self-clean cycle and let the oven cool off for several hours. Call a professional so you don’t damage the oven door. Check that the “Child Lock” button isn’t engaged. Read the user manual to see if there is a way to reset the computer. Let the oven cool down to room temperature if there is food inside of it. Turn the circuit breaker off for 5-10 minutes, then turn it back on. Unplug the oven for 5 minutes and then plug it back in to reset the computer. Open the door and locate the door jamb and locking mechanism. Push the door jamb manually so the oven thinks the door is shut. Press the “Self-Clean” button, wait 10 seconds, then press “Clear/Off. Call a repair person if the lock icon is still displayed. |
https://www.wikihow.pet/Help-Your-Dog-and-Your-Partner-Get-Along | How to Help Your Dog and Your Partner Get Along | To help your dog and your partner get along better, ask your partner to give your dog some space and let the dog take the initiative in the relationship. Some dogs prefer to interact with people on their own terms, and they can get defensive or nervous when someone tries to force contact. You can also try including your partner whenever you train your dog, since dogs tend to like whoever gives them treats and praise. If it's your partner who isn't a fan of your dog, ask them what they don't like about your dog or what it did to upset them. Once you've talked about the issue, try to come up with solutions together, like addressing bad behavior through training or obedience classes. | Facilitate a peaceful introduction. If you're lucky, your partner and your dog will fall for one another as soon as they meet. Considering your positive feelings about each of them, this is actually quite likely. However, there are a few important things that can help make sure an introduction goes well. As the dog meets your partner, provide them with a treat while saying your partner's name in a calm, friendly voice. Tell your partner to avoid direct eye contact with your dog. This may stress your dog out. Talk with your partner about your dog's social cues. Especially if your dog tends to be a bit nervous around new people, talk to your partner about letting your dog take the initiative to interact physically. For instance, have the dog walk up to them, instead of allowing your partner to reach out towards your dog. More specifically, tell your partner not to assume they can pet your dog when your dog walks up to them to sniff. Tell your partner to wait to pet your dog until to dog is visibly relaxed, with loose body language. Other signs that the dog seeks physical interaction include keeping a close proximity next to your partner, especially leaning or rubbing against them. Have your partner play hard to get. Some shy dogs may be more likely to want to interact with your partner if your partner ignores them. For example, have your partner sit with you, but with their body angled slightly away from your dog. Further, direct them not to acknowledge or otherwise seek your dog's attention. When your partner approaches you and your dog, tell them to greet you warmly and calmly, but not acknowledge your dog. Have your partner acknowledge your dog and give them a treat only if your dog approaches your partner and sniffs them. Address aggressive dog behavior. Dogs can sometimes behave aggressively for a number of reasons. Most commonly, this aggression is associated with protectiveness, possessiveness, fearfulness, or defensiveness. Fortunately, many fearful tendencies can be curbed with training. In short, you need to show an aggressive dog that you are in control, and that they don't need to intervene on your or their own behalf. If your dog behaves aggressively towards other people, consider waiting to introduce them to your partner until you are better able to control their behavior. Note that dogs from rescue facilities are often more likely to have aggressive tendencies, perhaps especially towards men. If you are unable to curb your dog's aggressive tendencies through training, it's important to seek professional help. Look for help an animal behaviorist that is certified and experienced. Click-train your dog to reward positive interactions with your partner. Use a clicker whenever your dog is relaxed around or approaches your partner. As soon as you make the clicking noise, give your dog a treat to reward it. Every time there's a positive interaction between your dog and your partner, use the clicker and give them a treat. Over time, your dog will behave better around your partner. Have your partner help train your dog. Once your dog is comfortable around your partner, have your partner begin to establish a stronger bond with your dog by engaging in the same training practices you use. Further, your partner can establish more clear social boundaries with your dog by helping you enforce the rules you have for your dog. Start simply, by having your partner give commands to do things your dog already knows how to do, like “sit”. When the dog obeys, have your partner provide a treat and pet the dog. This can be especially helpful if your dog seems to like your partner a bit too much. For instance, if your dog always wants to jump and play with your partner, training can help convey that your dog also needs to listen to your partner when they tell them “down” and other commands. Watch for signs that your dog is stressed. Adjustments to your dog's environment, including the increased presence of your partner, may cause them to become stressed. This is true even if they are friendly with your partner. Make sure your dog is not feeling uneasy if your partner is spending more time at your home by monitoring your dog's behavior closely. Specific signs of stress to watch out for include chewing, marking, and withdrawing from you or your partner. If these signs develop, make a point of spending more time with your dog and showing them more affection. Maintain the dog's schedule. Aside from spending consistent time with your dog, it's additionally important to help keep your dog's schedule stable. Most simply, try to keep any routine you've established with the dog as closely as possible. For instance, if you walk and feed the dog at similar times every day, keep it up. If adjustments do need to be made, do so gradually. For instance, if your dog is accustomed to spending three hours together hanging out every day, don't all the sudden reduce this amount to one hour. Instead, make sure you're still spending at least two hours together daily. Plan a pet and partner play date. One of the best ways to strengthen the bonds between the animals and humans in your life is by spending time all together. Try to choose activities that all parties will enjoy. For instance, if both your partner and your dog enjoy being active, go to the park for a game of long-distance fetch. When you're all together around the house, be sure to spend time cuddling all together. If you exclude your dog, they may be more likely to become jealous or resentful. Further, the more your partner and dog cuddle with each other, the better their own relationship will be. Keep realistic expectations. Don't force a relationship with your partner upon your dog. Similarly, don't insist that your partner falls in love with your dog too. This means being patient, as well as understanding that both your dog's and your partner's wishes may be different than what you had initially hoped. In short, if they are slow to be affectionate towards one another, don't let this bother you. As long as neither is aggressive towards the other, don't feel like you need to constantly intervene to improve their relationship. Instead, focus on maintaining a positive with each of them independently. In fact, the stronger your relationships with each one individually, the more likely they'll wind up falling for one another. Be clear about the rules your partner needs to follow. Communicate both your training regimen and the rules you expect your dog to follow early on in your relationship with a new partner (or a new dog). Further, note specific concerns you have as well. Even before your partner may be able to help with training, they should be told how to prevent complicating the training process. For instance, if you're training your dog not to jump up on people, direct your partner to ignore the dog and turn away when they jump up. Further, if you know your dog likes to bolt out the door when other people enter or exit your home, make sure your partner is aware of this. Express your own needs. Be explicit about what you want. While the rules that you need your partner to help you enforce may be easier to talk about, it's also important to share your desires. If a positive relationship between your dog and your partner is important to you, be sure to mention it. For instance, if your partner and your dog do not acknowledge each other and this bothers you, feel free to mention it. In this case, say something like, "It would really mean a lot to me if you could be more warm towards Lana Dog Rey." Address specific problems directly. The best way to deal with any issues that arise between a partner and your dog is by talking to your partner about it. If you notice your partner becoming inpatient around your dog, or your dog occasionally growling towards your doctor, ask your partner about it. For instance, say something like, “How have you and Princess Elizabeth been getting along lately?” Listen closely to what your partner has to say. If they don't bring up a specific reason that they may be frustrated or admit to any tension with your dog, ask them something like, “Is there anything specific thing Elizabeth does that bothers you?” Encourage your partner to share how they feel about your dog. Try something like, “I understand that being around a dog can be frustrating sometimes. The more I know about how you feel about it, the more I may be able to help.” Get professional help. There are some issues that may indicate the dog needs more effective training. The fact of the matter is that a poorly-behaved dog can definitely be frustrating to deal with, even if their behavior doesn't bother you personally. Additionally, any prolonged aggression from your dog needs to be addressed before your dog snaps at your partner or another human. Never allow your partner to be abusive towards your dog. While a dog's aggression may be addressed through calm exposure to new people and experiences, a human's aggression towards animals should simply not be tolerated. Talk to your vet about different ways you can train your dog, or about how to look for a certified, experienced dog trainer. Be willing to carry the responsibility of dog ownership. Ideally, you and a serious romantic partner will support one another's interests, including taking care of a pet. However, it's not necessarily fair to assume that your partner will want to help take care of a dog. If, for instance, they simply don't like dogs, you shouldn't expect them to want to watch your dog for you or take it on walks. In short, as a dog owner, it's ultimately your responsibility to ensure that the dog's needs are met. This may require you to do most of the chores involved with owning a dog, even if you share a home with an otherwise supportive partner. | Facilitate a peaceful introduction. Talk with your partner about your dog's social cues. Have your partner play hard to get. Address aggressive dog behavior. Click-train your dog to reward positive interactions with your partner. Have your partner help train your dog. Watch for signs that your dog is stressed. Maintain the dog's schedule. Plan a pet and partner play date. Keep realistic expectations. Be clear about the rules your partner needs to follow. Express your own needs. Address specific problems directly. Get professional help. Be willing to carry the responsibility of dog ownership. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Diagnose-Mast-Cell-Tumors-in-Boxers | How to Diagnose Mast Cell Tumors in Boxers | To diagnose mast cell tumors in boxers, look and feel for lumps on and under your dog's skin. If you find lumps, monitor them for changes since mast cell tumors change in size and can spread. Also, keep an eye out for other symptoms, like swelling, itching, vomiting, ulcers, and bloody stool. These symptoms could be a sign that your dog is having a reaction to the chemicals in its tumors. If you think your boxer has mast cell tumors, take it to a vet to get a proper diagnosis. | Look for lumps on the skin. Pay attention to any new lump you find on your dog. Mast cell tumors (MCT) are notoriously difficult to describe because they show up in a variety of ways. MCT might be smooth or bumpy. The lump may be large or small. There may just be one lump or several all together. At their most innocent, MCT can be pea-sized skin lumps on the surface of the skin. Check your Boxer for lumps under the skin. MCT can also form round lumps beneath the skin. Just like superficial lumps, these external MCT can range in texture and feel. These MCT can sometimes be mistaken for harmless fatty lumps. Unfortunately, they're incredibly dangerous for your dog. Most MCT form along the dog's trunk and limbs. Monitor changes to the lump. MCT can change in size so it's important to pay attention to the size of the lump or any changes in its appearance. Sometimes the MCT might look harmless and then they seem sore and inflamed. Or, you may notice your dog only has one lump, but there are more a few weeks later. MCT may change so gradually that it's hard to notice, especially if it develops over several months. Or, the MCT might change rapidly, within several days. Watch for reactions to histamines. In general, MCT won't cause your dog pain or irritation, unless they're scratched. Mast cells contain natural chemicals, like histamines, heparin, and proteins which break down tissue. If there are several MCT in an area and the MCT are scratched or traumatized, these chemicals can suddenly release. These chemicals can have a dangerous effect on your dog and can even send him into shock. Signs of a reaction to MCT chemicals include: Swelling of the lumps Itchy lumps Vomiting Ulcers Blood in the stool Abnormalities in blood clotting Recognize your dog's risk. Although any dog can develop MCT, certain breeds are genetically prone to develop them. These include the Golden Retriever, Boston Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, pugs, bulldogs, and the Boxer. Of these, the Boxer is at the highest risk. MCT can occur in dogs of any age and they are frequently found in young and middle-aged dogs. Get medical attention. If you notice any lump or believe your Boxer is reacting to chemicals from a MCT, get him checked by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Just looking at the lump isn't enough to determine what kind of a lump it is or what caused it. High-risk breeds should always have any new skin lump examined, no matter how harmless it looks. Get a physical examination. The vet will check your dog and feel his lymph nodes. This is to check whether or not the lymph nodes are swollen or enlarged, which can be a sign of an aggressive MCT. The vet will carefully check for other skin lumps. Your vet will feel your Boxer's abdomen to see whether or not the lumps have spread internally. Test the tumor's cells. The vet will place a fine needle into the lump and pull the syringe back. This aspirates (sucks back) a sample of cells into the needle. The vet can then spray the cells onto a microscope slide and a cytologist can examine them under a microscope. The cytologist looks for the typical granular appearance of mast cells. Reassess the lump. If the sample doesn't show mast cells and the vet is certain that the sample was good, your Boxer might not have MCT. The vet will probably want to monitor the lump closely. If it gets larger or you notice your dog scratching it, you'll need to have your dog reassessed. A negative sample doesn't guarantee that the lump isn't a mass cell tumor. Sample sizes are usually so small that correct testing depends on mass cells being sucked up into the syringe. Get surgery to remove the tumors. If the cell sample shows that your dog has MCT, this confirms the diagnosis. Your dog will need to have the lumps surgically removed. After the surgery, your veterinarian will discuss further treatment options with you since your dog may need additional surgery or radiation. Once removed, the whole lump will be sent to a histologist for analysis. This will confirm whether the lump was a MCT or not. Check for secondary tumors. Since some forms of MCT are more aggressive than others, your dog will be screened for secondary tumors. The vet will also use the analysis from the lump that was already removed to determine if your dog has an aggressive tumor. Aggressive secondary tumors can also be found using special stains that show up in malignant cells. Follow the veterinarian's treatment plan. If your Boxer has aggressive MCT that are spreading, the vet may put him on medication while he gets treatment. Medications might include steroids to kill cancerous cells or antihistamines to reduce inflammation caused by the tumor. Side effects of steroids include increased thirst, increased appetite, nausea or vomiting, and panting. Your dog may need antacids to reduce some of these side effects. | Look for lumps on the skin. Check your Boxer for lumps under the skin. Monitor changes to the lump. Watch for reactions to histamines. Recognize your dog's risk. Get medical attention. Get a physical examination. Test the tumor's cells. Reassess the lump. Get surgery to remove the tumors. Check for secondary tumors. Follow the veterinarian's treatment plan. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Kitten-Proof-Your-Home | How to Kitten Proof Your Home | To kitten proof your home, put any cleaning supplies or houseplants that may be poisonous out of reach, since you don't want to risk your kitten eating them. Since kittens love to chew, secure any cords from electrical appliances by wrapping them in electrical tape and securing them against the wall. Before you let your kitten roam your house, keep cupboard doors, drawers, and closets closed to avoid losing your new pet. Kittens like to explore the home, so you should make sure to close any appliance doors after you've used them or your kitten may end up hiding in them. | Put child-proof locks on the cabinet doors. You should start with one of the most used areas in most homes: the kitchen. Place child-proof locks on all cabinet doors and drawers in your kitchen as kittens can open them easily. Child-proof locks will make it more difficult for your kitten to get into the contents of your kitchen cupboards and drawers. You can find child-proof locks online or at your local hardware store. These locks are often made of plastic and will attach to the top of your cupboards and drawers. They act as a buffer to make it more difficult for small hands or paws to open a door or slide open a drawer. You should make sure there is a child-proof lock on the cupboard that contains your garbage and your recycling bins. You do not want your kitten getting into these bins, as they may end up eating or swallowing something that will make them sick. Block off any small open areas in the kitchen. Kittens tend to curl up in small spaces or areas, especially if they are in explore mode. You should try to block off any small open areas in your kitchen, such as under the refrigerator, the oven, and the dishwasher. You may use towels to block off these areas or use a solid piece of wood to cover these areas. You should also get in the habit of keeping all appliance doors closed at all times. Your kitten may end up trying to hide in your dishwasher or your microwave, especially if they are often left open and are low to the ground. Once your kitten in your home, you should get in the habit of checking inside these appliances before you turn them on. You do not want to end up washing your kitten with your dishes! Store away all cleaning supplies. Household cleaning supplies often contain ingredients that can be toxic to animals, such as bleach and ammonia. Make sure you store all cleaning supplies away in a cupboard that has a child-proof lock or that is very high up, with no surrounding ledges that the kitten can climb on. You do not want to risk your kitten eating or licking these chemicals. You should also get in the habit of keeping your kitten out of the room when you are cleaning. Secure your kitten in a fenced off area far from the cleaning area. This will ensure your kitten does not end up licking or eating any of the cleaning materials. Secure all electrical cords on appliances. Your new kitten will likely try to chew or nibble at anything that resembles a piece of string, including any electrical cords. Keep your kitten safe from electrical risks by securing all cords on the appliances in your kitchen. Do this by using an electrically safe tie around the cords so they are tight and secure behind the appliance. You can also wrap the cords in electrical tape and secure them against the counter or along a back wall so they are not loose. This will make it more difficult for your kitten to play with the cords and chew on them. Keep the dining room table bare. If you tend to keep a tablecloth or table settings on your dining room table, you should remove them so the table is bare. Your curious new kitten may end up climbing on the table and scratching up the tablecloth or the table settings. If you have dining room chairs with upholstered cushions, you may want to also put plastic or a slick cover over them to protect them. Your kitten may end up scratching the cushions when she explores her new home. Secure all electrical cords on lamps or computers. You should do a walk through of your living room and the bedrooms in your home to make sure all electrical cords are secure. Check the cords on desk lamps and alarm clocks on side tables in the room. Make sure the cords are rolled tight and secure behind the lamp or clock. You can also wrap the cords in electrical tape and secure them against a wall or on the ground to ensure they are not loose and easy to reach. If you have an office area in your home with a computer and computer equipment, take special care to secure all power cords. You should tuck any power bars in hard to reach areas on the ground and make sure all power cords are secure. Tie back the strings on curtains and drapery. You should also go through your living room and your bedrooms to make sure there are no loose ribbons or strings. Double knot all curtain strings so they are high up and out of reach. Tie up any drapery ribbons by the windows so they are not hanging on the ground. If the windows in your home have screens on them, you should also check to make sure the screens are secure on the windows. This will prevent your kitten from slipping out through a loose screen when the windows are open. Keep candles and fire hazards out of reach. You should move any candles to high shelves in the bedrooms or store them away in drawers. You should also keep any incense in high areas or stored away so they do not create a fire hazard for your new kitten. You may also want to avoid using candles or incense around the house until your kitten is trained and less likely to try to paw the fire. This will protect your kitten from injury. Remove any poisonous plants. If you tend to keep plants in the living room or the bedrooms, you should make sure they are not poisonous to cats. Lilies, sago palms, oleanders, rhododendrons, and castor beans are harmful houseplants that you should remove and keep out of your home indefinitely, or until you're no longer a cat owner. Most cats will chew on grass and plants, especially if they are curious about a new environment. Even plants that are non-poisonous can cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats so try to keep plants out of reach or remove them. You can find a list of toxic plants on the ASPCA's website. Store away all breakable items. Kittens can accidentally knock over items on tables, shelves, and desks. You should prevent breakable items from getting damaged by storing them away in cupboards or drawers. Move any family heirlooms or precious glass items into a room that is off limits to your kitten or wrap them and put them away. You should also store away any items that could be ingested by your kitten. If the item is small enough to fit in your kitten's mouth, it's a choking hazard and should be stored away. Keep bedroom drawers, doors, and closets closed. You should also make sure all bedroom drawers, cupboards and closet doors are closed. Kittens love to hide in warm, dark spaces so keeping these areas blocked off will prevent you from “losing” your new pet in your home. You should also block off any spaces under your bed with boxes so your kitten cannot hide underneath the beds. Keep the toilet seat down. You should always make sure the toilet seat in your bathroom is down, as you do not want your kitten to fall in and potentially drown in the water. You should also remind everyone in your home to keep the toilet seats down so they are not a hazard to your kitten. Lock up medication, cosmetics, and soaps. Medication can be harmful for your kitten, especially if the pills or tablets are easy to reach and ingest. Beauty products, cosmetics, and soaps can also be harmful for your kitten if they get access to these items. Keep all medications, cosmetics, beauty products and soaps in cupboards or drawers with child-proof locks. You should try to get in the habit of putting medication away once you are done using them, rather than leave them on the countertops. You should also put away all cosmetics and beauty products so they are not out and accessible to your kitten. Store away all hair ties, razors, and jewellery. If you keep any of these items in your bathroom, you should make sure they are stored away securely in drawers or cupboards with child-proof locks. You should take extra care with sharp items like shaving razors, nail clippers, and metal nail files. Keep these items in a locked drawer so they are not a hazard to your kitten. You should also keep all jewellery in a secure box with a lock so your kitten cannot access any of your precious items. Rings, earrings, and pendants can all be swallowed by your kitten or damaged by your kitten. Keep the washer and dryer doors closed. This will prevent your kitten from hiding in these areas. Try to get in the habit of always closing these doors once you are done using them or once they have been loaded with clothing. You should also make sure detergent and cleaning supplies are stored away in a secure cupboard or drawer in your laundry room. You may use child-proof locks on the cupboard so your kitten cannot access these potentially toxic products. Move any hazardous chemicals out of reach. Your garage may be full of cleaning supplies for your car or your home as well as chemicals for gardening and yard work. Make sure these hazardous chemicals are moved to high shelves that are difficult to access for your kitten or placed in cupboards with child-proof locks. You want to keep these products out of reach so your kitten is not at risk. If you notice any anti-freeze or oil on the floor of your garage, you should clean it up with soap and water. This will prevent your kitten from licking these hazardous chemicals and getting sick. Secure gardening equipment and tools. You should make sure that any gardening tools or equipment are secured against a high wall or on a high shelf. You should also keep any loose parts or machinery in sealed bags so they are not at risk of falling on your kitten. You may want to keep these tools in child-proof drawers or hang them flush against a high wall. If you have too many tools to store in drawers, you may decide that the garage is an off limits area for your kitten. Keep cats away from toxic plants in the garden. If you end up letting your kitten in the yard, make sure there are no toxic plants in the garden or yard. You may pull out plants that are toxic or cover the plants so they are more difficult to access. Ideally, you should keep your kitten indoors for most of the day. You may allow your kitten outside in an enclosure to keep her from running away or getting into the garden. You can find a list of toxic plants on the ASPCA's website. Do not use slug bait or weed killer around your kitten. Slug bait and snail pellets are fatal to cats so you should avoid using them around your kitten. You should also avoid using weed killer or fertilizer outdoors if your kitten is going to be hanging around outside. Secure all balconies and fence doors. You should also fence off any balconies in your home so your kitten is not at risk of falling over the balcony or sliding through the slates on the balcony. You should make sure all fence doors are locked in your yard or garden so your kitten cannot leave your yard unattended. You may decide to fence off an area of your yard with a baby fence or a pet fence so your kitten can play outside in a secure area. | Put child-proof locks on the cabinet doors. Block off any small open areas in the kitchen. Store away all cleaning supplies. Secure all electrical cords on appliances. Keep the dining room table bare. Secure all electrical cords on lamps or computers. Tie back the strings on curtains and drapery. Keep candles and fire hazards out of reach. Remove any poisonous plants. Store away all breakable items. Keep bedroom drawers, doors, and closets closed. Keep the toilet seat down. Lock up medication, cosmetics, and soaps. Store away all hair ties, razors, and jewellery. Keep the washer and dryer doors closed. Move any hazardous chemicals out of reach. Secure gardening equipment and tools. Keep cats away from toxic plants in the garden. Do not use slug bait or weed killer around your kitten. Secure all balconies and fence doors. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Siri-to-Do-Math | How to Use Siri to Do Math | Hold the Home button and say "solve" followed by your equation. | Hold the Home button. It's the round button at the bottom of your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch's casing. You may have to enter a passcode and tap the Home button to unlock your iOS device first. If you're using Siri on a Mac, click the multicolored icon in the top right corner of your screen. Siri is available on iPhones 4S and up, iPod Touch 5 and up, iPad 3 and up, and MacOS Sierra and up. Tell Siri your equation. For example, if you want to solve 220 divided by 18, you would say "Solve two hundred twenty divided by eighteen." If you want to include a decimal point in your equation (e.g., "220.9"), you should say "point" (e.g., "two hundred twenty point nine"). Wait for Siri to answer. Depending on how complex your question is, this can take anywhere from a second to several seconds. Use Siri to solve advanced equations. For example, you can solve quadratic equations or factorials by telling Siri to solve for the base equation: For " x 2 + 3 x − 4 = 0 {\displaystyle x^{2}+3x-4=0} ", you would say "Solve X squared plus three X minus four equals zero." For " 8 ! {\displaystyle 8!} ", you would say "Solve eight factorial." Ask Siri other math-related questions. For example, you could say "How many prime numbers are between 1 and 100?" You could also ask Siri to calculate the tip for a meal by saying "What is a 20 percent tip on a $350 meal?" Ask Siri about equations you don't know. You might ask "How do you find the circumference of a circle?" to find out the equation used to measure circumference, for example. Asking about complex equations may lead Siri to link you to an online article about the subject. | Hold the Home button. Tell Siri your equation. Wait for Siri to answer. Use Siri to solve advanced equations. Ask Siri other math-related questions. Ask Siri about equations you don't know. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Fashion-Consultant | How to Become a Fashion Consultant | To become a fashion consultant, earn a bachelor's degree in a fashion-related field like art, fashion merchandising, or marketing, or get a certification from a professional organization or fashion institute. Next, familiarize yourself with the industry and gain hands-on experience by working in retail, at a fashion magazine, or as a stylist's assistant. Then, listen carefully to clients' needs and practice advising them accordingly. Finally, create a portfolio of your strongest work and start applying for fashion consultant positions! | Obtain your high school diploma or GED. This job requires a high school diploma or equivalent, so make sure to apply yourself and finish school. If your high school offers these classes, take art, design, and sewing to familiarize yourself with foundational concepts in fashion. Earn a bachelor’s degree in a fashion-related field. Degrees for the fashion industry include art, fashion merchandising, and marketing. A degree isn't required, but getting one will give you more options and makes you qualified for higher-end jobs. A degree from a prestigious institute such as FIT will look even better and give you more credibility. Take classes in retail garments, fashion designing, image building, clothes designing, garment merchandising or textile research. Getting a Bachelor's degree will help you get experience with the process of making clothes, including fabric and production, as well as color theory and design. Get a specialized certification. Professional organizations and fashion institutes such as FIT and Parsons offer specialized training and certificates that can help expand your skill set and boost your resume. Some of FIT's certifications include Draping, Haute Couture, and Pattern-making. Become familiar with the fashion industry. Outside of your courses, take time to delve into your passion. This will help expand your knowledge and show employers that you're passionate and dedicated to what you do. Read books and magazines on the fashion industry. Learn how to pronounce brand names. Research different jobs in fashion and how they function in the industry. Find an internship to gain industry experience. Look for internships in retail, at a fashion magazine, or as a stylist's assistant. Internships are often not required as well as unpaid, but will provide you with priceless experience, knowledge, and potential references. In many cases, your internship can turn into a paid assistant position. If you're in the process of earning your degree or certification, find an internship through your program. Ask your professors and mentors if they know of any openings. Reach out to companies and look for open intern positions on websites such as Free Fashion Internships, Fashion Jobs, and The Loop. Work in retail to gain experience. If your internship doesn't lead to a job, start working in retail to gain some experience and build your resume. You could work as a retail assistant in a department store or personal shopper for services such as Stitch Fix or Wantable. Stay up-to-date with current trends. Because fashion is always changing, you'll need to stay on top of seasonal trends for your clients. Incorporate current trends into your recommendations. Read fashion magazines such as ''Vogue'' and follow popular fashion bloggers. Attend fashion events such as New York Fashion Week to keep up with runway fashion and street style trends. Practice providing fashion advice. In order to become a successful fashion consultant, you'll need to tailor all recommendations to each individual client. Listen carefully to clients' wants and needs, such as size, personal aesthetic, body type, budget, and occasion, and practice advising them accordingly. The more people you work with, the more experience you will gain. Build a clientele. Working in retail is also a great way to build a clientele—if customers like what you recommend, use the opportunity to advertise your styling services and start growing a clientele list. Recommend outfits and get to know clients better to develop these connections. Having a potential client network will make you even more attractive to potential employer. To really build your clientele, you'll need to be persistent and confident. Don't be overly aggressive, but make sure to clearly promote your services. Use your customer service skills to increase sales. Customer service is a huge part of a fashion consultant's job. Showcase your customer service skills by anticipating and fulfilling customer's needs, as well as selling customers additional merchandise. You can do this by presenting customers with outfits, items that you've handpicked for them, or offering to style them for events. Create a portfolio that showcases your strengths and connections. Include examples of your client work, emphasizing your creativity and skills. You should also include pieces from your curated collection and contacts that you've made in the industry. Highlight any companies, brands, and big names that you've worked with. Include photos and testimonies from customers that you've styled and developed a business relationship with. Your portfolio can take many forms, including a photo series, a video, or a physical collection. Apply for fashion consultant positions. Once you've built up your resume, you're ready to start applying for jobs as a fashion consultant. You could apply for an in-store promotion where you're already working or a consulting position at a new company. Nail your interview by showing your passion for style. In fashion consultant interviews, you will often be asked to answer some basic questions, such as if you're able to work in a fast-paced environment and why you want to work at that company. Answer with confidence and specificity. You'll also be asked to style outfits for a potential client scenario, so use that challenge to showcase your talent and creativity. For example, you may be asked to put together outfits for a couple going to a fancy event. You may also have an additional challenge, such as that the husband doesn't enjoy dressing up. Build a professional website to attract and book clients. Create a website where you can share trends, examples of your work, and your contact information. This will legitimize your service and allow clients to find you more easily. Use social media to market your style and services. Social media websites such as Instagram, YouTube, and personal blog platforms are important tools to build business and gain global exposure. Post pictures or videos of your work, personal style, and clients to build a following and attract customers. Although you shouldn't rely on social media solely to support your career, consistently posting quality content and building a following will help supplement your business. | Obtain your high school diploma or GED. Earn a bachelor’s degree in a fashion-related field. Get a specialized certification. Become familiar with the fashion industry. Find an internship to gain industry experience. Work in retail to gain experience. Stay up-to-date with current trends. Practice providing fashion advice. Build a clientele. Use your customer service skills to increase sales. Create a portfolio that showcases your strengths and connections. Apply for fashion consultant positions. Nail your interview by showing your passion for style. Build a professional website to attract and book clients. Use social media to market your style and services. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Do-a-Cost-Analysis | How to Do a Cost Analysis | To do a cost analysis, start by calculating the direct costs for your program, which include things like salaries, supplies, and materials. If you're doing a long-term cost analysis, break the costs up into weeks or months. Next, calculate the indirect costs, which are costs that are shared across multiple programs or services. You'll also want to include the depreciation of your company's assets that will be used, as well as any hidden costs that may appear. | Figure out why you need a cost analysis. The scope of your cost analysis will depend on its purpose, so before you can consider how broad you want your analysis to be, you need to know what you want ultimate questions you want the analysis to answer. If you are conducting a cost analysis merely to set a budget or plan strategically for the future, you would typically conduct a cost analysis that extended organization-wide. On the other hand, a narrower or more specific purpose, such as determining whether to bill for a particular service (and how much), might require a narrower cost analysis that only addressed the costs of that particular service. Identify the perspective for your cost analysis. In addition to figuring out why you need a cost analysis, you also need to know whose cost you're going to analyze. This will determine what data you collect and how you classify it. For example, you may be interested in the cost to your clients of offering a particular service. You would look at costs from their perspective, taking into account the amount you bill (or plan to bill) for the service, transportation to your location, and other costs. If you're simply looking at the cost of the program to your organization, you'll look at your organizational expenses generally. You might also look at opportunity costs, such as whether offering one program means you will be unable to offer other programs. Differentiate the programs you offer. How you delineate your programs will determine how you allocate costs for the purpose of cost analysis. If your organization runs very distinct programs, divisions may be obvious. For overlapping programs or programs that share resources, determine how to separate them. Programs that overlap to a significant degree may be lumped together, rather than evaluated separately. Go with what makes the most sense for the operations of your organization, avoiding duplication of efforts wherever possible. To determine whether programs should be separated, look at the services offered by each program, the resources needed to provide those services, and who those services are provided to. If two programs are the same in 2 out of 3 of those dimensions, they probably should be treated as one for the purposes of cost analysis. Set the time period you want to evaluate. How you categorize and calculate costs depends on whether you're analyzing those costs over the long term (say, months or years) or over the short term (a few weeks, or maybe even a single application). For example, if you're trying to decide whether to charge for a specific service, you would first determine how much that service costs you to provide. You would then do a longer term cost analysis to determine whether your organization can sustain a loss for providing that service. It's generally best to choose a time period for which you can acquire accurate revenue data, rather than estimates. This will help if you plan to use your cost analysis as a basis for further economic evaluation. Review previous cost analysis reports, if available. If your organization has done cost analyses in the past, use the same or similar methods to categorize costs. Maintaining continuity in this way means the reports can be compared, making them more useful over time. You might also look at cost analyses conducted by similar organizations implementing similar programs or providing similar services. List all direct costs of the program you're evaluating. Direct costs include salaries and benefits for team members, supplies and materials, and any necessary furniture or fixtures. Depending on the type of program or service offered, you may also have contract, licensing, or insurance costs. Direct costs are specific to the program or service you're evaluating in your cost analysis – they are not shared with any other programs. Overhead costs, such as utilities or rent, may be a direct cost if the program or service has its own location. Include indirect costs. Indirect costs include general administration or management salaries and benefits, facilities, equipment, and anything else shared across multiple programs or services. What you categorize as an indirect cost will depend on how you have separated the programs or services offered by your organization. Ultimately, when you calculate the costs of an individual program or service, you'll need to allocate these indirect costs Organize costs to reflect the purpose of your analysis. Ultimately, you want your cost analysis report to be useful to your organization. Rather than relying on broad financial categories, use categories that accurately reflect the way your analysis will be used. Standard categories may include personnel costs, operational costs, and start-up costs. Within each category, identify which costs are direct and which are indirect. Gather financial records and information. For each type of cost you plan to include in your cost analysis, make a note of where you plan to get the figures to calculate that type of cost. If you need to estimate a cost, list where you'll get the information to make a reliable estimate. Use actual cost information as much as possible. It will increase the utility and reliability of your ultimate cost analysis. For estimates, seek out reliable sources that can be applied as narrowly as possible. For example, if you need to estimate pay, use average rates for employees locally, not nationally. Total direct costs for the program. Using the information in the records you've gathered, add up the salaries, supplies, materials, and other costs that apply only to the program you're evaluating. Extend these costs out over the time period for your cost analysis. If you're doing a longer term cost analysis, compute direct costs first on a weekly or monthly basis, and then extend them out. When computing personnel costs, be sure to include the cost (or value) of any benefits offered to employees working on the program. Allocate indirect costs to the program you're analyzing. To allocate indirect costs, determine how each cost can be divided amongst the different programs. Then calculate the proportion of that cost the program uses. For example, suppose you're allocating the salary of the director of human resources. Since they are responsible for personnel, it makes sense to divide their salary by the number of people on staff. If you have 10 employees total, 2 of whom are dedicated to the program or service you're evaluating, you can allocate 20 percent of the director's salary to the program for the purposes of your cost analysis. Calculate depreciation of assets. If your organization's capital assets, including furniture, equipment, or fixtures, must be used to implement the program or provide the service you're evaluating, depreciation of those assets should be included in your total costs for the program or service. Calculating depreciation can be a complicated endeavor. If you don't have experience doing it, consider hiring an accountant. Factor in hidden costs. Depending on your organization and the program you're evaluating, there may be additional costs that wouldn't appear on any budget sheet or financial record. Including estimates of these costs in your analysis will give your evaluation more credibility. For example, if you're doing the cost analysis of a program for a non-profit, hidden costs might include the estimated value of volunteer hours, donated materials, or donated space. Hidden costs might also include opportunity costs. For example, launching one program may affect your organization's ability to offer other programs. Make conclusions based on your findings. Return to your purpose for doing the cost analysis and determine what action should be taken. You might also include projections or estimates of future costs for the program or service. At a minimum, your cost analysis should provide your organization with the true cost of running a program or providing a particular service. Your cost analysis may also raise additional questions, indicating further analysis is necessary before an ultimate decision can be made. | Figure out why you need a cost analysis. Identify the perspective for your cost analysis. Differentiate the programs you offer. Set the time period you want to evaluate. Review previous cost analysis reports, if available. List all direct costs of the program you're evaluating. Include indirect costs. Organize costs to reflect the purpose of your analysis. Gather financial records and information. Total direct costs for the program. Allocate indirect costs to the program you're analyzing. Calculate depreciation of assets. Factor in hidden costs. Make conclusions based on your findings. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Sushi-Without-Seaweed | How to Make Sushi Without Seaweed | To make sushi without seaweed, start by washing and peeling a cucumber. Then, use a knife to carefully slice around the cucumber to create one long, thin layer of cucumber. Keep cutting around the cucumber until you reach the seeds in the middle. Once you've cut your cucumber wrapper, place your sushi ingredients on it, roll them up, and then cut the roll into thin slices. | Wash and peel a cucumber. Wash the cucumber in cool water. Take a vegetable peeler or cheese knife and carefully peel the entire cucumber. Take a sharp knife and trim off the ends of the cucumber. You can discard the ends. Cut the cucumber. Insert a sharp wet sushi knife just 1/4 of a centimeter (1/10th of an inch) into the cucumber. Slowly slide the blade around the cucumber so you're continuously cutting a thin layer of cucumber. Continue cutting until you reach the center part of the cucumber that contains the seeds. Lift the knife away and your thinly cut cucumber should fall away from the core of the cucumber. The layer of cucumber should always be 1/4 of a centimeter thick (so you can just barely see the sushi knife through it). Keep a bowl of water on the counter so you can keep the knife wet as you cut. This will help it slide through the cucumber easier and make the slicing neater. Slice the tuna. Take a small piece of fresh tuna and slice it thinly. You should insert the heel of the knife into the fish and slice down towards you in one fluid movement so the tip of the knife ends up on the board as you finish the slice. Continue slicing the entire piece of tuna. Each slice should be about 1/4 to 1/2 of a centimeter thick. Place your ingredients on the cucumber wrapper. Lay your sliced cucumber so that it's completely open on your cutting board. Place your sliced tuna on one end of the cucumber. Lay the tuna next to each other so they don't overlap. Lay 2 slices of avocado on the middle of tuna and smear a dab of wasabi on a piece of tuna next to the avocado. The tuna should take up about 1/3 of the total cucumber wrapper. Roll the tuna cucumber roll. Start at the end of the cucumber wrapper that has the tuna and avocado. Fold the cucumber wrapper over the tuna and avocado using the fingertips of both of your hands. Continue rolling and compressing the roll. Since there isn't any rice in this roll, you don't really need to use a sushi mat. Seal and cut the roll. When you've almost finished rolling the cucumber wrapper, spread about 1/2 of a teaspoon of mayonnaise, yogurt, or mascarpone cheese on the last inch or two of the cucumber. Finish rolling the cucumber wrapper so it's completely sealed. Set the roll so the seal is on the bottom of your board. Trim and discard the ends. Slice the cucumber roll so that each slice is about 1/5 of an inch. The mayo, yogurt, or spreadable cheese will help keep the cucumber sealed closed once you've wrapped and cut it. Garnish and serve the roll. Place your slices of tuna cucumber roll on a plate. You can dab salmon roe on top of each slice for an extra pop of color. Consider using these garnishes for your tuna cucumber roll: Shredded daikon Shredded carrot Baby salad greens Soy sauce Cover half of a soy wrapper with rice. Place a bamboo sushi mat flat on a cutting board. Lay one soy wrapper directly on the mat. Wet your hands and scoop 5 ounces (150 grams) of cooked Pink Himalayan or plain sushi rice onto half of the soy wrapper. Use your fingertips to gently spread the rice evenly on the half nearest to you. Lay avocado across the rice. Cut an avocado into thin slices. Lay 4 or 5 slices of the avocado on top of your rice. The avocado should be spread across the length of the wrap so that each bite of sushi gets a little avocado. You could also substitute any of your favorite sushi fillings like seafood, cucumber, tamago, or crispy seafood skin. Roll the sushi. Hold the side of the bamboo sushi mat that's closest to you with your fingertips. Lift the bamboo mat up and over the avocado roll. The avocado roll will now be cylindrical inside the bamboo mat. Press the mat down firmly so the roll is compressed and lift back the bamboo mat. The sushi roll with the soy wrapper will now be in the middle of the mat. Soy paper doesn't seal as well as seaweed (nori) wrappers do. Seal the sushi roll. You should see the end of the soy wrapper sticking out from under the roll. Dip your fingertips in water and spread them across this end of the soy wrapper. Roll the sushi to the end of the roll so that the moistened end of the wrap seals to the roll. Slice the sushi roll. Take a sharp sushi knife and carefully trim off the ends. You can discard them. Cut the sushi roll into 8 even slices. It may help to slice the roll in half and continue slicing the halves in half until you get 8 pieces. Be careful when cutting the soy wrappers. Soy wrappers tear more easily than seaweed wrappers. Garnish and serve the sushi roll. Set your avocado roll slices on the serving plate. Consider placing sliced or curled carrots and cucumber next to the pieces. Place a dab of wasabi paste and a bit of pickled ginger on the serving plate. Offer soy sauce along with the sushi roll. | Wash and peel a cucumber. Cut the cucumber. Slice the tuna. Place your ingredients on the cucumber wrapper. Roll the tuna cucumber roll. Seal and cut the roll. Garnish and serve the roll. Cover half of a soy wrapper with rice. Lay avocado across the rice. Roll the sushi. Seal the sushi roll. Slice the sushi roll. Garnish and serve the sushi roll. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Paint-a-Staircase | How to Paint a Staircase | To paint a staircase, start by stripping any old paint from the staircase surfaces with a heat gun or chemical stripper. Then, fill any holes or imperfections with wood filler or spackle and sand the staircase so that the surface is smooth. Next, apply a coat of primer to the railings and trim first and let the primer dry completely. After that, paint the railings and trim with 2-3 coats of oil-based paint, letting the paint dry in between each coat. After you finish the railing and trim, repeat the process on the other staircase surfaces. | Strip the old paint from your staircase surfaces, if necessary. If your old paint is relatively smooth and in good shape, you can just paint over it. However, if the surfaces are peeling or have too many layers of paint built up, you should consider stripping it off. To do this, you can either use a heat gun or a chemical stripping product. To use a heat gun, hold the gun 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) away from the paint until it bubbles, keeping the heat gun moving to prevent scorching the wood. Once the paint bubbles, use a putty knife or paint scraper to remove the paint. To use a chemical stripper you will need to follow the directions on the packaging. In general, you will apply the product with a paintbrush, wait until the stripper starts to dissolve the paint, and then scrape it off with a putty knife or paint scraper. When using stripper it's important to wear personal protective equipment , to ventilate the area, and to wash the surface down afterwards to clean off excess chemicals. Fill small holes and imperfections with wood filler or spackle. Use wood filler or spackle and a putty knife to fill any holes or dings that need to be smoothed out. For small holes, such as nail holes , pick up a pea-sized amount of the filler on your putty knife. Push the filler into the hole and scrape off any extra with the flat end of the putty knife. Let the filler dry for as long as directed on the container, which can vary from an hour to a day depending on the product. Most spackles will work to fill holes and imperfections in wood and wall surfaces , such as drywall or lathe and plaster. Look along the railing, the balusters, the trim surrounding the stairs, and the steps themselves for spots that need to be touched up. If your holes are larger than ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm), you may need to use a more advanced filling technique that includes patching the hole. Sand any surfaces that are rough. Look over all of the surfaces to find spots that are rough and need to sanded. Also, feel the surfaces with your hands to find small areas that could use sanding. Sand the surfaces with 200 to 400-grit sandpaper to smooth out areas that you filled and any irregularities in the existing paint. You can either use an electric sander, such as an orbital palm sander, or a simple sanding block. Remove any dust that you create with a tack cloth or lightly damp cloth after you are done sanding. Sand all painted surfaces very lightly to help the new paint stick. Scuff up surfaces that are totally smooth with sand paper. Get fine-grit sandpaper with a grit rating of around 400. Rubbing this on the surface will scuff it up just a bit, which will allow the new paint to stick but will not create a textured surface on your final coat of paint. Simply run the sandpaper quickly over all of the surfaces you are going to paint. There is no need to be very detailed about this process. You just want a surface that is not totally smooth. This is especially important for surfaces that have shiny, new paint on them already. Clean every surface that will be painted with a degreaser. Wipe down areas you will paint with a rag and a mild surface degreasing cleaner. This will remove any dust that you created while sanding, in addition to removing any grease, dirt, and wax build-up that might remain. After wiping the surfaces with the cleaner, use a clean, dry rag to wipe it off. Many people use TSP to clean surfaces before painting them. This product is very good at cleaning surfaces and it will also dull any painted surface it's used on, which helps new paint to stick better. For stubborn dirt, use a multi-purpose household cleaner. If the stairs are concrete or metal, you may also use a wire brush to remove set-in dirt. Paint the handrails and trim before painting the stairs. It's best to start with the handrails on a staircase for several reasons. If you create drips while painting the railings and trim, you won't be dripping on the finished surface of the stairs. You will also be free to move up and down the stairs without the risk of creating wear and tear on your finished paint job on the stairs. Also, with the railings, balusters, and trim painted first, you don't have make sure they are super dry before moving on with the next phase of painting. If you paint the stairs themselves first, they need to be very dry before continuing on with your project. Tape off the edges around the railings and trim with painter's tape. Run the edge of the tape tightly at the edges where you want the paint to end. Then push the tape down with your fingertips or a putty knife to ensure that paint doesn't seep underneath it. Taping off can take a long time, especially in tight areas, such as around the balusters. However, remember that it is worth it to take your time to tape it all off well before you start painting. You may need to tape off areas in phases. For example, if you are planning on painting the handrail and balusters a different color than the trim, then you should tape off the trim while you paint the handrail and spindles first. In general, the trim and railings are painted at the same time because they are usually the same color and the same type of paint. Cover surrounding areas with drop cloths. Spread drop cloths above and below the staircase area to protect your floors. Also cover the stairs themselves and any furniture that you can't move out of the way but that might get splattered. Use painter's tape to keep the drop cloths in place. Paint the primer on the railing, working your way down the railings and the stairs. Starting at the top of the stairs, paint the handrail first and then work down the balusters to the trim at the bottom. You can either do a small part of the whole railing at a time, for instance 2 feet (0.61 m) sections, or you can prime the entire handrail, then all of the balusters, and then all of the bottom trim. For the railings and the trim you will likely use a brush, as a roller is hard to get into small areas. Prime the entire handrail and all the trim before moving on to your finish coats. Pick a primer that is made to adhere to previously painted surfaces and ones that will get wear and tear. Good primer is important in order to create a durable finished surface by creating a good bond between previous coats of paint and your new paint. Apply several coats of your final color once the primer is dry. Wait for the specified amount of time listed on the container for the primer to dry and then start your final coats. Using smooth strokes, work your paintbrush from the top of the railing, down each baluster, and along the bottom trim, making sure to coat every surface. Work your way down the stairs as you did with the primer coat. You should do 2 to 3 coats of the final color. Be sure to let each layer dry completely before starting on the next. This will create a stronger paint finish that will stand up to the wear and tear that stairways experience. Allow the paint to dry completely before removing the tape. Score along the edge of the tape with a putty knife or a razor blade. Then slowly peel the tape off. Peeling it slowly will help ensure that it doesn't pull off the new paint along with it. Once you are done actively painting, you can pick up the drop cloths. However, be careful not to smudge your work by touching the railing or trim with the drop cloths as you move them. Tape off areas around the stairs. Protect your work on the railings and trim by taping off areas where they meet the stairs. Also tape off where the stairs meet the floor upstairs and downstairs. You may also want to put down drop cloths at the top and the bottom of the stairs, although you can typically get away without them if you are painting carefully with a brush. Pick a primer and paint that are designed for use on floors or stairs. Talk to an employee at your local paint store about which products will work best for your specific project. In general, the treads and risers should be painted with an oil-based paint that also contains a sealer so that it holds up to constant traffic. However, water-based floor and patio paints are made to be stepped on, so they hold up well on stairs as well. When purchasing primer, consider asking a paint store employee to tint it to help with coverage. This is especially important if you have a strong final coat color. A tinted primer will ensure that your top coats cover the primer color more easily and will reduce the number of top coats you need to do. Start painting the primer at the top and paint every other step on the way down. Beginning at the top of the stairs, paint the first stair completely. Then skip a stair and paint the third stair down. Continue like this, working your way down so that you can have room to move as you work and so that you can leave areas alone once you paint them. Painting every other step will allow you to use the stairs as they dry. Use a brush to paint the stairs so that you can get into all of the corners easily. Allow the primer to dry completely before moving on with your finish coats. This usually takes anywhere from an hour to 4 hours, depending on the exact paint you are using. Read the label on the primer for drying times and check the primer for dryness. Paint the primer on the other steps once the first set is dry. Start at the top again but paint the steps that haven't been primed yet: the second, fourth, and so on. Continue down until all of the steps have been primed. Paint 2 to 3 coats of the finish coat on every other step. Start painting at the top of the stairs, making sure you completely coat the top step before moving down to the third one. Work the paint into the corners of each stair and then finish by painting smooth strokes over the big surfaces while smoothing out any blobs of paint near the corners. Allow each coat to dry thoroughly before applying a second coat, and potentially a third. Be sure that you are getting a solid coat of paint in all of the corners, including under the front lip of each stair. You will know a third coat is necessary if you can still see primer after the second coat is dry. Paint 2 to 3 coats of the finish paint on the rest of the stairs. Once the first set of stairs are completely dry, which usually takes about a day, go back and paint the others. Work your way down, painting the second step first and then moving down to the fourth and so on. Once each coat is completely dry, you can apply an additional coat. Paint the risers or treads each a different color. To add a little fun detail to your staircase you can make your stairs multi-colored. To do this, tape off around the edges of the risers and paint them in one of two complementary colors. Once you have put on several coats, take off the tape and paint the treads the other color. It's easiest to paint the risers first, as you will still be able to cautiously walk up and down the stairs while they are drying. Painting the risers and treads different colors will add time to your project because you will have to let one color dry completely before going back and painting the other color. Add a contrasting color to railing balusters. One way to add a pop of color and a little interest is to paint the balusters of your railing a different color than the rest of the railing and the stairs. You can pick a complementary color to the stairs and the surrounding walls or match the balusters to the surrounding walls. When painting your balusters a different color, it's important to mask off the bottom and top rails of the railing really well. This will prevent drips of a different color getting on them. Painting balusters is detailed work because they have a lot of small surfaces. Take your time while you paint them and watch out for drips! Create a decorative design going up the center of the stairs for a fun effect. Prepare the stairs with primer and a base color of paint. Then apply a pattern to the stairs over the base color with a stencil or freehand a decorative motif of your choosing. Paint the design sections with latex floor enamel. Allow the paint to dry and apply a second and third coat, as needed. Paint a faux carpet design on the stairs, if you like. Once the stairs have been painted, measure the distance from the sides of the treads for the area you do not want to have the "carpeted" look. Block those areas off with painter's tape. Paint the center area of the stair treads with the color you've chosen for your faux carpet. Then paint an artificial fringe on the edges of the runner with a liner brush. To protect your design, apply sealer or polyurethane to the stairs after the decoratively painted surfaces are completely dry. | Strip the old paint from your staircase surfaces, if necessary. Fill small holes and imperfections with wood filler or spackle. Sand any surfaces that are rough. Sand all painted surfaces very lightly to help the new paint stick. Clean every surface that will be painted with a degreaser. Paint the handrails and trim before painting the stairs. Tape off the edges around the railings and trim with painter's tape. Cover surrounding areas with drop cloths. Paint the primer on the railing, working your way down the railings and the stairs. Apply several coats of your final color once the primer is dry. Allow the paint to dry completely before removing the tape. Tape off areas around the stairs. Pick a primer and paint that are designed for use on floors or stairs. Start painting the primer at the top and paint every other step on the way down. Paint the primer on the other steps once the first set is dry. Paint 2 to 3 coats of the finish coat on every other step. Paint 2 to 3 coats of the finish paint on the rest of the stairs. Paint the risers or treads each a different color. Add a contrasting color to railing balusters. Create a decorative design going up the center of the stairs for a fun effect. Paint a faux carpet design on the stairs, if you like. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Friendly-Letter | How to Write a Friendly Letter | Before you write a friendly letter, add the date on the top left corner of the paper so your friend can save the letter and look back on it. Start the letter by writing “Dear [Their Name],” and then mention things you both are mutually interested in like current events or politics just like you would if you were talking out loud. If you think of something you want to add after you've signed the letter, you can always add a postscript, or PS, with one final insight or joke! | Date the letter. If you're taking the trouble to write a letter by hand, it's nice to add a date on the top left corner of the paper. Many people save letters for years to come, and they like to be able to see what day and year it was written to reminisce about earlier times. Write out the date - for example, "May 18, 2020" - or abbreviate it using only numbers indicating the month, day and year. Write a salutation. The beginning of a letter, whether it's handwritten or in the form of an email, is called a salutation. That's where you address the person to whom you're writing by name - for example, "Dear Emily" or "Hello, Skylar." Think about the nature of your relationship with the letter recipient, as well as your own preferences and style, and choose your greeting accordingly. If you tend to like to write in a slightly formal style, using "Dear" in your salutation is a nice choice. It sounds typical, but think about it: calling someone "dear" is actually very sweet, and indicates that you care about him or her. However, you don't have to read into it; "dear" is as appropriate for a letter to your best friend as it is for a letter to an acquaintance you just met. For a letter that is more casual in tone, consider beginning it with "Hi, [name]" or "Hello, [name]." This greeting is appropriate for a friend or relative, but don't begin a business letter this way; it's a bit too casual. Write a more personal greeting for someone with whom you are intimate, or want to be. For example, "Dearest [name]," "My [name]" or "Sweet [name]." Be sure to end your greeting with a comma. It is also formally correct to begin the body of the letter on the next line. Begin with some pleasantries. The first paragraph of a friendly letter is usually warm and lighthearted. It's a way to set the tone of the letter, letting the recipient know that what's to follow will be more friendly than businesslike or serious. Use the first few lines to say an extended hello, tell a joke, or reference the season. "How are you doing?" or "How have you been?" are common ways to start a letter. Asking a question helps make the letter feel like part of a longer conversation. If you'd like a reply to your letter, feel free to pepper it with questions throughout. You can use the first paragraph to inquire more deeply about the recipient's life. For example, "I hope little Julie has been enjoying kindergarten. I can't believe she's gotten so big!" Referencing the time of year is another common letter opening. Think of it as the equivalent to making small talk before you launch into a deeper conversation. For example, "I hope you've been having a wonderful fall. The trees in my neighborhood are more brilliant than they've ever been before. I think we're in for a cold winter, though." Share news and personal details. Now it's time to get to the meat of the letter, your purpose for writing it. Why are you opening this correspondence? Do you want to get back in touch with a long lost friend, express to someone that you are missing them, or thank them for helping you out in some way? Be forthright, open, and articulate to communicate your message effectively. Write about what's happening in your life. No matter what it says, your letter will probably be appreciated, but the recipient will feel much closer to you (and therefore the letter will be more effective) if it's revealing. Tell what events have occurred, what emotions you've felt, and what plans you have for the future. Don't create an airbrushed picture of your life; that defeats the purpose of a friendly letter. Avoid a holiday newsletter-style update; your friend will start skimming to the bottom if you just list everything you've accomplished since your last letter. You don't have to go too deep into your troubles, but try to portray your life realistically. Reference topics that are relevant to your friend. What was your friend up to last time you talked? Was she on the verge of breaking up with her boyfriend? Was he in the middle of a difficult season on the soccer team? Follow up by making references and asking questions to show you're interested in your friend's life. You can also discuss topics of mutual interest. Write your thoughts on art, politics, current events, or any other subject that you'd discuss with your friend in person. Consider suggesting movies you've seen that you think your friend would like, or books you've read that you want to recommend. Sharing good information is always welcome in letters. Wrap it up. Write a final paragraph sending your friend or loved one best wishes. The last paragraph is usually lighter in tone than the body, but it should match the general feel of the entire letter. Try to end the letter on a note that will leave your friend with positive feelings. Reiterate the purpose of the letter. For example, if you invited your friend to come to a party, write, "I hope you can come!" If you simply wanted to wish your friend a happy season, write, "Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!" or something to that effect. Encourage your friend to write back. If you'd like a response, write, "Hope to hear from you soon," or, "Please write back!" Write a closing. The closing you choose should be in keeping with the feel of your letter, whether it is traditional or more casual in tone. Like the salutation, it should be determined by your relationship with the recipient. Follow the closing by signing your name. If you want to write a formal closing, consider "Sincerely," "Warmly," or "Best wishes." If your letter is more casual in tone, try "Yours," "Take care," or "Cheers." For a more intimate closing, choose "Love," "Much love," or "Thinking of you." Consider including a postscript. A postscript, or PS, is often included at the end of friendly letters as a way to add information that isn't important enough to merit its own paragraph in the body of the letter. You could also write a playful joke, or leave it out altogether. In any case, make sure it matches your letter's tone and leaves your recipient with the feeling you want him or her to have. | Date the letter. Write a salutation. Begin with some pleasantries. Share news and personal details. Reference topics that are relevant to your friend. Wrap it up. Write a closing. Consider including a postscript. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Know-if-You-Have-a-UTI | How to Know if You Have a UTI | To know if you've got a UTI, look out for common symptoms such as pain while urinating or feeling like you need to urinate more often than you usually do. After you urinate, pay attention to whether you feel like you need to urinate again even though you don't, since this can be caused by inflammation in the urinary tract. Then, check to see if your urine is bloody or cloudy in color, instead of the normal clear, yellowish color. If the symptoms show you've got a UTI, visit your doctor to get antibiotics. | Check if you’re using the restroom frequently. A really common symptom of a UTI is having to use the bathroom often. Think about how many times you visit the restroom on a normal day, and compare it to how you're currently feeling. If you need to urinate a lot, there's a chance that you may have a UTI. For instance, you may go to the bathroom 3-4 times on a usual day. If you're going to the bathroom 10 times, that may be a sign that you have a UTI. See if you’re only urinating a small amount. If you're going to the bathroom but not peeing much, you may have a UTI. You don't have to collect or measure your urine when you go—just compare each trip with your average restroom visit. This can give you a better idea of whether or not you have a UTI. For example, if you're only urinating a few drops, you may have a UTI. Watch for a burning feeling when you use the restroom. Pay attention to how you feel when you use the restroom. Unfortunately, UTIs can make urinating feel really uncomfortable, and you may notice a burning or painful sensation as you go to the bathroom. If you notice this symptom, there's a good chance that you may have a UTI. Examine your urine to see if it’s cloudy or discolored. Look in the toilet bowl and see if your urine looks any different than it usually does. Be on the lookout for signs of cloudy urine, along with red-colored pee, as these are both signs of a UTI. Urine produced during a UTI tends to smell especially bad. Identify pelvic pain as a common sign of a UTI in women. Track any strange pain that you're feeling, like discomfort around the center of your hips and along the pubic bone. If you're experiencing a lot of discomfort here, you may have a UTI. Search for pain near your ribs. Feel around your ribs to see if anything feels tender or sore. Think about the days leading up to this symptom, and try to remember if some minor injury can explain the pain. If you can't think of any reasonable explanation, then your rib and back pain may be a sign of a UTI. Look for a feeling of pressure below your stomach. UTIs can create a lot of uncomfortable sensations in your body, like pressure near your lower abdomen. Take note of when these symptoms occur, and if the sensation is pretty persistent. If there are no other underlying causes, your stomach pain may be a sign of a UTI. For instance, if you're on your period, you may be able to connect the discomfort to cramps. Check yourself for signs of chills or a fever. Monitor your temperature to see if it's higher than usual. Additionally, see if you have chills, which is another severe symptom of a UTI. If you have either of these symptoms, talk to a doctor for further advice. Grab a UTI test to get conclusive results. Visit your local pharmacy and pick up an at-home UTI test kit, which can give you more conclusive results than just monitoring your symptoms. Remove a single dipstick from the packaging, which you'll use to test your urine. Similar to other urine tests, a UTI test uses color-based results to let you know if you have an infection or not. At-home UTI tests typically check your urine for nitrites and/or leukocytes, which are found within infected urine. Place the dipstick in your urine stream. Go to the restroom as you normally do. While you're peeing, carefully stick 1 end of the dipstick beneath your urine. Leave it there for a few seconds so the test stick can soak up enough urine. Double-check the testing instructions for more specific guidance on how to use your exact kit. Compare the dipstick to the provided color chart. Within 1-2 minutes, place your test strip next to the provided results chart, which should come with your test kit. Examine the colors to see if your urine contains leukocytes and nitrites—if it contains a significant amount of either substance, there's a very good chance that you may have a UTI. Most test kits are time-sensitive and need to be checked immediately. Identify a bladder infection through pain in your lower abdomen. Bladder infections are a really common type of UTI and can be identified with a lot of different symptoms. Cloudy, foul-smelling urine is a telltale sign, along with abdominal pain and a burning feeling when you use the restroom. When you have a bladder infection, or cystitis, you're not going to be feeling your best. If a young kid has a bladder infection, they may come down with a fever. Look for discharge and a burning sensation in cases of urethritis. A UTI based lower in your urinary tract, also known as urethritis, doesn't come with quite so many symptoms. Be on the lookout for an uncomfortable burning sensation when you pee, along with any unfamiliar discharge. Recognize severe symptoms as a sign of kidney-based UTI. Look for really strong symptoms, like nausea, throwing up, a high fever, chills, and pain along your back and sides. If you're experiencing these symptoms, there's a good chance you have acute pyelonephritis, or a UTI that's based in your kidneys. Visit a doctor if you think you have a UTI. Schedule an appointment with your local doctor, who can help confirm if you have an infection. Depending on your unique case, your doctor may test your urine or perform other types of tests that help them make an accurate diagnosis. Your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics or another UTI-specific medication to help you heal. For instance, Fosfomycin, Cephalexin, and Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole are common medications for UTIs. | Check if you’re using the restroom frequently. See if you’re only urinating a small amount. Watch for a burning feeling when you use the restroom. Examine your urine to see if it’s cloudy or discolored. Identify pelvic pain as a common sign of a UTI in women. Search for pain near your ribs. Look for a feeling of pressure below your stomach. Check yourself for signs of chills or a fever. Grab a UTI test to get conclusive results. Place the dipstick in your urine stream. Compare the dipstick to the provided color chart. Identify a bladder infection through pain in your lower abdomen. Look for discharge and a burning sensation in cases of urethritis. Recognize severe symptoms as a sign of kidney-based UTI. Visit a doctor if you think you have a UTI. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Mermaid-Tail | How to Make a Mermaid Tail | To make a mermaid tail, trace a pair of water slippers onto a piece of poster board, then fold the poster board in half so that you can only see one of the slippers. Starting at the bottom edge of the slipper, outline the shape of half a fin and then cut it out. Use this shape to trace the fin onto a thin rubber sheet, and then cut it out. Glue the slippers to the rubber fin and let it dry. You can then sew a tail “body” with a snug skirt-like pattern out of stretchy fabric that will go over the bottom part of the fin. | Trace around a pair of water slippers onto a sheet of poster board. Place the slippers on top of a sheet of poster paper, with the heels touching the edge. Make sure that the inner edges of slippers are touching, then trace around them with a pen. Make sure that the water slippers fit you. You will be using them to secure the fin to your feet. If you already have a mono fin that you'd like to use, trace it onto a sheet of poster paper, cut the tracing out, then click here to continue. Fold the paper in half, then draw half of a fin shape. Fold the paper in half widthwise, so that you only see one of the traced slippers. Starting at the bottom edge of the slipper, trace a half-fin shape. The bottom edge of the fin should be 1 to 3 inches (2.54 to 7.62 centimeters) from the top of the slipper. Cut the tracing out, then transfer it to a thin sheet of rubber. Cut the tracing out first, then unfold it. Place the template onto the rubber mat, then trace around it using a pen. Use a white, silver, or cold pen for dark rubber, and a black pen for light rubber. Choose a thin piece of floppy rubber. A thin, flexible, rubber mat would work especially well for this. Cut the rubber out with a pair of scissors. Your fin base is now complete! Save the template, however; you'll need it later on. Glue the water slippers to the fin. Place the slippers onto the fin and trace around them. Coat the underside of the slippers and the inside of the tracing with a water-safe glue. Wait for the glue to get tacky, then press the slippers into place. Choose a strong, flexible glue meant for sealing items under water. Glues meant for boating would work well for this. Work in a well-ventilated area. Most types of glue like this can produce fumes. Wait for the glue to cure. Depending on the type of glue you are using, this could take 2 to 3 days. Read the label on the glue to for specific drying and curing times. It would be a good idea to weigh the shoes down with something heavy as well. Take your measurements. Measure from your waist down to your ankles. Next, measure around your waist and both of your ankles. Record each of your measurements. If this is for an adult woman, measure the hips too. Note the distance between the belly button and the hips as well. Buy some stretchy, mermaid-like fabric. You can find this type of fabric in the dance-wear section of a fabric store. Make sure that it is smooth, shiny, and preferably with a scale pattern. You can also buy "super hero" spandex from the cosplay section of a fabric store. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, then transfer your measurements. Divide your waist measurement by 4, then make the a mark that distance from the fold. Measure down along the fold based on your waist-to-ankle measurement. Divide your ankle measurement by 4, then make another mark that distance from the fold. Leave enough space below the ankles for the fins. Make sure that you are folding the fabric with the right sides facing in. If your fabric has scales on it, make sure that the scales are all pointing downwards. If this is for an adult woman, include the hip measurement as well. Remember to divide it by 4! Connect the marks with a straight line. If you included the hip measurement, you'll need to connect the waist mark to the hip mark, then the hip mark to the ankle mark. This completes your tail body. Add the fin template and trace around it. Fold the fin template in half, then place it onto the fabric. Make sure that the folded edges match up, and that the top edge of the template touches the bottom edge of the tail. Trace around the template, then pull it away. For a fancier tail, add a ragged, fringy edge to the bottom of the fin. Cut your fabric, including seam allowances. You will need to add 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) to all edges, including the top. When you are done, cut a second piece of fabric just like the first one. Use the already-cut piece as a guide. If you added a ragged fringe to the bottom edge of your tail, you only need to add seam allowances to the outer edges of the fringe. Pin the fabric together, right sides facing in. Make sure that all of the edges match up. You only need to pin the sides and bottom of the tail, not the top edge. Sew the tail using a 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) seam allowance. Use a ballpoint needle, a matching thread color, and a stretch stitch. Start sewing at one top edge, sew around the tail body and fin, then finish sewing at the other top side. Backstitch at the start and end of your sewing, and remove the pins as you sew. For extra security, sew around the tail three times. If you made a fancy tail, don't sew the fringe. Turn the tail right-side-out. Make sure that you push the corner of the tail fin out as well. At this point, you can try the tail on, and make any necessary adjustments. If you made a fancy tail, top stitch along the top edge of the fringe. Make sure that the top stitching follows the design of your mini fin. Tuck the mono fin into the tail. You ill need to bend the mono fin in order to fit it past the ankles and into the fin. Nestle the corners of the mono fin into the corners of the fin itself. Hem the top edge of the tail. Fold the top edge inward twice by ½ to 1 inch (1.27 to 2.54 centimeters). Sew along the bottom, folded edge using a stretch stitch. | Trace around a pair of water slippers onto a sheet of poster board. Fold the paper in half, then draw half of a fin shape. Cut the tracing out, then transfer it to a thin sheet of rubber. Cut the rubber out with a pair of scissors. Glue the water slippers to the fin. Wait for the glue to cure. Take your measurements. Buy some stretchy, mermaid-like fabric. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, then transfer your measurements. Connect the marks with a straight line. Add the fin template and trace around it. Cut your fabric, including seam allowances. Pin the fabric together, right sides facing in. Sew the tail using a 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) seam allowance. Turn the tail right-side-out. Tuck the mono fin into the tail. Hem the top edge of the tail. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-With-a-Wok | How to Cook With a Wok | To cook with a wok, start by preheating it for several minutes on high heat before drizzling in 2 tablespoons of oil. Next, add your ingredients in stages, starting with the items that take longest to cook, like meat and firm vegetables. Then, add in things that don't take as long, like tomatoes or leafy greens. Continue cooking your food until it's done, making sure to stir it continuously to prevent burning. | Pay attention to the bottom. Woks come in a two bottom styles -- round- and flat-bottomed. Round woks are traditionally used in Chinese cooking, but they don't work as well on Western stoves. They won't work at all on electric ranges, and they're difficult to cook with on a gas range too. Instead, opt for a flat-bottomed wok. If you happen to have a professional style range, such as a Viking or Wolf, you can use a traditional round-bottomed wok with a wok ring to steady it. While most consumer ranges don't get hot enough for use with a wok ring, a professional model does. You don't want your wok to be too flat because it will be difficult to flip the food correctly. Choose one that has a 4- to 5-inch flattened bottom with sloping sides that flare out. Consider the size. While woks come in a variety of sizes, a 12- to 14-inch style is usually the best option for home cooks. If you buy a wok that's larger, it's usually too difficult to maneuver in a small kitchen. However, you don't want to get one that's too small either because the pan can become too crowded so your food doesn't cook evenly. A 12- to 14-inch wok is ideal because it provides plenty of space for your ingredients to heat evenly, as well as enough room for flipping and moving the food around when you're stir frying. Choose a material. Woks typically come three materials: stainless steel, cast iron, and carbon steel. Avoid stainless steel options because they are very heavy, require a long time to heat and cool, and often have food stick to them. Cast iron is better, but it can be fragile and take a long time to heat. Carbon steel is the best option for a wok because it heats evenly, is durable, and doesn't cost as much as other materials. When you're purchasing a carbon steel wok, opt for one that is at least 14-gauge and 2-mm thick. Don't purchase a wok with a non-stick coating. Those types of coating aren't designed to be used at high heat, but stir frying in a wok requires high temperatures. A carbon steel wok will become naturally non-stick over time. Ensure your kitchen is properly ventilated. Seasoning your wok helps create a natural non-stick surface, so food glides easily around when you're cooking. Before you start seasoning your wok, though, it's important to ensure that the kitchen has adequate ventilation because the process creates smoke. Open all of the windows, and turn on an exhaust fan if you have one. Make sure that there are no flammable materials near the stove while you're seasoning the wok. Wash the wok. When you first purchase it, your wok have a factory coating of oil on its surface that protects the material and prevents rust. Before you can season it, you need to wash the oil away so it doesn't burn off during the processing. Use a steel wool scrubber, dish soap, and hot water to carefully scrub the entire surface, both inside and out the wok. After you've washed the wok, make sure to dry it thoroughly before moving on in the seasoning process. Place it on a burn set at low heat, and let it sit for a couple of minutes -- or until you no longer see any water droplets on its surface. Apply some type of fat. While the wok is still warm, use a heat-proof brush, such as the kind you would use for barbecuing, to apply a thin layer of fat or oil to the entire surface of its interior. Lard is a traditional choice, but you can also use an oil with a high smoke point, such as grapeseed, canola, peanut, or palm. Once the fat has been applied, place the wok on a burner set at high heat. Avoid using sunflower oil, safflower oil, flax oil, fish oil, or margarine to coat the wok. They leave a sticky coating. While you're heating the wok with fat in it, make sure to rotate it on the burner so that it's heated evenly. You'll usually know that you're done heating the wok when you start to see wisps of smoke coming off the surface. Allow the wok to cool. After the fat has burned for several minutes, remove the wok from the burner and allow it to cool completely. Once it's at room temperature, use a paper towel to wipe its entire surface and soak up an excess fat or oil. Repeat the process. While your wok is ready to be used after you've completed the seasoning process, you'll get a better cooking surface if you repeat the process several times. You'll know that the wok is properly prepared when its interior becomes dark and shiny. You can also tell that the wok is fully seasoned when the paper towel that you wipe it down with no longer comes back with brown or black ash. When you're heating the oil in the wok, you can also add aromatics, such as scallions, garlic, or ginger, to help with seasoning process. Prepare the food. Because stir frying happens so quickly, it's a good idea to have all of your food ready to go before you start cooking. Chop and slice all of the aromatics, protein, and vegetables before heating the wok. Place them in bowls right beside the stove top, so you can reach them easily when it's time to toss them into the wok. Try to cut all of the food into the same size pieces, so they'll cook at roughly the same time. Aim for bite-size pieces. Preheat the wok before adding oil. Before you start adding ingredients to the wok, you'll need to heat it for several minutes on high. You'll know that it's sufficiently heated when you drop a bead of water into the wok and it evaporates immediately. Next, drizzle approximately 1 to 2 tablespoons of your oil of choice down the side of the wok; it may smoke slightly, but be sure to swirl the wok so the entire surface is coated with the oil. While some faint smoke is normal when you add the oil, an excessive amount indicates that you've overheated the wok. Let it cool off before continuing. For stir frying, use an oil that has a high smoke point so it can withstand the high temperatures without burning. Some oils to consider are peanut, safflower, sesame, and light refined olive. Add food in stages. You can't toss all your stir fry ingredients into the wok at once because some take longer to cook than others and you want to layer the flavors. Start with the most intensely flavored ingredients, usually known as the aromatics, so they'll infuse the oil. When they're lightly browned, push them toward the edge of the wok, and cook your protein of choice in a single layer. Stir fry the protein until it's not quite fully cooked, and then remove it and the aromatics to a bowl. Cook the vegetables next, starting with those that have the longest cooking times first and moving on to soft, leafy veggies that don't need as much time. Garlic, ginger, onions, and chili peppers all make delicious aromatics for a stir fry dish. For protein, you can use chicken, beef, seafood, or tofu, depending on your preferences. When you're adding the vegetables, start with hard, dense options, such as carrots, cauliflower, and broccoli. Add medium weight veggies next, including mushrooms, peppers, asparagus, zucchini, and celery. Finish off with soft vegetables, such as tomatoes, leafy greens, and sprouts. Move food constantly. When you're stir frying in a wok, using the right technique is key. To keep the food burning, you need to continue to move the ingredients throughout the process. Use a thin spatula to constantly roll the food over onto itself, placing it between the wok and the food to toss ingredients for even cooking. It's best to use a metal spatula when stir frying because wooden ones are usually too thick to really fit under the food. Return the aromatics and protein and deglaze. Once the vegetables are tender, add the protein and aromatics back to the wok. To ensure that you get all of the intense flavors out of the wok, deglaze it with a liquid of your choice. Drizzle the liquid down the sides slowly, and then use the spatula to toss all of the ingredients together so they're all warmed through. For deglazing, broth, stock, wine, soy sauce, or coconut milk all work well. Fill a steamer basket or rack. When you use your wok for steaming, you need to add a basket or rack to hold the food above the water. The concave shape of the wok makes it ideal for holding a bamboo steamer basket insert that is traditional in Chinese cooking. A metal steaming rack can work well too, though. Place the vegetables, dumplings, or other food that you're steaming in a single layer in the basket or rack, so they'll all be steamed evenly. The benefit to using a bamboo steamer basket is that its lid actually absorbs excess moisture inside the wok, so it doesn't drip back down over the food and make it soggy. If you are using a metal steaming rack, you can opt for a style that has hooks to secure it over the edge of the wok or one that has legs that will hold it above the water in the bottom of the wok. If you're using a bamboo basket to steam food in your wok, you should line the bottom to prevent the ingredients from sticking to it. You can use cabbage or lettuce leaves, or parchment paper to line the basket. A bamboo steamer basket has its own lid to trap the steam, but if you're using a metal rack, you'll need to place the lid on top of the wok. Bring water to boil in the wok. Before placing the steamer basket or rack inside, you should add water to the wok and bring it to a boil. You'll want to fill the wok with approximately 2-inches of water, though it vary depending on how large your wok is. The water level should be about halfway up to the bottom of the steamer basket or rack. Turn the heat up high to bring the water to a boil. Before you bring the water to a boil, make sure that the steamer basket or rack fits securely in the wok and isn't going to tip over. Remove it before you boil the water, though. The food in your steamer basket or on the rack should sit above the water, so it doesn't get overcooked. You don't have to use water to steam in your wok. Any translucent, light liquid, such as broth, stock, wine, or juice, can work. Insert steamer basket or rack. Once the water has come to a boil, reduce the heat to keep it a simmer and place the steamer basket inside the wok. You should keep an eye on the water level because if too much water evaporates, you may need to add more to properly steam the food. Check on the food every few minutes to determine if it's done to your liking and remove it from the basket or rack. The steam inside a wok is extremely hot, so be sure to use long-handled tongs when you're adding and removing food to prevent burns. After using your wok for steaming, there may be a waterline across the surface. You'll need to re-season the wok to get rid of it. Add oil to the wok. A wok is actually an ideal pan for deep frying because its concave shape means that you don't need as much oil and there is less chance of the oil boiling over. Two inches of oil is usually enough to deep fry in a wok, but make sure that you never fill it more than halfway. For deep frying, choose an inexpensive, flavorless oil with a high smoke point. Canola, peanut, and safflower oils are all good options. You can also use clean animal fats, such as lard or duck fat, but they tend to more costly. Heat the oil. You need to ensure that your oil is at the proper temperature for frying before you add your food. The easiest way to accurately determine that the oil is hot enough is to use a thermometer. One designed specifically for deep fryers is the best option, but you can also use a candy thermometer. The proper temperature for deep frying depends on what you're cooking. Consult your recipe to determine what the proper temperature for the oil should be. If you don't have a thermometer on hand, you can use a wooden spoon or chopstick to test the temperature of the oil. Dip the handle of the wooden tool into the oil -- if it bubbles steadily, the oil is hot enough for deep frying. If there is particularly vigorous bubbling, though, the oil is too hot, and you should let it cool before frying your food. If few to no bubbles appear, the oil needs to heat longer. Carefully add food. Once the oil is properly heated, you can begin to place the food into the wok. Try to ensure that all of the pieces that you add to the oil are the same size, so they'll cook evenly. It's also important to dry all of the food thoroughly before adding it to the oil or battering it and placing it in the oil because moisture will make the oil spatter. If you're frying battered items, make sure to add them to the oil one at a time. Otherwise, they may stick together. Adding a bunch of food at once can also cause the oil's temperature to drop. To keep the food at a consistent temperature in the oil, move it around in the oil with a strainer or slotted spoon instead of just allowing it to sit. Remove the food when its color is right. When you notice that your food has become a light golden brown shade, it's likely done. Use a slotted spoon or metal strainer to remove the food from the oil, so you can scoop up several pieces at once. To keep your food from being too greasy, immediately place it on a paper towel lined plate, bowl, or tray to soak up the excess oil. Don't use plastic utensils to remove the food from the wok. Plastic can melt easily in hot oil. The best time to season deep fried food is right after you've removed it from the oil. That's because it will absorb the salt, pepper, or other seasoning more easily for deeper flavor. Cover the wok with foil. To prepare it for smoking, you must line the wok with a heavy-duty foil. Make sure that there are at least 5- to 6-inches of foil hanging over the edge of the wok -- it should be long enough that it can cover the edge of the metal rack that you'll insert to set the food on for smoking. To ensure that the foil is secure in the wok, press it firmly into the base. Make sure that your wok is thoroughly cleaned before smoking in it. If there are any bits of food stuck to it, they'll burn during the process. Add smoking ingredients and rack. To give create a delicious smoky flavor, you need to add ingredients to the bottom of the wok to infuse the food. For the best results, try a mixture of tea leaves, sugar, and rice. The tea will provide a flavorful smoke, the sugar will caramelize to give the food color and sweeten it, and the rice helps to keep the set-up smoking. Depending on the food that you're smoking, you can also add spices to your smoking ingredients. Rosemary, star anise, coriander seeds, bay leaves, garlic, mint, cinnamon sticks, and whole nutmeg are all good options. Citrus peels can also add interesting flavor. Heat the wok. To get the smoke started, you need to heat up on the materials in the bottom of the wok. Turn your burner to medium-heat and it sit until you see smoke coming from the wok -- it usually takes approximately five minutes. The sugar is typically the first ingredient to burn, but the others soon follow. Make sure to work quickly after the wok starts producing smoke, so your kitchen doesn't become filled. Turn on your kitchen's exhaust or vent fan to help with the smoke. If you don't have a fan, it may help to open a window or two. Add food. Once your wok is smoking, place a metal rack above the rim of the wok -- a cooling rack works well. If you have circular rack that fits inside the wok, check that it's at least three inches above the bottom. Set the food that you're smoking on the rack, making sure that none of the pieces hang over the edge of the rack. The items should be spaced out, so there's room for the smoke to circulate. Place the food on the rack as close to the center of the wok as you can. That will ensure even cooking because the edges of the rack will get hotter than the center. Cover the wok. Take another piece of heavy-duty foil and place it over the top of the food to trap the smoke. To create an air-tight seal, crimp the edge of the top foil to the edge of the piece lining the bottom. It's a good idea to wear oven mitts while sealing the foil because it can get very hot. You should heat most foods on medium heat for about 10 minutes. After you turn off the heat, allow the food to sit for another 20 minutes so the smoke has time to die down. Don't smoke your food for too long or it may develop a bitter flavor. Keep in mind that some foods need to be cooked with another method after smoking for best results. For example, if you smoke chicken wings, you'll want to finish them off with broiling. | Pay attention to the bottom. Consider the size. Choose a material. Ensure your kitchen is properly ventilated. Wash the wok. Apply some type of fat. Allow the wok to cool. Repeat the process. Prepare the food. Preheat the wok before adding oil. Add food in stages. Move food constantly. Return the aromatics and protein and deglaze. Fill a steamer basket or rack. Bring water to boil in the wok. Insert steamer basket or rack. Add oil to the wok. Heat the oil. Carefully add food. Remove the food when its color is right. Cover the wok with foil. Add smoking ingredients and rack. Heat the wok. Add food. Cover the wok. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Escape-from-a-Fire | How to Escape from a Fire | To escape from a house fire, try to stay calm and make your way to the nearest exit, staying as low to the ground as possible to avoid smoke inhalation and increase visibility. Next, use the back of your hand to feel doorknobs before you open them and shut the door quickly if you encounter fire or smoke. If all possible exits are blocked, do what you can to let emergency responders know where you are, such as yelling for help, shining a flashlight at a window, or waving a light-colored cloth or piece of clothing out of a window. | Have an escape plan and practice it. Prepare for the worst by developing a fire escape plan and making sure everyone in your household knows what to do in case of a fire. Your plan should identify all available exits from each room and routes that lead from the room to a safe, open-air space. Designate a meeting space away from your house, such as a neighbor's yard or a mailbox across the street. It's important that your exit routes do not lead to a closed-in area that would prevent escape away from your home, like a gated courtyard. It's best that any gates or fences can be easily unlocked or unlatched from inside. Make sure everyone in your household knows how to unlock or unlatch any doors, windows, gates, or fences. Routinely inspect any and all of these potential obstacles to be sure they will actually provide a means of escape in the event of a fire. Practice your plan every few months, including at night, which is when fires are most deadly since it's more difficult to find a safe exit. Plan around the abilities of everyone in your household. When making an escape plan, take any handicaps or abilities into account. If you or someone in your household depends on glasses or hearing aids and will need them in order to find their way out, make sure they're always on a nightstand or other handy spot. Make sure wheelchairs, canes, and other means of mobility assistance are by their user's bed or easily accessible. It's best for anyone with mobility issues to sleep on the ground level of a multi-story home. Contact your local fire service's non-emergency number and tell them about anyone in your household with special needs that should be kept on file. Stay low and crawl to an exit to avoid smoke inhalation. Stay as low to the ground as possible while you swiftly make your way to the nearest exit, especially if there is smoke in the area you're located. Smoke inhalation can cause you to lose consciousness, and the freshest air will be closest to the ground since smoke and toxic chemicals rise. In addition, staying low below smoke will increase your ability to clearly see your escape path. Feel doorknobs to see if they’re hot. Never open a door if the doorknob feels hot. That means there's most likely a fire behind it, and opening the door will put you in danger and fuel the fire with oxygen. If your primary means of escape is blocked by a hot doorknob or other obvious sign of fire, find an alternate route or a window. Use the back of your hand to feel doorknobs, rather than your palm. The thinner skin on the back of your hand is more sensitive to heat, so you'll notice heat before getting burned. Open any doors you come across slowly and be prepare to quickly shut it in case you encounter fire or smoke. Don’t hide in the event of a fire. Even if you're scared, it's most important never to hide under a bed, in the closet, or anywhere else during a fire. If you hide during a fire, firefighters or other responders won't know where you are. Try not to panic, and do your best to remain calm and make your way to the nearest way out of your house. Know what to do if your escape routes are blocked. If all possible exits are blocked, it's important that you do everything you can to let any emergency responders know where you are. If you have a phone handy, call emergency services to let them know your exact location. Yell for help, shine a flashlight at a window, or find a light colored cloth or clothing item to signal out the window. If you are stuck in a room, cover all vents, close the door and put a towel, clothes, or anything on hand that can suitably cover any cracks around it. This will help keep smoke and fire from entering the room. Know evacuation routes and procedures. Whether you live in apartment building, are staying in a hotel, or work in a tall building, familiarize yourself with its floorplan and evacuation routes. Know the shortest and fastest path to the nearest stairwell, and know where any alternative exit routes is located. Talk to the building's superintendent or management personnel about specific emergency procedures. Take the stairs. Never take an elevator in the event of a fire emergency. Every now and then, practice taking the stairs if you live in an apartment building or work in a high rise. Make sure you're familiar with how many flights there are and how long it takes to descend the stairwell. Use handrails and step to the right (or to the appropriate side as determined by your building's emergency protocol) to make room for any emergency responders ascending the stairwell. Turn back if you notice smoke coming from lower levels of a staircase. If possible, make your way to the building's roof. Keep the door to the roof open to help clear smoke from the lower levels of the staircase, which will help those who might be incapacitated and allow emergency responders easier access. Once on the roof, walk in the direction from which the wind is blowing, call emergency services if you haven't already done so, and let them know your exact location. Take into consideration any mobility issues. Tell your building's management personnel about any potential difficulty you or someone in your office or household by have escaping via a stairwell. If you use a wheelchair and cannot use a stairwell, try to find someone in the immediate area who can assist or carry you down the stairs. Call your local fire department's non-emergency number ahead of time to let them know about your mobility requirements in the event of a fire. If there is no elevator available and you're stuck on an upper floor, let emergency services know your exact location and create window signals using any available means. Keep keys and key cards handy. If you're staying at a hotel, be sure to keep your key card handy as you evacuate your room and floor. In the event that the hallway or stairwells are blocked, you'll need to return to your room, seal off any cracks around your door, cover vents, and use a flashlight or light article of clothing to signal your location in the window. Remember to check your room's doorknob before you exit in case there is a fire in the hallway. If you work in a high rise office, follow similar procedures in case all means of exit are blocked. Close your office or suite's door, and make sure it's unlocked or keep your keys or key card handy if it locks automatically. Move downhill and upwind. Hot masses of air that rise cause wildfires to travel uphill, and walking uphill will slow you down anyway. Move in the direction the wind is coming from, and locate this direction by looking to see where smoke is blowing. Try to look high in the sky for the direction of the smoke's travel. Look for the direction that leaves and branches are swaying. Search for an area without combustible material. Once you've set your direction of downhill and upwind travel, look for a natural firebreak. (A firebreak is an area that has comparatively less material for the fire to consume, like a rocky area or field of boulders, road, body of water, or patch of large trees that might retain more moisture than other nearby foliage.) Steer clear of open areas with small, dry shrubs or bushes. Find or dig a trench if escape is not possible. If you cannot escape to a safer location, look for a trench or gully. If you find such an enclosure, try to quickly dig it out to create a space deep enough for you to fit your body. Crawl in, preferably with your feet facing the direction of the fire, and cover yourself with dirt. Make sure you can breathe as you take cover. Call emergency services if you haven't already done so. Let them know your location as precisely as you can. If a wildfire is within close range, surrounding you, or otherwise blocks all means of downhill and upwind escape, and if no safe locations are available, you might have to resort to running through the fire's leading edge into an area that's already burned. Practice safe hiking and camping practices. Prevent getting stuck in a wildfire before hiking or camping by looking up assessing risks like weather conditions, extreme drought, any buildup of dry materials in your hiking or camping area, and the wind's direction. Check with local park rangers if there is any threat of wildfire in your area. Don't build a campfire in dry conditions, especially if your park ranger lets you know there's a local burn ban. If it's safe to build a campfire, keep it small, contained, and away from trees or shrubs. Never leave it unattended. Make sure your campfire is completely extinguished before you leave by pouring lot of water over it, stirring the ashes, pouring more water, making sure there's no hissing sound, and lastly making sure it's cool to the touch. Evacuate as soon as you’re ordered to if a wildfire threatens your home. Grab bare essentials as quickly as possible and leave immediately if you're under a wildfire evacuation order. If you live in an area threatened by wildfires, contact your local fire department's non-emergency line or search the internet to find out about any available email or text message alert systems. Call emergency services if you see a nearby wildfire but haven't received an evacuation order. Don't assume someone else has reported it. | Have an escape plan and practice it. Plan around the abilities of everyone in your household. Stay low and crawl to an exit to avoid smoke inhalation. Feel doorknobs to see if they’re hot. Don’t hide in the event of a fire. Know what to do if your escape routes are blocked. Know evacuation routes and procedures. Take the stairs. Take into consideration any mobility issues. Keep keys and key cards handy. Move downhill and upwind. Search for an area without combustible material. Find or dig a trench if escape is not possible. Practice safe hiking and camping practices. Evacuate as soon as you’re ordered to if a wildfire threatens your home. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Ball | How to Make a Ball | To make a bouncy ball, combine 1 tablespoon of school glue and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a bowl. Next, stir 2 tablespoons of warm water and 1⁄2 teaspoon of Borax together in a separate bowl until the Borax is completely dissolved. Then, add 1⁄2 teaspoon of the Borax mixture to the glue mixture and let it sit for 15 seconds without stirring. Once the mixture thickens, stir the ingredients together. Finally, remove the mixture, roll it between your hands to form a ball, and let it harden for 10-20 minutes before you use it! | Combine school glue, cornstarch, and any add-ins in a bowl. Stir together the 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of school glue and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of cornstarch until they're thoroughly combined, using a spoon or wooden stick. If you want to add any extras, like food coloring or glitter, do so now. You can use either white or clear school glue. If you use white glue and don't add any coloring, your ball will be white. Stir warm water and Borax together in a separate bowl. Mix 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of warm water and ⁄ 2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) of Borax until the Borax is completely dissolved. Stir vigorously to ensure there are no clumps of powder left in the bowl. Heat the water in the microwave or on the stove until it's warm to the touch. It shouldn't be boiling. You can find Borax in the laundry aisle of a store. Borax is safe to use, but it's poisonous if ingested in large quantities. If you or your child get it in your eyes or mouth, contact poison control immediately. Add 1⁄2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) of the Borax mixture in the bowl with the glue. Do not stir the ingredients together when you add them. Simply pour the Borax and water into the other bowl containing the glue and cornstarch. Set aside the remaining Borax mixture if you plan on making more balls. Let the mixture sit for 15 seconds. This allows time for the Borax to react with the glue, making the polymers of the glue link together which will create the ball shape. If you start stirring right away, the bouncy ball may not form or harden properly. Set a kitchen timer or use the clock app on your phone to keep track of the time. Use a spoon to combine the ingredients until they’re too thick to stir. Within 1 to 2 minutes, the mixture will thicken. Stir vigorously while the mixture is still liquid to make sure the ingredients are blended well. Choose a sturdy spoon, like a metal or thick plastic one. Something flimsy, like a plastic spoon, will likely break off in the goo. If you've made homemade slime with Borax, this process is very similar. Remove the mixture and roll it between your hands to form a ball. Once the mixture is too thick for your spoon or stick, pull it out of the bowl and place it between your palms. Roll it around by moving your hands in circular motions until the ball is no longer sticky. The more you handle the ball, the more firm it will become. If you're having trouble getting rid of the stickiness, dip the ball in the Borax water, then roll it a little more. This should remove any tacky texture. Let the ball harden for about 10 to 20 minutes before you use it. This dries the ball a little more, so that it's extra bouncy. If the ball starts to flatten while it sits, simply roll it back into shape when you're ready to play with it. Once you're done playing, store the ball in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out. Keep it in a cool, dark place, like the pantry. If stored properly, your ball could last for up to 6 months. It won't go bad, but it will dry out eventually. To make more bouncy balls, mix up another batch of glue and cornstarch and use some of the leftover Borax and water mixture. Trace 20 hexagons on white paper, then cut them out. Draw your hexagons on the paper with a template, making each side the exact same length. Use scissors to carefully cut along the traced shapes, then set them aside. If you want a life-sized soccer ball, make the edges 2 inches (5.1 cm) long. To make a template, use a ruler to draw the hexagon shape on a piece of cardboard. Cut it out and trace around it with a pencil to make each paper hexagon. Cardstock is the best type of paper to use for this craft. It's sturdy enough to hold the shape of the ball yet still easy to fold. Trace and cut out 12 black pentagons with sides the same length. The edges of the black and white pieces need to be equal so that they fit together properly. Use a template to draw your pentagon shapes, then cut them out with scissors. For example, if you're creating a life-sized ball, make your pentagon sides 2 inches (5.1 cm) long. You can use a different color paper instead of black, or get creative and make a multi-colored ball with a variety of shades. Cut a pentagon template out of cardboard to trace on the black paper so that the pieces are all equal size. Fold up a thin border around each hexagon and pentagon. This edge will allow you to build your ball seamlessly, so there are no gaps between pieces. You only want to fold enough of each edge to have a place to apply glue or tape. Keep the border size equal on each piece so they all remain the same size after folding. To fold the same border on each piece, trace the border before you fold, using a ruler to ensure each edge is an equal width. Use a straight edge, like a ruler, to help you fold the edges in a perfect line. If the edges are crooked, re-fold them. They have to be straight for your ball to be the right shape. Apply glue or tape to the folded edges of each piece. This is how you'll stick the the pieces together to form the ball. Swipe glue on each of the edges of all the hexagons and pentagons. You can also use a strip of tape on the edges instead. A glue stick will work better than liquid glue to prevent the paper edges from getting soggy. If you are slow at putting the ball together, you may want to apply the glue as you go, rather than all at once. Otherwise, it will dry out on the final pieces by the time you get to them. Attach 5 white hexagons to 1 black pentagon. On a standard soccer ball, each black piece is completely surrounded by white pieces. Press 1 white hexagon onto each edge of a black pentagon. Hold the edges together until the glue dries. If you're using a glue stick, the glue will dry almost instantly. Wait about 5 to 10 seconds while pressing the edges against one another. Continue gluing the pieces together in this pattern, forming the soccer ball. On the other edges of the white hexagons that you attached to the original pentagon, glue more black pentagons. Don't forget to glue the white edges that touch each other, too. Once you connect all of the pieces, you'll have a ball shape. A black piece should never touch another black piece. However, white edges will touch other white edges. If you're having trouble visualizing the pattern, look up an image of a soccer ball online as a guide. You can stuff the ball with shreds of paper if you want to create a fuller shape. Use your hands to roll play dough into a long shape. Place a pile of play dough on a flat surface, then gently roll it out with the palms of your hands. This should form what looks like a snake. It doesn't matter what color play dough you use, since it will just be going inside the balloon. Buy pre-made play dough or make your own at home. If you buy play dough, use one 5 oz (140 g) container per balloon. Insert the play dough into the balloon. Stretch the neck of the balloon open as wide as you can, then stuff the play dough snake into the balloon. The play dough should fill the balloon just to the base of the neck. If there is a lot of empty space in the balloon, add more play dough. Stretch out the neck of the balloon before you insert the play dough to loosen it up. This step is easier if you have someone else hold the balloon open while you put the play dough inside. Tie a knot in the neck at the top of the balloon to secure it. This will keep all of the play dough inside the balloon. Wrap the neck around your finger to make your knot, tying it as tightly as possible. If you want extra protection, you can place your original balloon inside another empty balloon before tying it shut. This adds a double layer in case you poke a hole. You can decorate your stress balls with permanent markers if you'd like. For example, you could draw a funny face or write a calming phrase, like “just breathe.” Build a rubber band ball for a creative way to store supplies. Instead of tossing your rubber bands in a drawer, keep them together in 1 big ball. Fold up a thick rubber band to form the center, then begin wrapping all of other bands around it. Criss-cross directions often to round out the ball. You can also wrap your bands around a bouncy ball or crumpled-up piece of paper for a larger ball. Start with smaller rubber bands, then add the larger ones as the ball gets bigger. Sew a fabric ball if you want a soft toy for kids or pets. Young children, particularly babies, could get injured by hard rubber balls. Instead, stitch together a ball out of strips of fabric, then stuff it with polyfill for a plush feel or use dried beans for a bean bag texture. This also makes a great pet toy for dogs to chew on or for cats to bat around. If the ball is for a pet, pick a durable fabric like vinyl or nylon and keep your pet in sight as it plays with the ball. You can use a sewing machine to make your ball or sew it by hand. Cotton is ideal for kids' toys since it's a long-lasting and soft fabric that's easy to wash. Use ice to make a ball for a unique cocktail add-in. Not only do ice spheres look much cooler than regular cubes floating in your drink, they also melt slower, so your beverage doesn't get watered-down as quickly. Fill a silicone ice ball mold with water, then place it in the freezer for at least 6 hours, or until the balls have set and hardened. For extra flair and flavor, add things like fresh herbs or edible flowers into the water in the mold before it freezes. You can buy ice ball molds from a kitchen store or online retailer. Make a cheese ball if you’re having people over for dinner or a party. When it's your turn to play host or hostess, whip up a cheese ball as an impressive appetizer. Mix together cream cheese and other soft cheeses, shape it into a ball, then chill it in the refrigerator. Roll it in chopped nuts and other garnishes before serving. You can substitute mascarpone, neufchatel, or goat cheese for the cream cheese if you'd like. Pair any type of softer cheese with the creamy base, depending on your taste preferences. As long as it's not a dry, crumbly cheese like parmesan, it will work. Serve a cheese ball with finger foods for dipping, like crackers, pretzels, or raw veggies. | Combine school glue, cornstarch, and any add-ins in a bowl. Stir warm water and Borax together in a separate bowl. Add 1⁄2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) of the Borax mixture in the bowl with the glue. Let the mixture sit for 15 seconds. Use a spoon to combine the ingredients until they’re too thick to stir. Remove the mixture and roll it between your hands to form a ball. Let the ball harden for about 10 to 20 minutes before you use it. Trace 20 hexagons on white paper, then cut them out. Trace and cut out 12 black pentagons with sides the same length. Fold up a thin border around each hexagon and pentagon. Apply glue or tape to the folded edges of each piece. Attach 5 white hexagons to 1 black pentagon. Continue gluing the pieces together in this pattern, forming the soccer ball. Use your hands to roll play dough into a long shape. Insert the play dough into the balloon. Tie a knot in the neck at the top of the balloon to secure it. Build a rubber band ball for a creative way to store supplies. Sew a fabric ball if you want a soft toy for kids or pets. Use ice to make a ball for a unique cocktail add-in. Make a cheese ball if you’re having people over for dinner or a party. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Battleship | How to Play Battleship | The objective of Battleship is to sink all of your opponent's ships before they sink yours. To begin, each player grabs a battleship box and secretly arranges their five ships on the lower grid. Every ship must be completely on the grid, and cannot be placed diagonally or overlapping another ship. Once this is done, Player 1 takes a shot. To take a shot, name a square on the upper grid using the letter and number coordinates. For example, the square in the top left corner is A-1, as it is in the row labeled A and the column labeled 1. Player 2 then looks at the coordinates on their lower grid. If the coordinates denote an empty square, Player 2 says “Miss!” Player 1 should put a white peg in their upper grid at the coordinates to show there is nothing there. If the coordinates denote a square with part of a ship on it, Player 2 says “Hit!” Then Player 1 places a red peg in their upper grid at those coordinates, and Player 2 places a red peg on the spot of their ship that was hit. Regardless of whether a shot was a hit or miss, the next player will then take a shot. When every square of a ship gets hit, the player who placed that ship says “You sunk my ship!” The game ends when somebody sinks all of their opponent's ships. | Give each player a battleship box. The standard Battleship game set comes with two boxes, one for each player. Each box opens to reveal two grids, one on each inside surface. If your game set does not include two boxes, plenty of red and white pegs, and at least six ship pieces, it will be difficult to use. Try playing on graph paper instead, as described below, or finding an online version of the game. Check that all the ship pieces are there. Ships come in various lengths, taking up a different number of squares on the grid. The two players should have identical collections of ships. The following is the typical list, but if you don't have all the pieces, just make sure both sides are even: A single ship five squares long (the aircraft carrier) A single ship four squares long (the battleship) Two ships three squares long (the cruiser and the submarine) A single ship two squares long (the destroyer) Have each player secretly arrange their ships. With the boxes open, and the players seated across from each other, each player puts his ships down on the lower grid in front of him. Follow these rules to determine where to put your ships: Ships can be placed horizontally or vertically, but not diagonally. You must place all five ships on the grid. Every ship must be completely on the grid. No ship can hang off the edge of the board. Ships cannot overlap each other. Once your ships are placed and the game has begun, you are not allowed to move your ships again. Decide who will play first. If the two players don't agree who should go first right away, flip a coin or decide in some other randomized way. If you are playing multiple games in a row, consider letting the player who lost the last game go first in the next one. Learn how to take a shot. Each player uses the upper grid of her box, without any ships placed on it, to keep track of her "shots" at the enemy ships. To take a shot, pick a square on this grid by naming it using the coordinates with the letters on the left and numbers above the grid. For example, the square in the top left corner of the grid is named "A-1," since it is in the row labeled A and the column labeled 1. To the right of A-1 is A-2, then A-3, etc. Learn how to respond to an enemy shot. After player 1 announces where she will be "shooting," player 2 checks the same coordinate square on his lower grid, the one with his ships. Player 2 then responds (telling the truth!) one of the following ways: If player 1 hit an empty square, without ships, player 2 says "Miss!" If player 1 hit a square with a ship in it, player 2 says "Hit!" In most "official" rules that come with game sets, the player must also announce which ship was hit (for instance, aircraft carrier). However, many people do not play with this rule. Keep track of shots as they hit or miss. If player 1 misses with a shot, she puts a white peg into that hole of her upper grid, and player 2 puts a white peg into that hole of his lower grid. If player 1 hits, both players use a red peg instead, with player 2 putting the peg directly into the hole on top of the ship where it was shot. You don't need to keep track of your opponent's misses on your own lower grid, if you don't want to. You do need to keep track of your opponent's successful hits, however, so you know when a ship has been sunk. Announce when each ship gets sunk. If every square of a ship gets shot, that ship is sunk. The player who placed that ship must tell his opponent "You sunk my ___," naming the type of ship that was sunk. The names of each ship are listed in the set up section. If you forget them, you can instead say "You sunk the ship with __ squares." Take turns shooting until one player has lost all their ships. Players alternate taking one shot at a time, whether or not that shot is successful. Whoever manages to sink all of her opponent's ships first wins the game. Outline four 10 x 10 grids. Draw four boxes on the graph paper, each one 10 squares wide and 10 squares long. Have each of the two players take two boxes, labeling one "my ships" and the other "enemy ships." Draw the outline of your ships on your grid. Hide the box labeled "my ships" from the other player, and draw a thick outline of five ships anywhere within its boundaries. Each ship is one square wide, and ranges in length: Draw one ship five squares long (the aircraft carrier) Draw one ship four squares long (the battleship) Draw two ships three squares long (the cruiser and the submarine) Draw one ship two squares long (the destroyer) Play with the ordinary rules. Use the instructions above to play an ordinary game of Battleship. Instead of using pegs, draw successful hits with Xs and misses with dots, or use any system of symbols you find easy to understand. Use the box labeled "enemy ships" to keep track of the shots you've taken, and the box labeled "my ships" to keep track of your enemy's shots. Try the original "salvo" rules. Once you've played the basic game for a while, you might want to try something a little more challenging. In "Salvo," take your turn by firing five shots at once. The opponent responds as normal, telling you which shots were hits and which were misses, but only after you've selected five squares to aim for. This version of the game was played at least as early as 1931. Reduce the number of shots you get as you lose ships. Increase the tension, and reward the player who sinks the first ship, by adding this additional rule to the "salvo" rues above. Instead of firing five shots at a time, each player only gets to fire one shot for each surviving ship. For example, if player one loses the cruiser and is down to four ships, player one only gets four shots per turn. Make the game even harder with advanced salvo rules. Play with the original salvo rules above, but don't tell the opponent exactly which shots were hits or misses. Instead, tell them how many of the shots hit, and how many missed. This results in a complicated game, and is only recommended for advanced players. Because you don't know for sure which squares were hits, the ordinary red peg / white peg system probably won't work well for this variation. You may need a pencil and pad of paper for each player, to write down each salvo and the opponent's response. | Give each player a battleship box. Check that all the ship pieces are there. Have each player secretly arrange their ships. Decide who will play first. Learn how to take a shot. Learn how to respond to an enemy shot. Keep track of shots as they hit or miss. Announce when each ship gets sunk. Take turns shooting until one player has lost all their ships. Outline four 10 x 10 grids. Draw the outline of your ships on your grid. Play with the ordinary rules. Try the original "salvo" rules. Reduce the number of shots you get as you lose ships. Make the game even harder with advanced salvo rules. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-Your-Girlfriend-the-Perfect-Gift | How to Buy Your Girlfriend the Perfect Gift | The most important thing about getting a gift for your girlfriend is to show that you know what she likes. Think about recent conversations to see if she has dropped any hints, like a piece of jewelry or a kitchen gadget she likes. You could also try looking at her social media accounts, like Pinterest or Facebook, to see if she has posted pictures of things she's interested in. If your girlfriend has a particular passion, buy her something related to it. For example, if she's into drawing or painting, get her some good quality art supplies. Alternatively, organize an activity you can do together that involves something she likes or an interest you have in common, like going to the theater or paying for her to take a class. | Plan ahead. Don't wait until the last minute. By planning ahead, you can decide on a romantic gesture or present that fits the occasion, and you'll have the time to execute it. It also gives you time to order online if you need to. Brainstorm ideas. Take some time to brainstorm three lists: a list of things she likes, a list of things you like about her, and a list of things you have in common, which can include inside jokes or memories. Use these lists as inspiration for gift ideas. For instance, if you know she loves cooking, you could get her an apron printed with some of your favorite pictures together. Consider a practical gift. Many people appreciate practical gifts. Be careful with this option, though; you don't want to give something too boring or mundane. A good question to ask yourself is, “Is this something she will eventually wind up buying for herself if I don't?” If the answer is yes, don't buy it. A good gift should be something she loves and/or can use, but she would not buy for herself. For instance, maybe she keeps eyeing a fancy kitchen gadget, but she never has the extra cash to shell out for it, which would make it the perfect gift. Use recent conversations. It's possible she's intentionally dropped a hint about something she may want. Alternatively, maybe you two have talked about something she's really into lately, which can help guide your gift. Using what she says as a source of gift-giving inspiration will ensure you get her something she genuinely likes, and show her that you listen to what she says. For instance, maybe she's said, "Taylor Swift's music always makes me happy. I really want to get her new CD." Look at her Pinterest. If she has one, this is a fantastic resource for figuring out what she wants without asking her directly. Another source could be her Amazon wishlist, if it's public. Just make sure you're not buying her something that she already owns. Consider her love language. "Love language" is a term used by Gary Chapman to describe what people need to feel loved. If you can figure out your girlfriend's love language, you can get her something she truly wants and make her feel loved. One way you can figure out her love language is to ask her to take a quiz at 5lovelanguages.com. Don't worry, she'll probably find it romantic that you want to know her love language. The first love language is words of affirmation. That means that person feels the most loved when she hears words of appreciation or affection. The second love language is acts of service, which means that person feels the most loved when you do actions for her, such as taking over a chore. The third love language is receiving gifts, which is as it sounds; this person feels loved when you shower her with gifts. For people who value quality time, just spending time with you is the most important thing. For people whose love language is physical touch, being close to you is important, from holding hands to having intimate moments. Ask her what she wants. Use good judgment here; some girls will appreciate your consideration in asking, while others may find it strange. If you do ask her for help, avoid just asking, “What do you want?” Instead, ask her for a list of things or types of things she's had her eye on. This way she won't know exactly what she's getting. Make her something. This option is great if you don't have much money, and often, your girlfriend will value it more if it you made it. Making a gift takes more time and effort than just buying something online, but it doesn't need to take days. Plus, you know it will be unique. Don't worry, you don't have to be Van Gogh to make a beautiful gift she'll love. Make a scrapbook or frame a photo. Since most photos are on the computer or phone these days, actually giving her physical photos can be nice. You can either put photos in a simple scrapbook or frame several photos of you two together. Put together her favorite drink. Whether she loves tea or hot cocoa, try putting together a little kit of her favorite beverage. For instance, for hot cocoa, you could make a homemade cocoa mix with little packets of marshmallows and several small bottles of Bailey's on the side. If she likes tea, try making an arrangement of all her favorites, plus some fancy honey. Include a fancy mug to top it off. Create some homemade bath bombs. If your girl loves to soak in the tub, making bath bombs will be perfect for her. Pick an essential oil she'll love to scent them, and she'll be in bliss. To make a bath bomb, simply mix 2 cups of cornstarch with 1 cup of citric acid, and 1 3/4 a cup of baking soda by shaking it through a sieve. Fill up small spray bottles with water. If you want to color you bath fizzies, add 6 drops of food coloring. Measure out 1 cup of powered mixture. Use the spray bottles to add small amounts of water to the powder. Mix it up after each spray. The mixture is ready when it holds together when squeezed. Add in the essential oil. For an essential oil with a heavy fragrance (such as peppermint), add 5 drops; use 6 if it's lighter (such as lemon). Stir the fragrance in. Put the mixture in small baking molds, preferably ones that hold about 1/4 cup, enough for one bath. If smaller, use two bath bombs per bath. Repeat for the rest of the dry mixture. Clean the house. Maybe you don't want a clean house to be the whole gift, but if you live with your girlfriend, showing you care by cleaning the house is a nice gesture. Make sure you think about all the regular chores, from cleaning the bathroom to doing the laundry. Make her food. You could make her brownies (mixes make brownies very easy), and you customize them by adding chocolate chips, caramels, candy, or raspberry preserves, anything she'd like. Don't forget to take her allergies and likes and dislikes into consideration. Alternatively, if you want to step it up, try making a whole meal. Pick a simple recipe or play to your strengths. Shine up her car. If she's like most people, she doesn't always have the time to keep her car in order. Find a way to "borrow" her car. Take it out, and clean it up, inside and out. Just be sure not to throw anything away--that could lead to trouble! Look at handcrafted websites. Handcrafted websites offer a variety of gifts that are unique. You can find something tailored to what your girl loves or even have a gift customized to her. Check out websites such as Etsy, Custom Made, and Shana Logic. Try craft or art fairs. Like websites with arts and crafts, you can find one-of-a-kind gifts at local art shows and craft fairs. While sometimes the prices can be high, you're paying for a truly special gift and supporting your local economy at the same time. Find something in line with her passions. For instance, if your girlfriend loves drawing, art supplies are definitely an appropriate choice. However, so is a book about art, or a painting by her favorite artist (if you can afford it). Have the gift line up with things she loves. Take it a step up. For instance, if she loves books, giving her a book is an obvious choice. However, you can go one step further. Instead of just getting her any book, try to get a copy of her favorite book signed by the author. That will make it truly unique and special. Try picking something you can do together. Instead of giving her something she'll set on her shelf, try giving her something you can go out and do. Whether it's something you both love or something you don't like as much but she does, it will make an unforgettable gift. For instance, try getting tickets to a musical or play. Alternatively, you could buy tickets for a local symphony. Consider giving her a more long-term experience. For instance, try getting her into a painting class if she's always loved painting. Alternatively, you both could try a beer-brewing class together if she loves beer, which could turn into a life-long passion. Just make sure it's something she's passionate about, which you should know from paying attention to what she says and does. Try a small trip. Even a short jaunt to a cabin nearby can be romantic under the right conditions. It doesn't have to be super expensive, as long as you think about what you your girlfriend likes. For instance, if she isn't super outdoorsy, take her for small getaway in a nearby city or quaint small town. For an even smaller getaway, try staying one night at a fancy hotel in town. Another option is a "staycation." Basically, you both take a day off from work and make fun plans in the city you live in. For instance, you could make her a picnic and go to a park or go to a concert at the botanical gardens. Consider the occasion. While it might be nice to give a girl a sweet, handmade card to celebrate your 1-month anniversary, a huge romantic gesture will probably freak her out and put too much pressure on the relationship. Likewise, a handmade card will probably not cut it for a 1-year anniversary. However, you have to consider what your girlfriend wants, too; some girls like to make a big deal out of events like birthdays and Valentine's Day, while others prefer to keep things more casual. Avoid gifts that are more for you than her. A skimpy outfit or tickets to a sporting event she doesn't really care about will not earn you any points. Make sure you think about your girlfriend, not yourself, when selecting a gift. Don't fall back on clichés. Popular culture is full of depictions of men giving women teddy bears, heart necklaces, and roses. While some girls may appreciate feeling like they are in a romantic comedy, most will prefer a gift that shows you really know them, and don't think of them as a two-dimensional stereotype. If you are out of time and ideas, at least consider buying a stuffed version of her favorite animal instead of a generic teddy bear, a bouquet of her favorite flowers instead of roses, or a necklace that somehow reminds you of her instead of just a typical heart pendant. Be wary of clothing and jewelry. While these can seem like great ideas, you should think twice about giving clothing or jewelry unless you are very confident that you know your girlfriend's tastes. It is always a good idea to include a receipt with wearable gifts, so that your girlfriend has the option of exchanging your gift for something that suits her better. | Plan ahead. Brainstorm ideas. Consider a practical gift. Use recent conversations. Look at her Pinterest. Consider her love language. Ask her what she wants. Make her something. Make a scrapbook or frame a photo. Put together her favorite drink. Create some homemade bath bombs. Clean the house. Make her food. Shine up her car. Look at handcrafted websites. Try craft or art fairs. Find something in line with her passions. Take it a step up. Try picking something you can do together. Consider giving her a more long-term experience. Try a small trip. Consider the occasion. Avoid gifts that are more for you than her. Don't fall back on clichés. Be wary of clothing and jewelry. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Brooch | How to Make a Brooch | To make a brooch, start by drawing the shape you want your brooch to be on a piece of felt. You can draw any kind of shape, like a circle, oval, rectangle, or star. Just make sure it's about 1.5 inches across. Once you've drawn your shape, cut it out and arrange some decorative embellishments on it in whatever pattern you like best. For example, you can decorate your brooch with beads, crystals, or rhinestones. When you've found a pattern that you like, hot glue the embellishments to the felt. Finish your brooch by hot gluing a brooch pin onto the back of the felt and letting everything dry. | Draw the desired shape of your brooch on a piece of felt. Use felt that matched your items to make it less visible, or use a basic background color, such as black or grey. You can draw a square, circle, oval, rectangle, triangle, star, horseshoe, or any other shape you like for your brooch. Try to make the shape about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) across. You can use a template such as a glass. For example, you could make a circle that is 1.5 in (3.8 cm) in diameter, a triangle with 1.5 in (3.8 cm) sides, or a rectangle that is 1.5 by 2.5 in (3.8 by 6.4 cm). Cut out the felt piece with a pair of fabric scissors. After you have traced the shape onto your felt, cut along the lines. Cut slowly to ensure that you do not create any misshapen or jagged edges. Lay out the items you want on your brooch. You can glue beads, crystals, rhinestones, buttons, and other items onto your brooch to decorate it. Use enough items so that they will completely cover the felt, and then position the items on your felt piece how you want to attach them before gluing them into place. This will allow you to play with the positioning of the items and get the desired look. Try outlining the brooch with 1 type of gem or bead and then add another row of a different type of bead or gem next to it. Keep alternating or adding new items as you move in towards the center. If you have 1 large gem or bead that you want to use as a focal point, place that in the center and surround it with gems or beads that complement it. Use a hot glue gun to attach the items to your brooch. Turn on your hot glue gun and allow it about 10 to 15 minutes to warm up. Once you are happy with the arrangement of your items, begin gluing them into place. Pick up a piece, apply a small dot of glue and press the piece onto it. Continue to do this until you have attached all of your items. Be careful not to touch the hot glue with your fingers. The glue will burn your skin if it gets on it. If you don't want to use hot glue, you can apply fabric glue to attach the items and then let the brooch dry overnight. Turn the brooch over and glue a brooch pin onto the back. When you have finished attaching the items to the front of your brooch and the glue has dried, turn it over. Then, apply a couple of dots of hot glue to the center of the brooch back and press a brooch pin closure onto the glue. Hold the pin in place for a few seconds to ensure a good bond. If you use fabric glue, let the pin dry overnight. After the glue has dried, your brooch is ready to wear! Purchase felting wool in a variety of colors. You can purchase felting wool online or at a craft supply store. Buy a few colors that complement each other to create your brooch. Felted wool is not regular wool. It will come in soft, puffy bunches. Wet the wool using soap and warm water. Fill a plastic bucket or bowl about halfway with warm water and add a squirt of hand soap. Squeeze and pull the wool gently while it is in the soapy water. When you can't stretch the fibers any more, the wool has felted. That should take about 15 minutes. Rinse the wool gently with water to remove any remaining soap. Hold the wool under warm, running water to rinse it out. Squeeze out the fabric to get rid of any excess water. Dry the felt pieces overnight. Place the pieces on a towel on a countertop or up on a shelf where they will not be disturbed by pets or children. The felt pieces will take around 8 hours to dry completely. They should feel soft to the touch when they're completely dry. Layer the felt pieces as desired. You can arrange the pieces however you like to get the desired effect. Try ordering the layers by size with the smaller ones on top of larger ones so that each of the layers will be visible. Sew the pieces together. Thread a needle with about 12 in (30 cm) of a durable matching thread and use it to sew through the center of the pieces you want to layer together. Stitch through all of the layers several time to ensure that they are securely attached, then tie a knot through the thread on the back side of the brooch. Another way to attach the pieces together is to fold each piece in half and then fold it in half in the other direction so that it is 1/4 of its original size. Then, sew the corner of the piece onto an open piece. Do this for 6 or 7 more pieces to create a 3-D felt flower. Sew on buttons, beads, or gems to the center of the brooch. You can also use extra felted wool formed into balls for a decorative addition. A bead or a button makes a good center of a flower. Don't forget to glue or sew on a safety pin or brooch pin to the back! You need to be able to attach it your clothes. Cut your desired length of rickrack. Count from the end of the rickrack until you get to 12 loops on the top edge of the rickrack. Then, cut the rickrack through the next loop. Wide rickrack works best for making a brooch. Choose rickrack that is about the width of your thumb. Use a pair of sharp fabric scissors to cut the rickrack. Fold 0.25 in (0.64 cm) of the rickrack under and tack it in place. Thread a needle with about 12 in (30 cm) of thread and tie a knot in the end. Then, fold over the rickrack and insert the needle in through both layers. Pull until the thread is taut to secure the end of the rickrack. Make sure that the raw edge of the rickrack is facing away from you when you tack it down. Sew each loop together across the bottom of your rickrack. Use your fingers to hold the first 2 bottom loops together and then insert the needle through both. Pull the thread taut. Then, pull the needle through the next bottom loop to layer it over the last 2 you sewed through. The loops should fold together like an accordion with your needle going in and out of each lower point of the material. Tack down the end of the rickrack to hide the raw edge. When you're finished sewing through all of the bottom loops, fold the end of the rickrack under as you did in the beginning and sew through it to tack it down. Pull the thread taut to pull the rickrack together in a tight accordion-like bundle. Don't tie a knot in the end of the thread just yet because you have more sewing to do. Sew the end of your rickrack to the first 1 or 2 loops. This seals up the bunch of fabric in a circle, which should look similar to a flower. Pull the thread taut to tighten the rickrack into a circle. Hold the thread taut with your fingers, but don't tie it off yet. Stitch the inside corners of the rickrack. Sew back and forth across the rickrack circle to secure the pieces together more firmly. Make sure to sew on the back side of your rickrack flower so that these stitches will not be visible. Sewing across the center will help to make the flower firmer and sturdier. It will also improve the appearance of your finished brooch. Choose a button in a complementary color to your rickrack. Sew it into the center of your rickrack flower. Tie off the thread on the back of the brooch and cut it about 0.25 in (0.64 cm) from the knot. Opt for a button or bead that will stand out from the rickrack. For example, you could add a pink or yellow button to the center of a purple rickrack flower. Cut out a 1 in (2.5 cm) diameter felt circle. This will be the base of your brooch. You can sew or glue the rickrack flower onto the felt circle. Choose a color of felt that matches the rickrack, such as red for red rickrack or blue for blue rickrack. Use a pair of sharp fabric scissors to cut out the felt circle. Sew or glue the felt circle onto a brooch pin. You can thread a needle and sew through the openings in the brooch pin, or use hot glue to attach the brooch pin to the felt base. Press the flower onto the felt circle and hold it there for about 15 seconds if you are using hot glue. Place the pin near the top of the circle. Sewing it in the middle will cause the brooch to sag when you are wearing it. Be careful not to get hot glue on your skin as it will burn you. | Draw the desired shape of your brooch on a piece of felt. Cut out the felt piece with a pair of fabric scissors. Lay out the items you want on your brooch. Use a hot glue gun to attach the items to your brooch. Turn the brooch over and glue a brooch pin onto the back. Purchase felting wool in a variety of colors. Wet the wool using soap and warm water. Rinse the wool gently with water to remove any remaining soap. Dry the felt pieces overnight. Layer the felt pieces as desired. Sew the pieces together. Sew on buttons, beads, or gems to the center of the brooch. Cut your desired length of rickrack. Fold 0.25 in (0.64 cm) of the rickrack under and tack it in place. Sew each loop together across the bottom of your rickrack. Tack down the end of the rickrack to hide the raw edge. Sew the end of your rickrack to the first 1 or 2 loops. Stitch the inside corners of the rickrack. Choose a button in a complementary color to your rickrack. Cut out a 1 in (2.5 cm) diameter felt circle. Sew or glue the felt circle onto a brooch pin. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Photos-Private-on-Facebook | How to Make Photos Private on Facebook | To make photos private on Facebook, start by opening the app and tap the 3 horizontal lines to view the options menu. Next, tap your name at the top, scroll down, and select “Photos.” Once you've opened your photos, tap one that you want to make private. When it loads, tap the 3 horizontal dots on the top-right corner or tap and hold the photo to bring up an options menu. From the menu, tap “Edit post privacy,” and choose “Only me” to hide it from everyone else. If you want to make whole albums private, select the album from your photos, tap the 3 vertical dots, and hit “Edit album.” Then, change your privacy setting to “Only me.” | Open Facebook. Go to https://www.facebook.com/ in your browser. This will open your News Feed if you're logged into Facebook. If you aren't logged into Facebook, enter your email address and password to do so. Go to your profile. Click your name in the top-right side of the Facebook page. Click the Photos tab. You'll find this below the cover photo that's at the top of your Facebook page. Select a photo category. Click a category tab (e.g., Your Photos ) near the top of the page. Select a photo. Click a photo that you want to make private. This will open the photo. The photo must be one that you uploaded, not just one of you that someone else uploaded. Click the "Privacy" icon. This icon generally resembles a silhouette of a person (or two people) that you'll find below and to the right of your name in the upper-right side of the photo. A drop-down menu will appear. If clicking this icon results in a menu that says Edit Post Privacy , click Edit Post Privacy to go to the post, then click the privacy icon at the top of the post before continuing. Click More…. It's in the drop-down menu. Click Only Me. This option is in the expanded drop-down menu. Doing so will immediately change your photo's privacy so that only you can see it. Open Facebook. Tap the Facebook app icon, which resembles a white "f" on a dark-blue background. This will open your News Feed if you're logged in. If you aren't logged in, enter your email address and password before continuing. Tap ☰. It's either in the bottom-right corner of the screen (iPhone) or at the top of the screen (Android). A menu will appear. Tap your name. This option is at the top of the menu. Doing so opens your profile page. Scroll down and tap Photos. It's a tab below your information section. Select a photo category. Tap a category (e.g., Uploads ) near the top of the screen. Select a photo. Tap a photo that you want to make private. This will open the photo. Make sure that your selected photo is one that you uploaded, not just one in which you're tagged. You can't adjust the privacy options for photos that aren't yours. Tap ⋯. It's in the top-right corner of the screen. A menu will appear. On Android, tap and hold the photo instead. Tap Edit Privacy. This option is in the menu. Doing so opens a new menu. For some photos, you'll tap Edit Post Privacy here instead. If you don't see this option, the photo in question is in a user-created album and cannot be made private. You'll need to make its album private instead. Tap More. It's at the bottom of the menu. Skip this step if there's an Only me option in your menu. Tap Only me. This option is in the menu. Tap Done. It's in the top-right corner of the screen. Doing so saves your photo preferences and hides it from everybody except you. Open Facebook. Go to https://www.facebook.com/ in your browser. This will open your News Feed if you're logged into Facebook. If you aren't logged into Facebook, enter your email address and password to do so. Go to your profile. Click your name in the top-right side of the Facebook page. Click the Photos tab. You'll find this below the cover photo that's at the top of your Facebook page. Click the Album tab. It's in the upper-right side of the "Photos" page. This will open a list of photo albums that are on your Facebook profile. Find an album that you want to make private. Some Facebook albums are built into the Facebook website, and thus cannot be made private. The "Mobile Uploads" album (or the "iOS Photos" album for older uploads from an Apple phone) cannot have its privacy edited. Click ⋯. It's in the lower-right corner of the album cover. Doing so brings up a small menu. If you don't see the three-dot icon on your selected album, it can't be made private; however, you can make its individual photos and videos private instead. Click Edit. This option is in the menu. The album's page will open. Click the "Privacy" drop-down box. You'll find this at the top of the page. A drop-down menu will appear. Click Only me. It's in the drop-down box. If you don't see this option, click See all lists... to expand the menu. Click Save. This blue button is in the upper-right side of the page. Doing so saves your settings and changes your album to be viewable only for you. Open Facebook. Tap the Facebook app icon, which resembles a white "f" on a dark-blue background. This will open your News Feed if you're logged in. If you aren't logged in, enter your email address and password before continuing. Tap ☰. It's either in the bottom-right corner of the screen (iPhone) or at the top of the screen (Android). A menu will appear. Tap your name. This option is at the top of the menu. Doing so opens your profile page. Scroll down and tap Photos. It's a tab below your information section. Tap Albums. This tab is in the upper-right side of the screen. Doing so opens a list of all of the albums that you have on your Facebook profile. Find an album that you created. You can only make private the albums that you uploaded to Facebook. If the photos that you want to make private are in a stock Facebook album (e.g., "Mobile Uploads"), you can still hide the individual photos in it. Tap ⋯. It's in the top-right corner of the album. If you don't see this option, the album's privacy cannot be edited. Tap the current privacy setting. This privacy setting will usually say Friends or Public ; it is in the middle of the screen. Tapping it prompts a menu to appear. Tap Only me. It's in the menu. Doing so will save your selection and close the menu. Tap Save. This option is in the top-right corner of the screen. Your photo album preferences will be saved, meaning that only you will be able to see the album. | Open Facebook. Go to your profile. Click the Photos tab. Select a photo category. Select a photo. Click the "Privacy" icon. Click More…. Click Only Me. Open Facebook. Tap ☰. Tap your name. Scroll down and tap Photos. Select a photo category. Select a photo. Tap ⋯. Tap Edit Privacy. Tap More. Tap Only me. Tap Done. Open Facebook. Go to your profile. Click the Photos tab. Click the Album tab. Find an album that you want to make private. Click ⋯. Click Edit. Click the "Privacy" drop-down box. Click Only me. Click Save. Open Facebook. Tap ☰. Tap your name. Scroll down and tap Photos. Tap Albums. Find an album that you created. Tap ⋯. Tap the current privacy setting. Tap Only me. Tap Save. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cure-Salmon | How to Cure Salmon | To make cured salmon, also known as gravlax, start by selecting the highest quality salmon to ensure it has the best flavor. Look for sustainably-sourced fish that has bright, shiny skin and firm, orangish-pink flesh. Then, prepare your cure by mixing salt, sugar, pepper, and the herbs of your choice. Once you've made the cure, rinse your salmon and lay it on a piece of plastic wrap before rubbing the cure into both sides of the fish. Wrap it tightly, then place it in the refrigerator to cure for at least 3 days. | Choose a fat, fresh filet. Curing salmon brings out the best in its fishy flavor, and little subtleties like the salmon's fat content and freshness will stand out after the curing process. The fresher and fattier the salmon, the better your gravlax will taste, so choose the highest quality salmon possible. Check the salmon's labeling. Look for sustainably-sourced salmon that was not previously frozen. It's easier to find this while salmon is in season during the summer months. Salmon that has been frozen and thawed will not taste as good after curing. To make enough for eight servings, get a two-pound salmon filet with the skin still attached. The flesh should be bright orangish-pink and firm. The skin should look bright and shiny, not spotted or damage. Buy the salmon the same day you're planning to start the curing process, if possible. Store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it. Choose your alcohol. It's increasingly popular to rub alcohol over the fish before coating it in a cure. Using vodka, bourbon, rye or another alcohol is not traditional when it comes to the lox you'd get in a deli for your bagel, but it can add a lot of depth during the curing process. If you wish to use alcohol, you'll only need a few tablespoons, enough to rub over the entire filet before you coat it in the cure. Mix up a cure. The most basic ingredient of a salmon cure is salt. Salt draws the moisture from the fish's flesh, changing the taste and texture and acting as a natural preservative. Sugar, spices and citrus zest may be added to provide extra flavor. Start with a basic cure the first time you cure salmon, then consider getting creative and adding your favorite spices and alcohol for a different flair the next time around. Use the following ratio of ingredients for one two-pound piece of salmon: 1/2 cup kosher salt (not table salt, which can negatively affect the flavor) 3 tablespoons white sugar 3 tablespoons of the fresh chopped herbs of your choice, like oregano, dill, basil, fennel or a combination 1/2 tablespoon white pepper Optional: 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) lemon zest Rinse and dry the salmon. When you're ready to star the curing process, remove the salmon from the refrigerator and rinse it in cool water, then dry it thoroughly with paper towels. Lay the salmon on several sheets of plastic wrap. The salmon will need to be tightly wrapped in plastic as it cures. Tear off a few large sheets of plastic wrap and place them on a baking sheet. Lay the salmon fillet skin-side down in the center of the plastic. Check the salmon for pin bones. Gently press into the flesh of the filet with your fingertips to feel for tiny pin bones. They're usually located near the center of the filet. It's important to remove these before curing the salmon, since they'll interfere when it comes time to slice it up. When you come upon a bone, use a needle-nosed plier to pry it from the flesh, taking care not to damage the filet too much as you do so. Discard the bones when you're finished. Dress the salmon filet. Time to apply the alcohol and cure mixture to the salmon to begin the curing process. Use enough to cover the filet on both sides. Err on the side of using too much instead of too little, since you can always rinse off the excess flavoring later. Rub the salmon with alcohol. Use a tablespoon or two of the alcohol you chose to cover the salmon on both sides. No need to rub it in with pressure; instead, just smooth it over the surface. Apply the cure. Use a spoon to sprinkle a good coating of the cure mix over the entire filet. Flip it over and put more on the other side. Wrap the salmon tightly. Lift the sides of the plastic wrap and wrap up the salmon so that it's tightly covered with no air holes. You may want to get another piece of plastic wrap to make sure the wrapping is secure. Weight the salmon. Place a second baking sheet over the first one. Nest it in so it's sitting directly on top of the salmon. If you don't have a sheet that fits perfectly, find another flat-surfaced pan or dish to do the job. Put a heavy bowl, a brick, or heavy canned goods on top of the entire contraption. This will compress the cure ingredients into the salmon, creating the right conditions for it to cure. Refrigerate the salmon for 72 hours. During this time, do nothing to the salmon except wait patiently while it cures. Most chefs recommend three days of refrigeration, though some recipes specify curing for two. It's a matter of taste, so if you prefer salmon that's less salty, go for two instead of three. Unwrap and rinse the fish. Remove it from the refrigerator and take off the plastic wrap. Rinse the fish under cool running water, washing away the salt and other cure ingredients. If you skip this step, the fish will taste too salty. Slice the salmon. Use a very sharp knife to cut thin horizontal slices from along the top of the salmon (rather than slicing it vertically as you would a steak). Gravlax has a strong flavor, so thinner slices are more palatable. The salmon is now ready to enjoy. Taste the salmon for flavor. If you find it too salty, give in an extra rinse before continuing to slice it. The classic way to serve gravlax is with a fresh bagel, cream cheese, sliced red onion and capers. It also makes a great topping for salads, pizzas, crostini, pasta and more. | Choose a fat, fresh filet. Choose your alcohol. Mix up a cure. Rinse and dry the salmon. Lay the salmon on several sheets of plastic wrap. Check the salmon for pin bones. Dress the salmon filet. Wrap the salmon tightly. Weight the salmon. Refrigerate the salmon for 72 hours. Unwrap and rinse the fish. Slice the salmon. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Train-a-Ferret-Not-to-Bite | How to Train a Ferret Not to Bite | To train a ferret not to bite, grab your ferret by the loose skin on the back of its neck, lift it to your eye level, and say "No" in a firm voice. If your ferret continues to bite, try putting it in a "time out" each time it bites by placing it in its travel carrier for 5 minutes. It's important to stay calm and never flick at your ferret's nose, toss it aside, or yell at it, since this can scare ferrets and lead to even more biting. Be consistent, firm, and patient when you're training for the best results! | Scruff your ferret. Scruffing is one of the most popular ways to stop your ferret from biting. Grab your ferret by the loose skin on the back of the neck, and lift it to your eye level. Close the mouth with your index finger and thumb. Look at the ferret and say, "No!" in a loud and firm voice. Your ferret will probably struggle and try to move around. Don't be alarmed. You are not hurting the ferret. Put the ferret in time out. If scruffing does not work, put your ferret in time out. Put the ferret in a travel carrier or cage for 5 minutes or less. This method works best for baby ferrets (i.e. kits) because they are very playful and do not like being alone. Time out will help your ferret associate biting with something bad. Your ferret may go to sleep if you leave it in the cage for too long during time out. Your ferret needs to associate the cage with punishment, not with nap time. Distract your ferret. Kits often get overly excited when they play and will begin to bite. If your ferret bites you during playtime, give the ferret a toy to bite instead. This teaches your ferret that it is acceptable to bite a toy but not to bite people. There is no need to make a big deal about biting using this method. Avoid training mistakes. You should never hurt your ferret as part of the training process. Do not flick their nose, throw them, or hit them. Never scream or yell at them either. You do not want your ferret to be afraid of you. Your ferret may actually bite you more if it is afraid of you. Think of your ferret as a child that you love but are trying to discipline. You want to be seen as a loving, caring authority figure. Use Bitter Apple spray. Ferrets hate the taste of Bitter Apple and Bitter Lime and Fooey. You can buy any of these at your local pet store or online. Spray a small amount on your hands, toes, ankles, and anywhere else your ferret likes to bite. This will help the ferret associate biting with a nasty taste. Never directly spray your ferret. You can also put some of the spray on a Q-tip and put it in the ferret's mouth when it starts to bite. Bitter Apple also comes in a paste. This is helpful if your ferret likes to bite cords or their cage bars. Apply the paste to the item to deter the ferret from biting. Treat kits differently than adults. Kits bite because they do not know any better, but are easier to train than adult ferrets. If you are consistent, you can train a kit to stop biting in a few weeks. Kits usually bite for attention, to play, or to be put down. To break the kit from biting to be put down: Hold the ferret so it is unable to bite you. Keep holding it even if it squirms. Put the kit down once it stops squirming. Praise the kit and tell it how good it has been. Build trust with adult ferrets. Adult ferrets bite because they were not trained properly when they were younger and/or they have problems trusting humans. They will need direct skin to fur contact when you handle them. It will take a few months to train them to stop biting, but you need to be consistent, firm, and gentle with them. Adult ferrets bite much harder than kits, but still try to provide as much skin to fur contact as possible. Adult ferrets may be suspicious and nervous when being handled. Deal with a fear biter. If a ferret was handled roughly as a kit or lacks confidence, it may be a fear biter. Punishing a fear biter may actually reinforce the idea that they should be afraid of people. You should be more gentle with a ferret that bites out of fear. Acclimate the ferret to being touched by you before you pick it up on a regular basis. Feed your ferret out of your hands and reward calm behavior. Once your ferret is used to eating out of your hands, you can start picking the ferret up. Keep your training sessions short at first. Progressively lengthen the time of your sessions as the ferret becomes more comfortable with you. Stop a play biter. Some ferrets bite to let you know that they want to play. If your ferret does this, remove your hand and walk away from the ferret. Your ferret may chase you after you walk away because it wants to play. By ignoring the ferret, you are teaching it that biting is not an appropriate way to initiate playtime. Reward calm behavior with treats and kind words. If the ferret begins to bite during play, stop playing. Pick up on communication signals. Some ferrets bite as a way to communicate with you. By the time the ferret is biting, you may have missed other signals. Nuzzling or coming to you and waiting are signs that your ferret wants your attention. Notice if your ferret does these things, and then respond to your ferret immediately. If you wait too long to respond, your ferret learns that biting is the quickest way to get your attention. If your ferret bites to get your attention, ignore the ferret. If your ferret bites you when it is ready to put it down, hold the ferret for a few seconds longer before you put it down. Putting down the ferret right after it bites you will reinforce the behavior. Some ferrets do not like being held for long periods of time, pay attention to how your ferret responds. | Scruff your ferret. Put the ferret in time out. Distract your ferret. Avoid training mistakes. Use Bitter Apple spray. Treat kits differently than adults. Build trust with adult ferrets. Deal with a fear biter. Stop a play biter. Pick up on communication signals. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Leave-Your-Wife | How to Leave Your Wife | If you are planning on leaving your wife, pick a reliable confidant who can provide perspective and help you figure out the details as you prepare. You should make most of the arrangements in advance to make the transition as smooth as possible. This includes finding a place to stay after you leave your home, as well as opening a personal bank account if you don't already have one. Gather all relevant legal paperwork, such as your marriage certificate and all deeds and titles, and make copies that you store in a secure location outside the home. When you're ready to tell your wife, follow a prepared script clearly stating your expectations and your reasons for leaving. This step will be difficult, but try to stay calm and focused. | Figure out if you have a hard or soft problem. A “hard” problem is a fixed issue that causes unsolvable damage, and if you are facing a hard problem, you should leave the relationship as soon as possible. A “soft” problem is less defined and may or may not have a solution, so you should take your time to really evaluate your marriage before ending it over a soft problem. Hard problems include the three A's: abuse, addiction, and adultery. Soft problems include things like growing apart or no longer feeling the sensation of being "in love." These problems usually mask unrecognized problems, like feeling isolated, ignored, or criticized. You need to pinpoint your underlying problems and address them before you can conclude that leaving your wife is the best way to remedy them. Be honest and realistic. Leaving your wife will be a brutal process, even if you manage to separate on fairly amiable terms. If you catch yourself dreaming of an idealistic future and want to leave your wife simply to pursue it, stop right there and reconsider. For example, if you're thinking of leaving your wife for an old high school sweetheart or a new, exciting lover, there's a high probability that you are treating your new relationship with too much idealism and not looking at the benefits of your current marriage or considering the repercussions that may result from leaving under these conditions. Get help, if help is an option. If you have a soft problem, try working things out with your wife. Seek out a marriage counselor and see if there is anything you can do to make your marriage work again before you call it quits. Make a break for it. Once you are certain that leaving your wife is the best possible option, start the process and don't look back. One of the most important things you need is certainty, so if your decision is sound right now, stick with it and try not to doubt yourself in the future. Tell someone. As you start the process, find someone whom you can talk to as a confidant throughout the ordeal. This person should not be your wife or someone whose allegiance lies with your wife over you. Pick a reliable friend or relative, or hire a professional therapist. A confidant can lend you emotional support throughout the process and guide you objectively when your emotions are clouding your perspective. Letting someone know also adds a level of safety to the entire process. Figure out where you'll go. You will need a place to stay after you leave home. If you cannot iron out any long-term plans, at least figure out where you can go on a temporary basis immediately after the separation occurs. The place you pick should be available to you for a few months, at least. If you plan on staying at a friend's or relative's house, find out in advance how long you can stay there. If you plan on moving into your own place, begin shopping around for an apartment before you declare your intentions to your wife. If possible, sign the lease on your new place before you officially leave your wife. Clarify your expectations. For most situations, “leave” ultimately means “divorce.” Ask yourself if this is what you expect and want to happen, or if a legal separation is a better alternative for the time being. List your shared assets. Make a list of everything you share with your wife—money, valuables, properties, and so on. Plan out how you think these assets should be split between you after you leave. If your financial assets are all kept in one place, you have a legal right to half of those finances. Valuables that are owned by both you and your spouse must be divided equally. Those that are specifically yours, including family heirlooms, can be counted among your goods. For the items you own jointly, make a list of those that you would be fine losing and those that you intend to fight for. You also need to find out which services are linked and which are separate. Services include things like phone and Internet plans. A service you will no longer use, like the Internet at your house, will become your wife's responsibility. Joined mobile plans will need to be split apart once the divorce or separation begins. Find all your necessary and important paperwork. This includes your marriage certificate and all deeds and titles. Locate the paperwork and make copies. You should store these copies in a secure location outside of your home, especially if you suspect problems during the split. Look for vital statistics, military records related to benefits, bank statements, insurance policies, social security statements, information regarding retirement accounts, vehicle titles, mortgage statements, loan documents, kids' school records and contact lists, credit card statements, checkbook statements, and stock certificates. Open your own bank account. If you only have a shared account or if your wife has access to your personal account, open your own private account without her knowledge. Redirect your paychecks so that they are directly deposited into this new account. Keep an eye on any joint accounts during this time, as well. If your wife is manipulative or emotionally abusive, she may start withdrawing money from those accounts in an attempt to prevent you from leaving. You can usually withdraw up to half of the money in your joint accounts, but doing so suddenly could alert your wife to the fact that something is amiss. Move your keepsakes to a secure location. If you trust your wife well enough, you may not need to move your personal keepsakes and heirlooms anywhere. If you are anticipating a problem, though, it's a good idea to stealthily remove anything that could be damaged or somehow used against you. Make sure that any item you remove from the house can legally be defined as belonging to you, as a separate person, rather than to you and your wife. Usually, gifts and inherited valuables belong to an individual instead of a married couple. Hide any weapons or possible weapons. Again, if you expect an amiable enough split, you probably don't need to worry about firearms in the home. If you have any reason to fear for your physical safety or for the safety of your wife, though, you should remove those weapons from the home and place them in a secure spot without your wife's knowledge. You may not worry about your wife pulling a gun on you, but also keep in mind what she might do to herself after you leave. If there is any chance that your wife might harm herself, you should still remove all of the firearms from the house. Make spare keys. This is advisable regardless of whether or not your wife is usually an even-tempered woman. Make a spare key for your car, your home, and anything else important. Give these spare keys to a trusted friend or relative. Know whether or not to alert law enforcement. This usually won't be necessary, but if your wife has threatened to file a false report of domestic abuse in the past, she just might follow through with that threat once she finds out that you intend to leave her. Let your local law enforcement officials know about any threats made in the past. Tell the police about her previous threats and about your upcoming talk, and ask them about ways to protect yourself against false reports. The police may still need to check on a situation when a claim of domestic abuse has been made, but if they have advance warning, they might take that into account when deciding what action to take in regards to that claim. Write a script. Plan out everything you plan to tell your wife before you actually break the news to her. Have a script and memorize it to the best of your ability. You do not need to know every word, but you do need to remember every point. Keep the focus on your reasons for leaving and on your experience. Avoid accusatory language that pushes the blame on your wife, even if you feel that your wife is largely to blame. Describe your expectations (separation, divorce), and make sure that you leave room in the conversation for your wife to reply to those expectations with her own thoughts. Check yourself as you prepare the script. Ask if anything you wrote has been written out of anger or a desire to hurt your wife. If so, remove or revise that portion. Have your confidant on standby. You will likely need support after you talk things through with your wife. Let your chosen confidant know when you plan on breaking the news and ask him or her to be available to talk afterward. Make a deliberate plan. Do not spring the news on your wife at random. You need to plan out the day, time, and location. Arrange things with your wife so that she knows to leave the time slot open, but do not tell her before the predetermined time. Do not surprise your wife with the news before she leaves for work or when you're out at a party or restaurant. Set aside a time when you can talk without restrictions on time or speaking volume. If you are worried about your physical safety, choose a public place that still offers some degree of privacy, like a park. Stick with your plan and resist the temptation to blurt everything out ahead of time in a moment of anger or pain. Stay calm and go through your script. Sit down with your wife and calmly go through the script you created earlier. Expect her to be emotional, but try to avoid getting into any screaming matches during the talk. Remain as calm, detached, and objective as possible. Keep in mind that you should talk with your wife, not at her. Pause during your script to check in with her, making sure that everything is sinking in. Be focused and consistent. Remember that your talk has a specific purpose. Do not say or do anything that could confuse that purpose during the duration of your talk. You might want to soothe your wife's feelings or get distracted by the good memories you've shared, but doing so will only delay the inevitable and draw things out even longer for both of you. Avoid arguing over the meaning of words and state things simply, yet as kindly as possible, to improve your odds of being understood. Try to be understanding if your wife is surprised or hurt by your declaration, but do not back down or feel the need to justify your decision. Tell your kids (if applicable). If you and your wife have kids, figure out how to tell them. Ideally, you and your wife should tell your children together. If you suspect that your wife will attempt to manipulate them, however, you need to sit down with your kids and have a separate talk with them. Make a script for your kids in the same way you made a script for your wife. Be honest, and make sure that they are not to blame for the separation. Even if your kids are already adults, you should wait until after you leave before telling them about it. Separate immediately. After you tell your wife that you're leaving, you need to actually leave. Pack your bags and leave the house that same night, if at all possible. Staying in the same living space as your wife is asking for trouble. The atmosphere will be more volatile and the two of you will be more likely to snap at each other or do something regrettable. Hire a lawyer and start the process. Do not drag your feet. You might be tempted to think that you can take your time on the legal proceedings once you are physically separated from your wife, but the longer you procrastinate, the harder it will actually be to make the next move. Many jurisdictions enact orders that can protect your assets during the divorce process, but these court orders can only come into effect once you file. There is also some chance that your wife will not take you seriously until she actually has those divorce papers in hand. Cut off all ties. While some exes can eventually become friends again, for right now, you need to cut off all contact that is unrelated to the divorce or separation. You'll still need to keep in touch with each other to sort out details of the separation, and if you have kids, you will have to deal with each other even more frequently. You need to cut out social calls, though, especially those made on lonely nights when you're craving intimacy. Stay strong. The process is difficult, but you can make it through. Turn to loved ones and therapists for emotional support as needed, and consult with a lawyer or law expert for legal support. | Figure out if you have a hard or soft problem. Be honest and realistic. Get help, if help is an option. Make a break for it. Tell someone. Figure out where you'll go. Clarify your expectations. List your shared assets. Find all your necessary and important paperwork. Open your own bank account. Move your keepsakes to a secure location. Hide any weapons or possible weapons. Make spare keys. Know whether or not to alert law enforcement. Write a script. Have your confidant on standby. Make a deliberate plan. Stay calm and go through your script. Tell your kids (if applicable). Separate immediately. Hire a lawyer and start the process. Cut off all ties. Stay strong. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Identify-Aquarium-Fish-Diseases | How to Identify Aquarium Fish Diseases | To identify aquarium fish diseases, see if your fish is swimming less or rubbing against objects in the aquarium. Additionally, check for protruding eyes, opaque fins, or a swollen swim bladder, which are all possible signs of fish disease. You should also check for any mucus on its surface, which can be a sign of a fungal or bacterial disease. If you're able to look closely enough, see if there are any white lice of other parasites hanging off its body. | Watch your fish’s movements and breathing. How your fish is breathing and moving around in the aquarium can let you know if he is sick. For example, your fish may be swimming less. Some diseases could prevent your fish from being able to swim at all. You may also see your fish rubbing up against objects in the aquarium. This is called 'flashing' or 'glancing,' and is often associated with external parasites. If you observe your fish moving his fins rapidly but not actually going anywhere, he may be suffering from gill disease. With gill disease, he may also lie listless at the bottom of the aquarium. Labored breathing is another common sign of illness in aquarium fish. Look at your fish’s body parts. Aquarium fish diseases can cause visible abnormalities on your fish's body. Areas to pay close attention to include your fish's eyes, fins, and swim bladder. If your fish has 'Pop-eye,' his eyes become so large that it looks like they will pop out of his head. This may be caused by bacteria or too much oxygen in the water. Fin rot is a disease in which your fish's fins turn opaque and begin to erode. This disease can be fatal if the fins erode down to the base of the fin—this would prevent your fish from being able to move. Your fish's swim bladder, which is located above the stomach, can become swollen if he has swim bladder disease. Since a normally functioning swim bladder provides buoyancy, a swollen swim bladder would prevent your fish from being able to swim or float. If you look closely enough, you may be able to see small parasites, such as white lice, hanging on to your fish's body. These parasites cause extreme irritation, leading your fish to 'flash' or 'glance' to try to remove the parasite. Sores will develop because of this rubbing. Look for mucus on your fish. Mucus can be a sign of fungal or bacterial disease. Ich, also known as White Spot Disease, is a fungal disease that produces mucus on a fish's gills and body. It is caused by a pathogen called Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. The mucus functions to repel the pathogen from the skin. Ich is one of the most common aquarium fish diseases and can be very contagious. Other fungal diseases, such as Mouth Fungus and Body Fungus, can cause white patches of mucus to develop on your fish's body. Columnaris disease is a bacterial disease that can produce a grayish-white film on your fish's body. You may also see yellow or gray patches on his gills. Check your aquarium’s water quality. Parasites, bacteria, or fungi commonly cause aquarium fish diseases. However, the presence of these pathogens in your fish's aquarium does not automatically mean your fish will become ill. Often, the underlying culprit in aquarium fish diseases is poor water quality. Checking the water quality is the first thing you should if you notice your fish looking unwell. Testing kits are available that test pH and levels of water hardness, nitrate, nitrate, and ammonia. Poor water quality can increase the concentration of pathogens in the tank to a level that would make your fish sick. Different species fish can have different water quality requirements. Consult with your veterinarian or the staff at your local pet store for more specific guidance on water quality. Think about recent changes to your fish’s aquarium or routine. When you notice that your fish is unwell, try to recall any changes that you may have made to the aquarium or his normal routine. Sometimes, the changes themselves can cause stress, which can leave your fish more susceptible to illness. For example, ask yourself if you have added new fish to the aquarium, or changed out any of the water quality equipment. If you have added a new fish, remember whether you quarantined the new fish before adding it to the tank. A new fish that is sick may expose your other fish to disease. You should also ask yourself if you have recently changed your fish's diet. Also, try to remember if you sprayed on perfume or insect repellant near your fish's aquarium. The chemicals from these substances may have gotten into your fish's tank and affected the water quality. Quarantine your fish. It is a good idea to treat your fish in a separate aquarium. To reduce your fish's stress of moving from one tank to the other, keep the water conditions in the quarantine aquarium as close to the conditions in the original tank. Also, place some plastic plants in the new aquarium to help your fish feel more comfortable. Use a water heater to ensure the water temperature does not fall below 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Consider using a non-chemical filter, such as a sponge filter. Chemical filters may filter out the medication you apply to the water. Also, avoid using a strong power filter—it may cause a water disturbance that could further distress your sick fish. Place an air stone in the tank to provide oxygen. Some medications may remove oxygen from the water, which could stress your fish. Use a net to move your fish from one tank to the other. It is recommended to quarantine your fish for at least 10 days while you are treating him. Treat your fish. Medicated foods and treatments added directly to the water are the most common ways to treat sick aquarium fish. Many antibiotics, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic medications are available to treat your sick fish. In addition, substances such as copper, formalin, and malachite green can be effective as treatments. At your local pet store, you will see a variety of commercial fish medications. However, they may not have been tested for safety and efficacy. Talk with your veterinarian or a fish expert for recommendations on reputable fish medications. Whichever medication is recommended for your fish's disease, follow the instructions carefully to ensure you are treating your fish correctly and effectively. Return your fish to his aquarium. After your fish has been cleared of his disease, you can place him back in his original aquarium. If you have multiple sick fish to treat, disinfect the aquarium by adding 5% hydrochloric acid to the aquarium. Let the disinfecting agents stand in the water for several days, then clean it and add another sponge filter. Products to clean the quarantine aquarium are available at your local pet store. Consult with the staff at your local pet store or your local water safety department about safe ways to dispose of the treated water. | Watch your fish’s movements and breathing. Look at your fish’s body parts. Look for mucus on your fish. Check your aquarium’s water quality. Think about recent changes to your fish’s aquarium or routine. Quarantine your fish. Treat your fish. Return your fish to his aquarium. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Whistle-Loud | How to Whistle Loud | To whistle loud the easy way, start by wetting your lips and puckering them in an “O” shape. Next, fold back your tongue and rest if just behind your lower front teeth. While keeping your tongue relaxed and loose, inhale deeply through your nose and exhale evenly so you're blowing air through the space between your lips. Once you're able to make a whistling sound, try whistling loudly by exhaling harder and blowing out more air. | Wet your lips. Moisten the top and bottom lip by running your tongue along both sides. Apply chapstick or another moisturizer so that your lips do not crack while learning to whistle loudly. Moisture is also important to the sound of your whistle, so keep your lips wet while you practice whistling. You can also moisten your lips by drinking a glass of water. Form an "okay" symbol with your index finger and thumb. Bring your thumb and index finger together while keeping your other three fingers relaxed. Touch the tips of your thumb and index finger, forming a circular shape. It is not especially important how the remaining fingers rest as long as they do not get in the way. If you are not a fan of the “okay” finger configuration, experiment with other ways to whistle with your fingers. Push back your tongue with your thumb and index finger. Place the tips of your fingers on the back of your tongue and gently press your fingers to roll your tongue back. Roll the top ¼ of your tongue back on itself. Do not press too firmly, and keep the tips of your index finger and thumb together. You should apply enough pressure with your fingers to cause the tip of your tongue to curl back slightly, but without folding it completely over. Be sure to wash your hands before putting your fingers in your mouth. Close your lips around your fingers. Close your lips over the first knuckle of your index finger and thumb, leaving no room for air to escape through the sides of your mouth. Leave a small hole between your bottom lip and the inside of the ring created by your fingers. This will be where the air flows through, making the loud whistling sound. Make sure that all other areas around your fingers are airtight. If air escapes from any other position at the front of your mouth, you will not get a strong whistle. Wet your lips again if they dry up throughout this process. Blow air through the space between your fingers. Inhale deeply through your nose and exhale through the space created by your fingers and bottom lip. Blow a consistent stream of air through this space until you hear a whistle sound. After some practice, a loud, clear whistle should be heard through this space in your fingers. Do not be discouraged if you do not get this right on your first try. For many people, it takes time and practice to master this whistling technique. Make sure the blown air is focused and narrow so that the air flows through the correct space. Troubleshoot common mistakes. Listen closely to the sounds you are making with your whistle and make adjustments according to what you hear. Airy, wheezing sounds mean that you are not blowing through the hole made by your fingers and that you should direct the air into the hole, or seal the your lips around your fingers. Light and quiet whistle sounds mean that you are not blowing hard enough, but that you are blowing air through the space properly. You can practice and make adjustments while walking, or while listening to music. Practice the stages of whistling loudly. For the majority of novice whistlers, there are four major stages of practice involved in learning how to whistle loudly. Make adjustments during each milestone if you are having problems moving on. At the beginning you will hear air flowing through your lips without hearing an actual whistling sound. The best thing to do during this stage is to go back through the steps required to whistle loudly and make adjustments to your technique. Later you will hear a sound similar to that of a jet engine. You may hear something close to a whistle, with some vibration in your lips. From here, it's mostly a matter of readjusting your fingers until you can get a clearer sound. Soon you will hear a whistling sound, but the sound will remain soft and airy. This is due to air leaking from outside the space between your fingers. So you will need to tighten the seals made by your tongue and lips. Finally you will find a full-powered, clear whistle. If you make it to this point, you now know how to whistle! Pucker your lips in an “O” shape. Push out your lips into a kissing shape, creating a circular space between your lips. Form this shape in a way that feels natural. Wet your lips before making puckering your lips, as moisture will produce a louder whistle. This circular shape is where the air will flow through, ultimately making the whistling sound. Draw back your tongue behind your teeth. Fold your tongue back so that it "floats" in your mouth just before the lower front teeth. Lightly touch your tongue behind your lower teeth, keeping your tongue relaxed and loose. Your tongue will help produce the loud whistling sound, directing air through the space between your lips. Your top molars will be touching your tongue as well. Blow air out of your mouth. Inhale deeply through your nose and exhale evenly, forcing the air through the space between your lips. Experiment with different blowing intensities and consistently levels to find the whistle sound that fits your needs. When done correctly, a clear whistle should be heard. Start with a gentle blow of air until you can hear a low whistle. This will let you know that the technique is right. Maximize the sound of your whistle. Once you have the technique down and are able to make a whistling sound, practice whistling loudly by exhaling harder and blowing more. Learn to blow out more air while maintaining proper technique and isolating the air so that it makes a loud, sharp sound. Proper technique and blowing harder will create the loud, intense whistling sound you are looking for. | Wet your lips. Form an "okay" symbol with your index finger and thumb. Push back your tongue with your thumb and index finger. Close your lips around your fingers. Blow air through the space between your fingers. Troubleshoot common mistakes. Practice the stages of whistling loudly. Pucker your lips in an “O” shape. Draw back your tongue behind your teeth. Blow air out of your mouth. Maximize the sound of your whistle. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Tracking-Number | How to Get a Tracking Number | If you want to get a tracking number for something you bought in person, scan the receipt for a number that's 10-30 digits long. Once you've found it, go the the shipping company's website and type the number into the website's tracking form. If you bought the item online, the sender should send you a shipping confirmation email with the tracking number in it. If the number is blue, you can click it and it will take you straight to the tracking page. | Check your email for your shipping confirmation. Whenever you make an online purchase, getting a tracking number is as easy as keeping an eye on your inbox. In most cases, you'll receive an email saying that your package has been shipped within 1-3 days. If you haven't received a shipping confirmation within 3 days, message the seller and ask them to confirm that it's been scheduled for delivery. Be sure to dig through your spam and trash folders, as well. Shipping confirmations from unknown senders can sometimes end up in one of these mailboxes by mistake. Once you get your shipping confirmation, save it to your archives. It's useful to have your transaction history on file in case your package never arrives, or a dispute arises between you and the seller. Look for your tracking number in the shipping confirmation. Scan the body of the email until you see a long string of numbers. Most tracking numbers are between 10 and 30 digits long, and each one is uniquely generated for a specific order. You'll use your tracking number to keep up with the status of your shipment. Your tracking number may be listed under a heading that says something like “Track This Order” or “Track Your Package.” Be aware that you won't receive a tracking number until the order has actually shipped. If your order is still being processed or there's a separate handling period, you won't be able to track it until it's in the mail. Click the link in the tracking number to pull up your tracking info. To make it easier on the customer, sellers will often insert tracking numbers in the form of hyperlinks. That means that when you click them, you'll be directed straight to the shipping company's website. There, you'll find all the information you need on your package's shipping status and current location. If you're having trouble locating your tracking number, look for the tell-tale blue underlined text. One of these links is most likely your tracking info. Anytime you want to get an update on the status of your shipment, all you have to do is go back to your email and open the link again. Copy and paste the tracking number if it’s not a link. Unfortunately, it's not always possible to access your shipping info at the press of a button. If your tracking number isn't clickable, highlight the entire number and right-click to select the option to “Copy.” You can then go to the shipping company's website and paste the number into their tracking form. Make sure you only copy the tracking number itself. If you highlight any of the surrounding text by mistake, you won't be entering a valid number. Look up the shipping company’s contact information. It's also possible to find out a tracking number by phone with most delivery services. Click the “Contact Us” link near the bottom of the company's website to pull up a phone number you can use to get in touch with a customer service representative. If there are multiple numbers, make sure you use the one specified for shipping inquiries. Before contacting the shipping company, read through the FAQ page on their website. You might be able to find the information you're seeking there. Phoning customer service may seem like a chore, but it could be the only way to get hold of the tracking number for your shipment if you never received one from the seller. Call the company’s customer service department. If prompted, press the button that corresponds to the nature of your call (in this case, tracking a package). You'll be connected with a representative, from whom you can request information about your tracking number, the status of your package, or the shipping process in general. The number for UPS customer service is 1-800-742-5877. For international shipping, call 1-800-782-7892. You can reach FedEx's customer service department by dialing 1-800-463-3339. To speak to someone from USPS, call 1-800-222-1811. Ask for the unique tracking number for your shipment. In the event that you lost or failed to receive a number, the shipping company's customer service rep will be able to look it up or issue you a new one. Once you have your tracking number, you can use it to find out where your package is at any time. Be prepared to supply a few pieces of personal information to help the representative bring up your shipment. They may ask for your name, phone number, or email address, or the exact details of your order. Don't forget to write your tracking number down so you'll have it on hand for future reference. Provide your tracking number for a quick update. If you already know your tracking number, read it off exactly as it appears on the shipping confirmation. The representative can then use it to check the status of your package while you have them on the phone. Oftentimes, they'll even tell you the exact location and expected delivery date of your shipment. Calling customer service for your tracking info needs can be useful in situations where you don't have immediate access to a computer or mobile device. Identify your tracking number in your email or product receipt. Check your shipping confirmation to find the unique tracking number assigned to your order. It should be clearly displayed somewhere in the body of the email. Once you know your tracking number, getting shipping updates is a breeze. It may be a good idea to jot down your tracking number on a separate piece of paper in case you lose the original email confirmation. Visit the website of the shipping company handling your order. At the top of your shipping confirmation or receipt, you should see the name of the delivery service used by the seller. Enter the URL of the company's website into your browser, or try clicking the link in the logo to be redirected immediately. All the shipping-related actions can be managed online. If you're not sure how to get to the company's website, run a quick search for them by name. They should be the first link that pops up. On certain search engines, like Google, it's even possible to enter your tracking number directly under the company's link in the search results! In the US, FedEx, UPS, and the United States Postal Service are the most common delivery services used to ship packages commercially. Put in your location. If it's your first time on the shipping company's website, you may be prompted to specify where you are. Select your continent, then scroll down the list until you find your home country. Clicking your country of origin will take you to the main page, where you can view your tracking history, change your delivery options, or ask a question about your order. You'll also be able to choose your preferred language if more than one is spoken where you live. Most of the major delivery services handle shipments all over the world, so you should have no problem tracking a shipment no matter where you're located. Find the “Tracking” option. From the main page, look for a place where you can go to input your tracking information. In most cases, this will be a link or search bar near the top of the page. The FedEx website, for instance, has a dropdown tab labelled “Tracking” that allows customers to provide a tracking number without having to navigate elsewhere on the site. On the UPS website, a tracking form appears in the “Quick Start” menu as soon as you pull up the main page. Plug your tracking number into the search bar. Enter your tracking number exactly as it appears in the shipping confirmation, with no dashes or spaces. You can also copy and paste it directly from the email to save time. You'll then be shown your package's shipping status, as well as its current location and expected delivery date. It's that simple! On most websites, it's possible to look up 20-30 tracking numbers at once. If no results are produced or you get an error message, double check that the number you provided was correct. | Check your email for your shipping confirmation. Look for your tracking number in the shipping confirmation. Click the link in the tracking number to pull up your tracking info. Copy and paste the tracking number if it’s not a link. Look up the shipping company’s contact information. Call the company’s customer service department. Ask for the unique tracking number for your shipment. Provide your tracking number for a quick update. Identify your tracking number in your email or product receipt. Visit the website of the shipping company handling your order. Put in your location. Find the “Tracking” option. Plug your tracking number into the search bar. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Recognize-Cirrhosis | How to Recognize Cirrhosis | To recognize cirrhosis, look for spider veins on the trunk of your body, the face, and the upper limbs. Additionally, note any changes in your nails, like pale horizontal stripes that run across the nail bed. You may also be at risk for cirrhosis if you have diabetes, are a heavy drinker, or have been exposed to hepatitis B or C. If you suspect you may be suffering from cirrhosis, have your doctor check for any changes in your liver or spleen. | Think about how much alcohol you drink. Alcohol damages the liver by blocking its ability to process carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. When these things build up in damaging levels in the liver, the body may react with reactive inflammation that leads to hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. However, excessive alcohol use is not sufficient to promote alcoholic liver disease. Only 1 in 5 heavy drinkers develop alcoholic hepatitis, and 1 in 4 develops cirrhosis. Men are considered "heavy drinkers" if they have 15 or more drinks in a given week. Women are considered "heavy" drinkers with 8 or more drinks per week. You can still develop cirrhosis after you've stopped drinking. However, alcohol abstinence is still recommended for all people with cirrhosis. It will help treatment and healing, no matter what stage of the disease you're in. While cirrhosis is more common in men, cirrhosis in women is more likely to result from alcoholism. Get tested for hepatitis B and C. The chronic liver inflammation and injury from either virus can, over several decades, develop into cirrhosis. Risk factors for hepatitis B include unprotected sex, blood transfusions, and injection drug use with contaminated needles. This is a lot less prevalent in the US and other developed countries due to vaccinations. Risk factors for hepatitis C include infections from injection drug use, blood transfusions, and body piercing and tattoos. Cirrhosis from hepatitis C is the most common reason for liver transplants. Be aware of a correlation between cirrhosis and diabetes. In 15-30% of people with cirrhosis, diabetes is a risk factor for developing "non-alcoholic steatohepatitis" (NASH). Diabetes is also common in chronic hepatitis C infections — a common cause of cirrhosis — likely because of decreased pancreas function. Another cirrhosis cause that's often correlated with diabetes is hemochromatosis. This condition is characterized by iron deposits in the skin, heart, joints, and pancreas. The pancreatic buildup leads to diabetes. Take your current weight into account. Obesity presents a wide variety of health concerns, from type 2 diabetes and heart disease to arthritis and stroke. But, the excess fat in the liver causes inflammation and damage that could develop into non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. To determine whether you are within a healthy weight range, take advantage of an online BMI (body mass index) calculator. A BMI calculation takes into consideration your age, height, gender, and weight. Know the risks from autoimmune and heart diseases. If you have an autoimmune disease like inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis , or thyroid disease , be cautious. While they don't directly contribute to cirrhosis, they increase the risk of complications in other disorders that do lead to it. Heart disease is a risk factor for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis leading to cirrhosis. Furthermore, heart disease related to right-sided heart failure can cause liver congestion (nutmeg liver) and cardiac cirrhosis. Examine your family history. Certain types of liver disease that cause cirrhosis have a pattern of genetic inheritance. Look at your family's medical history for diseases that put you at an increased risk for cirrhosis: Hereditary hemosiderosis Wilson's disease Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency Recognize the symptoms of cirrhosis. If you observe these symptoms, you should bring it to a doctor's attention as soon as possible. He or she will be able to give you a professional diagnosis and immediately begin the treatment process. If you're trying to find out if someone other than yourself has cirrhosis, make sure to include that person in your evaluation, as there may be symptoms that can't be observed from the outside. The symptoms of cirrhosis include: Fatigue, or feeling tired Easy bruising or bleeding Lower extremity edema (swelling) Yellow-tinted skin and eyes (jaundice) Fever Lack of appetite or weight loss Nausea Diarrhea Intense itching (pruritus) Increased abdominal girth Confusion Sleep disturbance Look for spider veins. The more technical terms for this condition are spider angiomata , spider nevi , or spider telangiectasias. Spider veins are an abnormal cluster of veins that sprout from a central blood vessel with a lesion. They usually appear on the trunk of the body, the face, and the upper limbs. To verify spider veins, press a piece of glass over the suspected cluster of veins. The red dot in the center of the cluster will seem to pulsate — getting red as blood enters, then blanching as blood exits to the smaller veins. Large and multiple spider angiomas are a sign of more severe cirrhosis. However, they are also common with pregnancy and severe malnutrition. Occasionally, they are seen in otherwise healthy individuals. Observe the palms for reddening. Palmar erythema looks like speckled patches of reddening spots on the palm, and is caused by changed sex hormone metabolism. Palmar erythema mainly affects mainly the outer edges of your palms along your thumb and pinky, and spares the central palm. Other causes of palmar erythema include pregnancy, rheumatoid arthritis, hyperthyroidism, and blood problems. Note any changes in the nails. Liver disease in general often affects the skin, but observing the nails can provide useful additional information. Muehrcke's nails are pale horizontal bands or stripes that run across the nail bed. This is a result of inadequate production of albumin, which is solely made by the liver. Pressing on these nails will make the bands blanche and disappear before quickly returning. With Terry's nails, the two-thirds of the nail plate closest to the knuckle appears white. The one-third closer to the tip of the finger appears red. This is also due to inadequate albumin. Clubbing is a rounding and/or enlargement of the nailbed and the tip of the finger. When severe, the fingers may appear like drumstick, thus the term "drumstick fingers." This is more commonly seen with biliary cirrhosis. Inspect long bone joints for swelling. If you see recurring swelling at the knee or ankle, for example, it may be a sign of "hypertrophic osteoarthropathy" (HOA). Joints in the fingers and shoulders may also feel arthritic. This is the result of chronic inflammation in connective tissue surrounding the bone, which can be very painful. Note that the most common cause of HOA is lung cancer, which must be ruled out. Look for curled fingers. "Dupuytren's contracture" is a thickening and shortening of palmar fascia — the tissue that connects the different parts of the palm. This leads to problems with finger flexibility, causing them to curl permanently. It's most common in the ring and pinky finger and is often accompanied by pain, aching, or itching. The person will have trouble holding objects, as the condition affects grip strength. Dupuytren's contracture is common in alcoholic cirrhosis, occurring in about one-third of cases. However, it is also seen in smokers, alcohol users without cirrhosis, workers with repetitive hand motions, and people with diabetes mellitus and Peyronie's disease. Check for a firm mass in men's breasts. Gynecomastia is a growth of gland tissue in men's breasts that extends out from the nipples. This results from an increase in the hormone estradiol and is seen in up to two-thirds of cirrhosis cases. Gynecomastia might appear like pseudogynecomastia, which breast enlargement from fat rather than glandular proliferation. To tell them apart, lie on your back and place your thumb and forefinger on each side of the breast. Slowly bring them together. You're feeling for a concentric, rubbery-to-firm disk of tissue directly under the nipple area. If you feel the mass, there is gynecomastia present.If you don't feel the mass, you have pseudogynecomastia. Other mass disorders, such as cancer, tend to be eccentrically located (not centered around the nipple). Observe symptoms of hypogonadism in men. Men with chronic liver problems like cirrhosis see a decrease in testosterone production. Symptoms of hypogonadism include impotence, infertility, loss of sexual drive, and shrunken testicles. It may be caused by an injury to the testicle or through a problem with the hypothalamus or pituitary gland. Take note of abdominal pain and bloating. These can be signs of ascites, a buildup of fluid in the peritoneal (abdominal) cavity. If enough fluid accumulates, you may also experience shortness of breath. Inspect the abdomen for prominent veins. Caput medusa is a condition in which the umbilical vein opens, letting blood back up in the portal venous system. That blood is then shunted into the umbilical vein, then the abdominal wall veins. This makes veins highly visible on the stomach. This increased prominence is called caput medusa, because it resembles the head (caput) of Medusa, from Greek mythology. Smell the breath for a musty odor. This indicates "fetor hepaticus," and is caused by severe cases of the same hypertension that causes a caput medusa and the for Cruveilhier-Baumgarten murmur. The odor comes from an increased amount of dimethyl sulfide as a result of the hypertension. The murmur grows quieter when the doctor flattens the blood vessels by applying pressure on the skin above the belly button. Notice yellow eyes and skin. Jaundice is a condition that causes this yellowish discoloration due to increased bilirubin when the liver can't process it effectively. Mucus membranes may also become yellow, and urine may appear darkened. Now that yellow skin can also be caused by eating a lot of carotene through carrots. However, carrots will not turn the white of the eyes yellow, as jaundice will. Test the hands for asterixis. Ask the person you suspect of having cirrhosis to fully extend their hands in front of them with palms flat and facedown. The individual's hands will begin moving and “flapping” at the wrist like a bird's wings. Asterixis is also seen in uremia and severe heart failure. Ask a doctor to check for a change in liver or spleen size. When probed, the cirrhotic liver tends to feel firm and nodular. Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen) is caused by hypertension that causes congestion in the spleen. Both of these conditions are signs of cirrhosis. Have the doctor check for Cruveilhier-Baumgarten murmur. Most primary care doctors will not check for this. This is a hum in the veins that can be heard through a stethoscope in the epigastric (upper central) region of the abdomen. Like caput medusa, it's also caused by a problem with the way different vein systems in the body connect to one another when there's high pressure in the veins. The doctor will perform the Valsalva maneuver — a probing technique that increases abdominal pressure. This will allow him or her to hear the murmur more clearly if it is present. Allow the doctor to perform blood tests for cirrhosis. He or she will draw blood and have a laboratory perform tests useful for a diagnosis of cirrhosis. These tests may include: A complete blood count that tests for the anemia, leukopenia, and neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia commonly seen in cirrhosis, among other things. A test for elevated serum aminotransferases enzyme levels that might point to alcoholic cirrhosis. Alcoholic cirrhosis typically has AST/ALT ratio greater than 2. A measurement of total bilirubin to compare your levels to acceptable baseline levels. Results may be normal in early cirrhosis, but levels tend to rise as cirrhosis worsens. Note that rising bilirubin is a poor prognostic sign in primary biliary cirrhosis. A measurement of albumin levels. A failing, cirrhotic liver's inability to synthesize albumin will lead to low albumin levels. However, this is also seen in patients with congestive heart failure, nephrotic syndrome, malnutrition, and some intestinal disease. Other tests include alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase ( GGT ), prothrombin time,, globulins, serum sodium, and hyponatremia. Have the doctor perform imaging studies. Imaging the body can help recognize cirrhosis, but are more useful to detect complications of cirrhosis like ascites. Ultrasounds are noninvasive and widely available. A cirrhotic liver appears small and nodular on an ultrasound. The classic finding in cirrhosis is shrinking of the right lobe and enlargement of the left one. Nodules seen on ultrasound may be benign or malignant and need to be biopsied. Ultrasounds can also detect increased portal vein diameter or the presence of collateral veins that suggest portal hypertension. Computed tomography isn't routinely done for cirrhosis, as it provides the same information as ultrasound. Furthermore, it involves radiation and contrast exposure. Ask for a second opinion and the doctor's rationale if he or she suggests this process. Magnetic resonance imaging's use is limited by cost and patient intolerance, as the process can be time-consuming and uncomfortable. Low signal intensity on T1-weighted images suggests iron overload from hereditary hemochromatosis. Get a biopsy for a definitive diagnosis. Checking for signs and symptoms and running blood tests are all good methods for confirming a suspicion of cirrhosis. However, the only way to know for certain that a liver is cirrhotic is to allow a doctor to perform a biopsy on it. After processing and examining the liver sample under a microscope, the doctor will be able to say for sure whether the patient has cirrhosis. Allow medical staff to direct your treatment. For cases of cirrhosis, most mild to moderate cases are handled on an outpatient basis, with some exceptions. If the patient has major gastrointestinal bleeding, severe infection or sepsis, kidney failure, or altered mental status, treatment in the hospital is required. The doctor will likely ask you to abstain from alcohol, drugs, and medications if you have liver toxicity. The doctor will evaluate this on an individual basis. Additionally, certain herbs like kava and mistletoe can cause further damage to your liver. Discuss all herbal/alternative treatments you are currently taking with your doctor. Your doctor will immunize you against pneumococcal disease, influenza, and hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Your doctor will also establish the NASH protocol for you, in which you will be put on a plan for weight reduction, exercise, and optimal control of lipids and glucose (fats and sugars/carbohydrates). Take medications as directed. As discussed in previous sections, many underlying causes lead to cirrhosis. The medication your doctor prescribes will be very customized and specific to your precise case. These drugs will treat underlying causes (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, biliary cirrhosis, etc.) as well as the symptoms that result from cirrhosis and subsequent liver failure. Be prepared for surgical options. Doctors don't always suggest surgery, but may recommend it if certain conditions arise from the cirrhosis. These conditions include: Varices, or dilated blood vessels and can be treated with ligation (surgically tying off the vessel). Ascites, an abdominal fluid buildup that's treated with paracentesis, a draining procedure. Fulminant hepatic failure, a rapid onset of encephalopathy (alteration of brain structure/function within 8 weeks of diagnosed liver cirrhosis). This condition calls for a liver transplant. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the development of liver cancer. Attempts at treatment include radiofrequency ablation, resection (surgical removal of the carcinoma), and liver transplant. Understand your prognosis. After a diagnosis of cirrhosis, people can usually expect 5-20 years of life with the disease with little or no symptoms. Once severe symptoms and complications arise from cirrhosis, death within 5 years without transplant is common. Hepatorenal syndrome is one severe complication that may occur due to cirrhosis. This refers to the development of renal failure in patients with liver disease, requiring treatment for kidney failure. Hepatopulmonary syndrome, another serious complication, is caused by the broadening of the arteries in the lungs of patients with liver disease. It leads to shortness of breath and hypoxemia (low oxygen levels in the blood). The treatment for this is a liver transplant. | Think about how much alcohol you drink. Get tested for hepatitis B and C. Be aware of a correlation between cirrhosis and diabetes. Take your current weight into account. Know the risks from autoimmune and heart diseases. Examine your family history. Recognize the symptoms of cirrhosis. Look for spider veins. Observe the palms for reddening. Note any changes in the nails. Inspect long bone joints for swelling. Look for curled fingers. Check for a firm mass in men's breasts. Observe symptoms of hypogonadism in men. Take note of abdominal pain and bloating. Inspect the abdomen for prominent veins. Smell the breath for a musty odor. Notice yellow eyes and skin. Test the hands for asterixis. Ask a doctor to check for a change in liver or spleen size. Have the doctor check for Cruveilhier-Baumgarten murmur. Allow the doctor to perform blood tests for cirrhosis. Have the doctor perform imaging studies. Get a biopsy for a definitive diagnosis. Allow medical staff to direct your treatment. Take medications as directed. Be prepared for surgical options. Understand your prognosis. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Present-a-Resume-in-an-Interview | How to Present a Resume in an Interview | Presenting your resume in an interview is an important part of making a good impression. It's also a good way for you to highlight the strongest aspects of your career experience. Bring a basic, black portfolio to the interview with multiple copies of your resume, cover letter, references, and business cards. That way, if there are multiple interviewers they'll all be able to follow along. If you know which aspects of your resume the interviewer is most interested in, focus on those areas. If not, don't be afraid to ask! In general, you'll want to focus on your most relevant work experience to the position you're interviewing for. Instead of summarizing each of your prior positions, focus on specific examples of skills you learned. For example, if you led a successful project at your last job, explain how you managed it, what you learned, and how you could apply those skills to this new position. | Make sure your resume is formatted correctly. Use a professional font such as Times New Roman, at a size between 10 and 12, and leave 1 inch (2.5 cm) margins on all sides of the resume. Place your contact information, including your name and email address, at the top of the page and make sure they stand out from the rest of the document. For example, consider centering your name and contact information instead of having it extend from the left. Your name should also be in a slightly larger font than the rest of the resume. Make your resume as skimmable as possible. The people reading your resume may have to read dozens, or even hundreds, more like it and inevitably will have to skim them. Thus, making your resume easily skimmable will make the reader appreciative and give you and your resume more attention as an applicant. Get a portfolio or folder to hold your resume and other papers. Before going into your interview, acquire a portfolio that will hold your resume, your references sheet, and business card, as well as any other papers you plan to bring to your interview (e.g., a writing sample). For best results, use a portfolio that vibes with the culture of the company you're applying to. For example, if the company is more artistic and expressive in its content, consider using a portfolio with creative designs or that you can personalize with your own designs. If you want to appear organized and professional, use a simple black portfolio. Print your resume on quality paper. It can seem like a minor issue, but the person handling your resume during your interview will notice if it's printed on paper that's not the same as all the other resumes they've had to read. Purchase linen or cotton paper from a stationery store and use it to print your resume on. Use this paper to print out your references sheet and any other materials you plan to bring to the interview. Purchase business cards on paper that matches your resume. Business cards are a must-have in much of the professional world and should definitely be included with your resume. At the same stationery store, purchase business cards with your name, contact information, and professional affiliation to include with your resume. Make sure your business cards are printed on the same type of paper that you used to print out your resume. This will give your documents a consistency that will reflect positively on you during your interview. Place your resume, references, and card in your portfolio and bring it. Your resume should be on top of your references sheet, unless you can place them on opposite sides of the portfolio. Place 1 of your business cards in the card-holder slot in the portfolio. Bring your portfolio as assembled to use in your interview as a reference. If your portfolio doesn't have a card-holder slot, simply bring your business card with you and give it to the people interviewing you if the opportunity arises. Bring multiple copies of your resume and cover letter. It always looks bad when job seekers don't have enough copies of their resume to share with multiple interviewers. Make several copies of your resume and bring them in your portfolio to avoid looking unprepared. You should also bring multiple copies of your cover letter and any other relevant documents you plan to bring to your interview. Clarify what parts of your resume your interviewer is most interested in. It's perfectly acceptable to ask questions of your interviewer about what aspects of your resume and experience you ought to discuss. This way, you can jump right into the most relevant portions of the resume and ingratiate yourself to your interviewer by saving them time. For example, ask your interviewer something like, “What part of my educational background or work experience is most interesting to you?” To be even more precise, you can also ask your interviewer how much time they would like you to spend discussing specific portions of your resume. Prioritize discussing your most relevant work experience first. When asked about your previous jobs and experience, don't feel like you have to go through your entire career in chronological order. Instead, state that you'd like to start with a particular job that involved skills or activities that are most relevant to the position you're applying for and go from there. This strategy has the added benefit of preventing you from being rambling in your answer. Moreover, if your interviewer remains interested in other aspects of your prior experience, they will most likely ask about them in a follow-up question. In any case, do mention your two most recent jobs and explain why you ultimately ended up leaving them and applying for this new job. Emphasize the parts of your resume that highlight what you bring to the position. The ultimate truth is that whoever is interviewing you wants to know why they should hire you and the different parts of your resume don't all speak to this question. So, you should take the initiative during the interview to talk up the unique skills, educational background, or experiences that make you the best applicant for the job. For example, if one of your previous jobs was very similar to the job you're currently applying for, talk about the relevant experience and skill sets you acquired through that job and how you could bring them to bear on the new position. Don't try to summarize each prior position or educational experience in its entirety; instead, focus on describing those aspects of the job or training that are most relevant to this position. Avoid skimping on the details of your resume. Although you want to be concise for the sake of time, you should also avoid going through your resume so quickly that you end up skipping over too many details. Be succinct when discussing the less relevant parts of your resume and be more detailed when discussing your most relevant experience. For example, spend ample time discussing any previous jobs that were similar in responsibilities and required skills to the job you're currently applying for. Meanwhile, spend as little time as possible on prior jobs that aren't relevant to this position at all. If you skimp too much on the details of your resume, your answers may come across to the interviewer as superficial. | Make sure your resume is formatted correctly. Get a portfolio or folder to hold your resume and other papers. Print your resume on quality paper. Purchase business cards on paper that matches your resume. Place your resume, references, and card in your portfolio and bring it. Bring multiple copies of your resume and cover letter. Clarify what parts of your resume your interviewer is most interested in. Prioritize discussing your most relevant work experience first. Emphasize the parts of your resume that highlight what you bring to the position. Avoid skimping on the details of your resume. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Guitar-Pickup | How to Make a Guitar Pickup | To make a guitar pickup, first, use an electric screwdriver to drill 2 lines of 6 holes on two identical pieces of wood. In the wood that will be the bottom of the pickup, drill 2 additional holes at the bottom and a smaller hole in the center of the 6 original holes. Next, glue brass eyelets in the 2 smaller holes. Then, connect the 2 pieces of wood by installing rod magnets through the 6 holes that are lined up in the middle. After that, thread 42 gauge copper wire through the smallest hole and wind it around the rod magnets until it looks thick and even. Finally, connect a black-colored wire to one of the brass eyelets and a white-colored wire to the other eyelet. | Choose a nonconductive casing material to form the pickup’s frame. Some common frame materials are wood and fiber sheets. These materials are great for pickups that produce loud, clear sounds. The parts are easy to make from scrap pieces, but you can also buy premade ones online. If you make your own, you will need to cut them to size and drill holes for the magnets and screws. If you make the frame out of a conductive material like metal, for instance, the pickup will sound differently. Sound passes more slowly through metal than wood or plastic. Most pickups are made with nonconductive casings to create a clearer sound quality. You will need at least 2 pieces of material to create a top and bottom flatwork piece. A basic pickup frame is about 3 ⁄ 2 in (8.9 cm) long and 1 ⁄ 2 in (3.8 cm) wide, although this varies between guitars. You can make a pickup out of almost anything, including rulers and CD cases. The material you choose affects the sound quality slightly. Avoid using metals and magnets for the frame. Pick copper wire for an inexpensive way to produce sound. Wrapping the wire around the pickup is often the most time-consuming step. Copper or enamel wires are thicker than silver wires, which means less wrapping. Copper wire is also less expensive than silver. Get a spool of 42 or 43-gauge copper wire. You will need about 4 ⁄ 2 in (11 cm) to cover the entire pickup. Use silver wire to create clearer sounds. Silver wire is more expensive and it's thinner than copper wires. The advantage of silver is that it produces greater sound quality. This isn't good for all styles of music, such as rock and metal, but it works well if you like standout guitar melodies. Look for 28-gauge silver wire. If you find a thicker wire, use that for the pickup to save time and money. Select rod magnets for brighter guitar sounds. The most popular magnets are Alnico 5 magnets. Stronger magnets such as Alnico 8 are available, but they cost more. You will need 2 magnets for each string your guitar has. Stronger magnets give off a louder, more aggressive sound and output more volume. Magnets are available online, but you may be able to find them at some guitar supply shops. Hardware stores often have usable magnets other than Alnico magnets. Ceramic magnets are similar to basic metal magnets but produce a stronger mid-range sound and louder bass, making them a good choice for fast metal songs. Flat magnets are also available. They work the same as rod magnets but are a little trickier to install. Make the pickup with metal screws for a clearer sound. Metal components ring. They give your music a sweeter, more simplistic sound closer to old-school rock from the 60s. They don't do as well as magnets for more aggressive music, but metal components are often cheaper and easy to work with. If you choose to use metal screws, you will need some round neodymium magnets to place on top of the screws. For metal components, get some scrap machine screws or pole-piece screws. You will need 1 for every string your guitar has. Sketch the pickup’s outline on a piece of nonconductive material. Wood and fiber sheets are most often used in pickups. If you're building a pickup for a specific guitar, get the guitar's faceplate and place it on top of the wood. Outline the shape of the pickup in pencil. A basic pickup is about 3 ⁄ 2 in (8.9 cm) long and 1 ⁄ 2 in (3.8 cm) wide, although this size varies between instruments. Many guitarists prefer maple for the sound quality it produces, but other types of surfaces work well. For example, make the flatwork out of old rulers or buy some vulcanized fiber sheets. Another way to make the outline is to cut a template out of a separate material like paper or acrylic. Then, use the template as a guide to hone the wood to the proper size. Measure and mark where the screw holes will pass through the frame. The number of holes you need to make depends on how many strings your guitar has. A standard pickup is bar-shaped and has 6 holes centered along its length. Leave about ⁄ 2 in (1.3 cm) of space between each hole. The screws that will go into each hole must not touch when they're installed. If you already have some machine screws, pole-piece screws, or magnets, measure their diameter. Use the diameter measurement to place the screws an equal distance apart. Leave at least ⁄ 2 in (1.3 cm) between the screw heads and the edges of the wood flatwork. Drill holes in the flatwork with an electric screwdriver. Plan on using a drill bit that is ⁄ 64 in (0.040 cm) smaller in diameter than the screws or magnets you will use for your pickup. A drill bit about ⁄ 32 in (0.24 cm) in size works well for an average pickup. Drill all the way through the flatwork. Brush away any dust and debris when you're done. If you have a template, use it for guidance. Drill through it first, then set it on top of the flatwork. Drill down into the holes again and through the wood to get perfectly aligned holes. Make a second flatwork out of the same material. Go through the steps again to create the bottom part of the pickup. Make the piece the same size as the original flatwork, then drill another series of holes in it. Make sure both flatwork pieces and their drilled holes align perfectly. To easily make this piece, use the first flatwork as a template. Sketch an outline, then drill through the original holes to create same-sized holes in the new piece. Sand and file rough edges off of the flatwork pieces. If you made the pieces out of wood, get a piece of super fine sandpaper rated between 400 and 600 grit. Applying light pressure, rub the flatwork until it's smooth. Remove any wood shavings stuck in the screw holes. When you're done sanding, lightly dampen a microfiber cloth and wipe away the sawdust. Drill a pair of eyelet holes through the lower flatwork. Find some space in the corners on 1 side of the piece. Use a drill bit about ⁄ 1000 in (0.19 cm) in diameter. Make a single hole in each corner. If you don't have spaces in the corners, look in the middle part of the flatwork. Many manufacturers leave space along the edges for the eyelets. Place the eyelets close together on the same side of the flatwork. Drill a small hole in the lower flatwork with a wood file. Find room for the hole wherever you have space in the flatwork's center or near an empty corner. Use any small drill bit you have available. The hole will be an anchor point for the copper wire you need to wind later, so make it as small as you can. For an easier time wiring the pickup later, make an additional slot. Hold the flatwork vertically, then use a file to carefully cut down towards the hole. Keep the file slot narrow so the wire can't slip out through it. Glue brass eyelets into the eyelet holes. The eyelets are like little screws, except they open at both ends. Position the eyelets so the larger, rimmed ends are faceup. Then, spread some wood-safe super glue around the edges of each eyelet, filling in the gaps between the metal and the wood. If you used a different material like plastic for the frame, make sure the glue adheres well to it. If you don't have super glue, you can use epoxy or a polyurethane-based glue. Epoxy is the stronger adhesive, but you need to mix resin and hardener in a separate container, then quickly brush it onto the eyelets. Super glue and epoxy are good for just about any type of pickup frame, including those made out of plastic. Use a rotary grinder to level the eyelets. Put on a good pair of polycarbonate goggles and ear protection. Then, flip the flatwork over and fire up the grinder. Wear down each eyelet until it's flush with the flatwork. Some grinders are attachments that fit on power drills so you don't need to buy a separate tool. Install rod magnets if you need your guitar to sound brighter. If you have a 6-string guitar, get 12 small rod magnets and set them on a table. Connect the magnets to form 6 pairs. Push the magnet columns through the holes in the flatwork pieces. Hammer them down gently until they're level with both flatwork pieces. The number of magnets you need will vary depending on how many strings your guitar has. Remember that magnets have both a north and south polarity. Opposite polarities attract. Use a compass to identify the polarities. Make sure the magnets are aligned the same way. For instance, position them all so the north polarity is faceup, fitting into the upper flatwork. Fit machine screws into the holes if you aren’t using rod magnets. You will need 6 screws for a regular 6-string guitar. Position the top flatwork over the bottom one. Thread the screws through the top flatwork, then slide the bottom one up onto the shafts. Make sure the screws are as straight as possible between the flatwork pieces. Position the flatwork pieces about 1 in (2.5 cm) apart. The exact spacing depends on the size of your guitar. You may need to adjust the positioning to get the pickup to fit. If the screws aren't straight, they will affect your guitar's sound. It will sound okay if they're not perfect, but if they look really off, consider remaking the flatwork pieces. Saw the screws off with a hacksaw. Clamp the flatwork to a workbench with the bottom screws faceup. Put on protective goggles to prevent metal fragments from getting into your eyes. Then, saw all the way through the metal screws so they're flush with the bottom flatwork. Fit circular magnets on top of the screws. Get a neodymium magnet for each screw. Set it over the screw head above the upper flatwork. It will stick in place. To seal it, spread some |hot glue, super glue, or epoxy around the magnets and screw heads to hold them in place. Give the glue about 24 hours to cure properly. If you're using rod magnets, you don't need the neodymium magnets at all. Simply spread some glue around the base of each magnet to secure it to the flatwork pieces. Knot a 42 gauge copper wire in the small wire hole. Buy a spool with at least 4 ⁄ 2 in (11 cm). You need a lot of wire, so don't worry about getting too much. Unspool some of the wire, then slide it into the small hole with the groove you made. Knot the wire in place, but don't cut it from the spool yet. If you don't want to buy new wire, repurpose wire from scrap electrical components like wall plugs and old pickups. Heat the wire lightly with a pocket lighter to loosen the adhesive holding it in place. Using silver wire is also an option. Remember that it is thinner, more expensive, and produces a clearer sound, so it isn't always the best choice. Wind the wire around the pickup’s screws or magnets. The easiest way to do this is with a pickup winder. Fit the pickup on the winder and wrap the wire once around its center. Then, run the machine, loading as much of the wire as you can fit. When done correctly, the pickup will have a thick, even wrap of wire around it. Pickup winders are available online. Some music supply stores also stock them. Many pickups are wrapped between 8,000 and 10,000 times. You don't need to count how many times the wire goes around the pickup, though. As long as the layer of wrap looks thick and even, the pickup will work. Another way to do this is with a drill or a fishing reel. Drill a small hole into the center of the bottom flatwork, then let the pickup spin. Get 2-color electrical wires for your pickup. A standard single-coil pickup has 2 wires. The wires will be colored black and white. The black wire is the hot wire and the white wire is the neutral wire. You will need to connect the wires to the brass eyelets to power the pickup. Some guitars have a red wire or green wire. Red wires are hot wires and green wires are ground wires. For a double-pickup humbucker, you will need a 4-color electrical wire. The 2-color wire isn't enough to power both pickups. Pass a 4-wire cable between pickups if you’re making a humbucker. A humbucker is a guitar with 2 magnetic coils. Set the pickups side by side, then thread the wire between them. Make sure the wires stick out from between the pickups so you can connect them to the eyelets. The wire will have some color combination like red, blue, black, and green. To make a humbucker, you need to build a second pickup. Make it as identical to the first pickup as possible. A good humbucker eliminates electrical interference and produces a more well-rounded sound. Use wire strippers to expose the ends of the wires. Hold the wires in place, then grip the ends with a wire stripping tool. Clamp down until the tool breaks through the colored insulation. Pull the tool forward to tear off the casing, exposing the copper wire underneath it. Expose about ⁄ 2 in (1.3 cm) of each wire. Make sure you have enough of the exposed wire to work with. You may need to cut and strip the guitar's wires as well if they look frayed. Solder the wires to the brass eyelets or to like wires. Find the wire coming from the guitar, which will likely be a black wire. Twist the wires together, then melt them together. Position the remaining wires over the brass eyelets and solder them in place. For a humbucker with 4 wires, solder the red wire to 1 eyelet, then solder the green and blue wires to the other eyelet. | Choose a nonconductive casing material to form the pickup’s frame. Pick copper wire for an inexpensive way to produce sound. Use silver wire to create clearer sounds. Select rod magnets for brighter guitar sounds. Make the pickup with metal screws for a clearer sound. Sketch the pickup’s outline on a piece of nonconductive material. Measure and mark where the screw holes will pass through the frame. Drill holes in the flatwork with an electric screwdriver. Make a second flatwork out of the same material. Sand and file rough edges off of the flatwork pieces. Drill a pair of eyelet holes through the lower flatwork. Drill a small hole in the lower flatwork with a wood file. Glue brass eyelets into the eyelet holes. Use a rotary grinder to level the eyelets. Install rod magnets if you need your guitar to sound brighter. Fit machine screws into the holes if you aren’t using rod magnets. Saw the screws off with a hacksaw. Fit circular magnets on top of the screws. Knot a 42 gauge copper wire in the small wire hole. Wind the wire around the pickup’s screws or magnets. Get 2-color electrical wires for your pickup. Pass a 4-wire cable between pickups if you’re making a humbucker. Use wire strippers to expose the ends of the wires. Solder the wires to the brass eyelets or to like wires. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Create-an-Inexpensive-Photography-Lightbox | How to Create an Inexpensive Photography Lightbox | To create an inexpensive photography lightbox, start by getting a cardboard box that's big enough to hold the object you want to photograph. Then, tape the flaps at the top down so they're not in your way. Next, turn the box on its side and trace and cut a rectangular window out of one of the sides, repeating on the opposite side when you're finished. Once you've done that, trim a piece of white posterboard to be the same width as the box and then tape it to the top inside edge of the light box. Finally, cut out 2 pieces of white fabric or tissue paper and use them to cover the windows you cut out. | Choose a cardboard box large enough for the object you want to photograph. Try and find the biggest box that you can, as this will let you take pictures of almost anything you'd need to photograph. Ask at local shops, find a box you're no longer using, or look at purchasing one from a storage company to get the perfect cardboard box. If you want a lightbox that lasts longer, you can use a box made of a more sturdy material. A large wooden box or one made of an opaque plastic would also work. However, you'll likely need something stronger than a box cutter, such as a saw, to cut the lighting panels in the side. Tape up the flaps on one side. Turn your cardboard box over and fold the flaps down to create a flat bottom. Use packing tape, duct tape, or something similar to hold the flaps in place and keep the box steady. Tape down the flaps on the inside of the box as well, to keep them out of your way while you work. Some boxes will come with one side already held together with cardboard tabs. While this should keep the box steady as you work, it might pay to tape the edges of the box together as well for extra stability. Measure out windows on either side of your box. Place your box on its side, so that the open flaps are facing you. Use a ruler to mark a point roughly 2 inches (5.1 cm) from each edge on one side of the box. Draw a straight line with a pencil along the edges of the box to connect these points, creating a rectangle with space around the edges. Repeat on the opposite side. This will be the size of the window that you will cover with a piece of fabric, parchment paper, or tissue. If you have a particularly big box, you might want to make the window smaller to ensure that you can still cover it with one piece the fabric or paper. You can also trace a window on the top of your box as well, which will allow you to light the item you're taking a picture of from above. Cut out the windows in your box. Use a box cutter or a sharp pair of scissors to cut along the lines you have marked. Go around each line until you can remove a piece of cardboard in the middle, leaving you with a small window. Repeat on the other side to make another window. To keep the lines extra straight, hold a ruler against the pencil lines and cut along them. This won't affect the functionality of the box but will make it look better. Trim a piece of white poster board to be the same width as your box. Place a piece of white poster board or a thick piece of white paper over the top of the box. Use your scissors or box cutter to trim away any edges, so that it will be able to fit on the inside of your box. The poster board should be the same width as the box, and around twice as long as the top side. White poster board works excellently for this, as it will be smooth and will not easily crease inside the box. It should be available at your local craft store for a low price. If you can't find it, any large piece of sturdy white paper or card with a matte finish should work just as well. White poster board will give you an easy “infinity” look as if the item you are photographing is sitting in an empty space. Try using different colors to get different cool effects. The most important part of the material that you choose is that it has a matte surface. Anything that is too shiny will reflect the light and ruin the purpose of a lightbox. Tape the posterboard to the top inside edge of the lightbox. Attach a long piece of duct or packing tape to the top edge of your poster board. Being careful not the let the tape touch anything else, press it onto the inside of your cardboard box as close to the top of the back side as possible. Use another piece of tape to hold the other end of the posterboard to the bottom of the box. Avoid folding or creasing the poster board as much as possible. Try and make it bend so that you have a slight curve along the back bottom corner. Don't worry about covering the entire box, as long as you have a wide enough section that you can take a picture without seeing any of the exposed cardboard. Cut out two pieces of white fabric or tissue paper to cover the windows. This will work to diffuse the light that shines into the lightbox, giving the whole picture even lighting. Cut out some pieces of white fabric, tissue paper, or something similar to be around 1 inch (2.5 cm) bigger on each side than the windows you have cut. To make this easier, you can use the piece of cardboard you cut from the box when making the windows as a guide. Place it on the fabric or tissue paper and cut around it, leaving space on each side to attach it to the box. A smooth white fabric, tissue paper, parchment paper or anything similar will work for this. The material you choose just needs to be non-reflective, and let some but not all of the light through it. Tape or glue the fabric or tissue paper in place. Starting with the top edge of your chosen material, use a piece of tape or some hot glue to secure it over one of the windows. Let it drape down over the window and secure the other sides with more tape or glue. Repeat for all of the windows you have cut until all of them are covered. Put the item you want to photograph in the middle of your lightbox. Place your finished lightbox on a large flat surface, leaving space to position lights on either side. Position the item you need to photograph in the center of the white surface in your lightbox. Use the viewfinder or screen on your camera to help position the item in the lightbox. Shift the camera and the item around until you can get a clean shot without any exposed cardboard showing. If you can't get the item or your camera positioned just right, you can always crop the photo to remove anything you don't want to be seen. You shouldn't need to do any other photo editing, but a simple crop can save you a lot of careful repositioning. Set up a lamp on either side of the lightbox. Lamps that provide directional lighting, rather than ambient lighting, will work best with your lightbox. Find as many desk lamps or other directional lights as you have windows on the lightbox. Position the lamps so that they are facing directly into the windows you have cut, and switch them on. Keep your lights at least 5 inches (13 cm) away from the windows at all time, to prevent the material covering them from getting too hot. Your lights should be an even distance from the lightbox when you first turn them on. Try moving different ones further away or closer to the windows to create some more interesting lighting effects inside. Use light bulbs with a cool white light for the best results, as other types may give your images a yellowish tinge. You should be able to find cheap desk lamps or lamps that can clip onto furniture for a few dollars online or at your local homeware or office stationery store. Play with the settings on your camera. It's not often that you'll be taking pictures of something so evenly and brightly lit, so your first pictures might end up being too bright or entirely the wrong color! Change the shutter speed, ISO , and white balance settings on your camera until your photos look normal. If you're using a smartphone camera, or a camera with an automatic mode, you shouldn't need to touch the settings at all. Photos that look too yellow or blue are normally a sign that your white balance settings aren't right. If your photos are too dark or too bright, try adjusting the exposure by changing the ISO, shutter speed, or aperture. Keep on trying until you get a perfect photo! Take the picture. Once you've got your item lined up and your camera settings perfect, it's time to take the picture. Move the camera around so that there's nothing other than the white background in the shot, hold it steady, and snap a few pictures! Use the flaps of cardboard that are left open to block any light shining from the lamps directly into the camera. Any light that's not going through the windows might create a lens flare and reduce the effect of a photography lightbox. | Choose a cardboard box large enough for the object you want to photograph. Tape up the flaps on one side. Measure out windows on either side of your box. Cut out the windows in your box. Trim a piece of white poster board to be the same width as your box. Tape the posterboard to the top inside edge of the lightbox. Cut out two pieces of white fabric or tissue paper to cover the windows. Tape or glue the fabric or tissue paper in place. Put the item you want to photograph in the middle of your lightbox. Set up a lamp on either side of the lightbox. Play with the settings on your camera. Take the picture. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-a-Burning-Throat | How to Stop a Burning Throat | To stop your throat from burning, try eating a popsicle or some ice cream to numb the pain with cold. Alternatively, add 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a cup of warm water and drink it to soothe your throat. You can also add ½ teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water, then gargle with the salt water to help with the pain and inflammation. If your throat continues to burn, you may want to consider sucking on a throat lozenge or taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. | Try an over-the-counter pain medication. One simple solution is to take an oral pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Follow the directions on the box for how often you can take it. Anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen may be more effective than acetaminophen because they can decrease irritation and swelling. However, acetaminophen can still be effective for eliminating pain. Eat a popsicle. Ice-cold popsicles provide relief to burning throats, essentially numbing the pain with cold. You can also try other cold treats, such as ice cream or frozen fruit. Even iced tea or cold water can help your throat. Try throat lozenges. Throat lozenges are available over-the-counter and are intended to soothe sore throats. Just be sure to get sugar-free if you need to watch your sugar intake. You can use lozenges as often as you need them. Also, try picking ones that have eucalyptus or menthol, as they offer cooling relief. Use a throat spray. If you don't like sucking on lozenges, you can use a throat spray instead. Throat sprays such as Chloroplasts have both numbing and antibiotic properties, so they can help you deal with a sore throat. To use them, open your mouth wide. Stick your tongue out. Aim the spray at the back of your mouth, and spray your throat. Cool down your food. If your food is extra hot, it can increase the irritation of your throat. Make sure you don't eat or drink scalding food while your throat is sore. Blow on it to cool it. Add an ice cube, or stir it around before eating. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of liquids throughout the day while you have a sore throat. If you become dehydrated, your throat can become dry, increasing irritation. You don't have to drink just water. Tea and coffee are fine options, too, especially since warm--not hot--liquids can soothe your throat. Men should drink about 13 cups of water a day, while women should drink about 9 cups. You may need even more when you have a sore throat. To soothe your throat even more, add a tablespoon of honey to your tea or coffee. Humidify the air. Having a dry throat can cause extra irritation, making your dry throat worse. Try a humidifier if your home is too dry. If the air in your home is too dry, it can hurt your throat more. However, you can get the same effect from taking a very warm shower, and taking some time to breathe in the steam. Close off the bathroom before starting the shower. When you first turn the shower on before you get in, turn it on extra hot so steam can fill up the bathroom. Turn it down to a manageable temperature before you get in. As you shower, breath in deeply, letting the steam into your throat. Skip the smoking lounge. Cigarette smoke, even second-hand smoke, can irritate the throat. Avoid being around cigarette smoke until your throat heals. Get a new toothbrush. Bacteria builds up on your toothbrush over time. You could be reinfecting your throat with bacteria if you use the same old toothbrush for too long. The bacteria enter your body through your gums, especially if they bleed while you brush. Take your doctor about a prescription. Your doctor is the best source to determine the first line of defense. In many cases, you may need a round of antibiotics to help treat your sore throat, depending on the cause. Try an apple cider vinegar solution. Add a tablespoon each of honey and apple cider vinegar to warm water. Mix it up well. Drink it down. Some people say that this treatment helps relieve a sore throat in part because it kills bacteria. Honey will also provide some relief for the pain. If you prefer, you can gargle apple cider vinegar instead. Mix 2 tablespoons with 1/2 cup of water for gargling. Leave out the honey. Gargle with saltwater. Warm up a cup of water slightly. Add a half of a teaspoon of salt to it, and stir it in. Use the saltwater as a gargle, as it can help with pain and inflammation. Saltwater can act as an antiseptic, keeping germs from growing in your throat. It can also help remove phlegm. You can also mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda into a cup of warm water and gargle it the same way. Make a tea of marshmallow root. You can likely find the root online or at natural drug stores. Put a tablespoon of the root in a mug, and pour boiling water over it. Leave it to steep for a half hour to an hour. Strain out the pulp. Drink the mixture. Check with your doctor if you have diabetes or other blood sugar disorders, as it can change your blood sugar levels. Drink licorice root tea. Some people have luck soothing their throat with licorice root tea. You can find the tea already mixed at the store, or you can mix your own. To make your own, you'll need 1 cup of licorice root (chopped), 1/2 cup of cinnamon (in small chips), 2 tablespoons cloves (whole), and 1/2 cup chamomile flowers. You can find these at natural food stores. Keep it an airtight jar. Pour 2.5 cups of water into a saucepan. Add 3 heaping tablespoons of the tea to the water. Heat up the tea until it's boiling, and then let it cook over low heat for about 10 minutes. Strain off the pulp, and drink. Check for heartburn. Heartburn can lead to a burning sensation in the throat as acid regurgitates in the back of your throat. Another symptom of heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest that gets worse if you recline. Usually, these problems occur after you eat. You may be hoarse the next day or have trouble with swallowing. Your mouth might also taste sour or metallic if you have heartburn. Sit up. If you're asleep in bed and get acid from heartburn in the back of your throat, the first step you should take is to sit up. Take a drink of water to help relieve your throat. You can also raise the incline of your bed. Over-the-counter antacids are the first line of treatment for heartburn. They help neutralize the acid in your esophagus and stomach. They work almost immediately. They won't improve your throat if it's already been burned, but they will stop new acid from entering your throat. Patients with persistent pain and discomfort should see a doctor. Consider burning mouth syndrome. If other parts of your mouth are burning in addition to your throat, you may have burning mouth syndrome. Secondary burning mouth syndrome can be caused by other problems such as hormones, allergies, infections, and not getting the right vitamins. However, with primary burning mouth syndrome, doctors are still unsure what causes the problem. You may also have dry mouth, or your mouth may taste funny. Talk to your doctor and/or dentist if you have these symptoms. This may be the result of facial neuropathy. Take your temperature. If you have a fever, it may mean you have strep throat. Other symptoms of strep throat include white spots in the back of your mouth on the roof, fever, headaches, and rashes. No cough is seen with strep throat. If you suspect you have strep throat, see your doctor. Strep throat can sometimes develop into tonsillitis, which is an infection of the tonsils. Treatment includes antibiotics. A fever along with swollen lymph nodes and a sore throat can be symptoms of infectious mononucleosis, so see your doctor if you have these symptoms, as well. You will be tested with a monospot test and your doctor may see atypical lymphocytes on a blood test. Avoid sports due to possible splenic rupture with impact activities. Note how long your sore throat lasts. If your sore throat lingers even after treatment, it could be a sign of something more serious, such as a throat cancer. Talk to your doctor if your throat is sore for more than two weeks, especially if you've had a round of antibiotics. Look for unexpected weight loss associated with cancer. Consider other causes. Sore and burning throats can also be caused by allergies and smoking. The best way to help a sore throat with these causes is to quit smoking or control your allergies by taking an antihistamine. | Try an over-the-counter pain medication. Eat a popsicle. Try throat lozenges. Use a throat spray. Cool down your food. Stay hydrated. Humidify the air. Skip the smoking lounge. Get a new toothbrush. Take your doctor about a prescription. Try an apple cider vinegar solution. Gargle with saltwater. Make a tea of marshmallow root. Drink licorice root tea. Check for heartburn. Consider burning mouth syndrome. Take your temperature. Note how long your sore throat lasts. Consider other causes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Vaporizer | How to Use a Vaporizer | To use a vaporizer, start by filling it with distilled water, since tap water contains minerals that can clog it. Make sure to avoid going past the unit's fill line, because overfilling the tank can cause spills. Once the water is in, put the vaporizer on a flat surface that's at least 4 feet from direct contact with your skin to avoid being burned by the steam. Then, plug the vaporizer in, turn it on, and run it overnight to add moisture to the air and relieve stuffiness and congestion. | Talk to your healthcare provider about your needs. Your doctor will discuss your symptoms, if any, as well as any environmental concerns about your home. They will also offer advice about appropriate next steps, like a vaporizer or humidifier. Sufferers of acute (short-term) respiratory illnesses, such as cold, flu, or bronchitis, might find temporary relief of symptoms while using a vaporizer. Those with chronic respiratory diseases may find a vaporizer useful, though your healthcare provider may recommend more specialized devices. Vaporizers may also be useful in homes with very dry air or in very cold/dry climates, as they add moisture to the air for greater general comfort. Be sure to ask your doctor about potential side effects of steam use, such as increased bacterial growth or other problems with humid air. Choose a cool mist humidifier instead of a warm steam vaporizer if you have concerns about safety. The two devices work in similar fashion, but offer slightly different benefits for your health and home environment. You'll need to consider for whom and for what purpose you're purchasing one of these devices. Warm steam vaporizers use heat to turn water into steam to add moisture to the environment. Cool mist humidifiers emit a light mist of cool water into the air, also adding moisture. Note that the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly advises against using steam vaporizers in children's rooms. Evaluate your household needs. Determining in which room you will place the device will help you to decide on the device type and size you will purchase. If the vaporizer is for a child, make sure you have space in his/her room that will keep the machine out of reach. If you're purchasing the vaporizer to improve the atmosphere in your home in general, choose which room will mostly likely offer the most benefit for you and your family. Review the various types of steam vaporizers. Taking some time to read the package information and, possibly, looking at the actual vaporizer, will help you make a more informed decision about your health and comfort. Consider the amount of space that you have to keep and store the vaporizer. Larger varieties may be difficult to keep out of the reach of children, although smaller machines may not provide enough steam to be useful. Read the packaging and, if purchasing online, device reviews, to get a sense of how easy the vaporizer is to use and to clean. If you have a busy schedule or have health issues that make strenuous cleaning difficult, choose a machine with simpler operating instructions. Read the manufacturer's instructions. While the machines may be similar in many ways, care and use requirements may differ. The instructions should also tell you how to disassemble and clean the vaporizer. Use the vaporizer at night. While you may use a vaporizer at any time, most users prefer to run the machine at night. As the machines ease dryness or stuffiness in nasal passages, users may experience a more comfortable sleep. Avoid running the vaporizer all day since you will fill the air with too much moisture doing so, which may cause increased mold or fungus growth in your home. These problems may lead to further respiratory issues. Never allow your home's interior humidity exceed 50%. Purchase an interior hygrometer to measure the humidity in your home's air. Fill the container with distilled water. Tap water contains minerals, and some of these minerals can clog up the machine or spread dust and contaminants through the air in your home. Most vaporizers have a "fill line" marking how high the water level should be. Don't overfill the tank, as doing so may cause spills. Some vaporizers will automatically shut off once the tank is empty, but you should plan to fill it each time you plan to begin using the device, such as at bedtime. Place the vaporizer on a flat surface at a safe distance from human contact. You should place the vaporizer about 4 feet (122 cm) away from direct contact with anyone's skin. The hot mist from a steam vaporizer can cause scalding if it comes into contact with skin, especially for an extended length of time. If using the vaporizer in a child's room or in a home with children, place it high up on a surface that the child cannot reach to prevent accidental scalding. You should also make sure that the surface is sturdy enough to withstand vibrations that might dislodge the vaporizer. Do not use or place the vaporizer in an area that would allow bedding, curtain, carpeting, or other fabric materials to get wet. You may want to spread towels out beneath the machine to prevent dripping water or condensation from damaging the surface of your furniture. Plug the vaporizer in and turn it on. Some vaporizers turn on as soon as they are plugged in. For the most part, though, there will be a switch, button, or dial that you will need to flip in order to turn the machine on. Air the room out in between uses. While a warm, moist environment can work wonders for congestion, bacteria and mold can start growing in a room that stays moist for too long. If bacteria or mold starts to grow, you and your family will probably experience more respiratory problems. Leave doors and, if possible, windows open during the day when the steam vaporizer is not in use. Run an electric fan, if necessary, to keep the air circulating inside the room. Read the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. These instructions should indicate how often you should clean the device, as well as list the chemicals safe to use for cleaning. To clean most vaporizers, you will need cleaning solution, a bottle or vegetable brush, clean water, and a microfiber cloth or paper towels. Consider purchasing rubber gloves to protect your skin as you clean. Clean the vaporizer at least once every 3 days. Bacteria grow in moist environments, and if the vaporizer is not cleaned and dried properly, bacteria can actually begin growing inside the machine. If bacteria grow inside the vaporizer, it will be transferred into the air as the machine creates steam. Change the distilled water every day and clean the machine at least once every 3 days. Clean more often if you use the device during the day as well as at night. You may need to change the filter regularly as well. Check your machine's instructions to be sure. Create or purchase a cleaning solution. A few squirts of antibacterial soap or mild dish detergent mixed into hot water is usually sufficient. For something stronger, use 3% hydrogen peroxide. If the particular vaporizer you use specifies a cleaning solution you should use, follow the manufacturer's instructions and use the recommended type. For an especially deep cleaning, use 1% bleach solution: 1 part bleach to 9 parts water. Wear rubber gloves to protect your skin when cleaning with any variety of bleach. Take the vaporizer apart. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on disassembling the machine. Usually, the only part of the machine you need to take apart for cleaning purposes is the tank. Check the tank and base for signs of mold growth. If you need to clean the base, use care not to submerge any mechanical parts; use a wet brush dipped in cleaning solution and dry with a cloth instead. On some models, the machine is not designed to be disassembled. For these steam humidifiers, you will only need to open the lid or cover of the water tank and attempt to clean it while it is still connected to the rest of the machine. Use only gentle pressure to disassemble the machine. Use of too much force may damage the locking components and make the machine unsafe for use. Scrub the inside of the tank with a soft brush or cloth. A baby bottle brush or vegetable brush should suffice, but a clean, microfiber cloth works just as well. Dip the brush or cloth into the cleaning solution and thoroughly scrub the inside of the water tank, re-soaking the cloth in solution as necessary until the entire tank has been scrubbed clean. For hard-to-reach places, soak a cotton swab in alcohol and use it to clean out these areas. Rinse the inside of the tank. You can either use tap water or distilled water. Pour a little water into the water tank, swish it around, and dump it immediately to rid the tank of any soap or detergent. Rinse the tank thoroughly, then soak the components in white vinegar to fully disinfect the device. Use a toothpick to clean any visible mold from the narrower tubes and valves, as necessary. Dry the inside of the tank with a clean microfiber cloth or paper towel. The tank should be completely dry in order to prevent contamination of the machine with germs or minerals from the water. This is especially important when you are preparing to put the vaporizer back into storage. Paper towels are the most hygienic option, as they are fresh with each use, unlike towels, which can trap and spread germs. Let the tank fully air dry before reattaching to the base. | Talk to your healthcare provider about your needs. Choose a cool mist humidifier instead of a warm steam vaporizer if you have concerns about safety. Evaluate your household needs. Review the various types of steam vaporizers. Read the manufacturer's instructions. Use the vaporizer at night. Fill the container with distilled water. Place the vaporizer on a flat surface at a safe distance from human contact. Plug the vaporizer in and turn it on. Air the room out in between uses. Read the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Clean the vaporizer at least once every 3 days. Create or purchase a cleaning solution. Take the vaporizer apart. Scrub the inside of the tank with a soft brush or cloth. Rinse the inside of the tank. Dry the inside of the tank with a clean microfiber cloth or paper towel. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Home-Tan | How to Home Tan | Getting the perfect tan doesn't have to cost a lot of money and you can do it at home. Choose a color of tanning spray or lotion from a drug store that's a few shades darker than your natural skin tone. Before you apply the tanning product, exfoliate your skin to remove any dry patches so that your tan doesn't appear blotchy. Then, apply a moisturizer, which will help your skin absorb the tanning product. When you apply your tan, cover your entire body and buff your skin in a circular motion with a cloth to make sure you get an even coat. You'll need to wait 2 to 3 hours for your tanning product to soak in before you can take a shower. If you'd prefer a more natural approach, lie outside in your yard for up to 2 hours in the sun. Remember to apply SPF-15 tanning oil to protect your skin. You should also avoid tanning during the middle of the day, since this is when the sun is at its strongest and it could burn you. | Pick out some tanning spray or lotion. Drugstores have tons of different options for home tanning, and most of them won't break the bank. Select a type of home tanning spray of lotion that works for your skin tone and texture. You probably only need one bottle for your body, but if you want to ensure full coverage, you may want to buy a backup. Choose a tanning color just a few shades darker than your normal skin tone. If you go from snow white to burnt orange in a day, the transition won't necessarily be positive. The goal is to look a few shades darker, as though you just spent a week in a warm, beachy locale. Consider whether to get a spray can or lotion dispenser. If your skin is on the dry side, you might want to choose a lotion for the added moisture. Some people find it easier to evenly distribute the tanning solution through a spray nozzle - it's totally up to your personal preference. Exfoliate your skin. You don't want to apply the tanning solution to dry, flaky skin; you'll end up looking splotchy next time you exfoliate. Exfoliating thoroughly before you apply the solution is key. Start by dry brushing your body to remove all the dead skin flakes and help your circulation a bit. Both the brush and your body should be dry. Brush your arms and legs in short strokes toward your heart. Don't forget your torso, back, and any other areas you plan on tanning. Take a lukewarm shower and use an exfoliating body cleanser. Scrub areas like your knees and elbows, and any other spots that tend to get dry or scaly, especially well. Moisturize your body. The next step is to prevent your body from getting dry all over again by applying a good moisturizer. Use baby oil, lotion, or your preferred moisturizing method to seal in moisture from your neck to your toes after your shower. Wait a few minutes for your skin to absorb the moisturizer before you proceed with tanning. Put on tanning gloves. If you bought a home tanning kit, it might have come with a pair of latex or plastic gloves to protect your hands from getting tanning solution all over them when you apply it. If you didn't get a kit, it's important to find a pair of gloves to protect your hands - otherwise, they'll turn bright brownish orange after several coats of tanning solution. Apply the tanning solution. Stand in your bathroom and either spray your body with tanning solution or use your hands to smooth on some tanning lotion. Work methodically so you make sure you don't miss any spots. You might want to stand over an old towel so you don't end up tanning your bathroom floor. Start with one leg and apply the tanning solution from the toes up to the thighs, then do the other leg. Follow the directions on your bottle of solution, making sure to hold the spray bottle the correct distance from your skin. If you're applying lotion, spread it on smoothly instead of rubbing it in too deeply in one spot. Next do your torso, back and neck. You can have a friend work on hard-to-reach spots, or use a "back spatula" (available at drugstores) to apply the solution to your back. It's shaped like a body brush, but with a smooth buffer instead of a brush on the end. Apply it to your arms. Finish your hands by removing the gloves and applying the solution carefully with a cotton ball. Take special care with your face. You can use a little vaseline around the edges of your hairline to make sure the solution doesn't build up there. Buff your body. Once you're completely covered, go back over your body with a soft cloth and buff it in circular motions. This ensures your entire body will get an even coating of tanning solution. Let it soak in. You'll need to give the solution time to soak into your skin. Take a few hours to stay around the house in long, loose, dark clothing that won't get stained by the tanning solution. After a few hours, it's fine to take a shower, put on light clothes or leave the house. Put on the smallest bathing suit you have. The skimpier it is, the more area you will be able to get tan. If your back yard is private, consider tanning in the nude. Nothing's sexier than no tan lines! Bring your entertainment. Get a towel, some music, a magazine, sunglasses, a hat, a glass or bottle of water, and a friend. The more you have to keep yourself occupied, the longer you will want to stay out there. It is very important to keep yourself hydrated, since you will be sweating out your body liquid. Slather yourself with SPF-15 tanning oil. This will promote a safe and healthy tan, and let you stay out longer without burning. Don't use tanning lotion below SPF-15. Prolonged tanning without some protection from UV rays is very bad, and is a major cause of skin cancer. Apply the oil about 20 minutes before you go out into the sun, and repeat every hour or so—or if you go into the water. This h olds true even if your sunscreen is waterproof. Use a well-cushioned lounge chair for maximum comfort. Lying on the ground is extremely uncomfortable and not very relaxing either. Find a chair that lets your skin breath, and wicks away moisture (sweat) for the most comfort. Bring a towel outside with you to cover parts of your body you don't want to tan. Pick the right time of day. To prevent burns (which will not help you tan evenly), avoid tanning during the peak hours—from 10 am to 4 pm. The less you wear, the more you want to pay attention to this rule. The last thing you want is a burned bum! Lay out for 2-4 hours, reapplying your tanning oil hourly. If you get hot, run through your sprinklers or jump in the pool. Remember that the longer you're outside, the greater chance the sun will damage your skin. Be smart and go inside if it feels like you're getting burned. Repeat regularly. You won't have that golden glow in one day, but if you spend a little time in the sun every day, you will have a great tan in about a week. Maintain your tan. Once you're burnished like a fine bronze goddess (or god), keep your skin hydrated to maximize the time that tantalizing tan will stick around. An aloe-based moisturizer will not only keep your tan in place, it'll also keep your skin moist and soft. | Pick out some tanning spray or lotion. Exfoliate your skin. Moisturize your body. Put on tanning gloves. Apply the tanning solution. Buff your body. Let it soak in. Put on the smallest bathing suit you have. Bring your entertainment. Slather yourself with SPF-15 tanning oil. Use a well-cushioned lounge chair for maximum comfort. Pick the right time of day. Repeat regularly. Maintain your tan. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Diary | How to Start a Diary | If you want to start a diary but you're not sure where to start, try jotting down one of your favorite quotes or poems on the first page. On the next page, write the date at the top of the page, then write down a few lines about what happened that day. Try to set aside a few minutes at the same time each day to write down your thoughts, which will help you be more consistent in keeping a diary. For instance, you could write each morning about the previous day, or you could reflect on each day in the evening. | Decide what sort of diary you want. There are plenty of options for keeping a diary – you don't need to stick with just a paper version. You can keep a traditional paper diary, but you can also use a website or blog that is private and password protected. You can also simply use a document on your computer. Paper notebooks give you total control and privacy, but you won't have a backup option unless you make copies. Keep in mind that anything you store online is susceptible to hacking, so even if your online diary is password protected or private, there's always a chance someone could get in. Choose a paper diary. If you choose to keep a paper diary, you'll need to actually purchase a diary. You can use any paper notebook as a diary, even something as simple as a one subject spiral notebook or a composition notebook. But you can also go a little bit fancier and choose a leather bound notebook or a notebook with thicker, higher quality paper. Some great options for paper diaries include the 'Leuchtturm' 1917 notebook, Moleskin notebooks, or Whitelines notebooks. Most stores have a notebook section – browse the shelves and see if anything pops out at you. If you don't love your diary, you probably won't write in it. To increase the security of a paper diary, you can purchase one with a lock on it. Just make sure you keep the key in a secure place. Purchase your writing instrument. You have a lot to choose from when it comes to selecting what you'll use for writing in your diary. You can use a regular ballpoint pen or a pencil, including those you might have at home. You can also mix it up with colored pens, fountain pens, and even colored pencils and markers. The more you enjoy what you're writing with, the more likely you'll write regularly. Create a schedule. If you want to ensure that you write every day, schedule specific writing time. Maybe you'll like to write first thing in the morning about the day before, or maybe writing in your diary at the end of the day is a good way for you to decompress. When you write is not as important as making sure that you write every day. To make sure you stick to your writing schedule, you can use a smartphone, your watch, or your computer to set a reminder to write every day at the same time. Set time limits for your writing. On some days you might find it hard to write and other days you might have so much to say you feel like you could write all day. Setting a time limit can give your writing structure and make it easier to turn into a daily routine. Start with ten to fifteen minutes per day. If you find you are always running out of time, you can always increase the amount of time you spend writing. Setting a timer can help you write within the time limit without having to check your watch every few minutes. Choose a writing location. Writing in the same location every day can help you stay committed to writing regularly. If you're going to the same location every day to write, it will create a pattern and give your writing even more structure. It doesn't matter where you write – it can be at a coffee shop or a room in your home – as long as you always write in the same place. Take things further. If you are writing at home, sit in the same armchair or at the same table each time. Don’t give up if you get off track. It can be easy to give up on keeping your diary if you put too much pressure on yourself. It's okay if you occasionally skip a day or two – once you get back into writing, simply jot down short summaries of the days you missed. Start with a quote or a poem. Sitting in front of a brand-new, blank diary can be a little bit intimidating. If you find yourself stuck, start by writing down one of your favorite quotes or poems. This can help you feel inspired and also takes the pressure off of you to write the first entry in your diary. You can also copy down new poems or quotes as you go. Date your entries. Make sure you date every entry you make in your diary. This can be useful if you're trying to remember when a specific event happened or just to see how your writing – and therefore your life – have evolved over time. How you date the entries is up to you. If you want to get fancy, write out the full date, like: July 14, 2018. If you want to keep things simpler, try: 4/14/2018 or 4/14/18. If you plan on keeping multiple journals, one for each year, you can write 4/14. Mix up your entry formats. Once you begin writing in your diary, don't feel like you have to commit to one particular type of entry all the way through your diary. Your diary should be a place for you to record your thoughts, and your thoughts might take different forms on different days. Try some of the following: Traditional paragraph-like entries To-do lists Drawing Poetry Stories Write short entries. You don't need to write pages and pages every time you sit down to write in your diary. One paragraph that sums up your day is plenty, especially when you first start writing. You don't always have to write short entries, however. Sometimes you'll find you have a lot to say about your day or something in particular that happened. It's okay to write long entries in those cases. Try the same prompt if you get stuck. Some days you might have so much - or so little - on your mind that it's hard to even know where to begin. Try by writing “So right now, I'm…” and just write down whatever comes to your mind first. This can be a great way to get started and you might find that the words flow a lot more easily after that. Look online for "writing prompts." The internet is a great resource for these type of thing. Write to others. Sometimes you might wish you could say certain things to certain people. Maybe it's someone you can't or don't talk to anymore, or maybe it's someone you don't see regularly. Maybe there are things you need to tell yourself. Using a diary entry to write to other people can bring you closure and help you work out your feelings. If you're not quite sure how to start this type of entry, simply format it as if you're actually writing a letter, with the date and address of the person you're writing to at the top. Write about something you want to forget. This sounds counterintuitive, but if there's an event you'd like to forget, it might actually help to write it down. Once you get it out of your head and onto paper, your brain might not hold so tightly to it. For example, let's say something really embarrassing happened to you at school or work. Writing down all the details helps you get them all out of your head, and might prevent you from reliving the event over and over. Record what you’re grateful for. A great way to add to your daily entries is to list the things that you're grateful for that day. It also helps you keep track of the good things in your life. These can be as simple as “the sun was shining” or as detailed as a conversation that you had with a friend. Be open and honest. The best part of keeping a diary is that you can be brutally honest in it without having to worry about being judged. You can write down your deepest fears and biggest secrets without worrying that your diary is going to tell someone else. If you feel like you have to edit yourself, you might be less likely to use the diary, so staying open is key. | Decide what sort of diary you want. Choose a paper diary. Purchase your writing instrument. Create a schedule. Set time limits for your writing. Choose a writing location. Don’t give up if you get off track. Start with a quote or a poem. Date your entries. Mix up your entry formats. Write short entries. Try the same prompt if you get stuck. Write to others. Write about something you want to forget. Record what you’re grateful for. Be open and honest. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Distress-Furniture | How to Distress Furniture | To distress wood and laminate furniture, start by stripping off the finish using 120-grit sandpaper, and wiping the furniture with a damp cloth to remove any dirt and dust. Next, dry the surface with a clean cloth and apply a coat of chalk paint, which has a matte finish and scrapes off easily. Once the paint is dry, brush on a second coat and let it sit for 3 to 4 days so the paint adheres to the furniture. Afterwards, use another piece of 120-grit sandpaper to scrape off the paint from areas where you would normally see wear and tear, like the corners and edges. Finally, rub your furniture with a cheesecloth dipped in finishing wax to seal the wood and paint. | Use chalky paint for your furniture. Chalky paint has a matte finish, goes on with minimal prep work, and is easier to scrape off while you're distressing your furniture. Choose a paint color that matches the aesthetic in the rest of your room. Chalky paint is not the same as chalkboard paint. Chalkboard paint is meant to be written on with chalk after it dries, while chalky paint just has an ultra-matte finish. You can buy chalky paint from any painting supply store. Add dings and dents to the furniture surface for an extra-distressed look. Adding marks to a table surface or furniture legs can make it seem older than what it actually is. Lightly tap your furniture with the end of a chisel or hammer to make indents in the surface. Make the marks random so it doesn't look like an intentional pattern. Wear safety glasses in case any wood accidentally breaks off your furniture. Experiment with different tools around your house to see what kind of marks they make. Sand the furniture if it has a finish on it. Use 120-grit sandpaper to roughen the surfaces on your piece of furniture. This helps the paint adhere better so it's less likely to peel off or chip. Make sure to sand any surface you plan on painting so you get a nice even coat. You do not need to sand unfinished wood furniture. Wipe the furniture with a damp cloth before painting. Wet a cleaning cloth with warm water and wring it out until it's damp. Wipe all of the surfaces you plan on painting to get rid of any dust or dirt that's on them. Use another cloth to dry any areas that are wet before you start. Apply a coat of paint and let it dry. Dip the ends of the bristles in your paint so there's only a small amount on your paintbrush. Start from the top of your piece of furniture and work toward the bottom. Apply a thin layer of paint on the surface so it can dry fast and even. When you're finished with the first coat, leave it to dry overnight. It's okay if you still see the wood or laminate underneath your first coat of paint. This can help add to the distressed look of the final piece. Paint a second coat onto your furniture and leave it to cure for 3-4 days. Once the first coat of paint has dried completely, put another coat of paint on your piece. Again, work from the top of the furniture down toward the bottom, and paint until it has a smooth matte finish. When you're done, let it dry for 3-4 days so the paint has time to adhere to the furniture. Sand edges and common places of wear and tear with 120-grit sandpaper. Corners and edges are usually the first parts that wear away over time, so start by distressing them. Use 120-grit sandpaper to rub the dry paint off of the surface to expose the wood or laminate underneath. Apply light pressure so you don't accidentally remove more than you want. Add more distress marks where your furniture touches the floor so it looks like it's been scratched up after moving around a lot. Wipe any dust away with a damp rag so you can easily see where you've already distressed the furniture. If you accidentally rub off too much of the paint, you may paint over the area again and start over. Seal the wood and paint with finishing wax. Wax acts as a sealant to help protect your furniture from any damage. Dip the end of a cheesecloth in the wax and spread it across the surface of your furniture. Work the wax into the surface in a circular motion until it's smooth. Continue waxing the entire piece of furniture so it's sealed. Furniture wax can be bought from your local hardware or paint supply stores. Wax may take up to 30 days to completely cure, but you can use the furniture after one week. Wipe any dust and dirt off with a cleaning cloth. Get the end of a cleaning cloth damp with warm water and use it to clean off your metal. Make sure to clean off all of the surfaces that you're painting so the paint can adhere well to them. Dry off any spots that are still wet. Avoid sanding your metal since it will leave noticeable scratches. Paint 1 coat of chalky paint onto your furniture and let it dry. Buy a container of chalky paint and soft-bristled paintbrush from your local paint supply store. Dip the end of your brush into the paint and apply a thin layer to your metal furniture. Work from the top of the piece down toward the bottom until it's entirely covered in paint. Leave the paint to dry overnight so it has a chance to cure. Make sure not to use chalkboard paint instead of chalky paint. Chalky paint has a matte finish and is usually used for distressing, while chalkboard paint is meant to be written on once it's dry. It's okay if the first coat doesn't cover the metal evenly since it will make your piece look more distressed. Apply a second coat of paint and let it cure for 3-4 days. Once the first layer is completely dry, put on another coat of paint until your furniture has even color. Once all of the exposed metal is covered with paint, let it dry for 3-4 days so the paint has time to settle. Don't try to distress the metal while it's curing because the more paint may peel off of the metal than you want. Wipe areas with a damp cloth to distress them. Get the corner of a cleaning cloth wet and rub any areas where you want to expose the metal underneath the paint. Work around edges and corners since they're areas where distress naturally happens first. Apply light pressure to lift up the paint. If you accidentally remove to much paint, pat the area dry and cover the spot with another coat. Seal the paint with finishing wax to protect it. Dip the end of a cheesecloth in the finishing wax and pick up a small amount from the container. Rub the wax onto the paint in circular or back and forth motions until it's clear. Coat the entire piece of furniture so it's protected and won't get easily damaged. If your furniture feels waxy, keep buffing it out with a cloth until it doesn't. | Use chalky paint for your furniture. Add dings and dents to the furniture surface for an extra-distressed look. Sand the furniture if it has a finish on it. Wipe the furniture with a damp cloth before painting. Apply a coat of paint and let it dry. Paint a second coat onto your furniture and leave it to cure for 3-4 days. Sand edges and common places of wear and tear with 120-grit sandpaper. Seal the wood and paint with finishing wax. Wipe any dust and dirt off with a cleaning cloth. Paint 1 coat of chalky paint onto your furniture and let it dry. Apply a second coat of paint and let it cure for 3-4 days. Wipe areas with a damp cloth to distress them. Seal the paint with finishing wax to protect it. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Pink-Lips | How to Get Pink Lips | If you want to make your lips look pink, exfoliate them with a brightening scrub made from sugar, honey, lemon juice, and a few drops of rose water. If you don't want to make a scrub, you can also exfoliate your lips with a soft, clean toothbrush. Once you've removed the dead skin, apply a lip serum made of honey and either cinnamon or cayenne powder to your lips, then rinse it away after about 5 minutes. Finish your routine by applying a moisturizing lip balm to keep your lips hydrated. | Use a lip brightening scrub. Dull, colorless lips are usually the result of dead skin buildup. Many people regularly exfoliate their face, but forget their lips. Scrubbing your lips not only removes the dead skin to reveal new skin beneath, it increases circulation to bring more color to your lips. Try a homemade brightening scrub using the following ingredients: 1 teaspoon (5 g) sugar 1 teaspoon (5 mL) honey 1 teaspoon (5 mL) lemon juice A few drops of rose water Try an exfoliating brush. If you don't feel like making a scrub, use an exfoliating face brush or loofah on your lips. Simply wet them first and massage your top and bottom lips until all the dead skin has been sloughed off. When you're finished, your lips should feel fresh and invigorated. Or if you don't have a special brush, just use a toothbrush! Take a clean toothbrush with soft bristles, wet it with water, and massage your lips using a circular motion. Rinse your lips and you're done. Try a lip serum to lighten your lips. Certain ingredients produce mild irritation in your lips to make them look healthy and bright. Rub a little on your lips and let it sit for about 5 minutes before rinsing it away. Try the following combinations to make your lips look vibrant: 1 teaspoon honey (5 mL) and 1/4 (1 g) teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon honey (5 mL) and 1/8 teaspoon (0.5 g) cayenne powder 1 teaspoon honey (5 mL) and 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 mL) peppermint extract 1 teaspoon honey (5 mL) and 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of lemon juice Use a moisturizing balm. Finish your routine with a good lip balm that will trap moisture inside to keep your looks looking shiny and healthy. Steer clear of balms with chemicals that can dry out your lips; instead, look for balms that contain all-natural ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil and beeswax. Use beetroot. Bright red beets have a lot of color, and it's easy to transfer it to your lips to make them appear pinker. Simply make a paste of beetroot powder and water. Apply this to your lips and let sit for at least 5 minutes before wiping it off with a paper towel. Be sure to moisturize after you use the paste. You could also cut a beet into an inch-long piece and rub it over your lips. Do this for about 5 minutes to get a good stain that sets into your lips. Then moisturize with a layer of clear lip balm. Wear gloves when you do this or your fingers will get stained as well. Do a fruity lip stain. Strawberries, raspberries, cherries, pomegranates: there are so many choices when it comes to fruity lip stains! Take your favorite fruit and rub it on your lips for a few minutes. Alternatively, dip a cotton ball in red-colored fruit juice and rub it on your lips. Don't forget to seal in the color with a clear lip balm. Strawberries and raspberries will produce a lighter color than cherries and pomegranates. If you loved popsicles as a kid, you probably already know that berry-flavored frozen treats can also do the trick! Take your time eating a red popsicle and let the dye give your lips a deep pink stain. Try pink lip balm. If you want a subtle, natural look, pink lip balm is the way to go. Look for a tinted lip balm that adds a thin layer of color with each application. As a bonus, tinted balms nourish your lips every time you use them, keeping them moist and plump as well as colorful. Tinted balms look darker with each application. If you want a brighter pink look, apply more than one layer. Tinted lip gloss is another good choice if you want a slight pop of color, but nothing too extreme. Choose pink lip stain. This is another natural-looking choice that lasts a bit longer than balm. Lip stain actually dyes the top layer of skin and blends with your natural skin tone to make it look a bit pinker. Look for a lip stain in the hue you want, then experiment applying just enough to achieve the perfect color. The more layers you apply, the darker the color will be. To keep lip stain from washing away, seal it in with a layer of clear lip balm. Consider pink lipstick. This is the perfect solution for days when you're in the mood for lips that look strikingly pink. No subtlety here! Choose your favorite lipstick color and apply it to your top and bottom lip. Blot your lips on a tissue to remove excess color and lock it in place. Protect them from the sun. Lip skin is like the skin on the rest of your body, in that it's prone to sun damage. The sun will darken your lips and could cause moles and sunspots to form, so don't forget to protect them when you go out in the sun. Use a lip balm with SPF 15 or higher to keep your lips looking pink. Stop smoking. Smoking darkens the lips over time, in addition to causing them to get wrinkled and thin. If you're after full, pink lips, it's time to kick the habit for good. Stay hydrated. Lips that are cracked and chapped look unhealthy and feel painful. To avoid this problem, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. When you're dehydrated, your lips are often the first place it shows. Switch out your coffee and tea drinks for water whenever possible. Avoid overdoing it with alcohol, which can cause dehydration and dry lips. Sleep with a humidifier. In the winter months, when the air is very dry, staying hydrated by drinking water doesn't always cut it. If you have dry skin that easily chaps and flakes, consider sleeping with a humidifier in the room. This is a machine designed to add moisture to the air and keep your skin soft and supple. Apply a mixture of lemon juice and honey to your lips. Mix together 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of honey and 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of lemon juice. Apply the mixture to your lips and leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing it off. These ingredients can help to make your lips look lighter and brighter. | Use a lip brightening scrub. Try an exfoliating brush. Try a lip serum to lighten your lips. Use a moisturizing balm. Use beetroot. Do a fruity lip stain. Try pink lip balm. Choose pink lip stain. Consider pink lipstick. Protect them from the sun. Stop smoking. Stay hydrated. Sleep with a humidifier. Apply a mixture of lemon juice and honey to your lips. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Plait | How to Plait | To do a basic plait, start by brushing your hair to get rid of any knots or tangles. Once your hair's smooth, divide it into 3 equal sections with 1 on the left side of your head, 1 in the middle, and 1 on the right. While carefully holding all 3 strands, cross the right section over the top of the middle section so it's in the middle. Then, cross the left section over the new middle one so they switch places. Keep alternating the right and left sections over the center until you get to the end of your hair. To finish your plait, tie it off with your favorite hair band, ribbon, or clip. | Brush out all of the hair. Your hair will need to be smooth and without knots so brush or comb it out to remove all the tangles. It might also help to use some dry shampoo on your hair as you brush it to remove any excess oil from your hair, since this can make your hair slippery when you are braiding it. Divide the hair. You can part your hair if you'd like and gather the hair so that the braid will fall in a specific area, such as the back or side of your head. Take all of your hair and divide it into 3 equal-sized sections: left, middle and right. Cross the right section. Carefully holding all three strands, cross the right section over the top of the middle section. Now it should look like the right section is the middle section and the middle section is the right section. Cross the left section. Next, cross the left section over the new middle section. They should now be switched, as they were with the previous section. Repeat the process. Alternate the right and left sections over the center, repeating until you get to the ends of your hair. Tie off the hair. Using a hair band, ribbon, clip or other styling choice, tie the hair off at the end, where the hairs become too short to fit in the plait. Brush out all of the hair. Have smooth hair for this hairstyle, so brush it out before you start. You might also want to spray on a bit of dry shampoo to remove any excess oils from your hair while you brush it. Separate the top section of your hair. Using your hands or a hair pick, separate the top section of your hair from the top of the front hairline. Divide the hair into 3 even sections. Each section should be about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm). Make the sections as even as possible. Cross over the left and right sections. Start by crossing the left section over the center and then cross the right section over the new center section. Continue to alternate crossing the right section and left section over the center section, but pick up a small amount of new hair from beneath each of the side sections before each new crossover. Keep doing this until you have incorporated all of the hair into the braid. Continue with a 3-strand braid to the ends. After all of the hair has been incorporated, finish the braid by continuing with a regular 3-strand braid all the way to the ends of the hair. Tie off the hair. Using a hair band, ribbon, clip or other styling choice, tie the hair off at the end, where the hairs become too short to fit in the plait. Start with smooth tangle-free hair. Brush or comb all of your hair well. You might also want to use some dry shampoo to remove excess oils and add a bit of texture. Separate the hair to plait. Using a hair pick or pencil, separate the hair you will use to make the headband. Pull out a 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) wide section of hair from the area that is just behind your ear. Plait as normal. Hold the section straight out to the side of your head and begin braiding it loosely as a regular 3-strand braid. Keep braiding all the way to the end of the section and then use an elastic band to secure the end of the braid. Don't make the braid too tight or it might be hard to get it to lay flat against your head. Secure the braid over the top of your head like a headband. Wrap the braid up and over the top of your head and then bring it down behind your other ear. Pin the braid behind your ear with a couple of bobby pins to secure it. If desired, you can create 2 braids (1 on each side) and cross them over each other once on top of your head. | Brush out all of the hair. Divide the hair. Cross the right section. Cross the left section. Repeat the process. Tie off the hair. Brush out all of the hair. Separate the top section of your hair. Divide the hair into 3 even sections. Cross over the left and right sections. Continue with a 3-strand braid to the ends. Tie off the hair. Start with smooth tangle-free hair. Separate the hair to plait. Plait as normal. Secure the braid over the top of your head like a headband. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Ignore-Pain-and-Feelings | How to Ignore Pain and Feelings | While you shouldn't ignore your pain and feelings long-term, if you're going through a rough patch, there are a few things you can try to help manage your pain. Try visualizing a calm scene in your mind like a mountaintop or a sunny beach to help calm your mind and distract you from your pain. You can also focus on other senses, like hearing, or bodily sensations like breathing. Alternatively, focus directly on the pain or feeling itself. This might sound counterintuitive, but this can actually be one of the most effective ways of dealing with pain, since wishing your pain away can make you suffer even more. Another thing you can do is make yourself smile or laugh, which helps you raise your mood and deal with pain. | Use guided imagery. This technique helps relax the mind and the body. Imagine being somewhere you enjoy (a beach, on top of a mountain, surrounded by trees in the rainforest) and make the image in your mind as real as possible. Smell the air, observe your surroundings, and imagine planting your feet on the ground. Imagine being there with your body in perfect health. Spend as much time as you like in this experience, allowing yourself to be transported there mentally. When using guided imagery, you are in control. If you experience incredible pain, allow yourself in your guided imagery to fly. You are able to create any scene you desire. Engage your other senses. When you experience pain, your senses can be out of balance with the focus on feeling. Consciously engage your other senses: listen to the sounds around you (the cars outside, a neighbor cutting the grass); smell the air or spend extra time smelling your food observe your surroundings with your eyes; feel the texture of your clothes against your skin. Remind your body that it can experience different kinds of stimuli outside of pain. Engaging your senses during extreme moments of pain can help shift your focus and balance your senses. Focus on the physical sensation. This may seem counter-intuitive, but try to identify what it is you are feeling. Is the sensation hot, cold, burning, dull, localized or general? You may begin to experience the pain less as a permanent experience but more a changing of sensation. Be present with your experiences and in a state of observation. By focusing on physical sensation and not on “pain”, you can change the way you experience these feelings. Think of it as observing your body and not as experiencing pain. Changing your perception can help ease your mind and body from negative experiences. That way, it'll be less likely to get stuck in the thought cycle, “I'm in so much pain.” Fake feeling pain-free. The term “fake it til you make it” can even apply to pain. If in your mind you think things can only worse, don't be surprised if you start to feel more pain. The more you believe you are capable of being pain-free, the more capable you will be. Say to yourself, “I am improving every day” and “I feel less and less pain.” You can even say, “I do not experience the sensation of pain in my body” and “my body is functioning optimally.” Be kind to your body. Remind yourself that your body isn't turning against you, and that it is not purposefully hurting you. Treat your body with love, kindness, and respect, especially because it is in pain. Your body isn't purposefully causing you to suffer. Express love toward your body by treating it kindly, getting proper rest, and eating healthy foods to aid in recovery. Consult a pain specialist. You may want to consult with a pain specialist to address your chronic pain. Even if you prefer to “grin and bear it”, there may be non-prescriptive relief for the pain you experience, such as adjusting your posture or using a cushion or pillow. Some pain may not go away, and in fact may get worse with time. Listen to your body and seek medical intervention when necessary. Observe your thoughts. When experiencing pain, you may find yourself thinking, “this will never go away” or “I can't endure this.”When you have these thoughts, you allow yourself to experience the emotional reactions that accompany these thoughts, such as feeling bad for yourself, uncomfortable, angry, or fearful. Practice re-programming your thoughts, and find that your emotions begin to change, too. When you catch yourself in a negative thought, think of a different thought to replace it. Instead of thinking, “I am so miserable” think, “I am improving each day.” Instead of thinking, “The pain is unbearable”, think, “ I can handle this pain and focus my mind elsewhere.” Shift your attention. It's easy to focus on what hurts, but choose to focus your attention to a part of your body that is fully functioning and healthy. Perhaps you observe your hands and fingers moving effortlessly, or wiggle your toes. Relax as you observe and feel these sensations, allowing them to the dominant sensation you feel in your body. Even if pain feels overwhelming, this can remind you that your whole body is not in pain. You can even focus on the sensation of blinking your eyelids, how effortless it feels and how your body monitors this action on its own most of the time. Choose not to suffer. Suffering is a mindset based on reliving the past, blaming others, or telling yourself that you are miserable. Remember that suffering is relative and based on an emotional experience, not physical surroundings. While you cannot choose to experience a pain-free life, you can choose how you respond to the pain. Instead of thinking, “I have the worst luck ever”, say, “I' didn't chose this, but I will accept this situation and not feel bad for myself.” Create a practice or a ritual that allows you to practice not suffering. You may choose a mantra to say to yourself any time negative thoughts come up, such as “I choose to respond to physical sensation without having to suffer.” We spend most of our lives thinking it's okay to suffer, so give yourself time to adjust to this new mentality. Realize that your mindset may not change overnight, and there may be days you want to feel sorry for yourself. Be positive. Thinking positively helps you to live a happier, more stress-free life. Instead of focusing on the negatives in your life, focus on all that is positive. Focus on your recovery, the positive gains you are making, and the care you are receiving. Don't get trapped in polarized thinking, or seeing things as “all good” or “all bad”. if you blame yourself for your pain or for making bad decisions, remember that many factors influence each outcome. Allow yourself to say all sides, even the gray areas. Choose acceptance. While you may not like your present situation, you can accept what is out of your control. You can't, for example, take away your pain or injury, but you can accept its role in your reality. While acceptance isn't an easy practice, it helps you to diffuse stress and live with more peace. When pain and difficult feelings arise, take some deep breaths and say, “I do not enjoy what I am experiencing, but I accept that it is part of my life right now.” Focus on happiness. Don't spend your time thinking about what you're missing out on, or what you could be doing if you weren't in pain. Instead, focus on adding happiness to your life in this moment. Happiness is often found in the little things, or when you “stop and smell the roses.” When your spirits are low, look for happiness in the small things: a nice text from a friend, a warm cozy blanket to wrap up in, or sweet cat snuggles at home. Do things that bring you joy such as coloring, drawing, dancing, or playing with your dog. When you start to feel negative, engage in something that brings you pleasure, even if it's just sipping a cup of tea. Be grateful. You may find it difficult to find things to be grateful when you are in pain and feeling bad, but give it a shot. Gratefulness allows you to see beyond your current perceived negative experience and appreciate life from a wider vantage point. By being grateful, you can focus on more positive feelings and not on the pain or sad feelings. Start a gratitude journal and write down the things you are grateful for each day. This can include having clean laundry, eating a delicious meal, or finding a sale on an item you really like. Smile. Did you know that smiling has the ability to boost your mood? By smiling, you can start to increase feelings of happiness, just like happiness causes you to smile. Even if you're in pain and feel angry or upset, put a smile on your face and see if you start to experience the pain or negative emotions differently. Connect with the sensations associated with smiling and start to feel happiness wash over you. Laugh. Laughing relaxes your entire body, can improve your mood, and has mind and body benefits. You don't have to search too hard to find things to make you laugh: watch funny TV shows or video clips, invite good natured friends over for a game night, or read a funny book. Everyone has a different sense of humor, so do things that make you laugh, whatever they may be. Stay connected with friends. Don't isolate yourself in a time of need, reach out to your friends! Surround yourself with happy people that naturally maintain a positive attitude. Choose to spend time with people who laugh easily, smile frequently, and whom you feel good when around. If you are isolating, realize that isolation can contribute to feelings of depression. Contact with others is an important part of healthy living. Seek help. If you feel like your pain is too great to ignore or work through on your own, get some help. Whether the help you seek be seeing a therapist or talking to a friend, determine what would be most helpful for you. Remember that people love and care about you. If you feel chronically unhappy and don't feel like there's hope, you may experience symptoms of depression. For more information, see How to Know if You Have Depression and How to Deal with Depression. If you need help finding a therapist, check out How to Choose a Therapist. | Use guided imagery. Engage your other senses. Focus on the physical sensation. Fake feeling pain-free. Be kind to your body. Consult a pain specialist. Observe your thoughts. Shift your attention. Choose not to suffer. Be positive. Choose acceptance. Focus on happiness. Be grateful. Smile. Laugh. Stay connected with friends. Seek help. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Check-Your-Heart-Rate | How to Check Your Heart Rate | To check your heart rate, place your index and middle fingers on the side of your neck and press lightly until you feel a pulse. Alternatively, you can place two fingers on the inside of your wrist, just below the heel of your hand. Once you feel a pulse, use a stopwatch or a clock application on your phone to count the beats for 60 seconds, since heart rate is measured in beats per minute. The average resting heart rate for an adult is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. If your heart rate is consistently above 100, you should contact your doctor. | Find your pulse. Place two fingers (your index and middle fingers) on your neck in the space between your windpipe on the front and the big muscle on the side of your neck, called the sternocleidomastoid. This is your carotid artery, and it is usually the easiest place to check your heart beat. Press lightly until you feel a pulse. Alternatively, you can place two fingers on the outer part of your inner wrist, just under where your thumb and palm curve into your wrist. This is called your radial pulse, which may be fainter or more difficult to find. You can also find your pulse by placing two fingers on the side of your wrist below your pinky finger. This is called your ulnar pulse and is usually even more faint than the radial. Do not use your thumb, as you may feel a slight pulse from the finger itself. This can mess up your readings. Count the beats. With your index and middle fingers pressed gently against your pulse, use a stopwatch or clock to count the beats you feel in 60 seconds. Since heart rates are calculated in beats per minute, you'll need to know how many of your own beats you feel in one minute's time. Make sure that you are sitting still while counting because strenuous activity can cause your heart rate to rise and give you an inaccurate reading. You can also count the beats that occur in 30 seconds and multiply by two, count the beats in 20 seconds and multiply by three, or count the beats that occur in 15 seconds and multiply by four. However, these methods aren't quite as accurate as counting the beats for a full minute. Analyze the results. For a normal adult, including seniors, the average resting heart rate falls somewhere between 60 and 100 beats per minute. If your resting heart rate is consistently above 100 beats/minute, you may want to contact your doctor. If your resting heart rate is usually under 60 (and you are not a trained athlete), you should consider consulting with your doctor – especially if you ever feel faint, dizzy, or short of breath. For children under the age of ten, the average heart rate is around 75-115 beats per minute. Wear a fitness tracker. An electronic fitness tracker (usually in the form of a watch that you wear on your wrist) can be an excellent way to track your heart rate. In addition to keeping track of your daily steps taken and activity levels, most of these trackers also keep record of your sleeping patterns, heart rate, and even allow you to log in your calories consumed. Each model of fitness tracker comes with a variety of features. Make sure the one you purchase has a heart rate feature before you buy it. Some of the most popular fitness trackers with heart rate monitoring include the Fitbit Charge 2, the Garmin Vivosmart HR+, the TomTom Spark 3, and the Garmin Forerunner 35. Wear another kind of heart rate monitoring device. There are a variety of heart rate monitors on the market. While the fitness trackers may be the most popular, they aren't necessarily the most accurate. You can try a band that goes around your chest to monitor your heart rate for the highest levels of reliability. You can even consider arm band monitors, earphone monitors, and headband monitors. Make an appointment with your doctor. If you are concerned about your heart rate, the most accurate way to measure it is by letting a medical professional handle it. Make an appointment to see your doctor and tell them what symptoms you are experiencing that are causing you concern. Your doctor may check your heart rate with a stethoscope in your chest, using their fingers on your wrist, or by placing a finger sensor on the tip of your finger. Watch for warning signs. Cardiac disease can be quite serious and alarming, which is why it is important to monitor your symptoms closely. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your doctor or emergency medical services immediately (depending on the severity): Chest pain Shortness of breath (for no apparent reason) Back pain Neck pain Fluttering in your chest Lightheadedness Racing or unusually slow heartbeat Fainting Notice any irregularities. Any kind of irregularity in your heart rate or pulse is called an arrhythmia. If your heart rate speeds up for no reason, seems to skip a beat, or beats irregularly, you should contact your doctor to discuss the issue. Even if your heart beats quite fast – for example, at 100 beats per minute on average – this is still fine as long as this is normal for you. What you should be concerned about is any change or irregularity in your heart rate. Stress, caffeine, alcohol and some medications such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors and others can affect your heart rate. Monitor your heart rate over time. Continue to monitor your heart rate over a long period of time so that you can begin to understand what is normal for you. Check your heart rate after exercising, while sleeping (with a fitness tracker), and while you are sitting/resting. Understanding how your own pulse typically functions in a variety of circumstances will help you notice anything out of the ordinary in the future. You may want to consider keeping a heart rate journal so that you can document your heart rate at various times and refer back to it later. Get a diagnosis from your doctor. Your doctor will be able to tell you if there is any problem with your heart. If your doctor is concerned, they may ask you to monitor your heart rate over a period of time and report back to them. Your doctor may also investigate your heart health with a variety of tests like an electrocardiogram (EKG), echocardiogram (echo), or a cardiac computerized tomography (CT) scan. A doctor may ever prescribe an electronic heart monitor (Holter monitor) for you if they are concerned about your heart rate or some possible irregularities. Usually this is a portable monitor that attaches to your chest with electrodes that you will need to wear for two weeks or so, while your doctor monitors your results. | Find your pulse. Count the beats. Analyze the results. Wear a fitness tracker. Wear another kind of heart rate monitoring device. Make an appointment with your doctor. Watch for warning signs. Notice any irregularities. Monitor your heart rate over time. Get a diagnosis from your doctor. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Lose-Weight-in-3-Days | How to Lose Weight in 3 Days | One of the only ways to lose weight in 3 days is by losing water weight. Start by limiting your sodium intake to 1-1.5 grams per day, and avoid canned or prepackaged food. Then, drink at least 1 gallon of water each day, adding some lemon to act as a diuretic. At night, get at least 7-9 hours of sleep to lower cortisol levels. During these 3 days, refrain from exercising, which can cause your body to hold onto water weight. | Try the “3-Day Diet. ” The 3-Day Diet, sometimes referred to as The Military Diet, is a three day diet plan with a strict breakfast, lunch, and dinner regimen. Proponents of this method recommend following the meal plans as closely as possible, and then returning to a more normalized 1,500 calorie diet for the remainder of the week. Breakfast for day 1 consists of: 1 cup (.25 liters) of unsweetened black coffee or tea 1 slice of toast, preferably whole wheat 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of peanut butter 1/2 grapefruit Lunch for day 1 consists of: 1 cup (.25 liters) of unsweetened black coffee or tea 1 slice of toast, preferably whole wheat 1/2 can of tuna Dinner for day 1 consists of: 3 ounces (85 grams – about the size of a deck of playing cards) of any meat 1 cup (340 grams) green beans, steamed or raw 1/2 banana 1 small apple 1 cup (.25 liters) of vanilla ice cream (yay, dessert!) Breakfast for day 2 consists of: 1 egg, cooked however you prefer 1 slice of toast, preferably whole wheat 1/2 banana Lunch for day 2 consists of: 1 hardboiled egg 1 cup (.25 liters) of cottage cheese.7 ounces (20 grams) of baked sweet potato chips Dinner for day 2 consists of: 2 hotdogs (without any hotdog buns) 1 cup (340 grams) of broccoli 1/2 cup (170 grams) of carrots 1/2 banana 1/2 cup (.12 liters) of vanilla ice cream (dessert again, yes!) Breakfast for day 3 consists of: 1 small apple 1 slice of cheddar cheese.7 ounces (20 grams) of baked sweet potato chips Lunch for day 3 consists of: 1 egg, cooked however you prefer 1 slice of toast, preferably whole wheat Dinner for day 3 consists of: 1 cup (340 grams) of tuna 1/2 banana 1 cup (.25 liters) of vanilla ice cream (dessert trifecta!) Consider a 3-day fast. Some research has shown that drinking only water and limiting yourself to less than 200 calories per day for only 3 days can help you reboot your immune system in addition to dropping some quick pounds. This form of “forced starvation” depletes your energy reserves (in the form of glycogen), which triggers your body to recycle and then create new immune cells once you finish the fast. Warning! Fasting can be harmful, especially for young or old people, or for those with other health problems. If you're seriously thinking of trying a 3-day fast, you should consult your doctor first. Hold the salt. Sodium helps to store water in the body, and limiting your intake of salt and other foods high in sodium can help you get rid of extra girth-widening water weight. Limit your daily sodium intake to 1-1.5 grams (.04-.05 oz) a day. (Less than 2.3 grams, or.09 oz, is the medically recommended amount for those under 50). Avoid canned and prepackaged foods, including sauces and dressings. These types of preserved foods often rely on salt as a preservative and are thus packed full of sodium. Drop deli meats and cold cuts. These are also packed with sodium. Skimp on the salt when cooking. Cut down on cheese. Cheese is high in salt. Drink water. It's important to stay hydrated. Get lots of water. It might seem counter-intuitive, but drinking a lot of water is quite important when you're trying to lose water weight. Drinking about a gallon (3.8 liters) of water throughout the day will help to normalize your hydration levels and keep you fluids in balance. Add some lemon to your water. Lemon can act as a digestive aid and diuretic, which can help with both water retention and bloat. Go for that second cup of coffee or tea. These drinks can act as diuretics, which means they stimulate your body to release more water. Get lots of rest and sleep. Besides sodium, the levels of cortisol in the body also affect water retention. Make sure your cortisol levels are in check by getting at least 7-9 hours of sleep a night. Try scaling back on your exercise activities for 3 days. Exercise can actually elevate cortisol. Relax and de-stress with calming tea, soothing music, meditation, and breathing exercises. These can all help chill you out and bring down your cortisol levels. Take an anti-gas pill. While it is not recommended to turn to water shedding or "diet" pills, you can safely try taking one over-the-counter anti-gas pill to reduce excess air, gas, or other forms of intestinal bloat for a quick slimming effect. Try a magnesium supplement. If you don't have gastrointestinal issues, try taking a magnesium supplement to help clear out your gut. Do some stomach-specific stretches. This will help to elongate and relax your stomach muscles. Try bending both of your knees into your stomach while lying on the floor. In some cases, this posture can temporarily improve your bowel function. Focus on your posture, too. Try to sit and stand up straight and don't hunch over or collapse your stomach. This can cause your stomach to seize and cramp up. Make some dietary changes. Changing what and when you eat can help you banish the bloat. Avoid beans, the notoriously gassy musical fruit. Eat smaller meals, slowly, and more frequently throughout the day to avoid bloating up when you eat. Go for protein smoothies, yogurt, and low sodium soups instead of solid food. Liquids are easier to digest and don't pouch out your stomach as much as solid meals. Throw some fiber-rich fruit into your smoothies and yogurt to help move things along in (and out of) your intestines. Avoid carbonated beverages and chewing gum. The bubbles in these drinks can bloat you up, and you ingest a lot of extra air when you chew gum. Don’t skip breakfast. This really is the most important meal of the day, even when you're trying to lose weight. Focus on eating lean protein (eggs or low-fat Greek yogurt) for breakfast as a way to jump-start your metabolism, stay fuller longer, and help you burn calories throughout the day. Veg out on veggies. Eating fiber-rich fresh vegetables as part of your meals and as snacks will help you curb hunger and eat less throughout the day. Drink lots of water. Skip sugary types of drinks and stick to pure, simple water. Drink 8 ounces (.25 liters) of water before every meal to help you feel full even before you start eating. Water also helps boost your metabolism and aid in digestion. Be sure to drink at least 64 ounces (1.9 liters) of water every day. Try infusing your water with non-sugary flavor sources, like fresh mint, basil, or cucumber slices to make hydration more palatable. Avoid liquid calories. High calorie drinks can be dangerous in that you end up consuming more calories that you notice. Try to limit drinks like sugary juices, sweetened coffee or tea, and alcoholic beverages. Cut back on “problem foods. ” The biggest “problem foods” are solid fats, added sugars, salts, and starches. These count for more than 800 of our daily calories, and we often consume them without even noticing! Pay attention to food labels and avoid products with solid, trans, and saturated fats as well as added sugars. Eliminate fast foods and refined grains (white bread, for example) which are loaded with fats and often pumped full of extra, unnecessary sugars. Limiting salt and starches will help you reduce fluid retention and shed water weight, which is great for a quick slim-down fix. Control your portions. It's just as important to consider how much food you're eating, in addition to what kinds of foods you're eating. Try to cut back on your portions to save calories, and follow these basic guidelines for portion control: Eat 5-6.5 ounces (142-184 grams) of lean (not fatty) proteins like chicken, beans, and fish. Eat 5-8 ounces (142-227 grams) of grains, with 1/2 from whole grains. Eat 1.5-2 cups (.35-.5 liters) of fruits. Eat 2.5-3.5 cups (.6-.8 liters) of vegetables. Consume 3 cups (.7 liters) of nonfat or low-fat diary. Eat no more than 5-7 teaspoons (25-35 ml) of oils (try to get these from plant and protein sources). Eat no more than 121 calories from solid fats and added sugars. Eat smaller meals more often. Instead of having just a few big meals in a day, spread out your food into several smaller sized meals. This will help keep your blood sugars and metabolism up, and reduce the temptation for snacking in between meals. Focus on cardio. Cardiovascular exercises, like running, swimming, or aerobics, burns more calories which is ideal for quick weight loss. Always consult your doctor before you begin a new exercise (or diet) routine. Be sure to break a sweat after you finish warming up, and keep the intensity up for an hour of cardio work. Try including intervals, which are short bursts of high-intensity, in your workout. Aim for 70 minutes of cardio exercise a day for 3 days to melt away fat. . Work in weight-lifting Engaging in light weightlifting and strength training will help you build muscle and burn fat. Muscles eat up fat and calories, even when your're at rest. Don't go crazy when you first start to lift weights. You don't want to injure yourself. Instead, start with some basic weight lifting techniques. Go for max calorie burn. If you burn 500 calories more than you eat every day for week, you can expect to lose around 1-2 pounds. If you're eating between 1,000-1,200 calories a day and exercise for one hour per day, you can lose between 3-5 pounds. | Try the “3-Day Diet. Consider a 3-day fast. Hold the salt. Drink water. Get lots of rest and sleep. Take an anti-gas pill. Try a magnesium supplement. Do some stomach-specific stretches. Make some dietary changes. Don’t skip breakfast. Veg out on veggies. Drink lots of water. Avoid liquid calories. Cut back on “problem foods. Control your portions. Eat smaller meals more often. Focus on cardio. . Go for max calorie burn. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Worrying-About-Bad-Things-That-Could-Happen-to-You-or-Your-Family | How to Stop Worrying About Bad Things That Could Happen to You or Your Family | If you can't stop worrying about bad things and it's causing a lot of stress, take a moment to write each anxious thought on a piece of paper while telling yourself, “I don't have time to think about this right now. I'll write it down and think about it later.” This will let you focus on a task in the moment, and then you can schedule a time period each day to worry without judging yourself. You can also make some time to cry either alone or with a friend to help wash away your negative emotions. | Make a worry list. As each anxious thought appears, record it on a piece of paper. Say to yourself, "I don't have time to think about this right now. I'll write it down and I can think about it later." There will be a time and a place to worry about yourself and your loved ones later. You don't need to worry about forgetting because each thought is recorded on your list. Create a worry period. Choose a set time and place for worrying about the bad things that could happen. Give yourself permission to worry freely during this time each day. This is your worry period. What you think about is entirely up to you. You don't need to edit or limit yourself. Whether your thoughts are productive or unproductive doesn't really matter. If an anxious thought about yourself or your family comes up during the day, try to set it aside. Tell yourself that you will be able to think it through later, during your worry time. This will get easier with practice. It should be roughly the same time each day (e.g. from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m.). It should also be early enough that it won't make you anxious right before bedtime. It is important that when your worry period is up, you actually stop worrying. Get up and go do something else to help take your mind off the fears you were just mulling over. Stay busy. When you find yourself beginning to worry about what could happen, look at your to-do list. If you don't have a list, begin one. List your goals and the steps to meet them. Begin with simple tasks, like cooking dinner or doing the laundry. Try to focus on one task at a time. Improve your distress tolerance. Distress tolerance refers to how well you can handle uncomfortable, negative, or distressing emotions. Think about how you react when you imagine something bad happening to your family — do you panic and frantically try to stop your feelings of fear and anxiety? Do you run from the feelings or bury them? Do you do something destructive? Increasing your tolerance for these uncomfortable feelings can give you room to deal with them in a healthy way. In fact, the act of worrying can be a way of avoiding distressing emotions. If you're in your head, worrying about something bad that may happen to your family, you are actually distracting yourself from your emotions. Your worry may be a way you distract yourself from anxiety over things you can't control. Learn to self-soothe in the face of distress. When you begin to worry about your family, figure out what you can do to make the emotion more tolerable. This doesn't mean you run from the feeling, but you make it less intense so you can deal with it. Try some of the following: Exercise, dance, clean the house, listen to soothing music, look at artwork or something beautiful, play with your pet, do a puzzle or play a game, watch your favorite TV show, volunteer, take a shower or a bubble bath, pray, read a book, laugh, sing, go somewhere beautiful and calming. Start noticing the things you do that make you feel better, and the things that make you feel worse (such as binge eating, isolating yourself in your room, etc.). Work on accepting uncertainty. Oftentimes people think worrying is productive — if you are hyper-vigilant about everything that might happen to your family, then you might be able to protect them from anything that might harm them. Unfortunately, this doesn't work — this doesn't make life more predictable. Instead, you just waste time and energy, as you can never know with 100% certainty what will happen in life. Realize that worrying about worst-case scenarios ("What if my dad gets cancer and dies?" "What if my plane crashes?") doesn't have the power to stop these things from happening. Ask yourself: Is it possible to be certain about everything in life? Does worrying constantly about something bad happening have any advantages? Does it keep me from enjoying the present moment? Can I accept that there is a small chance something bad will happen, but the actual likelihood of it happening is very low? Practice habituation. This means you become habituated, or grow used to, your worries. For 30 minutes you visualize what you're afraid of — your family dying in a car crash, for instance — and accept the feelings that arise instead of trying to avoid them or run away. The goal of this is to allow your anxiety to calm down and to come to a place of acceptance. It will also help you begin to distinguish between solvable problems and those over which you have no control. Ask yourself these questions, suggested by HelpGuide.org: Is the problem something I'm currently facing, rather than an imaginary what-if? If the problem is an imaginary what-if, how likely is it to happen? Is my concern realistic? Can I do something about the problem or prepare for it, or is it out of my control? If you recognize that, no, there's nothing you can do to eliminate the chances of your family getting injured or killed in a car accident (or other worry), you can work on accepting uncertainty about the situation. Remembering: worrying is not an action. Worrying about a car accident won't somehow prevent a car accident. If you feel the problem is solvable, try to define the problem, brainstorm potential solutions, and make an action plan to start actively doing something, instead of simply worrying. Talk to a therapist. Taking the steps to speak to a health care professional doesn't need to be a last resort. Sometimes just speaking your worries about yourself or your family out loud to someone who has no connection to the problem can really help. Look for providers in your area that offer sliding scale rates, and make yourself an appointment. Cry it out. There is nothing like a good cry to wash away your negative emotions. Research shows that after you finish crying, your heart rate slows, your breathing slows, and you enter a state of relaxation. This relaxed state tends to last longer than the time you spent crying. So if you feel so worried about your family that you could just cry, go ahead. Cry alone or with a friend. Make sure you're in an appropriate place (embarrassment won't help). Call a friend. Friends can be an excellent source of support. They can give you their perspectives and help you to sort out yours. They can help you see if your fears about yourself or your family are rational or not. Simply by speaking your fear out loud to a real person, you may find the anxiety start to dissipate. It may help to set a "connection goal," such as calling one friend per week. If you can't bring yourself to actually call, write an email instead. Reduce stress. While you can never eliminate stress from your life completely, you can take steps to reduce the stressors in your life. Learn to say "no." Don't say "yes" to that dinner with your friend when you know you'll be working late to meet a deadline or agree to take on another project when you're already swamped. Learn to distinguish between the things you "must" do and the things you feel you "should" do. Change your situation. Are you a ball of stress by the time you arrive at work because traffic has you so frustrated? Find an alternate route, take the train, or see if you can start your day early to avoid the gridlock. Identify small changes you can make in your environment and everyday life to eliminate unnecessary stress. Spend less time with people who stress you out. Maybe you can't eliminate these people from your life — it could be your mom or your boss or co-worker who stresses you out the most — but try to limit your contact with these people as much as possible. Tell your mom you'll call her once a week, but you're too busy to talk every day. Avoid a stressful coworker as much as possible. Find reasons to excuse yourself from his presence. Meditate. Mediation does not mean to sit with an empty mind. Instead, meditation is about witnessing your thoughts as they come and go, but not judging them. Doing this for a few minutes each day can significantly reduce your anxiety about things that could happen to you. Try sitting in a comfortable spot and taking deep breaths. As you do this, imagine each of your thoughts is a bubble that floats out of you toward the ceiling and pops. Listening to a guided mediation can also help. Eat chocolate. Giving yourself a yummy treat is a wonderful distraction from your worries. In addition, chocolate has been shown to reduce cortisol (the stress hormone that causes anxiety symptoms). The compounds found in dark chocolate can actually improve your mood. Get enough sleep. If you chronically worry about your family, this may be easier said than done. However, if you regularly let yourself stay up late, you may be feeding your own anxiety. Research has shown that people who go to bed earlier are less likely to be burdened by anxious thoughts. Try tucking in a bit earlier. Adults should get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night. Teenagers need between eight and 10 hours, and school-age children should get nine to 11 hours. Practice gratitude. If you are worried about bad things happening to yourself or your family, it means that you love yourself and you love your family! In other words, you have a lot to be grateful for! Anytime you feel worry coming on, stop and count five of your blessings. Some example may include: your family, your health, nice weather, some time to yourself, or a satisfying meal. | Make a worry list. Create a worry period. Stay busy. Improve your distress tolerance. Work on accepting uncertainty. Practice habituation. Talk to a therapist. Cry it out. Call a friend. Reduce stress. Meditate. Eat chocolate. Get enough sleep. Practice gratitude. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Release-Negative-Emotional-Energy | How to Release Negative Emotional Energy | Releasing negative emotional energy can seem hard, but if you use relaxation techniques like meditation and exercise, you'll notice that your emotions naturally pass. If you feel a negative emotion, try deep breathing. Just breathe deeply in through your nose and out through your mouth, imagining the negativity leaving you. You can also try meditation, which involves sitting still with your eyes closed and watching your thoughts and feelings as they come and go. Alternatively, take a walk or do some other exercise. This releases endorphins in your body, which naturally helps you feel better. Or, do another hobby you enjoy. This will help you turn your negative energy into something positive. | Take a break. Everyone has days when it seems like nothing goes right. Maybe you are dealing with a stressful event in your life, relationship, or work, or maybe you just feel drained from the daily grind. Sometimes it can be very helpful to take a timeout. Take a few moments to yourself to honor your feelings and let go of sad, painful, frustrating, or negative emotions. Some situations —if the negative emotional energy is due to an argument, for instance—make it harder to get up and walk away without being rude. In these situations, always be polite and suggest a time to begin talking again. Attract the right crowd. Look around. See what kind of people influence your thoughts. Whom do you hang out more often? Choose the right friends and accept the right thoughts from them. Practice belly breathing. You can practice belly breathing anywhere. Breathe deeply into your belly and notice how your body responds. Notice places in your body that are tense and feel them relax. Try closing your eyes and breathing in slowly through your nose. Continue filling your lungs, fully expanding your chest and lower belly. Finally, breathe out slowly and naturally—your mouth or nose is fine. Let go of all your worries with that long exhalation. You can also throw in a small affirmation, such as, “Let go.” On your inhales, say to yourself “let,” and on your exhales, say or think to yourself “go.” Try not to think about or analyze the negative energy you are feeling—simply let it go. Dragon breathing is another type of deep breathing that you may find helpful. Use the same deep breathing technique but picture your negative energy as a cloud of grey smoke that you exhale with every breath. You can also picture yourself inhaling a calming color energy, like a blue mist, with each inhale. Take a walk. You can walk anywhere—around your home, your workplace, or just a quick jaunt around the block. Moving your body can help trigger positive emotional feelings and help elevate your mood in general. Think about your feet consciously hitting the ground as you walk and imagine the negative energy flowing through your feet right into the ground. You can also integrate your belly breathing and visualization work into your walk to enhance releasing negativity. Laugh. Laughing is one of the easiest steps you can take to help combat your body's stress response. Laughter additionally aids in muscle relaxation, and it can help promote mood improvements for those feeling anxious or depressed. Take a few minutes to tell your favorite joke, remember the best prank you've ever pulled on a friend, or simply pull up your favorite YouTube video that always makes you laugh. Relax. Take a hot shower or bath. Light candles in your environment and focus on creating a calm space for yourself. Listen to relaxing music, meditate, or use visualization techniques to completely relax your body. If you are able, book a massage for yourself. Even if you can't go immediately get the massage, it will still give you something relaxing to look forward to later, which can help with your negative energy. Vent. Sometimes it can help to just get the negativity off your chest. Ask a friend if he or she has time to talk and listen. Be respectful and mindful of your friendships, but also remember that helping you deal with negative energy and feelings in your life is part of what friends are for. Ensure you vent as a release rather than as a way to keep yourself riled up about an issue. Venting in an overly angry or spiteful way can actually reinforce negative feelings rather than help dissipate them. Also remember not to see venting as a problem-solving technique, but simply a way to release steam before taking a calmer, more proactive approach to the source of your negativity. Dance. Put on some music that makes you feel like moving and dance. Try to stay out of your head. Instead, let the beat of the music and the movement of your body shake out tension, negativity, and stress. If dancing in private makes you feel more comfortable, find places you can dance without feeling self conscious. Dancing can help your body literally shake off negativity. Try stretching. You can do simple stretches at your comfort and ability level. Start with a few belly breaths. Raise your hands above your heads and just stretch from head to toe. You can do this stretch sitting, standing, or even laying down. Imagine the negative energy flowing out through your feet with each breath. Stretching practices such as yoga have been shown to help with releasing negative energy related to stress, anxiety, depression, and more. When attempting stretching or yoga, always listen to your body and never push yourself into doing something that hurts or feels too tight. Go with the flow, feel your body, and allow yourself to release. For more information on getting started with yoga, check out How to Do Yoga for Absolute Beginners. Treat yourself to something you enjoy. Explore activities that help to give you a break from focusing on the negative energy that is weighing you down. Make a conscious choice to honor that you are feeling weighed down by negative energy, and then acknowledge that you will care for your emotional well being by being kind, positive, and caring toward yourself. Go see a movie that you have been wanting to see, make plans to see a show you've been wanting to see, eat at your favorite restaurant, buy yourself a gift, or make plans with a friend who makes you laugh and lifts your spirits. Play with a pet. If you are an animal person, using the warmth and innocence of animals or pets may help relieve feelings of negativity overload. Puppies and kittens certainly have a way of lifting moods and allowing room for positive emotions. If you don't have a pet, maybe you have a friend who has a pet you are fond of, or you could visit the local humane society or animal rescue. If you don't really like animals that much in real life, you could watch cute internet videos about baby animals. Turn to a hobby. If you have a favorite hobby that's available to you in the moment, turn to it. Take some time for yourself and indulge in your hobby, even if just for five minutes. Start journaling. Make it private so you feel free to write honestly. Every night, make entries about people, places, world events, life events, or anything else that triggered negative energy over the course of your day. Write freely and honestly about why you felt negative. Look for patterns. Monitor your journal for emerging patterns to your negativity. This will begin to give you a roadmap of what you are sensitive to, what is causing your distress, and if there are things that are outside of your control over or if you find yourself writing about things that you have the capacity to change. For example, maybe you find yourself writing about how much you hate your job. Use your journal to guide your thoughts about what kinds of changes you could make in your life to reduce the daily negative energy you feel at your job. Take an honest look at your relationships. Toxic interpersonal relationships can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, and other negative emotions. Discuss with your friends or family, anyone close to you. Question everything you feel about the person you are with. Is he/she the right match for you? Is the relationship causing this pain and anxiety? Try resolving the issue by having a healthy conversation with your partner. Try letting go if it's not something you are not looking for. Also, examine how you interact with the people in your life. Determine if your personal or social life is a source of negative energy. Don't make the examination about placing blame but simply explore what your relationships bring to your emotional energy. If you identify relationships that seem to bring mostly negativity, ask how you can make changes to those relationships. Some of the most common signs of a toxic interpersonal relationship include viewing the person primarily with contempt and through a critical lens, taking unnecessary steps to avoid the person, and feeling as though even good times with the person end up hopelessly swallowed by the other negative interactions. Take an honest look at yourself. Are you taking on negative energy that isn't yours? Examine the ways that you allow yourself to soak up negative energy, take responsibility for things that aren't your fault, blame yourself for things you had no control over, engage in negative self-talk, or if you view yourself in a negative light in general. Consider using your journal to create a concrete way to become aware of yourself and your own negative thinking. What are you holding on to? What can't you forgive? What grudges do you keep alive? What are you angry about? What do you need to focus on letting go? Practice meditation. Daily meditation may make it easier on a regular basis to release negative energy, as well as creating more self-awareness and creating resilience to negative energy in general. Sitting for ten minutes a day counts as a meditation practice. Even if you don't focus on your breathing the whole time, don't get discouraged. Try to remember that just sitting is the practice. Imagine your thoughts are like cars on a highway, and as you breathe, you are just observing your thoughts race by. Keep a list of accomplishments. Start making lists every day of things you did that you were proud of. Use that list as motivation for the next day. You can also explore things you could have done or said differently that would have resulted in less negative energy. Explore your own actions and reactions and begin to feel confident in your ability to make decisions that will allow you to release negative energy. For example, say you experienced road rage that day and felt a lot of negative energy while driving. Did you allow yourself to stay angry or did you practice some belly breathing and help yourself let go? Maintain perspective. Remember that feeling negative emotions is often healthy and natural. Accepting that life is difficult, that things will be challenging, and that problems will arise is a huge step toward building a resilient attitude. It's natural to feel negative feelings from time to time. Instead, maintain perspective on the fact that how you deal with the associated emotions is what matters. Keep in mind that whatever the situation, you are equipped to handle what life throws at you. For example, if you lost your job, you could reframe your negativity and anger into an underlying awareness that life is about doing, you will find another opportunity, and you will make things work. You never know what life has in store, and sometimes the most difficult things we experience turn out to be for the best. Incorporate a sense of spirituality. Spirituality can help you make sense of tragedy, feel comforted, and help you gain illumination and meaning on your journey. Spirituality can mean whatever it needs to mean to you. Developing a sense of connection to the world in a healthy way that gives you a sense of life outside yourself is really the biggest goal. Explore what resonates with you and what doesn't. When exploring spiritual avenues, always listen to what feels right for you. If faith isn't something you are interested in, Buddhism offers a deeply spiritual way to connect with the world without any belief systems whatsoever. Some situations —if the negative emotional energy is due to an argument, for instance—It is impossible or hard to get up and walk away. In these situations, be polite, take a long pause, think your words over, and then respond. Mind your tone as well. | Take a break. Attract the right crowd. Practice belly breathing. Take a walk. Laugh. Relax. Vent. Dance. Try stretching. Treat yourself to something you enjoy. Play with a pet. Turn to a hobby. Start journaling. Look for patterns. Take an honest look at your relationships. Take an honest look at yourself. Practice meditation. Keep a list of accomplishments. Maintain perspective. Incorporate a sense of spirituality. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Do-All-Your-Chores-Within-30-Minutes | How to Do All Your Chores Within 30 Minutes | If you want to finish your chores within 30 minutes, you can quickly make your room seem cleaner by simply making your bed! Next, pick up any stray clothes and shoes and put them back where they belong, making sure to put dirty items into a hamper and clean items back into the closet. If you have dirty dishes lying around, don't forget to return them to the kitchen. Additionally, you can try opening a window to get rid of any odors and to freshen up the room. | Clean your bathroom. Clear everything off of your sink, toilet and the ledge of your bathtub. Spray these areas down with your cleaning product of choice and then give each area a quick scrub. Return everything you moved back to your sink, toilet, and tub. Grab any dirty linens and throw them directly in the washing machine or laundry hamper. Scrubbing Bubbles is a great all-purpose product for bathroom cleaning. Allocate ten minutes to clean your bathroom. If you have time, wipe down the bathroom mirrors as well. Clean your bedroom. Concentrate on making your bed; once your bed is made, your whole room will look far tidier. Pick up loose clothes and shoes and return them to their rightful places. If you have dirty dishes lying around, return those to the kitchen. Allocate five minutes to clean your bedroom. Save time off your bed making by leaving the flat sheet untucked - hospital corners take a long time to construct and your comforter will cover them anyway, Open windows as you go to eliminate odors and get a nice cross-breeze going. Straighten out your living room. Rearrange your couch cushions and throw blankets. Consolidate any remote controls to one area and straighten up loose magazines and books. If there are any dirty dishes or loose pieces of clothing, return them to the kitchen and bedroom respectively. Tuck a trash bag into your pants so you don't have to keep running between the room you're cleaning and the garbage. Allocate five minutes to clean the living room. Do your dishes. The most obvious sign of a messy kitchen is a pile of dirty dishes. If you have a dishwasher, load it immediately. If not, pile all the dishes into the sink and let the hot water run. While the water runs, wipe down all the surfaces in the kitchen using a rag and some disinfectant. When your surfaces are wiped, wash the dishes and load them into the drying rack. Allocate ten minutes to clean your kitchen. Empty the trash you've been carrying around from the living room into your kitchen trash can. If your pots and pans are scorched through, fill the pans with water and a cup of vinegar, then allow them to simmer on the stove. Remove the pan from the stove, add two tablespoons of baking soda, then scrub the pans till they're clean. If your backsplash is covered in oil from cooking, use a damp paper towel with some soap to cut through the grease. Set time limits. If you have more than one chore to accomplish within 30 minutes, you need to be conscious of how long it takes to complete each chore. If you have six chores to do in that time, find six songs lasting five minutes each and make a playlist. Play the playlist while you work and as soon as the song changes, switch tasks. Make sure you've completed each task to the best of your ability before moving onto the next one. If you have fewer chores, choose longer songs or set a timer for the amount of time it takes to do each chore. Use fun as motivation. If your favorite TV show comes on at a certain time, start your chores thirty minutes before that time. That way, you'll be motivated to finish your chores within those thirty minutes in order to catch your show. Swap chores with a sibling. Doing the same tasks over and over can be boring, so switching up your routine keeps things fresh. Ask your sibling if you can trade chores for the week; if they usually empty the dishwasher, ask if you can swap your laundry chore for that task. However you want to mix it up, switching chores will make the work more challenging and interesting. If you're going to trade chores, make sure you both hold up your end of the bargain. The work still needs to get done. If you're spending time cleaning their room, be respectful of their property. If you betray their trust, they may not want to trade chores again. Turn chores into a game. Just because you have work to do doesn't mean you can't make the work fun. Turn your chores into a race with your siblings or parents to see who can get their work done the fastest. Turn on some music and have a dance party while you work. Whatever it takes to make your chores more enjoyable, do that. You can't win the game if your work is done sloppily, so make sure to be thorough. Ask your parents to help you find a phone app that tracks and rewards chore performance. Check out Chore Wars, which gives you experience points for completing household tasks. Do your toughest chores on Monday. Monday is the first day of the week, so your productivity and energy are at an all-time high. Use your thirty minutes on Monday to vacuum the main rooms (living room, kitchen, dining room, etc.), do laundry and pick up anything in a room that doesn't belong there. To save time, throw laundry directly in the washing machine, instead of in the hamper. Leave the machine running as you do other things. As you start to vacuum each week, the length of time it will take to complete this chore will decrease. Soon, you'll be deep cleaning less and maintaining your clean more. Clean your bathrooms on Tuesday. A bathroom deep-clean includes scrubbing your toilet, mirrors, sink, and shower. You'll also need to mop the floors, remove any debris that is lying around and change out any old towels or linens that are lying around. To save even more time, leave cleaning product and a rag in your shower and clean your shower as you use it. For bonus points, spray your shower down after every use. This will make your weekly bathroom cleaning sessions go by much faster. Cut a grapefruit in half, sprinkle salt on it, and use it to help get soap scum out of your bathtub. Use Wednesday to clean all surfaces. Start by dusting everything, then wipe down all tables, windows, mirrors, etc. End by thoroughly vacuuming everything you didn't already vacuum on Monday. If your floors need to be mopped, mop them after vacuuming. Always start with dusting; otherwise, you'll get dust on your newly cleaned floors. If you're mopping, mix a floor cleaning product (like Pine Sol) in with your mop water for the ultimate shine on your floors. Use an already used dryer sheet to dust. The anti-static will help repel dust. Tidy up on Thursdays. Whatever is left lying around by Thursday needs to be organized and put away. If your house is pretty clean at this point in the week, use this day to focus in on a particular area, like an overflowing closet or messy cupboard. Don't be afraid to get rid of stuff you don't use. Donate it to charity or throw it out, but if you're not using it, it's got to go. Strategically place bins or baskets in each room to corral random items. This will make each room look cleaner and more polished, and will also help you cut down on the time you spend cleaning up. Clean as you go. The more you get in the habit of cleaning each mess as you make it, the less the messes will pile up. If you make dinner, wash the dishes as you cook. If there are clothes all over your bedroom floor, pick them up before going to bed. If you allow a mess to pile up and sit, it will look much more intimidating than if you take care of it early and often. Never leave a room empty-handed. If you see something that doesn't belong, take it with you. If your house has two floors, make a rule that you never go upstairs empty-handed; always bring something with you that needs to be put away upstairs. Institute the one-minute rule: if something takes less a minute to do, do it right now. Clean your microwave in five minutes. Cut two lemons in half and place them in a glass dish with some water. Microwave the water until it starts to boil, then allow the bowl to cool in the microwave for a moment. The steam from the bowl should allow you to easily wipe away the mess in your microwave. Allow the water to boil while you wipe down your counters and appliances for a five-minute kitchen clean. Keep an eye on the water in the bowl to make sure it doesn't boil over. Otherwise, it will take you twice as long to clean up. Set a timer. The key to getting everything done within your thirty-minute timeframe is to stay focused. For the thirty minutes your timer is on, you only do the chores and tasks you have assigned. Do not allow yourself to get distracted by e-mails, texts or anything else. Work as hard as you can for the thirty minutes allotted, and when your time is up, move on to something else. Reward yourself with a treat or fun activity for completing your work. Invite friends over to help (but keep in mind, you may end up having to help with their chores as well.) | Clean your bathroom. Clean your bedroom. Straighten out your living room. Do your dishes. Set time limits. Swap chores with a sibling. Turn chores into a game. Do your toughest chores on Monday. Clean your bathrooms on Tuesday. Use Wednesday to clean all surfaces. Tidy up on Thursdays. Clean as you go. Clean your microwave in five minutes. Set a timer. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-the-Filter-on-Your-Air-Conditioner | How to Clean the Filter on Your Air Conditioner | To clean the filter on your air conditioner, make sure the unit is turned off before you pop out the filter. For routine cleaning, use the tube extension on your vacuum cleaner to suck the dirt and dust out of the filter until it looks clean, and then put it back on the unit. If the filter still has a lot of dirt after you vacuum it, try soaking it in a mixture of 1 part vinegar and 5 parts water for 1 to 2 hours. Then, let it dry before putting it back on the air conditioner. | Determine if you can clean your filter. Some air conditioners have filters that can be cleaned. But other types of air conditioners have filters that are meant to be disposed of after a given amount of time. Consult your air conditioner's instruction manual to determine whether cleaning your air conditioner's filter is an option. If you have a replaceable filter on your air conditioner, replace it at least every 3 months. Turn the air conditioner off. You should never clean your air conditioner's filter with the air conditioner on. This will cause a rush of unfiltered air into your residence and cause your air conditioner's evaporator coils and other internal parts to collect dirt and particulate matter. Do not use your air conditioner until you've replaced the filter. Access your filter. On large central air conditioning units, you should be able to locate your filter by looking along the return duct's length. You might need to unscrew a few screws to access it. In small window-mounted air conditioning units, you'll have to pop the front face of air conditioner off with a putty knife. In wall-mounted air conditioners, you might have to slide the front panel off in order to access the filter. Consult manufacturer directions for more information on how to access your air conditioner's filter. Use a vacuum cleaner for routine cleaning. Just pop the filter out or unclip it (depending on the make and model of your air conditioner) and use the tube extension on your vacuum cleaner to suck all the grit and dust out of the filter. Replace the filter when you've finished cleaning it. If you've taken good care of your air conditioner's filter, you might not see a visible change in the filter when cleaning it. Rest assured, it is getting clean. On the other hand, you might not be able to get all the dust and grit out of the filter. Just use the vacuum to suck up as much as you can. This method is best for giving your filter its regular cleaning. However, if you're planning to wash your filter, you should still vacuum it first to remove any large particles. Rinse the filter for a deeper clean. If, after you've vacuumed your filter, it still has a good deal of particulate attached, try washing it. To get started, remove your air conditioner filter. Mix one part vinegar and one part water. For instance, you might mix five cups of water and five cups of vinegar. Pour the mixture in a tub or a wide sink that can accommodate your filter. Submerge your filter in the mixture for at least one hour. If it is exceptionally grimy, leave it in for two hours or more. Drain the water and vinegar solution and dry the filter on a rack. Replace it when dry. Instead of water and vinegar, you could mix a small amount of detergent or liquid dish soap into a volume of water that will cover your filter when it is submerged. You could also soak the filter for about 15 minutes in 1 l (34 fl oz) of water mixed with 30g of citric acid. Hose your filter down. If the weather is nice and your filter is too large to fit in your sink, take your filter outside and lean it against a wall. Spray your hose on the filter. Do not use a pressurized hose nozzle or you might risk tearing or damaging the flimsy filter. You could also hose your filter down in your shower. Just prop the filter up in your shower and, using your shower's detachable showerhead, spray the filter's entire surface, front and back, in a zig-zag motion. After hosing your filter down, allow it to dry, then replace it. For added effect, you could sprinkle a few spoonfuls of baking soda over your filter before spraying it down. Use the automatic cleaning function. Some modern air conditioners might be equipped with a function that cleans the air filter for you. These air conditioners use an internal cassette and brush device to remove particles from the filter, then deposits the dust and particles in a small chamber from which they are blown outside. If your air conditioner has such a feature, set it to clean your filter regularly. Clean your filter regularly. Different air conditioners have different filter cleaning requirements. Some filters need to be cleaned once every two weeks. Some manufacturers recommend cleaning just once every 30 days. Still others require cleaning only one to four times per year. Consult your manufacturer's directions for information about how often you should clean your filter. You should clean your filter more frequently if you have pets or allergies, or if you're using your air conditioner regularly. Discard your filter if necessary. Despite your careful and regular cleaning, your filter will eventually wear out. If you notice any tears, holes, or damage to your filter, replace it with a new one. You can buy an air conditioner filter at your local home appliances store or online. Clean the condenser coils. Cleaning the condenser coils can make your air conditioner more efficient and improve its lifetime. If you have a window-mounted air conditioner, you'll need to blow compressed air in short bursts at the back end of the unit (the part of the air conditioner that sticks out the window). Alternately, use a soft-bristled brush to scrub between the grating of the air conditioner's intake. Be careful not to bend any of the coil fins. If you want to clean the condenser coils of your large central air conditioner unit outside, remove its outer case, then blow compressed air across its surface in short bursts. You could also choose to use an industrial-strength vacuum fitted with a soft-bristle brush attachment to suck the grime and dirt from where it has collected between the coils. | Determine if you can clean your filter. Turn the air conditioner off. Access your filter. Use a vacuum cleaner for routine cleaning. Rinse the filter for a deeper clean. Hose your filter down. Use the automatic cleaning function. Clean your filter regularly. Discard your filter if necessary. Clean the condenser coils. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Stiffen-Leather | How to Stiffen Leather | You can stiffen leather by soaking it in cool, then hot, water. First, submerge the leather in a bucket or sink of cool water for about 10 minutes. While it's soaking, fill a large pot with water, and put it on the stove on high heat. Let the water heat to 180 degrees Fahrenheit or until it's too hot to touch. Then, transfer your leather to the hot water, and leave it for a few minutes. When you take it out, shape your leather if you need to, since the heat will make it flexible. Finally, leave it to dry for a few hours at room temperature, which should leave it stiff and thicker. | Soak the leather in cool water. Fill a large bucket or sink with cool to room temperature water. Immerse the leather in the water for about 10 minutes, or until it becomes thoroughly soaked. Note that this process works best when used with vegetable tanned leather. You can technically stiffen the leather by soaking it in nothing but room temperature water, but it will only become mildly harder and you will not be able to shape it. The addition of a hot water step will allow you to make structural changes while hardening the leather further. Heat a second pot of water. As your leather soaks, fill a large stockpot with water and set it on the stove over high heat. Continue heating the water until it reaches a temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit (82 degrees Celsius). Use an accurate thermometer to keep track of the temperature. If the water is too hot or too cold, your results can vary dramatically from those described here. If you do not have a thermometer, you can gauge the temperature of the water by slowly heating it on the stove and testing it every minute or so with your bare hand. If you can keep your hand immersed in the water, it is safe to use that temperature for your leather. Once you can no longer bear to keep your hand in the water for more than an instant, remove the water from the heat source and do not allow it to get any hotter. Some people prefer to soak the leather in boiling water. Doing so stiffens the leather at a faster pace, but it also gives you less control. The resulting leather can become very brittle and may be unevenly stiff across its surface. Dunk the leather in the hot water. Pull the leather out of the cool water and immerse it in the hot water. Let it remain there for a few minutes. After the first minute, you should already see the leather darken and curl. The longer you soak the leather, the stiffer it will become. If you soak the leather too long, however, it will be more brittle when dry. When using this method, soaking the leather in hot water for 30 seconds after it already darkens will result in a piece of leather that is hard but not inflexible. This means that the total hot water soak time would be about 90 seconds. Leave the leather in the water for a longer period of time if you want to make it stiffer. Shape as desired. When you pull the leather out of the water, it should be fairly flexible. If you need the form the leather into a specific shape, now is the time to do so. When wet, the leather will be stretchy and easy to form. This stretchiness will vanish within the first minute or two, though, so you need to work fast if you plan to stretch it out. The leather will still remain flexible for up to an hour after the stretchiness fades away, though. Allow the leather to dry at room temperature. Let the leather sit out at room temperature for several hours. After it dries, the leather should be notably thicker and stiffer. Stiffened leather will also shrink, so the piece you started out with may not look as large when you finish the process. Soak the leather in room temperature water. Fill a sink, bucket, or similar container with cool to room temperature water. Immerse the leather in the water and let it soak until it becomes completely water logged. This process is generally recommended for use with vegetable tanned leather. The amount of time you leave the leather in the water will vary based on the thickness and quality of the leather. Usually, leaving it in the water for 10 to 30 minutes will suffice. The leather should be notably flexible when you remove it. Preheat an oven. As the leather soaks, preheat the oven to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius). Move the racks of the oven around as needed to clear enough room for the leather piece. If your oven does not reach a temperature this low, simply use the lowest temperature available. Note that higher temperatures could cause a little steam scalding, however, which may alter the color and cause more greater shrinkage. Mold the leather as desired. Take the leather out of the water. If you plan on forming it in any way, do so now, while it is still flexible and easy to handle. Since the leather is still fairly cool at this point, it may not keep its form when left alone. After shaping it, you should hold the new forms in place using string, stitching, or nails. Bake the leather. Place the wet, shaped leather in the oven and bake it until it feels dry. Depending on how long you soaked the leather and the temperature of your oven, this can take anywhere from 20 to 90 minutes. You can let the leather remain in the oven even after it dries out, but know that dry baking it will cause the temperature of the leather to rise and the structure of the leather to become both harder and more brittle. Let cool. Remove the hot, dry leather from the oven and let it cool at room temperature until it is safe to handle with your bare hands. During this time, the leather will continue to stiffen. Once cool, you should remove any string, thread, or nails holding the shape in place. If the leather has become sufficiently stiff, it should be able to hold its new form on its own now. Preheat an oven. Set the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (90 degrees Celsius) and let it completely warm up. Make sure that the racks inside the oven are rearranged as needed so that the leather piece can fit inside without brushing against the racks or the sides of the oven. This method should work well with most types of leather, but vegetable tanned leather is still the easiest to work with. Also note that it tends to be a good method to use if you are trying to stiffen leather than has already been formed and does not need any additional shaping. Dry bake the leather. When the oven is hot enough, place the leather inside and bake it for about 30 minutes. The leather needs to be notably hot to the touch when you take it out of the oven. The heat itself plays an important part in the stiffening process. Essentially, it liquifies some of the molecules in the leather, causing them to break down and become more flexible. When those molecules solidify again, they do so in a structure that is even harder than the leather's original chemical structure. If you allow the leather to get too hot, however, it can become too brittle by the end of the process. Melt a little wax. Place a block of beeswax into a double boiler and heat it until it completely liquifies. Do this step as the leather bakes so that the leather and the wax will be hot enough to proceed at the same time. Beeswax is the wax of choice, but you can use melted candles or nearly any other type of wax, as well. To melt the wax: Heat 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) of water in the bottom part of a double boiler placed on the stove over medium-high heat. Place the wax inside the top part of the double boiler. As the wax begins to melt, stir it with a disposable spoon or chopstick. Continue until the melts completely. Paint the wax onto the leather. Take the leather out of the oven and place it on a few sheets of newspaper. Load a large paintbrush with melted wax and brush the wax onto the hot leather using even strokes. The leather should soak up the hot wax. If it does not do so, the leather is not yet hot enough and should be returned to the oven. Continue brushing the wax onto the leather until the leather cools and no longer absorbs the wax. Reheat and repaint the leather as needed. After your initial coat of wax, place the leather back into the oven and heat it for another 20 minutes or so. Remove it from the oven and brush the surface with an additional coating of melted wax. You should repeat this process until the leather no longer absorbs any more wax, even when hot. One way to tell that the leather can no longer absorb wax is to look at the coloring. The wax will alter the color of the leather slightly. If the entire surface of the leather is an even color, it has likely absorbed as much wax as possible throughout the entire piece. Cool completely. Let the leather cool and dry completely. When done, it should be extremely hard and nearly impossible to bend. | Soak the leather in cool water. Heat a second pot of water. Dunk the leather in the hot water. Shape as desired. Allow the leather to dry at room temperature. Soak the leather in room temperature water. Preheat an oven. Mold the leather as desired. Bake the leather. Let cool. Preheat an oven. Dry bake the leather. Melt a little wax. Paint the wax onto the leather. Reheat and repaint the leather as needed. Cool completely. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Raise-the-Chances-of-Having-a-Boy | How to Raise the Chances of Having a Boy | While there's no definite way to choose the gender of your baby, there are a few at-home methods you can try to raise your chances of having a boy. Some experts advise that deep penetration positions work better to conceive a boy since sperm will be deposited closer to the cervix, so consider trying a rear-entry position. You should also try for a female orgasm during sex since this increases the chance of male sperm making it to the egg. Having a baby before 30 might also increase your chances of having a boy, since older parents have higher chances of conceiving a girl. If you want to choose the gender of your baby, you could also get In-vitro fertilization treatments. During this process, an embryo is analyzed, then selected for implantation based on its genetic information. Just keep in mind that this process is often costly and time-consuming. | Have sex in a rear entry position. Some experts advise using sexual positions that encourage deep penetration, such as a rear-entry position, when trying to conceive a boy. The logic behind this is that ejaculating during deep-penetration sex places the sperm as close as possible to the cervix, giving the fast-moving male sperm an advantage. With shallow penetration, sperm may be deposited farther from the cervix, which means that the more durable female sperm (which can survive longer in the vagina) may have the advantage. Try for a female orgasm. Male sperm, which are more fragile than female sperm, tend to die faster in the acidic environment inside the vagina. Giving the female partner an orgasm can improve the chances of the male sperm because during female orgasm, extra cervical fluid is released. This makes the environment more hospitable to male sperm, increasing the chances that they make it to the egg alive. There are also claims that the orgasmic contractions can help push the sperm into the cervix faster. Just remember, these aren't proven by science. Consider having a baby before your reach 30 or 35. Some research suggests that the older the parents are, the higher the chances are of having a girl. Therefore, if you're trying for a boy, it might be best to start early. The chances are highest for a woman to conceive a boy before age 30. It's age 35 for men. Think about visiting an Ericsson-licensed clinic. The Ericsson Albumin method is a technique used to separate male sperm from female sperm. Just keep in mind that many doctors and researchers question its effectiveness. The method remains attractive to some because of its relative cheapness (at $600-$1200 per attempt) compared to other techniques. Search the internet or ask your doctor to find a clinic near you. You can then schedule an appointment for the next date of ovulation. Visit the clinic to give a sperm sample and process the sperm. Upon arriving at the clinic on the day of the female partner's ovulation, the male partner gives a sperm sample. Generally, a man's sperm count is highest after 2-5 days without ejaculation, so you may be asked by the clinic to abstain from any sexual activity for about 48 hours before your appointment. Once he provides his sperm sample, the sperm is placed in a vial of a type of protein called albumin. Sperm can swim through albumin, but the Ericsson method assumes that male sperm, which are smaller, weaker, and faster than female sperm, can pass through the albumin quicker. This means that, after waiting for the sperm to swim from the top of the vial to the bottom of the vial, the sperm near the bottom will (supposedly) be mostly male, while the sperm near the top will be mostly female. Undergo artificial insemination. To try for a male child, staff at the clinic will take a sample of sperm from the bottom of the vial of albumin and artificially inseminate the mother with this sperm. At this, point, hopefully, the female partner conceives. As with sexual intercourse, however, pregnancy is not guaranteed from a single exposure to sperm. There are several different methods of artificial insemination in use, but the most common is Intra Uterine Insemination (IUI). In this method, sperm are injected via a catheter directly into the uterus. Find a hospital or clinic that performs PGD and IVF. Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is a medical process by which an embryo's genetic information is analyzed before implantation in the uterus. It can also be used to determine the sex of the baby. If you're interested in pursuing this process, start by contacting a clinic near you that performs this type of procedure. PGD coupled with In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is one of the only ways to choose a baby's sex with absolute certainty. However, it's also one of the most expensive, resource-intensive methods available. Undergo fertility treatments. If the clinic agrees to perform this procedure, the female partner will probably need to begin preparing to donate eggs several weeks to a month in advance. Generally, women undergoing PGD and IVF are given fertility drugs to stimulate the ovaries to release more mature eggs. Usually, fertility drugs are taken for about two weeks via pill or injection. Side effects for common fertility drugs are usually mild and can include include hot flashes, nausea, bloating, headache, and blurred vision. Receive hormone injections. In addition to taking fertility drugs, women who intend to donate eggs usually also receive a series of daily hormone injections. These injections further stimulate the ovaries to release more mature eggs. Some women have strong side effects to these hormones, so first-timers are generally monitored carefully to ensure that the process is proceeding smoothly. You may also be required to take progesterone, a hormone that thickens the uterine lining in preparation for IVF. Donate eggs. As the female partner's body is stimulated to release more eggs, regular ultrasound tests are used to determine when the eggs are ready to be donated. When the eggs are fully mature, there is a simple, minimally-invasive surgical procedure to remove the eggs. Most women are able to resume normal activities within a day or so of this procedure. Though the female partner is put under sedation for this procedure, it can be somewhat uncomfortable. Painkillers are usually prescribed to aid with post-surgery pain. Allow the eggs to be fertilized. If the male partner does not already have a stored sperm sample ready to use, he must now provide it. The male partner's sperm is processed to isolate the healthiest, highest-quality sperm, and combined with the eggs. Within about a day, the eggs are checked to see whether or not they have been fertilized. As with all sperm donations, in this case, the male partner will want to abstain from ejaculating for about 48 hours before giving his sperm donation. Allow the embryo to undergo biopsy. After the embryos have grown for several days, a doctor removes several cells from each for testing and analysis. DNA is removed from each cell sample and copied via a process called the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). This DNA is then analyzed to determine the embryo's genetic profile, including the sex of the child that could potentially grow from the embryo. Make a decision based on the testing results. After the cells from each embryo have been analyzed, you are notified which embryos are male and which are female, in addition to any other pressing information (such as the presence of genetic diseases). Undergo In-Vitro Fertilization. When you've chosen which embryo(s) you'd like to attempt pregnancy with, the embryos are transferred into the uterus via a thin tube passing through the cervix. Usually, only one or two embryos are transferred at a time. During a successful attempt, one or more embryos attach to the uterine wall and pregnancy continues as normal. In two weeks, you may take a pregnancy test to see whether or not the procedure was a success. Don't be deterred by one unsuccessful IVF attempt. Generally, most women have a per-cycle success rate of about 20-25%. Success rates of 40% or higher are considered quite rare. It's often necessary for perfectly healthy couples to have to undergo multiple rounds of PGD and IVF to achieve their desired pregnancy. If you've failed a cycle, ask your doctor why they think the transfer didn't work, what they would want to change next time, and if there's anything you can do to increase your chances of success. Maximize the sperm count to increase the number of male sperm. Male sperm are thought to be weaker but faster than male sperm. It's thought that if you increase the overall number of sperm, you can raise the odds that a male sperm will reach the egg first. Keep in mind that newer studies have shown this not to be true. But it won't hurt to try to: Sperm production is at its highest when the testes are slightly cooler than body temperature. The male partner should avoid hot tubs or warm laptops. Don't smoke or drink. Men who smoke and drink heavily are more likely to have low sperm count. If you're having a hard time quitting, talk to your doctor. Don't take illegal drugs, as they can slow sperm production. Avoid certain medications. A variety of medications can affect a man's fertility. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns. Have sex as close to the ovulation date as possible. In general, aim to have sex in the narrow window starting 24 hours before ovulation and ending 12 hours after ovulation. During this time, conceiving a boy is more likely, because male sperm are thought to be faster. Researchers have shown that this is likely not true, but it's okay to try this method. Avoid sex in the days leading up to ovulation. It is thought that this will help make the male sperm more concentrated. To find your ovulation date, calculate the day that is about 2 weeks before your next expected period. You can also purchase an ovulation kit at the drug store. Add more calcium and magnesium to your diet. Some people claim to have gotten pregnant with a boy by changing their diet. To try this, eat foods with lots of calcium. Try milk, yogurt, and leafy greens like kale. You can add more magnesium by eating foods like almonds, bananas, and tofu. Consult your doctor before making major changes to your diet. Reduce the amount of sodium and potassium you consume. While its not backed by science, you might raise the odds of having a boy by making other dietary changes. Cut back on sodium by limiting foods like french fries, pretzels, and jarred pasta sauces. You can cut back on potassium by limiting navy beans, cantaloupe, and beets. Remember that dietary changes are not proven to increase your chance of having a boy. Consider taking cough syrup before sex. It is possible that the ingredients in common cough syrups can thin the cervical lining, which would make it easier for the weaker male sperm to get through. Try following the dosage directions and taking some cough syrup shortly before sex. Make sure not to take for more days than recommended on the label without consulting your doctor. Use frankincense to create a hospitable environment for male sperm. This herb has long been used in Chinese medicine as a tonic for the ovaries and uterus. Frankincense may help your body absorb more nutrients. This could make it a more hospitable environment for the less-sturdy male sperm. Visit a health store and ask an herbalist how best to use frankincense. Make sure to ask your doctor before trying new essential oils. | Have sex in a rear entry position. Try for a female orgasm. Consider having a baby before your reach 30 or 35. Think about visiting an Ericsson-licensed clinic. Visit the clinic to give a sperm sample and process the sperm. Undergo artificial insemination. Find a hospital or clinic that performs PGD and IVF. Undergo fertility treatments. Receive hormone injections. Donate eggs. Allow the eggs to be fertilized. Allow the embryo to undergo biopsy. Make a decision based on the testing results. Undergo In-Vitro Fertilization. Maximize the sperm count to increase the number of male sperm. Have sex as close to the ovulation date as possible. Add more calcium and magnesium to your diet. Reduce the amount of sodium and potassium you consume. Consider taking cough syrup before sex. Use frankincense to create a hospitable environment for male sperm. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-if-a-Pearl-Is-Real | How to Tell if a Pearl Is Real | To tell if a pearl is real, first check to see if it has minor blemishes or irregularities, since real pearls aren't perfectly round or smooth. Then, look for your reflection in the pearl, because real pearls have a sharp, healthy luster. You can also try rubbing 2 pearls gently against your front teeth with a side-to-side motion. If your pearls are real they'll feel a little rough or gritty on your teeth. Finally, hold the pearl in your hand to see if it is cool and feels heavy for its size, which real pearls are. | Look for minor imperfections. As noted above, real pearls are only rarely "perfect". Usually, they'll have small blemishes or irregularities in their shape. Their outer nacre layer may also reflect light differently on different parts of the pearl. Imitation pearls are almost always "too perfect" — they look perfectly spherical, they have the same amount of luster on every part of the surface and show no indents or imperfections. Check for a sharp, healthy luster. Luster is a way that jewelers describe the type of light reflected from a precious stone. A pearl's luster is part of what makes it so beautiful. Good-quality pearls should have a bright, clear luster that makes them shine when light hits them. If you look closely, you should be able to see your own reflection on the pearl's surface. One problem with this test is that low-quality real pearls (which generally have a dull, "chalky" luster) can look similar to fake pearls. Check your results with a few of the other tests in this article. Check for an overtone. Good-quality pearls are often prized for their overtones — the subtle color that is visible on their outer surface when light hits them. Fake pearls will usually not have this overtone effect, which is tricky to duplicate. Thus, if your pearl seems very slightly shaded with color when light hits it, there is a good chance it's real. Rose and ivory are two of the most desired overtones for white pearls, though a wide variety of colors are possible, especially for dark pearls. Since some real pearls don't have a visible overtone, not seeing an overtone on your pearl isn't necessarily a sure sign that it's fake. Look for clues around the drill hole. Pearls on a strand or necklace will usually have holes drilled in them for the string to pass through. Examining this hole carefully can help you tell whether your pearl is real or not. Specific things you'll want to look for include: Well-defined edges to the hole. Real pearls usually have drill holes with sharp edges (like a hollow cylinder). Fakes often have rough or rounded edges. However, old and well-worn real pearls may also have rounded edges to their holes. Fake pearls may also bow outward at the surface of the pearl, rather than being perfectly cylindrical. Chipped paint or coating around the hole. As fake pearls rub against each other with repeated use, their artificial coating can wear away around the holes. You may be able to see slivers of glass or plastic underneath. This is a sure sign of a fake. Look in the hole for a line between the nacre and nucleus. A real pearl almost always has a clear outer nacre layer, while fake pearls have thin layers of artificial nacre or lack them entirely. If your pearl has a drill hole, you can check for nacre by peering in with a magnifying glass. Real pearls will usually (but not always) have a noticeable line that separates the nacre from the nucleus (the inside part of the pearl). Rub the pearls against your front teeth. Hold one or two pearls between your thumb and forefinger and press them gently into the biting edge of your front teeth. Rub them against your teeth with a side-to-side motion. A real pearl will usually have a slightly rough or gritty texture from tiny scale-like imperfections in its outer layers of nacre. Fake pearls made from glass or plastic will usually be almost perfectly smooth. You may want to brush your teeth before attempting this test to make sure they're clean. Food residue from a recent meal can give false results. Rub the pearls against each other. Hold a few pearls in your fingers and gently rub them against each other. Feel for the slight sensation of friction. Real pearls will usually generate a little friction when they rub against each other because their outer layers of nacre are not perfectly smooth. Fake pearls, on the other hand, often have smooth coatings and will usually glide past each other when rubbed together. Take a close look at your hands after this test. When two pearls rub against each other, their outer layers often erode a small amount. If you notice a fine, powdery, white residue after rubbing your pearls, this is probably powdered nacre — a sign that the pearls are real. Check whether the pearls are perfectly round. Because they're products of nature, every real pearl is slightly different, just like snowflakes or fingerprints. Most pearls won't be perfect spheres — they'll usually be slightly oblong or have minor defects. If your pearls look perfectly round to you, there's a good chance they're artificial. It is possible for real pearls to be perfectly round. However, examples of these are very rare and usually fetch a high price. Not sure whether a pearl is perfectly round or not? Try carefully rolling it on a flat surface. Imperfect pearls won't consistently roll in a straight line. Feel for coolness to the touch. For this test, you'll need a few pearls that have been sitting out — not ones you've been wearing. Hold the pearls in your hand and concentrate on the way they feel against your skin. Real pearls should feel noticeably cool for a few seconds before they warm up. The feeling is similar to what you'd get from stepping barefoot onto a marble floor. Plastic pearls, on the other hand, will be about room temperature and will warm up more quickly. Note: Good-quality fake glass pearls may still give the "cool" sensation. Verify your results with other tests if this is the first one you've attempted. Feel the weight of the pearl in your hand. Carefully bounce one or two pearls in your hand to get an idea of how much they weigh. Most real pearls feel somewhat heavy for their size. On the other hand, fakes (especially plastic pearls) will have a light, insubstantial feel. For obvious reasons, this test isn't perfect — judging the weight of a few small pearls can be tricky. For best results, you may want to compare your pearls with a set you know are real or fake. Always verify with another test no matter how sure you are of a pearl's weight. Check for "scaly" surface patterning with a microscope. You can use a 30x jeweler's loupe, but microscopes with 64-power magnification or more work best for this. The surfaces of real pearls have a maze-like, scaled pattern. This patterning looks a little like a topographical map. It's this microscopic scaling that gives real pearls their "gritty" texture. By contrast, fake pearls will often have a surface covered with grainy, fairly regular bumps (a little like the cratered surface of the moon). Compare your pearls to certified real pearls. All of the tests above are easier if you have some pearls that you know are real for comparison purposes. Try contacting a jeweler about the possibility of comparing your pearls to a set of ones that are certified real. Alternatively, borrow a friend or relative's real pearls to make your comparisons. Use common sense about the sorts of tests you do with the certified real pearls. For example, you won't want to try the tooth test or the friction test with someone else's precious stones. Get your pearls appraised by an expert. If you are having a hard time determining your pearl's authenticity, you can always take your pearl to a reputable jeweler or gemologist. These professionals have the tools, training, and expert eyes to tell whether your pearl is real (and, if it is real, how high its quality is). However, these options often don't come cheap — a basic appraisal can easily cost more than $100. Try ordering an X-radiograph test. This test, which an expert may do to determine whether your pearls are real or not uses an X-ray machine. Real pearls will show up as a semitransparent grey color on the X-ray. Fakes will be solid white on the negative and solid black on the positive print. Try ordering a refractometer test. This advanced test measures how much light passes through the pearl to determine its authenticity. Pearls usually have a refractometer reading (called a "refractive index") of between 1.530 and 1.685. The difference between these two values (0.155) is called the pearl's birefringence , which affects the way the pearl looks in the light. These qualities tell an expert that the pearl is most likely a real one. Beware of using just one test to verify pearls. This bears repeating: any single one of the tests above can sometimes produce false results. To be sure of your results, perform many different tests. As just one example of how isolated tests can be misleading, one source found that real pearls that have been specially polished can feel very smooth in the tooth and friction tests. Avoid the "burn" test. Some sources may recommend holding pearls in an open flame to determine whether they are fake or not. According to this rumor, fake pearls will burn or melt, while real pearls will be unaffected. The truth is more complicated. While most fake pearls will be damaged by fire, so will some real ones. Real pearls that have been processed with an artificial outer coating are especially vulnerable to flame and can suffer from blemishes, deformed drill holes, and ruined luster after just a few seconds in a flame. In addition, it's worth noting that pearls conduct heat well and can become very hot when heated over an open flame. If you do attempt this test, take all necessary precautions to avoid bad burns. Don't fall for imitation pearls sold with exotic names. If a seller is trying to sell you on a pearl's name rather than its physical qualities, you may be getting ripped off. For example, "Mallorca" (or "Majorca") pearls, which are named after the exotic Mediterranean island of Mallorca but are entirely man-made, are sometimes sold to unsuspecting costumers. Don't ignore common sense instincts about a pearl's price. The price of a real pearl will vary greatly based on its size, shape, overtone, and other features. However, they will never be outright cheap. For instance, a necklace made from freshwater pearls (the cheapest variety of real pearls) can easily retail for several hundred dollars. If a seller is giving you a deal on a set of real pearls that seems too good to be true, it probably is. As a general rule, you'll only want to buy pearls from licensed, certified jewelers and pearl retailers. Buying pearls from street vendors or pawnshops can be a risky proposition. See our pearl-buying guide for specific tips. | Look for minor imperfections. Check for a sharp, healthy luster. Check for an overtone. Look for clues around the drill hole. Look in the hole for a line between the nacre and nucleus. Rub the pearls against your front teeth. Rub the pearls against each other. Check whether the pearls are perfectly round. Feel for coolness to the touch. Feel the weight of the pearl in your hand. Check for "scaly" surface patterning with a microscope. Compare your pearls to certified real pearls. Get your pearls appraised by an expert. Try ordering an X-radiograph test. Try ordering a refractometer test. Beware of using just one test to verify pearls. Avoid the "burn" test. Don't fall for imitation pearls sold with exotic names. Don't ignore common sense instincts about a pearl's price. |
https://www.wikihow.com/File-for-Divorce | How to File for Divorce | To petition for divorce in court, check your area's eligibility requirements. For example, in some U.S. states, you need to have been a resident for at least a year. If you think you're eligible, meet with an attorney for a consultation to discuss your options, or reach out to a legal aid service if you can't afford a lawyer. Filing on your own may also be an option, so check your local court's website for the necessary forms. Once you're ready to start, talk to your spouse about a separation agreement, which addresses issues like child custody and property division. After that's done, fill out your petition forms and gather supporting documents, like your wedding certificate and birth certificates for any children you have. From there, submit your paperwork and filing fees to the court. | Confirm that you are eligible to file for divorce in the state where you live. Each state has residency requirements that you must meet if you want to file for divorce in that state. Typically, you must have lived in the state for at least 6 months to a year. Some states require a longer period of residency. However, there are often exceptions made. For example, if the reason for the divorce happened in that state, you may be able to file for divorce regardless of how long you've lived there. You may not be able to file for a no-fault divorce in that situation. If you're concerned that you haven't lived in a state long enough to file for divorce there, talk to an attorney about it. The specific court where you file your divorce typically will be the one in the county where you and your spouse live. If you and your spouse live in different counties, you may need to file in the county where your spouse lives. Visit a family law attorney for a free initial consultation. Family law attorneys always provide a free initial consultation. Even if you don't think you can afford an attorney, it's still worth at least talking to someone about your case. They may be able to help you in a limited capacity for a reduced rate. Many family attorneys also have sliding fee scales based on your income. This could help you afford an attorney. Legal aid offices sometimes provide assistance for divorces free of charge. However, due to the demand for their services, they typically don't take divorce cases unless abuse is involved. Check for forms you can use if you're filing on your own. Family courts in most states have forms you can fill out if you want to file for divorce without hiring an attorney. Typically you can download these forms from the website for your state's court system. If you download forms from the state website, check with your local courthouse and make sure there aren't any additional forms you should fill out. Some local courts have their own forms, such as a particular cover sheet, that must be included. Typically, there will be different forms if you and your spouse have children or if you own a house together. Make sure you've picked the right forms. If you need help, the clerk's office of your local family law court can tell you which forms you need based on your circumstances. Reach a separation agreement if required. Some states, such as Massachusetts, require you and your spouse to come to a preliminary agreement on child custody, child support, and how you will divide your property before you can file for divorce. This agreement can be a temporary agreement between you and your spouse or one that you intend to make part of the final divorce judgment. If a separation agreement is required, the state court website will have information and forms for you to use. At a minimum, the separation agreement will govern relations between you and your spouse until your divorce is finalized. If you and your spouse have problems communicating or there has been a history of abuse, you may want to use mediation services or hire an attorney. Complete your divorce petition. Through the divorce petition, you provide the court with information about yourself, your spouse, and your marriage. The petition is a document that formally asks the court to declare a legal end to your marriage. If you downloaded the forms online, you can type your information directly into the form. If you're working with paper forms you can write your answers. Print clearly and neatly using black ink. To complete the divorce petition, you will have to provide information about your spouse, including their full legal name, date of birth, and current residence. If you don't have all of this information and don't know how to get it, talk to an attorney. Finalize and sign your divorce petition. After you've filled out the petition and other forms, read over them carefully and make sure all the information is correct. If you typed your information in the form, check for typos. Before you sign and date the forms, check if there is a notary block below the place where you're supposed to sign. If there is, don't sign your forms until you're in the presence of a notary. Not all states require you to sign your forms in the presence of a notary. However, many states do require this if you are not represented by an attorney. When you go to the notary, you will need a valid, government-issued photo ID so the notary can validate your identity. The notary will not read your forms – their only job is to certify that you are the person who signed the documents and that you did so of your own free will. Gather supporting documents. At a minimum, you will need an official copy of your original wedding certificate to accompany your divorce petition. Some states may require other documents, such as birth certificates for any children you and your spouse have. If you don't have a copy of your wedding certificate, you can order one from the state vital records office of the state where you were married. If you were married in a different country, such as on a destination wedding, you would need a wedding certificate from the state where you registered as a married couple after you returned to the US. Wedding certificates for most states can be ordered online through the VitalChek website at https://www.vitalchek.com/marriage-records. Copies typically cost less than $20. It may take up to 2 weeks for you to get your copy in the mail, so plan accordingly. Fill out forms to request temporary orders if necessary. Through a temporary order, the judge can require your spouse to pay you child support or spousal support, or order them to pay certain bills while your divorce is pending. If there has been abuse or you are concerned for your safety, you can also get a temporary restraining order against your spouse. Temporary orders only last until the divorce is finalized. If you want the same arrangements to continue after the divorce, those details must be included in your final divorce decree. Take your forms to the family court clerk. Once you've completed all the necessary forms, make at least 2 copies of the completed forms. Take the copies and the originals to the court clerk of the court that will hear your divorce. The clerk will stamp all of your documents filed, then give the 2 copies back to you. One of those copies is for your records. The other must be delivered to your spouse. Pay your filing fees or apply for a waiver. The fees to file a divorce case vary greatly among states, but they're typically between $200 and $500. If you can't afford the fees, you can apply for a fee waiver. Typically, you have to show extremely low income to qualify. If you are already receiving government benefits, such as SNAP or TANF, you may automatically qualify. Most court clerks accept a check or money order as payment for fees. Many accept cash, and some accept major credit or debit cards. It's a good idea to call ahead and find out what methods of payment are accepted so you can be prepared. If you want to apply for a waiver, bring information with you about your income and any property you own, such as a house. You will need this information to complete your application. You should also be ready to appear before the judge, as they may call you back to discuss your application. Have your spouse served with the petition. Your spouse must have legal notice that you've filed for divorce. By using the "service" process, you have proof that they were aware of the case. If your spouse fails to respond to your petition or show up in court, you'll need to show the judge proof that they knew about it. If you and your spouse are on amicable terms, you can mail the papers using certified mail with return receipt requested. Keep the green card you get back in the mail with your copy of the divorce papers. This is your proof of service. You may also have to fill out a proof of service form and file it with the clerk. In some states, only attorneys can complete service this way. You can have anyone over the age of 18 take the papers to your spouse in person. They will fill out a proof of service form for you to file with the clerk. This option is free. You can also have a sheriff's deputy serve the papers on your spouse. This is a good option if you and your spouse are on contentious terms or if you have safety concerns. This option typically costs around $30. If you were granted a fee waiver, service by a sheriff's deputy is typically also free. There are also private process serving companies you can use. These companies are good at hunting down people, so if you suspect your spouse will try to avoid service, you may want to go this route. Prices vary widely by company and how long it takes them to complete service. Determine what property is separate and what property is joint property. Generally, any property that you owned before the marriage remains your own separate property and isn't divided. Most property acquired during the marriage is considered joint property, although there are some exceptions. Any property that one of you received as a gift or inheritance during your marriage is also considered separate property. In most states, if you and your spouse disagree on whether to characterize a particular piece of property as separate or joint property, it is presumed to be joint property if it was acquired during the marriage. The spouse who believes it is separate property must prove that to the judge. Make a list of you and your spouse's debts. With a few exceptions, debts acquired during the marriage are considered joint debts, even if only one spouse's name is on the account. If you acquired the debt before the marriage, however, it is considered your separate debt. With some exceptions, you're typically responsible for that on your own. For example, if you incurred debt in anticipation of the marriage, or because your spouse agreed to help you pay it back, you may be able to argue that the debt is joint debt. However, if your spouse disagrees you would have to back up your claim with evidence, such as text messages between you and your spouse in which your spouse agreed to help you pay back the debt. If one of you acquired student loan debt while you were married, that debt is typically considered joint debt, even if the other spouse didn't cosign on the loan. Complete your financial disclosure forms. Once you've made a list of assets and debts, you have to share this information with your spouse. Your spouse is responsible for making a similar list. Typically, you simply share this information with each other. However, some states also require you to file these forms with the court that is handling your divorce. For example, in California, you must complete these forms within 60 days of filing your petition for divorce. The forms must be accompanied by 2 years' worth of tax returns. Talk to your spouse about how you want to split parenting time. If you and your spouse have children, you need to figure out who is going to have primary custody of the kids. Courts in most states consider it in the children's best interests to spend time with both parents, unless one parent is shown to be abusive or incapable of caring for the children. Most states have worksheets you can use to help determine equitable parenting time and child support that should be paid. These worksheets typically are included in the form packet for couples with children. If you don't believe your spouse should have time with your kids, it's typically a good idea to get an attorney to help you. You will have to prove to the court that your spouse is unfit to care for your kids, and this process can get very heated. In some situations, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem (GAL) to represent your children. The GAL will interview the children, parents, and other adults who spend time with the children, including teachers, coaches, or religious leaders. The GAL also observes the child interacting with parents or other adults. They then write up a report that tells the judge what arrangement they believe is in the best interests of the children. Attend mediation if necessary. If you and your spouse can't agree on issues related to parenting time or the division of your property, a mediator can help. The clerk of the family court where you filed your petition will have a list of court-approved mediators that you can choose from. Mediation for divorcing couples is free in many states. In some states, mediation is required by law if you and your spouse can't agree. Because mediation is a non-confrontational environment, it can help you if you and your spouse are at each other's throats or if emotions run high whenever you start discussing divorce-related issues. Write up your settlement agreement. Once you've come to an agreement, you and your spouse fill out a form to submit to the court that outlines your decisions. Technically, the judge can alter this agreement, although in practice few do. The settlement agreement form is typically part of your divorce form packet. Your court may have a deadline by which you must submit this form. Any deadline is usually listed in the instructions for your form packet. You can also call the clerk's office and find out. If there are any issues that you and your spouse didn't agree on, mark them clearly on the settlement agreement. These are issues that you want the judge to decide for you. Complete any required parenting or divorce classes. Many court systems have courses to help divorcing couples understand the divorce process and navigate shared custody of their children. In some states, these classes are required. The family court clerk will let you know if you're required to take any classes. If the classes are required, the court typically won't set a date for a hearing until you've completed them. Keep in mind that you and your spouse usually aren't required to complete them together. Even if the classes aren't required, it's a good idea to take them if they are offered, especially if you're filing for divorce on your own. Wait for notice of the date of your hearing. If you don't have an attorney, you'll receive notice in the mail when your hearing is scheduled. If you do have an attorney, they'll get the notice and then let you know the date of the hearing. If your case is contested, or you have issues you and your spouse left for the judge to decide, you may have one or two preliminary hearings before your final hearing. During these hearings, you will share documents, witnesses, and other evidence that you plan to present to the judge. Make every effort to attend court on the date the hearing is scheduled. While it may be possible to reschedule the hearing, you may need to show that you have a good reason for the court to do so. If you don't believe you can attend the hearing on the date scheduled, contact the clerk as soon as possible to determine your options. Organize your documents for the final hearing. Even for a simple divorce in which you and your spouse agree on everything, there will still be documents you'll need to bring with you. At a minimum, bring your copy of every document you've filed with the court. If you and your spouse disagree on any issues, you also want to bring documents or other pieces of evidence that support your claims. For example, if you claim a debt is joint and your spouse maintains it is your separate debt, you would want to bring any documents or other information that demonstrated your spouse agreed to help pay back the debt. For any documents other than documents you've filed with the court, make at least 2 copies of the document. The judge will likely want to review the original, but you'll need one copy for yourself and one for your spouse. Familiarize yourself with the court and its procedures. If you've never been to court before, sit in on some hearings before you attend your own. That way, you'll have a better idea of what to expect. Watch the same judge that will be hearing your own case. If you don't know the name of the judge, you can find out in the clerk's office. You may also want to do a "dry run" so you know how to get to the courthouse, where to park, and how to find the right courtroom. This can be especially valuable if you live in a larger city. Arrive at court at least 30 minutes early on the date of your hearing. Arriving early gives you plenty of time to park, get through security, and find the right courtroom. Do not bring your children with you to the hearing unless they are going to be witnesses. While you don't have to wear a suit, clean, neat, professional attire is preferred. The court may have the dress code listed on its website. Leave electronic devices at home. If you need to have your cell phone with you during the hearing, turn it on silent before you enter the courthouse. Items that may be used as weapons, including nail clippers, pocket knives, and scissors, should be left at home. If you take them with you to the courthouse they may be confiscated at the security checkpoint and you may not be able to get them back. Stand when called to participate in your hearing. Typically, the judge will be hearing several cases in one day. When you enter the courtroom, take a seat in the gallery. When the judge calls your case, stand and indicate that you are present and ready to proceed. The judge or bailiff will indicate that you can come to the front of the courtroom. Move forward and stand behind one of the tables at the front of the courtroom. Do not sit down until the bailiff indicates that you may be seated.{greenbox: Tip: Some judges do a "docket call" at the beginning of the session to determine who is present and ready to proceed. If you have an attorney, the judge may ask the attorney how long they expect your hearing to take. Judges typically take shorter hearings first.}} Present your case to the judge. Since you're the one who filed for divorce, the judge will hear from your first. Do not speak until the judge asks you to. If the judge interrupts you, stop talking and allow the judge to ask their question or make their statement. Respond to that question and wait until the judge tells you that you may continue before you go on with what you were originally saying. Speak loudly and clearly so that the judge can hear you. Don't talk to your spouse or address any questions to them. Speak only to the judge and any witnesses you are questioning. If you and your spouse agree on everything and your case is relatively straightforward, the judge will likely simply ask you a series of questions about the divorce based on the information you've provided. Get copies of the judge's final decree. If your case is relatively straightforward, the judge will likely issue their ruling from the bench and sign a decree or order that you prepared as part of your form packet. However, if you and your spouse left issues for the judge to decide, you may have to wait for the final decree. If the final decree isn't available immediately, the judge will let you know when you can return to the clerk's office to get it. | Confirm that you are eligible to file for divorce in the state where you live. Visit a family law attorney for a free initial consultation. Check for forms you can use if you're filing on your own. Reach a separation agreement if required. Complete your divorce petition. Finalize and sign your divorce petition. Gather supporting documents. Fill out forms to request temporary orders if necessary. Take your forms to the family court clerk. Pay your filing fees or apply for a waiver. Have your spouse served with the petition. Determine what property is separate and what property is joint property. Make a list of you and your spouse's debts. Complete your financial disclosure forms. Talk to your spouse about how you want to split parenting time. Attend mediation if necessary. Write up your settlement agreement. Complete any required parenting or divorce classes. Wait for notice of the date of your hearing. Organize your documents for the final hearing. Familiarize yourself with the court and its procedures. Arrive at court at least 30 minutes early on the date of your hearing. Stand when called to participate in your hearing. Present your case to the judge. Get copies of the judge's final decree. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-an-Apartment-Complex | How to Buy an Apartment Complex | To buy an apartment complex, start by hiring a full-time real estate agent who knows the market well to help you find a building. Then, visit the building in person and ask for information on current tenants so you have a full picture of the condition of the apartments. Next, compare the amount you could make in rent to your projected expenses to make sure owning the building would be a good investment. Finally, obtain a commercial loan from a bank before making an offer on the building. | Choose which type of complex to buy. You might want to buy an apartment complex that consists of only apartment buildings. However, you should also consider buying a “mixed use” complex. This type of complex also contains commercial real estate you can rent out. A complex that isn't currently mixed use could be converted. However, the zoning must allow for it. Also think about what amenities you want your apartment complex to have. For example, it may have a fitness facility, swimming pool, or common areas to hold private functions. Consider hiring a real estate agent. You'll want to buy a complex in an area that isn't declining, and an agent can help you identify these areas. Talk to other apartment complex owners about whether they worked with an agent and if they would recommend them. Ideally, you should go with someone who works as an agent full-time. A part-timer might not know the market inside and out. Of course, you can research apartment complexes on your own. Check online, talk to other investors, and drive around neighborhoods. However, an agent with experience in apartment complexes can save you time. Visit apartment complexes. Always visit a complex in person before deciding to buy. You should walk through all of the buildings on the complex and view any common areas. Take notes, and ask questions. Buying an apartment complex is a big investment, and you shouldn't go forward unless you feel comfortable with the condition of the buildings. Don't walk through only one building on the complex. If you do, then you might assume the other buildings are in equivalent condition. Be skeptical if the seller's agent resists showing you all buildings in the complex. Remember to visit in the evening so that you can check out the security features at the apartment complex. Walkways should be well-lit, doors properly locked, and no one should be loitering around the premises. Talk to the current owner. You can gain a lot of valuable information by meeting with the current apartment complex owner. Be prepared to ask relevant questions. For example, ask about the following: How many units are rented? It will be easier to finance an apartment complex that is being rented. How long have tenants been there? A complex with long-term tenants may be more stable. Why is the owner selling? Retiring or switching investments are legitimate reasons. However, an owner who is selling because they are losing money is a red flag. Keep in mind the reason an owner is selling may be confidential. Ask for information on current tenants. You'll want to know the details about their leases. Ask for the “rent-roll,” which should contain the following information: List of tenants and their units. Dimensions of each unit. Lease terms. Rent and deposit amount. Number of bedrooms and bathrooms in each unit. Estimate how much you can charge in rent. You shouldn't buy an apartment complex unless you can afford it. Analyze whether the current landlord has rented units too cheaply or whether the rent is in line with the market rate. Find comparable apartment complexes online. Look at how much they advertise their units for. For a great resource that can help you find out nearby rent prices, visit https://padmapper.com/. You can also ask different property management companies what is the market rate in your area. If the complex has commercial space, then a real estate agent can also help you figure out how much to charge. Estimate your expenses. Apartment complexes need constant maintenance, so you need to analyze the expense of upkeep. Get the profit-and-loss statement from the current owner. However, don't trust it 100%. The owner might fudge some numbers to make the apartment complex more attractive. Double check the expense information: Get the complex's tax information from the county assessor. Estimate property management costs by contacting a property management company. Ask how much they charge. Typically, their fee is based on a percentage of the expected rent. Calculate the amount of maintenance needed. If you've never run an apartment complex before, talk to a current owner. Ask how much they spend annually repairing each unit or the grounds. Ideally, you'd want to be spending around 40 percent of the money you're taking in on operating expenses. Run the numbers. Lenders won't give you money to buy an apartment complex unless you can show that it will be profitable. Work closely with an accountant to crunch numbers and create the necessary financial documents to show a lender. You can find an accountant by contacting your state's society of public accountants. Calculate your net operating income, which is your gross income less expenses. Create a cash flow analysis. Show how the amount of money you have coming in compares to the amount you will be spending. When you're starting out, or during periods when the rental market is bad, you may not have any cash flow coming in. Keep in mind that lenders will also run their own numbers, as well as the appraiser who values the complex. Check your credit report. You are entitled to one free credit report each year. Your lender will look at your personal credit history, so you should pull it and check for errors. Dispute anything that is wrong. For example, accounts might be listed that aren't yours, or an account might be improperly listed as in default or collections. Also, the credit limit might be wrong. Start early. The entire dispute process can take up to 60 days to complete, and you'll want a clean credit report before you approach lenders. Learn about commercial loans. Loans for commercial real estate are not the same as loans you take out to buy your own home. Generally, loans can be for 30 years or as short as five or seven. Interests rates may also be variable or fixed. If you can get a non-recourse loan, then the building will secure the loan as collateral. However, non-recourse loans are not available for all borrowers, and the building typically must be worth at least $2.5 million. With a recourse loan, you remain personally liable for the loan. In the event of default, you can be sued, and you might lose personal assets. Recourse loans are riskier, but it might be the only type of loan you can get as a new landlord. Commercial loans also require a down payment around 30% of the purchase price. If you're having trouble getting a commercial loan, consider getting a real estate contract instead. Real estate contracts require a large downpayment, but they're less difficult to get approved for. The downpayment may be less than what a bank would ask for, depending on how much the seller wants. Make the owner an offer. Discuss what is a reasonable offer with your real estate agent, which will depend on the state of the local market. If the market is hot, you may need to pay the asking price—or even more. No matter how hot the market, insist on a 90-day escrow period. You'll want at least 60 days to get an inspection. That'll leave you with 30 days to review documents before closing. If you're using a lender, ask them how long they need to process your loan. Depending on your lender, you may need to ask the owner for more time to get everything together. Have the building inspected. Hire an inspector with experience in commercial properties as soon as possible in case there are any complications or delays later on. Find an inspector by getting a referral from a real estate agent or talking with another apartment complex owner. Check ahead of time what will be inspected. Ask if you need to hire a specialty inspector to inspect a swimming pool or tennis court. If the inspector finds problems, ask the seller for a credit, which will reduce the amount you pay. Alternately, the seller might make the repairs before closing. Collect required information for the loan application. You must give the lender information about the apartment complex when you apply, so collect the following before approaching a lender: pictures of the apartment complex floor plans map of the surrounding area description of the property (e.g., number of units, year it was built, etc.) expected upgrades rent information purchase price names of real estate agents, attorneys, and title companies involved in the transaction Apply for your loan. Approach multiple lenders so that you can compare their offers. Ask for an application and submit it with your supporting documentation. If the loan officer needs more information, then supply it as soon as possible. Compare loans. After approving you, the lender will send you letter of intent or a term sheet. Analyze it carefully. It will specify the amount you can borrow and other terms. Choose the loan whose terms are best for you. Sign the term sheet or letter of intent for the lender you choose. At this point, you may need to pay your deposit. The lender should follow up with a full (and final) loan commitment. Hire an attorney. You'll need to sign many legal documents before you can buy the apartment complex. Don't try to do everything yourself. Instead, you should hire an experienced attorney to draft and review all documents. The attorney can do the following: Draft, negotiate, and review the purchase agreement. Seek credits from the owner to make necessary repairs. Ensure the title is clear. Set up escrow. Create a limited liability company to own the apartment complex. If someone is injured at the apartment complex, they might sue you because you were careless in your upkeep. If you lose the lawsuit, then the injured person can come after your personal assets, such as your own home. By owning the complex through an LLC, your personal assets are shielded. Owning the building as an LLC doesn't protect you from all lawsuits. For example, your lender can sue you if you default on a recourse loan. Nevertheless, owning the apartment complex as an LLC will offer significant protection against personal injury and other lawsuits. Start an LLC by filing appropriate documents with your Secretary of State and obtaining the necessary permits or licenses. Your lawyer may also help you, since this can be time-consuming. Review contracts and disclosures. You'll have to perform significant due diligence along with your attorney to close on a real estate contract. For example, you'll need to do the following: Have an appropriate title survey completed. Generally, a mortgage plot plan is insufficient. Instead, you'll need an ALTA title survey. Review any disclosures about the property. For example, the owner might disclose that something is wrong with the property that wasn't caught by the inspector. Review the tenant leases and documents for their assignment. Consider the impact of zoning restrictions on the apartment complex. If you want to convert a complex to mixed use, then this is a key step. Review service contracts for the apartment complex. Obtain required permits to make repairs. Attend the closing. Your attorney should attend the closing along with a representative of your LLC (if you formed one). You should receive various documents at the closing, including a quitclaim deed and assigned leases and contracts. Hire someone to manage the apartment complex. Depending on the size of the complex, it might be impracticable to manage the property yourself by living onsite. Instead, you should hire a property management company. They will manage the property by collecting rent and scheduling repairs. Check the costs. Generally, property management companies charge 5-10% of rent collected. Talk to other landlords to get referrals. Alternately, you can check with your local apartment association. Compare property management companies based on more than price. Also look at the services they offer. | Choose which type of complex to buy. Consider hiring a real estate agent. Visit apartment complexes. Talk to the current owner. Ask for information on current tenants. Estimate how much you can charge in rent. Estimate your expenses. Run the numbers. Check your credit report. Learn about commercial loans. Make the owner an offer. Have the building inspected. Collect required information for the loan application. Apply for your loan. Compare loans. Hire an attorney. Create a limited liability company to own the apartment complex. Review contracts and disclosures. Attend the closing. Hire someone to manage the apartment complex. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tighten-Your-Horse%27s-Western-Girth | How to Tighten Your Horse's Western Girth | To tighten your horse's Western-style girth, also known as a cinch, first pull up the girth to buckle it to the saddle. Once the girth is secure, wait until your horse exhales and then gently cinch the tie so it feels snug, but not too tight. You shouldn't have to force it! If you cinch the tie when your horse's lungs are full of air, then it may be too loose when your horse eventually exhales. To keep the tie away from your horse's legs while you're riding, pass whatever is left of it through the D-ring at the top of the tie. Then, just like you would with a man's necktie, wrap the extra around the tie and pull it through the top. | Put a saddle blanket or pad on your horse's back. The saddle blanket protects the horse's body from friction from the leather saddle, and is vital for a safe ride. It also keeps the saddle clean from the horse's body which will sweat and froth with the exertion of a ride. If you don't have a blanket, you need one to properly tack your horse. You can get a saddle blanket at any farming supply or agriculture store. You can choose a traditional woven blanket which is folded in half for use, or you can buy a felt or cotton pad which is less likely to bunch under the saddle or catch burrs if you ride in a field. Be sure you brush the horse and ensure there are no burrs in its coat or any injuries to its skin. Position the blanket slightly over the horse's withers (the ridge between its shoulder blades). First put the blanket down a bit too far toward the neck, then pull it back toward the horse's tail until it's in the correct position. This method smooths the hair under the blanket so that it lies flat and doesn't itch or bother the animal. Position the saddle on the blanket. This process might seem cumbersome and can take some practice before it becomes easy, especially if you're used to the English saddle which has less straps and other things dangling down. Stand next to the horse's left shoulder and keep your feet shoulder-width apart. Hook the right stirrup up over the saddle horn so that it won't get caught under the saddle as you lift it, then swing the saddle up and over the horse's back so that your right arm is across the horse's back. Be sure to practice good lifting techniques to avoid injury to your back or leg muscles; saddles can weigh from 10-35 pounds and swinging it without proper posture could injure your muscles or joints. As you put the saddle over the blanket, be sure that you grab the stirrups (the leather loops for the rider's feet), cinches, and straps (any leather hanging down) and hold them out of the way so that they don't get stuck under the saddle. The process of getting the saddle and blanket in the right place might cause them both to slide too far back; in that case, start over with the blanket first. Position the stirrup, cinches, and straps on the left side of the horse. This is the side you have been standing on to put the blanket and saddle on. You can keep the left stirrup up over the saddle horn (the knob on top of the saddle for the rider to hold) for better access, but bring the tie down to the horse's side. Attach the girth. Most saddles have a removable leather strap called a girth or latigo that attaches with buckles to the tie on the horse's right side (some have a girth attached to the tie, in which case you can skip this step). Buckle the girth securely to the tie that hangs down by the horse's front leg on the right side of the horse. Walk in front of the horse back to its left side, and then reach under the horse's body and pass the girth underneath the horse's chest. Cinch the ties. The girth should be pulled up to the buckle on the left side of the horse's saddle, where it should be fastened much like the other side using a buckle. Cinch it tightly but gently (don't force it to go tighter than feels snug and secure). You should wait until the horse exhales to cinch it, because if you tighten it while the horse has its lungs full of air it will be too loose when the horse exhales to be safe. Some horses intentionally take a deep breath right before you tighten the girth. When they do that they get bigger around, so when they breathe out the girth is too loose - just the way they like it! This is called bloating, and some horses do it because a girth doesn't fit them or their skin is being pinched under the girth. If your horse does this, you might want to check that the girth itself is long enough for your horse and not causing irritation or pain. You can secure the additional length of the tie by passing it through the D-ring at the top of the tie, wrapping it around the tie and pulling it through at the top (like a men's necktie). This will keep it up and out of the way of the horse's legs even if the horse runs. Put the finishing touches on. Before you mount up, be sure you didn't forget anything. Be sure the stirrups are down on either side. Double-check that everything is tight because if it's loose and you get on you'll slide right off! Be sure that the bridle is on correctly. Now mount up and ride! Don't forget to mount from the left side. Watch out for a shifting saddle. If you feel that you are having to lean to one side to keep your balance or keep upright, it's probably because the saddle was either placed on incorrectly or has shifted because it is loose. You can know for sure by looking at the pommel (the horn that you hold with one hand while riding). If the horn (or pommel, the knob that sticks up on the saddle for the rider to hold) is not in perfect alignment with the horse's mane, the saddle has shifted off-center. The saddle may have shifted because it was too loose, or it may have shifted because you are putting too much weight on one stirrup and not evenly distributing your weight (this happens all the time, especially to new riders, and especially if you're riding the horse in circles). You can try to shift the saddle back by putting your weight on the opposite side stirrup, but if the saddle moves too easily it is probably too loose. Dismount and adjust it. Notice if your saddle seems to bounce up and down. While you might do a lot of bouncing out of the saddle if your horse is trotting or cantering, the saddle itself should never leave the horse's back. If it's moving up and down as the horse moves, it will injure the horse's back. If the saddle itself seems to leave the horse's body as you trot, you must immediately dismount and tighten the girth. Dismount and inspect the cinch. If you're not sure if the saddle is on properly, don't keep riding, even if you're worried that others will think you don't know what you're doing. Every rider has to adjust the saddle sometimes, and no one will think less of you for putting your horse's comfort and your own safety first. If someone is with you, they can inspect the cinch for you. This is more reliable than doing it yourself since your weight in the saddle will cause more "give" to the girth and make it looser. Have the person check to see if they can pull the girth itself an inch or more away from the horse's body while you are in the saddle. If they can, it's too loose. Tighten the cinch before mounting. You most likely will not have to repeat all the steps again, but you will need to loosen the tie and unbuckle the girth from the horse's left side to re-tighten. Make a note of what position the buckle is in before you remove it, and then ensure that you tighten it to the next notch (or two, if the saddle was very loose) as you re-cinch it. | Put a saddle blanket or pad on your horse's back. Position the saddle on the blanket. Position the stirrup, cinches, and straps on the left side of the horse. Attach the girth. Cinch the ties. Put the finishing touches on. Watch out for a shifting saddle. Notice if your saddle seems to bounce up and down. Dismount and inspect the cinch. Tighten the cinch before mounting. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Skin-Disorders-in-Horses | How to Treat Skin Disorders in Horses | To treat skin disorders in horses, check your horse for crusty scabs or bald patches on its skin, as these are signs of rain rot, which is also known as dermatophilosis. If your horse has them, make sure to give it a sheltered area where it can stay dry during rain and to dry it thoroughly after washing it so it can recover from the rain rot. You should also take a break from riding your horse so sores on its back or neck don't get irritated. While most horses can recover from the skin infection without medication, you may need to see a vet to get prescription medicated shampoo if the condition persists. | Identify a problem with rain rot. Rain rot, also known as rain scald or dermatophilosis, is a bacterial skin disease that is common on horses. You can identify it by looking for crusty scabs on the horse's skin that cause the hair to fall out and bald patches to develop. These bald patches tend to appear in areas that are exposed to rain, such as the top of the head, the top of the neck, and the top of the back. The bacteria that causes rain rot tends to flourish in areas with warm temperatures, high humidity, lots of insects, and lots of rainfall. Rain rot develops where there has been a break in the skin, whether it be from a bug bite or a laceration. Once the skin is opened up, the bacteria can get into the horse's skin and begin spreading. Help your horse stay dry. Most horses are able to recover from rain rot without medication if they are kept clean and dry. Their immune systems are able to eliminate the bacteria on their own, as long as you give the animal a place to stay out of the rain and you keep it groomed. For example, if you keep your horse in a pasture, make sure that it has a sheltered area where it can get out of the rain. If you wash your horse, be sure to dry it off thoroughly afterwards, as excess moisture can promote rain rot. Apply insect repellent on the horse. Because insect bites allow the rain rot bacteria to enter the skin, it's important to prevent additional bites. Purchase an insect repellent that is made for horses and apply it as directed. Talk to your veterinarian about what insect repellent to use on your horse. They may have suggestions that take your specific climate and your specific horse into consideration. It is especially important to apply insect repellent at times of the year when the insects are really bad, such as during hot, humid summer days. Use a fly sheet to protect your horse from insect bites. Available in various designs, fly sheets hang low and help protect your horse's legs and neck. Take a break from riding your horse. If your horse has sores on its back or neck that will be rubbed during riding, it's best to allow them to heal before riding it again. Riding will only irritate the affected areas and will also create moisture that can exacerbate the horse's condition even further. If you are continually reopening wounds and irritating the affected areas, your horse's immune system will have a harder time eliminating the infection. Seek veterinary care if the condition persists. If you have eliminated the problems causing the infection and your horse still doesn't recover, then it is time to seek out veterinary care. To treat rain rot, your veterinarian will likely prescribe a medicated shampoo that you can use on the horse. Medicated shampoos for horses, such as those containing benzoyl peroxide, will remove the scabby and peeling tissue and will keep other infections at bay while the area regenerates. Identify a ringworm infection. Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection that commonly occurs on horse's skin. When the infection begins you will usually notice areas of hair and skin that are raised up and are discolored. Eventually the hair on the raised areas falls out and the skin will turn grey and raw. Even though this disease is called "ringworm," it is not caused by worms and does not always appear in rings. This infection can be anywhere on a horse's body but it is most often located somewhere that is rubbed by horse tack, such as where the bridle, saddle, or girth contact the body. Isolate the horse. If you suspect that your horse has ringworm, you should keep it away from all other horses. This is a very contagious disease, so isolating your horse is an important step towards ensuring the disease doesn't spread. Your horse should be kept away from other horses for 2 to 3 weeks while it is being treated. Get a veterinary diagnosis. If you suspect that your horse has ringworm, then you should have it seen by a veterinarian. The vet will look at the affected areas, take a medical history for the horse, and give you a diagnosis and treatment plan. To confirm a diagnosis your vet will likely take skin samples from the affected area and look at them under a microscope. In some cases a horse can eventually eliminate the ringworm infection on its own. However, this can take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks. However, in that time the horse can infect any other horse it comes into contact with and it will continue to be physically uncomfortable. Clean the area before applying medication. In order for the medication to get down into the infection, you will have to remove any scabbing or flaking skin on the surface. To do this, wash the horse with a mild detergent so the scabs are softened. Then very gently scrub the scabby areas with a toothbrush or other small, soft brush. Be very gentle as you clean off the affected areas, as this process can be painful for the horse. Apply the medication prescribed by your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will likely have you apply an anti-fungal solution to the affected areas. This will be applied several times over the course of a week or 2. As the infection is treated, you should notice the skin healing itself and the horse's hair growing back quickly. Follow your veterinarian's suggestions for treatment, including how much to apply, when to apply it, and how often to apply it. If the lesions keep growing even while being treated, then you should contact your veterinarian and ask for a different topical medication to try. Identify a sarcoid tumor. Sarcoids are a type of skin tumor that shows up on horses. It can vary in appearance but typically looks like irregularly shaped lumps that have a rough, discolored surface. It can be located anywhere on a horse's body but often shows up on a horse's belly, legs, chest, and near the eyes or ears. Sarcoid tumors often emerge on the site of old scars on a horse. These tumors can be mistaken for ringworm, as they have a similar appearance. However, they do not disappear on their own the way that ringworm can. Sarcoids are most common on young or middle-aged horses. Sarcoids are often found in the sheath and on the penis of male horses. Make sure to check for them when you clean your gelding's sheath. Have your veterinarian look at the condition. While sarcoids will not kill your horse, they are a medical condition that needs veterinary treatment because they can impact your horse's quality of life and ability to work. If you spot even a single sarcoid you should have it looked at by a veterinarian so that it can be treated and prevented from spreading. Since sarcoids can be mistaken for ringworm, you should get a veterinary diagnosis so that you can figure out the correct diagnosis and treatment for your horse. Discuss treatment options with your veterinarian. When it comes to sarcoids there are a variety of treatment options. However, none of them are guaranteed to eliminate your horse's tumors. Talk to your veterinarian about what the best treatment option is for your specific horse and its specific disorder. Some common treatments that may be suggested and may be used in combination include: Surgical removal of the tumor. Ligation, which entails placing a band around the base of the tumor and gradually tightening the band. Cryotherapy, which uses liquid nitrogen to freeze off the sarcoid. It will usually take several sessions to fully remove the sarcoid. Boosting the immune system so that the horse's body gets rid of small sarcoids. Topical creams. Radiation therapy at a specialized center. Laser removal. Begin treatment quickly. It is important to start treatment of your horse's sarcoids quickly, as delaying treatment could lead to the condition spreading to other parts of the horse's body. Discuss the treatment plan with your veterinarian and schedule treatment for as soon as possible. If you will be giving your horse treatment, for instance if you will be applying a cream to the tumors, then you should begin treatment right away. While it is important to start treatment as soon as possible, waiting a few days for surgical or laser treatment is fine in order to find a time that works for you and your veterinarian's schedule. You should not, however, wait weeks to begin treatment. Try another treatment if one fails to work. Since there are a variety of treatment options for your horse, you should try a different treatment if the first one doesn't work. It is important for your horse's health to get sarcoids under control, so don't give up until your horse's sarcoids are gone. There is a high rate of sarcoids returning after treatment, so you may have to start treatment again at some point even after you have gotten rid of them. | Identify a problem with rain rot. Help your horse stay dry. Apply insect repellent on the horse. Take a break from riding your horse. Seek veterinary care if the condition persists. Identify a ringworm infection. Isolate the horse. Get a veterinary diagnosis. Clean the area before applying medication. Apply the medication prescribed by your veterinarian. Identify a sarcoid tumor. Have your veterinarian look at the condition. Discuss treatment options with your veterinarian. Begin treatment quickly. Try another treatment if one fails to work. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Air-Dry-Thick-Hair | How to Air Dry Thick Hair | If you have trouble getting your hair to air dry properly, cut down on how often you use shampoo and increase how often you use conditioner. When you shower, comb your hair to detangle it. Use your hands to wring out excess water and a microfiber towel to blot your hair. Run your fingers through your hair to style it as it dries. | Cut down on shampooing your hair. Washing your hair strips away moisture, which leads to frizz. Try to shampoo you hair once a week and never more than a couple times a week. Instead of washing it, just apply a little leave-in conditioner to the ends of your hair each day, or you can treat the ends of your hair with regular conditioner when you're in the shower. If you're too intimidated by the thought of cutting out shampoo, try a cleansing conditioner that will gently remove oil while still moisturizing your hair. Shampoo only your roots. When you apply shampoo, only lather up the hair around your scalp. It's the youngest and most oily area of your hair, while the ends are the oldest and driest, so they don't need the same amount of washing. Massage the shampoo into your roots with your fingers and then rinse it out. Comb your hair in the shower. Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle your hair while it's still wet. To help prevent breakage, try combing it while the conditioner is still in your hair, then rinse when you're done. Don't wait until your hair starts to dry to comb it. If you wait too long, combing can make hair frizzy. Use your hands to squeeze out excess water. Once you're done showering, gather your hair into a ponytail with your hands at the back of your head and move down the length of your hair, squeezing the water down as you go. This will help excess water run off the ends of your hair to prepare for the towel. Blot your hair with an absorbent towel. Do not rub your hair vigorously with the towel. The friction of rubbing not only results in frizz but also breakage. Wrap the towel gently around your hair and squeeze it in various spots to absorb as much water as possible. Run your fingers through your hair. Slide your fingers through your hair at the scalp, and then run them through your hair down to the ends. This allows the air to work through the hair, decreasing drying time. Use your fingers to style your hair. If you want defined curls or waves in your hair as it dries, try twisting several sections of hair around a finger and holding it for a few seconds to create spirals. For a beach waves look, apply an anti-frizz product and scrunch your hair up in your palm before releasing it. Braid your hair to create more defined waves. Divide your hair into 2-4 parts, depending on your hair's thickness. Braid each part and secure each braid with a rubber band. When your braids feel dry to the touch, undo them and enjoy your beautiful waves. If you're hair is naturally straight, this approach may work better for you than creating twists with your fingers. If you don't like the way your hair looks while braided, you can use hair clips to pin your braids up--keeping them on top of your head for a cute updo until they are dry. Switch to either a microfiber towel or a t-shirt. Microfiber towels and t-shirts are gentler on your hair than traditional, terrycloth towels. Microfiber towels are also more absorbent than traditional towels, so you should use a microfiber towel to help your hair dry faster if you have straight or wavy hair. However, if you have curly hair, try using a t-shirt instead. T-shirts are less absorbent, and the extra moisture helps to create soft curls. Long sleeve t-shirts work best because they are easier to wrap and tie around your head. Ditch the brush for a comb. Hairbrushes will only add frizz to your thick hair. Find a comb, preferably a wide-toothed one, and use it sparingly, such as only in the shower or when your hair is already wet. Avoid combing or brushing dry hair, especially if your hair is curly, since the resulting frizz could get out of control. Fight frizz with anti-frizz products. Apply a serum or oil suitable for your hair type to get silky, shiny hair. Try a gel-based product for straight hair and a cream or mousse for curly hair. Do not use products intended for blow drying as many of them are activated by the heat of the blow dryer. To protect the ends of your hair, apply an anti-breakage serum to them while your hair is still wet. Apply leave-in conditioner at least once a week. While your hair is still wet, saturate it with leave-in conditioner from root to tip, or just from the middle down if you're concerned about excess oil from your scalp. If you don't have a leave-in conditioner, you can do the same thing with coconut oil, and allow the product to sit in your hair as it dries. This will help restore lost moisture to your hair and eliminate frizz. Avoid overloading your hair with too many products, since this can make it stiff or greasy. Use hair clips to create volume. If you want to add extra volume to your roots, gather a section of hair at a time and lift the hair up at the root before sliding a clip in. Do this several times around your part and the crown of your head. Then remove the clips once your hair is dry and enjoy the extra lift. | Cut down on shampooing your hair. Shampoo only your roots. Comb your hair in the shower. Use your hands to squeeze out excess water. Blot your hair with an absorbent towel. Run your fingers through your hair. Use your fingers to style your hair. Braid your hair to create more defined waves. Switch to either a microfiber towel or a t-shirt. Ditch the brush for a comb. Fight frizz with anti-frizz products. Apply leave-in conditioner at least once a week. Use hair clips to create volume. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Laser-Tag | How to Play Laser Tag | To play laser tag, start by getting to the arena early so you can get familiar with the layout and find the best spots to fire from. Then, when you see flashing lights on an enemy's vest, quickly aim and shoot to gain points. Even if it means taking a hit yourself, fire at the other player, since you'll still gain points even if you're shot, too. If you're under fire, find a place to take cover, such as behind a wall or around a corner. | Find a laser tag arena in your area and enlist some friends to play. Laser tag arenas are parks designed specifically to play laser tag. They can be rented out or you can simply show up and get in line with your friends, although you should check ahead of time to see if the arena has open play before you go. Pick an area that looks cool to you and visit with 6-30 friends. The cost for playing laser tag is usually between $10-50 per person. You can certainly purchase your own laser tag equipment, but people usually play at areas since they're designed with unique layouts that make playing fun. You also usually play laser tag in the dark, and an arena allows you to play under dim lighting which makes the game more fun. Wear dark clothes to blend into the background. Wear a black or navy blue shirt and a set of black or navy athletic pants or jeans. This way you'll blend into the background and be harder to spot in the dim lighting of the arena. Wear comfortable tennis or gym shoes so that you can comfortably run. Split your friends up into 2-4 teams. Before the game, split your friends up into 2, evenly-matched teams. Some arenas allow for up to 4 teams to compete at once, so split up into smaller squads for a more competitive game. Either separate into multiple groups on your own, or select team captains to draft players for their team. Discuss strategy ahead of time! Meet with your team and figure out how you're going to advance on the map and who will take the lead. Unless you're playing competitively in a tournament, laser tag is all about having fun. Split the teams up so that they're evenly-matched and everyone can have a good time. Put on your tactical vest and tighten the straps. Put your vest on and tighten the clips in the front. Tighten the straps on the side by pulling them until the vest is snug on your body. In laser tag, you are “hit” when an infrared laser strikes one of the sensors on your vest. If your vest is too loose, your sensors could accidentally go off, so make sure that your vest fits and is tight on your body. There are usually sensors in the middle of the chest, tops of the shoulders, and back. There may be a sensor in your gun as well. Pick up a laser gun and determine whether it has cartridges or not. Pick a laser gun up. Arenas usually give every player the same model, so it really shouldn't matter which one you pick. Inspect the gun to see if it has instructions for turning it on if it lists the ammo on the side of the gun. Cartridge laser guns have a limited amount of ammunition and must be reloaded or recharged. This is important because your strategy will change drastically depending on whether you have unlimited ammo or not. Some laser guns have nicknames printed on them. This is how you'll figure out what your score is at the end of the game. Review the game rules and the map. Most games are either elimination-style where a player is out of the game once they're hit, or point-based, where you score points by hitting other players and only remove them from the game temporarily. Either way, there will be a pre-game presentation provided by the arena explaining what is allowed and what is not. Depending on where you're playing and how old you are, you may not actually be allowed to run during the game. If you aren't, move by staying low and shuffling quickly to stay out of firing range. Other common game modes include battle royale, where every player is on their own and the last player standing wins, and capture the flag, where a team wins by capturing a position or item. Start playing once the buzzer goes off. Enter the arena and set up with your team. Either start in the assigned area, or find a safe end of the arena. Wait until the buzzer goes off to start the game. Some arenas use other cues to indicate when the game has started, like dimming lights or an announcement of some sort. If you're allowed to pick where to start, it helps to begin in an area far away from your opponents so that you can track their movements from a safe distance. If you're starting from a predetermined area, identify a safe set of cover nearby where your team can set up. When the buzzer goes off, sprint or move quickly to that location. Shoot at your opponents to knock them out or stun them. When you pull the trigger while aiming at your opponent's vest, you'll hit them. Depending on the style of game that you're playing, this will either knock them out of the game, or “stun” them. When a player is stunned, their gun stops working and you're awarded points. Players that are stunned will be knocked out of play for 5-30 seconds depending on the arena's rules. In some arenas, you can still hit your opponent when they're stunned but they can't shoot back. Rack up as many points as you can while their gun isn't working by firing repeatedly. Avoid taking fire by ducking for cover and moving quickly. To avoid getting knocked out or stunned yourself, look for obstacles on the map that you can duck behind. Move from cover to cover when traveling across the map to avoid getting hit, and never stay out in the open for too long. Zig-zag while you run to make it harder to aim at you. This is only a good strategy in open areas though. Play until the end of the round or until you’re knocked out. When time in the round is up or a team has won, your vests will either go off, or a buzzer will signal the end of the game. In some arenas, the lights will turn back up. When the round is over, either reset for the next round, or leave the play area to view the scoreboard. There are usually multiple rounds played in a single session. A session can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Work in pairs to make you harder to pick off. It will be easier to take down individual opponents if you're rushing them with a partner. Similarly, it will be harder to sneak up on you if you've got a teammate watching your back. Before the game starts, split your team up into smaller pairs. When occupying a position, have one player cover one direction and another player cover the opposite side to stay safe while playing. You can split up into teams of 3-4 if you prefer. It will be harder to move around without making a lot of noise or getting noticed at that point though. Cover for your teammates by laying down covering fire. When a teammate is moving across the map, they're going to be an open target for the enemy team. Help keep them safe by firing repeatedly at the enemy—even if you think you're going to miss. This will make the opponent less likely to take risks, and they're going to be less accurate while they're aiming at your friend. Ask your teammates to lay down covering fire for you when you're moving! Blitz a position as a team to take occupied ground. If the enemy is held up in a safe location on the map, it may be hard to just sneak your way in there and take them down. Instead, carry out a coordinated attack by spreading your team out and attacking quickly from multiple sides. Be willing to give up a few players to shake the enemy loose from their spot and take the position for yourself. Be careful when using this strategy. If it goes poorly, you'll end up giving up a lot of points. Keep a nearby exit open in case you get rushed. When your team is holding a position down, identify a nearby escape route that you can take in case you get rushed. Try to avoid taking up positions that are corners or tight areas where you won't be able to escape if you get sieged or rushed. In general, positions with multiple exits are better spots to hold down anyway, since your team will be able to cover multiple paths and take down the individual players that walk by. Shoot while you’re moving to keep the enemy off of you. When you're moving, if your team isn't providing covering fire, provide it yourself. Before you start moving, raise your gun up and look down the sights. Then, as you're moving, keep your head on a swivel by looking back and forth down the sights. If you see any opponents, fire repeatedly to keep them from hopping up and getting a free shot. In general, unless you absolutely know there's no one around, you shouldn't lower your gun. Take the high ground if there’s a second floor. If the arena has multiple levels, taking the high ground can make it easier to track your enemy. From the second floor, you'll have an easier time spotting the enemy as they move across the map. You'll also be safer from the second floor since your opponent would have to look upwards to notice you. The one instance where this may not be true could be the beginning of the game. If there's a second level, a bunch of players are likely going to be rushing upstairs as soon as the buzzer goes off. Expect a massive shootout in the first minute or two. Change your rate of fire based on your ammunition. If the guns have limited ammunition, you'll need to conserve your ammunition and maneuver around the map to get into position for higher-percentage shots. If the guns have unlimited ammunition, you'll be rewarded for firing as often as possible and playing a little more defensively by finding a safe spot and shooting from cover. | Find a laser tag arena in your area and enlist some friends to play. Wear dark clothes to blend into the background. Split your friends up into 2-4 teams. Put on your tactical vest and tighten the straps. Pick up a laser gun and determine whether it has cartridges or not. Review the game rules and the map. Start playing once the buzzer goes off. Shoot at your opponents to knock them out or stun them. Avoid taking fire by ducking for cover and moving quickly. Play until the end of the round or until you’re knocked out. Work in pairs to make you harder to pick off. Cover for your teammates by laying down covering fire. Blitz a position as a team to take occupied ground. Keep a nearby exit open in case you get rushed. Shoot while you’re moving to keep the enemy off of you. Take the high ground if there’s a second floor. Change your rate of fire based on your ammunition. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Address-the-Pope | How to Address the Pope | The best way to address the Pope in writing or in person is by remaining respectful. If you're writing a letter, address the Pope as “Your Holiness” in the opening and throughout the letter. Even if you aren't Catholic, remain respectful in your tone and close the letter by wishing the Pope well. If you're meeting the Pope in person, you can address him as “Holy Father,” “Your Holiness,” or “Most Holy Father.” As with most other prominent figures, you should stand when the Pope enters the room, and always speak clearly and respectfully in his presence. | Address the Pope as "Your Holiness. " Another acceptable way to address the Pope in writing would be "Most Holy Father." Note, however, that on the envelope, you should address the Pope as “His Holiness, ________” with the Pope's name in the blank. For instance, if writing to Pope Francis, the envelope would read, “His Holiness, Pope Francis.” Maintain a respectful tone. Throughout the body of the letter, your tone should be polite and gracious. You do not need to write in flowery language, but your language should be on par with how you would speak or be expected to speak inside a Catholic church. Avoid swearing, slang, derogatory language, or any other forms of impolite speech. Write out everything you need or want to say, but keep in mind that the Pope is a busy man. Instead of dragging on and spending extensive space on flattery, it would be better for all parties concerned if you kept the formalities basic and went directly into the purpose of your letter. Conclude the letter politely. As a Roman Catholic, you should conclude the letter with a sentence along the lines of, "I have the honor to profess myself with the most profound respect. Your Holiness' most obedient and humble servant," before signing your name. If you are not a Catholic, you can change the closing to something along the lines of, "With every good wish to Your Holiness, I am, Sincerely Yours," followed by your signature. Something as simple as "With every best wish. Sincerely yours," with a signature after it would also work for a non-Catholic writing to the Pope. Regardless of the exact wording you choose, the level of respect you demonstrate should correspond to the minimum level of respect you should have for someone in the Pope's position, at the very least. Someone who does not follow Catholic teaching or who disagrees with the Pope should still recognize his position of authority and close in a respectful manner. Anyone who does follow Catholic teaching should demonstrate the respect expected from one addressing the leader of his or her faith on Earth. Know the Vatican mailing address. If you plan to send your letter by traditional mail, you should write the address on the envelope as: His Holiness, Pope Francis / Apostolic Palace / 00120 Vatican City. Note that you should separate the address onto separate lines according to the placements of the slashes, /. Other ways to write the same address include: His Holiness, Pope Francis PP. / 00120 Via del Pellegrino / Citta del Vaticano His Holiness Pope Francis / Apostolic Palace / Vatican City His Holiness Pope Francis / Vatican City State, 00120 Do not write "Italy" on the envelope as the country. The Vatican is considered its own independent nation, completely separate from Italy. Refer to the Pope as "Holy Father. ” Other appropriate ways to address the Pope in person include "Your Holiness" and "Most Holy Father." “His Holiness” and “Holy Father” both address the Pope by his title and position in the Church. You should address the Pope only by these titles rather than by his name when speaking to him face-to-face. Stand and applaud as the Pope enters. The amount of applause will vary depending on the venue, but you should always stand in respect once the Pope walks into the room you are in. Usually, if the venue is a small room with a small to mid-size crowd, the applause is quiet and polite. For large venues, however, like a stadium Mass, loud applause and even cheers are appropriate. Genuflect as the Pope approaches. If the Pope approaches you directly, you should kneel with your right knee bent to the floor. You do not need to make the Sign of the Cross, as you would do while genuflecting to the Eucharist, but you should still bend at the knee. Genuflection is a sign of high respect. Kiss his ring, when appropriate. If you are Catholic and if the Pope offers you his hand, that would be an appropriate time to plant a quick yet respectful kiss on the Piscatory ring, also known as the Ring of the Fisherman, traditionally worn by the Pope. On the other hand, if the Pope offers you his hand and you are not Catholic, you are not obligated to kiss the ring. You could simply shake his hand, instead. The Ring of the Fisherman is a symbol and mark of the office. By kissing it, you show both respect and sincere affection for the man who holds that office. Speak respectfully, clearly, and concisely. Plan what to say beforehand so that you do not stumble too much over your words, and maintain a tone that is both clear and respectful the entire time. Start by introducing yourself. Give your name and say something important or fitting about yourself. If you came to the Vatican for a specific purpose or desired an audience with the Pope for a specific purpose, you should also state that. The Pope will guide the conversation, and you should let him do so. Keep your answers direct and brief, and speak in a clear, loud voice so that the Pope can hear you. Stand up as the Pope leaves. As soon as the Pope stands to leave, you should stand, as well. Wait until he leaves the room before you sit down again or pay attention to anything else. Applause is not usually necessary at the end of the audience or event, but if you are in a large crowd and the crowd begins to applaud, it is appropriate to join in if you so desire. | Address the Pope as "Your Holiness. Maintain a respectful tone. Conclude the letter politely. Know the Vatican mailing address. Refer to the Pope as "Holy Father. Stand and applaud as the Pope enters. Genuflect as the Pope approaches. Kiss his ring, when appropriate. Speak respectfully, clearly, and concisely. Stand up as the Pope leaves. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Ron-Ron-Juice | How to Make Ron Ron Juice | To make Ron Ron juice, slice the watermelon into quarters, cut off the rind, and cut the flesh into 1-2 inch chunks. Place the watermelon chunks into your blender, then add the vodka and cranberry juice. Next, add the cherries, watermelon, and blueberries, then top off the blender with ice. Blend the juice on low for 20 to 30 seconds, then increase the speed to high for 20 to 30 seconds until the ingredients are full incorporated! | Slice your watermelon. Before adding your watermelon to the blender, you will need to slice it. Set your watermelon on a cutting board and then slice it in half lengthwise. From there, cut each half in half to quarter the watermelon. Cut one quarter at a time into one to two inch wedges. Slice off the rind at the end of the edges. Cut all the wedges into roughly even cubes. Cut smaller cubes if you have a less powerful blender. Measure out the cubes until you have eight cups of watermelon. Add your vodka and cranberry juice. You want to add the liquids to the bottom of the blender. This helps ingredients blend smoother. Pour in your vodka and cranberry juice to start. It does not matter which liquid you add first. You just need liquids at the bottom of the blender. Add the cherries, watermelon, and blueberries. Fruit should be added next, so add the watermelon, blueberries, and cherries. As liquids go best nearest the bottom, try adding the cherries first as the jar will have some juice in it. This may help the drink mix faster. Add the ice. The amount of ice you add is optional. It is to cool off the drink and give it a chunkier texture. A cooler, chunkier drink will require more ice. If space is an issue, use less ice to avoid overfilling the blender. Start on pulse, if possible. If your blender has a pulse setting, start by using this. Many people assume they should begin at the highest setting, but this will actually make the drink mix slower. Start with the pulse setting to get your ron-ron juice to mix quickly. Keep pulsing the drink until things are beginning to mix smoothly. Fruit should stop getting stuck on the bottom and all the ingredients should be swirling together. Increase the speed gradually. Once things are blending, increase the speed to low. Blend the juice on low for 20 to 30 seconds. Then, increase the speed to high for an additional 20 to 30 seconds. Keep blending until the ingredients are mixed. When you're done, everything should be mixed together smoothly. You should be left with a smoothie-like mixture. There should be no chunks of fruit remaining your ron-ron juice. Cut fruit into small pieces if you have a weak blender. A powerful blender can mix ingredients more easily. If you're working with a small blender, without a lot of different speed settings, cut your fruit into very small pieces. This can help your juice mix smoothly even if your blender is on the weak side. Pause and push around the ingredients if necessary. Even strong blenders sometimes slow down, especially when dealing with ingredients like fruit. If your blender is stalling, turn it off. Then, use a spoon to push the ingredients around. This should loosen things up and get your blender working again. Rinse your blender immediately. The longer you let a blender sit with dirty ingredients, the harder it will be to clean. You should rinse your blender under running water after using it. If the blade is detachable, remove the blade and rinse it separately. Serve and enjoy! | Slice your watermelon. Add your vodka and cranberry juice. Add the cherries, watermelon, and blueberries. Add the ice. Start on pulse, if possible. Increase the speed gradually. Keep blending until the ingredients are mixed. Cut fruit into small pieces if you have a weak blender. Pause and push around the ingredients if necessary. Rinse your blender immediately. Serve and enjoy! |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cap-Off-a-Sprinkler-Head | How to Cap Off a Sprinkler Head | If you have sprinkler heads that are too close together and want to prevent overwatering in a certain area, cap off the head by replacing the existing cap with a flat one. First, get a sprinkler cap or plug that is compatible with your system. Once you have the right cap, turn off the water to the sprinkler system and dig a 1 to 2-inch hole around the existing sprinkler head. Turn the top of the sprinkler head counterclockwise to remove the cap, then screw the new, flat cap onto the head. Refill the hole with dirt, and turn the water system back on. | Find or purchase a sprinkler cap or plug that is compatible with your system. Your sprinkler system should have originally come with the flat plastic caps or plugs that fit over your sprinkler head. These caps plug up the water and prevent it from being dispersed on your lawn or garden. If you can't find the cap that came with your system, you may be able to purchase it on the manufacturer's website or at a hardware store. Each sprinkler system will use a different sized cap, so it's best to find one made specifically for your system. Turn off the water to the sprinkler system. Locate the valve that controls the water that pumps through your sprinkler system and turn the valve clockwise to turn off the water. This will prevent water from flowing out of the system while you cap the sprinkler head. The shut-off valve for your sprinkler system is typically on the side of your house. Shut-off valves on sprinkler systems are usually blue. Clear the dirt around the sprinkler head. Use a gardening shovel to dig a 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) hole around the sprinkler head. Set the dirt on the side so that you can use it later to refill the hole. Clearing the dirt from the top of the sprinkler head will ensure that it doesn't enter your system when you unscrew the head's cap. Remove the cap from the sprinkler head. Turn the top of the head counterclockwise to remove the cap. If you can't remove the cap, use a pair of pliers to loosen it. Continue unthreading the top of the sprinkler head until it's removed. Screw the new cap onto the sprinkler head. Place the flat plastic cap made for your system over the threads on the top of your sprinkler head. Turn the cap clockwise to tighten it. Refill the hole and turn on the system. Turn the water supply valve counterclockwise to turn the water back on. Turn on your irrigation or sprinkler system and examine the sprinkler head you capped. No water should be coming out of it. Turn off the valve to the system's water source. Turn the water valve connected to your sprinkler system clockwise to turn it off and cut off water flow. Typically, this valve will be blue and located on the side or back of your home. If you don't turn off your water, it may spray out of the system when you remove the sprinkler head. Dig a 5–6 in (13–15 cm) deep hole around the sprinkler head. Use a gardening shovel to create a hole around the sprinkler head. Set the dirt on the side so that you can use it later to refill the hole. Removing the dirt around the head allows you to access and remove the sprinkler head easier. Unscrew the sprinkler head. Make sure your hole is deep enough so that you can see the base of the sprinkler head. Grab the long stem of the sprinkler head and turn it counterclockwise to loosen it from your sprinkler system tubing. You can use the extra sprinkler head to replace a broken sprinkler head or use it in another location along your system. Screw a PVC pipe cap directly onto the system. Purchase a PVC pipe cap that is the same size as the pipe in your sprinkler system. Place the cap on the threads that the sprinkler head was screwed into. Rotate the PVC pipe cap counterclockwise to secure it onto the system. Screwing a PVC pipe cap onto your sprinkler system will turn off that specific sprinkler head. Typically, sprinkler systems use ⁄ 2 – ⁄ 4 in (1.3–1.9 cm) pipe. Fill the hole with dirt and turn on the system. Go back to the valve and rotate it counterclockwise to turn the water supply back on. Access your sprinkler system controller to turn the system. No water should be coming out of the sprinkler head that you capped. | Find or purchase a sprinkler cap or plug that is compatible with your system. Turn off the water to the sprinkler system. Clear the dirt around the sprinkler head. Remove the cap from the sprinkler head. Screw the new cap onto the sprinkler head. Refill the hole and turn on the system. Turn off the valve to the system's water source. Dig a 5–6 in (13–15 cm) deep hole around the sprinkler head. Unscrew the sprinkler head. Screw a PVC pipe cap directly onto the system. Fill the hole with dirt and turn on the system. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-More-Talkative | How to Become More Talkative | To be more talkative, ask people questions about things that most people enjoy talking about, like their family, their job, and their hobbies. For example, you could ask "How many siblings do you have? Are you close with them?" or "What do you usually do on the weekends?" When you're having a conversation with someone, try to just say whatever comes to your mind without overthinking it, which will make it easier to have a natural conversation. | Lead with something you know you can both talk about. The biggest thing that keeps us from starting conversations is the fear that you'll approach someone, open your mouth, and then have absolutely nothing to say. Fortunately, there are a few easy ways that you can always be sure you'll pick something you can both talk about comfortably. Assess the situation. If you're in class with someone, you can always start by talking about class. If you're at the same party, talk about the party. It doesn't need to be complicated: "What do you think of this neighborhood?" is even a fine way to start a conversation. Never try to approach a stranger and start a conversation with a pick-up line or other lame jokes. While it's not necessarily "rude," asking someone how much a polar bear weighs doesn't give you a chance to make conversation, it just gives you a lame dead-end. Remember to use good "FORM. " FORM is an acronym commonly used in some conversation coaching, which helps you to remember topics that are always good for starting conversations and assorted prompts for starting them, whether you know the person well, or you're just meeting someone. It's a good rule of thumb for picking conversation starters: Family, Occupation, Recreation, and Motivation. Family "How's your mom these days?" or "How are your parents doing?" "How many brothers and sisters do you have?" or "Did you all get along?" "What was your best/worst family vacation?" Occupation "What do you do?" or "How are you enjoying your new job?" "What's the toughest thing you've got going on at work?" or "What was the most interesting thing you did there this week?" "What are the people you work with like?" Recreation "What do you do for fun?" or "What is there to do around here for fun?" "How long have you been doing that?" "Do you have a regular group of people you do that with?" Motivation "What do you want to do after school?" or "Do you think you'll be at that job for long? What's your dream job?" "What do you want to be doing, down the road?" Ask open-ended questions. It's absolutely critical that you start conversations by giving people the chance to talk, and responding to them in turn. This is what makes you talkative, not the ability to chatter on about yourself. Open-ended questions give other people the opportunity to open up and give you more to respond to, and more to talk about in the conversation. Open-ended questions can be used to follow up closed answers. If someone reticent to talk and says, "I'm doing ok, I guess" in response to your "What's up?" Say, "What did you do today?" and follow it up with, "How did it go?" Get them talking. Open-ended questions have to do with opinions. You can't answer an open-ended question with yes or no answers. Don't ask closed questions, like "What's your name?" or "Do you come here a lot?" This doesn't give you anything to talk about. Recall previous conversations. Sometimes, it's actually harder to talk to people you know a little bit, as opposed to strangers. If you already know someone's family history and basic story, you it's good to try to recall previous conversations to look for follow up questions, to find out what they've been up to: "What'd you do today" or "What have you been up to since I've seen you?" "How was that project at school? Did you get it finished ok?" "Those pictures of vacation on Facebook looked great. How was the trip?" Practice good listening skills as well as talking. Good conversation is about more than flapping your gums. If you want to be more talkative, it's important to practice good listening and not just wait for your turn to talk. Make eye contact with the person, and use open body language. Nod your head when you agree and focus on the conversation. Follow up with things like, "Oh, wow. Then what happened?" or "How did that turn out?" Really listen and respond to what the other person is saying. Practicing training yourself to paraphrase, saying, "What I'm hearing is..." and "It sounds like what you're saying is..." Never be more talkative by simply one-upping people in conversation, or responding to what they've said by talking about yourself all the time. Listen and respond. Read the other person's body language for clues. Some people just don't want to talk, and it won't make the situation better if you force it. Pay close attention for people who are displaying closed body language and disengage from the conversation. Focus your talkative skills on someone else instead. Closed body language includes things like looking over your head and around the room, as if looking for an exit. Closed or crossed arms are sometimes a sign of closed body language, as well as leaning one's shoulder toward you, or away from you. Open body language consists of leaning forward, making eye contact, and listen to the other person. Smile. A lot of conversation is non-verbal. People are a lot more willing to engage happy, open, friendly-looking people in conversation. You can do a lot to encourage other people in conversation and get them to engage you if you use open body language and smile. You don't have to look like a grinning idiot, just look like you're happy to be where you are, even if you're feeling uncomfortable. No furrowed brows and sour faces. Lift your eyebrows and keep your chin up. Smile. Look for open doors in the conversation. Good conversationalists make this easy, but even with closed off people, you can learn to find doors to open into other topics and avenues, looking for a personal connection that can give you something to really talk about together. It's kind of an art, but there are some tricks to developing it in yourself. Ask about someone's history with a particular subject. If someone mentions going running, ask them how long they've been running, whether or not they enjoy it, where they go running, and other associated questions. Ask about someone's opinion of a particular subject. If someone mentions working at Burger King during high school, ask what it was like. Solicit their opinion. Always be following up. There's no problem in following up someone's short answer with, "Why's that?" or "How?" Smile, to avoid seeming like you're prying, and that you're actually just curious. Don't be afraid to go deep. People like to talk about themselves, so don't be afraid of soliciting their opinions and doing a little probing into their mind. While some people who are more guarded may be reticent to talk, others will enjoy being able to share their opinion with someone who is generally curious. You can always back-track if you need to, and say, "Sorry, I don't mean to pry, I'm just curious." Think out loud. Don't be silent while you think of answers to questions you've been asked, just start paraphrasing what the other person has said and let yourself start talking. If you're a generally shy person, it's likely that you're overthinking what you say before you say it, and often it'll come out just as well, if not better, the less you censor yourself, and the more you just allow yourself to speak. Lots of people worry about "sounding dumb" or that they're going to not say the "right" thing, but this usually results in unnatural speech patterns and awkward timing in conversations. If you want to be more talkative, practice responding, even if you're not positive what you're going to say. Don't be afraid to switch topics. Sometimes, a subject will just die out, and then awkwardness can quickly set in. If you don't have anything more to say about a particular subject, don't be afraid to hop to something else, even if it doesn't necessarily follow. If you're having drinks and talking about football, and then football dries up, gesture to the drink and ask something like, "How is that? What's in it again?" Talk drinks for a while while you think of other subjects. Talk about what you want to talk about, and what you know a lot about. Things that you're very knowledgeable about are interesting to other people, at least people who are worth talking to. Stay informed about current events. If you run out of things to talk about, it's good to have a pretty good grasp of current events, common topics, and big headlines, so you can talk about something that your conversation partner is likely to have heard of, and you can find common ground. You don't even have to know a lot about topics to engage in conversation. Say something like, "What's the deal with this new Senate controversy? I haven't really heard specifics. Have you?" You don't have to be a man to fall into the "mansplaining" trap. Never assume that the person you're talking to doesn't know anything about a topic, even if it's obscure, or very specific, or it may come off as condescension. Speak louder. If you're not as talkative as you'd like to be in one-on-one conversations, talking in big groups can be an even bigger challenge. But if you want your voice to be heard, one of the most important things to learn is to speak at a volume that will allow it to be heard more easily. Many reticent people are also somewhat quiet, and introverted. Larger groups tend to favor extroverts and loud talkers, which means you'll have to slightly tailor your voice to the group. Try this: grab the floor of the conversation by raising your voice to the level of the others, but then drop to your natural speaking voice when people are listening, so you don't have to fake it. Bring them to you, not vice versa. Don't wait for a silence. Sometimes, group conversations can feel like that game Frogger: you're looking at a big street, heavy with traffic, and trying to find an opening that never comes. But the secret with that game is that you just have to dive in. Those silences, when they come, are never obvious, or expected, so it's important to risk interrupting someone, instead of waiting for absolute silence before speaking. Try not to interrupt people by talking over, but use interjection words before they're done, like saying, "So..." or "Wait a minute..." or even "I've got something to say," and then waiting for them to finish. You'll have grabbed the floor without talking over them completely. Make it known you want to speak with body language. If you have something to say, look at the speaker, lean forward, and use open body language that communicates you're engaged in the conversation, and want to say something. Someone may even pass you the floor by requesting your input, if you look like you want to talk. Sometimes, if you feel like you're getting run over by the conversation truck, it's tempting to get frustrated and disengage from the conversation. But this will only make it more difficult to talk, and will keep others from recognizing that you might want to speak. Offer alternatives. In a group setting, the conversation can quickly get boring if everyone is just saying the same thing, so it's good to play Devil's Advocate, on occasion, if the conversation calls for it. If you find yourself disagreeing with the group opinion, try gently voicing your disagreement. Make sure to soften disagreement by leading with, "I guess I'm seeing this a little differently, but..." or "Good point, but I'm not sure I agree." You don't have to adopt ideas or opinions that aren't your own just to say something, especially if you can't back it up. If you disagree though, feel free to voice it. Conversations aren't cults that punish dissent. Start a side-conversation, if necessary. Some people struggle to socialize in larger groups and flourish in one-on-one environments. There's nothing wrong with these people. A recent personality study found that many people fall into one of two groups, based on whether or not they were able to contribute to larger groups or one-on-one talks better. These groups are dyads and triads. Dad's struggle to find purchase in larger groups. If you want to talk to someone, but struggle in a group of three or more people, take the person aside and talk. Then, talk to other people in the group one-on-one, to get into your own comfort zone. It won't seem rude if you make the time for everyone. Plan out a comment. Talking in class is a whole different ballgame, and what might seem awkward or unusual during informal conversations is sometimes perfectly appropriate and even expected in the classroom setting. The best example of this is group discussions, when it's perfectly appropriate to write out, or pre-plan comments that you might want to share with the class. In general, it can be hard to remember to bring up points you might have thought of while doing the reading in English class, or questions you had about the homework during math, so write these out and bring them up next time you're in class. Nothing wrong with a script for school. Ask a question. The best way to contribute to class is to ask questions. Any time you don't understand something, or feel like you're unclear about an issue or topic, raise your hand and ask a question. It's a rule of thumb that any time one student doesn't get it, there are probably five more who don't have the guts to raise their hand. Be the brave one. Only ask questions that benefit the group, or that apply to the group. It's not appropriate to raise your hand to ask, "Why did I get a B on this?" Agree with another student's comment. If you're having a group discussion and are struggling for something to say, there's usually good opportunities to piggy-back on other students comments, which has the effect of making it look like you're saying something, even if you're really not. Wait for someone to say something that sounds good, then chip in with, "I agree" and paraphrase it in your own words. Easy comment points. Paraphrase. Get in the habit of working things that have already been said and translating it into your own version of what was said, adding bits and pieces to it as you go. This is a great way to contribute to class without really having anything to say that wasn't already said. Of course, it's better if you add a little, to make it worth your teacher's while. If someone says, "I think this book is really about the family dynamics and the bad stuff they're all hiding, you know?" get your translation cap on and polish up the comment. Say, "I agree. I think you can really see the patriarchy at work in the father-son relationship displayed in this novel, especially in the downfall of the title character." Bonus points for pointing out specifics. Find a quotation, or a problem in your book that illustrates a point someone else has brought up. Aim for at least one contribution per class period. Generally, you don't need to be the most talkative person in your class, just talkative enough to let your presence be known. Most of the time, that means at least once per class period. This can also have the effect of keeping the teacher from picking on you later, if the rest of the class is being quiet. Plan out a point, get it out of the way, and then sit back and listen. | Lead with something you know you can both talk about. Remember to use good "FORM. Ask open-ended questions. Recall previous conversations. Practice good listening skills as well as talking. Read the other person's body language for clues. Smile. Look for open doors in the conversation. Don't be afraid to go deep. Think out loud. Don't be afraid to switch topics. Stay informed about current events. Speak louder. Don't wait for a silence. Make it known you want to speak with body language. Offer alternatives. Start a side-conversation, if necessary. Plan out a comment. Ask a question. Agree with another student's comment. Paraphrase. Aim for at least one contribution per class period. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Draw-Soccer-Players | How to Draw Soccer Players | To draw soccer players, start by lightly sketching stick figures to get the basic lines down on paper, then add volume to the figures. Next, sketch in uniform details to demonstrate the position of each figure, such as giving a goalkeeper knee length socks and gloves. Then, add the finer details, like the hair and facial expressions. Lastly, erase any unnecessary lines and add color to your drawing! | Draw a stick figure of a soccer player in a kicking position. Take note of joint locations. Add volume to your stick figure. Draw his uniform. Usually, it is a shirt and shorts. Draw the socks and shoes. Draw the details to the face and hair. Sketch a soccer ball. Erase unnecessary lines. Color your drawing. Draw a stick figure of your soccer player in guarding position. Take note of joint locations. Also remember that since he is the Goalkeeper, his stance should be slightly widened. Add volume to your stick figure. Draw the uniform. The top is usually long sleeved. Draw socks that are knee length and soccer shoes. Draw the face and the hands. Make the hands thick because he is wearing gloves. Draw the hair and erase unnecessary lines. Color your drawing. Using basic shapes, create a skeleton figure of your player and the ball. Roughly sketch the details of the player and ball. Draw the finer details that represent the portrait, body, clothes and the action of the figure. Erase the rough sketch lines and finalize the details. Using basic shapes, create a skeleton figure of your player and the ball. Roughly sketch the details of the player and ball. Draw the finer details that represent the portrait, body, clothes and the action of the figure. Erase the rough sketch lines and finalize the details. | Draw a stick figure of a soccer player in a kicking position. Add volume to your stick figure. Draw his uniform. Draw the details to the face and hair. Erase unnecessary lines. Color your drawing. Draw a stick figure of your soccer player in guarding position. Add volume to your stick figure. Draw the uniform. Draw the face and the hands. Draw the hair and erase unnecessary lines. Color your drawing. Using basic shapes, create a skeleton figure of your player and the ball. Roughly sketch the details of the player and ball. Draw the finer details that represent the portrait, body, clothes and the action of the figure. Erase the rough sketch lines and finalize the details. Using basic shapes, create a skeleton figure of your player and the ball. Roughly sketch the details of the player and ball. Draw the finer details that represent the portrait, body, clothes and the action of the figure. Erase the rough sketch lines and finalize the details. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Determine-If-You-Had-a-Miscarriage | How to Determine If You Had a Miscarriage | To determine if you had a miscarriage, watch for heavy vaginal bleeding and cramps similar to when you have your period, which are the most common symptoms. Another thing to look out for is pink or white vaginal mucus, which may also contain pregnancy tissue. If you experience moderate to severe lower back pain, consult your doctor, since you could be having a miscarriage. Pay attention to how you feel as well, since reduced morning sickness or less swelling in your breasts may indicate a miscarriage. If you think you've had a miscarriage, make sure to call your doctor right away, who may advise you to go a local emergency room for treatment. | Understand why miscarriages happen. Miscarriages most often occur in the early weeks of pregnancy. Chromosome abnormalities are the most common cause, and in most cases there's nothing the mother could have done to prevent it. The risk of miscarriage drops after thirteen weeks of gestation. By then, most chromosome abnormalities would have already caused the pregnancy to end. The following factors also put people at higher risk of having a miscarriage: Older women have a higher risk. Women who are 35 to 45 years old have a 20-30 percent chance of miscarriage, and women over the age of 45 have up to a 50 percent chance. Women with severe chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or lupus, have a higher risk of miscarrying. Abnormalities in the uterus, such as scar tissue, can lead to a miscarriage. Smoking, drug use and alcohol use can cause miscarriage to occur. Women who are overweight or underweight are at higher risk. Women who have already had more than one miscarriage are at higher risk. Check vaginal bleeding. Heavy vaginal bleeding is the most common sign that a miscarriage is occurring. It is often accompanied by cramps similar to those you might feel during your period. The blood is typically brown or bright red in color. Light spotting, and even moderate bleeding, can occur in healthy pregnancies. Heavy bleeding with clotting may indicate miscarriage. Notify your physician any time you experience bleeding during pregnancy. According to the some studies, 50 to 75 percent of miscarriages are chemical pregnancies. This means they occur shortly after implantation. Often, the woman does not realize she was pregnant and she experiences bleeding at the time her normal monthly period is due. Bleeding may be heavier than normal and cramping may be more severe. Check your vaginal mucous. Symptoms of miscarriage include pink-white vaginal mucous, which may contain pregnancy tissue. If your discharge looks like clotted tissue, or is solid in any way, this may be a sign that miscarriage is occurring or has occurred; you should see your doctor right away. Most pregnant women experience increased levels of clear or milky vaginal discharge called Leukorrhea. If you have high levels of this type of discharge, there's no need for alarm. You may also mistake spot of urine for vaginal discharge. Urinary incontinence is a common occurrence in healthy pregnancies. Pay attention to your aches and pains. Any pregnancy brings a variety of aches and pains along with it. During a miscarriage, pain is usually located in the lower back and can range from mild to severe. If you experience lower back pain, talk with your physician right away. Occasional twinges or aches in your abdomen, pelvic area and back are often the result of your body adjusting to accommodate your growing fetus. If pain is severe, persistent or occurs in waves you may be miscarrying, especially if there is also bleeding. It is also possible to experience "true contractions" if you're having a miscarriage. The contractions occur every 15 to 20 minutes, and are often severely painful. Analyze your pregnancy symptoms. With pregnancy comes a slew of different symptoms, all caused by increased levels of hormones in your system. If you experience a reduction in symptoms, this may be a sign that a miscarriage has occurred and your hormone levels are returning to their pre-pregnancy state. If you've had a miscarriage you may notice less morning sickness, less swelling and tenderness of the breasts, and a feeling of no longer being pregnant. In healthy pregnancies, these early symptoms often subside on their own at about 13 weeks, which is also the time miscarriage risk decreases. Symptom occurrence and severity varies in every pregnancy. A sudden change prior to 13 weeks warrants a call to your physician's office. See your doctor to be sure. Visit your physician's office, emergency room, or the labor and delivery area of your hospital for a definitive answer as to whether you miscarried. Even if you experience all the above symptoms, there still may be a chance that the fetus can survive, depending on the type of miscarriage. Depending on how far your pregnancy has progressed, the physician will use blood tests, pelvic exam or ultrasound to check the viability of the pregnancy. If you experience heavy bleeding early in your pregnancy, your physician may not have you come in to the office unless you wish to do so. Know the different types of miscarriage. Miscarriage affects every woman's body a little differently. In some cases all pregnancy tissues leave the body quickly, while in other cases the process is longer and a bit more difficult. Here are the different types of miscarriage, and what affect they have on the body: Threatened miscarriage: The cervix remains closed. It is possible that the bleeding and other miscarriage symptoms will stop, and the pregnancy will proceed as normal. Inevitable miscarriage: Heavy bleeding occurs, and the cervix begins to open. At this point there is no chance that the pregnancy will continue. Incomplete miscarriage: Some pregnancy tissue leaves the body, but some stays inside. Sometimes a procedure is necessary to remove the remaining tissue. Complete miscarriage: All pregnancy tissue leaves the body. Missed abortion: Even though the pregnancy has ended, the tissue stays in the body. Sometimes it comes out on its own, and sometimes treatment is needed to remove it. Ectopic pregnancy: This is not technically a type of miscarriage, but it is another type of pregnancy loss. Instead of implanting in the uterus, the egg implants in the fallopian tube or ovary, where it will not be able to grow. Call your physician if the bleeding stops on its own. If you experience heavy bleeding that eventually subsides, and it's still early in your pregnancy, you may not have to go to the hospital. Many women prefer not have an extra hospital visit and would rather rest at home. This is usually fine as long as the bleeding stops within ten days to two weeks. If you're experiencing cramps or other pain, your physician might tell you how to make yourself more comfortable during the miscarriage. If you want to confirm that a miscarriage occurred, you can schedule an ultrasound. Seek treatment if the bleeding doesn't stop. If you experience heavy bleeding and other miscarriage symptoms, and you are not sure whether the miscarriage is complete or incomplete, your physician may proceed using one of the following strategies: Expectant management: You'll wait and see whether the remaining tissue eventually passes and the bleeding stops on its own. Medical management: Medication is given to cause the remaining tissue to expel from the body. This requires a short hospital stay, and the bleeding that follows can last up to three weeks. Surgical management: Dilation and curettage, known as a D&C, is performed to remove the remaining tissue. The bleeding usually stops more quickly than it does for those who use the medical management method. Medication may be administered to slow the bleeding. Watch your symptoms. If your bleeding continues past the time when your physician said it would slow and stop, it's important to seek treatment immediately. If you experience any other symptoms, such as chills or fever, see your doctor or go to the hospital right away. Look into grief counseling. Losing a pregnancy at any stage can be emotionally traumatic. It is important to grieve your loss, and seeking counseling can help. Ask your physician for a referral for grief counseling, or book an appointment with a therapist in your area. There is no certain amount of time after which you should feel better; it's different for every woman. Give yourself as much time as you need to grieve. When are ready to try to get pregnant again, talk with your physician about making an appointment with someone who specializes in high-risk pregnancies. This is usually only necessary for those who have had two or more miscarriages. | Understand why miscarriages happen. Check vaginal bleeding. Check your vaginal mucous. Pay attention to your aches and pains. Analyze your pregnancy symptoms. See your doctor to be sure. Know the different types of miscarriage. Call your physician if the bleeding stops on its own. Seek treatment if the bleeding doesn't stop. Watch your symptoms. Look into grief counseling. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Backflip-on-a-Trampoline | How to Backflip on a Trampoline | Doing a backflip on a trampoline can be scary at first, but by practicing some exercises and taking your time, you'll get it down in no time! Before you attempt a full backflip, start by practicing a backdrop, which involves falling on your back and bouncing back to your feet. Once you're comfortable falling backwards, learn how to do a back handspring by putting your hands on the mat behind you and kicking your feet over to do a flip. When you can smoothly land on your feet after a handspring, try jumping high and higher so you'll learn how to turn your body in the air. After you've got the right height, try landing directly on your hands and feet. Keep practicing until you can land only on your feet. | Work with a partner. Make sure you have someone with you when you are practicing flips for the first time – serious injuries are very possible if things go wrong. They can also spot you, making the whole process easier. Just make sure they don't get hurt themselves. If the person you're with is comfortable on a trampoline and knows what they're doing, consider having them help launch and rotate you. They can place their arm near your back and help propel your feet over as you flip. Both you and your partner should be prepared for when you attempt. It is important to be prepared for when you will be rotating. If the person you're with isn't comfortable on the trampoline or you're not comfortable with another person being on it while you flip, have them standing off to the side, ready to take action if need be. Warm up on the trampoline. Start by warming up on the trampoline to get your body ready for the challenge. Jump around, limber up your legs, and get a feel for the material underneath your feet and how it bounces. Do a few tuck jumps and straddle jumps to stretch you muscles. Some trampolines are a bit different than others. Make sure you're familiar with the one you're working up to a flip on and make doubly sure it doesn't have any weak spots. Falling through the trampoline is a very unsafe landing. Do a backdrop. Once you're warmed up, do a backdrop. This means falling on your back and bouncing right back up. To learn how, try doing a seat drop then go back. When you feel comfortable enough, try the backdrop and throwing your legs over, like a small, slow somersault and it is called a backdrop pull over. Try to do a backdrop, lifting your legs up and throwing the behind you, and then using the bounce back up to rotate behind you and onto your knees. This will get you used to the momentum of going backwards, which can be quite unnerving. Do a “sideways” handspring over your shoulder. A backdrop is the basics of this move, only it lacks the momentum. Now aim for a back handspring that's more off to the side – it's much less scary. Here's how to do it. Bend your arms at your elbows and imagine them going up and over your head, propelling you backwards and fully around into a full circle. This is the motion you need to keep throughout the jump. Look behind you. This will drive your body as your neck brings the rest of your body with it. It will also help you place your jump. Get a good bounce going and jump up straight. At the peak of your jump, propel yourself over your shoulder. Aim to land on your hands. At first, don't worry about your landing. On your hands and then knees is fine. Try a regular back handspring. Once you get the over-the-shoulder handspring down, do a full back handspring. Instead of looking over your shoulder, you'll need to look up and behind you. Other than that, it's the same. Make sure to get plenty of air! If you propel yourself mainly backwards, you may fall off the edge of the trampoline. Start near the edge of the center, and aim to jump up and then around – not backwards. If you just throw your body back, you could seriously injure yourself. Keep repeating this until you can land on your hands and feet. You'll need one more push of momentum to get your feet on the same plane as your hands when you land. This power will come from your abs and hips – when you're in the air, you'll need to throw them into a fuller rotation. Remember: it's the same as a handspring, but with your feet rotating a bit further around you. Tuck in your legs and arms to get more momentum. You know how when an ice skater wants to go faster, she pulls herself in? Do the same thing for your flip, making your surface area smaller. Practice jumping higher and higher each time. While you're in the air, push as hard as you can and lean back and bend your knees. Look back like you're looking into the sky to find the trampoline. You might over spin initially, but that's all right. Don't give up if you don't get it the first few times. It'll come. You've got to trust yourself! Stop if you get frustrated; you can always pick it back up tomorrow. Practice makes perfect, and patience is a skill you can learn. You don't want to break your neck or tire yourself out, which could also lead to injury. Position yourself when you go for the jump and look backwards. To do this properly when you look backwards make sure you're not looking diagonal or to the side but straight to the back and make sure you can see the floor straight behind you. Be just a step or two away from center to give yourself a bit more room to land the jump. When you find the right place, your instincts will take over. Remember the upward and then over momentum. This combined with a big bounce will be the set up to a successful backflip. Do a full backflip landing primarily on your feet. Use your hands to steady you (or possibly to protect your neck), but flip so that the majority of your weight is being carried by and lands on your feet. At this point, it's a backflip! Just not a graceful one yet. For now, your aim is to get over your body, not to land it perfectly. Remember to use your arms to propel you up and then around – as long as you land and don't hurt yourself, you're doing it. Get as much momentum as possible and land only on your feet. Start by landing on your hands and knees, move to your feet and hands, and then, finally, get to just your feet. To do this, you just need more momentum and a higher jump – and possibly positive thinking. If it makes you uncomfortable, don't force it. Give yourself time to get comfortable with each step. If it's difficult for you, find friends who can walk you through it (flip you?), watch videos, and read more tutorials on different techniques. No two people do it the exact same way (unless they're professionally trained) – someone else may have a theory that works well for you. | Work with a partner. Warm up on the trampoline. Do a backdrop. Do a “sideways” handspring over your shoulder. Try a regular back handspring. Keep repeating this until you can land on your hands and feet. Practice jumping higher and higher each time. Position yourself when you go for the jump and look backwards. Do a full backflip landing primarily on your feet. Get as much momentum as possible and land only on your feet. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Committing-Suicide | How to Avoid Committing Suicide | If you're feeling like you might hurt yourself, call emergency services or a suicide hotline right away. In the US this number is 800-784-2433 and in the UK it's 166-123. If you feel unable to call for help, talk to someone you trust, like a friend, family member, neighbor, or even an online chat. Remember, you aren't alone. There are people who understand what you're going through and want to help you! While you wait for help, sit down and take some slow, deep breaths to calm down. You can distract yourself by listening to your favorite band or watching TV. If you feel like you need to cause yourself some pain, hold an ice cube in your hand for 1 minute without letting go. Keep in mind that many people who contemplate suicide are able to get help and improve their outlook on life. It may not seem like it now, but you can be one of them. | Get professional help immediately. If you're thinking about suicide, seek immediate help from a mental healthcare professional. There are options available to you 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Even if your instincts are telling you that you do not wish to call so much attention to yourself, suicidal impulses are very serious, and you should never hesitate to reach out for help. You can call anonymously. If you are in the US, please call 911 or 800-273-TALK (8255), the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Room. If you're in the UK, you can call Samaritans at 116 123 or PAPYRUS at 0800 068 41 41 (if you are a teen or a young adult). Other centers can be found on the International Association for Suicide Prevention website. Contact or go to a hospital. If you're using the help line for support and still want to die, tell them you do need to go to the hospital. If you are not using a help line, call the Emergency Services or a person you trust and tell them that you want to kill yourself. Ask them to help you get to a hospital, or go there directly yourself. Even better, get someone to drive you. It is hard to drive safely under these conditions. Talk to someone you trust about your thoughts immediately. Although Step 1 is the right first step in any situation where you are thinking of killing yourself, it may not feel right for everyone. In this case, you should tell someone you trust that you're having suicidal thoughts immediately. If you are alone, call a friend, a family member, a neighbor, a doctor, chat to someone online, or do whatever you can to not be alone during this time. Talk with someone on the phone and have someone come over to stay with you so that you are not alone. Wait for help. If you have to wait for someone to come over or have to wait at the hospital, sit down and breathe slowly. Control your breathing by timing it, taking maybe twenty breaths a minute. Do anything else you can to distract yourself, knowing that help is on the way. Do not use drugs or alcohol during this time as it can impair your thinking. It can also lead to making your feelings worse, not better. If you feel like you need to cause yourself some pain, hold an ice cube in your hand for 1 minute without letting go (this is a technique used in child-birthing classes to help women practice getting through the pain of pregnancy). The discomfort can be grounding without causing any harm. Listen to your favorite band's album. Watch a funny TV show. Even if these do not make you feel better, they may distract you from your feelings while you wait for help to arrive. Seek help from a mental healthcare professional. People who attempt suicide are more likely to be suffering from a serious mental condition, such as depression, and can get help for it. These steps can help you work to get to the root of why you considered suicide. If your suicidal feelings were brought on by a specific event, like the grief of being jilted, job loss, or becoming disabled, remember that this kind of situational depression can still be helped by treatment. Be sure to take any prescribed medications according to your doctor's recommendation. Never stop taking medications without speaking to your doctor first. Be sure to attend all of your scheduled counseling sessions. If necessary, have someone reliable scheduled to take you every week to have an extra layer of accountability for going. Talk to a spiritual leader. If you are religious (or even perhaps if you are not) and have access to a spiritual leader, try talking to him or her. Those called to religious ministry are trained in helping people in crisis, including those in despair and suicidal. He or she can help you ease the pain by offering a new perspective and giving you some things to think about. Many hospitals in the United States have chaplains. Like chaplains in the armed forces, these individuals are typically people of faith, trained and experienced in working with people of many beliefs, and sometimes none at all. There is no charge for this service and can be worth looking into. A man or woman of faith may not be for everyone. Especially if you are atheist or have a philosophical or experiential issue with religion. You may only find a spiritual leader helpful if you are already involved in that particular spiritual or religious community. Although this article is pointing out resources you may find helpful in this critical time, this may or may not be a good resource for you. Find a support group. There may be support groups, both online and in your community, where you can find comfort by talking to other people who have suicidal thoughts or who have attempted suicide in the past and set up a social network of understanding people for helping you through difficult times. If you are in the United States, check out the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's site for finding support groups online or in person. You can even find groups for your specific characteristics, such as a group for Teens. Check out the NHS site if you're in the UK, or the web site for your country, to find options for yourself. If there are no support groups in your area for suicide or depression, talk to a therapist or local hospital about support groups they might run or how to get group support. You can also visit a website that offers online video counseling. Remove any suicide facilitators. If you have recently had suicidal thoughts, remove anything that could help you end your life, including alcohol, drugs, sharp objects, rope, or anything else you have been thinking of using. If you have a handgun, make sure it is out of your possession as soon as possible. Though this may sound extreme, if you remove the easy means to end your own life, then you are much less likely to follow through. Avoid being alone. If you are feeling suicidal, you should make sure that friends and family do not let you out of their sight. If you do not have anyone to watch over you, check yourself into an ER to make sure you are not alone. If you are part of a support group, lean on other members of your group for extra support from people who really understand what you're going through. Make a safety plan. If you are prone to suicidal thoughts, then it is important to have a safety plan for keeping yourself away from harm. You can create the plan yourself, or you can make it with a friend or family member. The list can include things like removing the means for suicide, immediately spending time with a friend or family member (or being around people in any way you can be), calling a certain person, or waiting 48 hours before considering your decision again. Just giving yourself time to slow down and think things over can be a big help. Address the causes of your suicidal thoughts. There are many reasons for being suicidal, from being in an unbearable home situation to having a mental illness. If you have a mental condition, like depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia, then it's important to see a doctor and to get treatment right away. The medication can help you feel more balanced and in control of your mind and body; though it may not "fix" everything, it can put you on the path to a happier life. If you have an unbearable home situation, find a way to get out as soon as you can; though you should avoid rash decisions that you might regret, if there's something that you know will put you in a better place, you should not put it off. Consider reaching out to friends, family members, a therapist, or your primary care doctor if you are not sure how to get started. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers are all trained to help you get through difficult life situations and may have helped others get through situations that may be similar to yours. These professionals are also helpful for long-term care to help you stay well once you are feeling better. Know common suicide risk factors. Knowing the factors that may put you at risk for suicidal thoughts can help you identify your risk and pinpoint the causes of your behavior. The most well-documented risk factors for suicide include experiencing or having any of the following: Stressful life events Social isolation Psychiatric disorders, including problems with substance use Family history of psychiatric disorders, suicide, or abuse Chronic disease or an illness associated with suicide, such as a terminal illness An un-supportive family environment (e.g., due to sexual identity, highly dysfunctional family, mental illness in other family members, etc.) Previous suicide attempts Bullying History of conflict with a spouse, partner, or family member. Address any physical pain you are feeling. People who live with chronic pain often have suicidal thoughts. Sometimes the physical pain can actually be disguised as other things, such as emotional stress. Physical pain is a stress to the body, and sometimes this wears down your mental health. Addressing the root of the chronic pain can help you feel mentally healthier. Stress can cause flares in autoimmune diseases like fibromyalgia, and you might not even realize it is due to physical pain because the emotion from the stress is so unendurable. Migraines are another source of pain so extreme it can cause suicidal ideas. The answer to these medical situations is to visit a pain clinic and get pain medication, if necessary maintenance pain medication. People in chronic pain unfortunately sometimes find the issue not managed well by medical doctors, and pain clinics are trained to focus on the pain in a way other medical professional may not. Check into an emergency room if you cannot get any help with it and the pain is driving you to the level of suicide. This is an emergency situation that needs medical intervention—it is not something you need to "man up to" or something of the sort. This is not something you are supposed to endure! Avoid drugs and alcohol. Though drugs and alcohol have been used as a coping mechanism for pain for many years, if you are having suicidal thoughts, you should steer clear of them completely. These substances can heighten or cause depression and lead to impulsive behavior and thoughts that can make you more likely to decide to end your life. Get some sleep. If you are having suicidal thoughts, you can't just "sleep it off," and you may feel insulted at this suggestion. However, there is a link between sleep disturbances and suicide. Sleep deprivation can cloud your judgment, and just giving your body and mind some time to recover can lead to a brighter outlook. While sleep may not cure depression or suicidal thoughts, a lack of sleep can certainly worsen them. Give it time. Remember that thinking about suicide does not require action. Methods of suicide that are “quick and easy” are also more likely to be highly lethal, meaning there is no hope for a second chance once you go down this path. Tell yourself you won't do anything for 24 hours; after 24 hours, give yourself 48 hours; after that, say you will give it a week. Of course, get help during this time. But sometimes realizing you can make it through a short period, day by day, will help you realize you can get through this. While you give yourself more time to figure things out, take other measures to move past the negative feelings you were having about ending your own life, such as reaching out to friends or health care professionals. Removing the sense of urgency you have about ending your own life can be half of the battle. Know that people do get through this. Many people who contemplate suicide are able to move past their feelings and improve their outlook on life when healthcare professionals give them coping mechanisms and other kinds of support. It is okay to have thoughts about suicide, but it is not okay to act on them; there are other ways to handle your pain. Realize that you can make fresh choices for change every day. Be bold and change the situations that are making you unhappy. Change schools. If all your friends are toxic, try to make new, true friends. Move out of wherever you are living. Leave an abusive relationship. Accept your parents' disapproval of your personal choices or lifestyle and work through the emotional issues these situations can cause. A therapist can help you to work through these emotional issues so that you they have less of an impact on your or help you to know whether you need to cut off negative influences in your life. Suicide is a drastic measure but there are other drastic measures that are not irreversible. Do not think of suicide as a revenge strategy. Sometimes suicidal feelings are related to anger and resentment you feel toward others. Don't turn that anger inward. Hurting yourself won't help you really get back at anyone, and it is beyond not worth it. Instead, think about all you have to offer to the people you'll meet in the future. Continue caring for yourself even after the feelings subside. The fact of the matter is, if you have had suicidal thoughts at one point, you're more likely to experience these thoughts and feelings in the future. This means that, even if you're feeling better for a variety of reasons, you should always be vigilant and make sure to take care of yourself as much as you can. Get enough rest, get plenty of exercise, work on maintaining meaningful relationships with people, and don't neglect the care of your own mind and body. Staying healthy and happy should always be your top priority. Even if you're feeling better, it's important to have a strong support system around you and to continue the treatment that helped you get better. If you don't have a support system, a therapist can help you build one so you feel like you have more people to turn to. However, recovery does not mean ignoring the pain you once felt, or may feel again. It is important to be truthful and honest with yourself about your feelings and look for ways other than suicide to process these feelings. Develop a plan for what to do if suicidal feelings return. For example, Step 1 could be to call the Emergency Services , Step 2 could be to call a designated person from your support network, and so on. Think about what best helped get you through your suicidal thoughts in the past and put that into your plan so that you have concrete actions to take if find yourself in a crisis situation in the future. | Get professional help immediately. Contact or go to a hospital. Talk to someone you trust about your thoughts immediately. Wait for help. Seek help from a mental healthcare professional. Talk to a spiritual leader. Find a support group. Remove any suicide facilitators. Avoid being alone. Make a safety plan. Address the causes of your suicidal thoughts. Know common suicide risk factors. Address any physical pain you are feeling. Avoid drugs and alcohol. Get some sleep. Give it time. Know that people do get through this. Realize that you can make fresh choices for change every day. Do not think of suicide as a revenge strategy. Continue caring for yourself even after the feelings subside. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Describe-a-Song | How to Describe a Song | It can be hard to describe a song, but if you think about the make-up of the music, you can come up with the words. Start by identifying the genre of the song, such as rock, pop, or classical. Once you know the genre, look into the lyrics, and research whether they have any significance that will help you understand the song, like discovering that a happy-sounding song actually has very sad lyrics. You can also read music reviews to see how other people have described the song. | Pinpoint the genre. Genres categorize music within overarching umbrellas; large amounts of music tied together via a common tone or structural approach, but usually both. Referring to genre is the easiest way you can describe music to someone. Genres may refer primarily to the sound, but they come with a lot of preconceptions, including lyrical content and artistic intention. If the song you're trying to describe fits what you know of the genre, the genre-tag will become that much more useful to you. In modern music, it is common for musical groups to draw from two or more genres to develop a unique character of their own. Calling a band 'eclectic' is a decent start if they're playing in many different genres. Try to keep your genre tags limited to one or two however; anything more and you'll just end up confusing whomever you're talking to. The Beatles, for instance, incorporate many styles, but they're best seen as pop. Led Zeppelin could be considered anything from progressive to blues or metal, but they're arguably best pegged as bluesy hard rock. For example, you might say: "Deathspell Omega's "Obombration" is an interesting song for the band. It has the atmosphere of orthodox black metal, but the instruments used are largely orchestral, making it sound like very dark classical music." Look into the lyrics. The majority of songs you'll hear are quite clear in their topics. Many pop songs, for example, concern romantic encounters the singer has had. If the song's meaning isn't already apparent to you, do some research online to learn what the song is about. Many songs-- especially classics-- will have some info as to the story behind them. Using this story alongside your description will help to specify the character of the song. For example, you might say: "Pink Floyd's "Dogs" tells a story of dogs being aggressive in their nature, but it's also a cynical commentary on the 'dog eat dog' mentality in modern society. This cynical undertone has a big effect on the song's atmosphere." Educate yourself in formal notation. Formal notation is the way musicians describe the objective details of music accurately to their fellow players. It takes years to develop a masterful understanding of notation, but having a general idea as to the tools musicians use to communicate with one another will help out a lot. The 'key' of a song refers to the chords and set of notes it predominantly uses. A 'minor key', for instance, tends to sound inherently sad, while a 'major key' is often uplifting. Tempo refers to the speed of the music or the pace of the beat. List the musicians involved. Giving an outline of the particular people involved in the making of the music is most important in performance-based styles of music, like jazz. For popular forms of music, telling someone which singer(s) are involved will give them the best idea as to the sound of the song. Many of the best-known singers have very distinctive vocal qualities, and merely giving a name may give the person you're talking to a clearer idea what to expect in a song. For example: "Miles Davis In A Silent Way is a wonderful album, and I think a good part of it is owed to the fact that Chick Corea and John McLaughlin (among others) took part in it. If you listen close, you can hear their personalities mingling in with Davis' own." Listen to the music intently. Even moreso than a formal analysis of music getting a full emotional reaction requires you really invest yourself in listening. Find a time and place you won't likely be distracted, and put on the song. Let yourself focus in on the mood of the song. Listen carefully to the lyrics if there are any. While you're listening to the music, try to figure out how the artist was feeling when he wrote the song. Giving your heart and mind over to the music will make it a lot easier to communicate your own personal response to the material. Listening with headphones is usually the preferable mode of listening intently; it helps to block out all external sound, and you'll be able to pick details out of the mix more clearly. Read music reviews. Music journalists and reviewers make it their business to describe music in ways that sound fiercely descriptive and appealing-- or unappealing. Music reviews have become a very helpful outlet in the internet age, and you can usually read many reviews about the most obscure albums. Reading some of them may give you a better understanding of how to describe music yourself. The webzine Pitchfork is often recommended in this respect, but the pompous style of writing is not for everyone. More specialized and underground outlets like Heathen Harvest Periodical or Prog Sphere Magazine may offer better examples of descriptive writing. Music reviews are also found in print form. Newspapers will often include them alongside film reviews. You can also buy music books that will focus specifically on a band, scene or genre. Try to visualize the music. Actively visualizing the music you are listening to ties in with intent focus. If you're looking for interesting ways of describing the music, it's a good idea to meditate and imagine the music scoring a scene to an imagined film inside your head. The process of actively visualizing music may seem obtuse at first if you're not used to it, but it can otherwise be a great way of appreciating music without distractions. For example: If the music is sad, you might visualize rain or images of death and loss. If the music is upbeat, you might think of a car racing down a highway. If the music is gentle, it may bring to mind the image of kittens nestling in a handknit blanket. No interpretation is wrong; if you are sincerely getting an image in your head because of the music, it must be for a good reason. Employ metaphors and poetic language. Music itself is an intensely personal, creative venture with poetry inherent to its very nature. It makes sense that descriptions of music can and should be poetic as well. If someone is emotionally rapt by a piece of music, they will often explain their feelings in terms of a metaphor. Metaphors and other descriptive poetic devices (like similes) will enable you to describe the emotional experience of the music. For a metaphor, you might say: Deathspell Omega's Paracletus is an absolute whirlwind of calculated madness. For a simile, you might say: Anton Bruckner's first symphony sounds like going to an evening gala at the height of 19th-century Prussia. Compare the song to other songs you've heard. If you are hearing a song that's left a particular impression on you, it's likely you can compare experiencing the music to something else you've heard in the past. Comparing music with other music is a solid way to develop strong associations and expectations in the other person's mind. Comparing music can be done in objective (genre, tempo, musicians, etc.) or subjective (mood, tone, etc.) terms. For example: "Dream Theater's "A Change of Seasons" reminds me quite a bit of Yes' "Close to the Edge" in terms of its sprawling design, but it's obviously quite a bit darker and heavier in comparison." | Pinpoint the genre. Look into the lyrics. Educate yourself in formal notation. List the musicians involved. Listen to the music intently. Read music reviews. Try to visualize the music. Employ metaphors and poetic language. Compare the song to other songs you've heard. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Conversation-When-You-Have-Nothing-to-Talk-About | How to Start a Conversation When You Have Nothing to Talk About | Spending time with someone when you have nothing to say can feel awkward, but by looking for something positive to talk about and finding ways to relate to them, you can easily break the ice! If you don't know the person, start by introducing yourself. Then, comment on something positive to make the conversation more inviting. For example, you could offer them a sincere compliment or mention how nice the view is. Once you've opened up the conversation, ask them open-ended questions to find out more about them. For instance, you could ask what they do for a living or talk about what hobbies they enjoy. You may even discover that you have some common interests, which can be a great lead-in to a deeper conversation! Even if you don't have much in common, you might be able to talk about subjects that most people are familiar with, like popular movies, books, or current events. | Introduce yourself if you’ve never met the person before. If you want to talk to a stranger, approach them, make eye contact, and smile. Say hello and tell them your name so they feel comfortable around you. Offer a handshake so the other person feels connected to you and more willing to talk. Ask them for their name so you have a natural lead-in to a longer conversation. For example, you may say, “Hi, my name is John. It's nice to meet you.” You don't need to introduce yourself if you just want to have a casual conversation, but it will help make people more receptive to you. Say something positive to invite others to join the conversation. Mentioning something negative at the start of your conversation may make others unwilling to open up and talk with you. Bring up something around you that you really enjoy and smile while you're talking to the other person is more likely to open up and talk with you. After you mention what you enjoy, you ask them how they feel about it to get them involved. For example, if you're at a party, you may say, “This music is really cool! Do you like it?” or, “Have you tried the food yet? It's really delicious.” Ending with a question encourages the other person to respond and start a conversation. If the other person is shy or insecure, taking the lead and opening yourself up to them can help put them at ease. Give a compliment to the person to ease into talking with each other. Talk about the person's personality or something they're wearing when you give a compliment. Be genuine with your compliment or else the person may feel like you aren't being truthful and deter them from talking to you. Follow up with a question to keep the conversation going, or else they may not respond. You may say something like, “That dress looks really nice. Where did you get it?” or, “You have a good sense of style. How do you find outfits to wear?” Use open-ended questions as much as you can so the conversation doesn't end with “yes” or “no.” Avoid bringing up someone's appearance since it could make them uncomfortable and they may not respond well to it. Mention your surroundings to start a conversation if you can’t think of anything else. If you're unable to think of a way to transition into a conversation, look around where you and make an observation about something you see. It can be about the weather, a venue, other people, or an event taking place. Stay positive in your conversation so you seem inviting to the other person and you make them more interested in talking to you. For example, you may say, “This is my first time at this cafe. Have you tried anything here?” or, “I wish the sun would come out today. When's the last time it wasn't cloudy.” Have a sense of humor when you're having your conversation. It will make others feel engaged and make your chat more enjoyable. Ask the person what they do for work or school so you can relate to them. Reach out to the person you want to talk to and mention work or school. Ask them what their job involves, how long they've been there, and ask if they've done anything interesting lately. If they're still in school, ask them what they're studying and what they hope to do when they graduate. Be sure to answer any questions if they ask about your job or education as well. Show genuine interest in their job, even if it doesn't sound the most exciting to you. Use it as an opportunity to learn more about the person and the subject. Asking people a few questions about themselves can help them feel valued and respected. Talk about hobbies that you both enjoy to learn more about the person. People enjoy talking about things they're passionate about, so ask the person what they like to do outside of work or school, and note any areas that sound interesting to you. See what their favorite thing about the hobby is and what they like about it. When they ask you about your hobbies, mention any that are similar to theirs first so you can hold a conversation about it. If you're interested in one of their hobbies, ask them how to get involved so you can try it too. For example, you may say something like, “Oh I've never tried woodworking. What's the best thing to do for a beginner.” Make sure you don't talk over the other person or talk only about your hobbies. Ask questions about what the other person enjoys so you can have a good back-and-forth dialogue. Discuss movies, TV shows, or books if you want to talk about pop culture. Many people share similar tastes in media, so talk about recent films or music that you've seen or listened to and gauge the other person's interest. Ask them what content they've been enjoying lately and let them explain why they like it. If you both have seen or heard the same thing, have a discussion about it and talk about your opinions to keep the conversation going. For example, you could say, “Have you seen the newest Star Wars movie? What did you think of the ending?” or, “What music do you like to listen to? Do you have a favorite artist I should check out?” Even if you disagree with their opinions, stay positive and say something like, “Oh, I never thought of it that way, but I understand your point.” That way, the other person will still feel engaged with the subject rather than being shot down. If you don't know what the other person is talking about, ask them to clarify or explain what happens so you can get a better understanding of it. It's okay to say “I don't know,” if you're unfamiliar with media they're discussing. Chat about your past experiences if you want to open up to the other person. If you feel comfortable with the other person, you may ask about their past or what they want to do in the future. Ask them about funny things that happened to them, what their family is like, or goals they have. Open up about your own experiences so you can share them and connect with the other person. For example, you may say something like, “Where are you originally from? Did you like it there?” or, “What did you want to be when you grew up?” Strangers may find it odd if you ask too much about their personal life right when you meet them. Only ask deeper questions if you both feel comfortable responding to them. Never try to “one-up” the person or try to impress them, since it may make them uncomfortable and want to leave the conversation. Ask for the person’s opinion on current events to engage them. Look up current events in the news or on social media and mention them to the other person. Have at least 1-2 events that happened in the past week ready so you can pull them out in your conversation. See what they think of the news and ask them how they feel on the subject. Be ready to talk about your opinions as well since they may ask you the same thing. For example, you may say something like, “Did you hear about the new music app that just came out? I saw it on the news.” Listen to the other person actively so you can respond to the other person. Put away your phone and focus your attention on the other person while they're talking. Maintain eye contact with them so they know that you're paying attention to them and actively listen to what they're saying. Ask them questions based on what they say so to stay involved in the conversation. When they end their thought, briefly restate something they said so they know you were paying attention to them. For example, if they mentioned getting a new vehicle, you can ask, “What kind of car did you end up getting? Does it drive well?” Try to avoid thinking of other things while the other person is talking since you may not respond naturally to them when they finish. Use the phrase, “That reminds me of,” to transition to a new topic. If the other person mentions something that you can relate to while they're talking, use the phrase, “That reminds of…” before talking about your topic. This way, you can easily go between multiple topics in a natural way without any awkward breaks in the conversation. Make sure the topics are related in some way to make it a smooth transition so it's easier for the other person to follow along. For example, if they mention the nice weather, you may say something like, “That reminds me of the gorgeous weather in Hawaii when I visited. Have you been there?” Say things when they come to your mind to keep the conversation exciting. If you have something come into your head during a random break in the conversation, bring it up and ask the other person about it. Don't interrupt the other person if you think of something while they're talking since it's rude. Make sure the topic isn't something that would make the other person uncomfortable, or else they may not want to continue talking. For example, you may say, “I just remembered a funny news story I found online. Do you want to hear it?” The person may not be as receptive of a random topic if you haven't already talked to them yet. | Introduce yourself if you’ve never met the person before. Say something positive to invite others to join the conversation. Give a compliment to the person to ease into talking with each other. Mention your surroundings to start a conversation if you can’t think of anything else. Ask the person what they do for work or school so you can relate to them. Talk about hobbies that you both enjoy to learn more about the person. Discuss movies, TV shows, or books if you want to talk about pop culture. Chat about your past experiences if you want to open up to the other person. Ask for the person’s opinion on current events to engage them. Listen to the other person actively so you can respond to the other person. Use the phrase, “That reminds me of,” to transition to a new topic. Say things when they come to your mind to keep the conversation exciting. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Daith-Piercing | How to Clean a Daith Piercing | Before cleaning your daith piercing, make sure you wash your hands to avoid transferring bacteria to it. To clean the piercing, use a store-bought saline solution, or make your own by dissolving 1/8 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water. Soak a clean gauze pad in the saline solution so it's saturated. Then, hold the pad to your piercing for 5 minutes, which will help disinfect it. After 5 minutes, pat your ear dry with a clean paper towel to reduce the chance of bacteria growing. Some discomfort, bleeding, and swelling is normal in the first few days. However, if you notice yellow or green discharge coming from your piercing, or bleeding or swelling that doesn't go away, visit your doctor for treatment. | Clean the piercing with saline solution twice daily. Cleaning the piercing more than twice a day can cause irritation. Use a store-bought saline solution or the cleanser your piercer provided. Alternatively, make your own saline solution by mixing 1/8 teaspoon of non-iodized salt with 1 cup (240 mL) of warm water. Don't clean the piercing with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, as these can delay the healing process. Wash your hands before touching your piercing. Wash up with hot water and soap for at least 20 seconds before you clean the piercing. After washing your hands, dry them with a disposable paper towel. Only touch the area around the piercing when you clean it. Soak a clean gauze pad in saline solution. Use clean, lint-free medical gauze to apply saline to your piercing. Squirt bottled saline onto the gauze pad to saturate it, or dip the pad into a cup of a homemade solution. Don't use cotton balls or cotton wool; the fibers could get caught in the piercing. Hold the gauze pad to the piercing for 5 minutes. Keep the gauze in place to allow the saline to work its way into the piercing. Don't move the piercing as you clean it. If there's any crusted buildup around the piercing, allow the saline to soften it, then gently wipe it away when you've finished soaking. White or pale yellow buildup is normal. Don't pick at it; just soften with the saline, then wipe it away. Pat the area dry with a clean paper towel. Dry the area with a disposable paper towel instead of a cloth. Leaving it wet could promote bacterial growth. A cloth can harbor bacteria and snag on the piercing, so go with a paper towel. Don’t twist or pick at the piercing while it’s healing. Playing with the earring could irritate the piercing and prevent healing. Additionally, germs from your hands could lead to infection. Remember not to pick at any crusty residue that builds up around the piercing. It can take up to 6 months for a daith piercing to heal. Keep hairspray, lotion, and other products away from the piercing. Do your best not to get shampoo into the piercing when you wash your hair. If you have long hair, wear it up as much as possible to keep hair products out of the piercing. Avoid using hairspray; if you do, don't spray it near the piercing. Beauty and cosmetic products can cause irritation and block air circulation, which can interfere with the healing process. Avoid swimming until the piercing has healed. It's especially important to avoid submerging the piercing in pools, lakes, and hot tubs. Bacteria in these bodies of water can lead to infection. Bathtubs can also harbor bacteria, so take showers instead of baths while the piercing is healing. If you do go swimming, cover the piercing with a wound-sealing waterproof bandage, which you can purchase at your local pharmacy. Clean your phone and any other objects that touch your ear. Wipe your phone, earphones, and other objects that come into contact with your ear daily with sanitizing pads. Try to limit your use of earphones, and hold your phone to your other ear whenever possible. If you wear glasses, clean the parts that slip over your ears at least daily. Try to avoid sleeping on the piercing. It's also wise to cover your pillow with a clean tee shirt. That way, if you do sleep on the piercing, it'll be touching a clean surface. If you can't get comfortable in any position other than on your side, try sleeping on a neck pillow. Sleep on your side with your ear in the neck pillow's opening to protect the piercing from pressure and friction. Additionally, wash your bedding weekly. Dirty sheets and pillowcases can lead to infection. Note any worsening bleeding, pain, redness, and swelling. Some discomfort, bleeding, and swelling during the first few days is common in daith and other cartilage piercings. However, persistent or worsening symptoms could be a sign that something's wrong. Contact your piercer or see a doctor if bleeding, swelling, or pain don't improve within a few days after getting your ear pierced. Check for a yellow or green foul-smelling discharge. Note that an odorless white or light yellow discharge that dries into a crusty residue isn't pus. This is a normal part of the healing process. Pus, or foul-smelling, darker yellow or green discharge, is a sign of infection. If you see pus, carefully clean the piercing with saline, and don't remove the earring. The ring helps allow the wound to drain. See a doctor if you notice signs of infection. Contact your piercer, see your doctor, or head to a health clinic if your piercing is infected. Without proper treatment, infected daith piercings can lead to serious complications, such as abscesses and deformed ears. An reputable piercer can recommend a doctor or clinic experienced with treating infected cartilage piercings. Treatment may include topical or oral antibiotics. If you're prescribed medication, take it according to your doctor's instructions. | Clean the piercing with saline solution twice daily. Wash your hands before touching your piercing. Soak a clean gauze pad in saline solution. Hold the gauze pad to the piercing for 5 minutes. Pat the area dry with a clean paper towel. Don’t twist or pick at the piercing while it’s healing. Keep hairspray, lotion, and other products away from the piercing. Avoid swimming until the piercing has healed. Clean your phone and any other objects that touch your ear. Try to avoid sleeping on the piercing. Note any worsening bleeding, pain, redness, and swelling. Check for a yellow or green foul-smelling discharge. See a doctor if you notice signs of infection. |
https://www.wikihow.com/French-Braid-Short-Hair | How to French Braid Short Hair | To create a single French braid with short hair, start by creating a side part. Gather a section of hair from the front of the side that has more hair so you can break it into 3 strands. Pass the front strand of hair over the middle strand, then cross the back strand over the new middle strand of hair. Once you finish one plait, add more hair to the front strand and cross it over the middle again. Continue to gather more hair into each section as you braid your hair toward the back of your head. Secure your braid with an elastic band right around ear level. | Begin with dry hair that hasn’t been washed in 1 to 2 days. For best results, wait to braid your hair until it has been a day or so since you last washed it. If your hair gets really greasy between washes, try using dry shampoo. Before you begin to braid, brush your hair to remove any tangles. Dry shampoo will also give your short hair a bit more texture, which makes it easier to grip as you braid it. If your hair is too clean, the strands of the braid may easily slip out and come undone. Take a comb and create a side part on whichever side you prefer. Use a comb to divide your hair, and angle the part toward the middle of your scalp. Make a deeper part for more volume in your French braid. Try out the part on both sides of your head to see which you like the best. Line up your part with the arch of your eyebrow for the most natural look. Gather a section of hair along the part and divide it into 3 strands. Use the side of the part with the most hair to make your braid, and use the hair in the front to create your initial 3 strands. Make each strand about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long. Hold each strand of hair between separate fingers so they don't get mixed up. For example, the first strand could go between your thumb and forefinger, the middle strand could go between the forefinger and middle finger, and the last strand could go between the middle finger and ring finger. The beginning of any French braid resembles a normal 3-strand braid. Pass the front strand of hair over the middle strand of hair. Use the 1 inch (2.5 cm) section of hair that is at the front of your part. Cross it over the middle strand of hair, so that it becomes the new middle strand. It can be helpful to remember that the outside strands of hair will always be braided in to become the middle strand. You'll never cross an outside strand over the entire braid to mix with the other outside strand. Cross the back strand of hair over the new middle strand of hair. Keep the 3 strands of hair separate, and take a moment to make sure they are all secured between your fingers so you don't accidentally drop a strand. Pass the back strand over the middle strand, so it, in turn, becomes the new middle strand. You can make your braid as loose or as tight as you like. If you have really short hair, though, a tighter braid will help keep your strands in place and make them less likely to fall out. Keep in mind that you can always use bobby pins to tuck in any wayward strands after you've finished the braid. Add more hair to the front strand and cross it over the middle. Take the strand of hair that's at the front of your head, and gather about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) more hair to make the strand thicker. Pass the combined strand over top of the middle strand. Gather more hair to the back strand and cross it over the middle one. Add 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) of hair from your part line to the back strand that you've been holding. Then take that strand and pass it over the middle one so it becomes the middle strand itself. If you're new to French braiding your hair, it's okay if it takes a while to get the hang of the movements; just keep practicing! Braid your hair toward the back of your head. Repeat the process of adding hair to the front and back strands and passing them over the middle strand to create your French braid. Move the braid at an angle so that it lines the middle of your parted section. Keep the tightness of your braids the same as you go along so that it looks even. Stop braiding when the end of the braid is level with your ear. Once your braid has reached about halfway down your head, you can stop braiding. End the braid right around where you would secure a half-ponytail. While you could continue the braid to the base of your scalp, it may look odd since the other side of your hair is going to be left down. If your hair is longer than 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm), braiding to your scalp might create a cute look, but very short hair may look weird. Secure the braid to the hair beneath it with an elastic tie. To keep the braid from sticking out from your head, gather about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of hair from underneath and around the end of the braid. Secure the elastic tie around that hair and the braid so they're combined together. Choose a hair tie that matches your hair so it will blend in. You could also place several bobby pins across the end of the braid to secure it in place rather than using an elastic tie. Tug each section of the braid to give it more volume. Once the braid is secured, gently grasp and tug at each individual section, loosening the actual braid itself. Doing this adds volume to your braid. Try to keep each section even so that it looks uniform all the way down. If your hair is really short and you're worried about the sections coming undone if you tug them, you can simply place your fingertips over the braided section and gently shake them back and forth. This should create a little bit more volume without compromising the braids. However, it may also create some frizz. Use hairspray on the braid to help keep the strands in place. If you have lots of flyaway hairs or short strands that you're worried about staying in place, just spritz some hairspray over the braid and let it dry. Style the rest of your hair as normal. You could straighten your hair or create curls. Start with dry hair that hasn’t been washed in 1 to 2 days. Use slightly dirty hair to help your braids stay in place better. If you need to, use dry shampoo to absorb grease when you can't shower. Additionally, the dry shampoo can even give your hair some more texture, which will make it easier to braid. Clean hair might be too slippery to stay in place in the braids. This is especially true for straight or fine hair. Use a comb to part your hair down the middle. Take your comb and line it up lengthwise with the middle of your forehead. Bring the comb back, creating a straight line down the middle of your scalp and pull it through all the way to the base at the back. For a more natural look, use your fingers instead of a comb. Tie off one side of the hair to keep it out of the way. Gather all the hair on one side of your part. Use an elastic tie to create a loose pigtail. If you leave all your hair loose after you've made your part, you'll probably lose the part and accidentally get hair from one side of your head in the wrong braid. Divide the hair at the front of your head into 3 sections. Start your braid on the side with loose hair. Create 3 1 inch (2.5 cm) strands, and hold each strand between separate fingers to keep them apart. To start any French braid, you simply begin with a normal 3-strand braid. Cross the first section of hair under the middle section of hair. Carefully pass the strand of hair that is closest to your face underneath the middle section. Keep the sections of hair separate from each other. For the classic French braid, simply cross your sections of hair over the middle section, rather than under. Pass the back section of hair under the new middle section of hair. Take the strand of hair that is furthest away from your face, and pass it underneath the middle section to create the first full pass of your braid. Take your time so you don't accidentally mix the strands together. If you have really short hair, make your braids as tight as possible. This will help the strands stay in place. Add hair to the strand in the front and pass it under the middle strand. Gather about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) of hair from the front of your hairline, and add it to the front strand. Take that strand of hair, and pass it underneath of the middle strand of hair. Adding hair to each strand as you braid gives your reverse French braids more volume, and it incorporates all the hair on your head nicely. Join hair to the strand in the back and cross it under the middle section. Take 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) of hair from along your part line, and add it to the back strand of hair. Take that back strand, and cross it underneath of the middle strand of hair. If you find yourself getting confused, that is okay! Just take your time and remember that you can always start over if you need to. It takes time to learn how to French braid. Repeat this process until you reach the base of your scalp. Continue gathering more hair from your hairline and from the part line and adding them to your strands of hair. Braid your hair back until you reach the nape of your neck. Use both of your hands as you braid, but remember to keep each strand of hair separated from the other ones. Create a mini pigtail by securing an elastic tie around your hair. Use a tie and secure your pigtail close to the base of your head. Keep that position in mind as you move on to braid the next side so you can make your braids look even. Normally, the ponytail section of the braid would be braided, too. But with short hair, it's going to turn out better if you just put it into a ponytail, or even a small messy bun. Complete the braiding process again on the other side of your head. Take the rest of your loose hair, and braid it the same way you did the first side. Remember to take your time, and try to keep the spacing of your strands even to what you did on the first side. Keep your braids tight so they don't come loose. Spray some hairspray over your braids to help them stay in place. If you have flyaways or short strands of hair that you're concerned about, just spray a little bit of hairspray overtop of each braid. Keep your hands from getting sticky by letting the hairspray dry before you touch your braids again. If you're going to be out running around, bring a miniature can of hairspray with you so you can fix any sections that come loose during the day. | Begin with dry hair that hasn’t been washed in 1 to 2 days. Take a comb and create a side part on whichever side you prefer. Gather a section of hair along the part and divide it into 3 strands. Pass the front strand of hair over the middle strand of hair. Cross the back strand of hair over the new middle strand of hair. Add more hair to the front strand and cross it over the middle. Gather more hair to the back strand and cross it over the middle one. Braid your hair toward the back of your head. Stop braiding when the end of the braid is level with your ear. Secure the braid to the hair beneath it with an elastic tie. Tug each section of the braid to give it more volume. Use hairspray on the braid to help keep the strands in place. Start with dry hair that hasn’t been washed in 1 to 2 days. Use a comb to part your hair down the middle. Tie off one side of the hair to keep it out of the way. Divide the hair at the front of your head into 3 sections. Cross the first section of hair under the middle section of hair. Pass the back section of hair under the new middle section of hair. Add hair to the strand in the front and pass it under the middle strand. Join hair to the strand in the back and cross it under the middle section. Repeat this process until you reach the base of your scalp. Create a mini pigtail by securing an elastic tie around your hair. Complete the braiding process again on the other side of your head. Spray some hairspray over your braids to help them stay in place. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Raise-Cyanuric-Acid-Levels-in-a-Pool | How to Raise Cyanuric Acid Levels in a Pool | If you want to raise your pool's cyanuric acid levels, plan on testing the water once a week, since cyanuric acid needs to be balanced with the other chemicals in your pool, like chlorine. To test your pool water, buy either a liquid turbidity test kit or test strips formulated to detect cyanuric acid. Keep in mind that the cyanuric acid in your pool should ideally be between 30 and 50 ppm, and that higher levels will weaken your chlorine. Once you have an idea of how much you'll need, purchase powdered or liquid cyanuric acid from your local pool supply store or online. Following the manufacturer's instructions, determine how many pounds of cyanuric acid to add, then dissolve the powder in warm water and add the liquid acid to the pool. | Plan on testing the water at least once a week. Since the cyanuric acid needs to be balanced with the other chemicals in your pool, it's important to check this balance every week. For example, you might find that while cyanuric acid levels are fine, your chlorine level is off. Retest the water after it's been diluted. If your outdoor pool doesn't have a cover and there's a lot of rainfall, the cyanuric acid may become diluted and ineffective. Remember to check the cyanuric acid levels if the pool's water becomes diluted. You can test the cyanuric acid levels as often as you like. If you believe the balance of your pool is off, test the cyanuric acid levels again even if it hasn't been a week since the last test. Use test strips. Buy strips that are chemically formulated to detect cyanuric acid. Keep in mind that many basic kits only test for chlorine and pH levels so you may need to buy a more advanced kit. To use a strip, dip it in the water for about 30 seconds and compare the color on the strip to the color on the chart that came with the strips. This will tell you the cyanuric acid level in the water. Purchase test strips online or from your local pool supply store. Consider using a liquid turbidity test kit. Some kits will come with a small container for gathering a water sample. Add the powdered solution and swirl the container so the water dissolves the solution. Wait 1 to 3 minutes and fill a sample cell with some untested pool water. Once the time is up, fill another sample cell with some of the tested pool water. You'll now be able to compare the results to an untested sample. Use the chart that came with the test kit to determine the cyanuric acid level in your pool. If you don't want to test the water yourself, fill a container with water and take it to your local pool supply store where they can test it for you. You'll need to gather about 2 tablespoons (30 ml). Determine if you need to add cyanuric acid to your pool. The cyanuric acid in your pool should be between 30 and 50 ppm, although some find it more effective closer to 80 ppm. Keep in mind that the higher your cyanuric acid levels, the weaker your chlorine becomes. The World Health Organization recommends that cyanuric acid levels don't exceed 100 ppm. Purchase cyanuric acid. Buy powdered or liquid cyanuric acid from your local pool supply store. Keep in mind that if you buy it online, you may have to buy it in bulk. Make adjustments to the chlorine, alkalinity, and pH, if necessary. If you need to adjust other chemicals in your pool water, start by adjusting the free available chlorine. Then add chemicals to adjust the total alkalinity and make corrections to pH before you add the cyanuric acid. Wait 3 hours and test the cyanuric acid level again. Calculate how much cyanuric acid to add. Follow the cyanuric acid manufacturer's instructions to determine how many pounds of cyanuric acid you need to add. You'll need to know how many gallons of water your pool holds as well as how many parts per million (ppm) of cyanuric acid you need to add. For example, if you need an extra 10 ppm of cyanuric acid in your 10,000 gallon (37850 l) pool, you'll need around 1 pound (1.86 kg) of acid. Dissolve powdered cyanuric acid in warm water. If you're using powdered cyanuric acid, fill a 5-gallon (18.9 l) bucket half full with warm water. Pour in the cyanuric acid and let it rest for at least 10 minutes so it dissolves. You can add it to the pool once the acid is dissolved. Remember to put on protective goggles and wear gloves when handling the cyanuric acid. Pour the liquid or powdered cyanuric acid into the pool. Add the dissolved cyanuric acid or liquid cyanuric acid directly into the pool instead of into the filter tanks or skimmers. Once you've added the cyanuric acid, check the water's pH level and adjust it as necessary. Wait until no one is using the pool before you add the cyanuric acid. You can swim after 2 to 4 hours or once the pool has run a complete filter cycle. Use stabilized chlorine for a minor cyanuric acid increase. If your cyanuric acid level doesn't need a substantial increase (less than 10 ppm), buy stabilized chlorine. These tablets or sticks are chlorine combined with cyanuric acid. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to determine how many tablets or sticks to add directly to the pool. Stabilized chlorine is great for maintaining cyanuric acid levels in your pool because it doesn't dramatically change the acid level. If you're unsure if the chlorine you're using contains Cyanuric acid check the package. If the label mentions Trichlor or Dichlor it will add Cyanuric acid to your water. Remember to check chlorine levels a few days after adding the stabilized chlorine. Run the pool pump for several hours. Keep the pool pump running for at least 2 to 4 hours after you've added the cyanuric acid. The pump will agitate the water so the cyanuric acid is distributed throughout the pool. | Plan on testing the water at least once a week. Retest the water after it's been diluted. Use test strips. Consider using a liquid turbidity test kit. Determine if you need to add cyanuric acid to your pool. Purchase cyanuric acid. Make adjustments to the chlorine, alkalinity, and pH, if necessary. Calculate how much cyanuric acid to add. Dissolve powdered cyanuric acid in warm water. Pour the liquid or powdered cyanuric acid into the pool. Use stabilized chlorine for a minor cyanuric acid increase. Run the pool pump for several hours. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Charge-a-Vape-Pen | How to Charge a Vape Pen | To charge a vape pen, start by plugging the AC adapter into a nearby electrical outlet and inserting the large end of the USB cable into the adapter and connecting the smaller end to the port in your pen. Once you begin charging your pen, wait until it's finished to unplug it, which could take 1 to 4 hours. You'll know your battery is fully charged when the indicator light turns green or begins blinking. To know when it's time to recharge your battery again, watch for the red light on your LED screen. | See if your vape pen has an integrated or removable battery. You can usually find this information in the users manual or instruction booklet that came with your vape pen. Integrated batteries typically take the form of an elongated tube or cylinder (which attaches to the cartridge, or the part that heats the e-liquid), whereas removable batteries are housed inside casing of the pen itself. The majority of vape pens use “510-Thread” batteries, which have a universal design that makes them compatible with different cartridges. Your vape pen's battery may feature colors, text, or other markings distinguishing it from the cartridge. Hook your vape pen up to its charger using the included USB cable. First, plug the AC adapter into a nearby electrical outlet. Then, insert the large end of the USB cable into the adapter and connect the smaller end to the corresponding port in your pen. Depending on the model you're using, you may need to unscrew the battery from the cartridge in order to access the charging port. Always use the charger and cable that came packaged with your vape pen. Different units sometimes run on higher voltages, and too much juice could cause your pen to overheat or even explode. Never attempt to charge your vape pen with a laptop, mobile phone, or any other device that could potentially be damaged in the event of a short or surge. Wait for the battery to finish charging completely. Charging times for different batteries can vary from 1-4 hours. You'll know your battery is fully charged when the indicator light turns green or begins blinking steadily. On certain models, the charging light will shut off when the battery reaches 100%. Situate your vape pen away from any nearby flammable objects (such as blankets or upholstered furniture) while it's charging to reduce the risk of fire related to overheating. Once your battery is fully charged, remove it from the charger unit and screw it back onto the cartridge to begin vaping again. Watch for the red light that tells you it's time to recharge your battery. When you've depleted your vape pen's battery to a certain level, a red light will appear on the LED display. Remember: red means “stop.” Hold off on using your vape pen again until it's been charged. Attempting to use your vape pen in a low-battery state could lead to shorts, battery death, or other defects. If your battery stops holding a charge or begins draining faster than usual, take it as a sign that it's time to replace it. Open the casing of your vape pen to access the batteries. If your vape pen runs on removable batteries, you'll need to take them out before you can charge them. Look for the removable battery cover on the bottom or side of your pen. Once you find it, press the thumb latch or tab to pull it open. Some vape pens have to be modded in order to work with removable batteries. This usually involves fitting the cartridge into a separate device that houses the batteries. The most common type of removable battery used to power vape pens are 18650s. These look similar to standard AA batteries, only bigger. Place the batteries in a quality external charger. Plug the charger's power cord into the wall. Once the LCD display screen or power indicator light appears, arrange the batteries inside the charging slots according to the indicated pole positions. You should hear a faint click as they seat securely. If you're having trouble getting your batteries to fit inside the charger, try turning one or both of them around. They may just be oriented the wrong way. Make sure you're using a charger that's compatible with your specific battery type—mixing and matching parts can easily ruin a battery. For more information about what type of charger to use, consult the literature included with your vape pen. Charge your batteries for at minimum of 3 hours. This is the average amount of time it takes for most removable vape batteries to reach a full charge. Be aware, however, that charging times can vary quite a bit based on the brand, age, and capacity of your batteries. The best thing to do is just keep an eye on them while they're in the charger. Pick out a spot for your charger that's not too hot or cold. The optimal temperature range for charging most types of low-voltage batteries is 50–86 °F (10–30 °C). If your vape pen has a "soft start" mode and you're not in a hurry, consider using it. Soft start charges batteries at a slow rate rather than quickly at high heat, which can cause them to burn out faster. Remove the batteries from the charger when they reach full capacity. Many newer chargers have LCD screens that display all of the relevant charging details that you might need to know, including charge duration, current percentage, and battery specs. Other chargers might feature a single light turns green or shuts off when the batteries are done charging. Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with your charger's various functions before using it for the first time. Check back on your batteries often to avoid overcharging them. Reload the batteries into your vape pen. Open the battery cover on the casing once again and slide or press the batteries into place. Like you did when setting up your charger, double-check that they're oriented correctly. If you accidentally reverse their positions, your vape pen may not work when you turn it back on. A flashing indicator light on a freshly-charged vape pen usually points to a connectivity issue. Try removing the batteries and putting them back in, making sure they're correctly oriented and seated securely. Check the charge level of your batteries periodically. If you're not sure whether or not your batteries are in need of a charge, simply pop them out, stick them in your external charger, and take a look at their current percentage. You can then either reload them or let them sit for a while to top them off. If your charger doesn't have an LCD display screen, it might simply light up to indicate that the batteries are charging. If possible, keep them hooked up until they reach full power. Replace your batteries when their performance begins to suffer. The majority of 18650 batteries are built to last for 300-500 cycles, or around 1-2 years of regular charging for most people. If your batteries start taking longer than normal to charge (anywhere over 4 hours is a bad sign), the best thing to do is get rid of them and purchase a new set. Many vape shops keep 18650 batteries in stock. If you don't have any luck finding them there, try ordering them from an online vape supply vendor to ensure that you get the kind you need. Pick up one or more extra batteries to keep with you. That way, you'll have a spare on hand when you're charging the others, or if your vape pen begins to die while you're out and about. Instead of throwing your spent batteries in the trash, where they can leak corrosive acid, take them to a battery recycling center to have them disposed of safely and reduce the amount of harmful waste in the environment. | See if your vape pen has an integrated or removable battery. Hook your vape pen up to its charger using the included USB cable. Wait for the battery to finish charging completely. Watch for the red light that tells you it's time to recharge your battery. Open the casing of your vape pen to access the batteries. Place the batteries in a quality external charger. Charge your batteries for at minimum of 3 hours. Remove the batteries from the charger when they reach full capacity. Reload the batteries into your vape pen. Check the charge level of your batteries periodically. Replace your batteries when their performance begins to suffer. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Criticism | How to Deal With Criticism | While hearing criticism is never fun, there are some simple steps you can follow to deal with it. When you get criticized for something, first ask yourself if it's true and constructive, or if it's mean and destructive. If the criticism is constructive and honest, then try to accept it as the person's way of helping you grow. For example, if your English teacher gave you a “C” on your essay and some things to work on, try not to make excuses. For instance, while you might be tempted to tell your teacher that you were really tired or had a lot of other homework that night, it's best to accept the critique and make a game plan on how to do better next time. Plan to spend twice as much time on your next essay, making sure to address your teacher's concerns and critiques. However, if the criticism is destructive and simply meant to make you feel bad, then ignore it completely. | Know the difference between destructive and constructive criticism. This is the first step to being able to deal with criticism. You have to know where the feedback is coming from and understand the intentions of the person who is giving it to you. If it's a teacher or a superior, then chances are the person only wants you to perform better; but when it's coming from a supposed friend, a frenemy, or even an enemy, then you have to wonder whether or not the person has your best interest in mind. If you're sure that the criticism is completely invalid, totally off, and only meant to hurt you, then you can skip down to the second section to learn how to deal with destructive criticism. Constructive criticism is, ideally, meant to help you. Destructive criticism is only intended to cause hurt. Try to focus on the message as well as the delivery. It's hard to see that a person really is telling you something legitimate that you can work on if he or she is yelling at you or just acting like you're a nuisance. Accept that you're not perfect. This is a great way to deal with criticism. If you want to be able to take a little bit of feedback, then you can't keep thinking that you can do no wrong. Nobody's perfect, so if you think you're perfect, then you're nobody. (Har, har.) Okay, but seriously: every person has flaws, and if you don't see any of yours, then you're not analyzing yourself as closely as you should. Make a list of your 10 biggest flaws. That's right. 10! Can you think of 10 things that need improvement? How about 15? This exercise isn't meant to make you feel bad about yourself; it's only meant to make you see that you have room for improvement. Think about all of the people you know. Can you name a single one who is perfect who isn't a movie star? And remember that even most movie stars have some flaws, however visibly small they may be. Don't take it personally. If you want to know how to best deal with criticism, then you can't take it personally. If your boss says you've been a little less productive than usual lately, it's not because he thinks you're fat and lazy; it's because he wants you, his employee, to step up your game. If your best friend says that you have a tendency to zone out when she's talking to you, don't think that she's calling you a horrible friend and a zombie; she just wants you to communicate a little better. If the criticism is constructive, then it's intended to guide you and to help you improve as a person, not to bring you down and make you feel inadequate. If your teacher has given you rather critical feedback on a paper, it's not because she thinks you're stupid or annoying in class; it's because she thinks you have some work to do when it comes to making an argument. Work on being less sensitive. If you always find yourself crying, getting defensive, and feeling generally upset when someone gives you what was supposed to be helpful feedback, then you have to start thickening your skin. Work on accepting your flaws and being able to hear about some areas where you can improve. If you never improve, then you'll be flat-lining, and you don't want that, do you? Try to focus on the message and its intention to help you instead of focusing on all of the "mean" or "hurtful" things that were said to you. Think about where the message is coming from. Chances are, your boss didn't just send you a terse email to be a jerk or to make you feel bad. He just probably wants you to do your job better. Control your emotions. You don't have to tear up every time someone says a negative word. Work on your reputation. If people think you are sensitive, they will be less likely to tell you the truth, and you don't want people to feel like they're walking around on eggshells whenever they talk to you. Understand what you're really being told. If you want to deal with criticism, then you have to understand the message behind it. If you've determined that the criticism is meant to be constructive, then you have to break it down so you can start figuring out what to do next. Sometimes, you may be focused on the hurtful aspects of the feedback and your pride may be too wounded for you to see what is right in front of you. Sure, you weren't happy with the "C" on your English paper. But was your teacher trying to tell you that you were stupid and a horrible writer? Probably not. She wanted to tell you to research your argument more, and to use more concrete evidence to back up your claims. It also wouldn't have hurt to actually meet the word limit, would it? If your friend told you you're obsessed with yourself, sure that hurts. But could there be something helpful behind the message? Sure: your friend is telling you to be a little more empathetic, and to spend more time thinking about others and less time thinking about yourself. See if there's some truth to it. If the feedback is coming from a person who has your best interest in mind, then you have to consider the possibility that there really is some truth to those words. It's even more likely if you've heard similar comments before. If ten people told you you were selfish, or if your last three girlfriends told you you were emotionally distant, then they can't all be wrong, can they? Take a moment to consider the possibility that this person is really on to something. Make a game plan for addressing it. Okay, you've decided that your English teacher, boss, boyfriend, or best friend is completely right, or at least somewhat right. Now, you've got to write down the thing you need to work on, and make a plan for addressing it. This can take a long time, and it's never too late to start. Once you come up with a plan, a way of adjusting your expectations and actions, you can begin to address the criticism and become a better person. If your English teacher is right about you needing to do more research, then make a point of spending twice as much time reading up on your sources before you come up with an argument next time. If your boss tells you you're disorganized, work on organizing your desk, Inbox, and your spreadsheets until you feel more in control. If your boyfriend tells you you're too needy, work on giving him some space by spending more time alone or with your girlfriends. Thank the person for being honest (if he's also being kind). If you have received some criticism that was delivered in a friendly and helpful way, or just in a way that was meant to be honest and clear, then take the time to thank the person and to say that you appreciate the fact that the person told you something that can make you an even better friend, girlfriend, student, or professional. Thanking people who give you honest criticism is also a sign of maturity. Suck it up and say "thank you" even if you're gritting your teeth. Stop making excuses. If someone is giving you valid criticism, stop making excuses for why that person is completely wrong, especially if you know that there is some truth to what he or she is saying. If you get defensive and make excuses, then the person won't be able to finish telling you exactly what he or she means, and you won't get the information you need to really improve. It's natural that we feel defensive and get the feeling that we can do no wrong, but it's important to hear people out before you cut them off to prove you're perfect. If someone is in the middle of telling you something you can do to improve, don't say, "But actually, I already do that..." unless you feel like the person is really off base. If your teacher says you need to work harder, don't give her a lame excuse for why you've been slacking off. Instead, note the feedback and try to address it. It takes maturity to stay quiet instead of making excuses for why the person is wrong when you're getting valid feedback. Remember that constructive criticism can make you a better person. Sure, it's tough to deal with even the most well-meaning criticism, especially if you're convinced you're perfect and that you can do no wrong. But if you're so invested in being an awesome person, then remind yourself that being aware of your flaws and shortcomings and making a plan for addressing them will make you an even more amazing person. The next time you hear some constructive criticism, embrace it! It's kind of like what Kelly Clarkson said: "Whatever (criticism) doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Understand the person's true motives. If you have recognized the criticism as completely destructive and hurtful, then you can think about why the person might have said such a thing to make yourself feel better. Maybe the girl was jealous of your new outfit and said you dress like a skank. Maybe a guy said you're not a good writer because he's jealous that you just published a story. Maybe the person was just in a bad mood and felt like taking it out on someone. Whatever the reason, remind yourself that it had little to do with who you are. Put yourself in the person's shoes. Understand where he is really coming from. Though the words will still sting, it might make you feel better. If your coworker yelled at you for no reason, but you remember that he is going through a divorce, then you'll start to be a bit more understanding, won't you? Look for the grain of truth. Okay, so maybe the criticism was delivered in a way that was completely mean, unnecessary, and hurtful, and most of the things that were said were way off base. Maybe your co-worker said you were "a complete mess" or your friend said you were "totally selfish" for what you think was no reason at all. Take a minute to think about it, though: do you need to brush up on your organizational skills? Have you been known to be a little selfish from time to time? If so, then maybe you should reconsider your actions without getting hurt by the way the criticism was given. Sure, it's very hard to take someone seriously if they are yelling at you, calling you names, or generally treating you with completely disrespect. This makes it nearly impossible to take a word they say seriously. But if you want to be the bigger person, try to find the underlying message if there is one. Remember that words can never hurt you. What was that thing your mother told you about "sticks and stones" not being able to break your bones? Sure, you thought it was stupid in third grade, but now, you're a lot older, and it's starting to make sense. In the end, destructive criticism isn't made up of bullets, swords, or atomic bombs -- it's just a series of words connected together in a way designed to make you feel terrible. So, remind yourself that criticism only consists of a bunch of words. Criticism can't steal your money, slap you across the face, or crash your car. So don't let it get to you. Stay confident. The most important thing you can do is maintain your confidence. No matter what people are saying about you, you have to stay strong, remember who you are, and not let other people influence your own self-worth. Being confident doesn't mean thinking that you're flawless, but it does mean loving who you are and how you look. If you're truly confident, then you won't let haters get you down and make you think less of yourself. If you're unhappy with who you are, ask yourself why. Make a list of a few things you don't like about yourself and figure out what you can change. Being confident also means accepting the things you cannot change about yourself. So, you don't like that you're so tall. Do you plan on slouching for the rest of your life, or will you start to love your long legs after all? Hanging out with people who make you feel good about yourself will also go a long way in making you feel more confident. If you're hanging with people who always bring you down, then yeah, you're not going to feel good about yourself. Keep doing what you're doing. So...you've heard that someone said you're a brown-noser. Will you start participating less in class? Or your co-worker has told you you're too type A. Are you going to stop being who you are if it's working for you? Of course not. If you haven't received a valid criticism and know that what people are telling you is only only being said because of jealousy, anger, or mean-spiritedness, then there's no need to change your routine to please people. If the criticism has no basis whatsoever, then the best thing you can do is to ignore it completely. Don't feel bad if you're not able to push all of these negative words aside right away. It takes practice to stop caring about what people think. | Know the difference between destructive and constructive criticism. Accept that you're not perfect. Don't take it personally. Work on being less sensitive. Understand what you're really being told. See if there's some truth to it. Make a game plan for addressing it. Thank the person for being honest (if he's also being kind). Stop making excuses. Remember that constructive criticism can make you a better person. Understand the person's true motives. Look for the grain of truth. Remember that words can never hurt you. Stay confident. Keep doing what you're doing. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Steel-Cut-Oats | How to Cook Steel Cut Oats | To cook steel cut oats on a stovetop, start by boiling 3 cups of water for every 1 cup of steel cut oats you're making. Then, add the steel cut oats to the pot with a pinch of salt, and wait for everything to come back to a boil. Next, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let the oats cook for 20-30 minutes uncovered. Finally, add 1/2 cup of milk for every 1 cup of steel cut oats you used, and let everything simmer for 5-10 more minutes before serving. | Boil the water. Pour the three cups of water into a small pot, and bring to a boil. You may also boil the water in the microwave if desired. Add the steel-cut oats to the pot, along with a pinch of salt, and bring back to a boil. Stir the oats with a wooden spoon. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook uncovered for about 20 to 30 minutes. Start checking for doneness at about the 20-minute mark. For chewier oats, cook less. For more done oats, cook more. Do not stir the oats as they simmer. Allow them to rest in place as the water cooks them. Turn the heat lower if the oats seem to be drying out too quickly. Add the milk to the oats. Stir the mixture well using a wooden spoon. Let the oatmeal simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the oatmeal from heat. Spoon into bowls for serving. Sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, maple syrup, or fruit. Preheat oven to 375 °F (191 °C). Boil the water. Pour the water into a small pot, and bring to a boil. You may also boil the water in the microwave. Remember that a little bit of water will get lost through evaporation as you boil it. If you want 2 cups of boiling water for your oats, think about bringing about 2 1/4 cups of water to a boil. In the meantime, set a medium pot on the stove over medium heat. Place the butter in the pan and let it melt. Add the steel-cut oats to the pan. Use a wooden spoon to toss the oats with the butter. Toast the oats, stirring occasionally, for about three minutes, or until brown. Pour the boiling water into the pot with the oats. Stir the water into the oats with a wooden spoon. Stir in the cinnamon, apples, salt, and milk. Scoop the mixture into a greased glass or metal baking dish. Place the dish in the preheated oven. Bake the oatmeal for 50 minutes to one hour. Check on it after 30 minutes to make sure it isn't burning. The oatmeal is ready when the top has browned. Serve with cream, fresh apples, or the toppings of your choice. Grease your slow-cooker with a little bit of vegetable oil cooking spray. If you don't grease your pan first, you'll have a mighty tough time extracting the oats from the slow-cooker in the morning. Place the steel-cut oats, salt, milk, and water in a crock pot or slow-cooker. Optional: Place the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, and/or nuts in the crock pot or slow-cooker along with the oats, salt, milk, and water. Mix all the ingredients together until incorporated. Put the lid on the slow cooker and turn the setting to low. Let the oatmeal cook overnight. In the morning, remove the container from the slow cooker and stir the oatmeal. Spoon into bowls and stir in the toppings of your choice. In order to avoid overcooking the oats, try these tips and tricks before you cook your first batch of overnight oats: Try the same recipe in your crock pot or slow-cooker during the day, not overnight. Keep an eye on the oats and begin checking for doneness after 5 hours. This way, you'll learn how long it takes to cook oats using your hardware. If you have a slow-cooker with a clear top, you can eyeball the oats. If you have to open the pot in order to check for doneness, know that this will add approximately 30 minutes to your cooking time. Plug your crock pot or slow-cooker into an on/off light timer if you don't have a programmable slow-cooker. Set the on/off timer to the time it usually takes you to cook your overnight oats, and you have a life-hacked programmable slow-cooker. | Boil the water. Add the steel-cut oats to the pot, along with a pinch of salt, and bring back to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook uncovered for about 20 to 30 minutes. Add the milk to the oats. Remove the oatmeal from heat. Preheat oven to 375 °F (191 °C). Boil the water. In the meantime, set a medium pot on the stove over medium heat. Add the steel-cut oats to the pan. Pour the boiling water into the pot with the oats. Stir in the cinnamon, apples, salt, and milk. Scoop the mixture into a greased glass or metal baking dish. Bake the oatmeal for 50 minutes to one hour. Serve with cream, fresh apples, or the toppings of your choice. Grease your slow-cooker with a little bit of vegetable oil cooking spray. Place the steel-cut oats, salt, milk, and water in a crock pot or slow-cooker. Mix all the ingredients together until incorporated. Put the lid on the slow cooker and turn the setting to low. In the morning, remove the container from the slow cooker and stir the oatmeal. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Lose-Upper-Body-Fat | How to Lose Upper Body Fat | To lose upper body fat, start by doing cardio exercise, such as swimming or running, 3 times a week for 30 minutes each time to improve your metabolism and burn fat. Also, focus on weight-training exercises that work your pectoral muscles, like dumbbell bench presses, and your back and arm muscles, like rowing or chin-ups. In addition to exercise, try to eat 3 balanced meals a day of whole grains and lean protein to cut down on body fat. If you can, eat more fiber to keep you full and decrease cravings for junk food, which can create a buildup of back fat. | Go for a run if you can't get to the gym. Running is a great cardio exercise if you don't have access to cycling or rowing machines but still want a good work out. Try running 20 to 30 minutes at a time 3 times a week. It doesn't matter how fast you run, as long as you're moving faster than you can walk. Running is a high-impact cardio workout, so if you have problems with your feet or knees, you might want to try something else. Try cycling for a lower impact workout. Cycling gives you the same type of workout as running, but with less impact on your legs. You can cycle on a stationary bike machine, or go for a bike ride outside. Cycle 3 times a week for 30 to 45 minutes per ride. If you find that the ride seems too easy, increase the resistance on your bike or cycling machine. Go for a swim to work out your whole body. Swimming works the muscles throughout your whole body and also burns a lot of fat. You can use the basic freestyle stroke, or you can mix in the other strokes – butterfly , breast , and backstroke – for variety. How much you can swim at a time will depend on your overall health, but start by swimming 20 to 30 minutes 3 days a week. Go for a walk for a low impact workout. Walking is a great cardio exercise if you've been injured or don't have the endurance for a longer workout yet. Go for a 20- to 45-minute walk 2 to 3 times per week. You can walk outside, on a treadmill, or on a track in a gym. Choose 1 to 2 of your favorite cardio workouts each week. You should do cardio 2 to 3 times a week for 20 to 30 minutes per day. You can do the same cardio each time, or you can switch it up each day. For example, if you do cardio on Mondays and Wednesdays, you can go for walks both of those days, or you could go for a walk 1 day and a swim the next. Perform a dumbbell bench press to exercise your pectoral muscles. Lie on your back on a workout bench or other flat surface. Bring the dumbbells up to your chest, holding them shoulder-width apart with your palms facing each other. Rotate your arms so your palms face out and your forearm and upper-arm create a 90-degree angle. Exhale as you use your chest muscles to push the dumbbells up. Lock your arms at the top of the push and breathe for a second. Lower the weights slowly as you inhale. Perform 3 sets of 8 to 10 reps of this exercise. To determine how much weight you should use, figure out the heaviest weight you can use for 1 rep. Then figure out about 60 to 70 percent of that weight for your regular set. For example, if the heaviest weight you can use for 1 rep is 10 lb (4.5 kg), then you should use 6 lb (2.7 kg) dumbbells for your sets. If it begins to feel like there's hardly any resistance with the weight you're using, try the heaviest weight test again and readjust the weights you use. Try a one-arm shoulder press to build your triceps. Stand with your legs just less than shoulder-width apart. Hold the dumbbells at your sides. Bring one dumbbell up so it's even with your shoulder and your palm faces out – this is your starting position. Exhale and push the dumbbell up so your arm is fully extended. Pause for a second and then lower the dumbbell back down. Perform 8 to 10 reps and then switch arms. Repeat 3 sets. Perform an upright row to sculpt your back. Stand with your legs about shoulder-width apart. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing your thighs. Keep your back straight and your arms slightly bent at the elbow. Lift the dumbbells to your shoulders as you exhale, keeping them as close to your sides as possible. Keep your elbows above your forearms as you lift, and bring the dumbbells as close to your chin as possible. Hold the dumbbells for a second, and then inhale as you slowly lower them back down. Repeat 3 sets of 10 to 12 reps. Do an incline push-up. Stand in front of a bench or elevated platform. Place your hands on the bench or platform, with your hands slightly more than shoulder-width apart. Move your feet back so that your body is straight back and your arms are straight up from the platform. Keep your body straight and slowly lower yourself to the edge of the platform or bench. Then push your body back up until your arms are extended. Repeat for 3 sets of 8 to 15 reps. Try a tricep extension. Lie on your back on a workout bench or other flat surface. Hold the dumbbells in front of you, with your arms at a 90-degree angle from the bench and your body. Keep your elbows tucked in and your palms facing each other. Inhale, keeping your upper arms stationary, and lower the dumbbells to your ears, bending your arms at the elbows. When your dumbbells reach your ears, use your triceps to raise the dumbbells back up while you exhale. Repeat for 3 sets of 6 to 8 reps. Choose 2 to 3 of these exercises for your workout. You don't need to do every single one of these exercises. Instead, choose 2 or 3 to do on the days you work out your chest and arms. Do chin-ups. Grip the chin-up bar with your palms facing out and your arms slightly closer than shoulder-width apart. Your arms should be fully extended above you, and your torso should be as straight as possible. Exhale as you pull your body up until your head is level with the bar. Hold this position with your biceps slightly squeezed, and then exhale as you lower yourself slowly back to your starting position. If you don't have the strength to do this on your own, ask a spotter to support you by holding your legs. Repeat this for 5 sets of 2 to 3 reps. Try a dumbbell row to exercise your back and arms. Rest your right knee on a workout bench and bend at the waist until your upper body is parallel to the floor, then place your right hand on the bench. Use your left hand to pick up a dumbbell from the floor and hold it with your palm facing your torso, your arm extended, and your back straight. Exhale as you slowly lift the dumbbell, bending your arm at the elbow and keeping your upper arm near your torso. Squeeze the back muscles when the dumbbell reaches your chest. Inhale as you lower the dumbbell back to the floor. Repeat the move for 3 set of 8 to 10 reps on each side of your body. Perform a bent-over rear delt raise. Sit on the edge of a workout bench with your legs together and two dumbbells placed slightly behind your legs. Bend at the waist, keeping your back straight and your palms facing each other, and reach for the dumbbells. Keep your arms bent slightly at the elbows and exhale as you lift the dumbbells out to the side until your arms are parallel to the floor. Hold the dumbbells in position for 1 second and then lower them slowly while inhaling. Repeat this for 3 sets of 6 to 8 reps. Choose 2 or 3 exercises to add to your workout routine. To really get definition in your back and melt away fat, you'll want to diversify how you work out that area. Incorporating 2 or 3 of these exercise on back day can help you do that. Eat 3 well-balanced meals a day to lose belly fat. Eating 3 well-balanced meals a day can help cut down on your body. Each meal should include a mixture of whole grains, fruits, veggies, and lean protein. For example, a well-balanced dinner might include baked chicken breast, steamed vegetables, and brown rice. Stop drinking soda. Even diet soda can increase fat around your belly. Ditch the soda – diet or regular – and instead drink flavored waters. If you miss the fizz of soda, you can try carbonated water. You should also cut energy drinks from your diet. They tend to be very high in sugar. You can try sugar-free versions if you like, but check the nutrition facts to make sure there really isn't any sugar in them. Eat more fiber to get rid of back fat. Fiber will keep you fuller for longer, which can decrease your cravings for junk food. The empty calories from junk food tend to create fat buildup in your back, so eating more fiber can actually help decrease back fat. Substitute regular bread and pasta for whole wheat versions, and add beans and nuts to your diet. For example, you can substitute white pasta for the whole wheat version and still have your favorite pasta dishes. Cut sugar from your diet. If you consume too much sugar, your body will produce more insulin and store more fat. Stay away from candy and junk food that has a lot of sugar. Also check the nutrition label on your favorite foods – even low-sugar versions might have more sugar than you think. Stick to between 0 to 2 grams (0.0 to 0.071 oz) of sugar in each serving of food. If you're having a hard time cutting sugar, you can start by replacing high-sugar food with low-sugar alternatives. For example, you can use a natural sugar substitute, like Truvia, in your coffee. You can also snack on sugar-free versions of your favorite candy. Control your portion sizes. If you're not paying attention how much you're eating at each meal, if doesn't matter what you're eating. You can decrease the amount you eat by using a smaller plate for meals, pre-proportioning snacks, and using measuring cups to measure your portions. If you're using a smaller plate for your meals, try to make sure at least half that plate is taken up by vegetables. Use snack-size food storage bags to make your snacks. For example, if you buy a big bag of low-calorie popcorn, divide that large bag into several smaller bags. You're less likely to eat the whole bag that way! Use the measuring cups to actually measure out servings. If you make a recipe with a 1 c (240 mL) serving size, actually measure it out with a 1 c (240 mL) measuring cup. It will help you learn what serving sizes look like. Don’t eat after dinner. If you eat too close to bedtime, your body won't have the chance to burn enough calories to prevent your body from storing fat. Once you've had dinner, try not to eat for the rest of the night. If you find yourself getting hungry, you can try drinking water or tea. If you absolutely have to eat between dinner and bedtime, eat low-calorie foods like vegetables. | Go for a run if you can't get to the gym. Try cycling for a lower impact workout. Go for a swim to work out your whole body. Go for a walk for a low impact workout. Choose 1 to 2 of your favorite cardio workouts each week. Perform a dumbbell bench press to exercise your pectoral muscles. Try a one-arm shoulder press to build your triceps. Perform an upright row to sculpt your back. Do an incline push-up. Try a tricep extension. Choose 2 to 3 of these exercises for your workout. Do chin-ups. Try a dumbbell row to exercise your back and arms. Perform a bent-over rear delt raise. Choose 2 or 3 exercises to add to your workout routine. Eat 3 well-balanced meals a day to lose belly fat. Stop drinking soda. Eat more fiber to get rid of back fat. Cut sugar from your diet. Control your portion sizes. Don’t eat after dinner. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-an-Amazon-Standard-Identification-Number-(ASIN) | How to Get an Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN) | To Get an Amazon standard identification number (ASIN), start by selecting “Create a new product” if Amazon doesn't have your item. Then, find the UPC code for your product online. Once you've found the UPC code, upload it together with your product. Finally, wait for Amazon to assign your product an ASIN. | Do a search to see if your product already has an ASIN. Be thorough in your search. There are websites out there to help you with that. Search for 'ASIN tools' or 'ASIN conversion'. Go to your Amazon Seller Central page and then select Inventory >> Add a Product. That will bring you to the page that will help you determine if Amazon has it. Type in whatever information that you have. The UPC is usually the best. If you don't see the UPC, try describing it in various ways. Rejoice if the search yields a product. You don't have to get an ASIN for it. Click on See all product details. This will take you to the Amazon page for that product. On that page, you will see the ASIN. The ASIN is the 'number' that starts with B00. Select Create a new product, if Amazon doesn't already have your particular item. Obtain some UPC codes for your product. It will need to have the UPC code before it is assigned an ASIN. Upload the product with its brand new UPC code and Amazon will then assign it an ASIN. | Do a search to see if your product already has an ASIN. Go to your Amazon Seller Central page and then select Inventory >> Add a Product. Type in whatever information that you have. Rejoice if the search yields a product. Click on See all product details. Select Create a new product, if Amazon doesn't already have your particular item. Obtain some UPC codes for your product. Upload the product with its brand new UPC code and Amazon will then assign it an ASIN. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cure-a-Fever-at-Home | How to Cure a Fever at Home | To cure a fever at home, drink a glass of water every 2 hours, which will help keep your temperature down. You can also lower the temperature of the room you're in by opening a window or turning on the AC since high temperatures make fevers last longer. Try taking a 10-minute warm shower to regulate your body temperature so your fever goes away faster. If your fever persists, take a fever-reducing medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen and go to sleep so your body heals quicker. | Wear light clothing. Wear loose, comfortable clothes when you have a fever to help your body relax and improve air circulation to help you stay cool. Remove excess clothing or blankets that can trap heat and make a fever last longer. Try a layer of lightweight clothing, and one lightweight blanket or sheet for sleep. Natural fibers, such as cotton, bamboo, or silk, often breathe better than manmade fibers like acrylic or polyester. Lower the room temperature. High temperatures can make a fever last longer and cause excessive sweating that can lead to dehydration. The room temperature should ideally be 73–77 °F (23–25 °C). If the room is hot or stuffy, a fan may help. Get plenty of rest. Getting enough rest helps your body heal faster, so avoid moving around too much. Take some time off work to get even more sleep than you usually do if possible. Sleep deprivation can weaken the immune system, increase the production of stress hormones, put you at higher risk for chronic disease, and lower life expectancy. Take a fever-reducing medication. If the fever is very high or causing you serious discomfort, you can take a fever-reducing medication. Several medicines target fevers: acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin, for instance. Take these over-the-counter medications as the label suggests to help bring down your fever. Check the dosing carefully. Take the smallest dose possible to relieve your fever. Children under 18 should not take aspirin unless specifically recommended by a doctor. It is associated with the development of Reye's syndrome, a disease that causes the brain and liver to swell. Soak a sponge in water and dab it on your skin. Dip small towels or a sponge in lukewarm water and dab your forehead, legs, and under your arms. This helps keep your body cool and can make you more comfortable. Using cold water, an ice pack, or taking a cold shower can induce shivers, which can increase the core body temperature, making the fever last longer. Do not apply warm towels to an injury or inflamed skin, as it can cause bleeding and further inflammation. Keep your nose clear. If your fever is caused by a cold or flu, it's important to keep your nose clear to breathe comfortably. Do not blow your nose too hard, as the pressure can give you an earache on top of the cold. Be sure to blow gently and only as often as necessary. Experts recommend that you blow by holding a finger over one nostril and gently blowing the other into a tissue. If your child or infant has a cold, help them blow their nose correctly. Wash your hands each time you blow your nose to avoid chances of other infections by bacteria or viruses. Do not use rubbing alcohol. Applying rubbing alcohol on your skin makes your skin feel cooler. However, it is a very temporary sensation. This cooling effect does not help when you have a fever as it can cause shivering, which raises your core body temperature. In addition, the skin can soak up alcohol. For small children (and infants in particular), this approach can increase the risk of alcohol poisoning. Drink lots of water. Your body can quickly lose moisture and get dehydrated by sweating or sneezing caused by illnesses, such as colds and flu, that are often associated with a fever. Dehydration can cause your temperature to rise and often leads to headaches, dizziness, muscle cramps, low blood pressure, and seizures. 2–4 litres (8.5–16.9 c) of water is the daily recommendation for the average adult. For young children, consider a commercial electrolyte rehydration solution, such as Pedialyte, since these proportions have been specifically designed for children's bodies. To rehydrate children, offer at least 1 fluid ounce (30 mL) per hour for infants, 2 fluid ounces (59 mL) per hour for toddlers, and 3 fluid ounces (89 mL) per hour for older children. Eat healthy foods. A bland diet includes foods that are soft, not very spicy, and low in fiber to be digested easily. Some good choices for foods are: Bread, crackers, and pasta made with refined white flour Refined hot cereals, such as oatmeal or cream of wheat Juices are okay in moderation, but do not give your child too much fruit juice, as many fruits contain citric acid, which can cause stomach acid reflux and lead to vomiting. Dilute these drinks by making them one half water, one half juice. If you are making homemade juice, make sure the fruits or vegetables used are ripe. Make sure the juice is 100% juice with no added sugar. Do not give juice to a child who is vomiting. For children who are accustomed to drinking it regularly, milk is a good choice if they are not vomiting. Infants should only be given nutritious beverages, breastmilk, and commercial rehydration solutions like Pedialyte until the fever comes down. Solid foods may put too much strain on the infant's digestive system. Reduce caffeine intake. Too much caffeine can be bad for you when you have a fever. Caffeine overdose can cause fevers, headaches, insomnia, diarrhea, irritability, and dizziness. Caffeine also stimulates water excretion and excessive intake can lead to dehydration. When you have a fever, try to avoid caffeine or lower your intake to 100 mg. 1 cup (240 mL) of brewed coffee contains 133 mg of caffeine, and 1 cup (240 mL) of black tea contains 53 mg of caffeine. Avoid sugary soda, energy drinks, and sports drinks, as these can cause nausea and vomiting during a fever. Do not use caffeine supplements until you recover from the fever. Children and infants should generally avoid taking caffeine. Avoid alcohol. You should abstain from drinking alcohol, whether it is beer, wine, or another drink when you have a fever, regardless of severity. Alcohol weakens the immune system, making it harder for your body to recover quickly. Don't smoke. In addition to the risks of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases, smoking also suppresses the body's immune system. Smoking thus requires the body to fight harder against viruses and bacteria, which increases body temperature. It is best to avoid exposure to cigarette smoke, nicotine, and other tobacco products until your fever has reduced. Children (especially infants) should not be exposed to secondhand smoke, especially while they have a fever. Get emergency medical help if you are an adult with a fever over 103 °F (39 °C). A very high fever can be extremely dangerous. If your fever reaches above a temperature of 103 °F (39 °C), go to an emergency room or an urgent care facility for testing. You may need prescription medication or hospitalization. Consult a pediatrician if your child has a fever. Always consult a pediatrician before giving a child medication for a fever. Additionally, seek medical care if your child: Is younger than 3 months old and has a rectal temperature of 100.4 °F (38.0 °C) or higher Is 3-6 months old and has a fever of 102 °F (39 °C) or higher Is under age 2 and has a fever that lasts longer than 48 hours Is not alert, cannot be awakened easily, has had fevers come and go for up to a week or more (even if they are not very high or if fever symptoms come back after they had gone away) Does not make tears when crying or cannot be calmed down when crying Does not have wet diapers or has not urinated in the past 8 hours Has other symptoms that suggest an illness may need to be treated, such as a sore throat, earache, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, or a cough. Visit a doctor for serious cases. Though you can treat many fevers at home, there are specific situations in which you should leave the care to the professionals. Reasons to seek emergency care when you have a fever include: Neck pain or stiffness Intense headache or sensitivity to light Confusion Vomiting Chest pain Trouble breathing Seizures Call a doctor if your fever persists. A fever is your body's natural way to eliminate illness. But a fever that continues could be a sign of a deeper or more serious problem. If your fever doesn't go away, even after trying to get rid of it, call your doctor. They may suggest that you seek emergency treatment or they can prescribe medication that can help. If your fever lasts longer than 48 hours, call a doctor. It could be a sign of a viral infection. Seek emergency care if you feel signs of dehydration. A high fever can cause your body to lose fluids and could lead to dehydration. If you begin to feel symptoms of dehydration, get to an emergency room or an urgent care clinic immediately. You may need IV fluids to rehydrate. Symptoms of dehydration include dry mouth, sleepiness, little or dark urine output, headache, dry skin, dizziness, and faintness. Visit a healthcare center if you have a pre-existing condition. If you have a disease such as diabetes, anemia, a heart condition, or lung disease and you develop a high fever, you need to get checked out by a doctor. A fever is much more dangerous if you already have a condition that could be exacerbated by a fever. If you're concerned, call your primary care doctor to be sure of what you need to do. Talk to a doctor if you get a rash or see bruises while you have a fever. If you develop a skin rash, or you see bruises that you can't explain and seem to have come out of nowhere, contact your doctor. It could be a sign of a serious problem with your immune system. If the rash worsens or starts to spread, go to an emergency room. Painful bruises on your skin that start to get larger or more numerous could be a sign of a serious illness. Go to the hospital if you develop lots of painful bruises. Go to an emergency room if you exhibit signs of a caffeine overdose. Caffeine can be dangerous if you have a high fever and your body is dehydrated, so you should avoid consuming any at all. But if you do drink coffee or tea and you start to exhibit symptoms of caffeine overdose, go to an emergency room immediately. Caffeine overdoses exhibit symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, chest pains, convulsions, hallucinations, and loss of consciousness. Differentiate between a fever and other activities that raise body temperature. Physical activity, mood swings, hormonal changes, irregular or heavy eating, tight or heavy clothing, medications, and exposure to high temperatures can also increase your body temperature. If you suspect you have heat stroke , seek medical care immediately. | Wear light clothing. Lower the room temperature. Get plenty of rest. Take a fever-reducing medication. Soak a sponge in water and dab it on your skin. Keep your nose clear. Do not use rubbing alcohol. Drink lots of water. Eat healthy foods. Reduce caffeine intake. Avoid alcohol. Don't smoke. Get emergency medical help if you are an adult with a fever over 103 °F (39 °C). Consult a pediatrician if your child has a fever. Visit a doctor for serious cases. Call a doctor if your fever persists. Seek emergency care if you feel signs of dehydration. Visit a healthcare center if you have a pre-existing condition. Talk to a doctor if you get a rash or see bruises while you have a fever. Go to an emergency room if you exhibit signs of a caffeine overdose. Differentiate between a fever and other activities that raise body temperature. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Render-a-Wall | How to Render a Wall | Before rendering a wall, chip away the old render using a cold chisel, and spray the wall with a garden hose to prevent the rendering mortar from drying out as you apply it. Next, mix the mortar and water in a bucket or wheelbarrow and smear it onto the wall using a trowel. Then, scratch the wall with a scratching comb to create depressions that will help the second coat of render adhere. After 2 hours, apply the second coat and let it dry for 24 hours. Finally, spray the wall with room temperature water to prevent the render from drying out and cracking. | Chip away any old render and paint. Use a cold chisel that is just sharp enough to scrape, chip away any bumps, dripping render, paint, or mortar that's stuck to the wall. Sometimes the old render may flake off and you'll want to scrape it all away before applying the new render. Continue to chip away at the wall until the stone or brickwork is free of bumps. Scrub down the wall with a stiff bristled broom. Work the broom over the surface of the wall, making sure to displace any dirt or debris that may be on it. Work away any organic material, like moss or mold, that may be growing on the wall. Continue to work the broom back and forth against the wall until it's clean. You can also add some soap to help break up the material. Spray the wall down with a hose. Use a garden hose and spray down the surface of your wall. This will prevent the water in your rendering mortar from drying out. This is especially important when rendering highly porous materials like sandstone. Lay down drop cloths around the wall. Drop cloths will prevent dripping render from falling and hardening onto the ground near the wall. Tape the drop cloths to the ground with tape so that it doesn't move around as you work. Laying down drop cloths will prevent you from having to chip away dripping render later. If you don't have drop cloths you can use tarps, cardboard, or garbage bags. Purchase the render mortar. You can purchase render mortar online or at a hardware store. Select a render mortar with a color that you want to apply to the wall. The instructions on the back of the packaging will tell you exactly how much water you should mix with the water. Render colors include gray, off-white, green, blue, and yellow. You can also customize your render by mixing the colors. Pour water into a bucket or wheelbarrow. Pour the appropriate amount of water into a bucket or wheelbarrow. For 20kg (44 lbs) of render mortar, you'll typically need somewhere around 8 liters (2 gallons) of water. Pour the mortar into the bucket and mix it together. Put the bucket or wheelbarrow on a flat surface before carefully pouring the render mortar into the water. Use a hoe or shovel to mix the render mortar and water together at first, and then switch to a paddle mixer attached to a power drill. Continue to mix until the render is lump-free and stiff enough to stick to a trowel. When the render is completely mixed, it should have a thick, paste-like consistency. Rent a mixing drill or mechanical concrete mixer from a hardware store to quickly and more efficiently mix the render mortar. Remember to wash off your tools after mixing the mortar so that the render doesn't harden on them. Smear the render onto the wall with a trowel. Put the render mortar onto a trowel and press it firmly into the wall. Spread the render up, towards the top of the wall, and try to spread it in one solid motion. Continue to apply the first coat of render to the wall while keeping the coats of render as even as possible. The first coat of render should around 5mm thick. Keep the bucket of render as close to the wall as you can so that if the render drips, it will go on the drop cloths. Use a straight edge to level out the render. Use a straight edge from a plank of wood and scrape it over the surface of the render to even it out. Go from the bottom to the top of the wall until the render lies level with the wall's surface. Use an aluminum bar or a 2x4 foot (60.96x121.92 cm) plank of wood as your flat edge. Scratch the surface of the render with a scratching comb. A scratching comb is a comb-like tool with spikes on the end of a handle. You can purchase a scratching comb from a hardware store or online. Go from the left to the right on your wall and create even depressions into the wall. Continue to do this until the entire wall is scratched with the comb. The scratching comb will create depressions in the wall that will help the second coat of render adhere. Let the first layer of render dry for two hours. The first layer or render should start to harden and adhere to the wall within 30 minutes. Check the dryness after this time, but expect it to take about two hours to dry completely. This layer must adhere to the wall before you can begin to lay the second coat. Apply the second coat of render to the wall. The second layer of render should be 10mm thick. Lay down the second layer of render in the same way that you applied the first layer, by spreading it from bottom to top with a trowel. Let the render dry for 30 minutes and even it out again. Let the render stiffen up and use a flat edge or a float to level out the second layer of render. This step is called floating and will help you flatten any raised areas and fill in any depressions that may have been left in the second layer of render. Sponge down the render for a smooth finish. If you want to give your render a smooth finish, wipe down the surface of the render with a damp sponge. Clean and squeeze out the sponge as it gets dirty to avoid leaving scratches in your wall. Go over the entirety of the wall until the render has an even finish. Use a soft bristled brush instead of a sponge to give the render a brushed finish. You can do this while the render is still wet. Let the wall dry for 24 hours and then moisten it with water. Let the wall dry for a 24 hour period, then mist it down with room temperature water from a spray bottle once a day. Adding moisture to the render will prevent it from drying out and cracking. After five days, your rendered wall should be completely cured and complete. | Chip away any old render and paint. Scrub down the wall with a stiff bristled broom. Spray the wall down with a hose. Lay down drop cloths around the wall. Purchase the render mortar. Pour water into a bucket or wheelbarrow. Pour the mortar into the bucket and mix it together. Smear the render onto the wall with a trowel. Use a straight edge to level out the render. Scratch the surface of the render with a scratching comb. Let the first layer of render dry for two hours. Apply the second coat of render to the wall. Let the render dry for 30 minutes and even it out again. Sponge down the render for a smooth finish. Let the wall dry for 24 hours and then moisten it with water. |
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