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How to Replace an Exterior Window Trim | Replacing window trim not only improves your home’s appearance, it also insulates it from the rain and cold. To begin replacing the trim, carefully pull the old trim off and use it as a guide to cut the new trim to size. Installing the new trim is as simple as nailing it onto your house and sealing the edges with caulk. Then you can fill in the nail holes with putty and paint the trim to make it look perfect around your window.
1. **Pry off the old trim with a pry bar.** To avoid damaging the wall, hold a wood block against it. Rest the back of the pry bar on the wood block. Slide the front end of the pry bar between the trim and the building, then pry off the pieces of trim and underlying trim boards.
2. **Use expanding foam to fill in wall gaps.** On older houses, you may notice a gap around the window where the trim was. Put on a pair of gloves to cover your hands, then spray a thin layer of expanding foam into the gap. Let it expand and harden for about 20 minutes before continuing.
3. **Apply flashing over the exposed wall if it isn’t already there.** Get a roll of adhesive-backed window flashing from the home improvement store. Cut the flashing to size, then peel off the backing to stick the flashing in place. Start with the top and bottom edges, wedging them under the building's boards and window siding as much as possible.
The flashing makes the trim and window more waterproof.
4. **Measure the dimensions of the window.** Go around the window with a tape measure to figure out what length of trim you need. Use the old trim as a guide if you still have it on hand. Mark your measurements on the trim pieces with a pencil.
5. **Put on safety glasses and a dust mask before cutting the trim.** Wear polycarbonate safety glasses or a facemask to protect your eyes. Cutting the trim creates dust, so put on a mask or respirator to avoid breathing it in.
Wear earplugs or earmuffs to protect your hearing.
Avoid wearing loose clothing when using a saw.
6. **Cut the trim to size with a circular saw.** Carbide-tipped saw blades will give you a smooth cut. Use the circular saw to cut off the excess ends of the trim. Make straight cuts so the trim pieces can lay flush against one another.
Remember that it’s better to keep the trim longer rather than shorter. You can adjust it as needed later.
To make the trim more decorative, you can cut the trim at a 45° with a miter saw.
7. **Pre-drill nail holes in the trim.** Drill the holes through the outside surface of the trim. Drill a single hole at both ends of the trim. You’ll need to space out 2 more holes between them. Measure along the length of the trim so all the holes are an equal distance apart.
For example, if the trim is 16 in (41 cm) long, drill the holes every 4 in (10 cm).
Pay close attention to the way you install the trim to make sure it isn't backwards or upside-down.
8. **Nail the trim to the wall.** Get enough 2.5 in (6.4 cm) nails for all the holes in the trim. Start by placing the top piece of trim on the wall. Make sure it’s level before nailing it in place. Then fit the side and bottom trim pieces as close together as possible before fastening them to the wall.
If you’re working with PVC trim instead of wood, use steel trim-head screws instead.
9. **Apply caulk around the trim.** Squeeze a bead of caulk between the trim and the building’s siding. Spread the caulk all the way around the trim. Do the same thing between the trim and the window’s edge. Finish by smoothing the caulk with a moistened cloth or finger.
10. **Fill the nail holes with painter’s putty.** Push putty or a paintable caulk into the holes. Use a putty knife to smooth the filler material and scrape off any excess. You’ll then need to wait for it to dry. If it still doesn’t look level, sand down the excess filler with 120-grit sandpaper.
Check the label on the putty or caulk to figure out how long it takes to dry.
11. **Prime and paint the trim as needed.** If you’re painting wood, brush on a coat of primer and let it dry overnight first. Paint the trim, including the filler in the nail holes, with small, even brush strokes. You can also color wood with a wood stainer instead of paint.
If you’re painting or staining wood, it’s recommended that you apply a wood sealant after painting to protect the trim from water damage.
Cover bushes and grass with a tarp to protect them from damage. Wipe up any dripping paint immediately so it doesn’t have a chance to dry. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Replace-an-Exterior-Window-Trim", "language": "en"} |
How to Stay on Top of Homework | It's sometimes tough to keep up with excessive amounts of homework each week. You might enjoy a subject, but feel overwhelmed at the same time. To stay on top of your assignments, it is a good idea to log all of your work details into a planner or calendar. Maintaining a regular study schedule will make it easier to finish everything on time as well. If you are stuck, you can always approach your teacher, classmates, parents, or even a tutor for additional help.
1. **Use down time to study.** Carry at least some of your homework around with you. Whenever you find yourself doing something that doesn't use your total concentration, pull out your homework and spend some time on it. This is particularly easy to do with reading assignments. If your assignment is more complex, just scribble down a few notes to get the brainstorming process started.
Lunchtime is a great opportunity to work on an assignment and so is the commute home, as long as someone else is driving. If you have a part-time job, take advantage of the slow moments.
If your instructor gives you time during the class period to study, take advantage of it. It is especially important to make good use of study halls if you are an athlete.
2. **Keep a homework planner.** Log all of your assignment details in 1 specific location. You can use a paper planner (sometimes given out for free at schools), the calendar function on your phone, or even a downloadable app. The point is to get a realistic idea of what your work week should look like.
This system only works if you keep up with it. Spend time each Sunday evening looking over your planner and making sure that all dates and assignments are entered in correctly. Estimate if you've allowed yourself ample time for each activity.
Some people prefer to schedule their week down to the hour. Others prefer to create a basic “to-do” list for each day. Try a few different approaches to see what works the best for you.
Consider using an app, such as iHomework, to keep track of your assignments and deadlines. These apps can alert you when an assignment is almost due. Many homework apps are free or inexpensive.
3. **Set alarms to remind you to study.** If you have trouble remembering your designated study times, the alarm function on your phone or watch can be a big help. You can also use a calendar app, such as Google Calendar, to set reminder alerts.
Alarms or alerts can also be useful for reminding you to sit down and go over your work schedule or update your planner at a designated time (e.g., every Sunday evening after dinner).
4. **Start with items that are due first.** When you sit down for work or plan out your work schedule, start with most critical items. The deadlines for these assignments will only get closer, and you don't want to procrastinate. Keeping them in the forefront of your mind will help you to complete them quickly and efficiently.
For example, if a paper is due tomorrow, it gets priority over a worksheet that you must complete by next week. Don't get distracted by the idea of multitasking—try to focus your attention on 1 project at a time.
5. **Stick to a study schedule.** Make homework time a part of your everyday routine. If you plan to study while out, determine exactly when that is possible and maintain that schedule. If you plan to study at home, assess your workload when you first walk in the door and decide how much time is needed to complete everything. You can also set aside 1-3 hours a night to help you get ahead.
When creating your schedule, consider when you work the best. Some people prefer to work late into the night, while others enjoy working in the morning. There is nothing wrong with getting up early to get a jump on homework as long as you can stick to that schedule.
6. **Take short breaks.** Divide up your homework time with quick, pre-planned breaks. Depending on the project that you are working on, it is a good idea to aim for a 5-minute break every 30 minutes or 1 15-minute break per hour. Set a timer on your phone to make sure that you don't work through your breaks.
Get up and move around during your breaks. You're probably sitting while working, so now is the time to get the blood flowing and re-energize. Take a quick walk. Eat a healthy snack, like some almonds, and drink a bit of water too.
7. **Set study goals.** As you look over your planner and daily schedule, think about what you would like to accomplish each day, each week, and even each month. Be realistic as you set these goals and understand that you cannot possibly do an excellent job at everything all the time.
When a major research project is due, a good goal would be to complete the research part of the process well in advance of the final deadline, giving you time to write. This is a realistic goal and it breaks up a larger project, making it seem more doable.
Part of setting goals is keeping your priorities in order. Recognize those activities that can wait until the weekend, such as shopping, and do them then. Also, keep an eye on your extracurricular activities to make sure that you can still achieve your academic goals while participating.
8. **Minimize distractions.** If you can, work someplace where you will not be surrounded by distractions, such as TV screens, loud music, or talkative friends. If you have a tendency to get distracted by social media or other online content, consider downloading an app or browser extension to block your access to problem sites while you're studying.
Your phone can be a major source of distraction. Consider turning it off while you're studying, or put it on airplane mode so that you can't browse the web or receive notifications.
9. **Pay attention in class.** Take a seat at the front of the class. Listen to your teacher and create a steady stream of notes. Ask questions and participate as often as you can. The information that you receive in class usually serves as the foundation for your homework, so make an effort to actively listen and learn. Avoid checking your phone, email, or social media during class.
Try to find something interesting within the subjects that you might consider “boring.” For example, if you dislike history but enjoy fashion, you might find the history of fashion and dress really exciting. Ask your teacher about it and see if you can use this interest in your homework.
10. **Take note of the assignment details.** Write down everything your teacher says if they announce the assignment in class. If they give out a hand-out, read over it closely to see if there is anything that you are missing. If you sit down to work on the project and are unsure about something, reach out to your instructor or a classmate clarification.
11. **Try to complete every assignment.** Give every piece of homework your best effort, even if you don't feel particularly confident in the final product. When in doubt, make an educated guess using the information that you do understand. Homework is, in part, about developing a skill set, so your instructor will most likely appreciate your attempt.
This is a good practice to follow as it will help you on most tests as well. It is usually better to leave nothing blank on an exam, as your instructor may be able to award you partial credit for the attempt.
12. **Check your final work.** As soon as you finish an assignment, set it aside for a few moments. Then, come back to it and look it over for any mistakes. You can also ask your friend, roommate, classmate, or parent to take a quick glance over the assignment as well. This is especially helpful with essays, as they may catch an error that you overlooked.
13. **Encourage yourself.** Repeat aloud or in your head, “I can do this,” if you get frustrated. Take a few deep breaths and then jump back into the assignment. Remind yourself that homework isn't intended to be easy—it should challenge you. Think about your long-term goals and remember that all of your hard work will pay off in the end.
14. **Never cheat.** No matter how stressed out you are, it is important that you turn in your own work. Don't ask your friends to give you the answers or to help you when they are not supposed to. If you do this, you may get caught, and you will definitely be less prepared for the quiz or test later.
15. **Check that you have your finished homework.** After a long day and night it is really easy to walk out the door and forget your homework on the table. To prevent this, as soon as you finish a piece of homework, put it in your backpack or bag. Then, take a quick glance inside your bag before heading out in the morning just to make sure everything is there.
Have a designated area where you put projects that are “in progress” so you don't confuse them with homework that needs to be turned in.
16. **Ask your teacher questions.** Raise your hand or approach your teacher as soon as you find something that you are confused or concerned about. Never feel shy or stupid for asking a question. Odds are, someone else in the class is wondering about the same thing and will appreciate you stepping up. If you have multiple questions, you can always wait until after class.
For example, if your teacher normally assigns 5 chapters to read over the weekend and she didn't say anything about it this time, you might want to ask her. You could say, “Do we need to do our usual chapter reading this weekend?”
If your teacher is okay with it, you could also ask how long a certain assignment should take to finish. This will help you to better schedule your time for the week.
17. **Request extra help from your teacher.** If you are confused about the material covered in class or if you are unsure about your approach to the homework, make an appointment with your teacher after class. This will allow them to concentrate all of their attention on helping you succeed. If they are unavailable to meet, consider approaching another teacher in a similar subject or even a school counselor.
You might approach your teacher and say, “I'm just not getting that math worksheet. Is there a time this week when we can sit down and look it over together?”
If you ask for help in this way, make sure that you've started the work yourself. Don't expect your teacher to do the work for you.
18. **Get your parents involved.** It is not your parents' responsibility to police your homework (and you probably don't want them to). However, if you are really stumped or just want a second opinion, you can always ask for their help. They could read over your essay and suggest new approaches. Or, they could test out your answers to a worksheet.
If you live and study at home, your parents could also help to create a good study space by keeping the area quiet and preventing other family members from interrupting you.
19. **Study in a group or in pairs.** Talk with your fellow students and organize a study group. Your group can focus on a particular subject or project, or you could cover all types of homework together. You can agree to keep each other accountable by banning phone time and other distractions. Just make sure that you stay on task and actually get your homework done, or this extra time could put you behind.
Make sure that you are only working together on projects that given the “okay” for group work by your teacher. Otherwise, you could be committing a version of academic dishonesty by not following the rules of the assignment.
You can also meet with your group virtually thanks to various programs that allow you to video chat with numerous people at once, such as Google Hangouts.
20. **Hire a tutor.** If you continue to struggle with the homework for a certain subject or if you just want another perspective, consider working with a tutor. Some tutors charge a per-hour fee, whereas others volunteer and work for free. Talk to your teacher or school counselor for additional information.
Libraries are a great source of information about tutoring and other resources. Just call your local library and ask what programs they have in place to help students. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Stay-on-Top-of-Homework", "language": "en"} |
How to Make Orzo | Orzo means "barley" in Italian and is a tasty pasta that is shaped like rice. Orzo can be enjoyed in a variety flavors depending on its manner of preparation, from creamy garlic parmesan to mushroom. If you want to know how to make orzo, just follow these steps.
1. **Pour 4 tbsp. of olive oil in a non-stick frying pan.** A medium-sized pan is best. Heat the pan on medium heat until the oil warms up a bit, which should take 2 minutes. You can substitute butter for olive oil if that's what you prefer.
2. **Add ½ pound of orzo to the pan.** Most orzo comes packaged in one-pound boxes, so use half the box.
3. **Stir the orzo into the oil with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.** You will want to lightly brown the pasta to give it a nutty flavor. This will take 2-5 minutes, depending on the heat. If it starts getting too dark too fast, take it off the stove. You want it to be toasted—not burnt.
4. **Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth.** Pour in 1 cup at first, and then add the rest as time goes on so the rice absorbs it. You can stop after 1 1/2 cups if you'd like the orzo to be less creamy. The orzo will absorb the chicken broth similarly to the way rice would absorb the broth.
5. **Turn up the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil.** Then, reduce the heat to low and simmer the orzo and broth mixture for 10-15 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and has absorbed all of the broth.
Sometimes you will find the orzo has absorbed the broth, but is still a bit tough. In that case, just add a bit more broth or water to the pan and keep cooking.
6. **Serve.** Serve this tasty orzo on its own or eat it as a side dish with a main course like chicken or beef.
7. **Boil a pot of water.**
8. **Pour 2 cups of orzo into the water.**
9. **Cook the orzo over medium high heat for 10-12 minutes.** Read the directions on the package to see exactly how long the orzo should be cooked. When the orzo has expanded a bit and is ready to eat, drain it well.
10. **Melt 1/3 cup of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.**
11. **Add 1 chopped small onion to the skillet.** Sauté the onion until it's just softened, which should take about 3-4 minutes.
12. **Add 2 tbsp. minced garlic and 1/4 tbsp. of crushed red pepper flakes to the skillet.** Cook the ingredients together for 2 minutes.
13. **Reduce the heat to low.**
14. **Place the rest of the ingredients in the skillet.** Add the cooked orzo, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4-1/3 cup of half and half, 2-3 tbsp. of chopped parsley, and 1/2 tsp. of salt to the skillet. Toss the ingredients for 1-2 minutes to heat the orzo through.
15. **Serve.** Season this creamy orzo with black pepper to taste and serve it immediately.
16. **Heat 2 tbsp. of extra-virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat.** Spread the oil into the pan by turning it from side to side until the oil spreads evenly over it.
17. **Sauté the garlic, shallots, zucchini, and carrots in the skillet for 5 minutes.** Place 2 cloves of chopped garlic, 2 chopped shallots, 1 chopped zucchini, and 1 cup of chopped carrots in the pot and stir the ingredients a bit to combine the flavors.
18. **Add the curry and chicken broth and bring it to a boil.** Place 1 tsp. of curry powder and 3 cups of chicken stock in the skillet and wait for the stock to boil.
19. **Add 1 cup of uncooked orzo and cook the ingredients for 10 minutes.** Cover the orzo and reduce the heat to medium. Cook the ingredients together and stir them occasionally to combine the flavors. For all dente, cook the ingredients for 10 minutes. If you'd like the orzo to be a bit softer, cook it for another 1 or 2 additional minutes. Then, remove the skillet from heat.
20. **Uncover the dish and stir in the cheese, parsley, and peas.** Stir in 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan, 3 tbsp. of chopped flat-leaf parsley, and 1 cup of peas.
21. **Serve.** Season this dish with salt and pepper to taste and serve it immediately.
22. **Boil a medium-sized pot of water.**
23. **Pour 3/4 cup of orzo into the water.**
24. **Cook the orzo over medium high heat for 8-10 minutes.** Read the directions on the package to see exactly how long the orzo should be cooked. When the orzo has expanded a bit and is ready to eat, drain it well. Don't add any of the salt or butter that is included in the directions -- you will add it later.
25. **Melt 1 ⁄2 tablespoon (7.4 ml). of butter in a large skillet over medium heat for one minute.** Cook the butter for one minute or until it's lightly browned.
26. **Add the mushrooms, pepper, and salt to the skillet and cook them for 4 minutes.** Add 3 cups of sliced cremini mushrooms, 1/2 tsp. of black pepper, and 1/2 tsp. of salt to the skillet. Cook the ingredients for 4 minutes or until the mushrooms release their liquid. Continue to stir to combine the flavors.
27. **Add 1/4 cup of lower-sodium chicken broth and 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml). of white balsamic vinegar to the ingredients.** Stir the ingredients for 30 seconds.
28. **Stir in the cooked orzo and 1/4 cup of minced chives.** Stir the ingredients together for another minute, until the orzo is cooked through.
29. **Serve.** Top the orzo with 1 oz. (1/4 cup) of shaved Pecorino Romano and enjoy it while it's hot.
30. **Finished.** | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Orzo", "language": "en"} |
How to Update iOS | This wikiHow teaches you how to install the latest version of Apple's operating system for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch.
1. **Back up your iOS device**
2. **Open Settings.** It's a gray app with gears that's typically located on your home screen.
3. **Scroll down and tap General.**
4. **Tap Software Update.** It's at the top of the menu.
5. **Tap Download and Install or Install Now.** If a software update is already downloaded, the Install Now button will appear below the update description.
You'll need to accept legal agreements before manually downloading the update.
6. **Enter your passcode if prompted.** Enter the passcode you use to unlock your phone.
Your phone will restart and the update process will begin.
In some cases, you may have to set up your phone again, although all your apps and data should be intact.
7. **Connect your device to your computer.** Use the USB cable that came with your device.
Tap Trust on your device's screen if prompted after connecting.
8. **Open iTunes.** Do so if iTunes doesn't launch automatically when you connect your device.
9. **Click on your device's icon in the top bar of the window.** It may take a moment to appear.
10. **Click on Back Up Now.** Before updating, it's always advised to create a backup in case something goes wrong. This should only take a minute or two, and will allow you to restore your iOS device along with all your data if an error occurs during the update process, or if you like the old operating system better.
11. **Click on Check for Update.** You'll see this on the Summary page after selecting your iOS device.
You may be prompted to update automatically when you first launch iTunes with your device connected. You'll see a notification if your device is already up to date.
12. **Click on Download and Update.** This will download the update to your computer, and apply it to your iOS device. This process may take a while, and you can monitor the progress of the update on your device's screen.
13. **Set up your device.** After the update has been installed on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod, you'll need to complete it by entering your passcode or signing in with your Apple ID.
If you installed a major update, you may be given a brief overview of the changes.
Remember to turn iCloud Backup on again. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Update-iOS", "language": "en"} |
How to Create a Hot Compress for Acne Treatment and Skin Health | Tried everything to treat your acne? A hot compress may be able to help! The warmth and moisture can soothe your skin and help clear out and heal stubborn pimples. The best part is how easy and simple they are to make. Follow the steps below to learn how.
1. **Use a bowl, sink, or some other temperature-safe container.** Run your faucet until the water heats up or put on a kettle to boil. Once the water is piping hot, add about 2 cups (470 mL) directly into your container and let it sit so it starts to cool down.
You don’t want to use boiling hot water or you could burn your skin.
2. **Essential oils can soothe your skin and have antibacterial properties.** They also smell nice and can help you relax while you use the compress. Just add a few drops of either tea tree or lavender (or both) into your container of warm water.
3. **Be careful not to burn your hands.** If the water is still really hot, wait a few minutes to let it cool down. Think hot shower temperature—warm but not boiling. Take a washcloth and fully submerge it into the warm water so it’s completely saturated.
If you don’t have a cotton washcloth, you can use a small towel or a microfiber cloth. Don’t use paper towels, which may fall apart and stick to your skin.
4. **You want the compress damp but not dripping wet.** Remove the cloth from the hot water once it’s fully soaked. Then, squeeze and twist it well. Try to get as much water out of it as you can so you’re left with a warm, damp compress.
5. **Leave the compress on your pimples for 10-15 minutes.** A warm compress is especially effective on deep, painful pimples that have developed into a whitehead. Don’t move the compress once you put it in place so it delivers consistent heat and moisture.
6. **This will clear out pimples and help them heal.** The warmth from the compress helps draw out and get rid of oil and bacteria trapped in your pimples. Use a clean cloth and fresh water each time you make a warm compress so you don’t get any dirt or additional bacteria in your pimples.
7. **There are a variety of products that can help.** Wash your face with a daily acne cleanser to keep oil from building up and causing more pimples. Use topical acne medications that contain ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, or retinoids to knock out stubborn pimples. Keep your skin clean and you can get rid of any pimples you have and keep new ones from developing.
If you have severe acne, make an appointment to see your doctor or a dermatologist. They may prescribe stronger medication to help treat your acne. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Hot-Compress-for-Acne-Treatment-and-Skin-Health", "language": "en"} |
How to Become a Football Player After 20 | Soccer or football can sometimes seem like a young person's game. But with the right attitude and preparedness, anyone who is fit and dedicated to the sport can get in the game. Here are a few tips to help you out if you're over 20 and still keen to get involved.
1. **Be motivated to play the sport and play it well.** Motivation can drive you a long way and keep you focused. If you really want this to happen, you have to focus on one main thing and that is football.
2. **Ensure that you are fit and in shape.** Being in good shape and fit are essential for a football player. To achieve your goal, start building your stamina, fitness and agility. A football player must be able to clear a distance of about 6 kms in one hour. You must be physically strong.
3. **Enhance your technical ability.** Football is not all about stamina and fitness, it is more about your technical and tactical ability. You must have a lot of footballing skills, such as great dribbling, passing, corner kicks and free kicks. It also helps to have your own unique move, one that will cause coaches to look and take notice. Practice as much as you can and play as much as you can.
It also helps to watch as many matches as you can, to get an idea of good playing techniques.
4. **Join a local club.** In order to progress, join a local football club in your area. This means joining a very basic level of club. Here you will feel safe to improvise, review and view your skills. It will also allow you to enhance your footballing skills and give you a good idea as to how well you can perform.
5. **Prepare a video.** Prepare a killer video with the help of an HD camera. Show all of your skills in the video, such as free kicks, dribbling and passing.
6. **Create a great CV.** Just as you need a CV when applying for a job, a football CV should be able to explain to a coach, club, or agent, all about who you are as a player, in less than a minute. Include a player photo, height/weight, positions, experience, links to articles you’ve been featured in and statistics.
The football network Fieldoo allows you to create and share a player CV online. You can even go the extra mile by creating your own.
7. **Find opportunities.** Now that you have the skills and the tools, you have to find ways to show off your talent. Here are a few ways to find opportunities:
Email and call as many clubs as you possibly can, but don’t expect replies (you may need to email 50 clubs before receiving a reply!).
Check out the Market on Fieldoo.com for opportunities abroad.
Consider getting an agent, however many agents can be very deceiving, so be careful.
Some players have famously been accepted into pro teams, just by showing up to a practice session with their boots and asking if they could train with them.
8. **Perform well.** It’s easy to only think of getting to the next level, instead of focusing on your performances in matches. Take your football career game-by-game. Every game you play, focus on playing well and giving 110%, as you never know who could be watching. Make sure you build a good relationship with the club, players and club staff, as having their off-field support will contribute to good on-field performances.
9. **Be persistent and patient.** It is going to be difficult trying to become a pro. Becoming a professional soccer player doesn’t happen overnight. It doesn’t take months either. It takes years and a lifetime of dedication. When you hear people say that success takes ‘blood, sweat, tears’, they’re totally right. In football, no one ever cheated their way to becoming one of the less than 0.001% of the 240 million players worldwide, that ‘made it’. It takes time and patience. Sometimes you have to wait for the right opportunity. Sometimes it takes just a bit of luck to swing your direction, but being persistent and having the ability to never give up will determine whether you’re successful or not.
10. **Sign a professional contract.** Ensure that you are confident about your agent. Never hesitate to take things slowly at the start. There will come a time to leap frog and take victory with both hands. Just be careful while signing the contract and have the clauses read over by a lawyer or someone capable of understanding the fine clauses. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Football-Player-After-20", "language": "en"} |
How to Spend Time with Your Husband at Home | If you and your husband haven't been feeling as close lately, it can be difficult to know how to spend your time together. Thankfully, there's a ton of creative ways to hang out with your husband that can actually strengthen your bond. This list is here to help you revive the spark in your marriage and learn new things about each other, no matter how long you've been together.
1. **Spice up your life together (literally).** Choose a recipe you've never tackled before to make it a fun challenge. Turn on some music in the kitchen and catch up as you cook, divvying up the responsibilities according to what you both enjoy. Even if neither of you are super strong chefs, trying something new like this can make your time together feel fresh and exciting.
Alternatively, work together to make your husband's favorite meal, or try to mimic the recipe of a dish at a restaurant you both enjoy.
2. **Nothing passes the time quite like a heated board game battle.** Break out any of the board games that are sitting in your closet, or buy a new one you've both never played before. If board games aren't your style, try video games instead. Make sure it's a two-player game so you can spend time as a twosome. Stay up late until the game is done (or at least until you beat that super hard level), and set out plenty of snacks and drinks to make it feel like a party.
If you want, invite another couple over to play games with you. You can battle each other and make it a fun double-date at home.
Playing games like this can strengthen your friendship with your husband, which can really help your marriage as well. Studies show that couples who consider themselves best friends with their partner have a happier, healthier marriage.
3. **Nothing shakes things up like a new challenge.** Sign up for a class together or make a mutual goal to learn a new skill as a couple. It will help you discover sides of yourself and your husband that you've never known before. This can do wonders to revive your marriage if it's started to feel a little dull. If you're looking for ideas, try:
Downloading a language app and learning a language together
Taking a virtual improv class
Signing up for an online course together at a local community college
4. **Getting active is great for your health and your relationship.** Look online for a fun at-home workout. Set up in the living room and get started! To really make things interesting, choose a workout you've both never tried before. Tackling a new challenge like this can bring you and your husband together again, especially if you feel like you've been drifting apart. As a bonus, it will also have a positive impact on your health.
The internet has a plethora of workout options. Try yoga, pilates, or kickboxing.
5. **Reading aloud to your spouse can be surprisingly intimate.** Read each other chapters from the books you're currently reading. To make things a little more romantic, read aloud some poems by your favorite poets. Take turns reading and talk about the passages after you're done.
If you're not comfortable reading aloud to each other, sit next to each other while you read your own books. Studies show that reading with your partner can bring you closer and give you more interesting topics to talk about with each other.
6. **Your time at home can still feel glamorous and romantic.** Dim the lights, light some candles, and get takeout from your favorite restaurant. Dress up in something that makes you feel attractive and confident, and suggest that your husband wear something nice, too. Making your time together at home special can remind you of those magical feelings you felt when you first started dating.
Make it a full restaurant experience at your home. To add to the ambiance, turn on some music.
7. **Sex is a great way to strengthen your marriage.** To make things more interesting at home, talk to your husband about your fantasies and experiment. Ask your husband if there's anything he would like to try, or offer some suggestions yourself. Although every couple is different, sex can really help revive your relationship if it's feeling stuck.
If you're not in the mood to have sex, try just getting close with your husband. Spend some time cuddling on your bed or holding hands while you watch TV.
Only try things that you're both comfortable with. Sex is only enjoyable if both people feel respected and safe.
8. **Talk about the news, politics, or philosophy.** Though you may talk often about responsibilities, plans, and thoughts about the day, this is a good opportunity to learn new things about your partner. Bring up a topic that's been in the news and ask what your husband thinks of it. Read the same article and talk about your perspectives on it. Watch a documentary film and discuss what you thought after it's over.
If you're having trouble getting the conversation started, you can also try some icebreaker questions, like, "What's your philosophy in life?" or "What influenced your political beliefs to become what they are now?"
You could also share what's going on in your lives, like what your day was like or something that's been frustrating at work.
If things get heated, remember to respect your partner's point of view. It's okay for you two to have different opinions. Take it as an opportunity to learn and grow with each other.
9. **Use this as an opportunity to really listen to each other.** Staring at your phone instead of your partner hurts your communication as a couple. A study published in 2017 even found that it can diminish how satisfied you are in your marriage over time. To avoid these negative effects, pick a time to put your phones away and talk. Alternatively, choose places in your house where you both agree to not use your phone, like the bedroom.
When your husband talks to you, make sure to keep your eyes off your phone. Even if you get a text, wait until your conversation is over to answer it.
Though things may come up, like work phone calls or emergencies, being more conscious of how your phone usage affects your partner makes the time you spend together more intentional.
10. **If you have kids, enjoy some quiet time at the house for a bit.** Though you may get to spend a lot of time with your husband and family, it's important that you get some solo time together, too. Plan a play date for your kids so that they can spend time at a friend's house for the afternoon. Then, enjoy your alone time together. Make cocktails or iced tea, lounge together on the couch, and catch up.
As much as you love them, try not to talk about the kids. Make it a special time to talk about everything else for a little while! It will help you remember the bond the two of you share as a couple, separate from your roles as parents.
Have fun! Joke around and laugh with each other—it will help you feel closer.
If you can't get a babysitter, wait until your kids go to bed and enjoy a glass of wine together on the couch! | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Spend-Time-with-Your-Husband-at-Home", "language": "en"} |
How to Juice a Lemon | You might want to juice a lemon for many reasons, whether you want to make some sour lemonade or for any other foods. Juicing the first lemon is fun. Juicing the second lemon is easy. Juicing the eighth lemon may leave you doubting whether lemonade is worth the effort. Learn how to save yourself the frustration and get the most juice out of each lemon, and forget your citrus worries once again.
1. **Cut the lemon lengthwise.** Cut the lemon in half, from tip to tip. This makes a more flexible lemon peel, easier to squeeze.
If you have a hinge-style hand juicer cut them crosswise instead for a better fit.
2. **Place a mesh strainer over a bowl.** The mesh will catch the lemon seeds and pulp, letting the juice drain through.
3. **Squeeze with a pair of tongs.** Place a lemon half between the two arms of your kitchen tongs, near the prongs, and squeeze. This is fast, easy, and doesn't fill your kitchen drawer with a one-purpose tool.
4. **Scrape it out with a fork or spoon.** This alternative requires even less specialized equipment. Hold the lemon half firmly with one hand, angling the lemon downward to avoid a squirt of juice in your face. Stick a fork or spoon in the pulp and rotate it around the lemon. Repeat until very little pulp remains.
A fork will let you scrape out the last bits of pulp, getting more juice from each lemon. But if you're juicing a whole pile of lemons, pick the spoon for a faster job.
If you only want a few drops of lemon juice to flavor a dish, just stick the fork in a whole lemon and squeeze. The rest of the lemon will stay good for much longer than a cut half.
5. **Use a manual juicer.** These cheap tools speed up the job a little and are a bit less messy. Find one made from wood, plastic, or enameled aluminum, since the bare metal will gradually corrode if exposed to citric acid. They come in three varieties:
A sits over your bowl, with a ridged knob sticking up. Press the lemon half down and rotate several times around the knob. Squeeze to the edge of the skin to get all the juice.
A has an identical knob, attached to a handle instead. Hold the lemon half in one hand and rotate the reamer around the lemon.
A is the fastest, but only when juicing lemons that fit nicely into your model. Cut off the knobby tip if present, then place your lemon half face-down in the cup. Hold over the bowl and press the other arm hard against the lemon, turning it inside out.
6. **Buy an electric citrus juicer for large quantities.** An all-purpose juicer will put a great deal of bitter pith in your juice, and its metal blades may corrode over time. Buy a specialized citrus juicer for better results.
If using an all-purpose juicer, peel the lemon first or wash it thoroughly to remove trace pesticides.
Many experts agree that hand-squeezed juice tastes better, possibly because an electric machine scrapes away too much pith, or fails to break out flavorful oils from the peel.
7. **Pick juicy lemons.** Smaller lemons have a higher percentage of juice, so select these if buying lemons by weight or juicing a large number. Avoid rough-skinned lemons, which may have shriveled and lost juice as they aged.
When shopping, heft two similarly-sized lemons, one in each hand. The heavier one has more juice.
Meyer is the most common extra-juicy variety, but some areas will stock Fino, Primofiori, or Lapithkiotiki from the Mediterranean. Varieties low in juice include Femminello, Interdonato, and Verna.
8. **Store lemons in the freezer.** When plants freeze, their water expands into ice crystals and ruptures the cell walls. Once thawed in the microwave or a 15-minute cold water bath, all that water trapped inside those cells will be ready to add to your juice.
Wash and dry the lemons before freezing in an airtight container. Fresh lemons will retain quality for at least four weeks in the freezer.
9. **Microwave the lemons before cutting.** A warm lemon is easier to squeeze, and some say it even produces more juice. Zap the lemons for 10–20 seconds, or a few seconds more if frozen, until soft and slightly warm to the touch. This weakens the material that holds the juice, and causes the juice to flow more easily.
This works especially well on older lemons or lemon varieties with thick skins.
If the fruit is steaming, you've gone too far and boiled away some of the juice. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Juice-a-Lemon", "language": "en"} |
How to Divide Cremated Remains | The loss of a loved one is always difficult, and dividing cremated remains is a challenge that you might not consider until you're faced with it. Whether you want to handle your loved one's cremated remains yourself or leave them in the hands of a trusted professional, there are a few different options available to you when it comes to dividing them.
1. **Respect the wishes of the deceased.** Consider their religion and its tenets regarding common cremation or burial procedures. For example, division is not recommended by the Catholic Church, as they treat remains as a single body. And Islam is against the scattering of ashes, while Hinduism is not. If you're unsure of the deceased's wishes, talk amongst family and loved ones to try and get a better idea.
If the deceased left behind a Will, the Executor appointed within it has a moral duty to ensure that their wishes are respected. However, they are not legally bound to do so.
If your loved one didn't leave any specific burial wishes behind, try and think of something they would like. There are many unique ways to store or scatter cremated remains, including sending them to the moon, turning them into a tattoo, or having them made into a coral reef memorial in the ocean.
2. **Ask family members what their wishes are if the deceased does not have a Will.** When it comes to the division of ashes without a Will, responsibility is in the hands of the highest ranking family member. The order, from highest to lowest rank, is as follows: surviving spouse; surviving children or grandchildren; parents of deceased; blood-related brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews; blood-related uncles, aunts, or cousins.
Disagreements between family members within the same category or ranking will prevent legal division until settling the matter in court.
The exception to this is if an Executor was appointed by the Will. In this case, they may decide to not consider the opinions of the deceased's relatives.
Consider all of the benefits of division, such as giving everyone a chance to keep or spread them in their own unique way. Remember: grieving is always a difficult process, and everyone reacts differently. Don't push your wishes too hard—give everyone time to discuss what they feel is the best way to move forward, otherwise the final decision will be left to the highest ranking family member (or members) in the hierarchy.
3. **Decide if there will be a funeral or viewing before cremation.** If you're having a funeral service and/or viewing before cremating and dividing the remains, you'll want to rent a casket. Many people believe that having time to see the body through a viewing is the best way to give everyone a chance to say goodbye, so consult with your family and loved ones and come up with a plan.
If you're having a funeral or viewing prior to cremation, renting a casket is an affordable option.
If you want to bury your loved one's remains in a cemetery instead of dividing them, you'll need to purchase a casket, as well as grave liner or a burial vault.
4. **Weigh the cremated remains using a pound scale.** After receiving your cremated remains, they will be stored in either a polyethylene bag protected by a plastic box, cardboard box, or temporary plastic urn. Carefully remove the bag from its container and place it onto a pound scale. As a rule of thumb, 1 cubic inch (0.016 L) of urn space is necessary for every 1 pound (0.45 kg) of body weight.
For example, if the deceased weighed 150 pounds (68 kg), they will need an urn that is at least 150 cubic inches (2.5 L).
5. **Determine the kind of urns that you want.** There are plenty of urn types to choose from. Make sure all family and friends keeping portions of the remains find the kind of urn that they would like. Display urns are ideal if you're going to be putting your remains in your home or other location. If you want to store your urns in a columbarium (public storage sites for funeral urns), you need to choose urn materials that are designed to last and the proper size for the storage niche.
Keepsake urns are typically in the form of jewelry or mini-urns.
Display urns are typically made from ceramic, metal, marble, stone, wood, or glass.
Columbarium urns are usually made from marble, glass, or brass.
If you're scattering ashes, lightweight urns with removable lids are ideal. Land burials usually require biodegradable urns.
6. **Select urns with a combined size that accommodates the remains.** There are 5 common urn types: extra small, small, medium, large, and extra large. Each category corresponds with a specific weight range. Use the weight of the bag to select urns within the appropriate size ranges.
Extra small urns are around 25 cubic inches (0.41 L), and small urns are between 26 and 50 cubic inches (0.43 and 0.82 L).
Medium urns are between 51 and 125 cubic inches (0.84 and 2.05 L), and large urns are between 126 and 200 cubic inches (2.06 and 3.28 L).
Anything over 200 cubic inches (3.3 L) is considered extra large.
7. **Divide the weight of the remains by the number of people.** You can determine the number of remain containers you need by dividing the weight by the number of people who want keepsakes.
For example, if the deceased was 150 pounds (68 kg), you need 150 cubic inches (2.5 L) of space. To find out how many urns are needed for 8 people, divide 150 by 8, which leaves you with 18.75. This means 8 urns that accommodate 18.75 cubic inches (0.3 L) in total is sufficient.
Keepsake urns are typically extra small [around 25 cubic inches (0.41 L)] and small between 26 to 50 cubic inches (0.43 to 0.82 L). Some are as much as 100 cubic inches (1.6 L).
8. **Find urns through an online retailer and have them delivered.** You can purchase urns from online retailers, which gives you access to a much wider selection. And thanks to the Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule, funeral providers cannot legally refuse to use urns or caskets you purchase somewhere else or charge you an additional fee for accommodating these urns.
Urn vendors will usually offer the option of shipping directly to the funeral home or crematorium of your choice, and you don't have to be there when your urns are delivered.
9. **Ask a funeral home or crematorium to divide your remains.** Do this after purchasing urns from these businesses or purchasing them online and having them delivered. You can ask the staff to transfer the ashes into the requested number of urns that you need for an extra fee.
Cremations typically cost around $2,000, although prices are as low as $1,000 without any extra services, such as division or memorial.
Most cemeteries have columbaria on-site, which is usually an extra $1,000 for storage.
Check the following resource to find services near you: https://www.bbb.org/.
10. **Place the cremated remains onto a pound scale if they are undivided.** If you didn't have a funeral home divide your remains, you'll need to do so yourself. Most cremated remains are stored in a polyethylene bag, which is shipped in a plastic or cardboard box. Weigh the bag (without the plastic or cardboard box) directly on the scale. You need about 1 cubic inch (0.016 L) of space for every 1 pound (0.45 kg) of weight.
For example, if the deceased weighed 170 pounds (77 kg), you'll need a total of 170 cubic inches (2.8 L) to hold all of it. Keep this in mind when selecting both keepsake urns and larger urns so you can purchase 1 or more containers with enough space to hold the remains.
11. **Spread a newspaper along a flat surface.** The surface should be steady and smooth so that it can hold your urn steady. Try and use a location with ample lighting and no breeze or wind from open windows.
Put on disposable latex, nitrile, or vinyl gloves.
12. **Purchase a funnel suitable for your urn.** You can use a funnel purchased from a local department store or online vendor, or even roll up some paper to create a makeshift funnel. Whichever option you choose, make sure it's big enough that clumps of the remains won't clog it.
For larger urns, choose a size that allows the funnel to sit comfortably in its top opening. In the case of keepsakes, select a size that provides a steady flow of remains into the top opening.
13. **Test your funnel by pouring sand through it.** Hold your funnel steadily over the newspaper facing directly upward. Pour a small portion of sand through the funnel and into the opening. If it's not working, use a pair of scissors to widen the opening of the funnel.
14. **Cut a diagonal hole across a corner of the cremation bag.** The bag should have a tie on the top, leaving two corners on the bottom. Hold the tie in your hand and turn the bag upside down to get a better view of the corners and snip one of them.
If you're unsure of how big to cut the hole, make a small sized cut at first to be safe. If it doesn't pour enough at a time, cut it larger.
15. **Place the funnel tightly into the larger urns.** The funnel should sit tightly into the hole without moving. If your funnel is too loose to tightly sit in the urn without moving too much, layer some paper towel around the rim of the urn's opening.
16. **Pour the remains from the bag through the funnel slowly for larger urns.** Try and pour as smoothly as you can to ensure that no remains get clogged. As the urn fills, lift the funnel slightly upwards to create more room for ashes.
Gently tap the funnel and your urn regularly to ensure proper settling of the ashes and prevent clogs in the funnel.
17. **Scoop a portion of the remains with the large opening of the funnel.** Hold your keepsake over the newspaper with your thumb and index finger. Afterwards, you can begin scooping up the remains. After each scoop, position the funnel over the keepsake and jiggle it by the smaller opening so that the remains pour gently into the container.
Be sure to hold the keepsake over the newspaper to catch any remains.
18. **Dispose of any remains left on your newspaper.** Trying to funnel any remains that fall onto the newspaper back into your urn(s) will create more of a mess than it's worth. Once you're done, fold the newspaper closed and carefully place it into the garbage.
You can swap in a new piece of newspaper during the funneling process if you begin making too much of a mess.
19. **Seal the urn using an epoxy resin adhesive.** If you want to seal your urn completely and have no plans of transferring them in the future, use epoxy resin adhesive to do so. Place a few beads along the lip of the lid and firmly place the lid on.
Epoxy resin adhesive is sold at most hardware stores.
Once sealed, you can continue this process for any other keepsakes you have until your remains are evenly divided amongst them all.
For a temporary seal, secure a single strip of tape along the top of the lid to hold it to the 2 opposing sides of the urn's opening. You can also wrap the entire container with plastic wrap to keep the lid secure. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Divide-Cremated-Remains", "language": "en"} |
How to Clean a Carboy | Making beer or wine is an extremely fun and rewarding activity. Whether you are brewing at home or working at a professional establishment, it is extremely important that you use clean equipment. You can actually spoil your beer or wine if your equipment has not been properly cleaned and cared for. In order to clean a carboy, you can wash the carboy with warm water and a cleaner, soak the carboy in a warm water and bleach solution, or scrub the carboy using a soft cloth or brush.
1. **Combine warm water and detergent.** In order to clean a carboy, you should pour about two tablespoons (or slightly more) of cleaner into the bottom of the carboy. OxiClean and Powdered Brewing Wash (PBW) are both excellent products for cleaning carboys. Then, fill the carboy with warm water.
If you are using a plastic carboy, you should dissolve your cleaner in warm water before pouring it into the bottle. These cleaners can be powerful and the powder may corrode the plastic if not diluted first.
2. **Let sit for one hour.** Let the hot water and cleaner mixture soak in the carboy for approximately one hour. This will help to loosen any grime or krausen that may be stuck to the side of the carboy. Krausen is a grimy ring often left near the top of carboys.
3. **Shake the carboy.** After an hour, pour out half of the liquid mixture. Then, place the lid on the carboy and shake the container. Swivel the water around so that it washes along all the sides of the carboy. This will help remove any grime that is attached to the walls.
Shake for approximately 30 seconds or until the carboy is cleaned.
4. **Rinse the carboy.** Dump the cleaner and water mixture down the drain and then rinse with clean warm water. This will help remove all remaining cleaner from the carboy.
5. **Repeat the process.** You can repeat this process a few times, until all visible grime has been removed from the carboy. In some cases, you may need to do this three or four times.
6. **Combine bleach and water.** If a general wash did not work to remove all of the grime from inside the carboy, you should try doing a longer soak. Fill your carboy with a mixture of four ounces (118 ml) of household bleach for every five gallons (19 L) of water.
7. **Let soak overnight.** Let the carboy soak in this solution overnight. This should only be done if you are using a glass carboy. Plastic will absorb the bleach, which may spoil your next batch of beer or wine.
8. **Rinse with warm water.** After the carboy has soaked in the bleach mixture overnight, dump out the mixture. Then, thoroughly rinse your carboy using warm water to ensure that all of the bleach has been removed.
9. **Fill the carboy half way with water and detergent.** If your carboy does not completely clean after a general wash or soak, then you may need to use some elbow grease to scrub the sides of the carboy. Combine a small amount of either OxiClean or PBW with water. You only want to fill the carboy until it is half full.
10. **Use a brush to scrub the sides of glass carboys.** If you have a glass carboy, you can use a carboy brush to scrub the sides of the container. Typically these brushes have long wire handles that can be bent to get hard to reach places. They also have plastic bristles.
If you are worried about scratching the carboy, cover the bristles with a soft cloth.
11. **Scrub plastic carboys with a soft cloth.** If you have a plastic carboy, you should not scrub the sides using a traditional glass carboy cleaning brush. These brushes have rough bristles and metal handles that can scratch the plastic sides. Bacteria can enter the scratches, spoiling any beer or wine that is made in the carboy.
Instead, insert a small soft cloth into the carboy. Then shake the carboy with warm water, cleaner, and the cloth inside. The cloth will help remove any grime that has developed on the sides.
Turn the carboy upside down to pour out the liquid and grab the cloth with your fingers.
12. **Rinse thoroughly with warm water.** Fill the carboy about halfway with warm water. Shake the water around so that it touches all sides. Then, dump the water down the drain. Repeat this process until all of the cleaner has been removed. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Carboy", "language": "en"} |
How to Address a Catholic Bishop | If you have to write a letter to a bishop, you might stumble at the first line. Likewise, you might want to greet a bishop at church, but are afraid of being disrespectful. While it’s true that there are formal guidelines for how to address a bishop or archbishop, they’re not that difficult. Once you learn a couple of basic forms to use, it will all feel quite natural. When in doubt, just say “Your Excellency,” followed by their title (bishop or archbishop) and last name.
1. **Address them as "Most Reverend" followed by their full name.** When writing to a bishop, you’ll want to use the most formal mode of address. Church etiquette dictates that you should use the form “Most Reverend,” followed by the bishop’s first name and last name.
For instance, if you are writing to bishop Alastair Booneswyth, the header of your letter should read “Most Reverend Alastair Booneswyth.”
In Great Britain, it is common to refer to Bishops as "The Right Reverend."
2. **Follow the formal address with their title and parish name.** Include the word "bishop," and then write their location. Write this out on the envelope when you address it, and also use it as a header at the top of the letter itself. When you're done, it should look something like:
”Most Reverend Alastair Booneswyth, Bishop of Rockville.”
3. **Include a polite salutation.** When writing to them you should use a proper greeting. “Your Excellency” will always work, but if you know the bishop personally, you can also greet them with “Dear…” Follow the salutation with the bishops’ last name.
For instance, either “Your Excellency, Bishop Booneswyth” or “Dear Bishop Booneswyth” can work, depending on how well you know the bishop.
4. **Conclude the letter with a graceful closing.** The phrase “Respectfully yours in Christ” will work in any case. Add this to the end of your letter, then sign your name.
5. **Address an archbishop in strictly formal terms.** Archbishops hold higher office, so it is even more important to follow proper etiquette. Overall, the guidelines are much the same as addressing a bishop, with a few variations:
Use “His Excellency” as a header (“His Excellency, The Most Reverend Thomas Tallis”).
Add “Archbishop” or “Apostolic nuncio to…” to his title (“His Excellency, The Most Reverend Thomas Tallis, Archbishop of Dunkirk” or “His Excellency, The Most Reverend Thomas Tallis, Apostolic nuncio to Dunkirk”).
Use a salutation like “Your Excellency, Archbishop Tallis” or “Dear Archbishop Tallis.”
The same closing, “Respectfully yours in Christ,” will work just fine.
6. **Greet them as "Your Excellency" followed by their last name.** In speaking, as in writing, you should address a bishop or archbishop honorably. Using the phrase “Your Excellency” followed by the bishop's last name is good etiquette. For instance, you could try something like “Your Excellency, Bishop Kirkland? I was wondering if you’d be joining us for the community supper on Saturday.”
7. **Familiarize yourself with regional variations.** The Catholic Church officially recommends its standard greetings, and they are always acceptable. However, in some areas, exceptions to these recommendations are also ok. For instance, British speakers may address a bishop or archbishop as “Your Grace” rather than “Your Excellency.”
If you aren’t sure if there are any exceptions in your area, ask some of your fellow churchgoers.
8. **Use formal titles when chatting with bishops and archbishops.** Even though you are expected to use formal modes of address, this doesn’t mean you can’t have an everyday conversation with Catholic leaders. Just make sure to address them respectfully, and they’ll be happy to talk to you.
For instance, start a conversation with “Your Excellency, how are you today?” or “Bishop Sethwynd, how was your week?” | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Address-a-Catholic-Bishop", "language": "en"} |
How to Reply to a Funny Text Message | If you just got a funny text, you might be cracking up, looking for a comeback, or simply a little confused about how to respond. There are so many different ways to reply to a funny text, and what you choose really depends on how you feel about the message. If you're trying to figure out a good reply, this article is here to help. Read on for a complete list of responses to all the different funny texts you might receive.
1. **I can't stop laughing!** Everyone loves to hear that they're funny. If you're dying laughing because of a text, go ahead and let that person know. Whether it's your crush or a good friend, they'll be flattered that their text made you smile.
"OMG stop. You're hilarious."
"I'm speechless. You are so funny!"
2. **LOL.** You might have laughed out loud at someone's text, but not have much to say in response. In that case, any variation of "LOL" will do the trick. If the text was super hilarious, try using all caps or adding extra "hahas."
"HAHA"
"Hahahaha"
3. **😂, 🤣, or 😹.** Emojis are excellent for making a conversation a little more playful. To show this person that their text made you smile, respond with a few emojis. They'll be happy to see that their funny text did the trick.
"LMAO! 😂"
"Omg so funny. 🤣"
4. **Cute AND funny!** Flirty banter and funny texts are a great way to build chemistry. If you'd like to show this person that you're interested, send them a flirty complement or playfully tease them.
"You're killing me! Have you considered a career in standup? 🤣"
"You're like the funniest person I've ever met. Got any other secret talents?"
5. **Send a meme.** Memes are a way to appeal to this person's specific sense of humor. If a friend or someone you're crushing on is making you laugh, you probably want to return the favor. To send a funny response of your own, try a meme. It'll save you from having to think of your own witty response, and it'll likely make them smile.
Find hilarious memes on Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter, and other sites online. Look for memes that relate to your friend's unique interests and sense of humor. You might even try something that relates to the joke your friend told.
Let's say your friend is joking about your sign in astrology. Send over a funny astrology meme about their sign in return.
6. **Send a GIF.** A GIF can convey how you're feeling visually. If a text was truly funny, you might feel like words don't fully express your reaction. Try sending over a funny reaction GIF. It'll likely make your friend crack up in response.
Look for GIFS on giphy.com or other sites online.
Find GIFS that express your reaction to their joke. If you're cracking up at what your friend said, try a reaction GIF of a TV character laughing hysterically.
7. **Change the subject.** If you want to keep talking but don't know what to say, steer the conversation in a new direction. Fill them in on something interesting going on in your life or ask them a question.
"How was your weekend?"
"I just watched a movie that I think you would really like!"
"What've you been up this week?"
8. **Wait to respond and start a new conversation later on.** If someone texted you “haha," you don’t have to reply. If you've just had a funny text exchange, someone might respond with "Lol" or "Haha" to show that they're cracking up. It's okay to let this be the end of the conversation.
Texting when you don't have anything to say might make your conversation fizzle out. It's best to hold off on replying until you've got something you want to share with them.
9. **I think you may have the wrong number.** A simple text informing them of the mistake is fine. Everyone gets texts from the wrong number sometimes (and they can sometimes be unintentionally hilarious). To clear up any misunderstanding, tell the person that they texted you by mistake.
"Woops, I think you meant to send this to someone else."
"Wrong number."
10. **Prank the person.** It might be an opportunity to make this person's day. Keep your prank light and humorous. You don't know this person, so a more serious or involved prank might upset them.
Text them a picture of your cat (or a cat picture you found on the internet). If they respond, keep sending cat pictures. Then, let them know they've got the wrong number.
Tell them that they've got the wrong number, but respond to their message anyway. Try, "I agree, macaroni and cheese sounds great for dinner. BTW, I think you have the wrong number."
Respond with song lyrics. For this prank to work best, pick a super popular song, like "Umbrella" by Rihanna or "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen. If they don't get it after a few texts, inform them that they texted you by mistake.
11. **I don't like that kind of humor.** If this "funny" text offended you, you're welcome to let them know. Perhaps your friend texted you something inappropriate or someone on a dating app made a joke that really didn't land. You're welcome to let them know that you didn't appreciate the message.
"I'm not a fan of that joke. Please don't text me offensive messages like this."
"I don't appreciate disrespectful jokes. Please unmatch me."
12. **Refrain from replying if the text made you uncomfortable.** If you got a weird text, you don't have to respond. Perhaps you got a text from the wrong number that makes you uneasy or someone on a dating app sent you a strange message. If the text makes you feel unsafe, you don't owe them a response. Simply let the text go unanswered.
If the person who sent you a text from the wrong number keeps texting you, consider blocking the number.
When someone sends you inappropriate messages on a dating app, you can unmatch them. If they're harassing you or sending you threatening messages, you can also report them. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Reply-to-a-Funny-Text-Message", "language": "en"} |
Dreams About Snakes: What They Mean, Interpretation, & More | A snake shows up in your dream—is this mystical serpent a positive symbol or a warning sign? Snakes have been showing up in people’s dreams since ancient times, and their fascinating presence can symbolize change, healing, and danger. What does a snake dream mean for your life? We’ll walk you through a complete guide to interpreting what this serpent holds for you with the top 11 meanings behind snake dreams.
1. **Snake dreams symbolize the effect of poisonous people in your life.** These elusive reptiles slither through your subconscious, representing the stress and anxiety that comes with interacting with toxic people. Odds are, you know who the toxic person is in your life, and the snake dream is trying to signal that it’s time to wake up and take action.
, the snake is acting as a warning sign. Someone in your life is bringing in unnecessary negativity and stress.
, that’s a red flag that someone in your life is a backstabber or is spreading rumors about you.
, someone you see often (like a coworker or partner) is likely bringing toxic energy into your life.
2. **Snakes in dreams symbolize duality and subconscious turmoil.** You might be going through an identity crisis or a time of upheaval in your life—like a career change or a breakup. The snake itself isn’t an inherently negative symbol. In fact, a serpent’s appearance in your dream is meant to encourage you to take a closer look at your intentions and what you need.
Talking snakes often represent part of your subconscious trying to communicate with you.
Two-headed snakes reflect that you’re being pulled in two directions, but you’ll ultimately move towards positive transformation and wisdom.
3. **Snakes, with their slithering movements, can represent turning points.** This is especially true of dreams where you’re holding a snake. You might be facing a heavy decision or an important choice in your personal or professional life.
Pay attention to how you felt about the snake in your dream. If you felt afraid, you might want to take a step back before making a big life decision. If you felt calm, it’s time to dive right in and make a change in your life.
Black snakes symbolize the unknown in dreams. If you see a black snake, it could symbolize the uncertainty you feel about a choice you’ll make.
4. **This dream interpretation comes from the serpent in the Garden of Eden.** Just as the biblical snake tempted Eve, a snake in your dream can represent your struggle to choose between right and wrong. Are you feeling guilty about the choices you have in front of you? Do you need to make amends or choose a different path?
Green snakes are most closely associated with temptation and jealousy.
5. **Some snakes squeeze the life force out of their prey.** Think back to the type of snake that appeared in your dream. A boa constrictor or anaconda can mean that you’re feeling smothered and suffocated by a situation in your life. You might be sorting out a tough financial situation or coping with an overbearing boss, parent, partner, or friend.
Red snakes symbolize malicious energy and potential danger.
6. **Getting bitten by a snake in your dream represents exposure and sensitivity.** This vulnerable state could be emotional or physical. You might be feeling anxious about your health or general safety. Or, you might be scared of letting someone see the “real you.” The good news is that dreaming about a snake lets you confront that fear of vulnerability and move forward.
If you’re attacked by a snake in your dream, the attack can symbolize that you feel defenseless and powerless. What steps can you take to set boundaries in your life? How can you get more control over your situation?
If you see a garter snake in your dream, that means you felt uncertain about someone, but you’re slowly realizing they’re harmless.
7. **Snakes crawling over your body represent a lack of confidence.** You might not feel comfortable with the way you look, or you might just worry about what other people think. Snakes will especially tend to show up in dreams after someone makes a mean comment that undermines your self-confidence.
Ultimately, you have the power to take action in your life. While snakes can symbolize insecurity, they also symbolize growth and new beginnings.
8. **Snakes are a phallic symbol.** If you come upon a harmless snake in your dream, it could symbolize sexual desire that you’ve suppressed in your subconscious. Where was the snake in your dream? If you found the snake in your bedroom, on your lap, or wrapped around your legs, there’s a good chance it’s sending a message about your sex life.
Remember that snakes symbolize warnings signs. Is it actually a good idea to act on your impulses? Or is the snake warning you about a problematic sexual relationship?
9. **Surprisingly, a snake bite in a dream can also represent healing.** These dual-natured creatures represent both poison and medicine. Getting a snake bite in a dream is like the mystical equivalent of getting a shot at the doctor’s office. If you’ve been grappling with a health issue or an emotional wound, your snake dream could symbolize the start of recovery.
Brown snakes are most closely associated with healing.
10. **Snakes are known for shedding their skin, which symbolizes rebirth.** If you see a snake shedding or moving away from you in a dream, it could be guiding you towards a new path. In particular, pay attention to the ouroboros (a snake eating itself), which represents the eternal cycle of death and rebirth.
Blue snakes symbolize creativity and rebirth.
In ancient Mesoamerican culture, snakes were associated with creation as the serpent-bird god Quetzalcoatl helped create the world.
In Buddhism and Hinduism, nagas are a species of half-human, half-god creatures with the ability to shapeshift. Consequently, they represent change and rebirth.
11. **In mythology, snakes are connected to oracles and sages.** When a snake appears in your dream, it could be a signal that you’re about to make a major breakthrough. If there’s a problem or puzzle you’ve been struggling to figure out, your serpentine friend could be saying you’re going to work things out soon.
White snakes symbolize luck, good karma, and trust in yourself.
In East Asian cultures, snakes often symbolize wealth and prosperity. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/What-Does-It-Mean-when-You-Dream-About-Snakes", "language": "en"} |
How to Make Fresh Mango Juice | If you're lucky enough to have access to fresh mangoes, create your own sweet mango juice! You can easily customize the flavor and texture of the juice. To make creamy mango juice, blend the fruit with a little milk and sugar. If you want the natural flavor of the fruit to really shine, blend mango chunks with water. For truly unique mango juice, blend in other fruits, spices, or juices. Try several and discover your favorite mango juice combinations!
1. **Chop the mangoes** To cut a mango, slice the flesh away from the seed in the center of the fruit. Score the 2 pieces with the most mango flesh into a grid and scoop the fruit out with a spoon. Then, carefully use a small knife to trim off the fruit surrounding the seed. You should get around 5 cups (525 g) of mango chunks.
Ensure that there's no peel on any of the chunks.
You may need a different number of mangoes depending on the size and variety of mangoes. For example, Alphonso mangoes are smaller, so you might need a few more of them.
2. **Put the chunks into a blender with water or milk and the optional sugar.** If you'd like the flavor of the mango to really shine, pour 4 cups (950 ml) of water into the blender. If you prefer a creamier drink, you could use milk instead. You can also add 3 tablespoons (36 g) of sugar if you want the mango juice to be even sweeter.
Try substituting coconut milk for the water or milk if you'd like another non-dairy option.
You can use your favorite sweetener, such as honey or agave, or leave out sweetener altogether if the mangoes are very sweet.
3. **Blend** Put the lid on the blender and combine the ingredients until the mango is completely pureed. Keep blending until the mango incorporates with the water or milk.
4. **Pour the juice through a strainer if you want thin mango juice.** If you used mangoes that had noticeable fiber strands, you may want to strain the juice. Set a fine-mesh strainer over a pitcher or measuring jug and pour the mango juice into it. The juice will drip into the pitcher, leaving the pulpy fibers in the strainer.
Discard the pulp once you've finished straining the juice.
If your mangoes were smooth or you don't mind thicker juice, you can skip straining it.
5. **Pour the mango juice into serving glasses.** If you'd like your juice to be cold, place a few ice cubes in each glass before you pour the mango juice into them. Consider sticking an extra sliver of mango on the side of the glass before serving the drinks and enjoy!
You can cover the pitcher of mango juice and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. Unfortunately, there's nothing you can add to the juice to extend its storage time. For longer-term storage, consider freezing the juice for up to 4 months.
6. **Add other juices to make a mango juice cocktail.** Mango pairs well with other fruit, so you can mix the prepared mango juice with equal parts of your favorite juice. Try using any of these juices:
Pineapple
Peach
Orange
Apple
Cranberry
7. **Include ginger or mint to add a bright flavor.** If you like slightly spicy mango juice, peel and thinly slice about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of fresh ginger and add it to the blender before you mix the mango juice. To add an herbal flavor, you could put a small handful of fresh mint instead.
Play around with adding other fresh herbs. You could use different varieties of basil, such as lemon basil or spicy basil.
8. **Stir in plain yogurt to make a mango lassi.** Blend 1/2 cup (120 g) of yogurt with 1 cup (240 ml) of the prepared mango juice and 2 ice cubes. To sweeten the lassi, you could blend in around 1 teaspoon (4 g) of sugar or honey.
Substitute soy yogurt for a non-dairy mango lassi.
Use flavored yogurt if you like an even sweeter lassi. Try mango, strawberry, peach, or vanilla yogurt, for instance.
9. **Mix the mango juice with lemonade to make tangy mango lemonade.** If you like tangy mango juice, stir equal parts of lemonade with the prepared mango juice. Taste the mango lemonade to see if you'd like to stir in sweetener, such as honey or simple syrup.
To play around with flavors, try mixing the mango juice with limeade.
10. **Blend in fresh fruits or vegetables to make a nutritious mango smoothie.** Create a healthy mango smoothie by adding around 1 cup (175 g) of fresh fruit, such as strawberries, bananas, peaches, or blueberries to the blender with the mango juice ingredients. If your blender is strong enough, you could even add sliced carrot, kale, or spinach!
To make the mango smoothie even creamier, add 1/2 of an avocado. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Fresh-Mango-Juice", "language": "en"} |
How to Buy Raw Land | Buying raw (also known as undeveloped) land can be a great investment, or means to build a home or business. There are, however, a number of special considerations and concerns when purchasing raw land that need to be addressed before, during, and after the process of purchasing your property. If you take proper precautions and consult the right lawyers and professionals, you can greatly reduce the risks and increase the rewards of your raw land deal.
1. **Determine the reason for buying the land.** Buying raw land is different than buying a home, and there are many questions a potential buyer needs to ask before starting the process. Some key questions include: Why are you buying this land? Are you hoping to build a home on the land? Are you planning to farm there, and set up a ranch house and agricultural plots? Are you buying it in hopes it increases in value over time? The answer to all these questions come with specific risks and considerations, and having specific plans for your land is necessary before you begin the process of looking. There are a variety of reasons people buy raw land, including:
Farming/ranching.
Building a house or home.
Diversifying one's portfolio.
Speculation (hoping the price will increase later).
2. **Come up with a budget.** Your budget will need to include money for several steps that most other land and home purchases do not, as well as the common expenses of purchasing land. Plan to include money for the following in your budget:
Due diligence. You will need to conduct a lot of research regarding the land you want to purchase that is usually not necessary for developed land.
Down payment. If you are purchasing the land to develop a farm or ranch, you may be able to obtain specialized loans, such as those offered by the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency. Down payments tend to be higher for raw land purchases because things such as houses that banks could use as collateral for the loan do not exist on raw land. Your down payment may range between 20-50% of the total price of the property.
Conversion. This includes the costs for anything you will need to do to convert the land for your intended use, such as constructing a home, running sewer lines, etc.
Carrying costs. This includes things such as the interest on your loan and any property taxes. Unlike residences, raw land is not considered to depreciate for federal tax purposes, so you can’t take a depreciation tax deduction for raw land.
Just how much money does this work out to in dollar terms? Typically, for the down-payment and other costs, you should try to have about 20-25% of the purchase price available in cash as a rule of thumb. In addition, you should have a steady stream of income to cover carrying costs (like loan repayments). This will also help you qualify for any lending you may require. .
3. **Begin your search for available land.** Once you have determined what you want to use the land for and what your budget is, you can begin the search for available land in your price range that meets your requirements. There are a variety of ways in which to begin your search.
Scan local newspapers, query farmers in local rural communities, and research evictions, bank foreclosures, and tax sales.
Go through a real estate agent. This is a particularly good option when your search is somewhere out-of-state or far away from your current residence. A real estate agent may also be able to tell you whether there are any future zoning plans that could affect your own plans.
4. **Investigate neighboring properties.** You'll want to know what kind of properties you border, and whether industrial farming or agricultural practices will affect the value or livability of your land.
You should also know whether the neighboring properties have any rights of way or easements on the land you’re considering.
5. **Ensure there's access to sewage and water.** Two things that make land essentially useless are a lack of a septic system and/or a water source. These are the most important things to consider when investigating properties.
Sewer systems are an important consideration. Off-the-grid land sometimes cannot be connected to a municipal sewer system, so when making purchasing decisions plan for a septic system. Make sure your property is not only zoned for septic, but has the space to install a septic system far enough away to avoid water contamination.
Does your land have access to water? Trucking water is expensive and collecting rainwater is inefficient in most places. Make sure you have access and rights to water and, if you plan on digging a well, factor that into your decision as this can become quite expensive.
6. **Consider roads and topography.** The soil system of your land, and how/if you can reach it by road also determine its worth. Take topography and transportation seriously in the searching process.
Does your property have access to a road? If not, you should be willing and able to build one as inaccessible land is also essentially worthless. What is the climate like? If you're buying in an area with cold, snowy winters considering the type of road, if any, leading to your land is particularly important.
Once again, check carefully for any easements. An easement means you do not own 100% of your land, and it is possible that a utility company, or other landowner can regularly use your land. This could affect how you can use your land, as well as its success as an investment.
Consider electricity. If your property is far off the grid how do you plan on getting electricity to your location? You can pay the power company to string a pole in your direction, which can be expensive, or use alternative sources like wind or solar.
What is the topography of your land? Take notice of where water runs and if your land can support infrastructure. Watch for signs of flooding and know soil types and grade. Knowing your soil type also affects your ability to drill and set up a water source like a well, so make sure you factor in the added cost of drilling through something like rock as opposed to a softer soil like sand.
7. **Know your rights, and be aware of environmental restrictions.** Oftentimes, legal jargon and existing restrictions are difficult to comprehend. Unfortunately, certain restrictions based on zoning and environment can greatly impact the worth of your land and how you can use it.
Secure your rights. There are various rights that go into the purchase of raw land. For example, do you have the right to anything found on the land, such as land oil, natural gas, gold, or other valuable materials? Make sure to look into this ahead of time to save yourself a long, legal battle and possible loss of money. Also, consider hunting rights. Owning property, in some areas, gives you a right to refuse hunting on that land. Look into this ahead of time, and consider your own comfort and concerns on the issue of game hunting.
How is your land zoned? How and if the land is zoned affects your ability to build a home on your land. Check the land's zoning very closely before signing any paperwork, paying especially close attention to whether the land was previously zoned for anything that may depreciate its value over time. Industrial farming, for example, leaves chemical residues that sinks a land's value.
Check any existing environmental restrictions, especially if you are buying very rural land. Waterfronts and wetlands especially have a variety of strict guidelines about use and building, which are limiting for owner's plans. These could include, for example, an endangered species habitat. In addition, if you are planning on farming in any way beyond a simple home garden, you need to make sure your land is zoned for agricultural development.
8. **Prepare questions for the seller.** Before you begin looking into properties and contacting sellers, prepare a list of questions to ask based around your specific needs and wants to ensure the land is worth viewing. A few general questions to ask the seller or seller's agent include:
Is the lot buildable?
Are there any restrictions or encroachments on the property I should be aware of before purchasing?
Are there any common facilities, like water systems, septic systems, or roads, homeowners or developers need to manage? If so, what will my specific responsibilities be?
Will there be homeowner association fees?
Are any portions of the land designated wetlands or floodplain?
Does the site have access to electricity, natural gas, town water, or sewer?
Is there water on site? What is the flow rate and quality?
9. **Make a trip to see the land.** Nothing will clear up your ideas about what kind of land you want better than actually looking at some properties. You'll immediately realize what appeals to you, and what doesn't and you can weigh the pros and cons of purchasing that particular plot.
Look for any structures on the property or on a neighbor's property that cross the property line, and check with your city or county records office about the legality of such structures and what easements neighbors might have.
If you're working with an agent, the road you ride in on is likely the most attractive, easiest route to your property. However, it might not be accessible year-round or it may be prone to poor upkeep, plowing, and other services. Ask neighbors or those who live in the route you're taking, if it's always available, and whether it's cared for adequately.
Talk to locals while you're there. Ask them if there is reliable cell phone reception in the area, what the seasons are like, what driving conditions are in the nearby roads and highways, and whether the area is prone to any specific environmental hazards.
If possible, stay overnight. Ask your agent if setting up camp is possible, and if this is allowed consider pitching a tent for an evening. This will give you the best idea of the daily rhythm of the area, and neighbors, and traffic - if after 24 hours your enthusiasm for the place has waned, imagine being there for 24 years.
10. **Consult a lawyer.** Because of the additional complexities of buying raw land, it is recommended that you consult with a lawyer once you’ve identified the property you want to buy. For one, a lawyer can help streamline communication between you and the seller so your rights as owner are clear. Additionally, your lawyer can help you interpret the findings of your due diligence and how it may affect your rights and use of the land. Find a qualified real estate attorney to help you navigate the pricing and other negotiations of the purchase process.
Before finalizing the sale, ask your lawyer whether water and mineral rights are a concern in the area. The jargon in regards to such issues, and what your rights are in regards to materials found on your property, can be confusing. A third party can help clear up any uncertainty.
Ask about what contingencies you should add to the bid offer, and how much time you need to address these contingencies. Contingencies are conditions that must be met before the closing will take place, such as financing, inspections, and insurance.
Before finalizing your bid, ask your lawyer about building requirements and any permits you need, as well as whether there is a warranty deed. You should purchase owner's title insurance at this point. This is typically a seller cost, and requested in the offer as part of the contract.
11. **Make an offer, but start low.** A down payment for raw land generally falls between 20-50% of the overall price, and many lenders expect you to have made a down payment before they consider granting you a mortgage loan. Do not be afraid to bargain with the seller. You can significantly reduce the overall cost with successful bargaining. Your offer should include an option on the land for a small fee, so that you have the opportunity to do due diligence before completing the purchase. Essentially, this will put the land on “hold” for you while you do your inspections. Alternatively, your offer can include a closing date (the date on which the purchase is completed) far enough into the future to complete the due diligence process.
Your offer should also include provisions allowing you to walk away or buy the land for a reduced price depending on the findings of the due diligence process.
Cheaper properties make more financial sense when it comes to raw land as land tends to appreciate as it's developed. Look for relatively low-cost options that meet your needs as a buyer.
Inquire as to particular property tax savings programs in the state you're buying if you plan to leave the land undeveloped for a significant period of time. These plans can save you a lot of money long term, as taxes and payments are reduced over time on uncultivated land.
12. **Secure a loan.** Taking out a loan for raw land is tricky and much more difficult than getting a loan for an existing home. This is especially true if you plan to wait years to build. Banks fear the building plans will not come to fruition or you will walk away from the land if it does not appreciate in value.
You can minimize the risk of rejection by going in with a very specific plan, and proving you've done adequate research and practiced due diligence to assess the land for your personal needs. If you've contacted the above companies, departments, and professionals you're far more likely to look invested in your plans for the land and therefore be approved for a loan for a down payment.
Work with local banks and credit unions. They're familiar with the area, and will know you're making a wise, well researched investment.
Remember, your land is undeveloped so down payments and interest rates will be higher than for a typical home mortgage. Keep this in mind as you plan financially for your loan.
Your credit score may also have to be higher to buy raw land as there is no building as collateral.
13. **Consider owner financing.** Owner financing refers to you financing your land purchase through the seller (or owner) of the land. This can be an attractive option for buyers if they are having difficulty obtaining a bank loan, or if interest rates are too high due to poor credit. For the seller, it may be attractive if they are having difficulty selling the property. If these conditions apply, consider approaching the owner and inquiring about owner financing.
For example, assume you wanted to buy a plot of land for $1 million. You would pay a down payment to the owner, and then the owner would finance the property and allow you to use the land. You would then pay the owner back regular payments just as you would with a bank loan. Typically, once all payments are complete, the deed to the land would be transferred to you.
Benefits of owner financing include lower costs for you (due to the lack of fees like closing fees, and a potentially lower interest rate), no qualifying required (since it is not through a bank), and fast closing of the sale (since there is no third party involved).
There are a few risks to be aware of. Typically, these transactions will involve a relatively high down-payment of 20% or more. In addition, it is important to be aware of whether or not the seller still owes money on the land. If so, you are exposing yourself to the risk that the seller could go bankrupt and be unable to make payments. Bring this topic up with both the seller, and your lawyer, to fully understand the risks and what you can do about them.
Always involve a lawyer when conducting this sort of transaction. Formal contracts will need to be created and signed, and a lawyer can help to make sure the transaction is fair to you and that the seller meets all their obligations. The lawyer can also assist with the financial aspects of the deal such as interest rates, amortization period, and documentation of the loan.
14. **Practice due diligence.** It's impossible to identify and assess every sort of risk and delay, but pursuing a program of due diligence can minimize that risk. This usually means hiring several experts to conduct inspections and make inquiries on your behalf.
Due diligence takes time and money, which usually comes in the form of an inspection and feasibility study. Make sure to stipulate the amount of days needed to conduct the study and inspection in the offer.
The details of this period, and what rights you have during the process, are negotiated between you, the seller, and both of your respective agents. You may be asked to put down some form of financial deposit, sometimes known as earnest money, typically about 1% of the purchase price.
15. **Ask the seller to pay for part of these costs.** Because due diligence is very expensive, you should request that the seller pay for at least part of your due diligence costs in case something comes up in the process that means you no longer wish to purchase the land.
These requests are generally presented with the offer.
16. **Hire a surveyor.** Even if the seller or real estate agent offers a survey of the land, contract your own surveyor or civil engineer as well. Rural plots can be uneven in size and shape and uninformed buyers or agents might miss certain pitfalls when surveying the land. Know the soil, the topography, the potential value, and where and how you can build.
If you have the property surveyed then you may purchase extended title insurance which will protect you against boundary issues.
17. **Check the plat.** A plat is a map, drawn to scale, of your land that shows the size, shape, and location of your property. Plats are not drawn by private entities, but public works departments and urban planning organizations. They are more informative and legally binding than the standard survey.
18. **Be aware of any existing liens.** Liens are notices attached to property that tell whether the owner owes money to a creditor. These are public record, and can be obtained from a county records office. A lien on a property can delay your purchase for months or years depending on the type of lien, so be aware.
19. **Make a trip to the town or county offices of Building and of Planning and Zoning.** These departments can address specific questions about the land you're considering buying, and give you insight as to whether your building plans would work for the area.
Ask the Building Office whether the lot is buildable, if there are any existing restrictions on the size of buildings, whether roads surrounding the property are publicly paved and maintained, and what permits, fees, and costs are required.
Ask the Planning and Zoning Office how and if the property is zoned, whether your planned use for the lot complies with zoning restrictions, whether there are any restrictions due to environmentally protected areas like wetlands, and how much lot coverage is allowed?
20. **Go to the county Health Department.** The health department can really solidify the specifics of any plans you have for wells and septic systems, and alert you to any potential dangers of installing them in the area.
Ask if tower service is available and what the costs are, what kind of septic systems are permitted, what tests are required, and what time of year they can be performed.
Look out for potential problems. Ask whether the area you're looking in has trouble with high water tables or poor soils for septic systems, and whether there are any known problems with water quality in your area.
21. **Seek out utility companies in the area.** Utility companies can answer questions about access to electricity and other modern amenities. Check if natural gas can be brought to the lot, and what the costs are. What are the options for cell phones, internet, and television?
22. **Talk to the Department of Environmental Protection.** Environmental restrictions can really throw a snag in building plans, so make sure you know of any going in. The DEP can answer these questions head on. You should also ask them to explain any former use of the land, specifically for environmental issues.
If you plan to install a well, speak to more than one driller and then check with the DEP to see if there are any well water issues in your immediate surrounding area. Asks about costs, flow rates, depth of neighboring wells, labor and material costs, and if there are any well water problems in neighboring areas.
23. **Close on the property.** If your due diligence process does not reveal any major issues and your lawyer agrees that the purchase is a good one, close on your purchase. Depending on where you live, the procedures may vary, and your lawyer and real estate agent will walk you through them. In general, you can expect to see at least the following documents:
A land contract. This lists the address of the property and includes a full legal description, including its location, any liens, easements, or other conditions, and the financial information such as purchase price, down payment amount, and number and amounts of monthly payments.
The deed. This transfers the legal title to the property from the seller to you. You will sign this when you close on the purchase.
A closing statement. An escrow officer or your lawyer can draft this document, which shows the debits and credits for you and the seller as agreed in the contract. For example, it may include an "amortization schedule" that specifies how many payments, in what amount, will pay off the amount you owe on the land. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-Raw-Land", "language": "en"} |
How to Make Denim Cut off Shorts | Instead of going to an expensive clothing retailer, you can learn to make cut-off shorts at home. With some shears, you can turn an ordinary pair of jeans into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. After all, denim cut-offs are incredibly popular right now, and you'll save a fortune making your own!
1. **Choose your jeans.** You will want to choose the pair of jeans which you want to turn into cut-offs. These should fit well, at least in the areas which will not be cut away. They should also not have irreparable damage or damage which will cannot be repaired in a visually appealing way (such as wear and holes at the crotch). If they have stains or an undesirable color, this will need to be taken into consideration, though it would not bar them from use.
2. **Decide the cut length.** Put the jeans on in order to determine where they will need to be cut to. Estimate a length, mark the spot (with your finger, chalk or removable, powder makeup) and then double-check by sitting down to ensure that the chosen length is not too short. Once you’ve determined a good length, mark the spot more clearly and remove the jeans.
3. **Add cuff or hem length.** With the jeans off, measure at least one inch below the desired length (if hemming) or three inches below (if cuffing). If you want to have the ragged-edge look, do not add any length.
4. **Draw cut line.** Measure the distance between the mark you made and the waistline of the jeans. Make this same measurement on the other leg and mark it, so that you have equal points on each side. Mark a straight line, following the threads of the denim if it is possible, across one leg. Fold the jeans to be sure that the mark on the other side is accurate and then draw a similar line on the other leg.
5. **Cut the fabric.** You will then want to cut the jeans at the line you have marked. Use heavy shears to cleanly cut through the material, as dull scissors will leave edges uneven.
6. **Hem or cuff as desired.** Use a sewing machine with an appropriate needle to add a 1/2” hem, pinning beforehand and sewing with the jeans inside out. If you wish to add a cuff, which will minimize the the importance of a clean or even cut line, do not hem and merely roll the bottom to the desired length. Now you’re ready to wear your shorts or customize them to fit your style!
7. **Do strategic bleaching and dying.** You can use strategic bleaching or dying techniques to change the color and pattern of your shorts. Consider bleaching only the top or bottom half of the jeans, doing a fade effect with bleach, or bleaching the entire pair of shorts and dying them other colors.
8. **Add paint.** You can paint your shorts, if you do not intend to wear or wash them very often. There are limitless options for how you can paint your shorts and it will depend only on your skill and personal preferences.
For example, you can paint a dark pair of shorts to look like a galaxy or the night sky. Use an old toothbrush lightly dipped in paint to flick speckles of white or silver paint onto your shorts. Smudge on blues and purples to complete the effect.
You can also use a stencil to add a pattern or design to your shorts. Make your own stencil or buy one from a local craft store and then use spray paint to add the design in whatever sections or pattern you prefer.
9. **Create a fabric overlay.** You can use a different fabric attached to the shorts in order to make them more fashionable and show your personality. Use cotton prints, such as those found at a quilt shop, and trace the shape of the area you want covered. Leave a seam allowance, iron down the allowance, and then stitch the overlay to the desired section by hand or with a machine, depending on where you are adding it to. You can cover the back pockets, one or both front sections, the cuffs or just the trim.
10. **Add lace.** Adding lace can make shorts sexy and fashionable, giving them a feminine appearance. You can add lace in a number of ways and in a number of places to achieve different looks.
You can add lace over the whole pair of shorts. Do this by sewing, using iron-in seaming or simply gluing lace trim into rows across the pair of shorts. This looks best if you use several different styles or patterns of lace. Begin at the waist and move downward in even, parallel rows.
You can also add lace to just one section of the shorts. You can add it over the back pockets, over one of the front sections, just at the hem or cuff, or anywhere else you feel it looks best. Trace the shape that you want covered, add a little extra to make the seam, fold and iron the seam down and then stitch the lace into place by hand.
11. **Create a side slit.** You can make shorts which are too small fit a bit better by adding a side slit and closing it by adding an inch or two of stretchy fabric to rejoin the sides. Choose a fun print to make them fashionable and show your personality. You can also make shorts sexier this way too, by adding a slit and grommets or button holes to lace it closed.
12. **Finished.** | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Denim-Cut-off-Shorts", "language": "en"} |
How to Say I Miss You in Spanish | There are many reasons you might want to say "I miss you." You may be speaking to someone you love, expressing how much you hate being apart from them. You also might simply want to say that you tried to meet or call someone, but they were gone at the time. Whatever your reason, there are a few ways to say "I miss you" in Spanish, as well as other phrases that may work better in your situation.
1. **Say "te echo de menos."** This phrase is a common way to say "I miss you" in Spanish. However, it is not a direct translation of the English words. The literal translation of the phrase is "I throw you less."
While the direct or literal translation of the phrase into English doesn't make much sense, the meaning of the phrase is to express the feeling of having something missing in your life as a result of the person's absence.
Pronounce the phrase as "tay EH-choh day MAY-nohs."
This phrase is used more in Spain than in other Spanish-speaking parts of the world.
If you are speaking in past tense ("I missed you"), you would say "te eché de menos."
2. **Use the phrase "te extraño" in Latin America.** This phrase is a more direct translation of the sentiment "I miss you." The verb extraño means "I miss" and te is the object pronoun for "you." Literally, this phrase is saying "you I miss."
Pronounce this phrase "tay ehks-TRAHN-yo."
To use this phrase in past tense to say "I missed you," you would say "te extrañé."
This verb is more versatile, and can be used to say you miss other creatures or things. For example, you might use it to say "I miss my dog" – "Extraño a mi perro."
3. **State "me haces falta."** This is another phrase used to mean "I miss you" in Spanish. While there is no good direct translation, the general connection is that the person to whom you're speaking is responsible for an absence or need in your life.
This phrase is made up of "me," the direct object pronoun for "yo," the first-person singular pronoun meaning "I," the verb "haces," which means "you make" or "you cause," and the noun "falta," which means "lack or absence."
Pronounce the phrase "may AH-says FAHL-tah."
In past tense, this phrase becomes "me hiciste falta" ("I missed you").
4. **Choose the correct object pronoun.** To say "I miss you" in Spanish, you must use an object pronoun to identify the person you miss. If you're speaking directly to the person, you would use the object pronoun for "you."
The phrase "me haces falta" is an exception, because you use the object pronoun for yourself, me, instead of the object pronoun for the person to whom you're speaking.
The Spanish language has formal and informal variations of you. If you are speaking to someone with whom you are not on familiar terms, you would use the formal variation.
Generally, you wouldn't be saying "I miss you" to someone with whom you're not close. For this reason, the word te is most commonly used in Spanish phrases meaning "I miss you." This word is the direct object pronoun for the second person familiar tú, meaning "you." Since this is the familiar form of the word "you," it should only be used with friends and family.
If for some reason you need to express this sentiment to someone with whom you're not on familiar terms, replace te with lo (masculine) or la (feminine). These are the formal object pronouns for usted, the polite, formal variation of "you."
If you are speaking about missing several people (for example, if you are telling a couple that you miss them both), you would use the plural direct object pronoun for "you," which is os.
5. **Learn the verb echar.** The word echo in te echo de menos is the first-person conjugation of the verb echar, which has a variety of meanings. Some translations of echar include "to send forth," "to send away," "to throw out," or "to place."
To say "I miss you" in Spanish using the verb echar, you'll use the first-person present form of the verb.
If you wanted to say "she misses you," you would use the third-person present form of the verb, echa. The full expression of this phrase would be "te echa de menos." The third-person plural would be "te echan de menos" ("They miss you").
To say "we miss you," use the first-person plural form: "te echamos de menos."
6. **Use the verb extrañar.** If you're going to say "te extraño," you're using the verb extrañar, which means "to miss." The way you conjugate this verb depends on who is speaking, and the tense in which they're speaking.
If you want to say that another person misses the person to whom you are speaking, you would say "te extraña," which would mean "he (or she) misses you." Note that the direct object pronoun, te, does not change. The person to whom you're speaking still is the object of the verb, but the conjugation of the verb indicates that another person is doing the missing.
Perhaps you want to say that you and another person are both missing the person to whom you're speaking. You would say te extrañamos," which means "we miss you."
To say "they miss you" in Spanish, use the third-person plural conjugation of the verb: "te extrañan."
7. **Try the verb hacer.** When you use the phrase "me haces falta" to say "I miss you" in Spanish, you need to conjugate the verb hacer, which means "to do, make, or cause." When conjugated as haces, it means "you make" or "you cause."
The verb conjugation should agree with the pronoun for the person being missed, not the person doing the missing. For this reason, if you want to say "we miss you" using this phrase, the verb conjugation stays the same ("haces"), but the object pronoun would change: "nos faces falta."
Note that this phrase is constructed differently than the direct English translation, and you're using the second-person present tense conjugation of the verb. If you said "te hago falta," which seems like a direct translation (hago is the first-person present tense conjugation of the verb hacer), you would actually be saying "You miss me." This construction is similar to the French phrase for "I miss you," "tu me manques," which more literally means "you are being missed by me."
8. **Ask "¿cuándo vuelves?"** to find out when the person will return. This is a question that might frequently follow the statement that you miss someone. After saying that you miss them, it's only natural to inquire when they will be back.
Cuándo is a Spanish adverb meaning "when."
Vuelves is a conjugated form of the Spanish verb volver, which means "to return" or "to come back." It is the "you" familiar conjugation, so only use it when speaking to someone with whom you're on familiar terms.
If you are speaking to someone with whom you're less familiar, you might want to use the more formal conjugation vuelve.
Pronounce cuándo vuelves as "KWAN-doh voo-EHL-vays."
9. **Demand "¡Regresa ya!"** If you've told someone you miss them, you probably want them to come back. Rather than ask when they're returning, you may want to simply tell them to come back. "¡Regresa ya!" means "come back already!"
Regresa comes from the Spanish verb "regresar," meaning "to return" or "come back." In this phrase, you must use the imperative conjugation for "tú," the familiar "you." The imperative is used for commands like this.
Ya is an adverb meaning "already."
Pronounce the entire command as "ray-GRE-sah jah."
10. **Exclaim "¡no puedo estar sin ti!"** Particularly in a romantic context, when you miss someone you may feel as though you cannot live without them. This exclamatory Spanish phrase means "I cannot be without you."
Puedo is the "I" or "yo" conjugation for the Spanish verb "poder," meaning "can" or "to be able to." When no is placed before it, the meaning becomes negative, turning the phrase into "I cannot."
Estar is a Spanish verb meaning "to be." Since it follows a conjugated verb, do not conjugate estar.
Sin means "without."
Ti is another object pronoun used for the familiar form of "you."
Pronounce the entire declaration as "no poo-AY-doh EHS-tar seen tee."
11. **Tell the person you wish they were with you.** When you miss someone, you want them to be with you rather than for the two of you to be apart. This is especially true in a romantic relationship, where you can use the phrase "desearia que estuvieras aqui conmigo" to mean "I wish you were here with me."
Deseria is a conjugation of the Spanish verb desear, which means "to want."
Que is a Spanish conjunction or pronoun meaning "that," "who," or "which."
Estuvieras is a conjugation of the Spanish verb estar, which means "to be."
Aquí is a Spanish adverb meaning "here." The word has both a place and time component, so it can be interpreted as meaning "here and now."
Conmigo is a Spanish pronoun that means "with me."
Pronounce this phrase as "DAY-say-uh-REE-uh kuh ess-too-bee-AIR-us ah-KEY cone-MEE-go." | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Say-I-Miss-You-in-Spanish", "language": "en"} |
How to Deal with a Narcissistic Boss | Are you finding it hard to work underneath a boss who doesn’t respect you? A boss with narcissistic tendencies can make your work environment tough to handle—they might cross your boundaries, take credit for your work, or have random, unexplained mood swings. Fortunately, there are concrete steps you can take to protect your mental health and make your job that much easier. Read on for a full list of things you can do to deal with a narcissistic boss.
1. **Setting boundaries helps you take back the power in your relationship.** If your boss crosses the line, firmly tell them, “That wasn’t okay,” and then walk away. Your boss may try to push your boundaries or berate you for them, so just remember that you’re in the right here.
In general, your boundaries should be centered around professionalism. No yelling, no name-calling, and no talking over you.
Most narcissists lack empathy, meaning they can’t see things from your point of view. You might have to really spell out why something hurt your feelings, or why you’re upset.
2. **This is a great way to get on a narcissist’s good side.** Narcissists don’t like it when people challenge them, so the more you two can be on the same page, the better. Let them know when you like an idea, and try not to belittle or blame them, especially in public. It can feel strange to boost their already high ego, but if you want to stay in your boss’s good graces, it’s important to do this occasionally.
“I think that will really improve profits this quarter. Good idea.”
“I definitely agree with that strategy. Nice one, Mark.”
3. **Any personal information you share could be used against you.** Your boss may try to butter you up and get you to share things about yourself, but they might turn around and throw that in your face later. When you’re at work, focus on your job, and don’t let your boss rope you into any deep discussions about your personal life.
Try not to get emotional around your boss, either. It can be tough to hold it together when they’re yelling or being super rude, but the more you can remain stoic and calm, the better.
4. **The more valuable you are, the more your boss wants to keep you around.** Remind your boss just how much they need you in the workplace. Try to subtly remind your boss about all the work you do at your job, and casually mention just how tough it would be if you left. Your boss might try to make you feel like you’re “less-than,” but don’t fall for it—it’s a classic narcissistic trait that stems from insecurity.
“I think I’m the only one in the building who knows how to run this program.”
“I can call that client. I’ve been in charge of their account for years.”
5. **Your boss may try to deny their behavior or things they said to you.** Get a paper trail of anything you can, and hold onto it for future reference. If you have an in-person conversation with your boss that isn’t recorded, send a follow-up email to your boss detailing everything that was discussed. That way, if they try to deny something later, you have proof.
Keep your evidence someplace else besides your work computer. That way, if your boss gets access to your proof, you have it saved somewhere else.
6. **Your boss might try to tell lies or blame you directly.** Narcissists will often lie to put others down and make themselves look better, so you may hear your boss throwing you under the bus occasionally (or a lot). When that happens, calmly step in and present the correct information without directly stating that your boss was wrong.
“In case anyone was unclear about that late report, I’d like to let you all know that it was a team effort, and we’ve all vowed to get better at time management together.”
“I’d like to clarify something that was said at the meeting yesterday. We did lose a client, but not because of a mistake on our part. They left because their business is moving out of state.”
7. **Gossiping with your coworkers may come around to bite you.** You’re probably not the only one suffering underneath your narcissistic boss, so it may feel tempting to chat about the craziness that happens at work. However, if your boss gets wind of the gossip between you and your coworkers, it could make you look bad. Keep your feelings to yourself until you get home and can vent to someone neutral.
Talking badly about your boss behind their back (however justified it may be) also undermines your credibility, which is the last thing you want in this situation.
8. **Narcissists do better one-on-one because they don’t feel attacked.** Sit down with your boss and let them know that their behavior isn’t acceptable, and ask them to change. Use your voice as an employee, and make it clear that you won’t stay at your job unless they switch things up.
“I really appreciate how hard you push us to reach our deadlines. However, I don’t find it encouraging when you call us names to get us to work faster. I love my job, and I’d hate to have to find a position somewhere else.”
9. **Your HR representative can help open a dialogue with your boss.** Approach your HR team and ask to speak with them about your boss’s behavior. Your HR rep can then call a meeting with the both of you to talk about what needs to change and how you can move forward.
Having a third-party can be helpful when dealing with a narcissist. It’s nice to have someone around to back you up. If there are 2 people telling your boss that their behavior isn’t okay, they might actually listen.
10. **Unfortunately, narcissists aren’t likely to change their ways.** If you’ve tried toughing it out or meeting with your boss one-on-one and nothing has gotten better, it’s time to update your resume. Start looking for a job with a better workplace environment where the boss will treat you with respect, because you deserve it.
If you do decide to quit, expect some pushback from your boss when the time comes. Just remember that if they haven’t changed already, they’re probably not going to change in the future.
11. **Your well-being might take a hit while working under a boss like this.** It’s totally normal if you feel stressed or worn out after work. Take the time to do something nice for yourself every day: soak in a bubble bath, take a nature walk, or play with a pet. The more you can relax and get your mind off of things, the better you’ll feel.
Try to maintain a good work-life balance, too. Your life doesn’t have to revolve around your job, and taking that much-needed time off can really improve your mental health. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-with-a-Narcissistic-Boss", "language": "en"} |
How to Grow Sweet Peas | Fragrant, ruffled sweet pea flowers add a whimsical touch to any garden. Sweet peas develop curly tendrils that allow them to climb up fences and trellises, creating a magical feel. They are easy to grow in many climates with adequate preparation for the growing season. See Step 1 to learn how to grow these delightful flowers.
1. **Buy sweet pea seeds.** Sweet peas are usually started from seed. You may either plant them in seed trays indoors and later transplanting them to the garden bed, or start them outside. Seeds are available for purchase at any garden store. For rarer varieties, check online retailers.
"Old-fashioned" sweet peas will produce very fragrant flowers.
Spencer varieties have bright colors, but less fragrance. You'll find them in pink, purple, blue, white and red.
2. **Determine when to start your seeds.** Sweet peas can be grown in any growing zone, but it's important to know the right time to get them ready. They must be planted as early as possible to form a strong root system and survive the summer. Therefore, starting seeds early in the year is usually your best bet.
If you live in a temperate area where the ground does not freeze in the winter (USDA zones 8-10), you can plant your seeds directly in the ground as early as November, though waiting until January or February is also fine. Be sure to water them over the winter, and they'll emerge in spring.
If you live in an area where the winters are cold, starting seeds indoors is your best bet. That way, the seedlings will be ready to plant as soon as the first frost has passed. If you wait too long to plant your seeds, they won't have time to take hold in the soil before the summer weather gets hot. Another option is to sow seeds directly in the ground in late winter, and then allow them to come up when they are ready.
3. **Soak or nick your seeds.** Sweet pea seeds have the best chance of germinating if you help penetrate the seed shell before planting. You can do this by either soaking them in a pan of water overnight, or using a tiny knife or nail clipper to nick the surface of each seed.
If you soak your seeds, only plant those that have swelled during the overnight soaking. Discard those that haven't changed in size.
4. **Plant the seeds in seed substrate.** About 5 weeks before the last frost (usually mid-February or so), prepare small seed trays or peat containers with a seed starting mixture. Plant the seeds 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep and 3 inches (7.6 cm) apart, or in separate compartments.
5. **Keep them moist and warm.** Water the seeds trays and cover them lightly in plastic wrap for the first week or so, to regulate the temperature. Keep them in a greenhouse or in a sunny window in a place where the temperature won't drop below 70 °F (21 °C). Once the seedlings sprout, remove the covering and keep them moist and warm until it's time to plant them just after the last frost.
If you're using seed trays, thin out the seedlings to space them 5 inches (12.7 cm) apart once they've sprouted leaves.
Pinch of flowers and buds before transplanting, so the seedlings' energy can be channeled into growing new roots.
6. **Choose a sunny spot in your yard or garden.** Sweet peas of all varieties thrive in sunny areas, making them a great choice for exposed sections of fence and walls. In the heat of summer, sweet peas will do fine in partial shade, but it's better to find someplace sunny to be on the safe side. Since sweet peas love to climb, find a spot where they can grow toward the sky. They produce small tendrils that will latch onto any type of pole you plant them near.
Sweet peas make an excellent natural decoration for fences. If you have a wooden or chain link fence you want to brighten up, plant sweet peas there.
Sweet peas are often grown on trellises or archways. This is another lovely choice, and will lend your garden a country cottage feel.
If you don't have a suitable place for sweet peas, erect a few bamboo posts in your garden and plant sweet peas there. It'll lend some height and interest to your garden. You could also create a tower of stakes in a pot or a small arbor.
You can plant sweet peas among other plants, like shrubs or vegetables.
7. **Enrich the soil.** Sweet peas grow best in rich soil that drains well. Prepare the soil for planting by tilling it to a depth of 6 inches (15.2 cm) and working in some compost or manure. This is especially important if your soil is clay heavy; you'll need to work in extra compost to make sure it drains well enough for sweet peas' roots.
To determine whether the soil drains well enough, observe it after a heavy rain. If water collects and puddles and takes time to drain, the soil there doesn't drain well. If the water soaks in right away, it should be fine for your seedlings.
Using a raised bed is a good option if you feel your soil is too clay heavy to support seedlings. This will come in handy for other plants you want to grow as well.
8. **Plant the sweet peas in early spring.** Whether you started your seeds inside and are planting seedlings, or you want to plant your seeds directly in your garden bed, early spring is the right time to do it. If you live in a warm area where the ground never freezes, you can plant in January or February. If you live in an area where the ground does freeze, wait until just after the first frost, in early to mid April.
9. **Dig holes for the sweet peas.** If you're transplanting seedlings, dig holes 5 inches (12.7 cm) apart and deep enough to set the seedlings root balls into the ground. Pat fresh soil lightly around the stems of the seedlings. For seeds you're planting directly in the ground, dig holes one inch deep and 3 inches (7.6 cm) apart. When they sprout, you'll need to thin them out to 5 inches (12.7 cm) apart, so each plant has plenty of room to grow.
10. **Water the sweet peas.** Finish by giving the plants a good dose of fresh water. The sweet peas will begin to spring up quickly once warmer weather sets in.
11. **Water them often during the hot months.** Sweet peas must be kept nice and wet throughout the summer. Water them lightly every day it does not rain. Check the soil surrounding the sweet pea stems often to make sure it doesn't dry out.
12. **Fertilize once a month.** Sweet peas are quite prolific, and a monthly application of mild fertilizer will keep them blooming for many weeks. It's not mandatory, but it's helpful if you want to make the most of your flowers. Use compost, manure or a high-potassium commercial fertilizer application.
13. **Harvest the flowers regularly.** Cutting the flowers promotes new growth, so don't hesitate to bring in some fresh blossoms or make a bouquet for a friend. Wait until the flowers have reached their fragrant and colorful peaks before cutting. You should also remove faded blossoms, which sap energy from the plant and prevent more flowers from growing.
14. **Save the seed pods from your plants for next year's crop.** These annuals won't come back on their own next year, but you can enjoy them again if you save the seed pods and plant them again in the winter or spring, depending on where you live.
15. **Pinch off the shoots once your peas are 6 inches or longer.** This will encourage new growth in the form of more side-shoots and flowers. You can just use your fingernails to pinch off the shoots. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Sweet-Peas", "language": "en"} |
How to Conduct a Memorial Service | Conducting a memorial service is a meaningful way to honor a person who has recently passed away. It is also a time for loved ones to remember the deceased, share their feelings with others, and seek comfort from other mourners. Unlike a funeral, the body of the deceased is not present at a memorial service, which creates additional flexibility in terms of timing and location. This guide will help you plan and conduct the perfect memorial service to honor your loved one.
1. **Get help planning the memorial service.** The death of a loved one is a difficult time and planning a memorial service can be a daunting task. You don't have to go it alone! Enlist the help of friends and loved ones with the planning and preparations right from the beginning, and consider hiring outside help if needed.
Most houses of worship have people on staff who can give guidance in this process.
Funeral directors will also help, but will charge for their services.
For a very large memorial service, consider hiring an event planner to help run the show.
2. **Decide what kind of service you wish to have.** A memorial service can take many forms and be as formal or informal as you like. Carefully consider the personality and wishes of the deceased, and the preferences of other family members when making your decision. Pay particular attention to religious preference, as this is often the biggest factor in choosing the kind of service to conduct.
Traditional memorial services are usually more formal and somber in nature, and are frequently held in places of worship or funeral homes.
Celebration of life gatherings tend to be less formal, and focus less on grieving and more on celebrating the memory of the deceased. Gatherings of this type can be held almost anywhere.
Interment or sprinkling of ashes. If the deceased chose to be cremated, the memorial service is often held in conjunction with the interment or scattering of the ashes. The timing and location for this ceremony will depend on where the ashes will be placed.
3. **Choose a location for the memorial service.** If the service is to be religious in nature, a house of worship is an ideal choice. Funeral homes and banquet halls also work well for formal memorial services.
Memorial services can also be held at the cemetery or crematorium, even after the interment has taken place.
Consider holding a celebration of life service at a favorite place of the deceased. This could include a restaurant, park, or even a bowling alley.
An ash sprinkling ceremony will take place outdoors, usually at a favorite place of the deceased. Many people choose to scatter ashes into the ocean or other body of water, or at a location with a beautiful view.
4. **Schedule a date and time for the memorial service.** Confer with the loved ones of the deceased to choose a day and time when everyone can attend. Remember to keep the needs of out-of-town guests in mind when making your choice. It is generally preferable to schedule the service on a weekend or in the evening to maximize the number of people who can attend.
If the service is to be held outdoors, consider planning for a time when good weather is likely to occur.
If the service will be held in a remote location, give people adequate time to make travel arrangements.
5. **Make any necessary reservations.** For most indoor locations, reservations are a must. If you are planning to hold your service at a public park, you may also need reservations or a permit, depending on the size of the service.
You may also need to rent chairs, a podium, sound system, etc. These can all be reserved through a local event rental company.
6. **Send out notifications of the date, time and location the service.** This should be done as soon as possible. You can send out at additional details later as they arise.
Personal phone calls are generally considered the most appropriate way to notify family members and close friends.
Place a notice in the obituary section of the local newspaper. If an obituary has not yet been published, you can do this at the same time.
Emails and social media are also good ways to get the word out about the service, and keep people updated of any changes.
Be sure to notify current and former coworkers of the deceased who might wish to attend.
Be prepared to provide lodging and transportation suggestions for out-of-town guests.
7. **Choose an officiant to lead the service.** In the case of formal memorial services, this is most often a religious leader or a funeral director. For less formal services where everyone is invited to speak and share stories, it is still advisable to choose a family member or friend to serve as the master of ceremonies.
If the officiant will be writing a eulogy, be sure that he or she has all of the information needed to make it personalized and meaningful, and don't be shy about asking to see a draft before it is delivered.
State very clearly to the officiant what you have in mind for the service, and be firm with any requests to include or leave out certain material, etc.
When choosing an emcee, look for a person who is energetic and good at drawing people out. Many mourners get shy at memorial services and have trouble speaking, but a good emcee will be encouraging and able to help people find their voice.
If you plan to ask guests to share stories, readings, etc., let them know ahead of time and give them time to prepare.
8. **Select readings for the service.** It is common to read favorite poems, passages from religious texts, and even the writings of the deceased in a memorial service. Decide on the readings that you wish to include, and on who will read them, or invite guests to bring favorite passages with them to share at the ceremony.
Think of friends and loved ones you can specifically invite to deliver readings. Many people who might be too shy to volunteer would be happy to participate if asked.
It is a nice touch to include a copy of any prearranged readings in a handout for guests to follow along with, or to display them on a Power Point slide.
9. **Select music for the service.** Not all memorial services include music, but many do. The music should fit the type of service your are holding, but should also reflect the tastes of the deceased and the talents of friends and loved ones. Even a formal service can be concluded with a rousing rendition of the deceased's favorite jazz standard or rock anthem.
Enlist or hire any musicians you might need as soon as you have a date to work with.
Consider asking those closest to the deceased to make suggestions for music to play at the service.
Remember to arrange for any sound equipment you might need. A portable stereo will work, but depending on the size and nature of the event, this might be the time to go all out and rent some professional speakers or even hire a DJ.
Creating and distributing mix-CDs of the music played at the service can be a meaningful memento of the deceased.
10. **Create a commemorative photo display or slide-show.** It is common to display photographs of the deceased before and during a memorial service. Consider bringing a large portrait of the deceased to display, or creating a photo display board. You may also ask guests to bring favorite photos of the deceased to share, or to send image files to include in a PowerPoint slide show.
Helping to create a memorial slide show or video is a great way for friends and family members feel included.
11. **Arrange to have flowers or other decorations at the service.** If something is preferred in lieu of flowers, such as making contributions to a favored charity or memorial fund, make sure to include this information when announcing the memorial service to guests.
12. **Prepare a memorial service program to give to guests.** Most memorial service programs include a photo and biographical information about the deceased, and information about the service. Many also include inspirational quotes, the text of any shared readings, information about surviving relatives, etc.
You can find free templates on-line to create and print your own program at home, or you can have them done up professionally.
13. **Provide a guestbook for people to sign.** You might also encourage people to include phone numbers or other contact information so that relatives who have lost touch can reconnect.
14. **Add personal touches to service wherever possible.** The best memorial services really capture the spirit and personality of the deceased. If the deceased was known for wearing zany ties or Hawaiian shirts, encourage guests to do the same. If the deceased had a sweet tooth, provide personalized candy favors for the guests. Use your imagination, the possibilities are endless!
15. **Plan to provide refreshments after the service.** Light refreshments should be provided at the memorial service even if an off-site reception will also be taking place. Refreshments might include coffee, cookies and juice, or something more elaborate. Having refreshments on hand will encourage people to linger and talk, and continue remembering the deceased in a more relaxed setting.
16. **Choose the type of reception you wish to have.** A post-memorial reception can take many forms, from a potluck at the home of a nearby relative, to a raucous after-party at the favorite bar of the deceased.
17. **Choose a location for the reception.** The reception should take place fairly near the location of the memorial service. Make any necessary reservations ahead of time, and prepare maps or clear directions to the reception site to distribute to guests at the memorial service.
18. **Make arrangements for food and drink.** If the reception will be a potluck, be sure to notify guests ahead of time and try to coordinate dishes. Hiring a caterer for the reception is another option that is often less stressful on the family of the deceased.
19. **Assign or hire someone to be in charge of managing the refreshments and the reception.** If at all possible, delegate this task to a friend or associate who will not mind missing the memorial service to ensure that the refreshments are in place and kept stocked, and that the reception venue is in order.
20. **Allow sufficient travel time to the reception site.** Allow for at least a half an hour between the end of the memorial service and the beginning of the reception to allow people time to rest, freshen up, and change clothes if they would like.
If the reception will be an adults-only event, consider helping to arrange childcare for any parents who would like to attend. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Conduct-a-Memorial-Service", "language": "en"} |
How to Bread Meat | A perfectly breaded pork chop, cutlet of veal, or fried chicken leg starts with the right preparation and ends in a hot frying pan. Your goal is ensure that a thin layer of crispy breading adheres to your meat after it is cooked. Avoid trouble spots such as bland taste, greasy coatings and separation of ingredients by setting yourself up for success before you bread meat.
1. **Flatten meat into cutlets using a tenderizing utensil.** Follow recipe specifications, which usually call for half-inch or thinner pieces of meat.
2. **Pour flour into a pie pan.**
3. **Beat eggs in a shallow bowl big enough to hold 1 cutlet.**
4. **Place breadcrumbs in another pie pan, if your recipe calls for them.**
5. **Dredge cutlets, 1 at a time, first in flour, then in eggs and then in either flour or breadcrumbs, to bread meat according to your recipe.**
6. **Set each breaded cutlet aside on a plate or rack, allowing them to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before cooking.**
7. **Season either the flour or the breadcrumbs as per your recipe.** Common seasonings for fried chicken or meat breading for pork chops include salt; black pepper; dried thyme, marjoram, basil and paprika; and garlic powder.
8. **Place flour in a pie pan or paper bag.**
9. **Beat eggs in a shallow bowl large enough to fit all your meat pieces.** Some fried chicken recipes suggest adding milk or water to eggs and allowing the meat to soak in this mixture for 5 to 10 minutes.
10. **Pour breadcrumbs into another pie pan, for pork or oven-fried chicken.**
11. **Dredge chops or chicken in the pan of flour or shake them in a bag to make sure they’re well coated.**
12. **Dip your meat in the eggs and then dredge it again in either the flour or seasoned breadcrumbs specified by your recipe.** Use your hands to press the coating onto the meat flesh or skin.
13. **Let the chops or chicken rest so the meat breading starts to solidify before cooking.**
14. **Finished.** | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Bread-Meat", "language": "en"} |
How to Be a Boxer | The exhilaration of being in a boxing match is unlike any other feeling in the world. The rush of being in a fight, the adoration of fans, and the recognition of other fighters are all things that an aspiring boxer may want. However, being a boxer is also one of the most difficult things that you can ever do. Training requires patience, dedication, intensity, and effort and not all people can stick with it long enough to compete. Luckily, if you train correctly, listen to experienced boxers, and put in the time that it takes to become good, you can become a prizefighter too.
1. **Sign up for classes at a local boxing gym.** Look online for boxing gyms in your area and find one near you. Once you find a location that you can travel to regularly, visit them or call them on the phone to see what times they offer classes and how much they cost. Many gyms offer a per-session rate as low as $10-$50, so you can try out the gym before committing to a monthly plan.
Go to the gym before committing to classes to see how comfortable you feel with the trainers there. The best gyms will have trainers who are understanding and respectful to all skill levels.
Read reviews online to get a better idea of how past students felt about the training there.
2. **Jump rope, run, and perform other exercises to improve your stamina.** One of the most important aspects of being a good boxer is having an efficient cardiovascular system. Boxing is one of the most physically demanding sports and requires a lot of endurance to fight multiple rounds. Conventional boxing exercises include running, jumping rope, hitting the heavy bag, shadow boxing, sparring, or doing circuit exercises and light weight lifting. Before sparring or doing any technique training, you should do a cardio work out for at least 30 minutes to an hour each day.
When you're running, focus on long-distance running, which will help you improve your stamina, as well as sprints, which simulate the chaos and quick exchanges within a fight.
Do exercises like uphill sprints, jump squats, cycling, swimming, and jumping rope to improve your balance, stamina, and leg strength.
If you are out of shape, you may need to concentrate more on your stamina than the average person.Don't let bad cardio stand in the way of your boxing dreams. Joining a gym will help you improve cardio drastically if you stay committed.
3. **Learn the proper boxing technique.** Technique in boxing is far more valuable than brute strength. Speed plus technique equals power, so bodybuilding or having big muscles with no practical strength will not help you. In boxing, you must learn how to stand correctly and how to throw a variety of punches.
The standard boxing stance has your back leg slightly bent with your weight on it and your toe at an angle. Your non-dominant foot should be pointed forward. Both hands should cover your chin and face.
You will need to master all the basic punching techniques which include jabs, straights, uppercuts, and hooks.
4. **Work with a trainer.** A trainer can show you how to move forward, back, and side to side while staying guarded, as well as how to block and slip punches. It's important to have good chemistry with the trainer you are working with. Make sure to communicate with them and tell them what your goals are.
Your trainer should do pad work with you, which will help you gradually condition your body to the demands of boxing.
If you are a little more experienced with boxing, let your trainer know that you know the basic form and technique, so you don't waste time.
Always listen to what your trainer has to say. Trainers can see things from a more objective view and will help you improve your skills.
5. **Practice on the speed bag.** The speed bag helps a boxer with timing and accuracy. Use one hand and punch the speed bag slowly at first. See how the bag acts when it bounces off the backboard and try to hit it when it is swinging back. Once you manage to control it, increase your pace and start using both of your hands.
Mastering the speed bag is not easy and will likely require hours of practice before you can get the correct rhythm.
6. **Practice on the heavy bag.** The heavy bag helps a fighter work on his technique and power. Remember always to wrap your hands and wear gloves before practicing on the heavy bag. Start by throwing light jabs, straights, and hooks to the heavy bag. Your punches should be quick and crisp. Also remember that a punch's full range of motion includes bringing your hand back to protect your face.
A common misconception is that the heavy bag should sway back and forth. This indicates "pushing" punches, which don't utilize proper technique.
Even though a heavy bag can't hit back, it's essential you maintain good form while using it so you don't hurt yourself.
7. **Remain dedicated even when it gets tough.** Boxing is one of the most grueling sports to train in and requires dedication and pushing yourself past your limits. In boxing you'll need to build up an incredible amount of stamina, toughness, power, and speed to defeat your opponents in the ring.
If you are a competing boxer, you should workout five days a week for three to five hours to stay in fighting shape.
If you feel like giving up, push yourself to keep going. You will not see improvement until you push yourself past what you thought you couldn't accomplish.
If you want to really take your boxing to the next level, take notes or watch film on all of your fights, and use information about your wins and losses to help you adjust your training.
8. **Spar** Once you have the basics down, and your cardio and stamina are good enough, you should begin sparring with other people that train at your gym. Talk to your trainer to see if you're ready, then choose a sparring partner with a similar skill level. Sparring will show you to how it feels to deliver and receive punches in the ring.
Don't start sparring too early. Work with your coach to develop good fundamentals, like control and balance, as well as to overcome the instinct to flinch or close your eyes when you're against an opponent.
Do not try to hurt your sparring partner. The aim is not to win, but improve both of your skills and get practical experience in the ring.
If you have to spar with a more experienced fighter, they will likely go easy on you. You should do the same if you are sparring someone with less experience.
9. **Don't exert all your energy in the first couple rounds.** Maintaining your endurance during a boxing match can be harder than other sports, because of psychological factors that may make you more nervous and interrupt your breathing. Pace yourself in the fight and don't make unnecessary movements or punches if you know they are not going to help you win.
The first round should be a feeling out round. Use defense and evaluate your opponent's technique.
10. **Look for holes during the first couple rounds.** Find weaknesses in the opponents defense that you can exploit as the match progresses, instead of punching wildly and becoming tired. Take note of the bad habits or tendencies that they have as a fighter. For instance, if they always lower one hand when they throw a straight, this is an opportunity to counter with a hook.
If they put their hands down when they are disengaging, this is a good opportunity to move in and land some solid face punches.
If they don't protect their body, land body shots early in the fight, so you tire them out as the match progresses.
11. **Tire your opponent out.** If you can defend properly and your opponent punches wildly, you can make them tired and take advantage of his lack of endurance during the later rounds. If your opponent is a power puncher and is looking to land one good shot, make sure to stay mobile and always keep your hands up.
Explosive punchers become tired more quickly because of the energy that they spend on each strike.
12. **Don't stay on the ropes undefended.** Do not stay immobile and defensive on the ropes, or the referee may stop the fight early. Even when you are blocking, it's up the ref to make the final decision on whether the fight should continue. Also, being on the ropes limits your mobility and reduces your options if you need to move back.
13. **Keep your hands up.** During the later rounds, you may become tired, and your hands will most likely start to fall, leaving your face and head exposed. This is the perfect opportunity for an opponent to take advantage of a hole in your defense and knock you out. Always keep your hands up unless you are defending body shots.
A boxer with a lot of power can punch through your block and cause damage even if you have your hands up. In this case, use lateral movement to stay away from his strikes.
Use a combination of head movement and blocking to defend strikes and tire out your opponent.
14. **Listen to your corner.** Your corner will be able to see the fight from a different angle and can tell you where you need to improve and how and why you are winning or losing the fight. Make sure to listen to them between rounds and try to make adjustments as the fight progresses.
It's easy to develop tunnel vision during a fight and block out any noise or advice, but this will only work against you.
15. **Determine your style.** Once you've learned the fundamentals and have spent time competing, you'll most likely have a style of your own. While the basic building blocks must always be there, people are proficient in different things. Leverage whatever your best assets are and use them in your boxing strategy.
If you are a powerful puncher, work on your blocking technique and opening up your opponent's defense by landing body shots.
If you have really good stamina, try wearing down your opponent and taking the fight into the later rounds.
If you are quick, work on counter punching , movement, and slipping your opponents punches.
16. **Go to a doctor before you start boxing.** Certain medical conditions could prevent you from boxing. Make sure to consult a physician before you start training. If you are prone to seizures or have a neurological problem, you should not spar. Talk to your doctor to see what they recommend.
For some conditions you'll be able to train, but will be advised against fighting.
If you have heart disease, asthma, diabetes, cancer, or lung disease, consult a doctor before starting a new workout routine.
17. **Don't fight without proper training.** Learning how to fight without the proper training can be a detriment. You could be utilizing poor technique during practice and reinforcing bad habits which may be hard to unlearn down the road. You also could be practicing in an unsafe environment and could hurt yourself or your training partner. When starting off, go to a certified gym with trainers who have experience.
18. **Keep your hands wrapped when punching.** Your hands are the most valuable tool for boxing and must be preserved for you to compete. Many amateurs will put on boxing gloves without wrapping their hands first. This could cause serious injuries in your hand, knuckles, or wrists that could end your boxing career. Wrapping your hands will prevent injury and reduce swelling and pain after punching.
19. **Always wear protective gear when sparring.** Always take precautions or someone could get seriously injured. Wear a mouthguard, headgear, and a cup so that you protect yourself during practice.
Sparring without a mouthguard could result in a cut lip, cut tongue, or a broken tooth.
Even light punches could cause serious injury if protective gear is not worn.
20. **Never start fights.** Your experience as a boxer also comes with a new responsibility to keep a calm and cool head when outside of the gym. Taking your skills to the street and provoking fights could get yourself or someone else seriously injured or could even be fatal. Because you're the one with the training, you could face serious penalties or jail time. Avoid fights at all costs and try to resolve your problems with words.
In dire circumstances use your skills for self-defense.
To avoid a fight you could say something like, "I'm a trained fighter and I do not want to fight you. Please leave me alone."
21. **Respect and listen to your instructor.** Your instructor will know how to train you safely and properly. Even if you have experience competing, always remain respectful towards your instructor. They may see something that you can improve on. Ultimately they are the expert, and you are the student so you must follow their directions to improve. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Boxer", "language": "en"} |
How to Cook Spaghetti Squash in Microwave | The thin, pasta-like flesh of cooked spaghetti squash is often used as a healthier alternative to actual spaghetti. This squash is low in calories, averaging 42 calories per one cup (155 g), and it contains nutrients like vitamin A, potassium, and beta carotene. It makes a fabulous alternative to more caloric pasta, and cooking in the microwave is a breeze!
1. **Wash the squash.** Rinse the squash under cool, running water. Scrub it gently with a vegetable brush to remove any dirt or grime.
Dry the spaghetti squash thoroughly after cleaning it. If the squash is still wet, it may slip around as you attempt to cut it, which could cause you to accidentally cut yourself.
2. **Cut the squash in half** Saw the squash in half lengthwise, working from top to bottom.
To make it easier to keep the squash from rolling around on the cutting board, slice away the top or bottom first. Stand the squash on its now flat end and cut it as it stands.
Use a large, heavy kitchen knife. The knife can either be serrated or smooth-bladed, but it needs to be sturdy and sharp either way.
3. **Dig out the seeds.** Use a metal spoon to scrape away the seeds and stringy pulp. Continue scraping until the inside is clean.
You could also use a melon-baller or metal ice cream scoop to remove the inner pulp.
4. **Place the squash in a baking dish.** Position the cut squash in microwave-safe baking dish with the cut-sides facing down.
Use a dish that is small enough to fit inside your microwave but large enough to fit both halves in a single, flat layer without any overlap.
5. **Fill the dish with a little water.** Pour about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of lukewarm water into the dish and around the spaghetti squash halves.
6. **Microwave for 12 minutes.** Cook the squash on high until done.
If your microwave rotates, you do not need to turn the squash at all during the cooking process.
If it doesn't rotate, pause the microwave after 6 minutes, turn the dish 180 degrees, and finish microwaving for the remaining 6 minutes.
The squash is done when the exterior is soft enough to be pierced with a fork.
7. **Let cool for 15 minutes.** Wait until the squash is cool to the touch before attempting to serve it.
8. **Place the squash in a microwave-safe dish.** Rest each half of the spaghetti squash cut-side down.
Keep the halves flat and in a single layer. If your dish is too small to fit both halves, microwave each half one at a time rather than piling them on top of each other.
9. **Cover the dish with plastic wrap.** Seal the wrap around the mouth of the dish. Leave a small gap of space between the plastic wrap and one side of the dish to allow some, but not all, of the steam to vent.
Make sure that the plastic wrap is microwave-safe. Many types and brands are, but not all.
10. **Cook the squash for 7 to 10 minutes.** The squash is done when you can pierce the exterior with a fork.
If your microwave does not rotate, pause the cooking every 3 minutes and turn the squash 90 degrees each time. Otherwise, it may not cook evenly.
11. **Remove the plastic wrap and let sit.** Use tongs to carefully pull the plastic wrap off the dish, starting with the side opposite you so that most of the trapped steam escapes away from your direction.
The built-up steam can burn you if you aren't careful.
Allow the squash to sit for 10 to 15 minutes or until it becomes cool enough to handle.
12. **Pierce the squash instead of cutting it.** Use a sharp paring knife to pierce the spaghetti squash in 10 to 15 places, spacing the cuts evenly apart.
It is very important that you pierce the squash before microwaving it. Otherwise, it could overheat and explode in the microwave.
Piercing the squash can be difficult, and you may need to use a forceful, stabbing motion to successfully work the knife through the exterior. Work carefully, however, so that you do not accidentally cut yourself in the process.
Do not follow the preparation instructions for cutting the squash.
13. **Microwave the squash for 10 to 12 minutes.** The squash should be soft enough to pierce with a fork when done.
If your microwave does not have a rotating turntable inside, rotate the squash 180 degrees after 5 or 6 minutes to make sure that it cooks evenly.
14. **Let it cool for several minutes.** You do not need to it to be cool to the touch, but allowing the squash to cool down for a few minutes will give it time to release some of the hottest steam and liquid through the cut marks.
15. **Cut the squash open.** Use a sharp knife to cut the squash open lengthwise, from top to bottom.
Wear oven mitts or hold the squash with a towel as you do this. It will still be hot.
Cutting the squash open should be very easy. If it isn't, you may need to microwave it for another 2 to 3 minutes.
16. **Scrape out the seeds.** Dig the seeds out with a metal spoon. The stringy pulp connected to the seeds should also come out, but be careful to avoid scraping out strands of flesh.
17. **Scrape out the inside of the squash.** With the flesh-side facing up, use a dinner fork to scrape the flesh of the squash away from the shell and toward the hollowed out center.
Move around the entire perimeter of the shell, gently pulling the flesh away in spaghetti-like strands and "fluffing" those strands toward the center as you work.
If you have difficulty doing this with one fork, use two. One fork can be used to hold the squash in place while the second is used to scrape away strands of flesh.
18. **Dump the strands of squash out onto a serving dish.** Use the fork to gently lift and pull the strands of flesh completely out of the shell and onto the platter.
If the shell is still hot, you may need to hold it with oven mitts or a kitchen towel.
19. **Dress with melted butter, salt, and ground black pepper.** Add these ingredients to the platter and use two forks to gently toss them into the spaghetti squash.
You can serve spaghetti squash in a variety of other ways, as well. For instance, if using it as a substitute for actual spaghetti, you could add a tomato-based sauce and Parmesan cheese.
Alternatively, you could also toss it with a 2 to 4 Tbsp (30 to 60 ml) of fresh chopped herbs, like basil, parsley, or chives.
20. **Finished.** | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Spaghetti-Squash-in-Microwave", "language": "en"} |
How to Clean Tennis Balls | Whether you use tennis balls as a toy for your dog or you’re an avid tennis player, they probably get pretty dirty from time to time. You can wash your tennis balls by hand or in the washing machine.
1. **Fill a bucket or sink with warm water.** The water shouldn’t be so hot that you can’t put your hands in it without getting burned. If you’re washing multiple tennis balls at once, or if your tennis balls are very dirty, you’ll want to use more water rather than less.
2. **Add liquid soap or detergent.** Once you’ve got your bucket or sink full of water, add soap. You can use either dishwasher soap or laundry detergent for this step, and you should use the same amount you would if you were washing dishes in the sink.
If you’re washing tennis balls that your dog plays with, you can mix a pet-friendly homemade cleaner made up of equal parts water and white vinegar.
3. **Let the tennis balls soak.** Once you’ve added the soap, dump your tennis balls in and let them soak for 30 minutes. If your tennis balls are really dirty, you might want to let them soak longer.
4. **Scrub them with a rag or sponge.** Once the tennis balls have soaked, scrub them with a rag or sponge. This will get rid of any dirt that has soaked into the ball.
5. **Rinse with warm water.** You might need to rub at the tennis balls with your hands to make sure you get all of the soap off as you rinse them.
6. **Air dry the tennis balls.** Once you’ve finished cleaning the tennis balls, set them out to air dry, If you’re in a hurry, you can also put them in the dryer. Simply set your dryer to its lowest heat setting and toss them in. You should dry them for about ten minutes.
7. **Set your washer’s water temperature to cold.** Using hot water can cause the rubber in the balls to warp or melt. Use the same settings you would use for washing a normal load of clothing.
8. **Don’t use the spin cycle.** Don’t let the washing machine go through the spin cycle. Using the spin cycle on tennis balls can cause them to warp, and it can also cause damage to your washing machine.
9. **Add laundry detergent.** You can use your regular laundry detergent for washing tennis balls. You should use about the same amount you would if you were washing a small load of clothes.
10. **Dry them on a low heat setting.** Once your tennis balls are clean, you can put them in the dryer on the lowest heat setting possible for about ten minutes. You can also allow them to air dry. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Tennis-Balls", "language": "en"} |
How to Identify a False Friend | A true friend is like the cherry on top of an ice cream sundae: they make life even sweeter. However, a false friend can drain you, making you feel negative and exhausted when they leave. If you suspect a false friend is in your circle, tease them out by looking for a few key behavioral and communication habits. Then, do your best to get distance from these people, so that you have more room for fulfilling, genuine friendships in your life.
1. **Question whether your friend constantly disappoints you.** False friends may frequently lie, break promises, or pull disappearing acts when you need them most. Reflect on the friendship over the past several weeks or months. Has this friend regularly let you down in some way? If so, you may be dealing with a fake friend.
If your friend is constantly disappointing you, you will have to decide which is the best option—to lower your expectations of the friendship or let them go completely.
2. **Pay attention to “me, me, me” behavior.** Reflect on how you feel during or after being with this friend. Do you regularly feel overlooked or ignored because they need to be at the forefront of every conversation or decision? If so, your friend may not have your best interests at heart.
You should feel better after spending time with your friends, not severely drained, tired or annoyed.
If your friend can’t seem to focus on anyone else but themselves, they may want an audience, not a friend.
However, keep in mind that your friend might just need some time to mature. They might even respond to some gentle constructive criticism. For example, try saying, “I sometimes feel frustrated when we hang out because we spend so much time talking about what’s going on in your life. I feel like you don’t make much time to listen to me.”
3. **Look out for uncaring traits.** Friendliness and compassion are at the core of good friendships. If your friend has a host of inconsiderate behaviors, you may need to reconsider the relationship.
For instance, your friend may fight with you and always expect you to be the one who apologizes. This isn't a healthy, balanced friendship.
Your friend may also bail on you when you seem to need them most, like the time you went through a breakup and they flaked on you to go to a party.
4. **Watch for signs that they support you and your interests.** Does your friend care about who you are as a person? If so, they should come to your orchestra performances and ask you how cheerleading tryouts went. They should also remember your birthday and other important events.
If your friend belittles or laughs at your interests—or never shows up to anything important—they may not support you.
5. **Check if they accept your flaws or simply throw them in your face.** Everyone makes mistakes. A good friend should be willing to give you a break and not continuously remind you of everything you’re doing wrong. If your conversations are an endless loop of your flaws or mistakes, you may need to get some distance from this person.
If you hurt your friend, you shouldn’t expect them to forgive you easily. However, they also shouldn’t hold mistakes over your head. Otherwise, you’ll just feel crabby whenever you’re around them.
6. **Spot signs of guilt-tripping.** True friends understand that sometimes you get busy and can't make time for them. So, if your friend tries to make you feel bad for saying "no" or not being able to hang out, they may not be a real friend.
Everyone gets busy, so you shouldn't be punished when you're not always available.
Be especially wary if this same friend expects you to always be available to them, but they don't have the same standard for being available to you.
7. **See if they're uncomfortable talking to you.** These include small movements of false friendship.
When friends talk about you, they may feel uncomfortable with you.
Notice fidgeting, twirling their hair, or sweaty palms around you. Not all signs mean they are faking as a friend. It might just be a habit they have. If you know that they chew on their nails, it's probably not a sign that they are faking it.
If they look like they are afraid or doesn't look directly into your eye of avoids eye contact, that could mean that they feel guilty about something.
8. **Watch and see if they listen to you, or just like being listened to.** Active listening is important for building strong relationships, no matter what kind. If you make an effort to hear your friend out, but they don’t reciprocate, they may not be a genuine friend.
Pay attention when you’re talking to them: do they cut you off or interrupt often? Do they disregard what you say and shift the topic to something else?
For example, maybe you come to your friend with really big news. A fake friend may not want to hear about the news—they'd much rather talk about themselves.
9. **Set a boundary** To test a friend’s sincerity, express some limitations to them about the friendship and see how they react. An authentic friend will be willing to accept and respect your personal boundaries.
For example, you might say, “Hey, I can’t hang out on Thursdays anymore. I really need to dedicate more time to studying chemistry.” or “Can we not discuss sex? It makes me uncomfortable.”
If this person continues to cross the lines you have set or doesn’t acknowledge them at all, they may not be a real friend.
10. **Look for signs of envy or jealousy.** Some friends are the best as long as everyone is on relatively equal footing. The moment you excel at something, however, this person's claws may come out. If they gripe, tease, or roll their eyes at your successes, they may not be your real friend.
One very easy sign is to see if they gossip about you. That might mean the are jealous.
If your friends are gossiping about someone with you, it probably means that they also gossip about you. A true friend would talk about how someone is good, not bad. Avoid gossiping with them.
Other signs of envy include feeling like your friend is always competing with you, never getting a pat on the back from them, and having to include them in everything you do just so they don't feel left out.
A jealous friend may become possessive if you spend time with other people. A true friend should never try to isolate you from other friends or loved ones.
11. **Take note of passive-aggressive tendencies.** Does your friend say "okay" to favors, but then later never follows through? Do you ever feel like they are trying to subtly sabotage you? If this describes your friend, they may be passive-aggressive, a behavioral trait that can really get in the way of real friendship.
You won't be able to change their passive-aggressive tendencies, so don't even try. Instead, try to avoid such fake friends and speak assertively when you do have to interact with them.
12. **See if your secrets somehow become public knowledge.** Think back to determine if your dirty laundry regularly gets aired. If so, you may have a false friend in your midst.
You may even test this person’s loyalty by telling them a small “secret” and asking them to keep it to themselves. If you hear about it elsewhere, you’ll know exactly who was responsible for the leak.
Also, if your friend gossips to you about their other "friends," there's a good chance you are being gossiped about, too.
13. **Notice if you hear from the person often.** Does your friend stay in constant communication with you? This may vary between relationships, but, for the most part, good friends stay in contact. Plus, when they do call, it’s to catch up—not merely to ask for a favor.
If you only hear from this friend when they need something, they may not actually be a genuine friend.
14. **Reevaluate your relationship with false friends.** Ask yourself whether you want to continue spending time with a fake friend. Think hard regarding how you feel when you're with this person. See if they are adding anything positive to your life at all. If they are not, it may be in your best interests to call it quits.
You might also consult with other people you trust. Ask a parent, older sibling, or trusted friend whether you should break up with a fake friend.
15. **Have a talk with the friend.** Tell your fake friend what you've been noticing about their behavior. Be clear about how their actions have affected you. Then, use how they react to help guide your decision.
For instance, if they seem apologetic and strive to change, you may give them another chance. However, if they deny their behavior or become hostile, letting go of the friendship may be a wise idea.
16. **Lower your expectations to protect yourself from getting hurt.** To avoid dedicating too much of your time and energy to false friendships, change your expectations about certain people. By lowering your standards, you won’t have to constantly feel let down or ignored. You might continue to have these people in your life, but not put too much time or effort into the relationship.
For example, you might simply place this friend in a new category, such as “acquaintance.” If you start thinking of them as an acquaintance, it may not matter so much if they don’t call for your birthday.
17. **Connect with people with whom you have common interests and values.** Meet new people that have the same interests as you by starting a volunteer commitment, taking a new class, or joining a club. When you’re hanging out with new people, pay attention to how they engage to see if they also have the same values as you.
For example, if you make your friends a priority, notice if this person emphasizes in-person interactions over virtual ones—i.e., they aren’t constantly distracted by their phones.
If you value honesty, notice if a new friend lies or withholds information about themselves.
18. **Use caution when sharing personal info with new friends.** Turn new acquaintances into deeper friendships by making self-disclosures. Do this carefully and gradually, though. You don’t want to risk sharing something too intimate with someone who won’t be a true friend.
For example, you might tell them about your career goals first to see if they reciprocate. Then, as trust develops, you might share more intimate info, like details about a medical condition you have.
In addition to protecting your self-interests, gradual disclosures are actually the healthiest way to form new relationships. It's uncommon to know someone's deepest, darkest secrets within the first week of knowing them. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Identify-a-False-Friend", "language": "en"} |
How to Clean Canvas & Suede Hey Dude Shoes | You probably know how comfy and stylish Hey Dude shoes are, but did you know they're also super easy to clean? If your favorite pair is looking a little worn, you've got a few cleaning options. Grab your shoes and read on—we'll show you how to wash your Hey Dude shoes in the washing machine (as long as they're not suede) or by hand. If you've got suede Hey Dude shoes, we'll show you how to clean them, too! This article is based on an interview with our shoe care specialist, Marc Sigal, founder of ButlerBox. Check out the full interview here.
1. **Wipe off or rinse excess dirt or mud from your shoes.** Although the washing machine does a great job of cleaning Hey Dude shoes, try to get rid of clumps of dirt or big patches of mud before you wash the shoes. This just makes it a little easier on your machine and your shoes will get a lot cleaner.
2. **Remove the laces and soles from canvas Hey Dude Shoes.** Untie 1 of the knots at the end of each shoelace and pull them out of the eyelets. Then, reach into each shoe and pull out the thin insoles. Set the laces and insoles aside while you wash the shoes.
Hey Dude insoles are made of memory foam, so if you wash them in the machine, they'll lose their shape. You can wash the insoles by hand with soapy water, or purchase new insoles if you can't get them clean.
3. **Pour liquid laundry detergent into your washing machine.** Use around 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of liquid detergent—less if you have a high-efficiency (HE) machine. Don't use powdered laundry detergent because it's more abrasive and could wear down the shoes.
4. **Wash the Hey Dude shoes on the delicate or light cycle with cold water.** Avoid using warm or hot water since these temperatures will shrink or warp your shoes. To stop the shoes from banging around in the machine, add a towel to the load.
If you want to wash the laces along with the shoes, put them into a delicates laundry bag or a pillowcase and tie it shut. Throw the bag or pillowcase with the laces into the machine when you run the wash cycle.
Hey Dude recommends machine washing their canvas shoes only—don't toss their suede, leather, or wool shoes in the machine or you may damage them.
5. **Air dry the shoes outside away from direct sunlight.** Unfortunately, you can't toss Hey Dude shoes in the dryer or you could damage them. Instead, set them outside where they'll get some airflow or hang them from a clothesline—Hey Dude shoes usually dry within 2 hours. Then, thread the laces and enjoy your clean Hey Dude shoes!
If you washed the laces, hang them to dry along with the shoes.
To help the shoes keep their shape, stuff them with plain crumpled paper or insert a shoe tree before you dry them.
6. **Rinse or wipe off excess dirt or mud.** You'll get the shoes a lot cleaner if you wipe or rinse off big clumps of dirt or mud. Use a cloth, a rag, or an old towel, but avoid using brushes because they'll wear out the shoes.
If your Hey Dude Shoes aren't too dirty, you can skip this step and go straight to washing them.
7. **Mix a few drops of laundry detergent in a bucket of lukewarm water.** Once you've added the laundry detergent, swish the water in the bucket with your hand until you see soap suds.
If you don't get any suds, add a few more drops of laundry detergent.
Use liquid laundry detergent as opposed to powdered detergent since liquid detergent dissolves faster in the lukewarm water.
8. **Dip an old towel or cloth in the soapy water and blot the shoes.** Take the soapy cloth and wipe it against the sides of your Hey Dude Shoes to wash away dirt and grime. Then, look carefully at the shoes and gently scrub spots that still look a little dirty.
Dip your cloth back into the soap solution frequently, so your shoes are getting clean and you're not just spreading the dirt around.
Avoid using a bristle brush to clean your Hey Dude shoes since the bristles can wear out the sides of the shoes.
If you want to clean the soles of your shoes, it's fine to use a bristle brush. Just dip it in the cleaning solution and scrub the soles until they're clean.
9. **Blot the shoes with a clean wet towel.** Dip another cloth or towel into plain lukewarm water and squeeze it out a little so it's damp, not wet. Dab the cloth onto your Hey Dude shoes to remove the soapy residue.
10. **Air dry your clean Hey Dude shoes.** Hang them or set them somewhere with good airflow so the shoes dry faster. If you put them outside, keep them out of direct sunlight, which could fade the shoes. Hey Dude shoes typically dry within 2 hours.
If you're air drying your Hey Dude shoes indoors, run a fan to speed up the drying process.
To help the shoes keep their shape, insert a shoe tree or plain crumpled paper before you dry them.
11. **Brush your dry shoes with a suede brush to remove dust and dirt.** Take a natural bristle or brass bristle suede brush and gently brush the sides of the suede Hey Dude shoes. Take care to brush in the same direction instead of working the brush back and forth. Keep brushing until the shoes look clean.
If you see scuff marks on the suede, you can also use the suede brush on them. Brush vigorously to lift the scuff marks.
You may see suede brushes that have rubber on one side—this is more for nubuck leather than for cleaning suede so you won't need this side of the brush.
You can buy a suede brush from shoe stores, department stores, drugstores, or online.
12. **Remove water or oil stains with a wet nail brush.** Dip the brush in clean water and gently brush it on any stains. You may have to be a little forceful to remove grease stains.
13. **Blot the shoes with a dry cloth and let them air dry overnight.** Don't stick them in the dryer or they could shrink. Just set them somewhere with good ventilation and let them dry overnight.
If you have a shoe tree, use it to dry your Hey Dude shoes, so they keep their shape.
14. **Spray your clean shoes with a suede protector spray.** Minimize stains and protect your Hey Dude suede shoes from water damage. Shake up a can of suede protector and hold it about 6 inches (15 cm) away from the shoes. Apply the spray in an even layer to the entire surface of each shoe and let them cure for 30 minutes before you wear them.
Reapply the suede protector spray whenever you notice the waterproofing starting to go—you'll see beads of water sitting on the shoes or soaking into them instead of running off. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Hey-Dude-Shoes", "language": "en"} |
How to Spot Early Signs of Cardiac Arrest | There is no getting around it — cardiac arrest is a terrifying reality. It can strike without warning and kill in less than ten minutes, and it is fatal at least 90% of the time (outside of hospital settings). It strikes over 350,000 Americans each year (again, outside of hospitals), including elderly women, middle aged men, and seemingly-healthy teens. Before panicking, however, it is important to know that there are often identifiable risk factors, occasionally warning signs of an impending episode, and always steps you can take to help someone experiencing cardiac arrest.
1. **Identify the signs of active cardiac arrest.** If you experience cardiac arrest, there is nothing you can do for yourself because you will be unconscious within seconds. You should be aware of the signs of an ongoing cardiac arrest episode and share it with those around you, so that everyone is prepared to act immediately.
Someone who experiences cardiac arrest will collapse and become unresponsive almost immediately. She will not respond to taps on the shoulder or verbal commands. Pulse and breathing will be non-existent or extremely faint (with perhaps some shallow gasping for air). The clock begins ticking at once — brain damage can begin almost immediately, and death can occur within four to six minutes.
2. **Know what to do if you witness cardiac arrest alone.** As mentioned, every second counts with cardiac arrest. If you see someone collapse and note the other signs of likely cardiac arrest, you absolutely must act without delay if you want there to be any chance of saving that person’s life. Anyone, anywhere — including you — can be a lifesaver. If you are alone with the person, do the following:
Call 911 or your emergency services number
Get an automatic external defibrillator (AED) if one is close by, and use it according to its instructions;
Begin “hands-only” CPR, doing forceful chest compressions at 100 to 120 pushes per minute (if you're not sure how fast this is, try doing it to the beat of the Bee Gee's song "Stayin' Alive").
Continue without stopping until emergency help arrives
3. **Take charge of a group if you witness cardiac arrest.** If you see a person in a crowd collapse from suspected cardiac arrest, and someone who is clearly knowledgeable doesn't immediately take charge, step up yourself and act forcefully. Give specific people clear roles and immediately begin lifesaving procedures on the victim. Now is not the time to be timid, quiet, or polite. When there are other people around:
Take charge — order one person to call 911, and another to fetch an AED (assign roles clearly)
Start “hands-only” CPR immediately
Switch off doing compressions with another available person once you tire
Never stop compressions (except when using the AED — and even then, continue until the AED is ready to analyze. Even as they are applying the pads, continue compressions) until help arrives
4. **Know the risk factors for cardiac arrest.** Roughly half of all people who experience cardiac arrest have no prior warning signs. However, a majority of these people do have identifiable risk factors for the condition. It is therefore essential that you know if you are at elevated risk for cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack or coronary heart disease, but it shares many of the same risk factors. These include:
Family history
Smoking
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Obesity
Diabetes
Sedentary lifestyle
Excessive alcohol consumption
Previous cardiac arrest or heart attack
Increased age (65 or older)
Male gender (men are two to three times more susceptible)
Illegal drug use
Nutritional imbalance (such as low potassium or magnesium)
5. **Recognize warning signs of cardiac arrest.** While half of people who suffer cardiac arrest have no prior symptoms, the other half do. The problem is that the symptoms can be vague, mild, and often easily ignored as indigestion, the flu, or something else. Especially if you are at an elevated risk for cardiac arrest, do not downplay or ignore potential symptoms.
Warning signs of an impending cardiac arrest can occur within 24 hours of the event, and sometimes even up to a month in advance. They can include chest pain; heart palpitations; irregular heartbeat; wheezing or shortness of breath; fainting, lightheadedness, or dizziness; flu-like symptoms (nausea, abdominal or back pain).
6. **Seek appropriate medical attention.** If you are at an elevated risk for cardiac arrest and you are experiencing any of the "warning sign" symptoms in an ongoing fashion, contact emergency services immediately. If you are at elevated risk and experience them episodically, contact your doctor immediately and contact emergency services if necessary.
If you are not at elevated risk for cardiac arrest but are experiencing the "warning sign" symptoms, consult your doctor. Do not simply ignore the signs because you assume cardiac arrest cannot happen to you.
Even without symptoms or obvious risk factors, it may be a good idea to conduct a risk assessment with your doctor to determine your chances of experiencing cardiac arrest.
7. **Don’t confuse cardiac arrest with a heart attack.** Both conditions impact the heart and can be deadly, but they have different causes. A heart attack is a circulation problem, caused by a blockage that prevents adequate blood flow to the heart. Cardiac arrest is an electrical problem — it involves a malfunction of the heart’s electrical system (an arrhythmia) that regulates the heartbeat, in turn preventing the heart from circulating oxygenated blood properly.
A heart attack is like a clogged pipe that prevents food from moving through your garbage disposal; cardiac arrest is like a malfunction that causes the disposal’s motor to stop running food through.
By blocking blood flow, a heart attack can trigger cardiac arrest, but doesn’t always do so. Cardiac arrest will not cause a heart attack, because the heart muscle is already stopped.
Heart attacks can be mild to severe; cardiac arrest is always severe and extremely life-threatening.
8. **Accept the grim statistics.** Sadly, the numbers are not pretty when it comes to cardiac arrest. When it occurs outside of a hospital setting, cardiac arrest is fatal at least 90% of the time, and about half of the time occurs with no warning. That means over 300,000 Americans per year die from such episodes.
The brain is affected almost immediately by a lack of oxygenated blood flow that occurs during cardiac arrest. Brain damage can occur within seconds and may be permanent. Death often occurs within four to six minutes if CPR or an AED are not utilized. These measures improve survival odds, but not overwhelmingly.
Most cases of cardiac arrest are caused by a heart attack; cardiomyopathy (an enlarged heart); valvular heart disease; electrical problems in the heart, such as long QT syndrome; or a congenital heart defect. Heart defects are the most common cause of cardiac arrest among seemingly healthy children and young adults.
9. **Know that warning signs are not only possible, but important, to identify.** Recognizable symptoms occur hours to weeks before cardiac arrest only about half the time, but when they do and are addressed, the survival rate increases substantially. Especially if you are at elevated risk for cardiac arrest, do not ignore warning signs like chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, and lightheadedness.
According to the Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study (2002–2012), only 19% of people who experienced symptoms prior to a cardiac arrest episode sought medical attention. Those who did not seek medical attention had a survival rate of 6%. Those who did seek medical attention had a survival rate of 32%. 20% of that group experienced cardiac arrest in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.
10. **Don’t panic, and be proactive.** Despite the worrisome statistics, your odds of experiencing cardiac arrest are low, especially if you do not have one or more elevated risk factors. It is more likely that you will have the opportunity to assist someone else experiencing cardiac arrest, so learn CPR and share your knowledge with others.
Living a healthier lifestyle, by eating properly, exercising regularly, not smoking, getting enough sleep, drinking in moderation, and reducing stress can help reduce many of the causes of cardiac arrest.
Talk to your doctor about your overall risk for cardiac arrest and other heart problems. Medications that address high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or other aspects of heart health may be right for you.
If you survive a cardiac arrest episode, an internal defibrillator may be implanted in your chest. This device can shock your heart back into rhythm if another episode occurs. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Spot-Early-Signs-of-Cardiac-Arrest", "language": "en"} |
How to Care for a Dying Guinea Pig | Unfortunately, many small pets (especially rodents) do not live long, so we must be prepared to eventually say goodbye. Guinea pigs generally live for 5 to 8 years, assuming they do not experience any serious injuries or diseases sooner than this. If your guinea pig is nearing the end of his life, there are some things you can do to help make his last moments as comfortable as possible.
1. **Assess your guinea pig's behavior.** There are some signs that your guinea pig may be nearing the end of his life. However, there are no behavioral cues that 100% guarantee that your guinea pig is dying; some may give no warning whatsoever, while others may appear to be on their deathbeds but live for quite some time after. Some potential signs include:
Loss of appetite
Slow movement or lack of activity
Incontinence
Less playful behavior
Labored breathing
2. **Estimate his age.** Unless you have had your guinea pig since he was born (or got him from someone who did), chances are you don't know exactly how old he is. Signs of aging show up at roughly predictable points in a guinea pig's life and can be used to estimate their age (and thus how close to death they may be). This is best done by a veterinarian. Signs of aging include:
Thickened, twisted toes
Cataracts (cloudy eyes)
Tumors/growths on the body or head
Stiffness in the joints/hobbling
3. **Take note of slowness and fatigue.** As your guinea pig ages (and especially in his last few weeks of life), he may become less agile and slower in his movements. Once he becomes unable to climb ramps or stand or walk around much, this is a sign that his body may be failing him.
You should always note your pet's energy level relative to his younger, healthier self. Some guinea pigs may have always been lazy; if yours is this way, then his slowness may not be a sign that he is nearing the end of his life.
If your pet is overweight, his fatigue may be a result of this. Keep your pet healthy by monitoring his food and treats and keeping his intake at a normal level.
4. **See a veterinarian.** If you suspect your guinea pig may be sick or injured, or if you think he may be approaching the end of his life, seek medical attention for him. In addition to providing potentially life-saving treatment for your sick guinea pig, a vet can provide her professional opinion regarding your pet's wellbeing and whether anything can be done to save him.
In some cases, an aging or terminally ill guinea pig may be in a great deal of pain (depending on the nature of his malady); if your vet tells you that this is the case for your pet, consider whether euthanasia is the most humane option.
5. **Keep him near his companions.** Guinea pigs are social creatures, so if you have more than one, you should avoid separating them when one is dying. Doing so could make both animals anxious or sad, and this is the last thing you want to do as your guinea pig makes his grand exit.
It might be a good idea to separate your ailing guinea pig from his friends if he is in pain or the other guinea pig tries to rough-house with him. You will need to make this judgment yourself based on the situation.
6. **Wrap him up.** Placing a small, light-weight blanket or piece of soft cloth on top of or around your guinea pig will keep him from getting cold and will help him relax. Your guinea pig may become incontinent as his bodily systems begin to shut down, so change out the blanket every so often to keep your pet reasonably clean and comfortable.
Many animals (and people) are much more sensitive to cold as they age and begin to die, so keeping your older guinea pig's cage environment slightly warmer than you used to can improve his comfort substantially.
Use a material or cloth that your guinea pig is familiar with to enhance his comfort with the situation.
7. **Help him with basic needs.** A dying guinea pig will become very weak and unable to feed or water himself as his death approaches. You can make his passing less uncomfortable by offering him water from a spoon, syringe, or water bottle. Blend or mix a guinea pig "smoothie" that contains hay, water and ground up pellets and feed it to him.
Don't force your guinea pig to eat or drink if he doesn't want to. You simply want to make these things accessible to him if he can't get them himself.
Make sure anything you feed your guinea pig is well-blended so he doesn't have to use up precious energy chewing (which he might not be able to do, anyway).
8. **Show affection.** You can gently cuddle or stroke your guinea pig to comfort him and express affection. This will help your guinea pig know that he is not alone and should reduce any fear or anxiety he may be experiencing. If you hold him, do so in a way you know he likes and that won't cause him any unnecessary pain or discomfort.
Many guinea pigs like to have their foreheads gently stroked. If you know your pet enjoys this, do this as he passes away.
Take note of any body language or noises your guinea pig may be making and adjust your physical contact with him accordingly; don't do anything that causes your pet pain.
9. **Provide a peaceful atmosphere.** Your guinea pig will be most comfortable in warm, quiet space with lighting that is neither too bright nor too dark. Soft, pleasant, natural sounds (such as birds singing or the babbling of a brook) may be comforting to your pet. It may also be best to give him some space toward the end so he can slip away peacefully. Check on him often to offer food and water.
If there is a specific toy or other item you know your guinea pig is fond of, place this object next to him. The simple presence of items he enjoys may provide your pet a sense of calm.
Treat your dying guinea pig as you would a sleeping baby; anything that is likely to wake a snoozing infant will probably also be unpleasant for your pet.
10. **Decide how to deal with the remains.** You will need to choose a method for disposing of the remains of your guinea pig once he has died. You can deal with your pet's remains however you wish, so long as it is sanitary and the remains are kept away from children and other pets.
It may help the grieving process to incorporate your guinea pig's body disposal into a memorial or burial ritual.
Be sure your treatment of your guinea pig's remains does not violate any laws or health/safety regulations. For example, don't dig a grave on someone else's property or set a fire where prohibited.
11. **Show companion pets that your guinea pig has died.** If your guinea pig had a companion (such as a rabbit or another guinea pig), you should allow his body to be viewed by the surviving pet(s). Many animals are able to recognize when another animal is dead, and this sometimes seems to help them cope with the situation.
If you take your dying guinea pig out of his cage and never return him, your other pet may become anxious or mournful as a result of having been "abandoned" by his companion.
It is not necessary to leave the deceased guinea pig's corpse alone with the remaining animal; simply showing him the body of his companion and letting him sniff around for a moment should suffice.
12. **Memorialize your guinea pig.** This can take on many forms; a pet memorial of some kind serves to acknowledge your pet's death while celebrating his life. These rituals can be isolated events or can be something you do every now and then to pay tribute to your guinea pig. Whatever you choose to do, it should be something that brings you some peace of mind. Some suggestions include:
Hold a pet burial.
Share funny stories about your pet with friends and family.
Look through old photos of your guinea pig.
Plant a flower or tree in tribute.
13. **Recognize that grief is normal.** It is entirely healthy to grieve the loss of a beloved pet. You will handle the loss of your guinea pig much more easily if you let yourself experience the natural feelings that accompany the loss of a loved one. This process is really no different from coping with the loss of a human relative or friend.
Seek support from friends, family members, or groups of individuals who are going through a similar situation. Avoid individuals who can't understand your grief or who make light of your feelings in any way.
Allow yourself to be sad and avoid thinking that your feelings are "silly" or "unjustified." | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-a-Dying-Guinea-Pig", "language": "en"} |
How to Install Mods in Euro Truck Simulator | Now that you've got your copy of Euro Truck Simulator, you've discovered that it's pretty unexciting right out of the box. Want to spice up the game and have some fun? There are hundreds of great mods that are just a click and a download away. We'll show you how to do that!
1. **Download 7-Zip.** If you don't already have it, you can find it at SourceForge.
Install 7-Zip.
You will need this to extract the mod files.
2. **Locate and download a mod for Euro Truck Simulator.**
3. **Find the Euro Truck Simulator base.SCS file.** Navigate to Program Files/Euro Truck Simulator, and inside you will find the base.SCS file. Copy that file
4. **Go to My Documents.** Find the Euro Truck Simulator folder, and inside that is a folder named "Mod."
Paste the base.SCS file into the Mod folder.
5. **Unzip the new mod files.** Find the Euro Truck Simulator mod file with the .RAR extension that you downloaded.
Right-click on that, and from the contextual menu, Click the Extract Here button to extract the mod files.
6. **Copy the .SCS files.** Select and copy all .SCS files that were unpacked by 7-Zip.
Paste the .SCSfiles. Return to the Euro Truck Simulator/Mod folder that you pasted the base.SCS file into, and paste the .SCS files for the mod into that same folder.
7. **Start the game—your truck should be modded!**
8. **Locate and download a mod for Euro Truck Simulator.**
9. **Extract the mod files.** Double click on the mod file you downloaded, and extract the file or files to the Desktop
Locate, select, and copy all .SCS files that were extracted.
10. **Find your Euro Truck Simulator folder.** In Spotlight, type in "euro truck simulator." The folder should show in the top results.
Open the Euro Truck Simulator folder, and inside that, locate and open the "mod" folder.
11. **Add your mod.** Paste the .SCS files you copied from the Desktop into the Euro Truck Simulator mod folder.
12. **Start the game—your truck should be modded!** | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Install-Mods-in-Euro-Truck-Simulator", "language": "en"} |
How to Protect Chicken Combs from Winter Cold | Chickens are hardy animals that can handle the cold. However, chickens' exposed skin, in combs and wattles, can suffer badly from frostbite in freezing temperatures. When the temperature dips, you can protect their skin and prepare their environment to keep the combs safe. A few preventative measures can keep your chickens happy and warm.
1. **Wait until the evening.** To keep a better control over your birds, wait until they have entered the roost for the night before applying any covering. Overnight is when the temperature will be lowest, so it is when your chickens will be most susceptible to frostbite.
2. **Check for signs of frostbite.** Before adding anything to your chicken's comb, make sure they aren't already suffering from frostbite. You'll notice because those areas of the comb will be black. You can still apply a covering, but just be careful when applying jelly to this skin, as it will be very sensitive.
If you notice frostbite on the skin, treat it where possible. Move your chicken to a warm area. Soak a clean cloth in lukewarm water and hold against the frostbitten areas. Do not use direct heat like a dryer, or rub the comb.
Combs do not grow back, so don't break off the blackened tips. This will cause problems for the chicken in regulating body heat, especially during the summer.
3. **Apply petroleum jelly.** Cover the chicken's wattle and comb liberally with petroleum jelly. Massage the jelly into any exposed red skin around the head. Once you have rubbed some in, leave an extra thick coat onto the comb and wattle.
Be very careful to avoid getting any jelly into the birds' eyes.
If you want a natural alternative to petroleum jelly, consider using olive oil, coconut oil, or a biodegradable product like Waxelene instead.
4. **Reapply when skin is dry.** You want to make sure your birds' combs stay warm, so be prepared to pick them up and touch the skin. If the comb feels dry, you should apply another coat. If it feels oily or greasy, the original coat is still there.
5. **Get cold-weather chicken breeds.** Some breeds are better in cold conditions, and you may consider choosing to raise these if you are in a cold climate. When looking for cold-weather birds, focus on breeds with larger bodies and smaller combs. This means more body fat for keeping warm and less exposed skin vulnerable to frostbite.
Some of the best breeds for cold weather are Ameraucanas, Ancona, Black Australorps, Black Giant, Blue Andalusian, Brahma, Buff Orpingtons, Cochins, Delaware, Dominique, Langshan, New Hampshire, Plymouth Rocks, Rhode Island Red, Russian Orloff, Speckled Sussex and Wyandottes.
6. **Ventilate the coop.** While you want to avoid having a drafty coop, there should be some air circulation. Add screened windows near the overhang where the walls meet the roof. You can close windows during the night, as long as you remember to open them back up during the day.
It is important to keep the coop ventilated, and not sealed, to keep the environment safe. A sealed coop will trap humidity, which can lead to frostbite. You can also get a buildup of ammonia gas from the chickens' droppings, which will damage their lungs.
7. **Build wide roosting bars.** To help prevent frostbite on your chickens' feet, they should have a roost wide enough for the hens to perch with their bodies covering the tops of their feet and the roost covering the bottom. Installing a 2x4 with the 4” side facing up is a good choice.
8. **Use a heater.** If you face particularly chilly winters, you may consider putting a small heater in the coop. You don't want the coop too warm, just a little above freezing. If the coop is too warm, your chickens won't get used to the cold weather.
An electric light bulb is a good option, as it provides heat without being as much of a fire hazard, and will be cheaper to run.
9. **Change the bedding** You want to reduce moisture in the coop, so don't allow your chickens to roost in wet bedding, especially in cold weather. Make sure the bedding material is both deep and dry, or else you'll be dealing with wet conditions, which can quickly lead to disease.
10. **Feed** Consider adding a little more to your chickens' diet during the colder weather by supplementing it with corn or scratch. This will help add a little more fat to your animals for better insulation. This doesn't replace your regular feeding amount, just adds a little bit more.
11. **Make sure their water is fresh.** You want to make sure your birds stay hydrated, so keep their water filled and clean. If you notice any ice beginning to form, break it up.
Remove any eggs. Chicken eggs are nearly 75 percent water, so if they stay in the coop, they will probably freeze and crack, getting everything wet. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Protect-Chicken-Combs-from-Winter-Cold", "language": "en"} |
How to Grow Four O' Clock Flowers | Four o'clock flowers bloom in the evening, usually between 4 and 6 o'clock, once the temperatures have cooled for the day. These trumpet-shaped blossoms are available in yellow, red, white, pink, or striped variations, and the plant should continue to bloom from spring through summer, up until the first frost of autumn. When planted outdoors, the plant can reach heights between 18 and 36 inches (46 and 91 cm), but they might be a little shorter when grown in containers.
1. **Wait until the weather warms up.** Plan on planting the seeds during the early spring, after the danger of frost has passed for the season.
Depending on where you live, this can be between early April and mid May.
Since four o'clock flowers grow quickly, there is no need to start them early indoors. It is recommended that you wait until the weather warms up so that you can sow them directly outdoors.
2. **Soak the seeds.** The evening before you plan to plant, place the seeds in a small saucer and cover them with water. Allow the seeds to soak in the water overnight.
The shells of these seeds are very thick, so they might not germinate well if they are not thoroughly soaked.
When ready, the seeds should be somewhat swollen but still firm.
Note that if you are planting the seeds during a rainy season, when the soil is thoroughly drenched, you may omit this step and plant the dry seeds directly in the soil.
3. **Choose a sunny location.** Four o'clock flowers do best when planted in direct sunlight or in light/partial shade.
For optimal growth, choose a spot that receives 4 to 6 hours of sunlight on a regular daily basis.
Too much shade can cause the plants to grow lanky and may hinder flower production.
4. **Loosen the soil.** Use a small trowel or garden fork to dig up the soil in the planting area. Loosen the soil roughly 1 or 2 feet (0.3 or 0.6 m) deep.
You should not need to amend the soil. Even though these flowers thrive in rich, well-draining soil, they generally do well in all soil conditions, even when the soil is of fairly poor quality.
5. **Gently press the seeds into the soil.** Press each seed into the soil with your fingers, placing it no more than 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) deep.
Make sure that a loose layer of soil covers the seed to protect it from weather and wildlife, especially birds. This soil should be no greater than 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) deep.
6. **Space the seeds 1 to 2 feet (0.30 to 0.61 m) apart.** Usually, you should only plant one seed per one foot (30 cm) of space.
You will eventually need to thin out your seedlings so that the plants are 2 feet (0.61 m) apart. For that reason, you may also opt to sow the seeds 2 feet (0.61 m) apart, saving yourself the extra effort later on.
7. **Water well.** Gently water the seeds with a watering can or the mist setting of a garden hose. Make sure that the soil is thoroughly moist, but not soggy.
Note that the seeds will usually sprout within 7 to 14 days, depending on how warm the temperatures are. Warmer temperatures tend to mean quicker germination.
It is crucial that the soil remain moderately moist while the seeds germinate. Never flood the soil, however, since doing so can wash the seeds away.
8. **Soak the seeds.** Place the thick-shelled seeds in a saucer or cup. Fill this dish with just enough water to cover the seeds and let the seeds soak overnight.
Since the shells of these seeds are so thick, they germinate much better when they are softened with plenty of water.
The seeds should still be firm after you soak them, but they will feel a little softer and appear more swollen.
9. **Find a large enough container.** You should use a 1 to 5 gallon (3.8 to 19 L) pot or other planting container.
Ideally, the container should have four or five drainage holes. If you are keeping the container indoors, set it on top of a saucer to prevent excess water from creating a mess as it drains.
10. **Fill the container with potting soil.** Instead of using soil from your garden, fill the planting container with medium to high quality commercial potting mix.
Any all-purpose, standard commercial potting mix should suffice. These flowers do not require special soil.
11. **Water well.** Soak the soil with water before you plant the seeds. The soil should be thoroughly moist, but not soggy.
Allow any excess water to drain before you sow the seeds.
You will need to make sure that the soil is moderately moist throughout the germination process. This stage will usually take one or two weeks.
12. **Place 4 to 7 seeds in the container.** Gently press each seed 1/4 to 1/2 inch (0.6 to 1.25 cm) into the soil. Space them apart at even intervals.
Four seeds should fit into a 1-gallon (4-L) container comfortably. If you are using a 5-gallon (20-L) container, you can sow a dozen or so seeds without crowding them out too much.
13. **Keep in direct sunlight.** Set the container in a sunny location where it can receive around 6 hours of sunlight daily.
If the weather is warm enough, you can place the container outdoors on a porch, balcony, or patio.
If the plants do not receive enough sunlight, they might look lengthy. Bloom production might also suffer.
14. **Thin out the seedlings.** Once the seedlings have established themselves, then the plants out so that there are 2 feet (0.61 m) between them.
If you are growing the plants in containers or otherwise want the plants to remain short and stunted, it is possible to leave only 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) between each seedling.
Wait until the stems of the seedlings have already developed two sets of leaves before thinning them out. Keep the healthiest, strongest looking plants and remove the weakest.
15. **Keep the soil moist.** Four o'clock flowers are somewhat drought-resistant, but the should not be allowed to remain dry for more than a day or two.
Try to give the plants at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water weekly, either by rainfall or hand watering with a hose or watering can.
Note that flowers grown in a container will require more regular waterings than those grown outdoors.
16. **Apply a mild fertilizer monthly.** Choose a water-soluble, all-purpose floral fertilizer and apply it before a rainfall or when you water the plants.
Choose a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer, which contains equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This type of fertilizer will promote an overall even state of health for the plant.
17. **Treat for insects and diseases only as needed.** Four o'clock flowers rarely have problems with insects and diseases, so pre-treatment for such conditions is highly discouraged.
If problems do develop, treat the plants with an appropriate pesticide or fungicide. The product can either be organic or chemical.
18. **Consider digging up the tubers before winter.** Each bush should grow a large tuber below ground. If you live in mild climates, you should be able to leave this tuber in the ground without causing damage to the plant. If you live in notably cold climates, however, you should dig it up in the late fall.
Store the tubers in between layers of newspaper in cardboard boxes or wooden crates. You can also store the tubers in peat moss or sand. Do not use plastic containers or other closed boxes, since these can encourage the tubers to rot.
Place the tubers in a garage, shed, or similar environment. They should remain dry and dark throughout the winter.
Replant the tubers in the spring. Dig a hole large enough for the tuber in the same location it once grew. Place the tuber back in the ground, cover with soil, and care for the plant as before.
19. **Consider covering the area with mulch.** If you do not want to dig up the tuber, you can usually protect it over the winter by covering the planting area with 1 or 2 inches (2.5 or 5 cm) of organic mulch.
Organic mulch can include leaves, grass clippings, wood chips, and newspaper.
The mulch provides insulation and keeps the soil a little warmer.
Note that in notably cold climates, mulch may not be enough to protect the tuber over the winter.
If you are growing the plants in containers, it is also recommended that you spread mulch on top of the container during the spring or summer to help reduce the amount of water evaporation that takes place. This can help prevent the soil from drying out too severely.
20. **Wait for seeds to develop.** Seeds form when a flower on the bush dries up and falls off the stem.
After the flower drops, you should see black pea-sized seeds left in its place.
Each four o'clock plant should produce a large quantity of seeds.
21. **Collect the seeds.** Pluck the seeds off by hand or wait until they drop off the stem on their own. If they drop to the ground, pick them up as soon as you see them.
If the seeds are left alone once they drop, more four o'clock flower plants can grow in that spot.
Another way to collect the seeds is to gently shake the seed-bearing stems, encouraging the seeds to break off and drop to the ground all at once.
22. **Dry the seeds for 5 days.** Spread the seeds out on a clean, dry paper towel and leave them in a dry location for five days.
The seeds can rot if they are stored while still moist, so this pre-drying step is very important.
Dry the seeds indoors to prevent birds and other animals from taking them.
23. **Store in paper envelops.** Place the dried seeds in paper envelops. Mark the envelop, then gently seal it and store the seeds in a dry location.
You can use paper bags, as well. Paper allows air to circulate.
Do not use an airtight container, though, like a plastic container. Storing the seeds in this type of container can cause mildew to form or may encourage the seeds to rot. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Four-O%27-Clock-Flowers", "language": "en"} |
How to Become a Philanthropist | Becoming a philanthropist, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes, can be a very rewarding thing. Think about well-known philanthropists, like Oprah, who donate millions to charities.
1. **Determine what's important to you.** There are a variety of different reasons you may want to become a philanthropist. People also have different outcomes they hope to achieve through giving to charity. Think about what's important to you and why before diving into the world of philanthropy.
What are you reasons for giving? Are you giving out of religious belief, tradition, a sense of moral duty, or for some other reason? Spend some time consider the underlying moral beliefs driving your desire to become a philanthropist. This can help motivate you to donate time and money.
What is your expected outcome? Do you want to help others in need? Do you want to cure a given disease? Think about how you can help and why you want to help.
There are a litany of charities that need money help. Determining what's important to you and where you would like to focus your attention is an important first step to becoming a philanthropist.
2. **Look for problems in infrastructure.** Many people believe being a philanthropist is simply throwing money at a cause. This is not the case. Good philanthropists look for underlying problems in infrastructure and seek to change them. A creative, problem-solving spirit can help you in your pursuit.
Say you want to improve access to medical care. The most obvious way to do so would be by building more hospitals. However, there may be problems you don't see preventing people from accessing health care. For example, maybe in certain regions there's no way to access a hospital. How could you combat this problem? You could help roads in rural areas of the country. You could increase access to public transportation. You could develop digital software to help diagnose issues remotely. There are many ways you can look into innovating existing systems to help solve problems at their core.
In addition to donating time and money to charity, look for ways to change underlying power systems. Give money to politicians and political campaigns that support a particular cause. Try to start letter writing and phone call campaigns to address problems with how resources are allocated to poor communities.
3. **Strive to self-sustaining pursuits.** You should always be looking for ways to make charity more self-sustainable. It's not enough to just blindly throw money at a cause. You have to look at the underlying issues creating problems in the world.
For example, say your goal is to combat poverty. You could donate to soup kitchens and homeless shelters. However, a more sustainable pursuit might be to invest in education. This can help people foster employable skill sets.
Try to start an organization that is designed to help underprivileged people achieve career skills that make employable. Enlist the help of teachers, for example, to start no cost vocational programs in a low income community.
4. **Learn from entrepreneurs.** Philanthropists can learn a lot from entrepreneurs. As the best philanthropic endeavors or longterm, self-sustaining pursuits, there's much to be gained from having an entrepreneurial spirit as well as a charitable one.
Both business people and philanthropists spend a lot of time brainstorming and problem solving. They also both working with and motivating others. It might not be a bad idea to read a few self-help books written by powerful men and women. These kinds of books can teach you to think in an entrepreneurial manner that will help with philanthropic pursuits.
Innovation is key to philanthropy. You will have to be constantly looking for new ways to solve problems. It might not be a bad idea to reach out to a CEO or businessperson and ask him or her for advice on how to foster an entrepreneurial attitude.
5. **Volunteer.** Most people associate philanthropy with giving money. However, donating your time to valuable causes is just as important. In addition to donating time, make sure you donate your money to charity.
Look for opportunities to volunteer. You can find volunteer opportunities online or you can also watch for fliers and signs in your local community asking for help.
Try to get involved in a certain organization for more than just a one time thing. While it's great to ring bells for the Salvation Army around Christmastime, remember that most non-profit and charitable organizations need help year round. See if any organizations have programs where volunteers are trained and assigned work year round. See where volunteers are needed. There may be a particular area where volunteers are lacking. Ask an organization you care about where they need extra help and volunteer your services.
6. **Involve your friends and family.** Teaching others about the important of charity is vital to the philanthropic lifestyle. Teach your friends and family members about the causes in which your invested. Invite them to help volunteer at events, give money to charity, and educate themselves and others about causes that matter. Use things like social media to your advantage. Post articles and links to the charities encouraging others to give to your cause and educate themselves about it.
7. **Spread awareness.** In addition to donating time to a cause, try to spread awareness as well. Oftentimes, causes can benefit from public awareness campaigns. This can lead to more people donating money to worthy causes.
Think about creative ways to spread awareness. Incorporating social media can often have a phenomenal effect on public awareness. The ALS ice bucket challenge, for example, was an incredibly popular social media campaign in which participants dumped a bucket of ice water on their heads to help raise money for research into a disease known as ALS, which attacks nerve cells and leaves sufferers paralyzed. The challenge was widely successful, raising millions for charity and making more aware of ALS.
8. **Evaluate charities.** Not all charities are created equal. When making decisions about donating time and money, spend some time figuring out what organizations are most effective.
You want to support causes that make a real impact. Determine which charities make a real impact and which do not. Look for tangible outcomes and real life outcomes. Solid charities will give you a breakdown of where the money goes. For example, look into how much is spent on charitable causes and how much simply goes back into the organization.
Look for verifiable impact. That is, how many people does the charity actually help? What kind of services do they provide? A trustworthy charity will be able to provide real statistics rather than feel good anecdotes alone.
9. **Donate to a few causes you feel strongly about.** It can sometimes make more sense to go deep rather than wide. That is, donate more to a smaller amount of organizations. Your money will go further and you'll have more of an impact. Focus on a handful of worthwhile organizations rather than donating a small amount of money to one or two causes.
10. **Reconsider charities each year.** Reevaluate your cause each year. Charities are subject to change and this is sometimes for the worse. Reevaluate where you're donating your money each year. Watch for changes in infrastructure in existing charitable organizations that may change how your money is being spent. Stay up to date on news articles about existing charities and pay attention to the board of directors. Changes in power could lead to an organizations adjusting its values in a way you dislike. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Philanthropist", "language": "en"} |
How to Earn More Tips as a Waiter or Waitress | Getting great tips may feel like it comes down to the mood of the table, but in reality the amount of tips you earn is entirely up to you. Getting higher tips, on average, is all about having good customer service skills. If you can keep a smile on, learn the menu, and remember that "the customer always comes first," you'll quickly increase your tip income.
1. **Assist guests before they even get to your tables.** Opening the door and greeting a guest also gives you a chance to check them in with the hostess. Knowing and using a guest's name is an important first step in creating a valuable repeat customer who may request your station when they return, and they usually tip much higher.
This might not be possible on busy shifts. That said, you can still help your guests by having waters ready and at the table, for example, right before they sit down.
Checking in quickly to say "hello" or "welcome, as they sit down is a quick, small way to make a connection before the meal begins.
2. **Anticipate your guest's needs.** If your table orders fries, you might be wise to bring ketchup (these are often called pre-sets or pre-drops). If your table orders messy food, bring extra napkins. Be a great waiter and anticipate their needs, don't make them ask. Keep an eye on the table whenever you pass by, and make a mental note of any pressing needs -- empty water glasses, dropped forks, etc. -- and step in when needed.
3. **Do not pester your guests.** Checking on them verbally every time you visit your section may backfire and become irritating. Your guest will let you know if they need anything when you are walking through. Providing refills, napkins, etc. will ensure that the only thing they should ask you for is the check.
There is a fine line between anticipating needs and annoying your guests. To help, imagine that your guests are always in the middle of a very important conversation. They don't want this conversation to be broken up or interrupted unless completely necessary. Refilling waters quietly, placing silverware, etc. are fine, but stopping them to ask "if they need anything?" every 5 minutes will quickly grow old.
4. **Make yourself seem approachable when taking orders.** People will have questions, want to make substitutions, and may even want recommendations. When taking orders, stand close to the table, and even consider crouching slightly so that you're nearer to eye-level. In some studies the closer a waiter gets to the table, the higher their tips became.
Ask kids and women for their orders first. This is basic, but most waiters and waitresses miss it. When you follow this basic cultural rule you will be amazed how the tips just seem to roll in.
5. **Repeat the order exactly.** Several studies have discovered that you earn more tips if you repeat the order of each guest exactly - not paraphrased. Your guests will then (unconsciously) think that you are similar to them and it will help to make a connection.
This also shows lets them feel like they are being paid attention to, and assures them that they will be taken care.
6. **Never let their drinks run out.** This is so basic, but when not done well it can really hurt you financially. If you know they suck those things down, you might consider bringing them two at once. Don't feel the need to ask them for refills: if it gets low, bring another. When the whole table orders water, bringing extra doesn't hurt either.
7. **Have the check ready to deliver once you've sent for dessert, coffee, etc.** Print their checks after you send the order, desserts, coffees, etc. and place in a check presenter. No guest wants to wait for their server to return with their check so it helps to always have it on the ready. One minute to a server may feel like five to a guest.
Once the check is presented, don't disappear. When people get the check they're ready to leave, so you need to get it processed and finished to move them out the door.
8. **Offer to box up their meal.** Instead of bringing your guest a box, offer to do it for them. Some will say no, in which case you may bring a box for them, but this will really be going the extra mile and will help your case when it comes time to tip.
Note: this is illegal in some states. - Make sure you know your employer's policies beforehand.
9. **Be courteous and helpful to the bussers and cooks.** You cannot earn your tips alone, and a chef with a grudge could always wait a little longer to cook your food if you've been rude to them. As a result, your table will be left to wait, and they'll likely pay you less in tips as a result.
This is not just for restaurants where the entire staff splits tips. You should always be kind, courteous, and helpful with your staff -- as neither of you would have jobs without the other.
10. **Fall in love with your job.** When you truly love being a server, it shows. You will become infectious with your good attitude and earn larger tips. People are proven to tip higher when they feel a social connection with their server, as if they could be friends. The best way to cultivate this attitude is to enjoy your work and interactions with others.
A big, open-lipped smile can increase tips up to 140%.
11. **Look good and smell nice.** Take some time to get presentable before arriving to work. A dirty waiter or waitress is unpleasant to look at and reflects poorly on you and the restaurant. Wash your apron and uniform, and make an effort to wear nice clothes when at work. While attractiveness hasn't been proven to increase tips for male waiters, effort and cleanliness definitely does.
Women should wear a little basic make-up to earn more tips, as a French study showed that 50% more men left tips to waitresses wearing make-up than those wearing none. Unfortunately, more attractive women have been proven to get higher tips than less, but you should exploit this fact for your own benefit as well.
The same study found that adding a bit of personality to your outfit, like a flower or button, increased tips by roughly 15%. For women, this is particularly noticeable when wearing something in your hair.
12. **Introduce yourself.** In order to build connections with customers, and thus increase your tips, be sure to let the table know your name. When you arrive, say hello and let them know your name before launching into the specials. Waitstaff who introduced themselves earned roughly $2 more per bill.
If the table offers you their names, be sure to remember them and use them. The best way to do this is when you get the check. When returning a credit or debit card, be sure to thank the name on the card when handing over the check -- it's been shown to increase tips.
13. **Give the customers a little something extra, like a mint or simple drawing.** When people feel treated or gifted upon, they generally try to "pay back" the person being generous to them. Even writing a simple "Thank You" on the back of a check was shown to increase tips, and simple smiley faces and pictures help as well.
Being kind and generous during the meal can create the same effect. If someone spills something, or an order doesn't come out perfectly, you should offer to rectify the situation for them as best you can.
14. **Learn to turn tables over.** This is especially crucial when it is busy or the restaurant is filling up. While you should always be kind and courteous, you want people to eat, pay, and move on so that you can get a new table, and thus a new tip. To do this, come collect the dishes once everyone has finished eating, and ask about further courses (like dessert) instead of waiting for them to ask you.
15. **Become a product expert by knowing your menu back to front.** Notice that when you meet a waiter or waitress that has tried everything on the menu, you tend to listen to their recommendations a lot more. If you want to earn more tips, make a decision to eat everything on the menu and then tell your tables what you enjoyed. They will appreciate it and tip you more.
You should, at a minimum, be able to recommend 3-5 dishes that you've sampled and enjoy. You should also know any common allergens in each dish, as well as basic dietary restrictions (vegetarian or not, gluten-free, etc.)
Talk to the chefs about their recipes and food. They can offer you great little bits of information, such as drink pairings and where ingredients come from, that will make you seem all the more knowledgeable.
16. **Sell more food.** When you have higher check totals you get bigger tips. Offer appetizers, drinks and deserts by name. Use enticing and descriptive words like rich, creamy, smooth, spicy, etc. Offer your guest an after dinner espresso or cappuccino. This will warm them up and give them time to think about how great you are and what a giant tip they are going to leave you.
You should always, at the very least, offer your guests dessert and/or coffee.
Be politely assertive about the food, saying "let me bring you the dessert menu?" instead of "would you guys like to consider dessert?
17. **Use "suggestive selling" to help your guests make decisions.** To up-sell, suggest an add on item, like a side of shrimp to accompany a steak or chicken in a salad. Helping a group pair food and wine is a great way to suggest that they get an expensive bottle with their meal.
Be assertive with your suggestions. For example, it might cost extra to get cheese on a hamburger -- but you don't need to explain that. When someone orders a burger, simply ask, "and you'd like cheese on that?"
This may be less productive for you during busy shifts. Adding $5 to a bill results in a small bump in tips, but getting a whole new group to sit down and spend $55 on dinner will result in higher tips overall.
18. **Manicure the table as people eat.** When the beverage napkins get soggy, replace them. When they are finished with dishes, take them away. If they make a mess, politely help them clean it. People feel better in a clean, tidy environment, and are more likely to get more food if they don't see the scraps from their last course.
If a dish is empty, politely ask if you can take it for them. Do not, however, take plates from anyone if someone is still eating. This makes the people still eating feel rushed.
Get rid of small things quietly and efficiently. Try and sweep by and avoid distracting the group from their discussion as much as possible. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Earn-More-Tips-as-a-Waiter-or-Waitress", "language": "en"} |
How to Convert Grams to Calories | Learning how to count calories is a great way to help you achieve a healthy diet. While most food labels list the number of calories contained in their products, they oftentimes do not list the breakdown of which specific nutrients those calories come from. By understanding the difference between calories and grams, and learning the conversion rate, you can easily calculate how many calories are in specific nutrients.
1. **Look at the nutrition label.** Most food labels will list how many grams of fat there are for each serving of that specific product. This is how you will calculate the calories.
2. **Multiply the fat grams by nine.** Every gram of fat contains nine calories. To figure out how many calories there are in the fat content, simply multiple the fat grams by nine.
For example, if there are ten grams of fat, you would multiple ten grams of fat by nine calories, for a total of 90 calories. This is how many calories there are in the fat grams.
3. **Calculate how many calories there are in the entire product.** To figure out how many total calories there are in the fat content of a product, multiply the original number you received before, by the amount of servings there are on the label.
If a label states there are three servings, you would then multiply 90 by three, for a total of 270 calories.
4. **Know that a carbohydrate is an organic compound.** Carbohydrates are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. They always contain calories (4 per gram), but calories do not automatically mean there are carbohydrates, because calories are in other macro-nutrients.
5. **Check the nutrition label.** You will see how many grams of carbohydrates there are per serving. Carbohydrates have four calories per gram. Multiply the number of carbohydrates by four to figure out how many calories there are.
For example, if a product had nine grams of carbohydrates, you would use the equation (9 x 4) to get a total of 36 calories. You would use four as your multiplier because there are four calories in every one gram of carbohydrate.
6. **Find out the number of calories that come from protein.** Proteins are also listed in grams on food labels. Just like carbohydrates, protein carries four calories per gram. Again, multiply the number of protein grams by four to receive the number of calories.
7. **Realize the difference between a gram and a calorie.** A gram is a metric unit of weight that is equal to one thousandth of a kilogram. A calorie is a unit of energy that people receive from food. One pound of body fat is equal to about 3500 calories.
A gram and a calorie are different units of measure that can't be converted into one another.
8. **Find out for which energy source you want to measure the calories.** The quantity of calories per gram of food is dependent upon its ratio of macro-nutrients. The human body can derive energy (employ calories) from three main macro-nutrients: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
You can't weigh food and convert the grams into calories. You have to know how many calories there are in a specific type of macro-nutrient gram to calculate the total calories in it.
9. **Multiply the number of grams by the conversion number.** Look on the label of the food your want to calculate the calories for. Each nutrient will be listed in grams. Once you find the one you are looking for, you can multiply that number by the number of calories that specific nutrient has in each gram. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Convert-Grams-to-Calories", "language": "en"} |
How to Prepare Yourself for EMDR Therapy | Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy that has been proven to be very successful in healing a wide range of psychological problems in people of all ages. It was originally used to treat war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and women who had been victims of sexual assault. EMDR combines exposure therapy with eye movements to help the victim process their traumatic experience and change the way the brain reacts to memories of that experience. Some therapists may use tapping or auditory tones instead of or in conjunction with eye movements. There are a number of preparations that you should make, if you are considering EMDR therapy as an option. Knowing how to find a qualified EMDR therapist and prepare yourself emotionally for the ensuing therapy may help you get the most out of this promising method of psychotherapy.
1. **Know what to expect.** EMDR therapy is not a one-time treatment. It utilizes an eight-phase approach to psychotherapy, and requires the patient to recall painful memories while the therapist guides them through a series of eye movements. Each set of eye movements lasts approximately 30 seconds, and is designed to replicate the mechanisms that take place during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. EMDR therapy helps patients deal with a traumatic past, but it can also help cope with present circumstances and even plan for future events.
Studies have shown that eye movements help disrupt working memory.
The combination of exposure therapy and eye movement help the patient's brain process the traumatic memories. This changes the trauma from what's considered a "stuck memory" into a resolved learning experience, after which the patient is able to let go of the feelings of trauma.
EMDR has a high rate of success, when patients complete the entire course of treatment. Some patients are able to process a single traumatic event in as few as three sessions, while other patients need 12 or more sessions to fully process an event. Every patient is different, and for maximum results you should adhere to your therapist's recommendations.
2. **Learn if EMDR will help you.** EMDR was originally designed to primarily treat PTSD, but the scope of treatment has expanded somewhat over time. There is some anecdotal evidence which suggests that EMDR may be useful in treating phobias and panic disorders, but researchers have failed to find any strong clinical success in the use of EMDR for these conditions.
EMDR is most effective at treating PTSD and trauma from assault, combat, or life-threatening situations. However, EMDR may be effective at treating other anxiety disorders, if those disorders originated in response to a traumatic incident.
If you think EMDR therapy might be right for you, talk to your doctor or contact an EMDR-qualified therapist for a consultation.
3. **Find an EMDR-qualified therapist.** It is vital that therapists be formally trained in EMDR therapy. The memories brought up in EMDR therapy are often traumatic, life-threatening events, and it is imperative that the therapist knows how to properly administer treatment and help the patient cope with these memories. If the therapist is not formally trained in EMDR, the treatment could be ineffective, or even harmful.
Ask your prospective therapist if they have received both levels of EMDR training, and whether that training was through an EMDRIA-approved institution.
Ensure that the prospective therapist is up to date on the latest EMDR protocols and practices.
Ask the prospective therapist how many cases they have treated with the problem for which you are seeking treatment, and what their success rate has been for those cases.
To find a qualified EMDR therapist in the United States or Canada, visit the Psychology Today search engine at https://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/prof_search.php. You can search by state or province, then expand the “Treatment Orientation” tab on the left-hand side to search for EMDR treatment. If you live outside these regions, you can use an online search engine like Google to find EMDR therapists in your area.
4. **Anticipate a slow start.** Before the actual EMDR therapy begins, the patient and therapist begin a period of preparation. This is important for the patient’s health and the success of the therapy, as the therapist teaches the patient various techniques to cope with the traumatic memories discussed during therapy. These techniques should ultimately help the patient to control or “soothe” their emotional response to the painful and traumatic memories that will arise during subsequent sessions.
The preparation phase will vary, depending on the patient and their ability to manage the trauma. Many therapists feel that the patient is typically ready after one or two initial sessions, but the decision to move forward is at the discretion of the therapist. The end of the preparation phase will ultimately be determined by the perceived preparedness of the patient.
5. **Avoid wearing contact lenses.** Due to the rapid eye movements associated with EMDR therapy, patients’ eyes often become dried out during sessions. If you wear contact lenses, switch to glasses for your session, or bring a lens case and solution to your session so you can remove your contacts before you get started.
6. **Consider bringing eye drops.** In addition to removing your contact lenses, you may wish to bring eye drops to your session. Many patients experience dry, irritated eyes as a result of the eye movements associated with EMDR therapy. If you are prone to dry eyes, or if you are worried about experiencing dry eyes during a session, consider bringing some type of over-the-counter rehydrating eye drops, also known as artificial tears. These are available at most pharmacies and drug stores, and can help rejuvenate dry eyes or prevent them altogether.
7. **Prepare to bring up painful memories.** The point of EMDR therapy is to allow the patient to better process memories of a traumatic experience. In order to do this, you must be willing to confront those traumatic memories, which can be stressful, painful, and generally unpleasant. However, the advantage of EMDR therapy is that you can confront those memories in a safe and secure environment under the guidance of a trained professional.
Anticipate some degree of distress, discomfort, or pain, especially in the early stages of treatment.
8. **Plan to relax afterward.** Because EMDR therapy involves the evocation of painful or unpleasant memories, it is recommended that patients take the rest of the day off after a session, if at all possible. Some experts recommend trying to take a nap at home after the session ends. This is both to help soothe the patient after recalling upsetting memories, and to continue the processing that was begun during the EMDR session.
If you can, try to schedule your sessions for days on which you will not have to return to work. It’s important to give yourself time immediately after your EMDR session to relax and process the emotions that arise during therapy.
9. **Anticipate a post-session emotional response.** Many patients experience upsetting emotional responses for several days after a session, with some particularly strong responses lasting several weeks. These responses are normal, and should simply be recounted to your therapist at the start of your next session. Some patients experience extreme responses that trigger depressive episodes, and these incidents should be reported to the therapist immediately to ensure the safety of the patient. Common responses in the days after a session include:
feelings of insight
vivid or upsetting dreams
strong emotions
recalling memories that had been blocked or forgotten
10. **Follow your appointment schedule.** Studies have shown that patients who do not complete the full eight-phase course of treatment are more likely to lose the beneficial effects of treatment, or lack any significant benefits whatsoever. For this reason, it is imperative that you commit to the full course of treatment, if you or your therapist believes that EMDR treatments could help you.
Phase one - this phase of therapy involves the therapist taking down the patient's history. The therapist will then assess the patient's preparedness to progress, and will work with the patient to develop a treatment plan.
Phase two - during the second phase of treatment, the therapist will work with the patient to ensure that they have multiple methods of coping with emotional pain and trauma. During this phase, the therapist may teach the patient different stress-reduction techniques and develop a plan to process disturbing emotions as they arise.
Phases three through six - in these phases of treatment, the patient will identify some type of vivid visual imagery they associate with the traumatic memory, a negative belief they hold about themselves, a positive belief they hold about themselves, and any other emotions or sensations related to the memory. Sessions during these phases will focus on the use of eye movement. The therapist will also teach the patient to focus on the positive self-belief that they have identified.
Phase seven - during phase seven, the therapist works with the patient to find some type of closure on the trauma. If the therapist has not done so yet, they will now begin asking the patient to keep a log throughout the week, and will work on instituting the self-calming and coping techniques from phase two for use at home when the patient is keeping their weekly log.
Phase eight - in this (potentially) last phase, the therapist will review how much progress the patient has made and evaluate how to move forward.
11. **Be open and honest.** In many ways, the course of each EMDR session is determined by the patient. The patient is always left in charge of deciding how much to tell the therapist in a given session, and whether they feel comfortable continuing or would prefer to stop. But through it all, it’s important that you offer your therapist total honesty in everything you discuss.
If you need to stop or don’t yet feel comfortable proceeding on a certain topic, that is perfectly fine. However, in order to fully move past the trauma of the event, you will eventually need to open up about all aspects of the experience.
As a patient, you have every right to withhold details or memories until you’re more comfortable revealing that information, but it’s important to know that prolonged withholding of information will extend the duration of the therapy, and may delay the healing process.
12. **Develop new coping skills.** Though the memories of trauma will continue to live on in the patient’s mind, a successful course of EMDR therapy should help reduce or completely eliminate the distressing symptoms that had previously accompanied those memories. Once the memory no longer causes flashbacks, panic attacks, or symptoms of trauma, the therapist and patient will begin to develop new coping skills to help process and live with those memories, as well as any future trauma that may arise. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-Yourself-for-EMDR-Therapy", "language": "en"} |
How to Reuse a Canvas | Canvas is one of the most popular painting mediums since it has a flexible and forgiving surface. If you have a painted canvas and want to reuse it for a different painting, there are easy ways you can prime it to use again. When a canvas is originally painted with acrylics, then you can soak it in rubbing alcohol to lift as much paint before you prime the surface. For a canvas that was originally painted in oils, you’ll have to scrape and sand the paint to remove it. If you want a fresh, clean surface to work on, then you can always flip the canvas over to the unused side to paint on it. Once you’re finished, you can start painting again!
1. **Sand the painting with 120-grit sandpaper to remove any texture.** Apply firm pressure to the canvas, but not so much that you tear through the canvas. Work in circular motions around the painted areas that have a raised or bumpy texture. Keep rubbing them with the sandpaper until they are level with the rest of the canvas’ surface.
You don’t need to sand the canvas if it doesn’t have any raised textures.
If you don’t sand the canvas, the original texture will still be visible through your painting and cause it to look uneven.
2. **Apply a thin coat of white acrylic paint to the canvas.** Dip the end of a 2 in (5.1 cm) natural-bristle brush into your paint and spread it out on your canvas. Work in long back and forth strokes going either horizontally or vertically for your first coat. Spread the paint so the canvas has a thin even coat covering the original painting.
Avoid repainting over dark pieces of art since it will be hard to hide the original colors.
Don’t apply the paint too thick or else it will take a long time to dry. It’s okay if the original painting still shows through the first coat.
3. **Let the paint dry to the touch.** Leave the canvas in a cool, dry area that’s out of direct sunlight while it dries. After about 30 minutes, test the dryness of the paint by touching it with your finger. If there isn’t any paint on your finger, then you can move on. Otherwise, let it dry longer and check it again in 15-–20 minutes.
4. **Paint another layer of white going in the opposite direction.** If you painted the first coat vertically, then apply the second coat in horizontal strokes. Try to fill in any spots that you missed on the first coat or areas where you can still see the original painting. Make sure the second coat of paint creates a thin, even layer on the canvas. Let the second coat dry to the touch, which will take around 30–60 minutes, before painting on it.
If you still see the original painting through the second coat, then apply a third coat once it’s dry.
5. **Soak the canvas in rubbing alcohol for 1 hour to loosen the paint.** Look for a container that’s large enough to hold the entire canvas, and place it outside or in a well-ventilated area. Fill the bottom of the container with ⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) of rubbing alcohol and put the canvas in it so the painted side is face-down. Leave the canvas alone for at least 1 hour.
You can also use turpentine or ammonia in place of rubbing alcohol if you want.
If you don’t have a container for your canvas, spray the rubbing alcohol across the surface of the painting with a spray bottle.
6. **Pull out the canvas and scrape the paint off of the surface with a putty knife.** Wear rubber gloves and a face mask when you scrape the painting so you don’t irritate your skin. Shake off any excess liquid and set it on a flat work surface. Place the putty knife along the edge of the canvas and slowly push it away from you to lift any loose paint from the surface. Continue scraping the paint until there aren’t any thick, textured areas.
The paint may have stained the canvas, so your canvas won’t look perfectly clean when you’re finished.
Don’t apply too much pressure to the putty knife, or else you may rip through the canvas.
7. **Clean the rubbing alcohol off with warm water and dish soap.** Put your canvas in the sink and run warm water over it to get it wet. Apply a few drops of liquid dish soap onto a soft cleaning brush and scrub the canvas in circular motions. Apply light pressure to work the soap into the canvas to clean off any residual alcohol and remove leftover paint. You may notice the paint stains getting lighter on the canvas.
If your canvas doesn’t fit in the sink, then you can also wipe warm water onto the surface with a cleaning rag instead.
8. **Rinse the canvas and allow it to dry overnight.** Run warm water over the surface of the canvas to clean off any suds and soap. Once you’ve cleaned off all of the soap, place the canvas in a warm area so you can leave it to dry. Let the canvas dry completely overnight before you plan on using it again.
If the canvas didn’t fit in your sink, wipe it with a rag soaked with warm water until it’s clean.
You can also place the canvas in direct sunlight to help speed up the drying process.
9. **Paint a layer of acrylic gesso on the canvas.** Mix the gesso using a stir stick, and apply it to your canvas with a 2 in (5.1 cm) natural-bristle paintbrush. Start in the center of the canvas and work the gesso into a thin layer with either horizontal or vertical strokes.
You can buy acrylic gesso from an art supply shop or online.
It’s okay if you can still see some of the original paint through the gesso since you’ll be adding another coat.
Mix a colored acrylic paint into the gesso if you want to have a different base color on your canvas.
10. **Let the gesso dry for 20–30 minutes.** Put the canvas in a cool, dry place and allow it to dry to the touch. Test how dry the gesso is by touching it with your fingertip to see if any lifts off of the canvas. If your finger is clean after touching the canvas, you can move onto the next step.
Hold the canvas up to the light to see if there are any shiny spots. If the canvas is shiny, that means the gesso is still wet.
11. **Apply a second layer of gesso in the opposite direction.** If you painted the first layer of gesso with horizontal strokes, then use vertical strokes for the second coat. Continue painting on a layer of gesso to cover any areas you missed the first time and give yourself a smooth painting surface. Once you finish the second coat, let it dry for another 1–2 days before painting on it.
You can add 1–2 more layers of gesso if the original paint still shows through. Allow each coat to dry completely before you apply the next one.
12. **Scrape as much paint off as you can with a razor blade.** Put on a face mask or a respirator before you scrape the paint off since it contains harmful particles. Hold the razor blade at a slight angle to the canvas and push it away from you to remove thick, textured oil paints. Apply light pressure to scrape as close to the canvas as you can without cutting through it.
Never pull the cutting edge of the razor toward your body so it doesn’t slip and cause serious injury.
You can also use a putty knife if the razor blade works too slowly.
13. **Sand the old paint off with 120-grit sandpaper to remove the texture.** Use long back and forth motions to scrape the paint off of the canvas. Apply light pressure to the canvas to remove the paint more effectively from the surface, but not so much that you rip or tear through it. Continue working the sandpaper until you can see blank canvas showing through the paint.
The oils paints may have stained the canvas, so it may not come off completely.
If the fabric is too flexible and you aren’t able to apply much pressure to the canvas while sanding, place boards of scrap wood or another flat surface underneath it so you have a solid surface to sand on.
14. **Rub denatured alcohol on the canvas to clean off paint particles.** Denatured alcohol, also known as isopropyl alcohol, helps lift residual paint and cleans the surface so gesso can adhere better. Dip the end of a cleaning rag in denatured alcohol and rub the entire surface of the painting. Work in back and forth strokes to remove any paint or dust that’s still on the surface. When you’re finished, allow the alcohol to dry for 10–20 minutes.
15. **Apply a thin coat of oil-based gesso on the canvas.** Mix the gesso thoroughly with a stir stick before applying it so it has the best consistency. Start by applying the gesso in the middle of the painting and spreading it out toward the edges with a 2 in (5.1 cm) natural-bristle paintbrush. Work either in vertical or horizontal strokes until you have a thin coat of gesso over the entire surface.
You can buy oil-based gesso from an art supply shop or online.
It’s okay if you can still see some of the original painting through the first coat of gesso.
16. **Let the gesso dry to the touch for 20–30 minutes.** Set the canvas is a cool, dry spot away from the sun while it dries. After 30 minutes, touch the canvas with your finger and check if any of the gesso lifted off the canvas. If your finger is clean, then you can move on. Otherwise, leave the gesso to dry longer.
Keep the canvas flat while the gesso dries so it doesn’t form any drips.
17. **Put on a second layer of gesso going in the opposite direction.** Putting the gesso on in a different direction helps the canvas have a smoother finish and fills in spots you missed more effectively. If you put the first coat on horizontally, then use vertical strokes for the second layer. Continue brushing the gesso on until there’s a thin layer and you can’t see the paint underneath. Let the gesso dry for at least 1–2 days before you start painting on it.
If you need to apply additional layers of gesso to hide the underlayer of paint, then wait for 20–30 minutes before putting on another coat.
You cannot use acrylic paints on oil-based gesso since it won’t adhere as well and could cause the painting to crack.
18. **Pull the nails or staples out from the canvas frame to detach it.** Flip the canvas over so the back of the frame is face-up and you can see the nails or staples holding the fabric in place. Grip the nails or staples with a pair of pliers and pull them straight out from the canvas frame. Continue removing all of the nails or staples until the canvas is detached from the frame.
This method only works on canvas that’s stretched onto a frame and does not work with canvas panels.
The nails or staples may be on the sides of the frame instead of the back.
19. **Set the frame on top of the detached canvas so the painted side is face up.** Lay your canvas down on a flat surface so the painted side is face-up. Put the frame on the canvas so the back is face-up, and line up the creases on the canvas with the frame’s edges. Make sure the canvas stays flat against your work surface and doesn’t have any wrinkles.
20. **Drive nails or staples into the centers of each side of the frame.** Start on one of the long sides of the canvas to make the process easier. Bend the edges of the canvas around the frame and pull it tightly onto the back side of the frame. Hammer a nail or place a staple through the canvas in the center of the frame’s side to secure it in place. Rotate the frame and canvas so you can nail or staple the other long side so it’s pulled tight. Repeat the process on the 2 short sides.
Ask a helper to assist you in pulling and securing the canvas to help ensure that it’s tight.
21. **Stretch the canvas** Start from the center of a long edge and securing the canvas to the frame every 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm). Once you put in a nail or staple, add one in the same spot on the opposite side to ensure the canvas stretches evenly. Continue pulling the canvas tight and securing it to the frame until you reach the corners. Repeat the process on the short sides to ensure the front of the canvas has no ripples or wrinkles.
When you’re finished, the front of the canvas should look flat and move slightly when you apply pressure to it.
22. **Apply layers of gesso to the unpainted side of the canvas and let them dry.** Use an acrylic-based gesso if you want to use acrylic paints or oil-based gesso for oils. Start your first coat of gesso going in either horizontal or vertical strokes using a 2 in (5.1 cm) natural-bristle paintbrush. Once you have a thin layer of gesso, let it dry to the touch for 20–30 minutes. When the first layer is dry, you can put on a second layer using strokes in the opposite direction that your first coat.
You can also cover the painted side on the back of the canvas with gesso if you want to hide it. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Reuse-a-Canvas", "language": "en"} |
How to Move Out of Home Into Your First Apartment | Moving into your first apartment is an exciting milestone, but it can also feel scary and overwhelming. However, with a little patience, preparation, and help from family and friends, you can make this transition a successful and rewarding one. Give yourself as much time as possible to find a place that suits your needs and fits your budget. Take care of signing all the appropriate paperwork, getting your utilities set up, and preparing your new apartment for move-in. Finally, you’ll need to pack up and move your stuff in—and get any necessities that you don’t already have to make your new home complete.
1. **Examine your budget to determine a price range.** The first step to moving into your own place is figuring out what you can afford. If you have a job lined up, look at how much you’ll be making and compare it with your expected expenses. Figure out how much you can afford to spend on rent and still have money to spare for other things. A generally good rule is that your annual (yearly) income should be 40 times the monthly rent. For example, if your rent is 550 then you should probably make at least 22,000 a year or more.
Keep in mind that you may need to save a little extra money for the initial move. Most apartments require a security deposit (usually equal to the rent amount). A lot of places also require first month's rent, and sometimes even last month's rent depending on the landlord. You may also need to pay for a moving van or a professional moving service.
Some apartments have income requirements for their tenants (e.g., you must earn 3 times the cost of rent each month). If you can’t meet those income requirements, you might be able to get around them by using a cosigner.
In addition to rent, common living expenses include transportation costs (e.g., gas and car maintenance), groceries and dining, home utilities (e.g., water, electricity, gas, Internet, and TV), and your phone bill. You may also have other expenses, such as student loan payments or credit card payments.
2. **Make a list of qualities you want in an apartment.** Not all apartments are created equal. Before you start apartment hunting, think about your needs, and make a list of features you really want or need your new home to have. Prioritize the must-haves, and then make a list of features that you want, but don’t necessarily need. Consider things like:
The monthly rent payment
If the utilities are included in the rent
The size of the apartment
Which floor the apartment is on
If the apartment is furnished
If the apartment is pet-friendly
Parking availability
Building security
Amenities (e.g., laundry facilities and common areas)
3. **Figure out what you want from your location.** In addition to thinking about the apartment itself, you’ll also need to consider the area where your future apartment is located. Write down a few things you want out of your ideal area or neighborhood.
For example, do you need to live relatively close to where you’re working or going to school? Do you want to live near amenities like grocery stores or retail outlets? Do you prefer a more urban setting, or something more secluded? Do you want a place that’s bike friendly or has good public transit?
4. **Determine if you want or need a roommate.** Renting with a roommate can make your first apartment much more affordable. You can advertise with a website like Craigslist or Roommates.com, or ask around among your friends to find out if they know anyone in the area looking for a roommate.
Make a list of qualities you want or don’t want in a roommate. Figure out if you have any deal-breakers before you invite someone to share your home. For example, you might decide that your roommate must be a non-smoker or must be willing to live with a cat.
5. **Begin searching as far in advance as possible.** It can take a long time to find a place that fits your needs, so don’t start apartment hunting at the last minute. Start your search at least a month before you plan to move. This will give you plenty of time to find and secure an apartment, and also to prepare for the actual move.
Summer (between May and August) is the busiest time for move-ins, so avoid the summer rush by moving at a different time of the year, if you can.
6. **Check apartment listings** Websites like Rent.com and Apartments.com not only list properties for rent, but help you narrow down your options by filtering for things like location, price, size, pet friendliness, and so on. You can also find apartment listings by:
Looking at classifieds websites like Craigslist.
Checking the classifieds sections in local newspapers.
Looking at for-rent flyers on bulletin boards in local community centers, stores, and college campuses.
Asking around among friends and acquaintances who live in the area.
7. **Search for online reviews of the property or the management company.** Once you’ve narrowed down your search to a few promising options, do some research. Look for reviews written by current or previous tenants on websites like Apartmentratings.com or Apartmentguide.com. If you see a lot of negative reviews for a property, proceed with caution.
8. **Set up a time to view potential apartments.** Call the property manager or landlord to make an appointment. Seeing the apartment in person will not only give you an idea of whether you like the place, but can also give you a sense of what the management is like.
Bring a list of questions to ask the landlord or property manager (e.g., “Who do I call if something breaks in my apartment?” or “How does trash pickup work?”).
If you can, have a chat with another tenant while you’re there. Ask them how they like the place and if they’ve encountered any major problems during their time there.
9. **Review the rules and policies with management.** Before you make a firm decision, take some time to make sure you know what you are getting into. Familiarize yourself with the management’s rules and regulations, and also find out about any costs you might be responsible for in addition to rent money. For example, you might ask about:
Any fees you must pay, such as parking fees, pet fees, or a security deposit
What services provided by the management (such as extermination services or repair services)
Whether there is an early lease termination policy
10. **Fill out any required paperwork.** Before you can move in to a new apartment, you will have to fill out a few forms. You will likely need to submit to a credit check or background check before you can be approved for a lease, and your new landlord might also ask you to supply a list of references. Be prepared to provide supporting documents, such as:
Proof of employment or income, such as recent pay stubs or W2 forms. If you are about to start a new job, you may need a letter from your new employer.
Your photo ID.
Personal references (e.g., from professors or employers).
Information about your co-signer, if you have one. This may be necessary if you have poor credit, no credit history, or don’t meet the minimum income requirement for the apartment.
11. **Pay any required fees.** Many apartments require a fee for your application and credit check. These fees can range from $15-20 sometimes coming up to $100 or more in the U.S. If you won’t be moving into your apartment right away, your landlord may also ask you to pay a deposit so they can hold your apartment while you’re getting ready to move in.
If you are approved, you may need to pay additional fees, such as a security deposit or pet deposit.
Check the laws in your area to make sure the landlord or management company is not charging you illegal fees. For example, in Boston, it is illegal for landlords to charge application fees, credit check fees, finder’s fees, or a fee for holding an apartment.
12. **Sign your lease.** Once you’re approved for an apartment, you’ll be given a lease or rental agreement. Before signing, review your lease to make sure you understand the terms. Read the fine print carefully, and bring up any concerns you have with the landlord or property manager. If you have the means to do so, it's also worth considering having an attorney take a look at the lease. They can help you renegotiate/understand it.
13. **Do a walk-through with the landlord and note any problems.** Doing a walk-through can help you spot any issues that need to be resolved right away. It is also helpful to have a record of any problems that were present before you moved in. That way, you’ll be able to prove to your landlord that you are not responsible for these problems when you move out. Look for issues like:
Insufficient safety features (such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers)
Signs of leaky plumbing
Damage to appliances or fixtures
Doors that don’t close or lock properly
Light fixtures or outlets that don’t work
14. **Set up your utilities** Before you move in, contact your local utility companies and set up a time to have your utilities activated. It’s a good idea to do this a few weeks in advance. You may need to be present for some utility hookups, so let the utility companies know when you will be moving in and schedule the hookups at a time when you can be there.
Make sure that, at minimum, you will have electricity, water and gas set up at move-in time. Ask your landlord or property manager which companies supply these basic utilities to your apartment building.
You will also need to look into setting up Internet, phone lines (if you need a landline), and TV service (if you want it). Ask your landlord for advice, or do an online search for providers that serve your area.
15. **Get your keys.** Your landlord or property manager should provide keys on your move-in date. In addition to your apartment key, you may also receive keys for the main entrance, storage areas, laundry room, or other common areas.
It’s a good idea to have extra copies of at least your main apartment key and the key that lets you into the building. Go to a locksmith, hardware store, or key-cutting kiosk to get an extra set of keys made. Leave the keys with a friend or family member you trust in case of an emergency.
16. **Clean the apartment, if necessary.** Many landlords use cleaning services to prepare apartments for new tenants. These services are not always as thorough as you might like, however. It will be easier to do a deep clean before you move all your stuff in, so take a look around and tidy up any problem areas first.
If you’re concerned about pests, talk to your landlord or property manager about fumigating the apartment or bringing in an exterminator before you move in.
17. **File a change of address form with the post office.** Once you’re established in your new apartment, you’ll need to make sure that your mail gets sent there instead of to your old address. Go to your postal service’s website and submit a change of address form online, or go to your local post office and pick up a paper form.
If your apartment building does not have a secure area for mail delivery, check with your local post office about setting up a P.O. box instead.
18. **Go through your belongings and decide what you want to bring.** You’ve probably accumulated quite a few possessions over a lifetime in your family home. Take some time to carefully consider what you absolutely need and want to bring to your new apartment.
Make a list of items that are essential (e.g., your clothes, your computer, your toiletries, your cell phone charger, and so on).
Make a second list of items that you want to bring, and consider whether you will have room for all of them. This might include things like your favorite books, furniture from your old room, and items with sentimental value.
19. **Pack your belongings in sturdy boxes.** Packing can be a major pain, so it’s best to start doing it as far in advance as possible. Gather sturdy cardboard boxes to put your belongings in.
While you can purchase boxes online or from moving supply stores, there are many places where you can get boxes for free. Try an exchange website like Freecycle.org, or go to a local bookstore, grocery store, or liquor store to see if they have boxes to spare.
Try to pack heavier items, like books, in smaller boxes. Otherwise, you might end up with a bunch of boxes that are too heavy to move!
You’ll also need packaging tape and padding material (such as bubble wrap, foam peanuts, or wadded-up newspaper).
20. **Label the boxes so you know what’s in them.** When you’re packing a bunch of stuff, it can be easy to lose track of what’s in which box. You’ll have a much easier time unpacking and organizing your things when you move in if you label your boxes.
Use a permanent marker, like a Sharpie, to label your boxes.
You might also find it helpful to number your boxes and keep a packing list. This can help you keep track of your boxes and make sure none of them get lost in the shuffle.
21. **Prepare any large furniture items for transportation.** Depending on the size of your furniture and how sturdy it is, some pieces may need special preparation. For example, if you are moving a chest of drawers, consider wrapping it in plastic wrap to protect the chest and keep the drawers in place.
Some items may need to be partially disassembled for easier transport and move-in (e.g., you might need to take the legs off your couch to get it through the apartment door). Put any loose parts in a bag, and tape it to the furniture.
Wrap any fragile items in moving blankets or furniture pads to protect them from bumps and scratches.
22. **Ask friends or family members to help you move.** Moving all your stuff on your own can be extremely difficult. If you can, recruit some family members or a few friends to help you out. If you get friends to help you, you might even offer to pay them a little bit or treat them to dinner afterwards.
If you don’t have any friends or family who can help you, consider hiring professional movers. Be sure to do your research and read online reviews of any companies you are considering, so that you know they are trustworthy.
23. **Transport your belongings to your new apartment.** Rent a moving van, if necessary. Even if you don’t have a lot of stuff, you might find it hard to fit it all into the family car. Renting a van or truck can be especially helpful if you’re moving long-distance and can’t make multiple trips to bring over all your belongings.
Search online for truck rental companies in your area, and read up on their terms and prices. Look for online reviews to determine if the company is reliable and trustworthy.
When you rent the truck, speak with the rental agent to make sure you understand all rental requirements, including when and how to return the vehicle when you are done.
24. **Move boxes into the rooms where the contents belong.** Once you’ve gotten your belongings to the new apartment, put the boxes into the appropriate rooms. This will make the unpacking process much easier.
For example, move any boxes containing dishes, food, or cooking supplies into the kitchen. Put your bed linens and clothing in the bedroom.
25. **Make a list of items you need, but don’t already have.** If you’re moving into your first apartment, you’ll likely need to buy quite a few necessities. Go through your new apartment room by room, and try to think of everything that you will need for each room. These might include things like:
Major furniture items, such as a bed, a couch or futon, a dining table and chairs, and a desk.
Kitchen items and appliances, such as cooking utensils, pots and pans, a microwave, a kettle, a toaster, cups, glasses and cutlery.
Smaller necessities, such as shower curtains and curtain liners, trash cans and extension cords, and a closet organizer for your bedroom.
Cleaning supplies, such as a vacuum cleaner, broom and dustpan, mop and bucket, sponges, toilet brush, and soaps and detergents.
Hygiene basics, like towels, bath soap, hand soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, and toilet paper.
26. **Save money by buying items second-hand.** When you’re moving into an apartment for the first time, your budget will probably already be stretched thin. Consider getting some of your necessities second-hand while you get established—you can always replace them with new items later.
Check local thrift stores or browse on websites like Craigslist or the Facebook marketplace for used furniture and other must-haves.
You can also look for yard sale flyers in your new neighborhood.
Your parents might also be able to pass along some items they don’t want or need anymore. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Move-Out-of-Home-Into-Your-First-Apartment", "language": "en"} |
How to Bruise Cardamom | Cardamom is an intensely aromatic spice widely used in Indian cooking. It comes in two varieties: black and green. The most commonly used of these is green, which has a slightly smoother flavor, and is easily found in most large supermarkets. To use cardamom in curries and stews, recipes often say to "bruise" the cardamom, which softens it and releases the aroma for a stronger flavor.
1. **Place the cardamom on a flat, clean surface.** You can only bruise 1-2 pods at a time. You will be using the flat side of a knife, lightly cracking open the pods like you might crush garlic.
2. **Use the heel of your hand to push the flat side of a knife into the cardamom.** You simply want to use a large, broad knife to provide consistent, even pressure to the pod, cracking it open. Do not crush too hard, or the seeds will fall out. Simply apply pressure slowly until you hear a crunch.
3. **Throw away the pod if the seeds are light brown and rusty colored.** You'll notice that the seeds inside should just be visible at this point. In good cardamom, they will be dark brown or black, much like coffee beans. If they are not, discard them.
4. **Use the pod as instructed in the recipe, discarding the tough shell upon serving.** Many recipes call for cardamom to slow cook with the meal, and you can then remove the cardamom when you serve. It is an aromatic, imparting a light flavor on dish, but it can be quickly overpowering if you bite into one unknowingly.
5. **Crush or grind the seeds to use in recipes or to store.** Simply remove the seeds from the bruised pod and place them in a mortar and pestle, crushing them into a fine powder. You can also use a spice grinder, or a coffee grinder, though you should make sure it is clean to avoid mixing other flavors in as well.
You should keep ground cardamom in a cool, dry place in a tightly closed container. To check if it is still usable, pinch a little bit between your fingers and smell it. If it's lost its potency and smells weak, discard it and get fresh cardamom.
6. **Substitute a pinch of ground cardamom in the recipe if you do not have pods.** Ground cardamom has a strong, pungent, and concentrated flavor, so be careful not to overdo it. 1/4-1/8 of a teaspoon should be plenty for a recipe that call for 2-3 pods of fresh cardamom.
7. **Make Arab coffee by brewing with a cardamom pod.** While cardamom is a typically Indian, it is also the "secret" ingredient in Turkish or Arab coffee. It is served to guests as a sign of hospitality and is easy as tossing a bruised cardamom pod in with the grounds when you brew your coffee.
8. **Know that there are a lot of "imitation" cardamoms.** Black cardamom is actually a different plant, with a mildly antiseptic flavor that makes it ill suited for deserts or sweetening. There are also Thai Cardamoms, Java cardamoms, etc. When purchasing, stick to basic "cardamom," or "green cardamom," to make sure you're getting the real deal.
9. **Add 1-2 bruised pods to your next curry.** As an essential ingredient in Indian cuisine, you can't go wrong with a light hint of cardamom in your curry. Simply add 1-2 bruised pods as the sauce simmers. You then remove them before serving the final dish.
10. **Use cardamom to ease digestive pains.** Simply "brew" the 2-3 pods in hot water with a little sugar. While there is no scientific consensus yet on the effectiveness, cardamom has long been used to treat stomach and intestinal pain, as well as heart burn.
11. **Chew cardamom seeds as a breath freshener.** Used since the ancient Egyptians to clean teeth an freshen breath, remove a few of the black seeds from the bruised pod and use them to get your mouth tingly fresh. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Bruise-Cardamom", "language": "en"} |
How to Soften Hair After Dyeing | You've finally got the color you wanted -- but now the texture of your hair feels more like straw. Luckily, you can have the best of both worlds. With the right products, the right habits, and maybe a few well-timed trips to the fridge, your perfectly colored hair can be perfectly soft.
1. **Condition your hair** Usually some sort of conditioner is included with the dye product that is to be applied. If there is not, condition your entire head using your usual conditioner, leave in for at least three minutes, then rinse out with cool water.
If you had your dyeing done professionally, think about booking a conditioning treatment right afterwards.
In general, products with a built-in conditioner often contain harsher, more damaging products. Be cautious if you decide to use one and take a look at the ingredients.
After dyeing, wait 48-72 hours before washing your hair again, and preferably don't even get it wet. This gives your hair time to recover.
2. **Use a deep conditioning treatment.** In addition to your regular conditioning routine, use a deep conditioner once a week. If you get oily roots, simply rub the conditioner just into the tips of your hair. After a few minutes, it can be rinsed out.
Some conditioners are leave-in. If this is the case with yours, just dab or spray it on when your hair is damp out of the shower, and you're done!
3. **Every time you shower, start with warm water and finish in cold.** Warm water opens up your hair follicle and cold water seals it back up. In other words, warm water will allow your hair to soak up the moisture and cold water will keep it inside. So resist that urge to take a hot shower; your tresses will thank you later!
4. **Don't wash your hair every day.** Washing your hair actually dries it out, so if you can avoid it for a few days, do so (why the ponytail was invented, really). When you shower, throw your hair up and put it in a cap to keep it out of your way. Just because you don't wash your hair doesn't mean you're not showering!
Everyone has different needs. Some of us will need to wash every two days, some of us once a week. Just take a look at your roots: If they're oily, wash 'em. If not, bask in the extra time you have to get ready in the morning!
If you feel like you must do something to your hair when you shower, on days you don't wash just rinse and condition.
5. **When you do wash your hair, use a good shampoo and conditioner.** You want shampoo that's not too heavy and sulfate-free. If they have added oils for nourishment, that's good, too. And it should be good for color-treated hair, of course!
Concentrate the shampoo on the roots and the conditioner on the ends. Conditioner is generally more oily -- you want nourished ends, not greasy roots.
6. **Consider what kind of dye you use.** Decide what products will work the best for your needs while minimizing damage.
Bleach lightens your hair by removing color and causes damage by raising the hair cuticle, which allows hair to tangle easily. This is why conditioning becomes important.
Semi-permanent or temporary dyes don't contain bleach so they can't lighten your natural hair color but are easier to apply and less damaging. Since they only last about 6 weeks they need to be applied more often, and doing it too often can also end up damaging your hair.
Permanent dyes last much longer but the ingredients necessary (oxidizers and ammonia) are more damaging to your hair.
Ammonia-free dyes replace the ammonia of permanent dyes with a less damaging compound. However, if you use too much of this product it can still damage your hair in a similar way as permanent dyes.
7. **Refrain from using heated styling tools whenever possible.** Heated tools will only further dry and damage your hair. It'll be a sacrifice, but it can be done. Ponytails, headbands -- that frizz can be hidden. Think of it as a short-term solution for a long-term problem. So ditch the iron and go au natural a few days a week. You should see improvements in a few weeks' time unless your hair is seriously damaged.
If you're in a tight spot, try turning the heat down on your curling iron or straightener and avoid styling the same hair more than once so it can rest. It's not as good as not using it, but it's better than nothing.
8. **Get your hair trimmed regularly.** For most, 6-8 weeks is ideal if you're experiencing damage issues. Since the tips of hair seem to take the most damage from the hair dye, this is the best way to solve the problem. And for most of us, our hair doesn't grow beyond a certain point -- getting a trim will help rejuvenate it.
9. **Eat for healthy hair.** Every day, eat a balanced diet. You know why the crash, fad and starvation dieters don't have good hair? Because you really are what you eat. If your body doesn't have enough nutrients to go around, it's certainly not going to give any to your hair! So make sure you get your protein, zinc, iron, and all your vitamins and minerals. Your hair, skin, and nails will look better for it.
Drinking lots of water helps, too. Just as apple cider vinegar can cleanse your tresses, water cleanses your entire body. The more hydrated you are, the healthier you are as a whole.
10. **Use eggs.** The protein and lecithin in these guys is super hydrating from root to tip. And it can strengthen your hair, too, keeping it from breaking. Here's how to turn breakfast into a homemade hair softener:
Mix three eggs with a tablespoon of honey and two tablespoons of coconut or olive oil. Liberally apply to your hair and leave for thirty minutes. Wash out thoroughly and let air dry.
Half a cup of yogurt and 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of almond oil combined with 2 beaten eggs will form a creamy mixture you can apply to the length of your hair. Leave for thirty minutes and condition as normal.
Mayo works, too, but it can leave you smelling like a deli.
11. **Condition with oil.** Olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil and almond oil are your best bets here. A few drops of a sweet-smelling essential oil wouldn't hurt, either. You could either just put a few drops in your hands, rub them together, and rub your strands all over, or you can heat it up in the microwave.
To get serious, heat up four tablespoons over the stove. When it's hot but not too hot, take it off the stove and drizzle it onto your strands. Massage it in thoroughly. Cover your tresses with a hot towel to ensure your hair gets the most out of the treatment.
Use coconut oil.
12. **Soften your hair with honey.** Slather on the sweet stuff and leave it for half an hour and rinse out, or combine it with avocado and egg for more of a cream. Use this as a deep conditioning treatment once a week.
Alternatively, you can just add some to your regular shampoo!
13. **Mash up some avocado and banana.** Banana strengthens your hair and gets in healthy, and then avocado takes over and nourishes it, making it soft and shiny. To create a nice treatment, add a teaspoon or two of oil (any of the above kinds will do). Mix it up, apply to your hair, and leave for 30 to 60 minutes.
14. **Douse it in apple cider vinegar.** Less of a moisturizer and more of a restoring agent, apple cider vinegar is a home remedy for many problems. It can restore the pH of your hair, stripping away all the synthetic products you've been slabbing on it that haven't really been helping. Basically, it's a cleanser for your fragile locks.
Mix a solution that's 1:1 apple cider vinegar and water. Rinse your hair thoroughly with the mixture, leave it in for 15 minutes, and wash out. Then continue your routine as normal. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Soften-Hair-After-Dyeing", "language": "en"} |
How to Build Deck Stairs | Building your own deck stairs might seem complicated, but it doesn't have to be! First, take careful measurements so you know exactly how many stairs you'll need to build. Then, frame out your deck and either purchase or build stringers, which are the part of the stairs that the treads and risers will attach to. Finally, add the risers, then the treads—then just sit back and enjoy your outdoor space!
1. **Check your local building codes regarding deck stairs.** Before you begin purchasing materials and building your deck stairs, you need to go online, call your local government, or contact a building inspector to make sure you’re following your local building codes. Building codes can vary, so you need to be sure you’re following your local codes or you could face a fine and be forced to remove your deck stairs.
Many local governments list their building codes online.
Note that "riser height" is defined as the height from the top of one tread to the top of the next.
Stairs with more than 1 step will probably also be required to include a handrail on both sides of the stairs. Open stairs, and the deck they serve, rising over 30 inches may also need guards on any open sides above the point 30 inches high.
2. **Check if you can use pre-cut stringers.** Handyman suggests "stopping by a home center or builders' supply store, which both sell pre-cut stringers that are cut to standard dimensions. Using these is the best option unless you need the stairway to be steeper because there is not enough space on the ground."
Measure the approximate height of the stairway you will build and the maximum space you can use on the ground.
Check the pre-cut stringers at the store and measure their height and length. If they are longer than you need, you can cut them to size.
To cut a stringer to size, cut it so the bottom step is not as high as the others. It can be much less high.
3. **Imagine a 40-degree slope to find the landing zone of your stairs.** The first thing you need to do is find where your stairs will end, or where the landing spot will be. Picture a line running from the edge of your deck down to the ground at a 40-degree angle. Place a tape measure on the ground where you think the stairs will end. It does not have to be measured precisely.
The 40-degree slope should start the bottom of the support beam of the deck because this is where the stringers will be attached.
4. **Rest a straight board on the deck and make it level over the landing spot.** Handyman Walter Brant advises "laying a long, straight board on the deck, extending to directly above where the bottom of the stairs will be (the landing spot). Then, set a large level on the board to check that it is level." Brant also suggests to "level the board with shims if it slopes upward toward the landing spot. If the board slopes downward, still level it with shims but also measure from the ground to the board to see how much this raised the end above the landing spot."
Write down the measurements so you can calculate the materials later.
5. **Divide the total rise by 7 to find the number of 7 in (18 cm) steps.** Take the measurement you made of the total rise, divide it by 7, and round the number to find the total number of stairs you’ll need for your deck. Round this number up or down to the closest whole number to find the number of steps.
For example, if your total rise was 60 inches (150 cm), then divide that number by 7 to get 8.57. Round that number up to get 9, and use 9 steps.
Write down this number to use in your calculations.
6. **Find the rise of each step by dividing the total rise by the number of steps.** The rise, or height, of each step can be calculated by dividing the total rise by the approximate number of stairs—this will tell you how tall each step will be. According to handyman Walter Brant, "Typical building codes require that stair risers should be no taller than 7.75 inches (19.7 cm). This is the height of each notch in the riser."
For example, if your total rise is 60 inches (150 cm) and your approximate number of steps is 9, divide 60 inches (150 cm) by 9 to get 6.67 inches (16.9 cm) per step.
7. **Use tread boards that are at least 10 inches (25 cm) wide (deep).** The treads boards create the part of the stair that you step on. According to many building codes, the stair treads should be at least 36 inches (91 cm) long (width of stairs) 10 inches (25 cm) deep.
The number of steps you calculated is the number of treads that you’ll need.
8. **Find the length of the staircase by calculating the length of the stringers.** Stringers are boards that have sawtoothed or stair-shaped notches cut into them and run diagonally along the length of the stairs to support them. To find their length, add together the square of the run, or tread, and the square of the rise. Then take that number, find the square root, and multiply it by the number of steps to find the actual length of the stringers you’ll need.
For example, if your tread is 10 inches (25 cm), square 10 by multiplying the number by itself, which gives you 100. If your rise is 7 inches (18 cm), square that number by multiplying it by itself to get 49. Add 100 to 49 to get 149, then find the square root of 149, which is 12.206. Multiply that by the number of steps that you have to find the total length of your stringers.
9. **Cut custom stringers out of 2 in (5.1 cm) by 12 in (30 cm) boards.** The stringers are what you’ll attach your treads and risers to, and it’s often difficult or impossible to find pre-fabricated stringers that will fit your deck stairs. You’ll need to cut your own.
Most building codes stipulate that the stair stringers can’t have notches (saw-toothed or stair-shaped cuts) that are deeper than half the width of the board, or the stringer will be too weak.
10. **Use a framing square to mark a sawtoothed pattern as cutting guidelines.** Set your framing square to the height of the riser and width of the stair tread and use a carpenter’s pencil to trace along the edges of the framing square to form a sawtooth pattern of steps onto a 2 in (5.1 cm) by 12 in (30 cm) board. Lay the square on the board and mark the lines, then slide the square down and align it with the previous mark before adding the next ones.
Draw all of your cuttings lines onto the wood first, then check and recheck your measurements before you make any cuts.
The sawtooth or stair-shaped pattern should match the rise and tread measurements.
11. **Cut the notches into the board using a circular saw.** Let the blade come to full speed before you cut the wood and cut the saw-tooth notches out by following the guidelines you marked. Don’t cut all the way through the guidelines.
Be careful when operating a circular saw. Wear safety goggles to prevent sawdust from entering your eyes.
12. **Finish the notch cuts with a handsaw.** The circular saw will cut most of the notch out, but you’ll need to use a handsaw to finish up the cuts without sawing beyond the cut lines. Fit the handsaw into the cut lines and use a back and forth motion to finish the cuts.
Take care not to cut past the guidelines you marked or it could weaken the stringers.
13. **Repeat the process to cut another stringer.** You need at least 2 stringers to support your deck stairs, so use the same measurements and mark a 2 in (5.1 cm) by 12 in (30 cm) board to be cut. Use the circular saw to cut the notches and finish the cuts with a hand saw to separate another stringer from the board. It should be the exact same measurements and cuts as your first stringer.
Use the first stringer you cut as a template for the next two.
If you're building the stairs on a surface that isn't level, your stringers may all 3 need to be slightly different lengths. Start by cutting the shortest one, then make the other two slightly longer on the bottom. Avoid using shims to adjust the stringers—they could fall out.
Measure, mark and cut with precision; the limit for differences between tread depths or riser heights is 3/16 per stair and 3/8 total for a flight of stairs.
14. **Screw each stringer to the bottom of the deck frame with a drill.** Use L-brackets and 3 in (7.6 cm) deck screws to attach the stringers to your deck. Place the top of the stringer against the bottom of the frame of the deck and screw an L-bracket on each side of the stringer to connect it to the deck.
After you’ve attached the first stringer, connect the second stringer to the deck by following the same process.
Use 6 in (15 cm)-long corner braces on the two inside corners—look for the ones labeled "braces for stringers," as they're heavier steel than most braces.
For extra strength, screw several 3 ⁄2 in (8.9 cm) framing and decking screws diagonally through the stinger into the deck.
15. **Cut the risers to the length of the top of the stringer.** Set a riser against the edges of the stringers facing out and use a ruler and pencil to mark cutting guidelines where the riser needs to be trimmed to fit. Use a circular saw to trim the riser, cutting along the guidelines until you cut through the whole board. Repeat the process until all of the risers have been cut to size.
Use the first riser that you cut to make your guidelines on the rest of the boards so you have a uniform length.
16. **Attach the risers with 3 in (7.6 cm) deck screws.** Place the risers against the edges of the stringers facing out from the staircase. Use a drill to drive the 3 in (7.6 cm) deck screws through the risers and into the edge of stringers where they connect until all of the screw is in the wood.
Use at least 2 deck screws to firmly secure the riser to the stringer.
Don’t drill too far into the wood or it could crack.
17. **Trim the treads and drill them onto the stringers.** Once you’ve attached the risers, take your 1.5 in (3.8 cm) by 10 in (25 cm) tread boards and cut them to 36 inches (91 cm) in length. Then, lay them across the stringers facing up. Use 3 in (7.6 cm) deck screws to attach the treads to the stringers by drilling through the tread boards and into the edges of the stringers where they connect.
Use at least 2 deck screws to attach the tread boards.
18. **Add any necessary handrails and guards and call the local officials for any necessary inspection of your completed stairs.** | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Build-Deck-Stairs", "language": "en"} |
How to Treat a Retinol Burn | Retinol can, in many cases, give you clearer, smoother, better-looking skin. However, before reaching this point, many users go through a difficult period when the retinol causes skin redness, pain, discomfort, peeling, and even cracking—what’s sometimes called a “retinol burn.” This transition period usually passes within 4-6 weeks, and in the meantime, you can ease your discomfort with remedies like aloe and ice, improve your retinol usage technique, and take other skin-healthy measures. That said, make sure to see your doctor if you show signs of an allergic reaction or a serious “retinol burn.”
1. **Apply ice to inflamed spots to temporarily reduce your discomfort.** Wrap a bag of ice or an ice pack in a clean, soft towel and hold it to the problem area for up to 15 minutes per hour. Icing the area will provide some short-term pain relief, but won’t do anything about the redness or peeling.
Never apply a bag of ice, an ice pack, or an ice cube directly to your skin. You run the risk of causing skin damage or even frostbite. Also, if your skin is already peeling, the ice may stick to it and cause it to tear away when you remove the ice.
2. **Use aloe vera or 1% hydrocortisone on dry or peeling patches of skin.** Try adding small dabs of 100% aloe vera gel to problem areas as often as needed throughout the day. If aloe doesn’t help, try using OTC 1% hydrocortisone gel. Follow the package instructions regarding application amount and frequency, or consult your doctor for directions.
Hydrocortisone may help ease your skin’s inflammatory response to the retinol. It turns out that retinol activates the same “irritant receptor” as capsaicin, the key component of pepper spray.
3. **Consult your doctor if you get cracked, oozing skin or significant discomfort.** Most cases of “retinol burn” consist of redness, irritation, dryness, and/or peeling. If your skin gets dry and irritated enough that it cracks and either oozes or bleeds, stop using the retinol product and call your primary care doctor or dermatologist. Do the same if you experience anything beyond mild-to-moderate pain.
Your doctor may advise using a less potent concentration of retinol and/or cutting back on how often you use it. For some people with sensitive skin, though, retinol simply isn’t a good option.
4. **Seek medical attention if you have signs of an allergic reaction.** While uncommon, an allergic reaction to retinol can be a serious problem. If you develop hives or swelling in the application area, and especially if they’re rapid-onset, stop using the product and get in touch with your doctor as soon as possible. If you experience difficulty breathing or swallowing, get emergency medical assistance right away.
If you have experience dealing with allergies, follow the treatment plan—such as applying hydrocortisone or taking an antihistamine—that tends to work for you. If you carry an EpiPen due to your risk of serious allergic reactions, use it if needed and contact emergency services.
Try taking diphenhydramine (Benadryl) immediately if you’re experiencing a mild allergic reaction.
5. **Try an OTC retinol if a prescription product is causing you problems.** There is a wide range of both OTC and prescription retinol products on the market, and OTC options typically have lower retinol concentrations. If you started with prescription retinol and have experienced a lot of discomfort, ask your doctor about switching to a lower-concentration OTC product.
Even if you did start with an OTC product, you may be able to switch to one with a lower concentration. Ask your primary care doctor or dermatologist for product recommendations.
6. **Cut back to using retinol twice per week, then slowly increase the frequency.** If you started off using retinol once per day or even once every other day, try cutting back to twice or even once per week. Slowly increase the frequency over time as your skin becomes sensitized to the retinol. Try the following plan:
Use retinol twice per week (one application each day) for 2 weeks.
Move up to 3 times per week for 2 weeks, and keep adding a day every 2 weeks.
Slow down the process further so that you’re adding a day every 4 weeks if necessary.
7. **Apply retinol** A little retinol goes a long way, so a pea-sized dab is plenty for your entire face. Unless your primary care doctor or dermatologist advises otherwise, try the following routine:
Wash the treatment area—most commonly your face—about 40-60 minutes before bedtime and rinse it thoroughly with cool water.
Gently pat the area dry with a soft towel, then let it air dry for 20 minutes.
Work a small amount of the product into your fingers, then gently massage it over your treatment area.
Let the product dry for about 20 minutes before going to bed.
8. **Use a gentle, basic moisturizer either before or after using retinol.** Opinions differ on the best way to incorporate moisturizer into a retinol routine. Experts do agree that, if you do use a moisturizer, you should choose a gentle, basic one without fragrances or unnecessary ingredients. Talk to your dermatologist or primary care doctor about the best way to utilize moisturizer along with retinol.
While some experts advise against using both retinol and moisturizer, most experts are pro-moisturizer and fall into one of the following categories:
Apply retinol, let it dry, then apply moisturizer.
Apply retinol immediately before applying moisturizer.
Apply moisturizer, let it dry, then apply retinol.
Apply moisturizer immediately before applying retinol.
9. **Use a gentle skin cleanser on any areas where you apply retinol.** If you’re applying retinol to your face—by far the most common spot—use a gentle face cleanser such as Cetaphil or similar brands. Use the cleanser twice per day—in the morning and in the evening before applying retinol.
The gentler you are when cleaning your skin, the less irritated it’s likely to become from using retinol.
Your doctor may recommend a prescription skin cleanser in some cases.
10. **Stop using any exfoliants, scrubs, or masks.** Even if you regularly used one or more of these before starting retinol, stop any and all of them immediately. Remember that the goal is to be as gentle as possible to your skin while using retinol.
It’s possible that, after your skin has adjusted to the retinol—which usually takes around 4-6 weeks—you might be able to start using these types of products again. However, you’ll likely see such positive results from the retinol that you won’t have any reason to use them.
Avoid using any harsh soaps, detergents, or cosmetics until the burned area heals.
11. **Wear a gentle but effective sunscreen every time you go outdoors.** Retinol makes your skin much more sensitive to the sun’s rays, so it’s critical that you wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days. As with your moisturizer, choose a sunscreen that is gentle, basic, and without non-essential ingredients. Ask your primary care doctor or dermatologist for recommendations.
Even when wearing sunscreen, you may want to limit your exposure to the sun’s rays, especially around mid-day, at least for your first 4-6 weeks on retinol.
12. **Hydrate your skin by drinking enough water.** Despite the unproven claims you may find online, drinking lots of water doesn’t magically cure dry skin. However, consuming a healthy amount of water each day will keep your entire body—including your skin—better hydrated. Everyone’s hydration needs vary due to a range of factors, but you almost certainly aren’t getting enough water if you frequently feel thirsty.
The old notion that you should aim to drink 8 glasses—or 64 fl oz (1.9 L)—of water per day is no longer supported by medical science. If you want a set daily water goal, talk to your doctor so you can determine one based on your particular circumstances.
Try drinking a half-glass or full glass of water when you wake up and go to bed, as well as before meals. Take sips of water throughout the day, before you feel thirsty. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Retinol-Burn", "language": "en"} |
How to Become a Delivery Driver for UberEATS | Whether you’re looking for a side hustle or you’re trying to move into full-time rideshare work, UberEATS can be a good way to make money. The process of getting started varies greatly from city to city, so be sure to check with your local Uber guidelines to make sure you meet all the requirements and complete any training necessary for your area. To get started, though, all potential drivers should make sure they qualify to drive and set up a driver account.
1. **Check to make sure UberEATS is available in your city.** UberEATS is rapidly expanding, but it’s not available everywhere yet. Check on the UberEATS website to see if the service is available in your area.
2. **Verify you are at least 19 years old.** UberEATS drivers are required to be at least 19 years old. You will have to upload a copy of a valid driver’s license for the country in which you intend to work. This doubles as both verification that you’re licensed to drive, and as verification of your age.
In Canada, UberEATS drivers must be at least 21 years old.
3. **Ensure you meet the driving experience requirement.** In addition to meeting age requirements, you will also need at least 1 year of driving experience. This means that you will need to have a verifiable record of safe driving for at least 1 year. UberEATS' background check will verify this information.
4. **Make sure your car meets Uber vehicle requirements.** The vehicle requirements for driving with UberEATS are a bit more relaxed than those for driving Uber passengers. In some cities, you may even be able to deliver on a bike or scooter. However, UberEATS cars still need to meet a number of requirements. The car:
Must be from no earlier than 1996.
Must be able to pass a vehicle inspection.
Must be fully insured in your name.
Cannot have a salvage title.
Cannot be a taxi or any other marked vehicle.
Cannot be a full-size van.
5. **Verify that you’re comfortable carrying food.** The expectation for UberEATS drivers is that you be able to lift at least 30 pounds (13.6 kg). While food orders will typically be much lighter than this, you should still make sure that you are comfortable carrying potentially large or heavy food orders in less-than-ideal conditions including up stairs or through inclement weather.
6. **Apply online using the UberEATS website.** To get started driving with UberEATS, you will first need to create an account and go through the application process on the UberEATS website. For the first part of the application, you will need to provide them with some basic information including your name, address, phone number, and email address. Additionally, you will need to upload some documentation, including:
A valid driver’s license for the country in which you intend to deliver.
Proof of vehicle registration.
Proof of vehicle insurance.
7. **Wait for acceptance.** After you have applied, you will need to wait for Uber to run a quick background check and accept your application. The processing time can vary, but many drivers say the wait is about a day. Once you’re activated, you will receive an email with your credentials.
The background check will look for things like DUIs, reckless driving, and license suspensions.
8. **Download the app to your smartphone and login.** Before you can get started with delivery, you will need to download the UberEATS app on a compatible smartphone. This can be done on most Apple and Android phones. You will login using the account information you created when you applied to be a driver.
9. **Accept a request.** Once you are ready to start delivering, make yourself available on the app to start delivering. The requests will come to you in the form of notifications on your phone. You will have 30 seconds to accept the request. Once you accept, you’ll see the customer’s location.
10. **Pick up the food.** Once you have accepted the request, you will be directed to the restaurant. There, you can confirm the order and pick up the food to be delivered. The app will help you navigate to the restaurant, and from there to the customer’s house.
The app will walk you through the process step-by-step, so there is no need to worry about what to do next.
11. **Deliver the food.** Once you have picked up the order for delivery, you are ready to drop it off at the customer’s house. The request will let you know if the person wants to meet you curbside, or if they want you to deliver the food to their door. Simply do as the request says to deliver the food to the customer.
12. **Set up direct deposit for weekly payments.** UberEATS deposits payments into your account on a weekly basis. Typically, funds will be made available every Thursday/Friday. Use the app to set up your direct deposit so that you can get paid as soon as you start delivering. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Delivery-Driver-for-UberEATS", "language": "en"} |
How to Delete All Emails from One Sender | Most email providers let you delete all the emails sent from one sender. The steps to do this vary by email provider, but you'll generally search for the sender's name or email address to find all their messages, and then you can delete them in bulk. This wikiHow shows you how to delete all emails from one email address in a few popular email services, like Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail.
1. **Login to your Gmail account.** Since this method works from your browser, it works for both Mac and Windows computers.
2. **Type "from:EMAILADDRESS" in the search field and press ↵ Enter.** The search field is above the inbox or list of emails. After you press "Enter," you'll see a list of emails sent from that address.
3. **Click to select the box above the search results.** This box also has a downward-facing arrow next to it and is next to the "Refresh" symbol. All the boxes next to the emails listed will be selected.
You can also click the downwards-facing arrow to edit your selection.
4. **Click the trashcan icon to delete the selected emails.** The caption "Delete" appears over the trashcan when you hover over it.
You may need to confirm this action by clicking OK in the pop-up box when prompted.
5. **Click the Trash tab.** You'll find this in the Gmail menu on the left side of the screen. Clicking this will open your trash. Your trash will automatically delete every 30 days, but you can do this now if you want to.
6. **Click Empty Trash now.** You'll find this above the list of emails.
7. **Open Gmail.** This app icon looks like a red and white envelope. You can find this app on your home screen, in the app drawer, or by searching.
You can use this method on any mobile device that uses Gmail and the steps are the same. Most of the time, Android phones and tablets use Gmail as their default email app.
8. **Type "from:EMAILADDRESS" in the search field and press ↵ Enter.** The search field is at the top of the inbox or list of emails. After you press "Enter," you'll see a list of emails sent from that address.
9. **Tap the icon next to the message to select it.** Unfortunately, there's no quick way to select multiple emails within the Gmail app, so you'll have to go through and tap all the icons to select all the emails.
10. **Tap the trashcan icon to delete the selected emails.** All emails in the trash will be permanently deleted 30 days after they were moved into the trash.
11. **Open Outlook.** This app icon looks like a white sheet with a blue "O" next to a white envelope. You'll find this on either your home screen, in the app drawer, or by searching.
You can use this method on any mobile device that Outlook uses (including Android and iOS) and the steps are similar. The mobile app, however, does not support the functionality to select multiple messages at a time, so you will have to open each email and delete it manually.
12. **Tap the search icon .** You'll see this centered at the bottom of your screen.
13. **Type the sender's email address.** Make sure you press "Enter" on your keyboard when you're done. All the emails from that sender will appear.
14. **Tap an email to open it.** Unfortunately, the mobile app does not have a way to select multiple emails, so you will have to open every email.
15. **Tap the trashcan icon .** That email will be deleted.
16. **Repeat the previous 2 steps until all the messages are deleted.**
17. **Login to your Outlook account.** This method works for both Mac and Windows computers.
18. **Press Ctrl+E (Windows) or ⌘ Cmd+E (Mac).** The search feature will open.
19. **Click Search in the search bar.** A menu will pop up.
20. **Click From.** By choosing "From," you will search via email address.
21. **Type the sender email address and press ↵ Enter.** You'll see a list of all the emails sent from that email address appear.
22. **Click one email and press Ctrl+A (Windows) or ⌘ Cmd+A (Mac).** All the emails are selected.
23. **Right-click on the emails.** A menu will pop up next to your cursor.
24. **Click Delete.** All the selected emails will be deleted.
25. **Open Mail.** This app icon looks like a white envelope on a blue background. You can find this in your dock or home screen. The Apple Mail app is the default mail app for iOS and macOS devices and pulls emails from linked accounts, such as Gmail and Yahoo.
26. **Type the sender you want to find all the emails from.** The search bar is at the top of the mail app, but if you don't see it, swipe down to reveal it.
Don't forget to tap the search icon on your keyboard. When you do press the search icon, every email from that sender is listed.
27. **Tap Edit.** You'll see this in the bottom right corner of your screen. You'll see the options for Move, Archive, Mark, and/or Delete appear.
28. **Tap a circle next to an email to select it.** The circle will highlight in blue to show it has been selected.
29. **Tap and hold the Move option and tap the same email from the previous step.** You'll activate an option that will let you move all similar items to the email you tapped.
30. **Tap Trash.** You'll see a list of folders and email accounts you can send those emails to, but you'll want to select "Trash" from the list to delete them.
All the emails from the same sender will move into the trash.
31. **Open the Mail app.** You'll find this in the Dock or Applications folder.
32. **Type the email address into the search bar and press ↵ Enter.** You'll find the search bar above your inbox.
33. **Click an email in the search results.** You'll see the body of the message on the right side of the window.
34. **Press ⌘ Cmd+A.** All the emails will be selected.
35. **Click the trashcan icon.** You'll see this button above your list of search results, next to a thumbs-down icon. All your selected messages will be deleted.
36. **Login to your Yahoo account.** Since this method works from your browser, it works for both Mac and Windows computers.
This method is not the same if you're using Yahoo Basic or Classic. You'll need to switch mailboxes to follow along. You can do that easily by clicking the pop-up box that appears on all Yahoo Basic mailboxes.
37. **Type "from:EMAILADDRESS" in the search field and press ↵ Enter.** You'll see the search field located above the inbox or list of emails.
After you press "Enter," you'll see a list of emails sent from that address.
38. **Click to select the box above the search results.** This box also has a downward-facing arrow next to it and is next to the "Refresh" symbol. All the boxes next to the emails listed will be selected.
You can click the downwards-facing arrow to edit your selection.
39. **Click the trashcan icon to delete all the selected emails.** The caption "Delete" appears over the trashcan when you hover over it. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Delete-All-Emails-from-One-Sender", "language": "en"} |
How to Make Puffy Paint | Puffy paint adds a fun texture to your children's artwork. While you can buy it at the craft store, it's often more fun -- and less expensive! -- to mix up your own batch at home. You can make a simple version with just glue, shaving cream, and food coloring; whip up a more natural version with flour, salt, and water; or prepare an extra puffy paint with shaving cream, flour, and glue. As long as you have food coloring or paint, you can make the paint in any shades that you like.
1. **Combine the glue and shaving cream.** Add equal parts of white glue and shaving cream to a large bowl. Mix the two together until they are fully combined in a thick cream.
Be sure to use a shaving foam, not shaving gel.
If you’re concerned about the paint sticking to your spoons, you can use chopsticks, popsicle sticks, or even straws to mix the glue and shaving cream together.
2. **Divide the mixture into several cups.** Once the glue and shaving cream are completely mixed, set out a plastic cup for each shade of paint that you plan to make. Add a little of the glue and shaving cream mixture to each cup.
It can be difficult to wash the paint out of containers, so it’s best to use disposable plastic cups that you can toss away when you’re done with the paint.
3. **Mix food coloring into the cups.** To color the paint, add some food coloring to each cup in your chosen shade. The amount that you’ll need depends on how much of the paint mixture is in each cup and how dark you want the shade to be. Stir the coloring into the paint mixture until it’s completely blended.
The more food coloring that you add, the darker the paint will be. However, it’s best to start with a small amount, such as 5 to 10 drops, and see if you’re happy with the color before adding more.
When you’re adding the food coloring, keep in mind that the paint will dry darker that it appears when it’s wet.
4. **Use a brush to apply a generous amount of the paint.** When you have all the paint shades that you want, use a brush to paint it on a paper item in whatever design you like. Be sure to use a good amount of the paint to ensure that it has a puffy texture.
Some designs that you may want to create with your puffy paints include a rainbow and fluffy white clouds, a bouquet of flowers, a moon, and stars, or a bunch of balloons.
The puffy paints are also ideal for holiday designs. For example, create a Christmas tree or menorah, hearts for Valentine's Day, or a jack o'lantern for Halloween.
Allow the paint to dry completely before hanging or displaying the painting. It usually takes 4 to 6 hours.
5. **Mix the flour and salt.** Add 1 cup (125 g) of self-raising flour and 1 cup (300 g) table salt to a bowl. Use a spoon or fork to blend the two together completely.
To get the puffy texture, you must use self-raising flour in the paint.
Use regular table salt for the paint. Sea and kosher salts are coarser and may alter the texture of the paint.
6. **Add water to make a paste.** Once the flour and salt are fully mixed, slowly stir water into the bowl. You can add up to 1 cup (237), but only mix in enough to create a smooth thin paste that has a similar texture to yogurt.
If the paint thickens up at any point when you’re using it, you can simply mix a few drops of water into it to thin it out again.
7. **Divide the mixture and add food coloring.** When the flour mixture has the proper consistency, separate it between several bowls. Add a different color food coloring to each bowl and mix well to create several different shades of paint.
Start by adding a small amount of food coloring and seeing how you like the color. If you want a deeper color, add more food coloring.
8. **Apply the paint to heavy paper.** When you’re happy with the color of the paints, use a paintbrush or cotton swabs to paint it in a design that you like. Use heavy paper or thin cardboard because the paint may soak through thin paper.
Allow the painting to dry for several hours to overnight to ensure that the paint is set.
9. **Combine shaving cream, flour, and glue.** Add 3 cups (180 g) of shaving cream, 1 cup (125 g) of flour, and 1 cup (225 ml) of white glue to a large bowl. Mix the ingredients together until they’re just combined.
Avoid overmixing the paint so the air bubbles stay in the shaving cream and give it a puffy texture.
10. **Divide the mixture between several bowls.** When the ingredients are combined, set out several smaller bowls. You’ll need one for each color of paint that you plan to make. Use a spatula to add a little of the paint mixture to each bowl.
It's a good idea to use disposal plastic bowls because the paint can stain your dishes.
11. **Mix the food coloring into each bowl.** When the paint mixture is divided into the bowls, add the food coloring of your choice to each one. Stir the paint until the color is fully incorporated.
You can also mix tempera paint with the flour mixture to color the puffy paint.
12. **Transfer the paint to a squeeze bottle.** When you’re happy with the color of the paint, use a spatula to add each shade to a separate squeeze bottle. You can use a brush to apply it, but it’s usually easier to squeeze it out than paint it on.
If you don’t have squeeze bottles, you can put the paint in sealable plastic bags and snip off a corner to squeeze the paint out of. Instead of having to wash the squeeze bottles when you’re done, you can just throw away the bags.
13. **Create your design on heavy paper.** When you’re ready to use the paint, squeeze it on in a design of your choice. Be sure to use heavy paper, such as poster board, tag board, or cardboard, because the paint is heavy and can soak through thin paper.
Allow your paintings to dry for 24 hours to ensure that the paint is fully set. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Puffy-Paint", "language": "en"} |
How to Make Coca Cola Icees at Home | Coca Cola icees are a refreshing, nostalgic treat to have on a warm summer day. These delicious frozen drinks are the perfect addition to any party or get together and are very easy to make. Even children can easily help make a Coca Cola icee at home with just a few simple ingredients, and it's sure to be a hit!
1. **Freeze the soda.** Pour one 12-ounce can of soda into a shallow, freezer-safe dish. Carefully place the dish in the freezer. Freeze the soda for 4 hours or until it is completely frozen.
2. **Chill more soda.** Place another 12-ounce can of soda in the refrigerator to cool down while the first can is freezing.
3. **Blend the icee.** When the soda in the freezer has become completely frozen, it's time to put it in the blender.
Scoop out all of the frozen soda and transfer it into the blender.
Pour the 12 ounce can of chilled soda into the blender.
Add 8 ice cubes to the blender
Blend well until all the ingredients are combined.
4. **Serve your icee.** Pour the blended icee into 2 glasses and serve with a straw or spoon.
5. **Get a 20-ounce plastic bottle of soda.** To do this fun self freezing trick, you need a 20-ounce plastic bottle of room temperature soda. It is important that your soda is room temperature, not chilled.
6. **Shake up the soda.** Shake the bottle of soda violently to create pressure. You want as much pressure as possible to build up in the bottle.
7. **Place the shaken bottle of soda in the freezer.** Lay the bottle down on its side. Freeze the bottle for about 3 hours and 15 minutes. You want the temperature of the soda to be below the freezing point, but not actually frozen yet. The soda will still look like a regular soda.
8. **Serve the soda.** There are two ways to serve your magic icee. You can create the icee inside the soda bottle or by using a frozen bowl.
To create the icee in the bottle, open the cap a little to release some of the pressure and then quickly close it again. Quickly flip the bottle upside down and back up again. It will instantly become a frozen slushie. You can then squeeze the icee out into a cup or a bowl and serve. To make the icee a bit smoother, add a little refrigerated soda to the cup or bowl.
To use a frozen bowl to make your slushie, you need a bowl that has been in the freezer. A metal or stainless steel bowl will work best. Pour your soda into the bowl and it will instantly turn from liquid soda to slushie! Your friends will be amazed! Serve with a spoon and straw. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Coca-Cola-Icees-at-Home", "language": "en"} |
How to Clean a Bathroom | No one likes cleaning the bathroom, but by keeping up with it, the job becomes much less painful. Read on for some tips in efficiency in keeping your surfaces, walls, floor, shower and toilet sparkling clean.
1. **Remove all the items that don't belong in your bathroom.** Take out everything that doesn't belong, such as clothes, cups, and trash. Also, move out any little side tables or movable storage cabinets so that you can clean under them.
2. **Pour some bleach or another disinfectant into the toilet bowl.** Put the toilet brush inside the bowl, helping to sanitize the brush for cleaning. Let the cleaner sit for 10 to 15 minutes so that it can work.
Make sure the door is open and the fan is on to ensure proper ventilation.
For a green alternative, mix a tablespoon of baking powder into about a quart of 75/25 mix of white vinegar and water.
3. **Dust from the top down.** Clean cobwebs in the corners of the bathroom, and brush other dust and dirt directly onto the floor to sweep up later. A duster works great for this, but you can also use the broom.
If you've got delicate wallpaper, place a soft, clean, dry rag over the bristles.
4. **Apply any scrub powder to especially dirty areas.** If you've got lime and build-up in the tub, sink, or around faucets, damp those areas slightly and sprinkle with scrubbing powder like Comet. Letting it sit for 10-15 minutes while you do other things will help to work loose the dirty patches and make your scrubbing go much more smoothly.
Be sure to read the label and ensure that you're using an appropriate product and won't damage your surfaces. Test it out on a non-visible spot before you actually use it.
For a greener option, sprinkle surfaces with baking soda and then spray them with vinegar. Let the mixture sit for 10 to 15 minutes and then wipe the vinegar and baking soda away with a damp cloth.
5. **Wipe the walls, windows and/or ceiling.** If you have mold on the ceiling start with spraying a water bleach/disinfectant solution on it and let it rest for a couple of minutes, do the same with the walls (if they are tiles) or use another cleaning product. With a sponge or a clean rag, scrub the tile surfaces you've sprayed. Rinse it carefully to avoid any stripes and dry it with a clean rag.
A 50:50 vinegar and water solution is also a great option for cleaning walls and other surfaces. Just make sure that you do not mix vinegar with bleach since this can create a toxic gas.
It's a good idea to wear rubber gloves while you're scrubbing, to keep your hands from drying out if you're using harsh products.
6. **Clean the shower.** Spray cleaning product on the shower walls, and the shower head and let it rest for a couple of minutes. Spray cleansers made especially for getting rid of soap scum work very well on tubs that haven't been cleaned in a while.
For hard water areas that are prone to green and rust-colored stains, a cleanser made for eliminating calcium, lime and rust is probably what you need. Never use abrasive cleaners or green abrasive scrub pads or steel wool on porcelain fixtures, as they will quickly dull the finish.
Soak the showerhead. If the showerhead is clogged with hard water buildup or soap scum, remove it and soak it in vinegar overnight or fill a sandwich bag with vinegar and secure it around the showerhead with a rubber band. Then, scrub the water holes with an old toothbrush the next day to get any remaining buildup.
Go back over the shower and scrub the walls, faucet and shower head with a soft sponge, rinse well with the hottest water and dry with a towel. You can shine the faucet with a dry towel.
Don't forget the shower curtain; it is also prone to mildew. A solution of about 2/3 water, 1/3 bleach in a spray bottle can be handy for getting rid of mildew spots. Or you can take it down and wash it in hot water with a small amount of soap and bleach.
7. **Scrub the sink and counter area.** Scrub all the soap scum and toothpaste off with a small amount of cleaner, rinsing your sponge thoroughly as you go along. Don't forget to clean your trashcan, toilet paper holder, tissue holder, toothbrush holder, doors, and other items in your bathroom. An old toothbrush or cotton swabs can be handy for getting the junk out from between the tap and handles.
Be sure to clean the sink and counter area with the same rag or paper towel you used to clean the toilet. This can spread leftover disease-causing germs to your sink and counter area. To prevent this you can use a specific rag which you use to clean only the toilet.
Wipe off the fronts and tops of cabinets and drawers. You'll probably want to use hot, soapy water for this purpose. If you're worried about germs on these surfaces, add a bit of bleach to your soapy water.
Wash your toothbrush holder like you would wash a cup or bowl. Add a squirt of dish soap to the inside of it, then fill it with warm water and scrub the inside with a bottle brush or sponge. Rinse it out well to remove the soap.
8. **Spray glass cleaner or water on the mirror and wipe it.** Use glass cleaner or water, and wipe the excess water off with a towel or squeegee. Wipe the mirror dry with a towel after spraying it with glass cleaner or water.
A 50:50 mixture of vinegar and water also works well to clean glass and other surfaces.
9. **Clean the outside of the toilet.** Wipe all around the outside of the toilet, starting with the flush handle so as not to re-contaminate it. Use a cloth soaked in a disinfectant cleaner. Thoroughly wash and rinse all exterior surfaces of the toilet bowl, including the underside and flared base, the top and underside of the seat and lid, and the hinges and their mounting area with a cloth and detergent or similar cleaner.
Don't forget to use a cloth specially for cleaning the toilet, or a paper towel. If you use a paper towel, throw it away. Don't flush it.
10. **Scrub the bowl with a toilet brush and flush.** Coat the inside of the bowl with a viscous acidic cleaner generally sold in an angle-necked bottle. Take special care to cover the entire inside edge of the rim; it'll run down toward other areas.
Allow the cleaner to soak for half an hour or more before scrubbing the entire bowl including under the rim with a toilet bowl brush, let it soak a little longer after it's been well-distributed though thinned by the initial scrubbing, then scrub some more and flush it away.
If you have hard water stains in the toilet bowl, use a pumice stone to remove them. Dip the pumice stone in water and scrub the stains gently. Look for a pumice stone in the cleaning section of your grocery store.
11. **Sweep and mop the floor.** Start with the farthest point from the door. Sweep up all the dust and debris you've cleaned so far and let fall on the floor, then mop using hot soapy bleach water. Remember to rinse the floor with clean water to remove slippery soap residue. Be sure to get along the sides of your toilet bowl where it is anchored to the floor. This area is notoriously dirty. Don't forget to clean the base boards or base molds these places usually accumulates a lot of dust.
12. **Use an old toothbrush to scrub small spaces.** Find an unwanted old toothbrush and wash it thoroughly. Get rid of all excess toothpaste gunk that may be on it. Apply a small amount of bleach or other counter-safe cleaning product to the toothbrush. Scrub away! The toothbrush helps to get in areas that are narrow or need very detailed scrubbing.
13. **Run the fan.** Keeping your bathroom ventilated will discourage the growth of mildew, keeping your big cleaning sessions few and far between. Always run the fan after you get out of the shower, to dry out the bathroom and keep the moisture from clinging.
You may also want to take apart the fan once in a while, vacuum out the inside of it, soak the blade in a 50:50 mixture of vinegar and water, and then wipe down the blade and cover. This will help to ensure that the fan is working at full capacity.
14. **Wipe down the shower after you use it.** To make sure mold and mildew doesn't build up in the shower in between big cleaning sessions, take time to wipe it down every time you take a shower. Combined with running the fan, this should keep your bathroom mildew free.
15. **Keep it tidy.** Much of what we call "mess" is really just clutter. If clothes accumulate in your bathroom, put a hamper, or even a cardboard box in the bathroom to collect dirty clothes. Use a toothbrush holder or a cup to keep your toothbrushes in order. Keep other supplies in an old shoebox under the sink to keep the surface tidy.
16. **Use the toilet brush.** Even if it doesn't look dirty, minerals in the water can stain the bowl, so it's a good idea to brush the toilet down with a sturdy toilet brush regularly. If you do this even just once a week, your bigger cleanings will be much easier and infrequent.
17. **Wash toothpaste down.** Toothpaste stains and build up in the sink and even on the mirror can make a bathroom look dirtier than it needs to be. Make sure you clean up after your toothpaste, washing it down and rinsing the sink out, then drying the bowl of the sink when you're finished.
To consolidate tasks, do this while you mouthwash for an added dental benefit. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Bathroom", "language": "en"} |
How to Become a Cryptozoologist | Cryptozoology is the study of animals that have been seen but not proven to exist. These animals are called cryptids. There is no qualification or certification to become a cryptozoologist, but it’s a fun hobby with a large and enthusiastic community. To enter this field, you need to do extensive research on a particular cryptid. Once you know as much as possible, you can go out to hunt the cryptid itself. Anything you find, you should publish so that other cryptozoologists can learn about your exciting new discoveries.
1. **Determine if cryptozoology is right for you.** In many cases, cryptozoology is not a career. The study of cryptids is an interesting pastime for some and a passion for most. Few people can get any income from searching for creatures.
Even if you manage to publish a book on cryptozoology, you may not make much money. Cryptozoology for most people is a passion, not a career.
Keep in mind that much of cryptozoology consists of travel. It is recommended that you do not pursue this field if you do not like to travel.
Cryptozoology can be an expensive hobby. Some common costs include travel, recording equipment, and DNA testing on samples.
2. **Choose a cryptid to specialize in.** While you may have a general interest in cryptids, you might want to choose one or two cryptids to focus your research on. You might choose based on geographical region or type of animal (hominid, sea creature, primate, etc.). Some cryptids you might consider include:
This cryptid is also known as a yeti, Sasquatch, or skunk ape. While many believe that bigfoot is not real, some speculate that it is really an undiscovered giant primate. Since big foot sightings are reported around the world, this may be a good place to start if you cannot travel far.
El Chupacabra is a creature believed to live in South America. They are reported to suck the blood of livestock.
the ebu gogo is a small, human-like creature that exists within the folklore of Indonesia. It is very aggressive and will eat anything.
3. **Study many different fields.** Cryptozoologists often need expertise in many different fields. Try reading up on as much biology, zoology, psychology, anthropology, and conservation as you can. This will help you understand the behavior and biology of certain cryptids.
Look into areas related to your cryptid. For example, if you are interested in sea creatures, you might read up on marine biology.
There is no accredited degree for cryptozoology available. Online programs promising to offer degrees in it do not have accreditation.
4. **Learn survival skills.** Most fieldwork involves going to isolated and uninhabited areas to search for cryptids. To make sure that you can survive in these regions, train yourself in wilderness survival, first aid, hunting, and other useful techniques.
Pick up skills that will help hunt your specific cryptid. For example, if you are interested in the orang pendek of Sumatra, you may want to learn to speak Indonesian. Since it lives in trees, you may want to practice climbing trees.
5. **Read field reports by other cryptozoologists.** Once you have decided to focus on a particular cryptid, you should do as much research as you can on the creature. Other cryptozoologists have likely done work on this cryptid. Start by reading field reports, books, and studies done on the cryptid.
6. **Learn what scientists say about the cryptid.** While you should read texts by cryptozoologists, you should also do some scientific and anthropological research as well. Find out what scientists think so that you can consider both sides of the argument.
For example, many scientists think that most cases of El Chupacabra are really just coyotes with mange.
7. **Look into folklore.** Many stories about cryptids are recorded in local folklore, myths, and urban legends. Read the folklore of the region you are travelling to. These stories can tell you the various names for the cryptid, what it eats, where it lives, what time of day it comes out, and how to find one.
8. **Study the geography of the area.** Many cryptids hide within natural features of their environment, such as trees or caves. Many are well-adapted to their regions. To make sure you that you can successfully find the cryptid, examine the geographical features of its natural habitat.
For example, if you are going after the Loch Ness Monster, look into the geographical features of the Loch Ness area, such as the Great Glen Fault and the River Ness.
9. **Plan your travel.** If your cryptid lives in another part of the world, you should start saving some money to visit it. Research the specific areas where the creature lives.
Plan to give yourself plenty of time in the area to search for the creature. You probably will not encounter them in a day or two.
You should only travel far away if you believe that the creature really does exist. If you are uncertain, you may not want to spend the money, or you may decide to look for a cryptid closer to home.
10. **Pack for the expedition.** Whether you are traveling far away or close to home, you should pack the proper supplies for your journey. What you need may vary based on where you’re traveling and which cryptid you are looking for. In general, you will need:
Camera and recording equipment
Audio recorder
Sterile collecting bottles, vials, and bags
Latex gloves
Markers to label samples
Ruler and/or measuring tape
Magnifying glass
Logbook or journal
11. **Find local witnesses.** You should listen to what other people have seen and heard about the creature. You can ask local librarians, policemen, town officials, and historians.These eyewitness accounts can give you clues about how to find the cryptid.
Some questions you might want to ask include: “What can you tell me about the bunyip?”; “Have you seen a bunyip yourself? If so, where?”; and “How does one find a bunyip?”
If you are about to head out into the wilderness or if you are in an unfamiliar part of the world, you may want to consider hiring a local guide.
12. **Perform fieldwork.** Fieldwork is the process of collecting evidence while out in the areas where the cryptid lives. Fieldwork includes taking samples, recording audio and video, and tracking footprints.
Take pictures of everything. If the creature is shy, you can set up a camera with an automatic timer, and leave the area for a while.
If you find feces, bone, or hair, use tweezers to place the sample in a bag. Label each bag with what it is, when you collected it, and where you found it.
If you find a footprint, measure it with a ruler or tape measure. Take a picture of the footprint with the ruler beside it.
Write everything down. Keep a log book of everything that you do, see, hear, and find. Be as detailed as possible.
13. **Recognize that there is a possibility that the cryptid may not exist.** Sometimes you may arrive at the conclusion that your cryptid does not exist. All is not lost, however. You can simply enjoy the fact that you had an interesting experience.
14. **Start a blog.** The easiest way to talk about your cryptozoological work is to start an online blog. Publish pictures, DNA test results, recent sightings, and speculation. If you kept a log book during your fieldwork, you can publish entries from the logbook.
If you keep comments open on your blog, you can hear from other cryptozoologists. They may have information related to one of your mysteries.
Blogs are also a great way to solicit donations for your travels and research.
15. **Write a book.** While you may not become rich writing a cryptozoological book, you can make a little extra money on the side. A book requires extensive research. You can publish it traditionally or make an ebook.
16. **Reach out to other cryptozoologists.** There is a large community of active cryptozoologists who would love to hear about your research and findings. Online forums, blogs, and newsletters regularly advertise the latest discoveries. You may even find other people to form a research team with.
Look to see if there is a cryptozoological association in your local area. If there is not, you might try starting one yourself. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Cryptozoologist", "language": "en"} |
How to Make a Hillbilly Costume | If you need a last minute Halloween costume, a hillbilly costume can work for you. It's a simple, classic costume you can assemble. You can use old clothes or make a quick trip to a clothing or costume store. Work on having messy hair and makeup to really bring out the hillbilly aesthetic. Keep in mind that the term "hillbilly," and the associated stereotypes, are offensive to some people.
1. **Consider overalls.** Overalls are a classic aspect of a hillbilly costume. If you have old overalls lying around, you can use those. You can also purchase a pair of overalls at a thrift store or regular clothing store.
It may be a good idea to undo one strap of your overalls to look messy, much like a hillbilly.
Consider going for old overalls that are somewhat worn down. Faded clothing, or clothing with holes or patches, can look great for a hillbilly costume.
2. **Roll up your jeans.** If you're unsure about wearing overalls, try wearing rolled up jeans. You can roll up one leg of your jeans, or both legs. For women, this can work particularly well as it's similar to the style of Daisy Duke, a character from The Dukes of Hazard.
As with overalls, old jeans work best. Go for jeans with holes or patches, or faded jeans.
3. **Try cut-off jean shorts.** Cut-off shorts may look somewhat trashy, and therefore be associated with the hillbilly lifestyle. If you really want to commit to the hillbilly style, you can try making your own cut-off jean shorts by trimming off the legs of an old pair of jeans.
4. **Choose a hillbilly shirt.** Take some time to choose a shirt that gives off a hillbilly style. Use an old shirt you have lying around, or make a trip to the thrift store and purchase a shirt that conveys the hillbilly style.
Tank-tops and plain white t-shirts, especially when paired with overalls, may work for the hillbilly style.
As with your jeans and overalls, go for things that are old, ratty, and torn. Pick a shirt with holes in it or a shirt with stains. Consider adding patches to the sleeves of a shirt you don't wear much anymore.
5. **Find appropriate footwear.** You will also need to choose proper footwear for the hillbilly style. There are a variety of different types of shoes that could work for a hillbilly outfit.
Consider trying open-toed sandals, ratty tennis shoes, or going barefoot if possible. If you're going to a house party, for example, barefoot can work great.
Think about buying a pair of cowboy boots. These can work particularly well if you're tying to capture the hillbilly style. Go for work boots over dress boots.
6. **Go for checkered patterns.** Plaid and checkered patterns are often associated with rednecks, which are sort of like hillbillies. Consider investing in plaid or checkered shirts for your costume. A plaid shirt underneath a pair of overalls can make for a great hillbilly costume. You could also try wearing a plaid or checkered skirt if you're a woman.
7. **Invest in fake teeth.** You can buy fake teeth at many costume shops. Fake teeth are often designed to look as if some of your teeth are missing. You can visit a local costume or craft store and see if they sell fake teeth. Many people think of hillbillies as people with missing teeth.
8. **Consider a trucker hat.** A trucker hat may be a good idea, for either a man or a woman. Trucker hats are sometimes associated with redneck/hillbilly culture. Rednecks are slightly different than hillbillies, however. Rednecks are thought of as working class southerners, while hillbillies tend to live in rural areas not necessarily in the south. A trucker hat may be seen as more redneck than hillbilly.
9. **Carry a knapsack.** You can try carrying a knapsack, which is a small bag usually made out of a blanket or rag. As hillbillies are often thought of as homeless or wandering, this could help you get the image down.
Try carrying something like toilet paper in your knapsack. You can pull it out and carry this at parties or for pictures. Toilet paper may indicate you have to use the bathroom in the woods, giving you the rustic hillbilly feel.
10. **Add a bandana.** Bandanas are often associated with hillbilly outfits. Try tying a bandana around your neck or wrapping your hair in a bandana. You can choose any style you like, but a checkered style may best convey the hillbilly aesthetic.
11. **Carry a beer can.** Beer can help you give off a rustic, working class vibe. Consider carrying a beer can around, or something like a forty ounce of beer.
Keep in mind beer is slightly more associated with rednecks than hillbillies. As stated, the two are different. A beer can may result in your costume getting mistaken for a redneck costume.
12. **Go for a straw hat.** Straw hats are often associated with the hillbilly lifestyle. Consider buying a wide-brimmed straw hat and adding it to your hillbilly outfit.
13. **Do a sloppy ponytail.** A sloppy side ponytail, for women, can give off a hillbilly vibe. If you're a man with longer hair, you can pull your hair back in a sloppy ponytail. Make sure to gather the hair in a messy fashion, leaving some hairs falling down.
14. **Try pigtails.** Pigtails can give you a country bumpkin-like vibe that can help with the hillbilly style. Try braiding your hair in two pigtails or simply tying your hair on either side of your head.
15. **Go for messy and disheveled hair.** If you're a guy, you may not want to do a ponytail or pigtails. You can try simply messing up your hair so it looks disheveled. You can also tuck your hair under a hat, giving the impression your hair is greasy or dirty.
16. **Apply makeup to make your face look dirty.** A hillbilly costume may benefit from dirty makeup. You can purchase makeup kits at costume shops designed to make your face look dirty. You can also use brown and black eyeshadow to create a dirty look.
Try using a makeup brush to dab shades of brown and black around your cheeks.
You can also dab slightly wet coffee grinds to your cheeks and neck. This can help make you look like your face is covered in dirt and debris.
17. **Add fake tan.** As hillbillies are outdoors a lot, you may want to apply fake tan. You can buy fake tan at most beauty salons and department stores. Read the instructions for safe use and then apply to your face, arms, and other body parts. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Hillbilly-Costume", "language": "en"} |
How to Drink Black Label | Starting to drink whisky can seem intimidating, but Johnnie Walker Black Label is a great place to start. This whisky, which has been aged for twelve years and contains a blend of 40 different kinds of whiskies, is a classic choice. There is no right way to drink Black Label, so experiment with your favorite options to see how you like it best!
1. **Pour an ounce of whisky straight from the bottle into your glass.** Especially if you are new to drinking whisky, you should consider drinking it plain, or “neat,” which means without water, ice, or mixers. Enjoying Black Label directly from the bottle will allow you to fully taste its complex flavors, which include smoky, nutty, and sweet notes.
2. **Drink plain whisky out of a snifter glass for the best smelling experience.** There are several types of whisky drinking glasses, and it may come as a surprise that each type creates a different tasting and smelling experience. For drinking blended whiskey (i.e. Black Label) plain, experts recommend using a snifter, whisky tumbler, or Neat glass. These glass shapes are well-suited to the appreciation of whisky aromas, a key part of enjoying whisky “neat.”
A snifter, traditionally used for brandy, is curved with a stem. It is the connoisseur's choice for fully enjoying the aromas of spirits.
A whisky tumbler is short with a heavy bottom and no stem.This is the classic choice for enjoying whisky “on the rocks” (with ice), but it is not the best choice for neat whiskey because its shape is less suited to “nosing,” or smelling, the spirit.
The Neat glass is a new type of short whisky glass with an hourglass shape. It is ideal for beginners because its shape negates the harsh smell of ethanol from reaching the nose.
3. **Try bringing the glass up to your nose to take in its complex aromas.** Before taking your first sip, smell your drink. This is called “nosing.” Enjoy Black Label's many flavors like caramel, nutmeg, fruit, and smoke.
4. **Drink slowly to take in the many tastes of the whisky.** You may want to rest the whisky on your palate for ten seconds before swallowing. Consider keeping a carafe or glass of water nearby to take between sips. This can help you handle the whisky’s intensity without diluting its flavor.
5. **Add a small amount of ice or water to your whisky to open its flavors.** Many people swear by ice or water in their Black Label, which can dilute tastes of smokiness and harsh alcohol. This can be a great choice for beginners who are new to the intensity of whisky.
When ordering Black Label with ice, always ask for it "on the rocks." A bartender will add the ice first before pouring the whisky on top, so it's on top of "the rocks" of ice.
6. **Try an old-fashioned whisky tumbler for Black Label "on the rocks."** A whisky tumbler is sometimes called a rocks glass. For whisky with a small amount of water, consider either a tumbler or snifter.
7. **Adjust the flavor and temperature by adding more ice or water.** The amount of ice or water you use is totally up to you. Some swear by a small amount of water in their Black Label, but too much water can flatten the complexity of its flavors. How much ice you use also impacts the temperature of the drink, which is a key part of its taste.
8. **Enjoy a delicious mix of flavors in a Ginger Whisky Cocktail.** This famous cocktail, made with Black Label and ginger ale, is one that every bartender knows. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Pour 1.7 fluid ounces (50 ml) of Black Label into a glass. "Top up" with up to 5 fluid ounces (150 ml) of ginger ale according to your taste.
The best glass for a whisky cocktail is a highball glass. Whisky cocktails are often called "highballs," and the Ginger Whisky Cocktail is often simply called a "Whisky Highball."
9. **Make a relaxing Whisky Soda with Black Label and Club Soda.** Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Add 1.7 fluid ounces (50 ml) of Black Label and up to 6 fluid ounces (180 ml) of Club Soda to the glass. Adjust the amount of club soda to your liking. Lightly stir to mix. For extra style, add a sprig of rosemary to garnish.
10. **Mix an Old Fashioned for a taste of history.** Place a sugar cube at the bottom of a short glass. Add a dash of bitters, which is an alcoholic preparation flavored with plants and herbs. Mix the sugar and bitters until dissolved. Fill the glass with ice, then pour in 1.7 fluid ounces (50 ml) of Black Label. Finally, garnish with an orange slice.
The Old Fashioned has been around since the 19th century, when it was considered a gentleman's drink. Now, there is even an Old Fashioned glass named after the iconic beverage.
Bitters come in a variety of flavors. For an Old-Fashioned, try an Old-Fashioned, Aromatic, or Orange mix. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Drink-Black-Label", "language": "en"} |
How to Calculate Price Earnings Ratio | Price-earnings ratio, also known as P/E ratio, is a tool that is used by investors to help decide whether they should buy a stock. Essentially, the P/E ratio tells potential investors how much they have to pay for every $1 of earnings. A low P/E ratio is attractive in the sense that one pays less for every $1 of earnings. At the same time, companies with higher P/E ratios generally expect higher earnings growth in the future than companies with low P/Es. The following article provides guidance on both calculating the PE ratio and using it to analyze stocks.
1. **Know the formula.** The formula for calculating the price-earnings ratio for any stock is simple: the market value per share divided by the earnings per share (EPS). This is represented as the equation (P/EPS), where P is the market price and EPS is the earnings per share.
2. **Find the market price.** Of the two variables used the P/E equation, market price is the easier to find. Market value per share is simply how much it costs to buy a share of any publicly-traded company on the stock Market. On November 4, 2015, for example, it cost $103.94 to buy one share of Facebook. Find a stock's current price by searching online either for its stock symbol (usually four or fewer letters) or the full name of the company followed by "stock."
Stock prices are constantly fluctuating and the P/E ratio of a company fluctuates with them. When choosing a market price to use in your calculation, don't worry about choosing any averages, highs, or lows of the stock price; the current price will work fine.
The only time you need to choose a specific price is when you are comparing the P/E ratios of two different companies. In this case, the chosen approximation, whether it is the opening price on a certain day or the current price at this minute, should be found in the same way for both companies.
3. **Calculate or find the Earnings per share.** Financial analysts generally use what is called a trailing P/E ratio. In this case, EPS is calculated by taking a company's net income over the last four quarters (twelve months), account for any stock splits, and then dividing by the number of shares outstanding. However, they may also use a forward, or projected, P/E ratio that uses expected earnings over the next four quarters.
EPS is usually provided on finance websites as a part of a freely available stock report and is easy to find with a web search. If you want to calculate EPS yourself, however, the formula is generally as follows: (Net Income - Dividends on Preferred Stock / Average Outstanding Shares of Common Stock). Note that some sources use the number of shares being traded at the end of the period rather than the average over the period.
Because of slight variations in formula, different sources may report different EPS values for the same company. However, these are generally averaged together to produce an average EPS.
4. **Calculate the price/earnings ratio.** Once you have the formula and your two variables, simply input your values to calculate the P/E ratio. Let's try an example using a real publicly-traded company, Yahoo! Inc. As of November 5, 2015, Yahoo!'s stock was trading at 35.14.
We have the first part of our equation, the numerator, or 35.14
We'll need to calculate Yahoo!'s EPS. You can just type "Yahoo!" and "EPS" into a search engine if don't want to calculate EPS yourself. As of November 5, 2015, Yahoo!'s EPS was $.25 per share.
Divide 35.14 by .25 to get 140.56. Yahoo!'s price-earnings ratio is approximately 141.
5. **Compare the P/E to other companies in the same industry.** P/E by itself is useless; the number doesn't tell you anything unless you compare it to other companies' P/Es in the same industry. Companies with lower P/Es are considered "cheaper" to buy — for how much they earn, their stock price is cheaper — although this analysis alone won't tell you whether to buy a company.
For example, Stock ABC is trading at $15/share and has a P/E of 50. Stock XYZ is trading at $85/share and has a P/E of 35. It's cheaper, however, to buy Stock XYZ, even though its share price is higher than Stock ABC's. That's because with Stock XYZ, one pays $35 for every $1 of earnings, whereas with Stock ABC, one pays $50 for every $1 of earnings.
Understand that it is useless to compare P/E ratios between unrelated companies. Because valuations and growth rates vary widely between industries, the companies compared must be very similar in both size and sector to be comparable using P/E ratios.
6. **Know that P/Es can be affected by investors' future expectations of a company's value.** Although P/E is often thought of as an indication of how the company has been priced in the past, it's also an indication of what investors think of its future. That's because stock prices are a reflection of how people think a stock will perform in the future. Therefore, companies with high P/Es is a sign that investors expect higher earnings growth in the future.
Conversely, a low P/E may represent a company that either is undervalued or is doing better now than it has been doing in recent years. In other words, the P/E should not be the sole determining factor in deciding whether or not to buy a stock.
7. **Know that debt or leverage can artificially lower a company's P/E.** Taking on a bunch of debt generally increases a company's risk profile, which lowers it's P/E ratio. Higher debt (greater risk) may lower investors' willingness to pay a higher price for the stock but leverage usually increases a company's earnings and thus can increase the PE. However, if profits instead fall, the portion that goes to the stockholders is reduced because debt holders will have to be paid first. That being said, of two companies with the same operations, trading in the same sector, the company with a moderate debt load will have a lower P/E ratio than the company with no debt. Keep this in mind when using P/E as a tool for diagnosing a company's vitals.
Keep in mind that, assuming good economic conditions and successful management, the company that takes on more debt, and thus has a lower P/E, can experience higher earnings because of the risky debt it has incurred. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Price-Earnings-Ratio", "language": "en"} |
How to Care for a Potted Freesia After Blooming | Freesias are extremely popular flowers in gardens throughout the world. They require little maintenance and grow in most temperatures and climates. Freesia is a corm plant, so it is important to follow certain steps to ensure that the plant blooms year after year.
1. **Understand the life cycle of a potted freesia.** The freesia plant has three stages to its life:
The first is the blooming phase where it produces dark green foliage and beautiful blooms.
The second is a rest phase, where the plant stops producing flowers and begins to use its leaves to store energy in the form of corms.
The third phase is a dormant phase necessary to rest the plant so it can bloom again the next year.
Continue reading to learn how to care for freesias in their rest phase.
2. **Consider removing the flowers from the stems.** The rest phase begins when the last blooms have died back from the plant. If you prefer, you can remove the flowers from the stems, but you should leave any part of the plant that is green and not yellow or dying.
By far, sunlight is the most important factor during this time. The green leaves must use sunlight to photosynthesize and store energy for the next year; quite a bit like hibernation.
If too little nutrition is stored, the plant could refuse to bloom or have greatly reduced foliage the next year.
3. **Place the plant in the sun.** Once the plant has it's flowers removed, place the container in full sun and fertilize according to package directions.
Leave the Freesia's in full sun for the next two to three months or until the leaves turn yellow. During this time, you should frequently water and refrain from disturbing the plant too much.
This phase is critical for producing healthy corms for next year.
4. **Prune your plant.** When your freesia begins to die back and the leaves turn yellow it's time to prune. Remove any yellowing or dead leaves.
5. **Move your potted plant to a cool, dark location.** Once two-thirds of the plant has died back, move the plant to a cool, dark location and allow the plant to enter dormancy.
It's important that the plant remains dry during this time, therefore you should reduce watering to when the plant is appearing to wilt, to prevent the corms from attempting to bloom at the wrong time.
You may keep the freesia in a dark location until you're ready to start blooms again, even if you change seasons. If you remove the plant from dormancy in winter, you'll enjoy blooms during the summer. If you remove them in the fall, you'll enjoy blooms in the spring.
6. **Separate your corms.** If your plant is a few years old, it's probably time to dig up and separate the corms.
Be sure to remove the entire plant from the pot and avoid digging into the corm system. Try tipping the pot and removing all the dirt and corms onto a newspaper to prevent damage to the plant.
With a light hand, begin to pull off branching corms.
7. **Remove the parent corm.** Typically there will be a large, firm corm with smaller, similar corms off the side. Near the bottom will be an older, unhealthy looking corm.
This withering corm is last year's parent corm that is still attached to a healthy child.
You should remove and separate the new corms from the previous and set them aside in a dry location to allow them to cure for several weeks before replanting. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-a-Potted-Freesia-After-Blooming", "language": "en"} |
How to Stay Safe on the Highway | Driving on the highway can be nerve-racking. However, by familiarizing yourself with basic highway safety, you can help ensure you get from point A to point B with minimized risk. By paying attention to the road, practicing defensive driving, and taking care of your vehicle, you can feel safe and confident behind the wheel.
1. **Eliminate distractions like phones, loud music, or eating.** All of these things divert your attention from driving, and can put you and others at risk for accidents. If you need to do anything that could inhibit your ability to focus on the road, simply pull over.
2. **Pull over if you’re tired.** If you’re half asleep, it will be difficult for you to concentrate on driving. If you catch your eyes starting to close, or you drift, this is a sign you shouldn’t be on the road anymore. Find a rest stop or a hotel so you don’t endanger yourself or others.
3. **Check your mirrors regularly.** This will help you to be continuously aware of the drivers that are beside and behind you. Make sure your mirrors are properly positioned to minimize blind spots.
4. **Follow posted traffic regulations.** Keep an eye out for all traffic notifications, such as speed limit, safety, construction, and hazard signs. These will help guide your driving and lower your risk of accidents.
5. **Avoid tailgating other vehicles.** Getting too close to other cars can instigate road rage, and can also lead to accidents when people have to brake quickly or lose control of their car. Try to leave at least a 3-second gap between you and the car in front of you.
6. **Distance yourself from erratic or aggressive drivers.** If a car is hectically changing lanes, fluctuating speeds repeatedly, swerving, or tailgating, try to put as much space as possible between you and them.
7. **Make yourself visible to other drivers.** Use your headlights whenever the road and other cars are hard to see. Anytime it is foggy, overcast, raining, sleeting, snowing, dusk, dawn, or dark, your headlights will help you see others, and others see you. Make sure to use your turn signal any time you are changing lanes.
8. **Make sure everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seatbelt.** Not wearing a seatbelt puts you at an enormously higher risk for death or injury. Seatbelts cut your risk for accident fatality by 45%, and cut your risk for injury in half.
9. **Prepare for accidents or mechanical issues.** Keeping a first aid kit, jumper cables, a fire extinguisher, a jack, and a spare tire can help you handle a wreck or a car issue. Make sure you have an emergency contact in your phone just in case.
10. **Take your car for an inspection before any long trips.** Have your mechanic check your fluid levels, tire pressure, and do an overall diagnostic of your car to make sure it’s safe for travel. Be sure to repair any mechanical problems that could put you in danger before driving.
11. **Wash your windshield, windows, and mirrors.** Dirty glass makes it difficult to see outside of your car while you are driving, increasing your risk of not seeing something.
12. **Ensure your lights all work.** This includes your low beams, high beams, brake lights, taillights, and turn signals. Check to make sure their encasements are clean. Having all of your lights in working order is extremely important for overall visibility on the road. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Stay-Safe-on-the-Highway", "language": "en"} |
Homemade Dawn Powerwash: Easy Recipe for Refills | If you love Dawn Powerwash, you'll be pleased to learn that it's a snap to make at home! Refill your empty Dawn Powerwash bottle with an easy DIY hack that uses ingredients you probably have on hand. In this article, we'll walk you through how to make homemade Dawn Powerwash that's just as effective as the store bought version.
1. **You can use the empty Dawn Powerwash container or your own bottle.** If you use your own bottle, choose a 16 fl oz (470 ml) bottle that has a sprayer. If you only have larger bottles, that's fine—just double the ingredients.
If you're trying to use fewer plastic products, get aa mason jar with a spray lid attachment.
2. **Take your bottle to the sink and fill it to about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the top.** It's fine to eyeball this amount, but if you want to be precise, fill a measuring cup with 13 fluid ounces (380 ml) of water and slowly pour it into the bottle.
For the cleanest product, use distilled water—it's free from impurities that can leave streaks or residue behind.
3. **Add 4 US tbsp (59 ml) of Dawn for the main cleaning ingredient.** To make classic Dawn Powerwash, use blue Dawn Original Dish Soap. Feel free to try a different type of Dawn dish soap if it's what you have on hand.
Stick a small funnel in the bottle to make it easier to add the soap and rubbing alcohol.
4. **Use 2 US tbsp (30 ml) of rubbing alcohol for stain removal.** Rubbing alcohol might be something you stick in the first aid kit, but it's a fantastic cleaning product since it lifts stubborn stains. Just pour the rubbing alcohol into the bottle of water.
If you don't have rubbing alcohol, substitute the same amount of white vinegar.
5. **Customize the scent of your homemade Dawn Powerwash.** Although the solution has the classic scent of Dawn liquid dish soap, you can add your own fragrance. Just mix in about 5 drops of essential oils before you use your Dawn Powerwash.
For instance, add rosemary or pine essential oils for a strong, woodsy scent.
Try lemon or orange essential oil to make a bright, citrusy smell.
Add tea tree or mint essential oil for a sharp, fresh scent.
6. **Shake gently, so the product doesn't foam up too much.** Just turn the bottle upside down and right side up a few times, so the soap and rubbing alcohol combine with the water. Now, you're all set!
If you've used your own bottle and find that the solution is getting clogged in the nozzle, dilute your homemade Dawn Powerwash with more water and try again.
7. **Try it throughout your home to lift stubborn stains and grease.** You probably already reach for Dawn Powerwash when you're doing dishes, but it's handy for other kitchen tasks. Spray it on stainless steel appliances, wipe down grimy cabinets, use it as a window cleaner, and spray it on clothes with tough stains. Here are a few more ideas for using your Dawn Powerwash:
Clean outdoor furniture
Wash your bathtub or shower
Deep-clean your stove or oven
Treat carpet stains
Scrub your grill grates | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Dawn-Powerwash", "language": "en"} |
How to Treat Adrenal Disease in Ferrets | The adrenal glands are tiny glands located near the kidneys. They produce steroids, sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen), and adrenaline. Adrenal disease is very common in pet ferrets and occurs when the adrenal glands secrete too much estrogen and testosterone, either due to hyperplasia (overgrowth) or a tumor. This imbalance in sex hormone levels can make ferrets sick. Adrenal disease does not get better on its own, so veterinary treatment is needed to treat this condition.
1. **Determine if surgery is the right treatment option.** For many ferrets, surgical removal of the affected adrenal (‘adrenalectomy’) is the most effective way to treat adrenal disease. If your ferret has an adrenal disease, your vet will consider several factors to determine if surgery is a good idea. These factors include your ferret’s age, presence of other diseases, and the severity of clinical signs.
If both of your ferret’s adrenals are affected, surgery is not a good idea. Removing both adrenals would lead to significant hormone deficiencies. Your ferret would then need lifelong hormone supplements, which may not be financially feasible.
If surgery is not an option for your ferret, your vet will recommend medications to treat the symptoms of adrenal disease.
2. **Discuss surgical challenges.** The location of each adrenal can make surgery either easy or difficult. Surgical removal of the left adrenal is straightforward. Removing the right adrenal is challenging, though, because it’s attached to the vena cava. The vena cava is the major vein carrying blood back to the heart from the lower half of the body. Removing the right adrenal requires removing the part of the vena cava where the adrenal is attached, making the surgery very challenging.
If your vet does not have a lot of surgical experience with removing ferret adrenals, they will likely refer you to a veterinary surgeon with more experience.
Partial removal of the right adrenal gland is not a reasonable treatment option, since it would only slow down the progression of adrenal disease, not cure it.
3. **Have your vet remove the affected adrenal gland.** If your ferret is a good surgical candidate, your vet will proceed with anesthetizing your ferret and performing an adrenalectomy. Because ferrets can become cold during surgery, your vet will use heating pads or specialized hot water bottles to keep your ferret warm during surgery.
You will probably be able to take your ferret home the day of surgery.
4. **Monitor your ferret’s recovery.** Hair loss is the telltale sign of adrenal disease in ferrets. After an adrenalectomy, a ferret’s recovery will involve hair regrowth. The hair will usually start growing back in about 1 to 2 months and will be fully regrown after about 6 months. The hair might start growing back as soon as 2 weeks after surgery.
Sometimes, after an adrenalectomy, the remaining adrenal develops a tumor, causing a disease recurrence. Watch your ferret for signs (e.g., hair loss, difficulty urinating, swollen vulva) that adrenal disease has returned.
The vulva is the external portion of a female’s genitalia.
Disease relapse occurs in about 40% of ferrets after an adrenalectomy.
5. **Give your ferret melatonin.** If your ferret cannot undergo surgical treatment, talk with your vet about available medications, such as melatonin, for ferret adrenal disease. Melatonin is naturally produced in the body. In intact ferrets, it coordinates with hormones produced in the brain to control adrenal sex hormone release. This control is disrupted when a ferret is spayed or neutered, causing brain hormones to continually trigger adrenal sex hormone release.
Melatonin treatment block the release of these hormones from the brain, thus preventing adrenal sex hormone release.
Time-release melatonin implants that go under the skin can mimic the body’s seasonal rhythm of melatonin levels.Your vet would use a device to inject the implant under the skin. Every 3 to 6 months, your vet would need to replace the implant.
Although melatonin can be given by mouth, it is very challenging to give a ferret an oral medication. Ferrets can easily spit pills and liquid medications back out.
Melatonin is not curative.
6. **Have your vet administer Lupron.** Lupron blocks estrogen and testosterone release. It can be given as a muscle injection or as a slow-release implant under the skin. The injection can last up to a few months. If your vet gives your ferret a Lupron injection, you may see some swelling at the injection site; this is normal.
Although Lupron is a very effective, it is expensive and must be given for the duration of a ferret’s life.
7. **Discuss other medical treatments with your vet.** Other than melatonin and Lupron, several other drugs are available, including Mitotane and deslorelin. Remember that, although each drug works a little bit differently, its main function is to suppress sex hormone release from the adrenals. Your vet can determine which drugs will be most likely to work in your ferret.
Deslorelin is implanted under the skin.
As you consider medical treatment for your ferret, remember that the drugs will not cure adrenal disease. They will only reduce the disease symptoms.
8. **Recognize the symptoms of adrenal disease.** A ferret with adrenal disease will have hair loss that typically affects the torso and rear legs. As the disease continues, a ferret may go completely bald. In addition to hair loss, symptoms of adrenal disease include:
Muscle atrophy (loss of muscle tone). This muscle loss can occur over the abdomen
Difficult urination in male ferrets
Swollen vulva in female ferrets
Enlarged abdomen
Weakness and tiredness
9. **Feed your ferret a healthy diet.** Adrenal disease is not caused by a poor diet. Even still, a healthy diet ensures a ferret receives all the nutrients its body needs. Since ferrets are carnivores, your ferret's diet should contain meat-based protein, such as chicken or turkey. A healthy ferret diet should also contain fat. Commercially available packaged foods are available that would meet all of your ferret’s nutritional needs.
Your vet can recommend which ferret food to purchase.
Freeze-dried or frozen commercial foods come in small chunks and would be easy to feed your ferret.
Since ferrets have short digestive tracts, feed your ferret small meals every few hours. Ferrets like drinking water when they eat, so make sure your ferret’s water bottle is full at mealtime.
Ferrets cannot digest carbohydrates.
10. **Create a healthy environment for your ferret.** A healthy living environment is important to a ferret’s overall health. In ideal ferret living environment is well ventilated, large enough for it to play in, well-stocked with toys, and contains a safe sleeping area (e.g., ferret sleeping box). In addition, a healthy ferret environment:
Is free of dangerous objects, such as electric wires
Is situated away from drafts, such as air vents
Has a shallow water bath, if the ferret enjoys playing in water
Has an easily-accessible toilet area (e.g., litter box) that is separate from other areas of the cage
11. **Take your ferret to get regular checkups.** Regular veterinary checkups can help keep your ferret healthy. The checkups can also serve as early disease detection. Take your ferret to your vet once a year for a physical exam and vaccinations (rabies and distemper). During the appointment, your vet will also take a fecal sample to test for intestinal parasites. If your ferret is over 3 years old, your vet will run other tests, including blood work, x-rays, and a urinalysis. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Adrenal-Disease-in-Ferrets", "language": "en"} |
How to Start Making Money Blogging | These days, blogs can be big business. Once considered to be primarily for personal or memoir writings, a well-crafted blog can attract more customers to your business or even earn money on its own! And it’s not as difficult as you may think to get started. To help you out, we’ve put together a handy list of ways you can monetize your blog and earn money.
1. **Pick something you enjoy that has the potential to make money.** It’s important that you’re passionate about the focus of your blog so you can stay motivated. Do market research to see if there are people interested in the topic so you can figure out if there’s a potential to make a profit. Check out the competition by searching for similar blogs as well. The smaller your niche, the better you’ll be able to market to specific people.
For example, if you’re really passionate about cycling, there are probably a bunch of blogs and sites dedicated to cycling. But if you can narrow your niche and target a specific demographic such as middle-aged women cyclists, you can carve out a corner in the market.
You can also search for online trends by visiting Google Trends.
2. **Set up your blog on a site that you can use to make money.** Many platforms offer free versions, but you may need to purchase a premium package in order to access extra features you can use to monetize your blog, such as a shop and paid ads. Choose a site that you like the look and feel of, and that allows you to sell your goods and services. Create an account to start designing and setting up your blog.
The most popular blogging platform is WordPress, but there are a bunch of other sites you can use such as Tumblr, Blogger.com, and Medium.
Some sites may not allow you to market your products or link to outside sites.
If you’re looking for the simplest setup, a WordPress blog may be your best bet. It’s easy to set up and there are a ton of plugins you can use to customize your page.
3. **Choose one that describes your niche or industry.** A domain name is the web address of your site. While most blogging sites offer free domain names, if you want to attract more attention, make it easier for people to find you, and look more professional, you want a custom domain name. Use a domain name provider such as BlueHost, Google Sites, or HostGator and choose a name that’s short, includes relevant keywords, and reflects your site’s topic or niche.
For example, if your blog is about caring for hermit crabs, you could have a domain name like “hermithome.com” or “hermitcrabcentral.com.”
4. **Write about things you know about to earn the trust of your readers.** While it’s common for people to blog about their personal lives, you can attract more visitors (a.k.a. potential customers) by offering information that they’d be willing to pay for out in the non-blogging world. If you have expertise or experience with your niche, write about it! Demonstrate your knowledge to your readers to earn their trust and loyalty, which can convince them to purchase goods, services, or content from you.
For instance, if you’re blogging about Italian sports cars, and you have experience working on them, you could blog about how to replace a headlight or windshield wipers, which may not be common knowledge to your readers.
On the other hand, if your blog is about mountain climbing, which you know a lot about, you wouldn’t want to write about long-distance running if you don’t have much experience with it.
5. **Monetize your blog by using it to market your goods and services.** If you’re selling goods and services, you can write blog posts that explore common problems or topics. You can then include information about how your services can help solve those problems or are relevant to the topic. A compelling blog post can convince people to buy from you.
For example, if you’re offering services as a personal trainer, you could write a blog post about how difficult it can be to find time to exercise as a parent and business professional. Then, you can include information about how your program can help people find the time to get fit.
6. **Use your blog as a tool to help you gain clients.** If you have skills such as copywriting, graphic design, photography, or web design, you can blog about your services. Include a call to action by asking people interested in hiring you to email you or use the contact form of your page.
For instance, you could have an “About” page on your blog that lists all of the services you can provide and how folks can get in touch with you.
If you’re an artist, you could also include a “Portfolio” page on your site that showcases your work and includes information about how to hire you or commission a piece.
7. **Use platforms like Facebook and Instagram to promote your blog.** Take full advantage of all of the social media platforms. Create pages and accounts for your blog and share your content so you can attract more visitors to your site.
For example, you can share links to your blog posts on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn so more people can find them.
If you have a photography business, sites like Instagram are a great way to share some of your work and attract potential clients.
8. **Give people access to exclusive articles and products.** In addition to your free content that everyone can see, you can offer memberships that folks can pay for. Write more in-depth posts and offer specials and giveaways to make it worth their while. Blog sites like WordPress and Medium allow you to set content as “Premium” so only paid subscribers can view them.
For example, you could offer free articles that end with something like, “For a more in-depth analysis, become a member to unlock more articles!”
Other sites, like Patreon, allow you to offer exclusive content to your members as well.
With monthly subscribers, your blog can earn you regular income!
9. **Add a shop page to your site to make it easy for people to purchase.** Sell your products directly to people through your blog. You can also sell service packages or online courses. You could even sell branded merch like coffee cups and shirts. Set up a shop page on your blog site so people can start buying from you!
For instance, if you’re a graphic designer, you could sell logo design packages that people can purchase to have a custom-designed image made for them.
Sites like WordPress and Wix have shop pages you can add to your site, but you may need to have a premium account in order to do it.
10. **Ask relevant businesses to sign up for a fee.** If you blog about products or services but you don’t actually sell them, you can use your blog as a sort of online advertising page. Add a business directory page to your site and reach out to businesses that may be interested in joining the directory for a fee so you can make money simply by providing links to their business for visitors to your site.
For instance, if you’re blogging about local fashion trends, you could have a business directory of stores and shops that offer some of the clothing items and accessories you blog about.
11. **Earn money every time people visit your page.** Online ads work by renting out space on your site to advertisers and you earn money based on the number of views that your page gets. While you don’t want to completely clutter your page with banner ads, a few ads on your site can provide some supplemental income, especially if you get a bunch of views.
For instance, if you’re a food blogger, you could have ads on some of your recipe posts.
One of the simplest ways to advertise on your site is to either enable advertising through your host.
You can also add ads to your site using Google AdSense. You can visit the site here: https://www.google.com/adsense/start/. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Start-Making-Money-Blogging", "language": "en"} |
How to Feed Lovebirds | Lovebirds make great pets, as they are small, active, and have fun personalities. Feeding lovebirds properly will ensure they do well and thrive. Start by choosing a feed that is suitable and healthy for lovebirds. You can then establish a feeding schedule to ensure the lovebirds get enough food and nutrients regularly. Baby lovebirds do well if they are hand-fed, though this can be a time-consuming method.
1. **Look for pellet food made for lovebirds.** Pellet food is the ideal food for lovebirds, as it is formulated to give your birds the nutrients they need. Pick pellet food based on the age of your lovebirds. Make sure the pellet food contains natural ingredients and no additives or preservatives.
Baby lovebirds will have different pellet food than mature lovebirds. Mature lovebirds are 10 months or older.
Look for pellet food made for lovebirds at your local pet store or online.
2. **Give the lovebirds fresh vegetables.** Lovebirds also do well with supplemental foods in their diet like green lettuce (not iceberg lettuce), spinach, carrots, green peas, endive, tomatoes, parsley, dandelion, radish, cucumber, watercress, broccoli, sprouts, and kale.
They also do well with wheatgrass, as it is high in chlorophyll.
Do not give lovebirds avocados, as they are considered toxic to birds.
3. **Feed the lovebirds fresh fruit.** Lovebirds do well with fresh fruits like pears, bananas, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, apples, oranges, tangerines, kiwi, figs, melon, pitted cherries, and rose hips.
You can give the lovebirds dried fruits as long as they do not contain sulfites.
4. **Pick a high-quality seed mix to give the bird as a treat.** Look for a seed mix that has a wide variety of seeds like millet, canary grass seed, hulled oats, niger seed, flax seed, sunflower seeds, safflower, and grape seeds. The seed mix may also contain soybeans, rye, canary seed, whole brown rice, fennel seed, poppy seed, and sesame seed.
Because they don’t have much nutritional value for lovebirds, seeds should only be given in very small quantities as treat. Seeds should never be your bird’s sole food source.
Make sure the seed mix contains a small amount of milo, as this ingredient is often used as a filler.
Only use fresh seed mix. If the seed mix smells dusty or old, do not give it to your lovebirds.
5. **Offer the lovebirds small nuts.** Lovebirds also enjoy shelled and unshelled peanuts, Brazil nuts, acorns, horse chestnuts, and hazelnuts. You can give the lovebirds nuts as a small treat or as a supplement to their regular diet.
6. **Do not give the lovebirds food high in fat, sugar, or preservatives.** Lovebirds should not be given fast food or foods high in artificial sugar like candy, ice cream, or sweets. Do not give lovebirds french fries, chips, or deep-fried foods.
You should also avoid giving lovebirds any foods that contain preservatives or additives.
Do not give lovebirds alcohol or coffee.
7. **Give the lovebirds 1 tablespoon (14 ml) of pellet food a day.** Measure out 1 tablespoon of pellet food per bird. 70% of their diet should come from pellet food, while the other 30% should come from fruits and veggies.
Try to feed the lovebirds at the same time each day. This will ensure they know when they are going to be fed.
8. **Have separate food bowls for each bird.** If you have more than one lovebird in a cage, provide one food bowl per bird. This will ensure there is no pecking or fighting over food at mealtime. It will also help you monitor the eating habits of each bird by checking their individual food bowls.
9. **Wash fruits and vegetables before giving them to the lovebirds.** Use clean running water to wash all fruits and vegetables. Then, cut them into small pieces and put them in a bowl that is separate from their food bowl. You do not need to peel the fruits or vegetables, as most lovebirds can digest the skin.
Try to give the lovebirds a variety of different fruits and vegetables. Switch up the types of fruits and vegetables you give to the lovebirds.
Give them to the lovebirds as small snacks once or twice a day.
10. **Provide clean water for the lovebirds.** Lovebirds need lots of fresh water. Change their water daily and refill the water bowl as needed. Make sure their water bowl is full before bed so they have access to fresh water at night.
Always use water bowls that are shallow so your birds are not at risk of drowning.
11. **Hand-feed baby lovebirds** Newborn or baby lovebirds do well with being hand-fed. This can be a time-consuming process but it is ideal if you are raising a baby bird from infancy and want it to do well.
Often, hand-fed lovebirds grow much stronger and happier than baby lovebirds that are fed from a bowl.
12. **Get a syringe and baby bird food.** Look for a small syringe with a small opening. You can find them at local pet stores or online. You will also need baby bird food, which often comes in a powder.
You will need to mix the powder into boiling water to make the formula for feeding. Follow the instructions on the package for the ratio of water to powder.
13. **Feed the lovebirds slowly.** Hold the baby lovebird in one hand with your fingers wrapped lightly around its chest. Fill the syringe with the formula to 6-8ml. Put a small amount on your palm to make sure the formula is not too hot, just warm to the touch. Gently tilt the baby’s head upwards. Place the syringe into the baby’s beak and start feeding it.
Let the baby bird consume the formula slowly and at its own speed. Do not try to force the baby to eat from the syringe.
14. **Check the baby’s crop for a bulge.** The crop is an upper section of the baby bird’s stomach that inflates as it eats. Once it is bulging, you can stop feeding the bird.
Feed the bird formula every three to four hours. Always feed it until its crop is bulging, never any more than that.
15. **Clean the lovebird’s beak after feeding.** Use a clean towel to gently wipe off the lovebird’s beak once it is done eating. Most lovebirds will go to sleep after eating. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Feed-Lovebirds", "language": "en"} |
How to Take a Break from Social Media | Taking a break from social media is a great way to reconnect with the people and activities that really motivate you. Before logging off, identify why you wish to take a break. Select the duration of the break, the networks you want to temporarily abandon, and develop a schedule for reducing your social media use. To help you maintain your break, turn off social media notifications or delete the apps entirely. Use the time you’d otherwise be on social media to read, exercise, and spend time with your friends and family.
1. **Decide how long you want to take a break from social media.** There’s no right or wrong period of time you should spend off of social media. The choice is entirely yours. You could choose to spend 24 hours off of social media, or you might spend 30 days off social media (or more).
Don’t feel locked into the period of time you’ve decided to stay off social media. If you get to the end of your social media-free period and find you wish to continue your break, do so.
On the other hand, you can also shorten your social media break if you feel that you’ve accomplished whatever it is you wanted to accomplish by taking a social media break.
2. **Choose when to take a break.** The best time to take a break from social media is during family vacations and holidays. This will give you and your family the opportunity to spend time each other in conversation rather than engaging in social media exchanges.
But you might also take a break from social media if you need to commit all your attention to someone or something – for instance, when working on a school project.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed due to bad news and political mudslinging on social media, you might also take a social media break. You can look for clues that this is happening to you. For example, do you feel irritable after looking at social media? Do you fixate on things that you saw and think about them for the rest of the day? Do you have trouble focusing afterward? If so, then you probably need to take a break.
3. **Choose the networks you want to take a break from.** Taking a social media break could mean a cessation of all social media use, or it could mean taking a break only from certain networks. For instance, perhaps you temporarily quit Facebook and Twitter, but stay on Instagram.
There are no right or wrong ways to choose the networks you wish to take a break from. A good way to start the selection process, though, is to think about your reasons for desiring a social media break, and then take a break from the network or networks that will most directly allow you to achieve those goals.
You can also just log out of these sites and applications on your computer and phone. Having to log in every time you visit the site or use the app may reduce the chance that you will check them whenever you get bored or distracted.
4. **Develop a schedule to gradually cut back on your social media use.** For instance, if you plan on taking a social media break between Christmas and New Year’s Day, work to reduce your social media use in the period prior to Christmas. Start cutting back about 10 days before you intend to take your break. The amount by which you cut back depends on how much you use social media.
For instance, if you use social media for two hours daily, cut your social media use back to 1.5 hours 10 days prior to your break. Then, seven days before you plan on initiating your social media break, cut down to one hour daily. Four days prior to your break, cut back to 30 minutes daily.
5. **Let your friends and family know you’ll be taking a break.** During your period of decreasing social media use, you might want to let your friends and social media followers know that you will soon be taking a social media break. This will let people know why you aren’t answering their messages and prevent them from worrying once your social media break begins. It will also help to keep you accountable whenever you pull out your phone and start to open the app.
If you wish, you could schedule posts to appear even while you’re taking a break. There are third-party apps that allow you to schedule your posts on Instagram, Facebook, and other social media platforms.
6. **Remind yourself why you are taking a break.** Without a good cause, you will have a hard time maintaining time away from social media. There are many reasons you might want to temporarily quit social media. Perhaps you want more time with your friends and family. Perhaps you are tired of using it every day. Whatever your reason, be able to clearly articulate it so that you can answer people who ask – because they ‘’will’’ ask.
You may also want to keep a list handy to remind yourself why you are taking a break from social media.
It’s also important to be able to identify why you want a social media break in order to stay strong when you start to feel that you do not want to continue. In those moments, you can remind yourself, “No, I refuse to use social media until my designated break period ends because I want to spend more time with my family.”
7. **Deactivate your account.** For instance, if you typically access social media on your phone, delete the apps from your phone. If you tend to use social media on your computer, keep your computer turned off for the duration of your break from social media. A less extreme alternative is to simply turn off social media notifications on your device of choice so that you are not tempted to look.
If you turn off notifications, be sure to turn off email notifications, too.
8. **Delete your account.** If you find that you’re fitter, happier, and more productive during your social media break, you might want to extend the break to a full-time social media deletion. In this case, you’ll say goodbye to social media for good.
The process for deleting your account varies with social media platform. Typically, it’s quick and easy, and requires simply navigating the user menu options to the section dealing with your account (which is usually called “Your Account”). From there, just click “Delete My Account” (or some similar prompt) and confirm your decision.
Remember, if you ever want to hop on a particular social media platform again later, you can, though you’d be starting from scratch.
9. **Reframe the decision to take a break from social media.** It’s easy to think of taking a break from social media as the exclusion of something. But instead, consider your time without social media as a liberation from the demands you may have unconsciously placed on yourself to constantly post new content and engage in social media interactions. Instead of posting on social media, you can now simply focus on enjoying whatever it is you’re doing wherever it is you are.
Try keeping a mini journal with you and write in it whenever you notice that your day has been better than it usually is when you are always checking social media.
10. **Distract yourself to get through the hard part.** There will probably be a few days where you really miss being on social media. But after a time – three days, five days, or even a week depending on how connected you are to social media use – you’ll begin to feel the urge to use social media decline. Stay strong through this rough period and know that it will pass. There are several ways to avoid temptation and temporary depression. For instance, you could:
See a movie with friends
Catch up on your reading by grabbing a book off the shelf
Take up a new hobby like bicycle repair or playing the guitar.
11. **Recognize the contrived nature of social media content.** On social media, many people post only their best-looking photos and rarely – if ever – posts negative things about their lives. Once you see past this carefully calculated veneer of perfection, you will begin feeling more alienated from and skeptical of the whole enterprise. This sense of alienation will make you more willing to take a break from social media.
12. **Think before resuming your social media use.** If you do decide that you want to resume using social media at some point, then you might want to take some time to consider your decision. Make a pros and cons list to help you identify your reasons for wanting to resume your social media use.
For example, your pros might include things like “stay up to date about what friends are doing,” “have a place to share my good news and pictures,” and “engage in conversations with friends about interesting news.” However, your cons might include things like “get frustrated by political posts,” “waste time by checking my account too often,” and “worry unnecessarily over things I’ve posted.”
Compare your pros and cons to help you decide which option has the greatest benefit and make your decision.
You may also want to place some firm limits on yourself if you do resume your social media use. For example, you might set aside two 15 minute time frames per day to engage on social media and stay logged out of your accounts at all other times.
13. **Connect with your friends outside of social media.** Social media is not the only way to stay in contact with people. Instead of getting updates about what your friends are up to via social media, give them a call or send them an email or text message. Ask them, “What are you up to later? Would you like to grab some pizza and hang out?”
14. **Meet new people.** Without the constant instinct to check social media, you’ll be more engaged in the world around you. Strike up a conversation with your seatmate on the bus. “Lovely weather today, isn’t it?” you might say.
You could also get involved in your community. Look up local charities or nonprofit organizations that offer volunteer opportunities. You might be able to volunteer at your local soup kitchen, food bank, or home-building organization (like Habitat for Humanity).
Check out local clubs and groups on Meetup.com. The site allows people to connect and share their favorite interests, including movies, books, and meals. If you don’t see a group you’re interested in, start one of your own!
15. **Read a newspaper.** Social media isn’t just a great tool for communicating and seeing what others are doing. It is also often a primary mode of getting the news. But even without social media, you can stay informed. To read the day’s news, read a newspaper, visit the site of your favorite news purveyor, or grab a periodical covering current events from your local newsstand.
16. **Catch up on your reading.** Many people have a long backlog of books they promised themselves they’d get to “someday.” Now that you’re taking a break from social media, your “someday” has arrived. Settle into a cozy chair with a mug of warm tea and one of the books that seem most interesting to you.
If you like reading but don’t have books of your own to read, visit your local public library and check out a few volumes that seem interesting.
17. **Organize your house.** Dust, vacuum, and do the dishes. Go through your closet and identify clothes that you don’t wear anymore. Take them to the secondhand store for donation. Go through your books, movies, and games and look for ones that you’re willing to part with. Put them up for sale on Craigslist or eBay.
18. **Take care of business.** Use time that you’d otherwise devote to browsing social media to reply to your other correspondence (email or voicemail). Get started on school projects or catch up on your homework. If you work from home, use social media time to locate new clients or revenue streams.
19. **Be thankful for what you have.** Take stock of everything and everyone in your life that you’re thankful for. For instance, make a list of friends and family who are always there for you when you’re down. Make another list of your favorite things or places – your local library, for instance, or your game collection. This will redirect your attention from social media and make it easier to take and maintain your break from it. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Take-a-Break-from-Social-Media", "language": "en"} |
How to Poach Fish in Milk | Do you find yourself always grilling or roasting fish? If you're growing tired of your tried and true method for cooking fish, try poaching it in milk. Poaching is an easy way to quickly cook even the most delicate fish. Poaching the fish in milk adds a rich flavor and creates a creamy poaching liquid that you can spoon over the cooked fish. All you need is fish of your choice, whole milk, and a little salt. Then you can choose to poach the fish on the stove, in the oven, or even in the microwave.
1. **Select your fish.** While you can poach any kind of fish, you should choose a fish that benefits from the flavor of being poached in milk. Delicate white fish works well and so do fillets of:
Bass
Cod
Haddock
Halibut
Salmon
Sole,
Tilapia
2. **Heat milk and salt in a saucepan.** Select a wide-bottomed saucepan and set it on the stove. Pour in 2 cups (500 ml) of whole milk and add a pinch of salt. Turn the heat on to low and bring the milk to a light simmer.
The milk should just bubble a little when it reaches a light simmer.
You can also replace the milk with coconut milk, fish stock, or broth.
3. **Add the fish and poach it.** Place two fillets of skinless fish in the pan with simmering milk. Each piece should be about 1/3 of a pound (150g). The milk should come about halfway up the sides of the fish. Continue to simmer the milk after you've added the fish and let it cook for 5 to 8 minutes.
Try to select fillets of fish that are similar in size. This will ensure that they cook evenly.
You don't need to turn or flip the fish as it poaches. This could cause it to fall apart or overcook.
4. **Check to see if the fish is done.** Take a bamboo or metal skewer and insert it into the thickest part of the poached fish. The skewer should slide right in and be easy to remove. If it's hard to poke the skewer into the fish, it needs to poach a little longer. If you take a fork and gently rub it over the fish, the fish should flake.
Let the fish cook for another minute and check it again. Fish cooks quickly so, check it frequently.
5. **Remove and serve the poached fish.** Use a slotted spoon or fish turner to carefully lift the poached fish up and out of the milk. Serve the poached fish with fresh vegetables, roasted potatoes, rice, or a side of your choice.
You can use the poaching liquid as a base for a creamy sauce. Try thickening the milk with a roux, cheese, or pureed vegetables (like cauliflower).
6. **Gather your ingredients and preheat the oven.** Turn on the oven to 375 degrees F (190 C). Pour 2 cups (500ml) of whole milk and 1 pinch of salt in a shallow dish. Stir the salt into the milk. Set two skinless fillets of fish, each weighing about 1/3 of a pound (150g) into the baking dish so the milk comes about halfway up the sides of the fish.
Ensure that the dish you use is heatproof before you put it in the oven.
7. **Bake the fish until they're flaky.** Place the dish with the fish in the oven and bake it for 10 to 15 minutes. Lay a piece of wax paper or parchment paper over the fish so the moisture from the milk doesn't escape. Check the fish with a fork to see if it flakes. If the fish doesn't, add a few minutes to the cooking time and check again.
You can bake the fish while they're frozen. Just add about 10 minutes to the cooking time.
Avoid flipping or turning the fish over. It should cook evenly in the oven.
8. **Broil the fish and serve it.** You can serve the poached fish directly from the oven along with sides of your choice. You can also broil it for a few minutes under high heat before serving. This will give the fish a golden brown color.
Simple garnishes for milk poached fish include paprika, parsley, lemon wedges, and butter.
9. **Assemble your ingredients.** Pour 2 cups (500ml) of whole milk and 1 pinch of salt in a shallow baking dish. Stir the salt into the milk. Set two skinless fillets of fish, each weighing about 1/3 of a pound (150g) into the baking dish. The milk should come about halfway up the sides of the fish fillets.
Depending on the size of your fish, you could use an 8x8 dish. Just ensure that it is heat proof and will fit inside of your microwave.
10. **Cover the pan and microwave the fish.** Cover the baking dish with the fish and milk with plastic wrap. Take a knife and carefully pierce holes in the plastic wrap. Microwave the fish for 3 minutes on high heat.
You could also use a silicone cover or microwaveable lid instead of the plastic wrap.
11. **Finish microwaving the fish and check to see if it's done.** Let the fish rest for 1 minute and microwave it for one more minute on high. Carefully pull back the plastic wrap so the steam doesn't burn you. Take a fork and rub it over the surface of the fish. If it's finished, it will flake easily. If not, microwave it for another 30 seconds and check again.
You may want to use oven mitts when handling the baking dish. The dish can get very hot, even in the microwave. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Poach-Fish-in-Milk", "language": "en"} |
How to Hide Friends on Facebook | This wikiHow teaches you how to prevent other people from viewing your friends list on both desktop and mobile platforms.
1. **Open Facebook.** This app is dark-blue with a white "f" on it. Doing so will open Facebook to your News Feed if you're signed in.
If you aren't signed into Facebook, enter your email address (or phone number) and password before continuing.
2. **Tap ☰.** It's either in the bottom-right corner of the screen (iPhone) or in the top-right corner of the screen (Android).
3. **Scroll down and tap Settings.** Skip this step on Android.
4. **Tap Account Settings.** Doing so will open the Facebook settings.
5. **Tap Privacy.** This option is near the top of the screen.
6. **Tap Who can see your friends list?.** You'll see it near the top of the screen.
7. **Tap Only me.** It's near the middle of the screen. Doing so will restrict your friends list to your viewing only.
8. **Go to Facebook's website.** To do so, open 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 (or phone number) and password before proceeding.
9. **Click ▼.** It's near the top-right corner of the Facebook page, just right of the icon.
10. **Click Settings.** This option is near the bottom of the drop-down menu.
11. **Click Privacy.** It's a tab in the upper-left area of the Settings page.
12. **Click Who can see your friends list?.** It's the second option in the "Who can see my stuff?" section.
13. **Click the option box.** This box, which is at the bottom of the section, will likely say "Friends" or "Public" in it.
14. **Click Only me.** It's near the middle of the drop-down menu. This option ensures that only you can see your friends list. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Hide-Friends-on-Facebook", "language": "en"} |
How to Invest on Robinhood | This wikiHow will walk you step by step through downloading, and eventually making money using the Robinhood investing platform.
1. **Decide how you will use Robinhood.** You can use the web based version which is compatible with most new web browsers, or you can get the app on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
2. **Create an account.** Once you have either the mobile app or decide to use the web based version, you will need to create an account. You need to come prepared with your driver’s license, Social Security number, address and birthday. They will also ask a few questions about your investing to make sure all the financials are legal and that you are not a majority stakeholder in any stock prior to your account.
3. **Add stocks you’re interested in to your watchlist.** Once you create your account, you will be prompted to select some industries that you either like or would like to invest in. Select some industries or companies that you like or believe could make you money or feel comfortable investing in. You can always add more later, so don’t worry about your initial picks.
4. **Add a bank account to your account.** Either during the registration process or after you have selected the companies you want to invest in, you must add a bank account so that you can deposit money for investing as well as withdraw money if need be.
If not set up during the “Funding” step of creating your account, you can go to the “Account” tab and then click “Banking.” Under your name you will see a button that says “Add an Account”. Upon clicking you will need to provide the routing number and account number for the account. It will make a two nominal charges to ensure that there is in fact money in the account and upon verification of your identity you will be ready to invest.
5. **Deposit money.** Once you have linked your bank account, you will need to deposit money into your account. Whether you decide you want to purchase a certain stock and then invest that much or would like to just deposit some extra money you have is completely up to you. In general, however, the greater the investment the greater the return.
6. **Determine your investing goals/timeframe.** Before really considering what stocks you should invest in, you need to think about when you might need or want the money you invest back.
If you only have money for the weekend, then maybe you’re better off going to the casino. If you are in the market for mid to long term investing, however, the stock market may be right for you. If you are in it for the long haul, then maybe a mutual fund or IRA is best. If you only have a couple months then maybe Apple or another tech stock is a worthy buy. It all depends on the market when you start.
7. **Select stocks from your watchlist that you believe are a worthy investment.** Take a look at your watchlist as well as the “People Also Bought” section and the popular lists to see what stocks are priced where.
If you see that Microsoft is at a 52-week high, then maybe wait for it to become a little cheaper. By the same token, if a stock is at a 52-week low, wait for it to have an upswing before investing. Some companies can have long periods of growth while others trade nearly horizontal (meaning that their periods of rising and falling are relatively short).
8. **Review what professional stock analysts are saying.** It is always helpful to take a look at what professional stock analysts are saying about a stock. If 100% of analysts say a stock in a sell, then maybe its best to look elsewhere.
9. **Look at the average price paid by users.** Look at the price that people paid, on average for the stock you are considering investing in. If it is below, it is often a better buy than to buy it above average, or even at peak.
There are some circumstances where this could be profitable in the long run (recently AMD had several weeks of high percentage gains in a row) but often this is not the way to invest. Look for stocks that are at, near or below their average price paid by other users.
10. **Take a look at their earnings.** Its always important to look at how a company is doing in terms of sales or revenue. Robinhood provides two great ways to check this. You can look at a companies PE ratio (which stands for price earnings ratio) as well as their projected vs actual earnings per share. You can view both of these by scrolling down a stocks sale page.
11. **Find out what the company’s current involvements are.** By looking at and reading the articles that are posted about the company you can often find out their current proceedings. By looking at the articles you can get a good indication of how the stock will perform soon.
For example, if the company is about to enter a large legal battle, it is often not a good idea to buy that stock, at least not after its price has dropped below its usual minimum and could then become profitable.
12. **Buy the stock.** Once you have taken a look at the stock, the cost, the trends and spikes, the professional analysts takes on it, and deposited the funds to buy it. You can buy the stock. There are 4 types of orders, you will want to use market buy as it is the easiest to understand as a beginner. The easiest order type to be profitable as a beginner is to use a regular market order, execute a market order when you are ready to buy the stock.
13. **Wait.** Once you have purchased a stock, it is best to wait until the current trading day is over. If you buy and sell a stock the same day that is known as a day trade. If you day trade too often you will be flagged as a day trader and will no longer be able to execute trades. Wait until your stocks value has risen enough to make sense (typically 1~2% is good for higher value trades, a little more for lower) and then you will be ready to sell.
14. **Sell the stock.** Once your stocks price has risen and you are ready to sell, you can execute your sale using the same method that you purchased it with. The money will return to your account as withdraw able funds within a few days.
15. **Repeat.** Keep repeating the previous steps until you have made the money you wanted to or have to withdraw your funds! | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Invest-on-Robinhood", "language": "en"} |
How to Use Epsom Salt as a Laxative | Constipation can be an uncomfortable and awkward condition. Everyone experiences constipation from time to time, but usually, it is short-term and not very serious. There are ways to help combat constipation, such taking Epsom salts as a laxative. Epsom salt is a mixture of different salts, but the main one is magnesium sulfate. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the oral use of Epsom salt for occasional constipation.
1. **Buy the right Epsom salt.** There are numerous types of Epsom salt that you can buy. Make sure the type of Epsom salt you buy has magnesium sulfate as its main ingredient. If it has any other type of ingredient as the main ingredient, do not buy it. You could poison yourself if you buy the wrong kind.
Try brands such as Epsoak Epsom Salt.
2. **Warm some water.** To begin an Epsom salt mixture for a laxative, warm eight ounces of water in a pot on the stove over medium heat. Don't let the water boil, but make sure it is warmer than room temperature.
This can take a few minutes.
3. **Add the salt.** Add two to four level teaspoons of Epsom salt to the warm water mixture if the mixture is for an adult. Stir well under low heat until all the salt has dissolved. If the salty taste bothers you, add a small amount of lemon juice to help with the taste.
You can use the microwave to heat the water first, then add the salt.
4. **Drink the mixture.** Once you take it off the stove, set it aside in a mug or cup to cool. Allow the mixture to cool down to a comfortable and drinkable temperature. When it is cool enough for you to drink but still warm, drink the whole cup at once.
5. **Drink only twice a day.** This mixture is safe to use twice a day. Drink the doses at least 4 hours apart each day. You can continue drinking this mixture for up to 4 days. If after 4 days you haven’t had any bowel movement or if you still feel constipated, call your doctor for advice.
Epsom salts taken as a laxative generally work within 30 minutes to six hours. Make sure you take it during a time where you have easy access to a bathroom to avoid accidents or discomfort.
If you are giving the laxative to a child under the age of 12, you may use one to two level teaspoons. Do not give this mixture to children under 6 years old. The safety of Epsom salt as a laxative on this age group has not been tested.
6. **Drink more water.** While you are taking Epsom salt as a laxative, increase your water intake. The mixture can cause dehydration and you need to keep your water levels up in order to stay hydrated and healthy.
Increased water intake can also help with your bowel movements, so it is helpful in multiple ways.
7. **Avoid Epsom salt if you have certain symptoms.** Constipation can come along with other symptoms. If you are experiencing any symptoms other than constipation, avoid taking Epsom salt or any other laxative until you call you doctor.
Never take Epsom salt as a laxative if you are experiencing severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, have had a sudden change in bowel habits that has lasted two weeks or longer, are suffering from rectal bleeding, or have dark, tarry stools.
8. **Do not take Epsom salts while on certain medications.** There are certain medications that cannot be taken with Epsom salts. Do not use Epsom salt as a laxative if you are taking antibiotics such as tobramycin, gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin, and amikacin.
If you are currently taking other medications such as corticosteroids, blood pressure medications, diuretics, pain relievers, antacids, or antidepressants, consult your physician before using Epsom salts as a laxative.
9. **Consult a doctor if you have certain conditions.** There are some conditions that might be complicated if you take Epsom salt. Make sure you check in with your physician before using Epsom salt as a laxative if you have kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, any known heart arrhythmia, or if you have an eating disorder.
Also ask your doctor if it is safe for you to use if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
Also contact your doctor before using it if you have used another laxative in the last two weeks that has not worked for you.
10. **Recognize constipation.** Constipation is the difficult or uncomfortable passage of stools. The most common symptoms of constipation are a decreased number of bowel movements, smaller than normal stools, stool that is difficult to pass and pain or bloating in your abdomen.
If constipation becomes chronic or long-term, it can be serious and you should consult a physician.
11. **Discover the causes of constipation.** Constipation commonly occurs because people don’t include enough fiber or water in their diet. Constipation can also be due to too little exercise or as a side effect of a number of different drugs. These include antacids, diuretics, narcotic pain relievers, antidepressants, and muscle relaxants. Constipation can also be caused by pelvic disorders or it can be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a form of which has both diarrhea and constipation.
It is important to remember and realize that constipation can be a symptom of a number of more serious medical disorders including diabetes, an underactive thyroid, inflammatory bowel disease, and some neurological disorders.
Other causes of constipation are changes in your daily routine such as travel and not enough time to have bowel movements. This can happen if you have a particularly busy lifestyle or are busy helping spouses, partners, or children or are a caregiver to an elderly relative.
12. **Monitor your bowel movements.** There is not really a set rule to how frequently you should have a bowel movement. Most people feel most comfortable when they have at least one bowel movement every day, but there is a wide variation for normal bowel movements. Some people have two to three bowel movements a day and this is perfectly normal. Other people have a bowel movement every other day, and this is normal for them.
In general, at least four to eight times a week seems to be most common. The key is your diet and comfort level. People with more frequent bowel movements tend to have high fiber diets and are often vegetarians or vegans. Those with fewer bowel movements tend to have a higher meat content in their diet. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Epsom-Salt-as-a-Laxative", "language": "en"} |
How to Store Apples | Apples require a little bit of coolness in order to stay fresh in storage for a longer period of time. Cool temperatures alone are often enough to keep your apples fresh weeks, but if you take a few extra precautions, you can even store apples up to several months.
1. **Start with apples that are in good shape.** Inspect your selection of apples and separate the apples that have bruises or soft spots from the apples that are still undamaged. One bad apple really can rot the bunch because apples produce a large amount of ethylene gas as they decay. As a result, you should not store damaged apples with undamaged apples.
2. **Place damaged apples out on the counter.** When kept at room temperature in a basket, apples can stay fresh for about two days. This is not a long time, of course, but damaged apples should be eaten within a short amount of time no matter how you store them since a partially decayed apple is likely to spoil faster.
If the apples are too damaged for human consumption, you could also consider throwing them out into the woods for deer or other wildlife to enjoy. Even if no wild animal is interested, as the apples decay, they will provide a food source for various insects and other organisms living in the dirt.
3. **Pile good apples into the refrigerator.** Apples stay fresher for a longer period of time when kept a little cold. Most modern refrigerators have a fruit drawer or crisper drawer, and if your refrigerator has a drawer like this, you should store your apples there. If not, place the apples in an uncovered plastic container near the back of the refrigerator, where it tends to be coldest.
4. **Drape a damp paper towel over the apples in the refrigerator.** Aside from cold temperatures, apples also need a small amount of moisture to stay their freshest. Laying a damp paper towel over the apples provides just enough moisture, but if you do cover the apples with a wet paper towel, you need to make sure that you do not seal them in an airtight container or drawer.
5. **Monitor the temperature, if possible.** If you have a temperature control dial for your crisper drawer, set it to a temperature between 30 and 35 degrees Fahrenheit (-1.1 to 1.7 degrees Celsius). This is the ideal temperature range for apples to be stored at. Storing them in colder conditions will cause the cells to break down, leading to mushy, inedible apples, and storing them in conditions that are warmer by only 10 degrees Fahrenheit (12.2 degrees Celsius) can cause the apples to ripen twice as quickly.
If you do not have temperature control settings that allow you to control the temperature by degrees, but you do have basic settings that allow you to make the refrigerator or crisper drawer colder or warmer, place a thermometer in the drawer and adjust the settings until the thermometer shows a number within the appropriate range.
6. **Keep an eye on your apples.** Stored this way, apples can stay fresh for up to three weeks.
7. **Start with long-keeping apple varieties.** Tart, thick-skinned apples like Jonathans, Rome, Melrose, Fuji, and Granny Smiths are usually your best bet. Sweet, thin-skinned apples, like Red Delicious or Golden Delicious, do not generally do as well.
Also make sure that your apples are in good shape. Apples with soft spots or bruises give off a lot of ethylene gas, which can cause nearby apples to decay faster than normal and may thwart your storage efforts.
8. **Wrap each apple individually.** Even apples that are in good shape give off a little ethylene gas, and as a result, apples that rub up against each other as they are in storage are more likely to rot faster. Moreover, if one apple starts to rot while it is in storage, it could contaminate the other apples it touches, causing the entire bunch to spoil faster. Wrapping each apple individually prevents most of the potential damage caused when apples come into contact with each other.
Separate a section of newspaper into quarters and stack those quarters together. Choose a section that only has black ink since colored ink contains poisonous heavy metals.
Place one apple on top of the stack of newsprint. Bring the top sheet up and fold it around the apple, gently twisting the corners together the keep the apple wrapped. Do not twist too tightly, since you may tear the paper if you do. The objective is only to prevent the apple from coming into contact with other apples, not to keep the air out.
Continue wrapping each apple in a quarter sheet of newsprint until the entire bunch has been covered.
9. **Line a crate or cardboard box with insulation.** The container should not be airtight, since you do not want to completely restrict airflow to your apples as you store them, but it should keep out most of the air. Insulating the box also helps regulate the temperature of your apples and the amount of airflow it receives. Line the containers with straw or perforated plastic liners.
10. **Place your apples in the insulated container.** Line them up side by side, making sure that the newsprint wrappings do not come undone and that the apples are not directly touching skin to skin.
11. **Store the apples in a cold location.** A root cellar is the most common location of choice, but an unheated basement, unheated attic, or enclosed porch can also work just as well. The average temperature of the area should not drop too far below freezing, however, since the freezing process will rupture the cells of your apples, turning them to mush when they thaw.
12. **Do no store apples near potatoes.** Potatoes release a gas as they age, and this gas can cause apples to rot faster. You can keep the two types of produce in the same room or storage facility, but do not keep them side by side.
13. **Check your apples after a few months.** Stored this way, apples can retain their freshness for several months, but will start to go bad after that. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Store-Apples", "language": "en"} |
Is Manifestation Real and Does It Actually Work? | Manifestation refers to any practice where you try to make something come true by focusing your positive thoughts. But does it actually work? Is it real? Well, it kind of depends on what you mean by “real.” In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the power of manifestation.
1. **It’s the idea that focusing on something can make it come true.** The premise here is that the universe will give you what you ask for. People who manifest believe that by journaling, meditating, focusing, or speaking positive affirmations, they can make something come into reality. As Spiritual Life Coach Jennifer McVey explains, "We are all manifesting things already. Everything that you have, that you see, that is in your life you have already manifested. [...] Our awareness is to realize that we are powerful creators, spirits that are able to create their own lives. Tuning into that energy reminds us that this is what we're doing anyway." This might be something tangible, like a pet cat or money, or something more abstract, like true love.
Manifestation is based on the laws of attraction from the 2006 book, The Secret, which claims that positive thoughts create positive events, and negative thoughts produce negative events.
2. **Not directly, no, but it might help you achieve a goal.** There is no concrete evidence that your beliefs or intentions can cause something to happen. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t benefits to manifestation, and it’s more than possible that manifestation can help you in indirect ways when it comes to getting what you want.
Let’s say you want to manifest money. You might picture the money in your bank account, or meditate on how badly you want to get paid.
The visualization and meditation will not cause money to show up on your doorstep the next day.
However, if the meditation gives you the peace of mind you need to pursue the career you want, and the visualization keeps you focused on your prize, then the manifestation did work!
3. **Scientifically speaking, there’s no evidence for the laws of attraction.** Many of the foundations of the laws of attraction are not true to begin with (i.e. “like always attracts like,” and thinking burns brain matter). On top of that, there is yet to be any kind of observable proof that thinking about something causes it to become true.
There is evidence that positive thinking, visualization, meditation, and the other elements that go into manifestation can help you, but that doesn’t mean the laws of attraction are true.
4. **The fact that it may not be real doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try it.** If you believe in any kind of higher power, your religious beliefs allow for it, or you simply feel like the laws of attraction are real, then who’s to say it’s not true for you? It’s unlikely to cause any harm, and if you make the personal decision that it’s something worth trying, go for it! Spiritual Life Coach Jennifer McVey suggests, "if you're a beginner and you have no idea what's going on, and you don't even know what [manifestation] is and might not even [believe in it], I would focus on a goal. Manifesting is goals, right? It's things that you want."
This isn’t something people can realistically study or observe. If the laws of attraction work, we’d have no real way of knowing it.
5. **It may improve your overall mental and emotional health.** The most common forms of manifestation involve visualization, journaling, meditation, and positive affirmations. These practices are phenomenal for your mental and emotional wellbeing. They can reduce your stress, improve your mood, and actively increase the odds that you achieve your goals.
If you have an anxiety disorder, depression, or obsessive compulsive disorder, manifestation probably isn’t right for you.
6. **It might help you realign or identify your goals.** Manifestation forces you to really focus on the things you truly want. Spiritual Life Coach Jennifer McVey suggests that you think about it like, "gifts that you would like to have, or even gifts that you would like to give. That can be emotional, mental, physical, spiritual, whatever." If you aren’t entirely sure what you want out of life, getting specific about what you want can be a valuable exercise. It’s possible that you stumble on something that you didn’t even realize you wanted in the first place!
For example, if you start trying to manifest a new car, you may eventually realize that the thing you really want is freedom—not some vehicle. If you believe in the value of subconscious thought, this can be invaluable.
7. **It can enhance your attitude and keep you focused.** Keeping your eyes on the thing you want most may improve your ability to work towards your goal. On top of that, positive thinking may improve your overall outlook. If you want to feel better about working towards your accomplishments, imagining it happening may radically help.
Manifestation can also make you feel in charge of your own destiny. If you’re a naturally pessimistic person, manifestation may help you change that.
Keep in mind, you do need to actively pursue your goals! Thinking about something alone is unlikely to have an impact when it comes to getting what you want.
8. **If you find manifesting beneficial, you should 100% keep doing it.** If you’re interested in manifestation and you get something out of it, why would you stop? You aren’t doing any harm by manifesting, and if it improves your emotional or mental health, it helps you clear your mind, or it makes you feel good, there’s no real reason to not give it a shot.
The fact that manifestation doesn’t work exactly the way it supposedly does is not a good reason to stop. Spiderman isn’t real either, but that doesn’t mean watching Marvel movies can’t be relaxing!
9. **If you don’t get anything out of manifestation, go ahead and stop.** If you’re getting frustrated that you keep spending all this time and energy trying to make something come true and it’s just not happening, you may want to stop. If you aren’t getting anything out of it, there’s no need to keep forcing it. It’s not right for everybody.
Some people don’t like feeling like their thoughts have so much power. If you’re uncomfortable with the experience of manifestation, don’t push yourself to keep trying. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Is-Manifestation-Real", "language": "en"} |
How to Work With Punnett Squares | Punnett Squares are visual tools used in the science of genetics to determine the possible combinations of genes that will occur at fertilization. A Punnett square is made of a simple square grid divided into 2x2 (or more) spaces. With this grid and knowledge of both parents' genotypes, scientists can discover the potential gene combinations for the offspring and even the chances of exhibiting certain inherited traits.
1. **Understand the concept of genes.** Before learning how to make and use Punnett squares, it's necessary to get some important basics out of the way. The first is the idea that all living things (from tiny microbes to giant blue whales) have genes. Genes are incredibly complex, microscopic sets of instructions encoded into almost every single cell in an organism's body. Genes are responsible, in some way, for virtually every aspect of an organism's life, including the way it looks, the way it behaves, and much, much more.
One concept that's important to understand when working with Punnett squares is that living things get their genes from their parents. You are probably already aware of this subconsciously. Think — don't the people you know seem to be similar to their parents in the way they look and act, generally?
2. **Understand the concept of sexual reproduction.** Most (but not all) of the organisms you are aware of in the world around you make children via sexual reproduction. That is, a female parent and a male parent each contribute their genes to make a child with about half of its genes from each parent. A Punnett square is basically a way of showing the different possibilities that can occur from this half-and-half exchange of genes in the form of a graph.
Sexual reproduction isn't the only form of reproduction out there. Some organisms (like many strains of bacteria) reproduce via asexual reproduction, which is when one parent makes a child all by itself. In asexual reproduction, all of the child's genes come from one parent, so the child is more or less a copy of its parent.
3. **Understand the concept of alleles.** As mentioned above, an organism's genes are basically a set of instructions that tell every cell in the organism's body how to live. In fact, just like an instruction manual is divided into different chapters, sections, and subsections, different parts of an organism's genes tell it how to do different things. If one of these "subsections" is different between two organisms, the two organisms may look or behave differently — for instance, genetic differences may lead one person to have black hair and another to have blonde hair. These different forms of the same gene are called alleles.
Because a child gets two sets of genes — one from each parent — it will have two copies of every allele.
4. **Understand the concept of dominant and recessive alleles.** A child's alleles do not always "share" their genetic power. Some alleles, called dominant alleles, will manifest in the child's looks and behavior (we call this "being expressed") by default. Others, called recessive alleles, will only be expressed if they're not paired with a dominant allele which can "override" them. Punnett squares are often used to help determine how likely a child is to receive a dominant or recessive allele.
Because they can be "overridden" by dominant alleles, recessive alleles tend to be expressed more rarely. In general, a child will have to get a recessive allele from both parents for the allele to be expressed. A blood condition called sickle-cell anemia is a frequently-used example of a recessive trait — note, however, that recessive alleles aren't "bad" by definition.
5. **Make a 2x2 square grid.** The most basic Punnett squares are quite simple to set up. Begin by drawing a good-sized square, then dividing that square into four even boxes. When you're done, there should be two squares in each column and two squares in each row.
6. **Use letters to represent the parent alleles for each row and column.** On a Punnett square, columns are assigned to the mother and the rows to the father, or vice versa. Write a letter next to each row and column that represents each of the mother's and father's alleles. Use capital letters for dominant alleles and lowercase for recessive alleles.
This is much easier to understand with an example. For instance, let's say you want to determine the odds that a couple's child will be able to roll its tongue. We can represent this with the letters and — uppercase for the dominant gene and lowercase for the recessive. If both parents are heterozygous (have one copy of each allele), we would write and
7. **Write the letters for each space's row and column.** Once you've figured out the alleles that each parent is contributing, filling in your Punnett square is easy. In each square, write the two-letter gene combination given from the mother and father's alleles. In other words, take the letter from the space's column and the letter from its row and write them together inside the space.
In our example, we would fill in our squares like this:
Top left square:
Top right square:
Bottom left square:
Bottom right square:
Notice that, traditionally, dominant alleles (capital letters) are written first.
8. **Determine each potential offspring's genotype.** Each square of a filled-in Punnett square represents an offspring that the two parents can have. Every square (and thus every offspring) is equally likely — in other words, on a 2x2 grid, there is a 1/4 possibility for any of the four possibilities. The different combinations of alleles represented on a Punnett square are called genotypes. Though genotypes represent genetic differences, the offspring won't necessarily turn out differently for each square (see step below.)
In our example Punnett square, the genotypes that are possible for an offspring from these two parents are:
(from the two Rs)
(from the R and r)
(from the R and r) — notice that there are two squares with this genotype
(from the two rs)
9. **Determine each potential offspring's phenotype.** An organism's phenotype is the actual physical trait that it displays based on its genotype. Just a few examples of phenotypes include eye color, hair color, and presence of sickle cell anemia — all of these are physical traits determined by genes, but none are the actual gene combinations themselves. The phenotype a potential offspring will have is determined by the characteristics of the gene. Different genes will have different rules for how they manifest as phenotypes.
In our example, let's say that the gene that allows someone to roll their tongue is dominant. This means that any offspring will be able to roll their tongue even if only one of their alleles is dominant. In this case, the phenotypes of the potential offspring are:
Top left:
Top right:
Bottom left:
Bottom right:
10. **Use the squares to determine the probability of different phenotypes.** One of the most common uses for Punnett squares is to determine how likely it is that offspring will have specific phenotypes. Since each square represents an equally-likely genotype outcome, you can find a phenotype's likelihood by
Our example Punnett square tells us that there are four possible gene combinations for any offspring from these parents. Three of these combinations make an offspring that can roll its tongue, while one does not. Thus, the probabilities for our two phenotypes are:
Offspring can roll its tongue: 3/4 =
Offspring cannot roll its tongue: 1/4 =
11. **Double each side of the basic 2x2 grid for each additional gene.** Not all gene combinations are as simple as the basic monohybrid (one-gene) cross from the section above. Some phenotypes are determined by more than one gene. In these cases, you must account for every possible combination, which means drawing a bigger grid.
The basic rule for Punnett squares when it comes to more than one gene is this: In other words, since a one-gene grid is 2x2, a two-gene grid is 4x4, a three-gene grid is 8x8, and so on.
To make these concepts easier to understand, let's follow along with a two-gene example problem. This means we should draw a grid. The concepts in this section hold true for three or more genes as well — these problems just require larger grids and more work.
12. **Determine the parents' genes being contributed.** Next, find the genes that both parents have for the characteristic you're examining. Since you're dealing with multiple genes, each parent's genotype will have an additional two letters for each gene beyond the first — in other words, four letters for two genes, six letters for three genes, and so on. It can be helpful to write the mother's genotype above the top of the grid and the father's to the left (or vice versa) as a visual reminder.
Let's use a classic example problem to illustrate these conflicts. A pea plant can have peas that are either smooth or wrinkled and yellow or green. Smooth and yellow are the dominant traits. In this case, use S and s to represent dominant and recessive genes for smoothness and Y and y for yellowness. Let's say that the mother in this case has an genotype and the father has an genotype.
13. **Write the different gene combinations along the top and left sides.** Now, above the top row of squares in the grid and to the left of the leftmost column, write the different alleles that can potentially be contributed by each parent. As when dealing with one gene, each allele is equally likely to be passed on. However, since you are looking at multiple genes, each row and column will get multiple letters: two letters for two genes, three letters for three genes, and so on.
In our example, we need to write down the different combinations of genes that each parent can contribute from their SsYy genotypes. If we have the mother's SsYy genes across the top and the father's SsYY genes on the left, the alleles for each gene are:
Across the top:
Down the left side:
14. **Fill in the spaces with each combination of alleles.** Fill in the spaces in the grid just as you would when dealing with a single gene. However, this time, each space will have two extra additional letters for each gene beyond the first: four letters for two genes, six letters for three genes. As a general rule, the number of letters in each space should match the number of letters in each parent's genotype.
In our example, we would fill in our spaces like this:
Top row:
Second row:
Third row:
Bottom row:
15. **Find the phenotypes for each potential offspring.** When dealing with multiple genes, each space in the Punnett square still represents the genotype for each potential offspring — there are just a greater number of choices than there are with one gene. The phenotypes for each square are, once again, dependent on the exact genes being dealt with. However, as a general rule, dominant traits need only one dominant allele to be expressed, while recessive traits need all recessive alleles.
In our example, since smoothness and yellowness are dominant traits for our peas, any square with at least one capital S represents a plant with a smooth phenotype and any square with at least one capital Y represents a plant with a yellow phenotype. Wrinkled plants need two lowercase s alleles and green plants need two lowercase ys. From these conditions, we get:
Top row:
Second row:
Third row:
Bottom row:
16. **Use the squares to determine the likelihood of each phenotype.** Use the same techniques as when dealing with one gene to find the likelihood that any offspring from the two parents can have each different phenotype. In other words, the number of squares with the phenotype divided by the total number of squares equals the probability for each phenotype.
In our example, the probabilities for each phenotype are:
Offspring is smooth and yellow: 12/16 =
Offspring is wrinkled and yellow: 4/16 =
Offspring is smooth and green: 0/16 =
Offspring is wrinkled and green: 0/16 =
Notice that since it is impossible for any offspring to get two recessive y alleles, none of the offspring will be green. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Work-With-Punnett-Squares", "language": "en"} |
How to Increase Your Ejaculate | Looking to produce more semen or increase your seminal fluid? Whether you want to improve the strength, force, or amount of your ejaculate, you're in the right place. Safe ways to produce more semen or increase seminal fluid include nutritional approaches, physical practices, and conscious lifestyle choices, and we've got everything you need to know, from foods and supplements to try to simple exercises and lifestyle changes you can make. Keep reading for all of the best tips to help you to increase your ejaculate.
1. **Drink fluids** The amount of semen that is released during orgasm is related to the volume of fluids that are ingested. That's because semen is water-based, and semen is the fluid that helps lubricate the way for sperm. The body needs two to three liters of water a day to function properly. Drinking more fluids should therefore increase your ejaculate.
If you enjoy a couple rounds of drinks after work and a couple more before the deed, you're doing your ejaculate a disservice. That's because alcohol dehydrates your body, leaving it less like a slip'n'slide and more like a deserted water park. In addition to dehydrating your body, alcohol lowers sperm count and affects the quality of your sperm.
2. **Keep the heat away.** Your mini-mes are delicate, like a flower in the tundra. They're so delicate that they wilt when they're exposed to excessive heat. This may help answer one of the burning questions of your youth — why are testicles outside of the body? In fact, testes are housed outside of the body instead of inside because they need to be able to maintain a lower temperature than 98.6 °F (37.0 °C), which is the temperature at which your body regulates heat.
What does this mean, practically speaking? If you enjoy long rides in cars with heated seats, or steamy shifts in the sauna/steam room, or even trips to your very own hot tub time machine, give them a break. They're not worth sacrificing your little cadets for.
3. **Avoid wearing tight underwear.** Again, the ideal temperature for semen and sperm is slightly lower than normal body temperature. Tight underwear will increase the scrotal temperature, thereby decreasing sperm and semen levels.
4. **Avoid sitting with your legs crossed.** This philosophical posture also affects the sperm and semen volumes to a great extent. By squashing the scrotal area against the warm body, you risk increasing its temperature above the normal range. That's a red alert, right there.
5. **Abstain from orgasm (for a day or two).** Your body produces sperm at an astonishing rate of more than 1,500 every second, on average. That works out to anywhere from 130 to 200 million sperm cells a day. Still, whenever you orgasm, you lose a hefty portion of your serial soldiers. Try to wait a bit to increase the size of the army.
Abstaining from orgasm for one or two days is all it takes, in fact, for the body to replenish its army. Beyond one or two days, your sperm is just sitting and getting old, like tuckered out reserves.
6. **Take zinc together with folic acid.** Zinc is an essential mineral that is instrumental in several factors of cellular metabolism. In combination with folic acid, zinc was found to increase sperm count by 74% in men who had fertility problems, according to one study.
So how much zinc and folic acid should you take every day, you ask? 1 mg of folic acid and 15 mg of zinc sulfate is recommended.
Always remember to take zinc in combination with folic acid. Taken alone, neither supplement had a significant bearing on sperm count.
7. **Kick your soda habit.** Not only is soda rich in high fructose corn syrup bad for your liver, but it's also bad for your baby batter. Compared to men who drink no soda, those who drink more than a quart a day had 30% lower sperm counts.
8. **Try taking certain amino acids.** Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. These organic compounds, taken regularly, are reputed to boost levels of silly string. Scientists believe that sperm benefit from amino acids because certain amino acids are found in large quantities in the heads of sperm. Look out for the following amino acids to boost your ejaculate:
L-Arginine
L-Lysine
L-Carnitine
9. **Try horny goat weed.** According to legend, this supplement gets its name from a Chinese goat-herder who noticed some serious arousal in his flock after they chewed on a particular species of epimedium. But does this strange herb actually work? Horny goat weed is reputed to restrict enzymes that block blood flow to the penis. Whether or not this helps your diminutive dailies is still up for debate.
10. **Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.** Sometimes, all you need is a healthy diet. Fruits and veggies, especially, are rich in antioxidants, which could help improve the quality of life your sperm enjoy. They are also rich in vitamins, and you should focus especially on vitamins C, E, and Folate. Aside from increasing your ejaculate, foods rich in antioxidants will also make you healthier and help you feel better. Food rich in antioxidants include:
Red beans
Wild blueberries, cranberries, and blackberries
Coconut water
Prunes
Apples (Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Gala)
Artichokes
11. **Perform regular PC muscle exercises** Also called Kegel exercises, PC muscle exercises (shorthand for "pubococcygeus" muscle) do a host of functions for both sexes, but in particular men. In addition to promoting prostate health and heading off premature ejaculation, they are instrumental in prolonging the duration of orgasm as well as increasing ejaculate.
12. **Stop smoking** If you needed another compelling reason to quit smoking, add this one to the heap. Smoking not only lowers sperm count, but also possibly leads to higher imperfection rates in sperm.
Expecting fathers who smoke while trying to get pregnant may have children with higher rates of medical issues. During both conception and after, keeping the mother in a smoke-free environment is the best course of action, hands down.
Smoking marijuana is a no-no, too. Marijuana is known to lower both the male hormone testosterone and sperm count.
13. **Learn to manage your stress.** However stressful your life is, try to begin to come to grips with the fact that stress is fundamentally unhealthy. It turns out that stress hormones interfere with the testes' ability to manufacture testosterone, which is largely responsible for sperm production. In addition to diminished ejaculate, stress will also cause:
Acne and facial blemishes
Heart disease such as angina and heart attack
Insomnia
14. **Get enough physical exercise.** There's good evidence to suggest that regular physical exercise is beneficial in increasing sperm count. So put on your soccer cleats, football spikes, or court kicks and brush off some of the cobwebs in your moves.
15. **Practice safe sex** Safe sex is the final key to helping your little helpers go from a small village to the Roman dynasty. Some STIs like gonorrhea and chlamydia, can ultimately lead to infertility if left untreated. Always use protection. To be absolutely sure, engage in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone you trust. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Increase-Your-Ejaculate", "language": "en"} |
How to Debone a Turkey Breast | Deboning (sometimes called “boning”) is the process of removing the bones from a fowl before cooking. Deboned turkey breasts are the basis for many recipes, such as oven-roasted turkey breast or turkey kabobs. Bones from the deboning process can also be used to make turkey stock. Learning how to debone your own meat can save you money, as most deboned cuts are more expensive than bone-in meats. Once the deboning technique is mastered it can be used on any number of fowl including goose, pheasant, duck, and chicken.
1. **Set aside some time.** If this is your first time deboning a turkey breast, schedule plenty of time to complete the task. Deboning a turkey breast will usually take about 10 minutes, but with practice you will become faster and more efficient.
2. **Gather some supplies.** You are going to need a plastic cutting board; a sharp, thin boning knife; and of course a whole turkey breast. Additionally, make sure that your kitchen area is sanitary before you begin.
3. **Wash your hands** It is crucial to begin with sanitary hands, otherwise you could introduce bacteria into your turkey. Be sure to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and hot water. You will want to wash your hands again when you are finished.
4. **Skip washing the turkey breast to avoid contaminating your kitchen.** Although you may have heard advice that washing poultry is a good idea, doing so increases your risk of food poisoning. That's because the water easily splashes, spreading bacteria across your work space, onto your cooking equipment, and onto your clothes. Additionally, the bacteria gets all over your hands. Don't wash your turkey before you debone it.
It's really easy for water molecules to spread through the air, even if you don't see them. It takes a very small amount of the bacteria to make you sick, so don't risk it.
5. **Keep your work space clean to minimize your food poisoning risk.** Put the turkey on a plastic cutting board that's only used for slicing meat. Make sure the turkey stays on the cutting board, and immediately wipe up any juices that spill over the sides. Place used utensils or dishes directly into your wash, and use an antibacterial soap or cleanser to clean up your work surface as soon as you're finished.
Raw turkey will contaminate anything it touches with bacteria, so you need to be careful.
Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before touching anything other than the turkey or the utensils you're using to debone it. Additionally, scrub your hands well with an antibacterial soap when you're finished.
6. **Remove the skin.** If you would like to prepare your turkey breast without skin, now is a good time to remove it. Using a slicing knife and your fingers, carefully peel back the skin and discard.
Although this step is optional, it may make the deboning process easier.
7. **Position the turkey.** Place the turkey breast with the skin-side down on a plastic cutting board. Position the pointed end so it is facing away from you. Be sure that you have plenty of elbow room around your cutting board to work.
8. **Make a center slice.** Make a cut down the center of the breast all the way down to the bone. This may take several cuts. Make each cut deeper than the last until the bone is reached.
9. **Locate the keel bone.** The keel bone is a dark triangular bone in the center of the breast. This is the first and more important bone to remove. You may want to pick up the breast and bend it backward a bit in order to better expose the keel bone.
10. **Cut the cartilage.** Using your knife. slice through the cartilage found just above the keel bone. Once again, this may require several runs with your knife, moving deeper each time.
11. **Remove the keel bone.** Pick up the breast and bend it backwards even more. Try to “pop out” the keel bone a bit by applying pressure with your fingers. Then using your hands and your knife, work to free the entire bone. Pull out the bone, as well as the cartilage.
If the keel bone does not pop out easily, slide your fingers underneath it on one side, then the other, working to break up any cartilage.
Once the cartilage is disconnected from the bone, it should come out easily.
12. **Locate the long bones.** There are two long bones (one on each side) that run the length of the breast. Find the two long bones, and use both hands to bend the bones backwards, loosening them.
13. **Remove the long bones.** Use the knife to work your way around the bones and cartilage of the long bones. Work carefully to remove meat and cartilage until the bone is free. Repeat on the opposite side. Save as much meat as possible.
14. **Locate and remove the wishbone.** The wishbone is a thin, V-shaped bone found right between the neck and the breast. By now, your wishbone should be loose enough to simply wiggle out. If needed, use your knife to free up any meat holding the wishbone in place, and remove it.
15. **Clean up the breasts.** Remove the white tendon, as well as any loose connective tissue from the turkey breast. If desired, cut the turkey breasts into two halves. Using a sharp knife (your boning knife, or a more standard kitchen knife), slice down the center of the turkey breast longways. This will give you smaller servings to store and prepare.
16. **Store your turkey.** Cover your raw turkey meat with plastic wrap, place it in a plastic bag, or seal it in another air-tight container. Your uncooked turkey will be OK in your refrigerator for 2-3 days. If you do not plan to use it in that time, it is best to place your air-tight container in the freezer, where it will last for several weeks. When you are ready to use it, thaw your turkey in the fridge overnight.
17. **Clean up.** When you have finished, be sure to thoroughly cleanse your hands, your instruments, and your kitchen area. Whenever you work with raw poultry, be sure to use hot soapy water to disinfect everything.
18. **Use your turkey if you're ready to cook it.** Once your turkey is deboned, you may be ready to cook it. Make sure you cook it thoroughly so that you don't risk food poisoning. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Debone-a-Turkey-Breast", "language": "en"} |
How to Dry Corn Cobs | Dried corn cobs are ideal for autumn decor, especially when bound at the husks to form a bouquet. They’re not purely ornamental – the dried kernels can also stored for cooking, whether you shell them for popping, grind them up for cornmeal, or make homemade hominy. They’re also suitable for animal feed, from farm stock to backyard wildlife. Your drying method will depend on the kind of corn you’re using, but all methods take time and patience. You can dry sweet corn out in an oven at a low temperature and leave Indian corn out to air-dry.
1. **Pick out your cobs.** Sweet corn is the typical kind of edible corn you'll find at most grocery stores. While its peak season is May to September, you can often find it year-round if it's imported.
There's effectively no difference between white and yellow sweet corn aside from color, so pick whichever you prefer.
Feel the cob through the husk before putting it in your basket. If you feel gaps where kernels are missing, put the cob back – no matter your end goal, you want as many kernels as possible.
Avoid corn that feels soft, as this could be a sign of mold or rot.
2. **Remove the husks and silks.** Once you've brought your cobs home, peel back the husks. Discard the corn silks, or the thin fibers that grow inside the ear of corn.
3. **Blanch the corn cobs by bringing a large pot of water to a boil.** Make sure your chosen pot is large enough to accommodate all the ears of corn you want to dry. Place the ears of corn in a wire basket. Lower it into the boiling water, and let it boil uncovered for two to five minutes.
You can cut the cobs in half crosswise before blanching. This will make it easier to dry them fully.
4. **Fill a large bowl with ice water.** Place it on a countertop near the stove. Lift the wire basket of corn from the pot. Dunk it into the ice water straightaway to stop the cooling process, ensuring each cob is submerged. Leave it there for three to five minutes and move on to the next step while it cools.
5. **Place the corn cobs on one or two baking sheets.** Once your cobs have cooled down, lift the basket from the bowl of ice water and drain it. Dry the cobs gently with a cloth or paper towel. Lay them on the baking sheet or sheets, keeping them 2 to 3 inches apart ensure they'll dry evenly.
6. **Turn your oven on to 140 °F (60 °C).** Place the baking sheet or sheets on the oven racks, leaving the oven door ajar by about 5 inches (13 cm) to promote free air circulation.
7. **Leave the corn cobs there for 8 hours, rotating each ear halfway through.** Repeat this step until the corn cobs are thoroughly dry and feel brittle.
It may take three or four 8-hour drying sessions over the course of multiple days to complete this process.
To speed things up and minimize oven usage, you can turn the heat to 175 °F (79 °C) and leave the oven door closed for a single 8-hour period. Then you can complete the process by air drying them on a rack for one or two days. However, you'll need to check the corn cobs and rotate every hour or two while they're in the oven to prevent browning or scorching.
8. **Store the dried cobs in an airtight container in a dry, conditioned environment.** They may last for years in proper storage – just check them periodically for insects or rot.
9. **Source your Indian – also known as calico – corn.** Farmers pick these colorful varieties when they're already dried, or dry them manually on the cob before delivering them to market. If you find some at the store, you may not need to take any additional steps. If you're picking them yourself, however, you'll need to know what to do.
10. **Wait to harvest until your corn is dry.** You'll know it's time when the tassels – the pieces of silk that emerge from the top of the ear of corn – turn brown and the husks are no longer green.
If you planted in May, the corn will likely be ready by September, depending on regional conditions.
If you live in a wet climate, you may want to harvest the corn before the rain arrives for drying indoors.
11. **Pick the corn by pulling briskly downward on the ears.** Be sure to leave the husk on, since this will help with the drying process and add a decorative touch.
12. **Place the harvested corn on a drying rack in a heated, low-humidity indoor area.** Alternatively, you can bind the husks with twine and hang them up from a clothesline. The idea is that you want as much exposure to the air as possible.
13. **Leave the ears of corn out to dry out for a week.** If you press on a kernel, you shouldn't be able to make a dent, as it will be completely hardened from the drying process. Store these cobs in an airtight receptacle in a dry, heated area of your home. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Dry-Corn-Cobs", "language": "en"} |
How to Bow Hunt | Bow hunting is using archery to kill game animals in the wild. The most popular game is deer. Countries have different regulations and rules for hunting that must be followed. Even within the same country, states and provinces often have individual rules you must follow. Before you decide to hunt, be sure to learn all of the necessary legal information for hunting in your area.
1. **Start with a compound bow.** This type of bow is much easier to use than the traditional longbow and recurve bow, which makes it perfect for a beginner. You’ll gain skill with it much faster and, with a little practice, be shooting this bow quite well in a couple of weeks. Compound bows are more accurate than traditional bows, and also have better distance and velocity.
As a beginner, buy a used bow. Check out the used selection at your local sporting goods shop. Look on eBay, as well.
You should be able to find a decent used bow for about $50 to $150.
Make sure you buy a bow that is legal to use for hunting, per your local regulations and permit limitations.
2. **Choose the proper orientation.** Bows come in right-handed and left-handed versions. Use your dominant eye to determine what orientation you need, not your dominant hand. When holding a bow, which is more comfortable – using your left eye for aiming (closing the right eye) or vice versa? If it’s your left, get left-handed bow. If it’s your right, get a right-handed bow.
Some people shoot with both eyes open. In this case, you could use either orientation.
However, you probably still favor one eye over the other when aiming or squinting to see something far away. The one you tend to favor is your dominant eye.
3. **Select the right draw weight and draw length.** Draw weight, which is the weight of resistance when you pull back the bow string, must be considered. The higher the weight, the harder it is to pull back. Forty-five pounds is the minimum weight it takes to kill a deer. Anything lower will only wound them. Fifty to seventy pounds is the recommended weight for deer hunting. Draw length is another factor. The right draw length is when the bow brings the string about even with your mouth when it’s fully drawn.
Many bows will be adjustable to accommodate an arm length of 28 to 30 inches, which is the average for an adult.
If you buy your bow brand new, the seller will most likely set the bow up for you, customized to what you need.
Keep in mind that having your bow set up will cost a few hundred dollars on top of the bow price.
4. **Pick the appropriate arrows.** There are 4 arrow types used with compound bows – aluminum, carbon, aluminum with a carbon core, and carbon wrapped around an aluminum core. The carbon variety tends to be more durable and lighter, which means it will travel faster. However, an aluminum arrow works better if you are using broad heads. A broad head is a point you can attach to the tip of your arrow. It has several very sharp blades affixed to it, which will enter your prey without causing a lot of tissue damage or bruising.
There are several other factors to consider when choosing arrows. If you’re a beginner, you might have some trouble figuring out what’s best.
Seek advice from an expert at an archery shop about the best arrow for you.
5. **Practice.** Set up a target in your backyard (or in some other open area) to work on your aim. Sporting goods stores often sell targets that are shaped like the game you’re hunting, which can be helpful. You should spend at least a couple of weeks practicing your aim before hunting in the field. Consistency in form is one of the most important factors in archery. When you hit your stride and start hitting your targets more often than not, try to shoot with the same form every time.
You will need to practice shooting your bow while sitting, as well, since in most cases you will be sitting up in a tree stand while hunting.
If you plan to use broad heads on your arrows, you need to practice with them once you get the hang of shooting.
The broad heads add weight to the arrows, which means you’ll need to adjust your form to get the same trajectory as before.
6. **Scout early.** Most people do their hunting on leases, since these large areas are set aside for lawful hunting. After you choose your hunting location, begin scouting the area months before opening day and do it frequently. You are looking for areas that are high-traffic for your chosen prey, which is usually deer, so you should be out scouting frequently.
Look for evidence that deer frequent the area. When you find a good location, set up your tree stand or deer blind in this area.
Signs to look for while scouting are droppings, tracks, deer trails, and antler rubs and scrapes.
7. **Place a tree stand in your chosen location.** Once you’ve settled on an area that deer are frequenting, you’ll want to set up your tree stand within good range. Twenty yards or closer is recommended. Choose an appropriate tree for the stand, which is at least eight inches in diameter and fifteen feet high. If there’s not a good tree for a stand, you can set up a ground blind. You’ll want to do this at least a month before hunting season opens, so that the deer will get used to it being there.
The best time to set up a tree stand or blind is between noon and 3pm. This window is when deer are least likely to be around.
Trim some of the trees around the area to clear a few shooting lanes for yourself. Make sure you clear shooting lanes for any possible direction a deer might approach.
8. **Arrive at your deer stand before dawn.** On a hunting day, you need to get settled in your stand or blind before daylight. Hunt from dawn until about 11am. Deer are least active between 11am and 3pm, so take a break in the middle of the day. Be settled back into your stand before 4pm and hunt until it gets dark.
9. **Be quiet and still.** Hunting involves a lot of waiting. While in your stand, you need to be very still and quiet, since deer can hear very well. The goal is to spot them before they spot you. When a deer approaches, you need to be absolutely silent. You will have about two or three seconds to shoot before it becomes aware of your presence and hears the shot.
You will have one chance to get the deer. If you don't hit the animal, the sound of your shot will cause the deer to flee.
Before you shoot, aim just behind the deer’s front leg. If you hit the mark, your arrow will penetrate the lungs of the deer, killing it instantly.
10. **Follow the blood trail and secure your kill.** If you don’t kill the animal immediately, you will have to track your prey by following its blood trail. Wait at least 30 minutes before you start looking. In most cases, a wounded deer will lie down within a couple hundred yards of where it was shot.
If you follow it too soon, the fallen deer might get spooked and still have the energy to take off again.
The chances of finding your game decrease substantially if this happens.
11. **Be prepared for field dressing.** Dressing game is a messy task, so you need to be prepared. Buy a dressing kit and bring it with you on the hunt. You’ll also need plastic gloves that go up to your shoulders, a very sharp knife, rope and a large light or lantern (in case you have to dress your game after dark).
12. **Clean and dress your kill in the field.** Field dressing involves removing the animal's internal organs. It needs to be done as quickly as possible to prevent bacteria growth on the meat, which is why it’s crucial to do it in the field. The faster you do it, the better the meat quality will be. It will also make the animal lighter and easier to transport.
Avoid jerking the arrow out of the deer before you begin. This can create a mess.
As you clean and dress the animal, you will be cutting deeply into it. Remove the arrow when it becomes easily accessible.
13. **Use rope to secure the deer for transporting.** Put the deer’s head between its front legs and then tie the front legs together. Make a loop with the rope and then tie the free end to the deer’s front legs. This will make it easier for you to pull it to your vehicle or camp.
14. **Transport the deer to your home or camp.** Once there, hang the deer up so that it isn’t touching the ground. Most hunters recommend that you hang it from its head. This will allow the blood to drain out. Rinse out the body cavity of the deer well with a water hose. Skin it, rinse it again, process the venison, and place it in a freezer that is as close to 40° F (4° C) to prevent spoilage.
15. **Clean and maintain your bow.** After a hunt, look your bow over for any damage. Wipe it down with a soft microfiber cloth to remove any dirt or grime. During peak hunting season, coat your bow's string and synthetic cables with soft bowstring wax once per week. Regularly coat your axles with a high quality lubricant.
When not in use, keep your bow put away safely in its case.
Keep your bow away from any heat sources, which can damage it. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Bow-Hunt", "language": "en"} |
How to Hang a Wreath on a Mirror | If you like using wreaths as outdoor decorations but haven’t found a great way to incorporate them into your indoor décor, try hanging one on a mirror. Hanging a wreath from a mirror gives the room charm and a sense of seasonal decoration. You can use removable adhesive hooks to attach the wreath to the surface of the mirror, hang a light wreath from a piece of ribbon secured to the mirror’s back, or even use a push pin or suction cup and fishing line to affix your wreath to a mirror.
1. **Hang the wreath over a mirror that’s intended for decoration.** Many home decorators like to hang up mirrors in order to increase the amount of light in a room and to make the space appear larger than it really is. Since they’re generally not intended for practical use, these mirrors are an ideal option to hang a wreath on. Even with a wreath over them, they’ll still reflect light into the room!
If you have decorative mirrors in your home, they’re most likely located in your living room or family room.
2. **Avoid hanging a wreath over a mirror that’s mostly practical.** You want the wreath to provide attractive seasonal decoration, not to get in the way of your daily routine. If you have, for example, a tall mirror in your bedroom that you use to inspect your outfit before heading out the door to work, or a small mirror in your bathroom that you use to shave or apply makeup, don’t hang a wreath on these mirrors.
In short, if it’s important that you’re able to see your face or body in a mirror, don’t put a wreath over it.
3. **Situate a wreath on a round mirror that’s slightly larger than the wreath.** Decorative round mirrors tend not to be very large. If you’d like to hang a wreath over a round mirror, use a smaller wreath so that it doesn’t cover the entire mirror. For example, if your wreath has a 24 in (61 cm) diameter, hang it over a mirror that’s at least 28 in (71 cm) across.
Alternately, you can use a round mirror and a wreath as a horizontal decoration. Place the round mirror flat on a coffee table or dining room table, and place the wreath on top of the mirror. Anchor it in place with adhesive felt pads. Set a couple of votive candles in the center to finish the decoration.
4. **Hang a large wreath on a horizontal mirror in a large room.** If the wreath that you’d like to hang is wider than 2 feet (0.61 m), hang it over a mirror that’s at least 3–4 feet (0.91–1.22 m) wide so that the wreath doesn’t overwhelm the mirror or cover the majority of it. You want the wreath to look proportionate to the mirror that you’re hanging it on so it doesn't obscure the mirror.
If you were to hang a large wreath over a small mirror, the wreath could block off the entire reflective surface!
This strategy works best in large rooms so the wreath doesn’t overwhelm the rest of the decor.
5. **Arrange smaller wreaths over tall, vertically hanging mirrors.** Smaller wreaths that are less than 2 feet (0.61 m) wide are great to hang over tall, narrow mirrors, or over small square mirrors that are, say, 18 by 18 inches (46 cm × 46 cm). As with larger wreaths, make sure that the size of the wreath is proportionate to the mirror.
It would look odd, for example, to see a small 1 foot (0.30 m) wide wreath hanging over a huge mirror.
6. **Stick an adhesive hook upside-down on the back of a mirror.** Lift the mirror that you’d like to hang a wreath on down from the wall. Peel the adhesive backing off of the adhesive hook. Flip the hook upside down so that the hook points down toward the floor. Set the adhesive hook about 3 inches (7.6 cm) down from the top of the back of the mirror and press it firmly into place.
You can find adhesive hooks at most supermarkets and also at many office-supply stores.
Avoid sticking the adhesive hook to the front of the mirror since the adhesive hook would be visible to you and your guests.
7. **Loop a piece of fishing line to the wreath and tie the ends together.** Visit your local fishing supply store and purchase some light-weight fishing line that's about 3–4 lb (1.4–1.8 kg). Cut a 2–3 ft (0.61–0.91 m) section of line. Stick 1 end of the segment of fishing line through the hole in the center of the wreath. Then, tie the 2 ends of the fishing line together. You might need a pair of tweezers to do this since fine fishing line is tricky to tie.
Using fishing line to suspend the wreath will make it look as if it’s floating in the air, since the line won’t be visible to guests.
If you don’t like the look of the wreath floating in midair, you could cut a 1 foot (0.30 m) long piece of narrow ribbon and tie this around the wreath instead of the fishing line.
8. **Hang the fishing line over the adhesive hook and hang the mirror.** Place the wreath in front of the mirror and loop the knotted fishing line back behind the mirror. Hook the knot under the upside-down adhesive hook. The line won’t slip off of the hook, so the wreath should stay in place over the mirror indefinitely. At this point, you can hang the mirror back up on the wall.
If you opted to use ribbon instead of fishing line, use the same process: tie a knot in the ribbon and hook it behind the mirror and around the adhesive hook.
9. **Remove the wreath by pulling on the plastic tab.** Once you’re ready to take down your decorative wreath, you just need to remove the mirror from your wall and pull the adhesive hook off the mirror. Pull downward on the hook itself until it pops off. Beneath that, you should see a plastic tab. Pull slowly on the paper tab in the direction indicated by the arrow until the adhesive pulls away from the wall.
The plastic tag may stretch until it’s over 12 inches (30 cm) long while you’re pulling on it. This is normal; continue to exert smooth, downward pressure until the hook pops off.
10. **Select a color of ribbon that complements your wreath.** Visit a craft or hobby shop and look for spools of ribbon that are at least 2 inches (5.1 cm) wide. Look for a color that goes well with the color of the decorations on your wreath. For example, you could choose a color of purple ribbon that complements the green. Or, if your wreath is covered in silver balls, choose a metallic gold ribbon.
Avoid colors that clash. So, if your wreath has lots of red Christmas balls on it, don’t use a bright yellow ribbon.
11. **Cut a 2 ft (0.61 m) long strip of ribbon.** Use a pair of scissors to snip through the ribbon you purchased. The length of the ribbon depends on how low you’d like the wreath to hang on the mirror. If you’re hanging the wreath on a tall mirror and would like it to be centered, you might need as much as 3 feet (0.91 m) of ribbon.
With the extra ribbon, you could hang other wreaths over additional mirrors in your home!
12. **Staple 1 end of the ribbon to the back of the mirror.** Remove the mirror from the wall. Set the piece of ribbon on the mirror so that 1 tip is about 3 inches (7.6 cm) down from the top of the mirror. Make sure that the rest of the ribbon is draped upward over the top of the mirror. Use a stapler to attach the end of the ribbon to the back of the mirror.
If the staple won’t stick very well into the back of the mirror, try stapling the ribbon to the back of the wooden frame itself.
13. **Loop the ribbon through the wreath’s hole and hang the wreath.** Pull 1 end of the ribbon through the hole in the wreath. You might need to fiddle with the ribbon a little so that it doesn’t block any bells, balls, or other decorations on the wreath. Position the wreath where you’d like it to stay over the mirror, and flip both loose ends of the ribbon over the top of the mirror.
If the wreath has discernable top and bottom sides, make sure that the wreath will hang right-side-up once you’ve looped the ribbon through its center. Try slipping the ribbon in between balls, lights, and other wreath decorations so it doesn’t cover them up.
14. **Staple the other end of the wreath to the back of the mirror.** Flip the loose end of the ribbon back over the top of the mirror. Using a stapler or a staple gun, staple the ribbon’s loose end to the back of the mirror in the same spot that you stapled the first end. Now the wreath is ready for you and your guests to admire!
When you want to take the wreath down, all you need to do is to remove the staples from the back of the mirror.
15. **Press a pushpin into the drywall above the mirror.** Not all mirrors can be removed from the wall. If you’d like to hang a wreath from a permanently mounted mirror, just stick a push pin into the wall about ⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) above the mirror. This works best if your wall is made from a relatively soft material like drywall.
Hanging a wreath from a push pin is also a good option if your mirror is removable but sticking an adhesive hook on the back would make it stand out awkwardly far from the wall behind it.
If the pushpin stands out against your wall, dip the head of the pin into a small bottle of acrylic paint the same color as your wall. Let the paint dry for about 20 minutes before touching the pushpin.
16. **Stick a suction cup on the top of the mirror if you can't put a pushpin in the wall.** If your walls are made of brick, wood, or another substance that you won’t be able to get a push pin into, using a suction cup is the best way to hang a wreath. Run the back of the suction cup under a trickle of water to dampen it. You can also try breathing on the back of the cup to fog it. Then stick it to the mirror about 1 inch (2.5 cm) down from the top.
Purchase suction cups at any drugstore or large supermarket. Some pharmacies also sell suction cups.
17. **Hang the mirror using a loop of lightweight fishing line.** Purchase a small spool of 3–4 lb (1.4–1.8 kg) fishing line from a hardware store. Use a pair of scissors to cut a 1–2 ft (0.30–0.61 m) section of line. Stick 1 end of the line through the wreath and tie the 2 ends in a knot. Loop the tied line over the push pin or suction cup at the top of your mirror.
The fishing line will be practically invisible to any guests who visit your home and look at the wreath. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Hang-a-Wreath-on-a-Mirror", "language": "en"} |
How to Notarize a Power of Attorney | The term “power of attorney” refers to a broad category of legal documents that assign power to a trusted individual. In the United States, a power of attorney can empower that individual to make financial, health care, estate and other personal decisions on behalf of another person.
In other jurisdictions, a Power of Attorney many only deal with legal or financial affairs, not health care or personal care decisions, so it is important to know what a Power of Attorney in your jurisdiction will cover. This article is for people making Powers of Attorney in the United States.
Whether you need to get a power of attorney document notarized will depend on what state you live in and the type of power of attorney you have. This article will explain how power of attorney works and how you can ensure that your power of attorney documents are recognized in court.
1. **Research your state laws.** Not all states require that the agent and principal sign the power of attorney document in front of a notary.
For example, in Mississippi, the power of attorney document must be signed in front of a notary. In New Hampshire, signing in front of a notary is not required. You can find out whether your state requires notarization for a power of attorney document on the website USLegal.com.
Even if your state does not require you to notarize a power of attorney, doing so may limit eventual challenges to the document. If notarized, there can be no question that the signatures on the document are valid.
2. **Locate the appropriate power of attorney form.** Many power of attorney documents are state specific. Make sure the one you use fits your state's minimum requirements.
It may be easiest to find one specifically designed for use in your state. Many states provide power of attorney forms online. You can also find forms via websites such as USLegalForms.com.
Often, a power of attorney is specific for the situation. For example, a financial power of attorney allows the agent to make decisions regarding the principal's finances, but does not necessarily grant power to the agent concerning health care decisions. A general power of attorney is less specific and allows the agent to make all decisions on behalf of the principal.
3. **Draft a power of attorney document.** Power of attorney can be granted in one of two ways:
The "springing power of attorney" only grants power to the assigned agent after a certain event. For example, a power of attorney document could grant authority to someone after you are incapacitated by injury or an accident.
A "durable power of attorney" goes into effect either immediately or from a specified date onward. The agent does not need to prove your incapacity in order to act on your behalf.
4. **Fill out the forms.** Fill out the form in accordance with state requirements. Your power of attorney document must fulfill certain basic requirements:
It must clearly identify the principal (the person who is granting the power). The document should use the full legal name of the principal.
It must identify the agent (the person who is granted specified powers). The document should include the full name of the agent.
The form should stipulate exactly what authority the principal is handing over to the agent. For example, the principal could hand over only financial authority to the agent (the power to control the principal's bank accounts) or health care decision making authority (so the agent could make health care decisions on behalf of the principal).
The document should be clearly titled “Power of Attorney.” It should include the date at which the power will go into effect or the circumstances (such as the incapacitation of the principal) that will cause it to be enacted.
5. **Consider hiring a lawyer to review the document before you get it notarized.** A lawyer can read the document and point out any errors or loopholes that need to be closed. For example, an attorney may notice that the document uses language that could been seen as ambiguous, and therefore could lead to confusion.
An attorney can review the document at any time, but it will require notarization again if changes are necessary. You may be able to save time by having it examined before a final copy is notarized.
6. **Find a notary public.** You can find a notary in communities of almost any size. There should be one located near you. The American Society of Notaries has a Notary Locator you can use to find a notary in your area.
Once you have located a notary, you may want to make an appointment before going in, to make sure that the notary has time to answer any questions. However, an appointment is usually not required.
Banks often offer notary services to their customers free of charge.
Many post offices and mailing centers keep a public notary on staff.
If you have the power of attorney prepared or reviewed by an attorney, it may be possible for the law firm to notarize the document.
7. **Meet with the notary and sign the document in their presence.** The notary must witness both the agent and the principal signing the power of attorney, so make sure you complete the form (with the exception of the signatures) before meeting with the notary. If either the agent or the principal have signed the document before meeting with the notary, another, unsigned copy of the document will need to be notarized.
Make sure that both the agent and principal bring their identification (drivers license or another photo id) to show the notary. This will enable the notary to verify the identities of the parties. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Notarize-a-Power-of-Attorney", "language": "en"} |
How to Stop Birds from Attacking Windows | Some territorial birds will attack windows during their breeding season. When they see their reflection, they think another bird has entered their breeding ground and will aggressively peck or fly at the window. To prevent or stop birds from attacking your windows, you can reduce the reflection in your window pane, set up precautionary measures to scare birds away, or simply block the landing platform on the window. Keep in mind that you likely need a temporary solution, since most birds will give up after a few weeks once their breeding season is over.
1. **Hang a plastic drop cloth over your window to efficiently deter birds.** Hanging a medium-weight plastic drop cloth or sheet will remove the reflection from the exterior side of your window will remove the window’s reflection without keeping light out. Purchase a plastic drop cloth and either nail it into the top of your window frame with small nails and a hammer, or use double-sided tape to stick it in place.
You can use a plastic shower curtain instead of a drop cloth, but these tend to be a little lighter. If you live in a windier area, it may blow off.
This is the most efficient option if you value the natural light coming in through your window.
2. **Cover windows with film to reduce reflections.** Stained glass, mosaic, or pattered window film is a great way to reduce reflections while adding a little artistic flourish to a room. Pick up some adhesive window film online or from a craft store. Peel the back off and attach it to the interior side of your window. Smooth the film out with a credit card and cut the excess film off with a razor blade.
Clean your window thoroughly with a cleaning solution and let it air dry before installing window film.
If you choose a white or translucent window film, birds may still be able to see their reflections.
3. **Tape bright paper or newspaper to your window to remove reflections.** To completely remove the possibility that the bird will see their reflection, tape sheets of bright paper or newspaper to the inside of your window. This will distract and obscure the bird’s vision when they look at the window and they’ll be unlikely to catch their reflection. However, it will greatly reduce the amount of light that comes into your room.
This is a great option if you live in an area near a lot of other homes. Once the bird stops attacking, it’s a sign that they’ve found somewhere else to go and you can probably take the paper off.
This is the best way to deal with attacking birds if you really don’t care about the light coming in through your window.
4. **Install window screens on the exterior of your windows.** Window screens are the mesh frames that keep bugs and leaves out of your home when you open the window. They will also keep birds from seeing themselves in the mirror and block them from pecking at it. If you have slots for the screens, purchase screens based on the width of your window and slide them into place. If you don’t have slots, get pre-framed screens that expand and stick inside the bottom of your window frame.
If you don’t have slots for window screens on your windows but want them to look good, you’ll need to hire a contractor to install them for you.
The pre-framed screens slide out and use tension to keep them in place.
In rare cases, birds will look like they’re attacking the mesh. This is usually just a bird trying to collect small items for a nest, though. To stop birds from pecking at window screens, get wire mesh screens that can’t be clipped by a bird’s beak and they’ll simply give up after a few failed attempts.
5. **Put plants on your window sill to remove the landing platform.** If you don’t live in a windy area and have a large window sill on the exterior side of your windows, put flowers or plants on the sill. This will block birds from landing on your screen and give them something else to look at when they fly past, which will reduce the odds that they see their reflection in the first place.
Some birds will attempt to land on top of the flowers or plants once they see their reflection, but you can simply remove the plants if this happens and use another option.
6. **Hang rope or string from the top of the window to dissuade landings.** Get some rope, twine, or string at least 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) in width. Open the top of your window and stick the twine or string in between the frame and the window before closing it to hang it over the exterior side of the glass. Alternatively, you can tape the rope or twine to the sill using heavy-duty tape. This will deter birds from landing on the sill since it will look like they’re moving in the wind and blocking the window.
How many lengths of string or twine you use depends on the size of the bird that is attacking your window. For smaller birds, place a length of string once every 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm); for larger birds, put a string once every 4–5 inches (10–13 cm).
7. **Hang grocery bags over your side mirrors to keep birds off of them.** If birds are attacking your vehicle’s side mirrors, slide a plastic grocery bag over each mirror whenever you park. Wrap a rubber band around each mirror to keep the bag from blowing off into the wind. This will block the mirror from bird attacks and keep them from seeing their reflection.
If you have adjustable windows that pivot towards your vehicle to protect them from sideswipes, turning the mirrors inside whenever you park the vehicle can prevent birds from jumping on them.
8. **Protect your vehicle with a car cover to keep birds off of it.** A car cover is a tarp designed to protect vehicles from weather and dust. Buy a vehicle cover that fits your make and model online or from an auto supply store. Whenever you park your vehicle, slide the cover over your car and pull it down. This will block birds from your vehicle and keep them from landing on it and seeing their reflection.
This is basically the only option if birds are seeing their reflection in your vehicle’s paint.
9. **Place a decoy owl on the window sill to scare birds away.** Purchase a decoy owl from a home supply store or online. Put the decoy owl on the exterior side of your window sill to scare birds away. Every 2-3 days, move the position of the owl to keep birds from getting comfortable with the statue.
This is a pretty simple solution, but it won’t work for some birds that have seen decoy owls before.
10. **Layer aluminum foil around the window to confuse birds.** Tape some sheets of aluminum foil to the inside of your window. Lay another strip of aluminum foil on your window sill and secure it place by sticking the edge in between your window and the frame at the bottom. The aluminum foil will reflect light back on any birds that come by and scare them from approaching the window.
11. **Hang a windsock or flag near your window to deter landings.** A flag or windsock will blow and move with the wind. This erratic motion will make birds weary and keep them from approaching your window. Purchase a flag or windsock online or from a flag store. Drill the corresponding bracket for a flag or windsock into the exterior frame of your window and insert the windsock.
A windsock is a conical sheet of fabric that catches the wind and lets you know which direction it is blowing.
The brackets for windsocks and flags typically come with the item you purchase.
This is not a particularly good option if you don’t live in particularly windy area. It’s a great option if you consistently have problems with birds attacking a single window, though.
12. **Install shutters on your windows to close them during the day.** You can install the shutters yourself or hire a contractor to do it for you. To install them on your own, measure your window and purchase shutters that fit the frame. Install brackets on the inside of your frame and attach the individual shutters with the screws that came with them. During the day, when bird attacks are most likely, shutter you windows to keep birds out.
It will cost $300-700 per window if you install the shutters yourself. If you hire a contractor, it will cost $400-1,000 a window. The cost fluctuates based on the type of shutter you choose and how big your window is.
Shutters are nice to have if you live in a hot area. They do quite a good job at keeping heat out when they’re closed.
If the shutters flap in the wind when they’re open, they will also scare birds away.
13. **Hang bird feeders and wind chimes strategically to keep birds away.** Bird feeders attract birds, so hang them away from your windows with plenty of obstructions between the feeder and your home. The movement and sound of wind chimes will deter birds and scare them away, so hang them close to your home. This is a particularly good option if the birds are attacking windows on a porch where there is plenty of room for a wind chime.
If the wind chime is really quiet, it may actually attract birds. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Birds-from-Attacking-Windows", "language": "en"} |
How to Set Up an Axolotl Tank | Axolotls, also known as Ambystoma Mexicanums, are amphibians found in the lake of Xochimilco near Mexico City. An axolotl's life expectancy is of 10-15 years of age in captivity, provided they are given adequate care. It's essential to provide a suitable tank for your axolotl to thrive and grow. This wikiHow article will show you how.
1. **Find a suitable tank.** Axolotls need plenty of room to grow, as they generally reach a foot long in length. A 20 gallon long is your best option if your axolotl is a baby in 1-5" in length. If your axolotl is over 6", you will need to upgrade the tank to a 30 or 40 gallon.
Axolotls prefer length to swim and not necessarily much depth to dive deeper or shallower. Long versions of tanks above a 20 gallon work best.
2. **Purchase the right equipment.** To set up an axolotl tank, you will need a gravel vacuum, thermometer, and a sponge or bubble filter. Remember, axolotls prefer a temperature between 60-64°F.
While you shouldn't use gravel in the tank due to the ease of swallowing rocks, you should purchase a gravel vacuum to sift through the sand and suck up any waste.
A sponge filter is best, as they suck in particles to allow for the growth of beneficial bacteria while producing oxygenation and circulation to pick up most of the loose debris.
3. **Do not house your axolotl in a high-flow area.** Axolotls must not be in a high flow area because it will cause them stress, and they will die. They like to walk on the bottom of the tank with minimal current.
4. **Buy your axolotl accessories for their tank.** Your axolotl will need sand to lay at the base of the tank and decorations, such as rocks or caves.
Sand of any color that is safe for axolotls will be suitable, but it is best to have a bare bottom tank for baby axolotls, as they might accidentally ingest substrate.
Rocks (as big as the axolotl's head), fake plants, or plastic caves are a few examples of decorations you can plant in your axolotl tank. Make sure the decorations in the tank are not sharp, as they could easily scratch and injure your axolotl.
If you are using rocks, place the decorations in a pattern and provide caves for shade because of their sensitivity to light. Rocks can often-times be stacked or staggered.
5. **Add water to the tank.** A water conditioner is a necessity due to the traces of chlorine in tap water, which is toxic and will kill freshwater aquatic animals like axolotls. The water conditioner eliminates chlorine through chemical reactions.
Different products may have different instructions on how much to use when putting the conditioner in.
6. **Cycle the water before placing your axolotls inside.** Cycling the water should be done to convert ammonia to nitrite to produce beneficial bacteria that will help maintain the fish economy.
A tank is cycled by first adding ammonia, such as household ammonia, and allowing the tank to run and build up beneficial bacteria in the filter and substrate. This process takes 6 to 8 weeks on average, so make sure you prepare in advance.
The tank will be cycled once the water conditions level out and become consistent.
The pH of an axolotl tank should be anywhere from 6.5 to 8, but 7.4 to 7.6 is ideal.
7. **Test the water quality.** Even though the water may look clean, the water quality could still be unsuitable for your axolotls to live in. Check the water quality weekly using a water tester kit.
Compare the water to suitable charts to see if it is safe for your axolotls to live in the water.
8. **Pick out your axolotl.** There are different types of axolotls to choose from, with five main types that are commonly sold. This includes the Wild Legalistic, White Albino, Golden, and Melanoma.
There are more types of Axolotls, especially when crossbred.
9. **Do not house axolotls with other fish.** Axolotls do not co-exist peacefully with other fish. Because axolotls have very poor vision, they will bite at any movement. There is a great chance your axolotl will end up eating the fish in the tank.
For the fish and axolotl's safety, it's best only to keep axolotls of the same size in the tank.
10. **Acclimate your axolotl.** When coming home from the store with your axolotl, you should start by putting them in the water with the bag and allow them to acclimate for 15-30 minutes.
After the time is up; you can safely open the bag and let your axolotls free in the tank.
It's important to allow your axolotls to transition instead of adding them straight to the tank. Otherwise, you can put them into shock and cause fatality if the water temperatures are too far apart.
11. **Provide your axolotls with food.** Axolotls are carnivores; they eat frozen or dried bloodworms, night crawlers, and other insects, and thawed calf liver. Feed your adult axolotl once every 1-2 days.
Make sure you have a dish to drop their food into the tank to help your axolotls locate the food to prevent it from getting lost or wasted in the substrate.
12. **Monitor your axolotl in their tank.** Each new axolotl parent should observe their tank every hour to ensure their axolotl is acclimating well to its new environment.
Look for any behavioral changes to indicate something may be wrong. Observe your axolotl's eating habits, as a declined appetite is usually the first sign of illness.
13. **Clean the tank frequently.** Axolotls excrete quite often. This waste has to be cleaned up to prevent build-up, as decomposition can cause ammonia and nitrate levels to spike.
Clean your tank using a gravel vacuum. Even if you do not use gravel, the vacuum helps keep the bottom of the tank clean and assists with water changes.
A clean sponge can help clean any algae build-up on the side of the glass. Keep your tank out of direct sunlight to prevent algae buildup.
20% of water per week should be changed to maintain water conditions. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Set-Up-an-Axolotl-Tank", "language": "en"} |
How to Wear a Fascinator | A fascinator is a hair accessory often worn at British formal events. It is a style of women’s hats that can be small or large and is often made with feathers, wool or straw. If you are thinking of trying out this bold look at an event, make sure you pick the right shape, size, and style for you, use a backcombing technique and hairspray to secure it in place, and wear it appropriately.
1. **Coordinate the size with your hair style.** If you want to wear a fascinator with your hair slicked back, then go with a smaller one. If you’re going to wear your hair loosely pulled up, then a medium size is probably best. Wear a large fascinator if you’re wearing your hair down and in a voluminous style.
2. **Pick the material based on the season.** If it’s warmer outside, you’ll want to go with a fascinator that’s made of a lighter, more breathable material, such as straw. In the winter time, wear a fascinator made of a heavier, thicker material, such as wool or felt.
3. **Pick a color that matches your outfit.** Your fascinator will give off a more subtle, classy boldness if it looks like it belongs with the outfit you're wearing. To ensure this, wear a fascinator that’s the same color as the clothes you’re wearing.
4. **Complement your hair color with your fascinator.** Redheads look best with a fascinator that’s an earth tone, such as beige, brown, or deep green. If you have blond hair, try wearing a light warm color like coral or a neutral like taupe. Finally, opt for bright, deep shades such as hot pink or emerald if you have brown hair.
5. **Get a fascinator that complements your face shape.** It looks best to create a contrast between your fascinator shape and your face shape. If you have a more round face, opt for a slightly taller fascinator. If you have a longer or thinner face, a spherical or disc-shaped fascinator looks best.
6. **Avoid headbands and complexity if you wear glasses.** Since headbands are secured behind the ears and so are glasses, those with glasses will feel more secure and comfortable wearing elastic securing fascinators. Additionally, try to keep the style of the fascinator simple to avoid looking too “busy” in combination with your glasses.
7. **Wash your hair the day before wearing a fascinator.** Don’t wash your hair the day of the event. With many hairstyles, dirty hair holds pins and grips better than freshly washed hair.
8. **Backcomb your hair.** For added security, take a section of your hair where you’re going to put the fascinator and comb the hair back toward the center of your head. This backcombing, or teasing, will create knotting and volume, which will make the fascinator hold better.
9. **Spray your hair with hairspray.** Spray the hair that you just backcombed with a hairspray to ensure that the section will stay teased.
10. **Push the comb in firmly.** Push the comb piece attached to your fascinator firmly against your scalp towards the back of your head to make sure it’ll stay in position throughout the day.
11. **Add stability and security with a headband.** If you’re wearing a big, showy fascinator, you’ll most likely need to secure it with a headband. Headband fascinators are the best for creating stability. You can even add a headband to a comb fascinator to take security a step further.
In addition to comb pieces and headbands, fascinators can be secured with elastic bands or hairclips.
12. **Wear the fascinator on the side of your head.** The best place to wear a fascinator is either on the right or left side of your head. Wearing it towards the front of your head correctly is sometimes acceptable, but try wearing it on the side a few times and getting comfortable with that before going for a bolder look.
The fascinator should be placed just above either your right or left eyebrow.
13. **Wear the elastic band behind your ears.** Many fascinators attach to your head with a subtle elastic band. This goes behind your ears and around the nape of your neck, not under your chin. This mistake looks silly and will not appear fashionable.
14. **Play it safe with a traditional style.** Especially if you’re a first time wearer, it’s a good idea to wear a classic shape, such as a brimmed hat or a mini pillbox shape. With a fascinator, less is often more. To stay stylish, avoid oversized, elaborate styles that are distracting and overwhelming.
15. **Stay away from rhinestone fascinators.** Traditionally, fascinators include several different materials, including feathers, flowers, and lace. Stick with these and stay away from rhinestones when you’re choosing a fascinator. This adds a glitzy flair to the look that ends up looking a little too over-the-top and out of place, especially in excess. As a good rule of thumb, less detail is more.
16. **Wear fascinators to formal events.** Fascinators can be a great accessory to add to an outfit, but make sure that you’re wearing it to events where it’s fitting. Garden parties, tea parties, and weddings are all great places to wear a fascinator.
Leave the fascinator at home if you’re attending the cinema, the symphony, or any other event that has stadium-style seating. It’s rude to block the people behind you. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Wear-a-Fascinator", "language": "en"} |
Bind Your Own Book at Home: A Beginner's Guide | Do you want to start a scrapbook, nature journal, or diary? You can, of course, buy a suitable book at the store, but if you really want to make it your own, perhaps it's time to rediscover the not-quite-lost art of bookbinding. If you’re not sure where to begin, it’s easier than you think, and you can bind your own book today using materials that you likely already have around the house. Keep reading to learn different bookbinding methods, from the simple to the more complex.
1. **Fold your pages in half and stack them folded.** Make sure the fold is crisp by using a bone folder or running the top of your nail over it to smooth it down. You can fold pages individually or fold multiple pages together. Folding individual pages is better as it will ensure each page is folded precisely, but folding multiple pages at once will save you time. Stack the pages together folded, not open.
If you have too many pages to fold crisply, try creating packets of signatures. A signature is a group of 4 sheets folded down the center.
Most books are folded hamburger style (i.e., by folding the shorter ends of the paper together), but you can fold however you want.
2. **Open your pages and staple them together at the crease.** Be sure to staple with the crease facing down, so the flat part of the staple faces out and the staple “arms” rest on the inside of the crease. Use a long reach stapler if your regular stapler can’t reach the middle crease. Staple your pages 3 time at even intervals.
If you made signatures, staple each signature separately and then stack your stapled signatures. Leave the stack unstapled.
3. **Use a pencil to mark a ⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) margin.** If you don’t give yourself a large enough margin, some of the page’s contents may be obscured. Any words printed within ⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) of the crease will become part of the binding and therefore be impossible to read.
If you’re binding a book of material printed from Microsoft Word, make sure your pages have a “gutter” margin of about ⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) before you print them. The gutter margin is the inside margin, the margin that will be partially obscured when the book is bound.
4. **Cut a piece of binding tape about 2 inches (5.1 cm) longer than your book.** Make sure your tape is strong enough to hold the book together—linen tape or cotton tape will give your book the support it needs. Your tape can be colorful or simple: it won’t be seen once the book is finished.
Avoid using masking tape or clear tape. These tapes won't be strong enough to support your book.
5. **Apply the tape lengthwise to the spine, with half the tape on each cover.** Instead of attempting to place the tape on the book, place the tape on a flat surface sticky-side up and press the book into it: this will ensure you maintain a straight, even tape line. Press the book into the middle of the tape, and fold the rest of the tape to cover the other side of the book.
If your book is thick, leave a larger margin of tape so you have enough tape to cover the spine and still reach the other side.
Use your fingers to press the tape around the book’s spine so that it covers both the bottom of the book, the spine, and the top of the book.
If your book has many pages or several signatures, you might want to tape it more than once to reinforce it. Repeat the process of taping the book until the book’s binding feels secure.
6. **Cut the excess tape.** Because your tape was longer than the book itself, you’ll have some excess tape on the top and bottom of the book. Use scissors or an X-ACTO knife to cut the tape, making sure to cut it as close to the book’s page as possible.
Avoid folding leftover tape over the book, as this may make your book harder to open. Trim any excess tape.
7. **Ensure your pages have at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) of margin on the left-hand side.** If you printed your pages using Microsoft Word, you should automatically have 1 inch (2.5 cm) of border. If you wrote your pages by hand, make sure the writing has a margin. If you don’t have a margin, any words on the left-hand edge will be impossible to read.
If you want to bind a page that doesn’t have a margin, you could either paste the page into a larger page with an adequate margin, or “build” a wider margin by gluing or taping a strip of paper to the inner edge of the page.
8. **Punch a hole ⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) from the top and bottom corners of the top page.** Use a handheld hole-punch to create a hole ⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) from the top of the page and ⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) from the left-hand side, and then repeat the process on the bottom of the page, measuring ⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) from the bottom and ⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) from the left-hand side.
If you’re having trouble measuring and hole-punching at the same time, mark where the hole should be with a pencil before hole punching.
9. **Use a ruler to draw a faint line connecting the two holes.** The line should run from the top of the cover to the bottom in a straight line, and you only need to do this on the top page, though you will be using your markings as a guide to holepunch the entire stack of pages. Be sure to use a pencil so you can erase the line later on.
You can also choose to draw a thick line with pen or permanent marker if you want the line to remain on the cover.
10. **Stack the pages and hole-punch the book every ⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) along the line.** Using your top page as a guide, hole-punch the entire stack of pages. Each hole must be on the line. Use a ruler to make sure your holes are in the proper spots. You’ll be threading the ribbon through these holes later on.
Consider measuring and marking the spots with your pencil prior to punching the holes, for accuracy.
To make sure your pages don't slip out of place while you punch your holes, clamp them together with binder clips or clothespins.
11. **Measure and cut a piece of ribbon that’s twice as long as your book.** Go all out! This is where you can really start to get creative with your book cover. Almost any ribbon will work, but keep in mind that if it's made of too thick material or if it's too wide, you may struggle to fit it through your hole punches.
Choose a simple black tape for a classic look, or go for a colorful design if you want something more personalized.
12. **Thread the ribbon in and out of each hole.** Start from the top hole and move your way down the spine, lacing your ribbon up through one hole and down through another, until you’ve laced each hole. Make sure you don’t completely pull the ribbon through the first hole, since you’re going to tie the ribbon binding closed.
If your ribbon isn’t long enough, remove it and cut a longer piece.
13. **Loop the ribbon back through the top and bottom holes and tie it.** Once your ribbon has been laced through each punched hole, tie it off with a simple knot or a fancy bow, and cut off any excess. Now your book is complete!
Looping the ribbon a second time reinforces the binding. Depending on how many pages you have, loop it a third time for an even stronger binding.
14. **Fold your pages in half.** Use a bone folder or the top of your nail to get a crisp fold. You can fold individually or in groups, depending on how many pages you have. Folding individually will ensure your pages are folded precisely, but folding multiple pages at a time will make the process go faster.
It’s common to fold your pages hamburger style—i.e., fold the 2 short ends together—but fold your book however you wish!
15. **Use a ruler to measure how long the spine is and divide it by 6.** This bookbinding method requires 5 holes at the crease. They should be equally spread apart, but the spacing between the dots will depend on how large your paper is.
For example, if you have a paper that’s 8.5 by 11 in (22 by 28 cm) printer paper, dividing that by 6 gives you 1.4 inches (3.6 cm), meaning you'd space your holes 1.4 inches (3.6 cm) apart.
If you know your page measurements, you don’t have to measure. If you don’t know, or if you’re not using a standard page size, make sure you measure precisely.
16. **Mark your measurements on the page with a pencil.** Do this on the inside of the crease, and use a ruler to make sure your measurements are precise. These dots are known as stations, with the first station being the one on the “bottom” of the page and the fifth station being the one on the “top” of the page.
For example, if you have a paper that’s 8.5 by 11 inches (22 by 28 cm), your first dot will be 1.4 inches (3.6 cm) from the edge. Then, each progressive dot will be 1.4 inches (3.6 cm) up from the previous dot. Your fifth dot should be 1.4 inches (3.6 cm) away from the top of the page.
17. **Pierce each station with an awl.** An awl is used to pierce small holes in anything from paper to leather to wood. Make sure you’re using an awl made for paper.
If you don’t have an awl, you can use a large needle.
18. **Pull 2 inches (5.1 cm) of thread through the page at the third station.** Use a needle to sew your binding, starting with the third station (that is, the station in the exact middle), not the top or bottom station. Hold the remaining thread with your non-dominant hand to make sure you don’t accidentally pull too much through. Leave the rest of the thread on the spool for now to ensure you have enough to stitch the whole spine.
You can use whatever color thread you like, but remember your thread will be visible!
19. **Put your needle through the fourth, fifth, and fourth station again.** Your needle and thread should be on the inside of the crease at station 4 to start. Pull it through the fifth station to the outside crease, and then back through to the inside at station 4 again.
20. **Go through the second, first, and second stations.** Make sure your needle goes outside the second station, inside the first station, and then back outside the second station again. Once you’ve finished this step, your thread should be facing away from the crease.
21. **Pull your thread through the third station, cut it from the spool, and tie a knot.** Every station should be threaded, and your book should now have thread both inside and outside of the crease. Tie the thread on the inside of the crease and pull firmly.
You can tie whatever knot you’d like as long as it firmly keeps the sewing in place.
22. **Reinforce the edge of each page and cover with clear tape.** Running tape along the spine edge of each piece of paper you will be binding will help reduce the chances that your stitching will tear out. Place half of the tape on one side of each piece of paper, and fold it over to the other side. Repeat with every page.
In single sheet binding, you don’t fold your pages like you do for other bookbinding methods, but this means that you run the risk of the stitching tearing out of your pages if they are not reinforced well enough.
You can use thick cardstock or thick cardboard as your cover.
23. **Make 3 marks on the edge of each page, evenly spaced apart.** Make your first mark ⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) in from the spine and ⁄4 inch (1.9 cm) down from the top of the page. Put the last mark ⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) in from the spine and ⁄4 inch (1.9 cm) up from the bottom of the page. Your third mark will fall at the middle point between the other two, ⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) in from the spine. Make the marks against your ruler to make sure they’re straight. Repeat the process on the bottom of the stack of pages.
Perform this same process on the front and back covers as well.
24. **Stack your sheets in groups of 4 and pierce the holes with an awl.** If you don’t have an awl, you can also use a thick needle.
Use this same process to pierce holes in your front and back covers.
25. **Multiply the cover area and the page count and cut 6 threads of that length.** Multiply the length and width of the top page or book cover (if you're using a cover) to get the area, and then take that number and multiply it by the number of pages in your book. This is the length in inches or centimeters your thread should be. Make sure you cut 6 individual pieces of thread.
If you have 20 pages, and your area is 2.25 inches (5.7 cm) long, you will need 45 inches (110 cm) of thread for each thread.
26. **Put your binding needle and thread through the first hole on the bottom page.** Bring your thread around and tie a knot in the thread against itself using your binding needle. The knot should be on the side of the paper that faces “up,” not the edge.
Once you’ve tied the knot, you can trim off the end and tuck it in for a cleaner look.
27. **Thread the needle through the back cover's first hole.** Pull the thread until it pulls the paper flush with the back cover’s edge, and then thread the needle under the first loop you made.
When threading the needle under the first loop you made, make sure you go under both threads, not through the loop.
28. **Thread all holes with a new needle and thread, adding more pages as you go.** Repeat the threading and looping process with each subsequent page for each hole, until you've stitched the top cover. After you've stitched one hole, don't remove the needle, as you'll need it again when you stack a new page on. Use a new needle for each thread.
If you want to give your book some whimsy, choose a different color thread for each binding hole, or keep all of the thread colors the same for a more uniform style.
For a sturdier book, loop your needle and thread around the stitch below the page you’re currently working on, starting on the third page.
29. **Tie the threads to secure them.** Once you’ve threaded all the pages and covers, looped the thread, and hooked the needle under the first loop, thread the needle under the previous stitch, then thread the needle back inside the book to tie a knot. Put the needle through the inside stitch, leaving a small loop in the thread you've just wound through the stitch, and then tie a knot by putting the needle through the loop and pulling it taut. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Bind-a-Book", "language": "en"} |
How to Know If You Have Worms | You’re feeling a bit under the weather but aren’t totally sure why. Could worms be the culprit? Don’t panic—intestinal worms are pretty easy to detect on your own. We’ll help you recognize some of the most common symptoms of a worm infestation, as well as the typical warning signs for tapeworms, pinworms, hookworms, whipworms, and roundworms. Once you know which variety you’re dealing with, you’ll be one step closer to getting rid of these pesky parasites once and for all.
1. **Keep track of any unexplained weight loss.** When you have worms in your body, you get less nutrients than you are used to because the worm is consuming these nutrients. You may therefore begin to lose weight because while you are eating like normal, your body is not absorbing the calories and nutrients that it should because the worm is taking them from you.
If you start to lose weight without trying to, keep track of the weight you lose. If you continue to shed pounds, talk to your doctor.
2. **Monitor any unexplained constipation.** If you have constipation that doesn’t seem to be caused by anything, you may have worms. Worms can cause irritation in your gut that interferes with your digestion. This can cause less water to be absorbed into your body, making you constipated.
For example, if you have eaten foods high in fiber, drank a lot of water, or done other things that normally help you to go to the bathroom, and you still can’t go, you may have a worm.
Diarrhea is another common symptom of worms.
3. **Pay attention to gaseous discomfort you feel after traveling to a new place.** If you have recently traveled to a new place that is known to have worm problems, and you suddenly develop serious gaseous discomfort, you may have picked up a worm. This gaseous discomfort can be accompanied by abdominal pain.
If you were traveling through a foreign country and were dealing with diarrhea, but took an anti-diarrhea pill, you should monitor your gaseous discomfort. Continuing to have discomfort after taking an anti-diarrhea pill can sometimes mean that you have picked up a worm.
4. **Be aware that worms can make you feel like you are never full or like you are never hungry.** Having worms can make you feel extreme hunger just after eating, or extreme fullness when you haven’t eaten anything.
This is because the worms feed on the food that you have eaten, leaving you hungry, but can also cause you to feel nauseous or gaseous, which can make you feel full.
5. **Keep track of exhaustion or fatigue that won’t go away.** When you have a worm, the worm takes all of the nutrients out of the food you have eaten, leaving you feeling hungry. At the same time, this lack of nutrients can make your energy levels decrease, leaving you easily exhausted. This may cause you to:
Feel tired all the time.
Feel exhausted after exerting a slight amount of energy.
Wanting to sleep rather than do anything else.
6. **Be aware that some people will have no symptoms.** Having a worm in your system can affect you differently than others experiencing the same problem. Keep in mind that it is a good idea to visit the doctor after you travel to a foreign country that is known to have a worm problem. It is generally better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to having a worm in your body.
7. **Check your stool for tapeworms.** If you have a tapeworm infection, you may see the worms in the bathroom after a bowel action or on the inner part of your underwear. If you find tapeworms in either of these areas, contact a doctor right away. Tapeworms look like:
Small pieces of thread.
Whitish color.
8. **Look to see if your eyes and skin have become pale.** If you are concerned that you have tapeworms, look at your eyes and skin in the mirror. Tapeworms can cause you to have an iron deficiency because they feed on your blood, which in turn lowers your blood levels. When your blood levels get reduced, you make notice that your skin and coloring of your eyes has become paler.
Because tapeworms can lower your blood levels, you can also become anemic. Signs of anemia include an unusually rapid heartbeat, fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, and challenges with concentration.
9. **Keep track of abdominal pain that is accompanied by nausea and vomiting.** Tapeworms can obstruct the openings and tubes in your intestines, and in the intestinal wall. When your intestines become blocked, you can begin to feel abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
The abdominal pain is normally felt just above the stomach.
10. **Keep track of diarrhea.** Tapeworms can make invade and inflame the lining of your small intestine, which in turn stimulates the intestine’s lining to secrete fluid. When excess fluid is secreted, your body has a harder time absorbing the extra fluid, which can lead to you having diarrhea.
11. **Keep track of any dizziness you experience.** This condition is very rare and generally only occurs in people who have been infected by fish tapeworms. Fish tapeworms consume so much vitamin B12 from your body that they can induce a condition known as megaloblastic anemia. The resulting low red blood cell count can cause:
Dizziness.
Memory loss.
Dementia.
12. **Keep track of any skin irritation and itchiness you experience.** Pinworms, which are also known as threadworms, can cause your skin to become irritated. This is because pinworms leak toxins into your blood. When these toxins accumulate in your skin, they can cause itchiness that may resemble eczema.
Itchiness might be worse in the evening. This is because the worms tend to lay eggs at night.
Itchiness could be worse around the anus because this is generally where pinworms lay their eggs.
13. **Monitor any trouble sleeping or mood swings you are experiencing.** You may find that you have trouble falling asleep or that you are waking up in the night more often than is normal for you. This can be a sign that you have pinworms, as the eggs they lay can release toxins that can get into your bloodstream. When this happens, the toxin can be carried to your brain and may interfere with your normal brain functions.
This can also lead to you experiencing mood swings where you suddenly feel anxious, when you were feeling happy the moment before.
14. **Watch out for aches and pain in your muscles and joints.** Like itchiness and trouble sleeping, the toxin released by pinworm eggs can also affect your muscles and joints. This is because the toxin from the eggs can be transported to your muscles and joints, which can cause:
Inflammation of the muscles and joints.
Dull or aching pain.
15. **Take note if you have started grinding your teeth when you sleep.** If you have suddenly started grinding your teeth at night when you never have before, this could be a sign that you have a pinworm infection. The toxins that pinworms release can cause you to have simulated anxiety that may cause you to grind your teeth in the night. Signs that you have been grinding your teeth include:
Your teeth becoming flatter or more worn down.
Your teeth being more sensitive than normal.
Jaw pain.
Feeling like your jaw is tired.
Ear or headache.
Chewing marks on your tongue and the inside of your cheeks.
16. **Seek medical attention if you are concerned you had or are having a seizure.** In severe cases, pinworm toxin can actually lead to seizures. The toxin can cause an interference in the brain that can cause you to have a seizure. Signs of a seizure include:
Jerking movements of arms, legs, or other parts of the body.
Feeling fuzzy or spacey.
Losing control of your urine or bowel movements.
Unexplained confusion, or memory loss.
17. **Keep track of when your skin suddenly becomes itchy and you notice a rash.** If you have a hookworm infection, the first symptom you will notice is generally that your skin is itchier than normal. The itching begins with the hookworm larvae enter your skin. You may also notice the skin swelling and becoming red in the area where the itching sensation is the worst. This is also caused by the larvae entering your skin.
People commonly feel hookworm itch in their hands and feet.
18. **Keep track of nausea and diarrhea you experience.** When the hookworm enters your intestines, it can aggravate your intestines, leading to nausea and diarrhea. The hookworm can also release toxins that disrupt your digestive system. The nausea may occur with or without vomiting.
Look for blood in your stool. The blood could be red or black.
19. **Keep track of cramps you experience.** Hookworms can cause your colon to become inflamed. They can also irritate the lining of your intestine, which is comprised of the colon, cecum and rectum. When this occurs you might experience cramps in your abdomen.
20. **Take note if you suddenly develop an iron deficiency.** This symptom only occurs in severe hookworm infections. Hookworms feed directly on their hosts blood, which can lead to their host becoming iron deficient. Signs that you are iron deficient include:
Extreme fatigue and overall weakness.
Pale skin and eyes.
Chest pain and headache.
Shortness of breath.
21. **Take note if you constantly feel like you need to pass stools.** This condition is called tenesmus. Your body’s immune system fights off an invading organism like worms, it can cause your digestive tract to become inflamed The inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract makes it harder for you to pass your stool normally, which can lead to tenesmus, or the feeling that you need to pass stools, even when your bowels are empty. This can cause:
Straining.
Pain in the rectum.
Cramping.
22. **Watch out for signs that the whipworms have blocked your intestines.** Whipworms can obstruct or do damage to your intestinal wall and intestinal lumens (the passages through your intestines). When your intestines get blocked, you can develop:
Abdominal cramping.
Nausea.
Vomiting.
23. **Keep track of excessive diarrhea and dehydration.** Whipworms tend to bury their heads into the intestinal wall. This can lead to increase fluid secretion and/or decreased fluid absorption in your colon. When your colon starts increasing fluid secretion, your body has a hard time reabsorbed the fluid, which can lead to:
Diarrhea.
Dehydration or the feeling that you are always thirsty.
Loss of electrolytes and nutrients.
24. **Seek medical help if you experience rectal prolapse.** In a whipworm infection, the rectum loses its internal support because the worms bury their thin heads into the intestinal lining. This can cause the muscles surrounding your intestine to weaken, which in turn can lead to rectal prolapse. This condition is when:
The lower portion of your colon, which is located just inside the anal canal, turns inside out and can come a little ways out of your body.
25. **Keep track of severe abdominal pain you experience.** Roundworms can block your intestines because they are usually thick, and in some cases can grow to be the size of a pencil. When your intestines become blocked, you can develop extreme abdominal pain. You may feel:
A pain in your stomach, like that of a cramp that won’t seem to go away.
26. **Pay attention if you begin experiencing itchiness around your anus.** Roundworms can lay eggs that leak toxins into your body. These toxins can release into your system and may cause your anus to become itchy.
This itchiness can get worse at night because the worms tend to lay their eggs at night while you are resting.
27. **Seek medical help if you see worms when you blow your nose or go to the bathroom.** When roundworms multiply, they may start to leave your body to find a different host. This means they start to exit your body through different orifices. The most common ways for roundworm to exit is through the:
Mouth.
Nose.
Anus. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Know-If-You-Have-Worms", "language": "en"} |
How to Grow Watermelons | Watermelons (Citrullus lanatus) grow on vines with large crinkled leaves. They love heat, and will grow rampantly once established without too much attention. This article provides instructions for planting and caring for watermelons.
1. **Choose the variety of watermelon you want to grow.** These fruits come in sizes ranging from 3 pounds to over 70 pounds (1.3kg to 32kg), and with either red, orange, or yellow flesh. Jubilee, Charleston Grey, and Congo are large, cylindrical varieties, while Sugar Baby and Ice Box are two smaller, globe shaped types.
Decide whether to plant watermelon seeds or transplants. Watermelon seeds need to germinate at a temperature over 70 degrees. If you live in a cool climate, it might make sense to start them indoors a few weeks before the last frost, so you'll be able get the seedlings underway at the beginning of the growing season. Otherwise, plan to plant the seeds directly in the ground well after the last frost, when the temperature is holding steady at above 70 degrees.
Watermelon seeds and transplants are available at nurseries in early spring.
2. **Choose a planting location.** Watermelon plants need a minimum of 6 hours of sun every day. They produce large vines that spread and take up a lot of space; plan on allotting a 4 by 6 foot plot for each plant, unless you're planting a mini-watermelon variety.
3. **Till the soil.** Use a tiller to work the soil for the beds thoroughly, breaking up large clumps of packed earth. Remove any vegetative matter or deeply incorporate it into the soil.
Watermelons like loamy, fertile, well-drained soil. To determine whether your soil gets good enough drainage, take a look at it after a heavy rain. If you see puddles in the dirt, the soil isn't draining well enough.
To further enrich the soil, till compost into the top of layers.
Watermelons grow best in soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. Test the pH of your soil and determine whether the levels are appropriate for watermelon plants. If not, you can change the balance by adding compounds available for purchase at a plant nursery.
4. **Create mounds.** Using a tractor or hoe, form mounds of earth (hills) to plant seeds in. Space these 2–6 feet (0.61–1.8 m) (60cm-1.8m) apart, depending on the amount of space you have. Building the soil up at individual planting locations helps assure that the soil is loose enough for the roots to grow, allows oxygen to each them with ease, and lets excess moisture drain away from direct contact with the roots of your plants. It also helps to conserve available moisture in dry weather.
5. **Plant the seeds.** Form a flat, slightly concave surface on the top of the hill, then poke three or four holes in the soil with a tool or your finger, about 1 inch (2.5cm) deep. Place one to four seeds in each hole, then rake the dirt flat over the top of the seeds, and lightly press the soil to pack it sufficiently to keep the moisture from quickly evaporating around the seed.
6. **Watch for sprouts to appear.** The seeds should germinate and plants will emerge in about 7-10 days, depending on the soil temperature and the depth they are covered when planted. Keep the soil moist around the seeds during the germination period; water close enough so that the water reaches the small roots forming.
When the seedlings grow, thin to the two strongest, to give the strong one room to grow.
Don't let the soil dry out; you should water at least once daily.
7. **Mulch each hill with a suitable material after the plants have reached a height of about 4 inches (10cm).** You can choose pine straw, lawn fabric, or compost. Try to apply the mulch as close to the plants as possible to help prevent weeds, to retain moisture, and to keep the soil from being overheated from direct sunlight around the shallow, new roots.
Another option is to lay black landscaping fabric or plastic cloth down after you have made the hills, and then cut holes on top of each hill where you will plant seeds. You can also lay mulch on top of the cloth. This method helps to retain soil moisture and keep weed pressure down.
8. **Water less when the flowers bloom.** After the flowers bloom, water approximately every 3 days if dry. However, don't over-water, as watermelons have a low water requirement.
Keep the foliage and fruit dry. You can place fruit onto a clean piece of wood, large smooth pebble, brick, etc.
On very hot days, the leaves will probably wilt even in moist soil. If this limpness can still be seen in the evening after a hot day, water deeply.
Sweetness in watermelons can be increased by holding off watering for a week prior to harvesting. However, don't do this if it causes the vines to wilt. Once that crop is harvested, restore the usual watering to enable the second crop to come through well.
9. **Weed regularly.** Be sure to weed around the base, along and ahead of the vines. Maintaining a thick layer of mulch around the plants can also help to keep weeds down.
10. **Make sure they're ready.** Under perfect conditions, watermelons will mature to full sweetness in about four months of warm weather. Harvesting them before they're ready will result in less flavorful watermelons.
To test the ripeness of a watermelon, thump it. A dull noise sounding back means that it has ripened. Also, check the underside––it is ready when it has turned from white to pale yellow.
The curly tendril near the watermelon's stem should also be dried out when it's ready to harvest.
11. **Cut the watermelons from the vine.** Use a sharp knife or garden shears to cut the watermelons cleanly from the vine near the fruit. Freshly harvested watermelons will keep for about 10 days. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Watermelons", "language": "en"} |
How to Protect a Chipped Tooth | Chipped teeth are very common and occur for a number of reasons. The extent of the damage—and the corresponding treatment options—vary considerably. If you think you have a chipped tooth, it is important to get it taken care of. Even though a little chip may not seem like a big deal, a minor chip can be accompanied microscopic fractures. These microscopic cracks in your teeth can impact the health of your tooth's root, and may eventually require a root canal if not properly identified and treated.
1. **Consult a dentist.** When you chip a tooth, you should consult a dentist right away. If there is pain or bleeding, this is especially important. Even if you do not feel pain, but suspect you have a chipped tooth, you should call a dentist as soon as it is feasible. You may not be able to see or accurately assess the damage yourself, and even if you are not in pain at the moment, complications could develop after a few days or weeks.
2. **Look at the tooth.** Visual inspection be useful, but may not reveal thin cracks. If you can, look at the tooth in a mirror to see if there is any visible reduction in tooth size. If the break is large enough, you may be able to see the damage. Small chips and cracks, however, can be much harder to identify. The upside is that small chips are easier to fix, and may only require a single visit to the dentist. Extensive damage may require many visits.
Look for a darker color near the missing piece. This can indicate tooth decay.
A chipped filling can also cause a chipped tooth. Look in the mirror to compare the part that is chipped to the remaining tooth.
3. **Use your tongue.** If you do not see any visible damage, check for a chip by running your tongue along the tooth. If the tooth feels rough, especially if the edges are sharp and jagged, you may have a chip. Because the shape of your teeth is very familiar, you may quickly notice changes in the shape of your teeth.
Sometimes, with chipped teeth, especially at night, the sharp edges of dentin and enamel might hurt your tongue. Be careful when you're checking the chip with your tongue, and see your dentist as soon as possible.
4. **Note if there is any pain.** There are a number of indications that a chip has occurred, from visual signs to tactile ones. One of the most common signs is a sensation of pain or discomfort. This pain may come and go or be event specific, as when releasing the pressure from biting and when exposed to extreme temperatures. Pain from a chipped tooth can be caused by a few conditions:
A fracture extending to the second layer of the tooth or to the pulp, where blood vessels and nerves are located.
An indentation large enough to trap food, which will increase your chance of getting a cavity.
A vertical chip positioned in such a way that it is placing added pressure on the tooth.
5. **Avoid hard foods.** If your tooth is chipped, it is already weak; it can no longer support biting or chewing anything hard. Stick to soft foods to keep from exacerbating the damage. If possible, chew on the other side of your mouth.
6. **Stay away from cold foods and drinks.** Chipped teeth can be very sensitive because their nerves are more exposed. Cold foods and beverages will make this problem worse. Eating cold foods may cause pain. If you find a food is irritating your tooth, stop eating it, as it may cause further damage.
7. **Consider temporary filling materials.** Dental cement and other similar materials are available over the counter, and they typically come with clear instructions. You simply place them over the fractured area. If your chipped tooth is bothering you, this might be worth a try.
Remember that these materials are only temporary; they are not meant to take the place of a visit to the dentist’s office. Make an appointment as soon as possible.
Temporary materials wear away rather quickly. When this happens, it leaves your tooth extremely vulnerable to decay.
8. **Try dental wax.** If your chipped tooth has sharp and jagged edges, it can injure your cheeks and tongue. Placing dental wax over these edges will offer some protection from it. It can also help to protect your tooth from temperature sensitivity.
Keep in mind that dental wax is very temporary. It falls off frequently, requiring you to replace it again and again. As with filling materials, it does not take the place of professional dental care.
If you have it on hand, you can also try placing a bit of sugarless gum over any sharp edges.
9. **Apply cold compresses.** If you are in pain, a cold compress can help. Simply wrap some ice in a towel and place it gently on your cheek. This will help to numb the pain.
Never apply cold compresses directly to your chipped tooth; this will intensify your pain rather than relieving it.
Try a bag of frozen food if you have nothing else handy.
10. **Take pain relievers.** Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, will temporarily alleviate your discomfort. Follow the instructions on the label. Even though these should not cause any complications with pain medication your dentist may give you, you should make sure to always tell your dentist that you are taking medications.
You can also try putting a corn kernel sized amount of anesthetic gel onto a piece of gauze and holding it on your painful tooth. Try not to swallow the gel or bite down too hard.
11. **Control any bleeding.** If you are bleeding, get a clean piece of sterile gauze or cotton. Place it in your mouth and bite on it. The pressure should stop the bleeding until you can get to a dentist.
Bleeding is serious in a tooth that is broken. Immediate dental care may be require to keep the tooth from dying.
If the bleeding continues for more than fifteen minutes or seems very heavy, you need to get help immediately. Consider heading to the emergency room or an urgent care center if you cannot get in to see a dentist.
12. **Arrange to see a dentist as soon as possible.** If you have a chipped tooth, you need to see a dentist – even if the fracture is small or if you have no pain. Only a dentist can properly diagnose your problem and perform the correct treatments to restore the tooth. Do not attempt to treat it yourself.
13. **Consider getting your tooth recontoured.** This is the quickest and best method, assuming that the chip is very small. If the chip is small, a dentist can simply smooth the rough area and perform other small necessary adjustments. Tooth recontouring can be completed in just one appointment.
14. **Schedule an appointment for a dental filling.** For small to moderate chips, a simple dental filling can fix the problem. This is more painful than having the tooth recontoured, but it can be done for medium-sized chips and can usually be completed in just one appointment. This is often an ideal fix due to the durability and cosmetic versatility of this method. This will happen under local anesthesia, which will numb the nerve of your tooth and not cause you any pain.
15. **Look into getting a dental crown for large chips.** Crowns or other kinds of restorations may be necessary in extreme situations. If the fracture involves half of the tooth or more, you may need a dental crown, which carries the added benefit of protecting the remaining tooth. This treatment involves multiple dental visits.
16. **Get the tooth removed.** If the tooth is extensively damaged and the root has suffered a large infection or fracture, or if the root can't be restored in order to place a crown or bridge, a dentist can simply remove it. This solution works well in the short term, but may require the patient to wear a prosthesis later on. Talk with your dentist about the best solution for your situation. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Protect-a-Chipped-Tooth", "language": "en"} |
How to Say "I Don't Know" in French | So you want to say "I don't know" in French, but you don't know how to say that you don't know how to say "I don't know." Never fear. Say "Je ne sais pas" (juh-nuh-say-pah) for a simple "I don't know," or learn more complex phrases to communicate more deeply.
1. **Say "Je ne sais pas.** " This translates directly to "I don't know [a specific thing]". Pronounce it as "juh-nuh-say-pah" or "shu-nu-say-pah". To pronounce the "je" like "shu", shape your mouth like you are beginning to "shush" someone, but carry on the "sh" sound by following with a sound almost halfway between "uh" and "ooo". This should sound something like "eu". The "ne" is similar: just replace the "sh" with a "n" sound.
Note: in modern spoken French, the "je" and "ne" ("I" and "don't") often glide together, so you may sound more authentic if you slur your syllables—as in, "jeun-say-pah," or even "shay-pah".
If you want to be especially polite, say, "I don't know, sorry." In French, that's "Je ne sais pas, deslolée." Pronounce "desolée" as "dez-oh-lay".
Bear in mind that the negating "ne" is always used in written French, but is often dropped in informal spoken French. One might say to a friend, for instance, "Je sais pas," and mean something like "I dunno."
2. **Understand the function of each word in the phrase "je ne sais pas."** "Je," ne," "sais," and "pas":
"Je" is the first person subject, or "I".
"Sais" is the first person conjugation of "savoir", a verb which translates as "to know something". Always put the "ne" before the verbal tense and the "pas" after it.
"Pas" loosely translates as "not".
"Ne" doesn't really mean anything, and is more a formality of grammar that accompanies "pas". This is why a person speaking informally can omit the "ne" and simply say "Je sais pas."
3. **Use "Je ne sais pas" in a sentence.** Add the specific thing that you don't know to the end of the phrase—this can be a piece of information, or it can be a certain thing with which you are not familiar. Review the following examples:
"Je ne sais pas parler français" means "I don't know how to speak French."
"Je ne sais pas la réponse" means "I don't know the answer."
"Je ne sais pas nager" means "I don't know how to swim."
"Je ne sais quoi faire" means "I don't know what to do." The "pas" is unnecessary in this example because the verb savoir is being used with a question word.
4. **Say "Je ne comprends pas.** " This means "I don't understand." Pronounce it "juh-nuh com-prond pah". This is a good phrase to use if you are trying to hold a conversation with someone in French, but you simply don't know how to translate something that they just said. If you say it politely, odds are your conversation partner will be understanding.
5. **Say "Je ne parle pas (le) français.** " This translates to "I don't speak French." Pronounce it "juh-nuh pahl-pah frahn-say". This is a good way to politely inform people that you aren't equipped to hold a conversation in French. If you want to try to start a conversation with someone, however, you might just say "Je ne parle qu'un peu le français,"—"I only speak a little French." Pronounce it "juh-nuh pahl koon pay-oo le frahn-say".
If someone stops you on the Paris metro and starts speaking aggressively to you in frenzied French, you might be able to turn them away by looking confused and saying "Je ne parle pas français."
If you're trying to impress your boyfriend's French grandparents, smile and sheepishly say "Je suis desolée—je ne parle qu'un peu le français."
6. **Say "Parlez-vous anglais?** " This directly translates to "Do you speak English?" Pronounce it "Par-lay-voo ahn-glay?" If you are learning French and you are still a beginner, you may come to a point at which communicated efficiently is a matter of safety or great convenience. Depending on where you are, you may or may not find someone who speaks fluent English—but this is still an important phrase to have in your arsenal.
7. **Say "Je ne connais pas cette personne/place."** This means "I don't know this/that person/place." Pronounce it "Juh-nuh-conn-eye pah." "Personne (pronounced "pair-sohn) means "person". "Place" (pronounced "plahss") means, quite literally, "place".
Add a specific person or place name to the end of the phrase to make it more specific. For example: "Je ne connais pas Guillaume," or "Je ne connais pas Avignon."
8. **Say "Je ne sais quoi."** This is an expression that means "I don't know what." Je ne sais quoi is an indefinable, elusive quality, usually positive and often descriptive of someone's personality. The phrase is often colloquially interjected into English speech. For instance: "The actress had a certain je ne sais quoi that immediately charmed everyone she met." Pronounce it "juh-nuh-say-kwa," and imitate a French accent if possible. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Say-%22I-Don%27t-Know%22-in-French", "language": "en"} |
How to Bond a Pair of Conures | The most important part of bonding a pair of conures is housing them together. Housed together, the conures can get to know each other. You have a better chance of bonding a pair of conures if they are unrelated and close to each other in age. Additionally, give them privacy so that they focus on one another instead of on you. Keep in mind that bonded conures may become very distressed, sick, and depressed if they are separated, so it is important to always keep them together.
1. **Raise the birds together from an early age.** If two conures are both relatively young (less than one year old) and have already been weaned, they can probably be placed together in a cage immediately. When the birds are raised together, they are more likely to think of each other as partners and companions.
2. **Place birds who were not raised together from a young age in separate cages.** When introducing birds who are a bit older (more than one year old), place them in two separate cages, but place the cages side-by-side. Look for signs of bonding, including sitting side-by-side, eating at the same time, or mutual head bobbing.
3. **Bring the bonded pair together in one cage.** When bonding a conure pair that was not raised together, unite them in a neutral cage (not one of the cages they used individually) after detecting signs of bonding. This will reinforce the bond between them.
Since a single conure requires an enclosure 24″ wide x 24″ deep x 30″ high ( 61 cm x 61 cm x 76 cm), two conures should be housed together in an enclosure with dimensions twice as large.
4. **Purchase unrelated birds.** Birds who are related might have a more difficult time bonding. When purchasing your birds, choose a qualified seller who offers written guarantees that the two conures are from different nests.
5. **Obtain birds that are the same age.** If one bird in a pair is of a different age than the other, it might try to take on an “alpha” role in the pair, which could cause it to act aggressively. To increase odds of a successful bonding, match two birds that are the same age or close to the same age.
6. **Don’t bother your conures.** The more you interact with your conures, the less interested they will be in each other. To encourage bonding, minimize your contact with them by only visiting to provide food.
This rule also applies if you want to breed your conures. Stay away from them until they’ve produced an egg.
7. **Keep mirrors away from the cage.** If a conure sees its image in a mirror, it could become confused and begin bonding with its reflection. Therefore, don’t place mirrors or toys that include mirrors in or near the conure cage.
8. **Look for the pair sitting together.** When birds sit next to each other, it means that they like each other. Provide perches and stands in the conures’ cage so they can sit near each other. If you notice the birds nestling up to each other and mirroring each other’s actions, then this is a good indication that they have bonded.
9. **Keep an eye out for rapid head bobbing.** If your conures rapidly bob their heads up and down when interacting, it means they like each other. You might see this behavior with same-sex conure pairs or in male-female pairs.
10. **Look for tongue touching.** Conures have sensitive tongues and often examine objects or birds with them. Curious or affectionate conures might press their tongues against their companion.
11. **Check for preening.** Conure friends often lick, nibble, or gently pull at each other’s feathers. These behaviors help the bird on the receiving end keep its feathers properly oiled and groomed, and protect it from water and cold. This social behavior is an indicator that your birds are getting along.
12. **Look for the pair eating together.** When your conure pair share feeding habits, you’ll know they’ve really hit it off. Conure friends might bring food back to a shared perch or cluster around a single food dish and eat together. If the birds are of different sexes, one might feed the other (either directly or by chewing the food and then regurgitating it into the other’s mouth).
13. **Expect the occasional squabble.** Although bonded conures are devoted to each other, they may occasionally squabble. However, they will usually sort things out on their own and you will not need to intervene. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Bond-a-Pair-of-Conures", "language": "en"} |
How to Bargain | Bargaining, or haggling, is the age-old tradition of negotiating a price through discussion. In many local markets across the world, vendors will negotiate the price of an item in order to capitalize on a sale. If you want what's being sold, it's important to know the finer points of bargaining like a pro.
1. **Know the situations in which it is appropriate to bargain.** Not all situations call for bargaining. A bazaar may be a great place to bargain, but an expensive shopping mall probably isn't. What's acceptable in one place is bad shopping etiquette in another.
If you want to know whether it's acceptable to bargain, say something casual like "It's just a little too expensive for me." If the merchant makes a counteroffer, he's effectively opening the door to bargaining, in which case, haggle away. If he stands pat, it's probably not okay to bargain at that location.
2. **Find out what locals pay.** In most places where haggling or bargaining is common, there's a double standard when it comes to the price tag: What locals pay is often far less than what tourists pay.
Even if you find that an alpaca scarf costs 60 for locals but 100 for tourists, don't necessarily expect to be able to bargain down the price of the scarf to 60. Many vendors won't sell the "locals" price to tourists out of principle, although you may be able to get pretty close if you're skilled.
3. **Determine what the item is worth to you.** This is a tried and true shopping rule that applies to buying things in general. But it especially applies to bargaining. Many bargainers think that if they can cut the price in half, they've gotten a good deal. But many vendors simply triple the first offer in anticipation of this, which means you'd technically be getting a bad deal if you were to buy. If you know what the item is worth to you, it doesn't really matter how the vendor prices his or her item — as long as you're happy with the price paid.
4. **Have cash in hand.** In many places where it's common to bargain, cash is king. Vendors either won't accept credit cards or will be displeased about them. There are a couple benefits to carrying cash instead of opting for credit:
You won't be enticed to splurge on an item because you'll be limited by how much cash you have. Budget ahead of time and you're guaranteed to stick to your budget.
Reaching out with a handful of cash and exclaiming "It's all the cash I have" is a good trick that often works. Vendors will be tempted to go ahead and grab the cash in exchange for the item.
5. **Know the value of an item for you.** If an item is worth more to you than you paid for it, it doesn't really matter whether you paid more than the local. By definition, you got your money's worth. If the vendor you're bargaining with refuses to go down to the price at which the item is valuable to you, it should be easy to walk away.
6. **Don't project fondness or over-enthusiasm for whatever you're eyeing.** One of the biggest mistakes people make is telegraphing their fondness for an item. As soon as the vendor knows you like something, he has the upper hand in the negotiation. On the other hand, if he believes you're on the fence for the item, you have the upper hand because you can always walk away, or at least pretend to walk away.
7. **Start 25% to 30% lower than the listed offer or the first offer.** A good rule of thumb is to take whatever the first offer is, quarter it, and begin the bargaining process there. Hack off a half from the first offer and you risk insulting the vendor. Hack off only 10% and you're less likely to get a killer deal.
8. **Get a friend or spouse to work with you.** This trick works better than you might think at delivering the message that life's other responsibilities could easily get in the way of the sale. Here's what you do:
Have a friend with you while you bargain. If they pretend to be bored, worried you're spending too much money, or who has an appointment to catch, the vendor could cut straight to the chase and offer you near the lowest or the lowest offer.
9. **Don't be afraid to walk away from an item, even one that you love.** You'll get the lowest offer, or near the lowest offer, by being prepared to walk away. As soon as you walk away, the vendor loses the sale, and people all over the world hate to lose sales. They should offer you one of their lowest prices.
10. **Be prepared to spend a long time bargaining.** It's not unheard of to spend hours haggling about price. Vendors in a position to bargain draw out the process because they understand that many people are simply impatient and are willing to pay more for the convenience of getting the item and being done with it. Vendors can feign embarrassment, disappointment, and insult throughout the bargaining process, using emotion to draw the bargaining to an end. Don't bite. Keep steady and you should get near the price you were looking for. The bargaining process might look something like this:
Seller: "That'll be fifty, ma'am."
Buyer: "I'll give you twenty."
Seller: "How about forty-five?"
Buyer: "How about twenty?"
Seller: "Fine. I'll be willing to settle for thirty-five."
Buyer: "And I can settle for twenty-five."
Seller: "Thirty?"
Buyer: "Twenty-five."
Seller: "I will take twenty-seven."
Buyer: "And I will give you twenty-six."
Seller: "Twenty-seven is my final offer."
Buyer: "And twenty-six is mine."
Seller: "Twenty-six fifty?"
Buyer: "Twenty-six."
Seller: "Twenty-six it is, then, ma'am."
11. **Don't take the "final offer".** This usually isn't the final offer. They may be trying to convince you that that is as low as they'll go. Tell the vendor your final offer, which should be 1-10 below, and work together from there. If that doesn't happen, walk away. He'll call you back and give you a killer deal. After all, to him, although fifty is better than twenty-six, twenty-six is better than nothing.
12. **Stop when you get a good price.** Don't push it, or you'll ruin the whole deal. Take your item and go. Be pleased with your new acquisition and the knowledge that you can bargain with the best of them! | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Bargain", "language": "en"} |
How to Eliminate Bad Smells In The Kitchen | Cooking can cause pungent odors to be distributed throughout your house. The act of heating food ingredients can produce odors, some of which might be unpleasant. One way to limit unwanted odors is to respond quickly because the smell can worsen with time. Vigilant cleaning, good ventilation, and proper use of odor-controlling chemicals will help control the odors generated in the kitchen.
1. **Clean your kitchen as you cook.** Disposing of spills down the drain or in the garbage can will prevent them from becoming stuck on the counter or prevalent in the air.
2. **Rinse and do dishes while you cook or immediately after.** Do large pots and pans by hand or place them in the dishwasher. If the dishes need to soak, place them in the sink with some soap and hot water right after you use them, to decrease the amount of time the cooked food or burnt bottom can be pungent.
3. **Remove used cooking oil or frying oil from the house immediately after you use it.** If you are cooking with oil, fish, garlic, onions or other pungent odors, place a small wastebasket or plastic bag close by. Use this garbage for scraps that should be taken out immediately after food preparation.
4. **Clean all counters, cabinets, and floors of residue.** Make a plan to wipe down surfaces while you cook and to deep clean weekly. Grease spots will attract more food, leading to more kitchen odors if left too long.
5. **Throw away your sponges weekly.** Wash your dishtowels, potholders, and rugs every week. All these items can get wet and breed bacteria or mold.
6. **Place your leftovers inside plastic or glass containers immediately.** Close the containers and place them in the refrigerator. This will help to prevent food smells from permeating into the house.
7. **Install a vent in your ceiling, above your stove.** Not only do ventilation systems remove bad odors, but they also improve the quality of the air in your kitchen. Unless you are experienced with home construction, you will need to get a consultation and advice from a professional venting company.
If you cannot afford to install a range hood or fan above your range, open your windows. Although this is not possible in all climes, cooking with the windows open will remove bad odors and allow them to drift outside, rather than through the house.
8. **Place an opened box of baking soda in your refrigerator to remove smells from your refrigerator at a constant interval.** The alkaline substance will help to neutralize acidic smells from fish, sticky spills and some leftovers. The box of baking soda should be replaced every 30 days, because the top of the baking soda can crust over as it absorbs moisture, limiting its absorption process. Alternatively, you can use a commercial freshening product.
9. **Clean out your refrigerator if you cannot find where a smell is coming from.** It is likely to be emanating from things that have been in there over a week. Clean out your refrigerator every week to avoid "mystery smells".
10. **Clean out your food disposal every week.** Flush the food down with water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes, to make sure it travels all the way down your pipes. Pulse your disposal with ice cubes and lemon wedges every week to get rid of stuck food, and then rinse thoroughly.
11. **Place 3 bowls of vinegar around your kitchen, if it is filled with cooking smells.** The sour smell of the vinegar will only last 10 to 15 minutes before it starts to eliminate the odors. Leave the bowls for 6 to 12 hours for best results.
12. **Treat severe odors by heating up vinegar on the stove.** Fill a saucepan with 1 part water and 1 part vinegar. Place orange and lemon peels in the water to create a more pleasant scent.
Simmer the mixture for 1 to 2 hours. Turn off the stove and allow the pot to sit overnight. Dispose of the mixture in the morning. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Eliminate-Bad-Smells-In-The-Kitchen", "language": "en"} |
How to Remove the Rubber Smell from a Mask | If you purchased a brand new rubber or latex mask, such as a Halloween mask, you will probably notice a strong rubber smell when you try it on. This odor can make it unpleasant to wear your new mask. Luckily, you can get rid of the rubber smell with a few common household supplies. It’s a good idea to clean any new latex mask anyways to get rid of any residues from the factory where it was manufactured. Choose a method based on what you have handy or try both of them for stubborn rubber smells. Soon enough, you’ll have a clean, odor-free mask that is much more enjoyable to wear!
1. **Submerge your mask in a container of water if it doesn’t have hair or fur.** Place your mask into a container that is large enough to hold it and enough water to submerge it completely. Fill the container with just enough cool or warm water to cover the mask completely.
This applies to masks that are made out of latex or rubber.
If your mask has hair or fur attached, you can wipe the latex or rubber parts of the mask clean with a damp, soapy cloth instead of submerging it to avoid soaking the non-rubber materials.
2. **Add a few drops of liquid dish soap to the water.** Hold a bottle of liquid dish detergent upside down over the container. Squeeze soap out of the bottle into the water until you add a few drops.
There is no exact measurement for the amount of soap to add. The goal is just to get the water nice and soapy.
If you’re cleaning your mask with a cloth instead because it has hair or other materials on it, just get the cloth fully wet and squeeze 3-4 drops of dish detergent onto the cloth.
3. **Scrub the soapy water all over the mask with a clean brush or sponge.** Submerge the brush or sponge in the water with the mask and stir up the mixture until it starts to get sudsy. Rub the soapy water all over the mask on both sides using your brush or the sponge.
You can use any kind of cleaning brush for this. For example, a dish scrubbing brush or even an old toothbrush would work well. If your mask has delicate paint on it, it’s probably best to use a sponge to avoid scraping any of the paint off.
If you’re using a soapy cloth to clean your mask, just scrub it all over both sides of the mask.
4. **Mix about 1 cup (236.5 mL) of apple cider vinegar into the water.** Open up a bottle of apple cider vinegar and pour it into the mixture until you think you’ve added about 1 cup (236.5 mL) of vinegar. Agitate the water with your hands or your brush to mix the vinegar in.
You don’t have to be exact with the measurements here. You won’t hurt the mask by pouring in too much vinegar.
If you’re cleaning your mask with a cloth instead, just pour the vinegar onto the cloth and wipe the mask all over again on both sides.
5. **Let the mask soak for 30-45 minutes.** Leave the mask to sit in the mixture for 30-45 minutes. This will give the soap and vinegar time to work and remove the rubber smell.
6. **Remove the mask and rinse it off thoroughly with running water.** Take the mask out of the mixture when the soaking time is up. Rinse it off under a faucet with cool or warm running water to get rid of the soap and vinegar solution.
Make sure to rinse the mask very well. If you don’t, the soap and vinegar solution can dry on it and leave soapy residue or a vinegar smell on the mask.
If your mask has hair or other materials on it, be careful not to get these parts wet. Alternatively, you can use a clean cloth soaked in nothing but plain water to wipe off the soap and vinegar.
7. **Pat the mask dry with a clean, dry towel and let it air dry.** Grab a clean, dry towel and blot as much water off the mask as possible. Set the mask in a dry, well-ventilated area and let it finish air drying.
If you’re not going to use your mask right away, you can sprinkle some corn starch onto the inside of the mask before you put it away. This will keep it from sticking to itself in storage.
8. **Mix equal parts baking soda and water to make a paste.** Pour some baking soda into a cup, bowl, or other container of some kind. Add an equal amount of water and stir it in with a spoon until the mixture turns into a paste.
If the mixture is too dry, add a little more water until you get the right consistency. If it is too wet, mix in a bit more baking soda.
9. **Coat the inside of the mask with the paste.** Scoop the baking soda and water paste onto the inside of the mask with your hands. Rub it all over the inside of the mask in an even coat.
If possible, turn your mask inside out to make this easier.
This method will work for any kind of rubber or latex mask. If your mask has hair or fur, you only need to apply the baking soda paste to the rubber or latex parts of the mask.
10. **Rub 1-2 drops of liquid dish detergent into the paste inside the mask.** Squeeze 1-2 drops of dish detergent into the mask. Use your fingers to rub it around and mix it in with the baking soda paste.
You can add more detergent if 1-2 drops doesn’t seem like enough to get the job done.
The soap will help deodorize and sterilize the inside of the mask.
11. **Let the mask sit undisturbed for 15-30 minutes.** Place the mask on a clean, dry surface. This will give the cleaning paste time to work and deodorize the mask.
You can leave it longer if your mask is super stinky. It won’t hurt the mask.
12. **Rinse the paste off the mask completely.** Rinse the mask thoroughly under cool or warm running water. Keep rinsing it until you remove all traces of the baking soda paste.
If you can still smell rubber at this point, you can start over and repeat the whole process.
13. **Set the mask in a dry, well-ventilated area to dry.** Place the mask somewhere out of the way and let it air dry. Wear it or store it after it’s completely dry.
You can set the mask on an improvised stand like a jar of some kind to help it sit upright and get good airflow. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-the-Rubber-Smell-from-a-Mask", "language": "en"} |
How to Rebut Better | Rebuttals are the most exciting part of the debate because they are the least predictable. In your rebuttal, you will respond to the arguments your opponent has made in the debate. You'll need to refute all of their arguments thoroughly. While you’ll be developing your rebuttal during the actual debate, you can prepare yourself to write a better rebuttal by knowing your argument, anticipating possible counter-arguments, and familiarizing yourself with strategies that will allow you to break down your opponent's points.
1. **Know your argument.** You need to have a solid grasp of the topic, your stance on the topic, the reasons that support that stance, and the evidence that you will use to support those reasons. It’s easiest to know your argument if you have a written case, but in an impromptu setting, you can keep up with the argument you or your team is presenting by taking good notes.
If you have a written case, study both the case and outline before the debate. Underline important points, and know where your evidence is sourced.
If you are going to be developing your arguments during the debate, review the evidence that you could offer, as well as possible arguments that can be made under the established topic for the debate. This way you will be able to quickly choose an argument or piece of support when you are in the middle of the debate.
2. **Write out your 3 or 4 main arguments.** Since your opponent will be attacking your arguments, you can anticipate what they will say if you take a long, hard look at your main arguments.
If you have a written case, this will be easy. Simply highlight and outline your main points.
If you don’t have a written case, choose the arguments that are the most likely to be brought up under the established topic.
For example, you could write the following: "My main argument is that peanut products should not be allowed in schools because they pose a danger to those who are allergic. I will argue that the harm to people who are allergic is massive, making it a significant issue. Finally, I will argue that banning the products is the simplest, least expensive way to address the issue compared to other solutions, such as building a new cafeteria or transferring students with allergies."
3. **Identify the possible arguments against your argument.** This activity should be done before the actual debate. Knowing what your opponent may present against you can allow you to develop your rebuttals faster during the actual debate. Look at the 3 or 4 main arguments that you plan to present, and think about how you would attack them. Develop a plan to counter these attacks.
For added insight, ask another debater how they would counter your arguments.
Write out possible defenses to these potential arguments. This exercise will give you ideas to come back to later while you’re in the debate.
For example, you could anticipate that your opponent may argue that only a small percentage of students are allergic to peanuts, so the problem is not significant.
In response, you could plan to offer evidence showing that allergy attacks are so harmful that the issue is significant, as well as evidence that the number of people with food allergies is on the rise.
4. **Keep track of the arguments made by both you and your opponent.** Take good notes during the debate so that you remember to address new arguments that are brought up and don’t accidentally forget about arguments that you’ve already made. You will also be able to see when your opponent fails to address one of your arguments so that you can point out to the judge that you have won that point.
Say, "In her last rebuttal, my opponent had no response to my attack on her plan's relevancy. Clearly, she cedes that point, which means that I've won that argument."
5. **Make an outline of your arguments to refer to as you rebut.** Don’t write out a whole speech because this will waste your preparation time and will likely cause you to read from the paper instead of making eye contact with the judge. Instead, put your arguments into an outline that you can refer to in order to make sure all of your points are addressed in your rebuttal. Your outline might look like this:
A. Refute counterargument - issue is significant because harms are great, more kids are affected every year
B. Relevancy - her evidence wasn't about my position
C. Harms - evidence shows her plan would increase harms, mine decreases them
D. Examples - her examples are straw men - read evidence
E. Restate position
6. **Attack new arguments first.** Most debates have more than one rebuttal, and you should always start with new arguments. They will be fresh on the judge’s mind, so you need to address them as soon as possible.
Make sure to save room in your time allowance to briefly review your other arguments.
If you believe you have already won an argument or that the other team dropped one, you can briefly summarize those points at the end of the speech, reminding the judge that they go to you.
7. **Remind the judge of your opponent’s argument.** Provide a one-sentence summary of what your opponent has said. Take it one argument at a time, starting with the one that is either easiest to defeat or the most crucial to your case.
Say, “My opponent wants to allow one of the most common allergens into our nation’s schools, regardless of how many students are at risk.”
8. **Restate your position.** Remind the judge what your argument is, positioning it as the clear better choice over your opponent. Choose your words carefully so that your argument appears to be the most reasonable choice.
Say, “A safe educational environment is necessary for all students. We stopped sending students to schools that have asbestos; now we need to stop sending them to schools that have peanuts.”
9. **Break down your rebuttal into two choices for the judge.** Present the breakdown with your argument framed as the best choice. Make the case seem simple to the judge, but say it in a way that makes it seem like picking the other side is preposterous.
For example, “The choice is simple: We can protect students from life-threatening allergy attacks, or we can allow a few students to eat peanut butter for lunch.”
This argument makes it seem like critical health emergencies are being pitted against something as trivial as a sandwich.
10. **Explain the reasons why your argument is best.** Link your argument back to the topic, and provide evidence to back it up. Tell the judge why this evidence proves that your argument is superior to your opponent’s argument. This should take several sentences and possibly several minutes, depending on how many arguments you plan to address in your rebuttal.
Never list off your reasons without offering an explanation. Your rebuttal depends on your explanation of the argument.
Say, "My plan to remove peanut products from schools fulfills the resolution to provide a safe learning environment for kids by removing a known, common hazard. The evidence shows that the threat to allergic individuals is great and that every day the number of allergic students walking the hallways increases. The easiest, least expensive way to protect students is to ban peanut products. Please vote for safe schools by voting for me."
11. **Show the judge why this argument is a voting issue, which you won.** You and your opponent may both win arguments within the debate, but the judge still has to pick a winner. Voting issues are the arguments that could make or break a case, so showing that your argument is a voting issue could make the judge choose your side.
For example, relevancy is often a good voting issue because if an argument is not relevant, then it is ineffective. If you show the judge that your opponent has no relevancy on the topic, then that could be a voting issue that goes your way.
Say, "My opponent argued that we should ban sugary foods instead of peanut butter, but that is not relevant to my case. None of the evidence she provided about the dangers of sugary food should be considered."
12. **Give a concluding statement urging the judge to choose your argument.** Briefly summarize your arguments and the voting issues, then urge the judge to vote for you.
Say, “The evidence I’ve provided proves that my opponent’s argument lacks relevancy and fails to address the topic. Additionally, my opponent has falsely assumed that peanuts must be ingested to be harmful, which is factually untrue. For these reasons, you should vote for my case.”
13. **Avoid dropping an argument.** If you don’t address an argument, it could go to the other team. Even if you are losing an argument, it’s best to offer a short concession in your rebuttal before moving on to your stronger arguments. If your opponent points out that you dropped an argument, it will look worse than if you concede it yourself.
You should also watch for arguments that your opponent has dropped. Make sure to point this out to the judge and tell them that you have clearly won that point.
14. **Show that your opponent’s arguments or evidence are not relevant.** Sometimes your opponent will offer a related argument or piece of evidence that doesn’t quite match up with what their stance should be. This can be tricky to catch since their argument may seem on topic; however, they have to prove their stance on the issue at hand, not a related point.
For example, let’s say your argument is that peanuts should not be allowed in schools to protect students who are allergic. If your opponent argues that peanuts are a healthy snack and a source of protein, their argument would not be relevant because they had to show that peanuts could be allowed on campus without endangering those who are allergic.
15. **Break the logical links in your opponent’s argument.** Look for a weak link in your opponent’s logical jumps between their stance, their points, or their evidence. Point out the reasons why this logical leap does not make sense.
For example, if your opponent argues that 50% of students requested that peanuts be allowed in schools so banning it infringes on their rights, you could argue that there is no logic there because access to peanuts is not a right.
16. **Argue that your opponent has made a false assumption.** With this strategy, you can acknowledge that your opponent’s argument sounds good but that it’s flawed because they are assuming the wrong conclusion about their points.
For example, if your opponent argued that people who are allergic to peanuts would be safe as long as peanuts were always labeled, you could point out that your opponent was assuming that people only experience a peanut allergy if they eat them. You could then point out that some people are triggered by peanut protein on other people or surfaces.
Similarly, you could concede part of the argument but then counter that something else is more important. For example, peanut butter is an inexpensive protein option that is easy for students to eat on the go, but the lives of students who are allergic are more important than convenience.
17. **Undermine the impact of the opponent’s argument.** With this strategy, you can acknowledge that their argument addresses the issue but doesn’t fix anything. Because their argument fails to make a difference on the topic, your argument should prevail.
For example, your opponent could offer a counter-plan that students be able to eat peanuts at an outdoor table. However, you could then point out that the peanut residue could still harm students who are allergic, leaving the problem unsolved.
18. **Attack the base argument if more than one is offered.** Sometimes your opponent will offer two arguments that work together to make a stronger argument. If one or more of their arguments depend on one base argument being true, then you can address all of them at once.
For example, if your opponent argues that banning peanuts infringes on students' rights thereby causing them to fear authority, you could defeat the whole argument by showing that students' rights are not being violated by the peanut policy.
19. **Point out contradictions.** Sometimes there are two good arguments against you that contradict themselves or the point of the topic. If your opponent makes the mistake of using these contradictory arguments, use that against them in your rebuttal.
For example, your opponent may argue that the number of students who bring peanuts to school is low, so there is little risk in allowing them. If they also argue that peanuts should be allowed because a majority of students want them, then this could be pointed out as a contradiction.
20. **Show why their argument isn’t practical.** Your opponent may have an argument that could solve the issue but isn’t really feasible because of money, time, lack or resources, public opinion, or any other logical reason you can think of. If this is the case, you can use this lack of practicality in your rebuttal to undermine their position.
For example, your opponent could suggest that schools designate a peanut containment area where people could store and eat peanuts, with a handwashing station at the exit. While this would allow peanuts while protecting those who are allergic, it would also be costly and impractical to implement.
21. **Address their examples last.** If you have time at the end of your rebuttal, you can address the examples they gave to back up their argument, such as anecdotes, analogies, or historical facts. Pick out their poorest examples and explain to the judge why they are weak or why they don’t support the opponent’s argument.
For example, you could point out that anecdotes can be made up, or why an analogy doesn’t work.
Start with the weakest example and continue until you have just enough time to sum up your rebuttal and offer your concluding statement. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Rebut-Better", "language": "en"} |
How to Get Rid of Green Water in a Swimming Pool | It's never fun to pull back your pool cover and see that the water has turned green and swampy. That means algae has temporarily taken over, and you'll need to thoroughly clean and treat your pool before you can start swimming. Read on to learn how to get rid of the dreaded green water.
1. **Test your swimming pool water.** Use a chemical test kit to test the chlorine and pH levels and determine the extent of the problem. When chlorine levels drop below 1 ppm, it can cause algae to grow in the pool, turning the pool water green. When this happens it is necessary to "shock" the water with chemicals to kill the algae and return the pool to normal chlorine levels.
Proper pool maintenance, including having working filters and making sure your pool's chlorine and pH levels remain steady, can prevent algae from growing in the first place.
Algae is constantly growing, so letting your pool sit without maintenance for even a few extra days might create a green pool water situation.
2. ** Balance the pool chemistry** Before treating the pool, balance the pH by adding either an acid or a base to bring the level to just around 7.8. This is at the high end of the range you would normally want in your pool, but that's necessary when you're treating it for algae. Here's how to balance the pH:
Turn on your pump so the chemicals will circulate throughout the pool.
Correct the pH level by either increasing the pH with sodium carbonate or decreasing it with sodium bisulfate.
3. **Make sure the filter is working properly.** Clean out any leaves, sticks, and other debris that may be clogging the filter. Backwash the filter if necessary and make sure it is working well before you add chemicals to the pool to kill the algae. Set the filter to run 24 hours per day so it filters out all the algae during the cleaning process.
4. **Scrub the sides and bottom of your swimming pool.** Use your pool brush to scrub the pool well before adding any chemicals to the water. Algae clings to pool surfaces, but scrubbing will remove it. Scrubbing also helps to break the algae up, allowing chemicals to work faster.
Scrub especially well in areas where you can see algae buildup. Try to break it all up so that the pool gets thoroughly clean.
If you have a vinyl pool, use a nylon scrub brush. Wire brushes might damage vinyl pools, but may be used on plaster pools safely.
5. **Treat the pool with pool shock.** Pool shock has high levels of chlorine that wipe out the algae and sanitize the pool. Choose a powerful shock with around 70% available chlorine, which is enough to handle tough algae and bacteria. Follow the directions on the shock package to make sure you use the proper amount for the water in your pool.
If you have a high amount of algae in your pool, you may have to treat it more than once to keep the algae from continuing to bloom.
The water might look cloudy or dirty when you add the shock, but as the water runs through the filter it will begin to clean up.
6. **Treat the pool with algaecide when chlorine has fallen below 5.** . Allow the algaecide to work in your swimming pool for at least a 24-hour period.
7. **Prevent pressure buildup in your filter by cleaning it often to remove the dead algae.** When algae dies, it will fall to the pool floor or float in the pool water. It will also lose its green color.
8. **Vacuum up the dead algae left behind in your swimming pool.** Use your brush to clean the bottom and sides of the pool again, then vacuum up all the dead algae. If there are a lot of dead particles and you're having trouble vacuuming them, you can add a flocculent to help the algae bind together and make it easier to vacuum.
9. **Run the filter until the algae is gone.** Your swimming pool water should be crystal clear after treatment. If the algae seems to be coming back, go through the shocking and treating process again until it's all cleared away.
10. **Re-check chemical levels with your swimming pool test kit.** All chemical levels should be in the normal range. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Green-Water-in-a-Swimming-Pool", "language": "en"} |
How to Fight off Multiple Opponents | Contrary to what you may see in the movies, fighting multiple attackers is almost always a losing proposition, and the harm you face is likely to be more severe than if you only face a single opponent. The odds are very much against you in a many-versus-one scenario, and even skilled fighters are often defeated in these situations. However, should you find yourself in this situation, the steps below can help you minimize your injuries and escape.
1. **Go after the leader.** Many groups of attackers have a known leader. Try to draw this person into a one-on-one fight or attack them first. If they're down, the rest of the group is likely to be immobilized.
2. **Be strategic in how you plan your defense.** Try to avoid being caught in a triangle between multiple attackers. This situation almost certainly means you will lose, and fast.
3. **Always know where all of your opponents are.** Even if you're fighting one of them at a time, you should know where the other opponents are and be ready to approach them as soon as you need to. Don't just blindly fight without observing your surroundings, or you'll quickly be outwitted.
4. **Keep your opponents in a line in front of you.** Keeping your opponents in a line (e.g., by backing away from them) can allow you to attack one person without being exposed to attack by others.
5. **Use a weapon if you are skilled with it.** Drawing a weapon may end the fight before it begins; it's also a way to equalize things when numbers are not on your side, or if the other side is also armed. If you are not highly skilled, know that your weapon may end up being turned against you, leading to death or serious injury.
6. **Plan to go on offense aggressively.** Don't threaten or give away your intentions once you have committed to fighting. If you've committed to fighting, you have to follow through or find a safe way to escape.
7. **Use the objects around you to ward off your opponents.** Throwing a chair at one opponent, for example, while turning around to fight another opponent, can help you get the job done.
8. **Keep moving.** Once you are planted in a location, it is easier to surround you. Take many small, quick steps with your feet to stay agile and to keep moving around in small increments.
9. **Attack first** It is nearly impossible to defend from multiple angles; you need to be the first to act.
10. **Strike incisive blows.** You need to reduce your opponents' numerical advantage by any means necessary. Target weak spots such as the temples, groin, knees, and solar plexus. Even the nose can be useful because it will blind and disorient your opponents for a short time. And, if you know how to use pressure points, make sure you use them to your full advantage.
11. **Use cheap shots.** There is no shame in using your teeth, knees and or nails at any time. Pride will cost you your life. Don't be afraid to kick your opponent in the crotch, to pull their hair if it's longer, or to scratch their eyes.
12. **Avoid being flanked at all costs.** Once one or more opponents have their hands on you, you are in deep trouble and will be unable to defend yourself.
13. **Escape as soon as you can.** This is less likely going to be a fight you are going to win, and will more likely be a fight you are going to have to escape. If they're are no near by escape routes, then follow these fighting techniques.
14. **Stop or prevent the fight before it starts.** Conflict starts long before a fight develops. Positive and assertive interaction with the group may offset any violence. Do your best to minimize conflict by being good-natured, not picking arguments with volatile people you don't know very well, or making off-color comments that could deeply offend the people around you.
15. **Run if you can** Unless you are a skilled fighter or are in a situation where you cannot escape, your best bet is to run away, fast. Head to somewhere public and call for help. Running is also likely to separate your attackers, making it more likely to be able to confront them individually. Be extra careful when you're running so you avoid getting surrounded or running right in to a trap. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Fight-off-Multiple-Opponents", "language": "en"} |
How to Take Care of a Cockatiel | Cockatiels are the smallest cockatoo in the entire cockatoo family after Goffin's cockatoo. Though the length of cockatiels is 2 inches bigger than Goffin's cockatoo, their height and weight is much less. Cockatiels are medium-sized birds that make lovable and intelligent pets. They are also social pets who will mimic your voice, though their vocabulary is not very extensive, they have clear speech and can be excellent whistlers, and will happily ride around on your finger or shoulder. This article will show you how to care for your happy, healthy pet Cockatiel!
1. **Consider if a cockatiel is the right pet for you.** Cockatiels, just like other cockatoos, require daily care and attention and can be noisy and messy pets. With proper care, they can live for more than twenty years! Before purchasing a cockatiel, you should consider the following questions (and include anyone else who lives with you in the discussion):
How much money am I prepared to spend? While Cockatiels are not very expensive to purchase($80 to $100 or more), they need sizable cages and plenty of toys and other enrichment items. In addition, you will need to take your Cockatiel to the vet for an annual examination.
How much time can I spend with my Cockatiel? Unless someone is at home most of the day, a single Cockatiel is likely to be lonely. Paired Cockatiels will need less attention, but you'll still have to give them daily attention and care.
Am I sensitive to noise and mess? Though Cockatiels are not extremely noisy, they will be vocal in the morning and evening and can create big messes. If you're a neat freak or hate being woken up early in the morning, a Cockatiel might not be right for you.
How long am I prepared to care for a pet? Because Cockatiels can live for upwards of twenty years, consider your dedication carefully before purchasing. If you are underage, consider who will care for your Cockatiel if you cannot keep it while at college.
2. **Purchase a cage.** The cage should be at least 2 feet (0.6 m) tall with a 20-inch width and 18-inch depth, but a larger cage is recommended. The cage should have bars no more than 3/4 of an inch apart. Stainless steel cages are recommended. Because zinc and lead are poisonous to birds, the cage should also be guaranteed to not contain these materials. Additionally, because Cockatiels love to climb around their cage, the cage should have at least a few horizontal bars.
3. **Purchase the other supplies you'll need.** Cockatiels, like any pet bird, require things to keep them entertained in their cages. You will need to purchase:
Two food bowls and a water bowl. You will need separate bowls for the dry and wet bird food (wet food will be items like fruit, cooked beans, etc.)
A skirt for the cage to catch thrown seed.
Lots of perches for the cage. Cockatiels like to climb and play so lots of perches will make your cockatiel very happy. Make sure that you have a variety and at least a few natural wood perches, though, because a cockatiel's feet can develop issues when standing on dowel perches. You will notice that your cockatiel will choose one perch as his home base (the perch where he will sleep.)
A bunch of toys for your Cockatiel to play with. Buy several toys and rotate them every week so that your bird isn't bored. Cockatiels love to chew, so toys like twig balls and palm strips are best.
4. **Buy extra supplies (optional).** Though not necessary, purchasing cleaning supplies, such as poop remover and a handheld vacuum, is a good idea. You will also need to purchase a cuttlebone for calcium; this is particularly important for female Cockatiels, who can get egg binding problems (females will lay eggs without a male; they'll just be unfertilized).
5. **Learn more about Cockatiels.** Before purchasing a Cockatiel, thorough research of Cockatiels and how to care for them is necessary. While this article covers basic care, a more in-depth research is recommended. Good resources include the Internet, your local library, and pet stores, which will usually carry books and other resources about the care of Cockatiels. In addition, interacting with Cockatiels is recommended, as well as speaking with an owner of Cockatiels about their experience caring for their birds.
6. **Purchase a Cockatiel** While you might be tempted to purchase the cheapest Cockatiel you can find, purchasing a bird from a pet store is not recommended. This is because pet store birds can be unhealthy, and are often not socialized (which makes taming them harder). You can purchase a hand-fed baby from a specialty bird store or bird breeder. Purchase a Cockatiel that is about three months old or slightly older. A beginner should never hand-feed a baby Cockatiel.
Purchase a cockatiel from a rescue center. Before trying to buy a pet bird it is generally better to try to adopt a bird. While many Cockatiels from rescue groups make good pets, adopting from a shelter is not recommended for beginners, as these Cockatiels can be unhealthy or have behaviour problems.
Purchase a cockatiel from a previous owner. Sometimes, things come up and people have to give away their pets. As long as you're sure the owner isn't rehoming the bird because of behaviour problems, and you are given the bird's health history, this can be a great way to purchase a Cockatiel, particularly for beginners.
7. **Tame your bird.** If your cockatiel is already tame, you can skip to the next step. One of the major parts of taming a cockatiel is getting the bird used to your presence. When you first bring your bird home, place the cage in an area of your house where there is a lot of human activity. Sit down next to your bird’s cage every day and talk or whistle to it quietly for 10 minutes. This will get your bird used to your voice and presence.
When the bird comes over to the side of the cage where you are sitting and seems fine with you being there, start to offer him small treats (see step one of the next section for what those treats should be.) After about a week of doing this, open the cage door and hold out a treat, thus prompting your bird to come to sit on the cage door. The next step is to place food in your hand and have the bird eat out of your palm.
8. **Train your bird to ‘step up.** ’ After you have tamed your cockatiel and he is eating out of your hand, you should teach him to step up onto your hand. The way you do this depends on if you have a bird that bites a lot or a friendlier bird. Do not try to grab a Cockatiel or force it to step up, as this will most likely result in you getting bit.
If you have a bird that bites: Move your finger quickly and fluidly towards the top of his legs as if you were running your finger through a candle flame. Your bird will automatically step up. Give him a treat and praise immediately after he does this. If your bird starts to bite aggressively, stop the training session and try again later.
If you have a bird that rarely bites: Place your finger against your bird’s abdomen above his legs. Apply slight pressure and he will most likely step up immediately. When he does this, give him a treat and praise him. Next time you do it, say “step up” as you apply the pressure. Eventually, he will associate those words with the action of ‘stepping up.’
9. **Give your bird time to adjust when you first bring your Cockatiel home.** If your Cockatiel is a hand-fed baby, this can be as short as a few hours. Unsocialized babies, however, will usually need two or three days to get used to their new surroundings. During the adjustment period, do not handle the bird, but do cleaning and feeding routines and talk softly with the bird.
10. **Give your Cockatiel a healthy diet.** Bird pellets should make up about 40% of your Cockatiel's diet. Seed can make a good treat, but don't feed it in excess as it's too fatty. You should also feed your Cockatiel healthy vegetables (vegetables should be most of your birds' diet) and sometimes fruit; well-cooked beans, and spaghetti are examples of tasty treats you can give your Cockatiel. When you choose fruits and vegetables to feed, organic ones are recommended. You should also thoroughly rinse off uncooked fruit and vegetables before feeding.
feed your Cockatiel avocados, chocolate, alcohol, onions, mushrooms, tomato leaves, caffeine, or uncooked beans, as these are toxic. Very sugary or fatty foods such as candy bars are also not healthy for Cockatiels.
Remove any uneaten fresh food from the cage within four hours or else it could attract harmful bacteria (and will just make a mess.)
11. **Make sure that your cockatiel always has clean water.** You should change your bird’s water daily. You should also change it when you notice that food or droppings have gotten into it. You should give your birds water that you yourself would drink.
When washing the water bowl, make sure to use hot water with a bit of soap and rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of soap. Doing this will ensure that harmful algae or fungus doesn’t begin to grow.
12. **Handle your Cockatiel.** If your Cockatiel is already tame (or you have already tamed and trained it--see Part Two,) you will need to spend at least 4 hours a day and more with it to keep it tame and friendly. Unless you purchase a bird "diaper," you may want to interact with the bird on a chair covered with a towel, or in a room with an easy-to-clean floor.
13. **Understand why your Cockatiel may bite.** You might feel hurt or upset when your Cockatiel bites, but it's important to realize that birds bite because they are reacting to a stressful situation, not because they are trying to be mean. A bird will bite to express that it is scared or upset, and you shouldn't take bites personally. Think back to what you were doing when your Cockatiel bit you, and try to see things from its point of view. For example, a Cockatiel might bite if you were trying to grab it, or if you were too careless or rough while handling it. Additionally, many Cockatiels are territorial and may be protective of their cage, and may act aggressively if you try to put your hand in the cage.
If your Cockatiel bites you outside of the cage, put it back into the cage and wait for it to calm down before taking it out of the cage again.
If your Cockatiel is cage aggressive, instead of putting your hand into the cage train it to step up onto a stick or perch. That way, you can have it step up onto the porch when you want to remove it from its cage.
14. **Teach your Cockatiel how to speak and whistle.** While males are better than females at speaking and whistling, females can learn how to whistle and will occasionally learn a few words. It's recommended that you begin teaching your Cockatiel how to speak before teaching it how to whistle, as it can be harder the other way around. To teach your Cockatiel to speak, talk frequently with it, and say words you want your Cockatiel to learn frequently - for example, say "Mommy!" every time you approach your Cockatiel. If you hear the beginnings of a word or phrase, immediately reward your Cockatiel with a treat and lots of attention.
Teaching your Cockatiel how to whistle is much the same - frequently whistle in front of your Cockatiel, and reward it if it begins whistling.
Remember, you need time and patience to teach your cockatiel to talk.
15. **Recognize signs of sickness in Cockatiels.** Because Cockatiels will often hide their illness until it is very bad, you should keep a sharp eye out for signs of sickness. Very sick Cockatiels will sit with fluffed-up feathers at the bottom of the cage. A Cockatiel that is bleeding is also obviously injured. Signs of a sick bird include:
Crankiness or biting; napping more often than usual; a decrease in your bird’s weight or the amount of food he eats; refusal to eat or drink water; coughing, sneezing, or irregular breathing; lameness; lumps or swelling; inflamed or crusty eyes and nostrils; cloudy eyes; a soiled vent; or a drooping head, wings, or tail.
16. **Take your bird to the vet regularly.** You should take your Cockatiel to an avian veterinarian for an annual "well-bird" exam. Additionally, you should immediately contact your vet if your Cockatiel exhibits any of the signs listed above. Remember that while it may be expensive to go to the vet, birds will often become very sick in a short period of time, and it isn't a good idea to "wait and see" with Cockatiels as they are rather delicate creatures.
17. **Be aware that cockatiels can have night frights.** Some cockatiels are afraid of the dark and have "night frights" where they essentially freak out in their cages. To prevent this, put a nightlight in the room your Cockatiel sleeps in, and don't completely cover the cage at night.
Once you know which perch your cockatiel prefers to sleep on, you should make sure that there are no toys hanging around that perch. If your bird was to have a night fright and get tangled up in a toy, he could be badly injured. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-a-Cockatiel", "language": "en"} |
How to Look Good on Stage | Looking good on stage is a combination of aesthetics, practice and performance. You want to look the part and engage with the audience. It can be hard at first to feel relaxed for the stage, but being prepared helps. With some work on your inner and outer self, you’ll be set to dazzle the crowd!
1. **Practice your craft.** Whatever you’re on stage performing, you should know it well. If you’re an actor, practice acting. If you’re a musician, practice your music. You may be naturally talented, but if you put in hard work, it will show!
Know the words to any lines you’ll be speaking. Memorize the lyrics to any songs you’ll be singing.
If you play an instrument, make sure you have the music memorized.
2. **Find inspiration from great performers.** Watch performance videos of artists you admire. Observe their mannerisms. When they do something that is impressive or triggers positive emotions, try to figure out what about their presence is effective in those moments.
For example, does the artist come across as natural and believable? If so, why?
What does the performer do that shows emotional attachment to the lyrics, music or dialogue?
3. **Focus on your breathing before going on stage.** This is a way to calm your nerves. Take deep breaths in and out. Don’t think about any stress or distractions - think about your breathing and calming your body down one part at a time as you inhale and exhale.
4. **Think positively.** It’s important for your self confidence that you don’t allow negative thinking to take hold. Know that if you do make a mistake, you can bounce back without letting it affect your positive outlook. Be secure and happy with who you are. You’re going on stage, so you clearly have talent!
For example, if a negative thought arises, counter it with a positive affirmation like “I will be successful.”
5. **Eat and exercise.** Make sure that you eat before your performance to power you through it. Have carbohydrates like pasta or rice that are complex but still easily digestible. Physical exercise relieves stress, so try stretching or running in place before you perform.
6. **Meditate the day of your performance.** This is a great way to relieve stress. Find a quiet place. Sit in a comfortable position and imagine that you’re in a pleasant place. Clear your mind of any distractions and focus on your inner calm. Meditating before a performance can help ease your anxiety and improve your focus.
Try gentle humming and playing relaxing music.
7. **Show up early.** This strategy can help you ward off stage fright. It’s better to be prepared than to feel rushed. Also it’s easier to feel in control if you are there when the audience is slowly filling up, rather than arriving to an already-seated crowd.
Know your place on the stage so that you won’t appear unsure when you make your entrance.
8. **Choose colors that contrast the stage backdrop.** You don’t want to blend into the backdrop. Try to find out what color it will be so that you can wear an opposite shade. If you can’t find out the backdrop color beforehand, bring multiple outfit choices.
Avoid wearing black unless you’re certain that the backdrop will be very light.
9. **Select flattering clothing.** You want to wear something with visual interest, but not so much that it detracts from your performance. For example, If you want to wear something sparkly, stick to just one piece of clothing that has shimmer to it.
Don’t wear pantyhose with sheen. The stage lights will reflect off them and make your legs appear bigger than they are.
10. **Dress slightly differently than the audience.** Consider dressing one level up from your audience. For instance, if you expect that your audience will be dressing casually, bump your look up to business casual. You may want to bring a backup outfit if you are unsure of how your audience will dress.
11. **Dress for comfort.** You will be moving around on stage and you don’t want to look or feel uncomfortable in what you’re wearing. Think about preventing sweaty underarms as you select your outfits. The stage lights may be hot and their brightness can visually accentuate perspiration on your clothing.
12. **Wear makeup.** You may or may not want to apply makeup, depending on what type of performance it is. If you wear makeup normally, your stage makeup should be twice as dark as that. For males and females, use a liquid foundation and setting powder. Apply highlighter above your cheekbones, contouring below them, and wear blush. Apply eyeliner and eyeshadow as desired, but sparingly.
The heavy makeup will look a bit garish under natural light but great under the stage lights.
Females may want to wear a brightly colored lipstick to stand out, a neutral lip, or a character-appropriate lip color. Avoid wearing a lot of black eyeliner, which can accentuate dark circles under-eye circles beneath the stage lights.
Don’t apply a heavy foundation and nothing else, or you’ll appear too pale.
13. **Cultivate your image.** Avoid trends and stick to timeless pieces. Keep your look consistent from event to event. If you’re part of a band, get the band together and come up with a theme or color scheme you will all stick to. For instance, you may want to pick specific patterns, patches, jewelry, or other accessories.
If you’re part of a band, the entire band should be dressed for the spotlight, not just the lead singer.
14. **Have good posture on stage.** Take up space by standing up strong and straight. This will help you perform and look professional and confident. If you’re not holding an instrument or prop, keep your arms at your sides in a natural stance.
Keep your head up and your chest open.
15. **Breathe deeply but naturally.** Shallow, rapid breathing triggers the “fight or flight” response in your nervous system. By controlling your breathing, you can stimulate the opposite reaction.
Take your time. Breathe normally and match the pace of your actions to your calm, regular breathing.
16. **Take the pressure out of your opening line.** If you’ll be speaking or singing on stage, a good trick to open naturally is to ask yourself a question in your mind that your opening line answers. Imagine that someone else has asked you the question, and your opening line is the response.
For example, if you’re going to perform “America The Beautiful,” ask yourself in your head “Whose land is this?” Then start singing your answer, which is the opening line to the song: “This land is your land, this land is my land…”
17. **Use positive body language and facial expressions.** Feel happy and sincere when you smile. People can recognize a fake smile even from far off. Also, you don’t want photos of yourself performing with an insincere grin. Summon happy thoughts and match your expression to those emotions to smile naturally.
Get into your performance so that your facial expressions will genuinely reflect the appropriate emotions. This can not only improve the way your audience views your performance, but it also improves the way people listen to a performance.
Project your emotions by keeping your body language in tune with the movement of your performance. For example, if you’re expressing sincerity, you might hold your hand over your heart. If you’re being welcoming, you could gesture with your arms in the air as if you’re about to give someone a hug.
18. **Be energetic.** Whatever you’re doing on stage, do it actively. Think of the people in the last row of the venue and how much energy is required to reach them. Also keep in your mind the meaning behind your performance piece, so that your energy matches it without being too little or too much.
For example, if you’re singing, imagine that you’re singing to the person in the very last row. Project your voice and use sweeping gestures.
You want to be lively and have movement, but avoid fidgeting.
19. **Interact with the crowd.** Work on your stage presence. You don’t want to spend your performance staring at a microphone or instrument, looking at the floor, or closing your eyes. Connect with your audience by making eye contact with people in the crowd, if you can see them. If the stage lights are so bright that you can’t see the audience well, span your gaze in their direction.
Don’t stay in one place if you don’t have to. Move around the stage, such as coming up to the front of the stage nearer to the audience.
Face your audience with the mindset that you are pleased to see them. They showed up for the performance, so you want them to feel appreciated!
20. **Notice where cameras are.** Be aware of where photographers are located so that you can incorporate subtle poses into your performance. Look at the photographer and give the camera a glance, wink, smile or pose for several seconds at a time. This should appear seamless so that the rest of your audience doesn’t realize that you’re doing it.
You don’t want it to be obvious to the crowd that you’re mugging for the cameras. Do this as naturally and subtly as possible. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Look-Good-on-Stage", "language": "en"} |
How to Buy a Gun in San Diego | To buy a gun in San Diego, California, you must visit a licensed firearms dealership and present your Handgun Safety Certificate (HSC), which proves you can safely handle and operate a handgun. By California law, you must wait 10 days as part of the Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) process before you can take the handgun home. You can then revisit the licensed firearms dealership within 30 days, and demonstrate to the dealer that you know how to use the handgun you have purchased. If you do not have an HSC, you can obtain one by visiting any licensed firearms dealership and passing the Handgun Safety Certificate Test with a score of 75 percent of higher. You can then present your HSC to any licensed firearms dealer to purchase a handgun.
1. **Verify that you qualify to receive an HSC.** You must be at least 21 years of age, be a resident of California, and have a valid California drivers license or identification card.
If you are 18 years of age, you can still receive an HSC, but you will only have the ability to buy a rifle or shotgun.
2. **Obtain a copy of the HSC Study Guide.** The study guide will help prepare you for the test to receive your HSC, and can either be downloaded from the Internet or be found at any firearms dealership.
Buy a copy of the study guide from any licensed firearms dealership in San Diego for 50 cents (0.36 euros). To locate the nearest San Diego licensed firearm dealership, refer to your local phone directory or visit the "Shooting for San Diego" website featured in the Sources section of this article.
Download a copy of the study guide for free from the Internet. Go to the California Attorney General website featured in the Sources section of this article, then click on "Handgun Safety Certificate Program" on the left sidebar. You can then click on the "Study Guide" link on the following page to access the study guide.
3. **Read and review the HSC Study Guide.** In order to receive the HSC, you must pass the test with a score of at least 75 percent.
4. **Collect the testing fees required for the HSC.** The testing fee is 25 dollars (18 euros) and allows you to take the test up to 2 times, if needed.
5. **Visit a licensed firearms dealership to take the test.** After you have passed the test, you will receive your HSC, which is valid for 5 years.
Verify with the firearms dealership before you visit that a Department of Justice (DOJ) Certified Instructor is available at the firearms dealership to administer and oversee the test.
Bring your California drivers license or identification card and the HSC fees to the dealership when you take the test.
6. **Gather the materials required by the firearms dealership.** The firearms dealer will need verification that you qualify to buy a gun.
Bring your HSC, your California drivers license or identification card, and an additional document that proves your California residency; such as a utility bill, lease agreement, or property deed.
7. **Visit the firearms dealership to buy a gun.** Upon selecting your gun, the firearms dealer will verify your documents and begin the DROS process.
8. **Revisit the firearms dealership to receive your handgun.** The DROS process requires you to wait at least 10 days before you can take your handgun home. You will then be required to demonstrate to the dealer that you can safely operate the handgun you purchased.
In some cases, dealers will allow you to perform the handgun safe-handling demonstration at the time of your initial visit to buy the handgun.
If you do not revisit the firearms dealership within 30 days of the initiation of the DROS process, you will have to restart the gun purchase and DROS procedure, which will require you to wait another 10 days for the handgun.
| en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-a-Gun-in-San-Diego", "language": "en"} |
How to Find a Civil Rights Attorney | If you have been discriminated against on the basis of your race, gender, sexual orientation, or disability, then you may want to sue for a violation of your civil rights. To find a competent civil rights lawyer, you need to gather referrals and then meet with a few lawyers for a consultation. Ultimately, the decision of whether to hire a lawyer is up only to you. You can make an informed decision by researching the attorney’s experience and paying attention to certain warning signs.
1. **Identify your type of civil rights dispute.** Your civil rights can be violated in a variety of ways. You should identify your type of civil rights lawsuit before you search for an attorney. Some attorneys specialize in only some areas of civil rights law but not others.
Employment discrimination. This is a common form of civil rights lawsuit. Federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, disability, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy), religion, race, national origin, and color. It also prohibits harassment on the basis of these protected categories. Before filing a lawsuit, you must report the discrimination to a government agency.
Housing discrimination. Federal law also prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of religion, sex, disability, familial status, race, color, and national origin.
Police misconduct. The police violate your constitutional rights when they use more force than necessary to arrest or detain you. If so, you can bring a “section 1983” claim for the violation. Many civil rights attorneys handle these cases.
2. **Write down your memories of the incident.** Even before finding a lawyer, you should begin to pull together all of the evidence you have that relates to the civil rights violation. One of the first things you can do is sit down and write out your memories of the event.
Try to remember all important details, including who said what, or what actions people took. Also, be honest and record what you said or did.
Date and sign your statement. This will help make the statement more authentic.
3. **Find witnesses.** You should also try to get the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the discrimination. Witnesses are a key part of any lawsuit and you want to identify the witnesses as soon as possible.
If you were discriminated against in employment or housing, then write down the name of all people you were in contact with at the leasing office or the employers.
If you were the victim of police misconduct, then try to catch the names of the officers as well as bystanders. If you are being restrained, then have someone with you try to collect this information.
4. **Preserve documents.** Save any document related to your civil rights claim. These documents can include emails, letters, memos, and police reports. An attorney will want to see them when you meet for a consultation.
If you have a lot of documents, then it might be helpful to create a binder in which you can store witness statements, communications, and official reports. Organize the binder in a meaningful way and take it with you when you meet with a lawyer.
5. **Locate the county in which you suffered discrimination.** Generally, you can bring a lawsuit in the county where the discrimination occurred or where the defendant lives or does business. It is often easier to hire an attorney who is based near the county where the incident happened, so keep this in mind as you search for a civil rights attorney.
If you were assaulted by police while visiting relatives in another state, then you will need to hire an attorney who works in that state. You cannot hire an attorney in your home state to represent you.
6. **Ask friends or co-workers.** You can try to get recommendations from anyone that you know. Ask people if they have ever had to file a civil rights lawsuit and whether or not they would recommend their attorney.
No matter how much you trust the person who gives you a referral, don’t automatically hire the lawyer they recommend. Different people have different communication styles and expectations from a lawyer. You still want to meet with the lawyer and judge for yourself how well you get along.
7. **Follow the news.** Civil rights lawsuits often make the news. Police brutality, employment discrimination, and housing discrimination cases are often high profile and are reported on television or in the newspaper. Pay attention to the names of the lawyers interviewed. They are probably experienced civil rights attorneys who you can contact.
8. **Call your local bar association.** Each state (and many counties) have bar associations, which are private associations of lawyers. Most of these bar associations run referral programs. By contacting the referral program, you can get the name of one or more civil rights attorneys.
To find a bar association, you can search the Internet. Type your state or county and “bar association referral.” There should be a phone number to call or an online submission form that you can fill out.
9. **Contact legal aid organizations.** These organizations provide free or legal services to people in financial need (often defined as those within 125% of the federal poverty level). If you choose to go with a legal aid attorney, however, be advised that you probably will have to work with whatever attorney is assigned to you. Legal aid organizations often have tight budgets and busy workloads; it is unlikely that you can pick and choose which legal aid attorney to work with.
To find a legal aid organization near you, search the Legal Services Corporation’s website at www.lsc.gov. At the homepage, click on “Find Legal Aid” and then enter your zip code. Links or contact information will be provided to legal aid organizations in your area.
10. **Look at websites.** Once you have a list of civil rights lawyers, you should begin researching them. Today, most attorneys have websites. You should visit the website and look through it to see how well-written and neat the website appears. A sloppy, poorly written website may indicate that the lawyer is not diligent or careful.
11. **Search for relevant experience.** Each lawyer should also list representative cases that he or she has worked on. For example, an employment discrimination attorney should tell visitors about recent employment cases. Often, the attorney will give a capsule summary of the case and tell you how much money the client won in a settlement or at trial.
If you are bringing an employment discrimination claim, then do not be impressed by how successful the attorney has done in product liability cases. That is a different area of law.
Also check to see that the attorney has handled a similar case recently. The law often changes regularly, so you want an attorney who is familiar with the current status of the law.
12. **Read online reviews.** Many websites now have online reviews posted about lawyers. Popular websites include Avvo, Google, Yelp, and Martindale. You can visit these websites and type in the lawyer’s name to see what former clients have had to say.
Remember a few basic caveats when reading online reviews. First, every lawyer has a disgruntled client or two. The fact that you see a negative review does not mean the person is a bad lawyer.
People may be more motivated to leave negative reviews than positive ones. Think about your own positive experiences with your dentist, doctor, or business that you frequent. How many times have you left an online review? Many people are motivated to review only when upset. So the lack of positive reviews may not be meaningful.
Instead of treating each individual review as definitive, look for common themes. If many clients mention having difficulty contacting the attorney, then the lawyer may indeed have a problem in that area.
13. **Search for ethics violations.** Each state has an attorney disciplinary board that investigates charges of misconduct. If the lawyer has been accused of violating ethics rules, then the organization investigates the charge and, if necessary, disciplines the attorney. This information is then made public.
You should find the state’s disciplinary agency by searching the Internet for “lawyer discipline” and then the state.
Once at the website, you can use a “Lawyer Search” function. Type in the attorney’s name and see if any disciplinary history has been listed. There may also be a list of disciplined attorneys available on the website for you to browse.
14. **Narrow your list.** After researching the attorneys, you should try to narrow your list down to three or four lawyers. You will want to meet for consultations with a handful of lawyers. If your list is too long, you will take too much time.
You should probably consider experience, location, and reviews as you winnow down your list. Remember that the more experience a lawyer has, the higher his or her fees typically are.
Nevertheless, don’t hesitate to reach out and contact an experienced lawyer. If the lawyer’s fees are too high, then he or she can refer you to another civil rights attorney who charges a reasonable fee.
15. **Call a few attorneys.** You should call to schedule consultations with the attorneys on your shortlist. Some attorneys will have secretaries or paralegals ask you questions on the phone in order to screen whether or not your case is something that the office typically handles. Ask for a consultation.
Some attorneys offer free or reduced-fee consultations. You should ask about the price before confirming your consultation. Also ask how you can pay the fee (check, credit card, cash).
You should insist on meeting in person (unless that doesn’t work for you). By meeting in person, you get a better sense of how organized the lawyer is and what his or her communication style is like.
16. **Prepare for the consultation.** Once you have your consultations scheduled, you should prepare by gathering any documents related to your claim. Get together police reports, hospital reports, employer letters, etc.
Be sure to take only copies to the attorney. Also, be sure to take your copies with you after the consultation unless you agreed to hire the lawyer on the spot.
17. **Draft a list of questions.** Before going to the consultation, you should come up with questions that are important to you. You might not have a lot of time. Consultations generally don’t run over half an hour. However, there should be time for you to ask a few questions.
You could ask how many cases the attorney has handled that are like yours. For example, if you are bringing an excessive force claim against the police, then you would want to know how many of those cases the lawyer has handled.
Also ask if there are other ways to resolve your civil rights dispute. For example, the lawyer might think arbitration or settlement is a better route to take.
Ask how the lawyer communicates. Does he or she send regular emails? Is the lawyer available by telephone? Can you stop in and visit? It is important to understand how the lawyer communicates since communication is often a source of conflict between clients and attorneys.
Ask about the likely outcome. Here, you get to see how the attorney analyzes your case and how knowledgeable he or she is about the law.
Don’t ask questions that you can learn the answer to by looking at the lawyer’s website. For example, “Where did you go to law school?” and “What year did you graduate?” should be answered on the website.
18. **Arrive on time.** Give yourself plenty of time to find parking or deal with public transportation. The lawyer is probably busy and has other things scheduled around your consultation. Be sure to have the office number on your phone in case you need to call because you are running late.
19. **Ask about fees.** One question to be sure to ask is how the attorney bills. Civil rights attorneys can offer a variety of billing options. For example, some might offer straight hourly billing, in which you are charged an agreed amount per hour of work.
Often, civil rights attorneys will represent clients on contingency. With contingency fee agreements, the lawyer will only get paid if you win or settle your case. In those situations, the lawyer will take around a third of your settlement or jury award. As the plaintiff, you will still be responsible for court costs, such as fees associated with filing the lawsuit and with court reporters.
If you bring a section 1983 claim for police misconduct, then you can seek reasonable attorneys’ fees if you win. This means that the defendant would pay for your lawyer.
20. **Avoid bad attorneys.** After meeting for consultations, look over your list of attorneys and begin to strike out those you didn’t like. You should look for the following “red flags,” and avoid these attorneys accordingly:
The lawyer promised you would win. In truth, no lawyer can guarantee how your case will turn out. A lawyer can offer a professional guess, backed up with reasons. But any lawyer who promises a result should be avoided.
The attorney’s staff is rude to you. A lawyer who tolerates rude staff does not care about his clients.
The lawyer’s office is messy. This signals that the attorney is not careful. A messy office also makes it hard to keep client information confidential. If you see files stacked all over the place or papers covering the lawyer’s desk, then you might want to cross him or her off your list.
21. **Ask yourself a few questions.** To help yourself choose a lawyer who is right for you, ask yourself the following questions. If you say “no” to any of these questions, then you should think twice before hiring the attorney:
Did you feel comfortable meeting with the lawyer?
Did the lawyer project sufficient skill and experience to handle your case?
Did you understand the lawyer’s explanation of your case?
Is the fee reasonable?
22. **Make a decision.** Only you know which attorney is the right one for you. Some people might prioritize a lawyer who is a good communicator over someone with extensive experience. Trust your gut to make the right choice.
If you didn’t feel comfortable or confident with any of the lawyers you met with, then you will need to get additional referrals and schedule more consultations.
23. **Call the lawyer.** You can call the lawyer and tell him or her that you would like to hire them. Ask what information they need from you, and tell the attorney where to send the engagement letter for you to sign. You will not have a formal attorney-client relationship until that time.
24. **Read the engagement letter.** The attorney should send you an engagement letter that spells out the terms of the representation. This letter should indicate what happens to the client file when the case ends, whether the attorney agrees to represent you on appeal, and to who the attorney may assign work.
Also read the fee agreement. This agreement may be included as part of the letter or may arrive separately. The agreement should spell out in detail how the lawyer’s fees are being calculated and when you will be billed.
If you don’t agree with something in either the engagement letter or the fee agreement, then call the lawyer and have it fixed before signing. You should only sign agreements with the lawyer when you agree with everything in the document.
You should make sure that both the fee agreement and the engagement letter are in writing. Keep a copy for your records after signing. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Find-a-Civil-Rights-Attorney", "language": "en"} |
How to Get Rid of the Dark Area Around the Mouth | Dark spots around the mouth may occur for a variety of reasons. They can be annoying, but luckily, it is often possible to get rid of them. Once you diagnose the reason for the dark spots, you’ll be able to choose the right treatment for you!
1. **Understand why you have dark spots around your mouth.** These spots result from high amounts of skin-darkening melanin in certain areas of your skin. This melanin can be set off by triggers from inside and outside your body. This melanin condition is called hyper-pigmentation. The triggers might include sun exposure, melasma, and skin inflammation.
Sun spots: These dark brown clusters can take months, or even years, to show up in sun-exposed areas. Once they show up, they usually don't fade unless you treat them. This pigment shift stays near the surface of the skin, so you can treat it with creams and scrubs. Use sunscreen daily to prevent sun spots or to keep them from getting worse.
Melasma (Chloasma): These dusky, symmetrical spots stem from hormone changes during birth-control use or pregnancy. When these hormones combine with sun exposure, dark spots can appear on the cheeks, forehead, and upper lip. This form of hyper-pigmentation tends to return easily, even if you treat it.
Post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation: You may get dark spots that linger after a burn, pimple, or other skin abrasion. This is especially common in darker skin tones but can happen to anyone. In this case, the melanin is deep within your skin, and the dark spots may take six to twelve months to fade.
2. **Consider the climate.** The skin around your mouth is drier during cold season. Some people tend to wet that area with their saliva, which can darken the skin. If you haven't been out in the sun much, you may be over-wetting the area around your mouth.
3. **Know that the skin around your mouth is thin.** This can lead to discoloration, dry skin, and mouth wrinkles. These problems do not go deep into the skin, so you will probably not need an invasive treatment. You may be able to easily get rid of your discoloration by treating or exfoliating the skin.
4. **See a dermatologist.** If you aren't sure what's causing the dark area around your mouth, a dermatologist may be able to diagnose the problem and suggest a treatment. Changes in the skin can be early warning signs of skin cancer and other serious disorders, so it might be wise to have a doctor check out your symptoms just in case.
5. **Exfoliate daily with a mild facial exfoliant.** The exfoliant will lift dead skin cells, and over time it may fade the dark areas around your mouth. You can use a chemical or a physical exfoliant. Chemical exfoliants can be better for treating dark areas because they do not stimulate the skin like a physical exfoliant, which can exacerbate the problem.
You can find chemical exfoliants and facial scrubs in drugstores, grocery stores, and bath-and-body stores. Read reviews of a product before you buy it. Some scrubs may be sold to treat acne and other skin conditions; these scrubs often use acids and chemicals to deep-clean your skin.
6. **Use an over-the-counter skin-brightening cream.** You can find moisturizing, skin-brightening pigment products in drugstores and beauty-product stores. Find a cream that contains Vitamin C, kojic acid (extracted from certain fungi species), arbutin (taken from the bearberry plant), azelaic acid (found in wheat, barley, and rye), licorice extract, niacinamide, or grapeseed extract: these ingredients help to block the enzyme tyrosinase, which your skin cells need to produce melanin. Spread a thin layer of the cream around your mouth. Follow the instructions, and don’t use these skin-lightening products for more than three weeks.
Kojic acid is a popular treatment, but it can irritate sensitive skin. Be careful.
If you have celiac disease or are gluten intolerant, avoid using azelaic acid, which comes from wheat.
7. **Consider using a prescription cream.** If your spots won't go away, your dermatologist may prescribe a drug-based cream like hydroquinone. Hydroquinone limits your pigment-making cells and slows your skin's production of tyrosinase. Dark spots tend to vanish quickly with lower pigment production.
Animal studies have linked hydroquinone with cancer, but those animals were fed and injected with the drug. Most human treatments stop at topical application, and no research suggests toxicity in humans. Many dermatologists deny the cancer link.
Most patients show the first signs of skin lightening within a few days, and most of the effects act within six weeks. After the treatment, you can switch to an over-the-counter cream to keep up the brighter pigment.
8. **Try a laser treatment.** Lasers like Fraxel tend to be the most lasting and effective way to treat discolorations that are close to the surface of the skin. However, laser pigment work is not always permanent. The effect will depend upon your genetics, your UV exposure, and your skincare habits. Lasers also tend to be more expensive than other treatments.
9. **Try a glycolic or salicylic acid peel.** Your dermatologist may suggest these peels to reach and treat damaged cells deep within your skin. Bear in mind that these treatments are not permanent. Depending on your genetic predisposition to dark spots—and how much UV exposure you get—your spots may return as soon as a few weeks or as late as a few years. Stay out of the sun, wear sunscreen when you do go outdoors, and treat your dark spots early to make sure that your treatment lasts longer.
10. **Lighten your skin naturally with lemon juice.** In a small bowl, mix the juice from 1/4 lemon with 1 tablespoon of yogurt or honey. Wash your face with warm water to open the pores. Spread the lemon mixture thickly over the dark areas, then allow the mask to dry. Gently rinse your skin clean with warm water.
You can also blot a makeup pad with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and sugar. Scrub the dark area for 2-3 minutes, then rinse with water.
For a heavier treatment, slice a lemon into halves and squeeze the juice onto the dark skin. Rinse after 10 minutes.
Avoid sun exposure after using lemon. Use these treatments at night, when you won't see UV rays for a while.
If used on your whole face, lemon juice will lighten your whole complexion, not just your dark spots.
11. **Use Aloe Vera.** Spread Aloe Vera gel or its fresh extracts on the dark areas. This will moisturize your skin and help it heal. Aloe Vera is most helpful if your skin is dark from sun exposure.
12. **Mix grated cucumber and lime juice.** Use a fairly equal amount of each ingredient, enough to cover the dark area. Spread the mixture around your mouth and leave it on your face for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water. This treatment may help your skin heal.
13. **Use a flour and turmeric mask.** Prepare a paste using 2 tablespoons of gram flour, 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder, and half a cup of yogurt. Spread the paste onto the dark area. Leave the treatment for 30 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
14. **Use an oatmeal scrub.** Prepare a scrub with 1 tablespoon of oatmeal, 1 teaspoon of tomato juice, and 1 teaspoon of yogurt. Mix the ingredients well. Rub the scrub gently onto the skin for 3-5 minutes. Wash it off after 15 minutes. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-the-Dark-Area-Around-the-Mouth", "language": "en"} |
How to Recaulk Kitchen Counter Where It Meets the Backsplash | If the caulk where your kitchen counter and backsplash meet has worn away over time, it may be time to recaulk the area. Fortunately, this is a simple project you can do yourself. To help you out, we'll walk you through everything you need to do to recaulk your kitchen counter, from removing the old caulk to using a caulking gun to apply more.
1. **Remove existing caulk.** Remove as much as possible by pulling loose ends by hand. Remove remaining caulk with a narrow blade putty knife / scraper.A plastic putty knife / scraper will minimize scratching of finished surfaces. Only apply as much pressure as needed to remove caulk without damaging the surface.
2. **Clean the surface(s).** Use a cleaning agent that can cut through soap, yet not damage the surface finish. Try using a small amount of thinner or other cleaner that dries with little or no residue in an inconspicuous place to test for possible damage to the finish. If no damage results, use only as much as needed to remove dirt, etc.
3. **Inspect for de-lamination.** Laminates are sheets of material that is bonded to a base - in the case of counter tops and back splashes this is wood or some type of particle or fiberboard. If water has been allowed to seep under the laminate for longer than a brief time, there is a good chance that the laminate is no longer bonded to the wood base underneath. Look for up or down-turned edges and feel for bubbles or air pockets under the laminate. Slightly lift the laminate away from the wood beneath. Do not pry. Lift it only far enough to allow circulation of air. Do not extend the de-lamination by lifting too high as this can risk breaking any existing bond and the even the laminate itself. Vacuum as best you can to remove any debris caught between the laminate and wood.
4. **Allow the area(s) to completely dry.** This is a very important step, and the more time allowed to dry, the better the repair will be. If this area is near a sink, it would be best to not use the sink if possible. Shutting off the water can help prevent accidental usage in extreme cases.
5. **Repair de-laminated areas.** After being allowed to completely dry (overnight is minimum, but 24 - 48 hours is better), check for signs of dampness. A paper towel pressed into the areas and inspected after being removed should prove if water had been kept away during the drying time. If still damp, allow additional drying time or add a fan to speed drying; otherwise apply contact cement as per instructions on the container. It will be impossible to get the contact cement all the way to to the point where a factory bond exists. For this reason, apply the cement as far as practical and add extra at the furthest point you can reach. When ready to join, start from the edges and work to the center so that the extra cement will be forced further still to the factory bonded point. Work back towards the edges. Inspect for bubbles or air pockets under the laminate. When satisfied, apply even pressure to the laminate against the wood backing with weights, wedges, etc. overnight.
6. **Remove weights, wedges, etc.** and clean any contact cement that may have leeched out from between the laminate and backing by hand or with the plastic putty knife / scraper.
7. **Mask off area to keep caulk over seam.** When two surfaces join at an angle such as a backsplash and counter, allow for about ⁄4 inch (0.6 cm) or less width of caulking area on either side of the seam, how much is a personal preference. Painters tape, masking tape or any tape that doesn't leave residue will work fine. Apply the tape evenly so that the desired amount of exposure of both horizontal and vertical surfaces from the seam is visible.
8. **Ready the caulk.** Cut the tip of the caulking tube (at any angle that works best for you as determined by your "practice runs") to make an opening about equal to the mask width. Pierce the seal of the tube by inserting a nail or other thin object into the tip until the seal is punctured. While relieving the "catch" mechanism (locking tab around the rod at the handle end of the caulking gun or providing a 1/4 turn of the rod or which ever way your gun operates) pull the rod as far out of the gun as it will travel. Load the caulk tube into the caulking gun by inserting bottom end into the handle end of the gun. Press the nozzle end into the other end of the gun. Squeeze the trigger repeatedly until pressure is felt at the trigger. Slowly squeeze the trigger while watching for caulk to become visible at the end of the nozzle. Stop squeezing as soon as it appears. Have a paper towel or rag ready for any excess caulk that will continue to slowly ooze out. Instantly stopping this slow oozing can be accomplished by relieving the pressure on the rod by the gun - release the "catch" of the rod as described above.
9. **Apply caulk.** Run a bead of caulk directly over the seam. By providing steady pressure to the caulk gun trigger and moving along the seam at a steady speed at the same time, acceptable results should be obtained. Work on areas no greater than 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 m) at a time. "Tool" the bead with the wedge tool included with some brands of caulk, a popsicle stick or vinyl gloved finger will also work. A bare finger however, wet with saliva seems to work best and is the way it is done most often in the field. Tooling is done for two reasons: it forces the bead into the seam void and it provides a smooth bead surface that makes cleaning easier. Starting at one end, press the tool or finger into the bead and wipe evenly towards the opposite end. Wipe built-up excess caulk from your finger or tool as needed with paper towels or rags, and re-wet finger before repeating. When "tooling" the caulk, work the edge of the caulk near the tape edges nearest to the seam to be as thin as possible, leaving the bulk of the caulk directly over the seam. Tool the caulk until satisfied with appearance. Repeat for each additional 3–4 foot (0.9–1.2 m) lengths until complete. Do not work too large an area or waste too much time as after the caulk begins to "skin over" tooling will be difficult and result in wrinkling the surface.
10. **Fill seams between laminate sections, such as where the counter top or backsplash required more than one piece of laminate.** Apply thin bead directly over seams and press firmly in as you wipe into seam with wet finger. Do this several times to ensure caulk has permeated the space between sections to prevent water from entering. Wipe away any excess caulk on the surface of the laminate with a damp paper towel or rag.
11. **Remove tape.** Check the caulk on surface of the tape to ensure it is no longer wet. Caulk on the surface of the tape should be of minimal thickness - practically transparent at the edge tape's edge. Carefully and slowly lift the tape from the laminate. It should come up in one piece and there should be no wet caulk bridging the gap between the tape and the laminate as it is lifted away. If there is, allow more drying time before reattempting. The thinner the caulk is at the tapes edge, the better the results will be.
12. **Allow the caulk to fully cure as per manufacturer's directions before cleaning, etc.** | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Recaulk-Kitchen-Counter-Where-It-Meets-the-Backsplash", "language": "en"} |
How to Memorize | Whether you have to memorize a long list of vocabulary words for a test, several lines for a play, or anything else, there are several ways to make the process easier. Start by priming your brain with strategies that boost memorization. Then, use effective techniques to memorize the material. You can use additional strategies to help you master the information.
1. **Use an acronym to help you remember words in a specific order.** An acronym is a type of mnemonic device in which the first letter of each word in a word, phrase, or sentence corresponds to something you want to memorize. You can create your own acronym to help you remember words in a specific sequence, or simply to remember a group of words.
For example, “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally.” This mnemonic is often used to help people remember the order of operations for solving algebra problems. P stands for parentheses, E-exponents, M-multiply, D-divide, A-add, and S-subtract in the sentence.
A popular mnemonic device in the musical world is Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge, which stands for the notes in the treble staff: EGBDF.
The fake name acronym ROY G BIV has long helped people remember the colours in the rainbow: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet.
Math uses the acronym PEMDAS for remembering orders of operations, while English grammar uses FANBOY as a memory tool for conjunctions.
2. **Assign an image to what you need to memorize.** Associating an image with a word or concept is another powerful way to commit it to memory. Try taking an interesting image and look at it often as you read the material you want to memorize. This can also be very helpful for memorizing people's names.
If you need to memorize the names of 5 coworkers you have just met, think of an image that you can associate with each person's name.
For example, you could associate Charlie with the image of the cartoon character Charlie Brown, Michael with an image of the archangel Michael, Cindy with iconic supermodel Cindy Crawford, Donna with a 50s doo-wop singer, and Herbert with a bowl of sherbet.
3. **Talk out loud as you study.** Reading information out loud, explaining concepts to yourself, or even just making the occasional comment to yourself as you work can help to solidify the information that you are studying. Try talking to yourself as you study the material that you need to memorize.
If you are studying in a library, then make sure that you are in a section where some noise is permitted.
4. **Make your own flashcards and study them daily.** Flashcards are a classic memorization tool. Write the concept, cue, or subject on 1 side of the card, and then write the definition, line, or other details you need to memorize on the other side. Make sure all of the flashcards are facing in 1 direction in your stack and go through the pile. Look at the concept or cue side first and see if you can recall the definition or line on the other side. If not, read it a few times to commit it to memory. Then, move on to the next card.
Continue through the pile in this manner to memorize the information.
5. **Write a summary** As you read the material that you want to memorize, write a summary of each of the paragraphs you read. Write the summary in your own way of speaking to help you retain the information. This will help you to gain a basic understanding of the material and you may even memorize some key terms and concepts in the process.
For example, after reading a paragraph on how the heart pumps blood, explain it to yourself briefly in 1 to 2 sentences.
6. **Compartmentalize the information into smaller chunks.** It is difficult to memorize long strings of numbers and words, such as identification numbers or lines in a play. If you need to memorize a large amount of material, break it down into more manageable chunks to make it easier on yourself. Some ways you can do this include:
Color-coding your notes by topic.
Memorizing a 3 to 4-word phrase or 3 to 4 numbers at a time.
Focusing on the key terms in 1 paragraph or page in a textbook.
7. **Try rhyming mnemonic devices to remember dates and other facts.** Your brain may find it easier to remember certain facts if you put them into the form of a rhyme. Choose a date, fact, or other important detail that you need to memorize. Then, choose a word that rhymes with it and create a short rhyming sentence. Some popular rhyming mnemonic devices include:
In fourteen hundred ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
Thirty days has September, April, June, and November.
8. **Write the information out over and over again.** Hand-writing is a powerful tool for memorization, and it is even more effective if you do it repeatedly. Get out a pen and paper and start hand-writing what you need to memorize. You can write out your lines for a play, definitions for key terms, math equations, or whatever it is you need to commit to memory.
If you prefer, you can also record yourself reading the information and then listen to the recording repeatedly. This is a good option if you have a log commute or if you just learn better by hearing things.
9. **Relate the information to something you already understand.** Choose a topic that interests you and that you understand very well. Then, find a way to relate the information you need to memorize to the subject you already understand.
For example, you could relate the material you need to memorize for a math test to the rules of baseball if you are a sports fan, or use a cooking analogy to help you remember a chemistry concept if you are a fan of cooking.
10. **Memorize the information over several days or weeks.** The sooner you start memorizing, the better! It takes time and repetition to memorize something. Plan to begin memorizing the material at least 1 week in advance, and even sooner if possible. Work on memorizing the material for a set amount of time every day. The time you will need will vary depending on the amount of material you need to memorize.
For example, if you need to memorize 20 new vocabulary words for a test, then you might only need to study for 30 minutes per day over the course of a week.
However, if you need to memorize lines for a leading role in a play, then you will need to start memorizing 3 to 4 weeks in advance and plan to study your lines for at least an hour daily.
11. **Quiz yourself on the material you have studied.** You might find the material familiar when you re-read it and think that this means you have memorized it. However, this is not an accurate way to check for memorization. Self-testing is better for seeing how well you are retaining the material. Try to recall the information without looking at your notes. If you can recall the information accurately without help, then you have memorized it.
For example, if you need to be able to explain photosynthesis for a science test, then see if you can do this without checking your notes first.
If you need to be able to recite a poem from memory, then try to recite it.
12. **Teach other people what you have learned.** Teaching other people the material that you have studied is another potent way to commit it to memory. After you have studied the material and feel that you have a good understanding of it, try to explain it to a friend or family member. If you can do this without checking your notes, then you have memorized the information.
13. **Exercise** Try to exercise for 30 minutes on at least 5 days each week to keep your mind sharp. You can also try working out right before you start memorizing for extra brain-boosting benefits.
You don't have to get in a long workout to reap the benefits of exercise for better memorization. Even taking a 15-minute walk before you start studying can help.
Doing 20 minutes of yoga before working on memorizing something is another great way to boost your brain function.
14. **Drink a cup of green tea before you start memorizing.** Green tea has been show to boost cognitive function more than other types of beverages. Make yourself a cup of regular or decaf green tea and sip it before or during your study session. The extra boost of caffeine in regular green tea may also be helpful.
You can drink green tea hot or iced.
15. **Create an environment that is free from distractions.** Avoid multitasking while you memorize, such as checking your social media accounts or texting friends. This will interfere with your ability to focus on the task at hand. Put away your phone, turn off the TV, and ask members of your household not to disturb you while you are studying.
If you have trouble staying focused, try setting small goals and rewarding yourself with a short break each time you meet one of them. For example, you could make it your goal to focus on studying for 25 minutes, and then reward yourself with a 5 minute break.
16. **Plan to memorize in the afternoon rather than in the morning or evening.** Afternoon may be the time when you feel the least alert, but it has also been shown to be a potent time to work on memorizing new information. If you have been struggling to remember the material you are studying, try memorizing it in the afternoon instead of in the morning or at night.
For example, you could work on memorizing at around 2 or 3 pm.
17. **Get a good night of sleep** Being well-rested has a far-reaching impact on your ability to memorize. To give yourself the best possible chance of retaining information, go to bed early enough to get a full 8 hours of sleep.
Try going to bed a little earlier than you normally do, such as 10:00 pm if you normally got to bed at 10:30 pm.
Make your bedroom a relaxing space that you only use for sleep. Don't work, eat, or do other daytime activities in your bedroom. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Memorize", "language": "en"} |
How to Paint a Car Interior | Nearly every plastic and vinyl surface in your car's interior can be revitalized through painting—you can even paint fabric seats! Preparing the materials properly is critical, though, and removing them for painting is always preferable. You also need to choose the right primer and paint for your specific needs and use careful spraying techniques. But, when you're done, your faded car interior will look like new!
1. **Read your owner's manual before removing interior panels.** Some components will pop right out with minimal effort. Plastic interior trim panels, for instance, are often held in place by small tabs, so a bit of squeezing, pulling, and wiggling will usually work them free. However, to reduce your chance of breaking something, read your owner's manual carefully for instructions on removing interior panels.
Although removing components to paint them can be time-consuming, it's safer to paint them this way, and they'll look better in the end.
2. **Remove door panels according to your owner's manual.** You'll often have to pop off plastic sections near the window, door handle, and/or speakers to reveal the screws holding the panel in place. Once you remove all the mounting screws with a screwdriver, you can pull off the panel and disconnect any wiring for the speaker, windows, etc.
Each grouping of wires will be connected to the door with a plastic clip that will pop right out when you squeeze and pull on it.
Removing a door panel usually requires a step-by-step approach, so follow the instructions for your specific vehicle carefully.
3. **Exercise extreme caution if you're removing steering wheel components.** If you start trying to pull off steering wheel panels without knowing what you're doing, you could easily be injured by an unexpectedly-deployed airbag. Read your owner's manual in great detail before attempting to remove any steering wheel components for painting.
Generally speaking, you should disconnect your car battery and wait at least 30 minutes before attempting to remove any steering wheel panels. After that, you may need to disconnect the airbag (possibly from the underside of the steering column) and remove the airbag chamber, cover and all, from the steering wheel.
If you are at all uncertain how to do this, let a professional handle this part of the job. It can cost up to $1000 USD to replace a broken airbag system.
4. **Remove the seats if you're painting them.** In many cases, car seats are held in place by 4 bolts total, 1 at each end of the 2 rails the seats slide on. Remove these with a socket wrench, tip the chair back, and squeeze and pull any plastic clips holding wiring (for seat adjusters, etc.) in place. Then remove the seat.
Painting fabric seats while they're still in the car usually causes a mess and can expose you to higher concentrations of chemical fumes. Take the time to read your manual and remove the seats properly before painting them.
5. **Cover any parts of the seat you don't want to paint.** Once the seats are out, remove and/or cover any plastic, metal, or other components you don't want to paint. Use a combination of painter's tape and plastic shopping bags to mask those areas.
6. **Tape or cover sections if you want to paint components in place.** If you choose to paint interior components without removing them, be extremely thorough in masking over surfaces that you don't want to be painted—for instance, the gauges, the stereo, the windshield and mirror, and so on. Apply painter's tape to create sharp edge lines between painted and non-painted areas, and tape sheets of plastic (or plastic shopping bags) that have been cut to fit over larger areas that you don't want painted.
Whenever possible, spray components outside the car, so you aren't dealing with concentrated fumes. No matter if you're spraying inside or outside the car, though, work in a well-ventilated area and wear a mask.
7. **Clean plastic and vinyl components with soap, water, and a cleaning pad.** Add a squirt of dish soap to a bucket of warm water. Dip an ultra-fine-grit cleaning pad (e.g., a gray Scotch Brite scouring pad) into the water and wash the components thoroughly.
Don't use steel wool, sandpaper, or heavier-grit cleaning pads, as these will scuff up the plastic or vinyl too much.
You want to just barely scuff the surface to help the paint adhere, and remove surface dirt and grime.
8. **Use compressed air to dry the plastic or vinyl components.** If you have compressed air available in your workshop, or have a spray can of it handy, use it to blow-dry the pieces you've washed. Compressed air will dry the parts quickly and remove any dust created by the cleaning pad.
If you don't have compressed air, let the parts air dry, or wipe them down with a lint-free cloth. Then wipe over everything with a tack cloth to remove any dust.
9. **Wipe vinyl or plastic parts down with TSP.** Trisodium phosphate (TSP) comes in powdered form and must be mixed with water according to the package instructions. It is also a very potent cleaner, so you must wear long clothing, eye protection, a breathing mask, and rubber gloves, and work in a well ventilated area. Mix up only as much as you need and wipe down the parts with a cloth dampened with TSP, then let the parts air dry.
If you have vinyl components and would prefer not to work with TSP, you can find aerosol vinyl prep cleaner sprays at automotive stores. Just spray on a thin coat, let it set up for about 30 seconds, then wipe it off with a lint-free cloth.
If you want a TSP alternative for plastic parts, use denatured alcohol. Dampen a clean cloth with the alcohol, wipe down the components thoroughly, and let them air dry.
No matter which product you use, follow all listed safety precautions and work in a ventilated area.
10. **Vacuum fabric seats before priming and painting them.** Use a vacuum with powerful suction and remove every bit of dirt and debris that you can from the fabric. For heavily-soiled seats, you may want to use a steam cleaner, then let them dry and follow up with the vacuum.
If your fabric has a suede finish with a grain to it, brush the grain in its natural direction after vacuuming it and before painting it.
11. **Choose a filler primer for plastic components with scratches in them.** Filler primers are formulated to smooth out small scratches and cracks in plastic parts. Depending on the product instructions, you may need to apply multiple layers of the primer to achieve the desired effect.
Filler primers can be found with other spray primers and paints. Look for one specifically formulated for automotive uses, if possible.
No filler primer can make deep scratches or cracks disappear, but they may become less noticeable.
Filler primers won't work on flexible materials like vinyl or fabric.
12. **Use an adhesion promoter primer for maximum hold.** This can be particularly useful for vinyl components, as it will help the spray paint adhere to the slick, flexible material. Look for it alongside other automotive primer sprays.
You can use this for plastic parts as well, if you don't need a filler primer.
Don't use a primer of any type on fabric before painting it.
13. **Work in a well-ventilated area and wear a mask.** A sheltered spot with lots of airflow but minimal wind is ideal for spray priming and painting. Try a garage with all the doors and windows open, for instance. And always wear a breathing mask while spray painting to reduce your intake of fumes and particles.
Also put down drop cloths, pieces of cardboard, or other protection against overspray.
14. **Apply 1-2 thin primer coats with quick bursts of spraying.** Follow the instructions on the can. Generally speaking, though, you'll shake the can for 1 minute; hold the can 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) from the object; and spray in bursts over the surface of the object, keeping the can in motion as you spray.
Don't hold the can in one spot, or you'll end up with splotches or bubbles on the surface.
Apply 1, 2, or more coats as directed. For multiple coats, wait the recommended time between applications (usually 5-15 minutes).
15. **Choose the appropriate spray paint for your surface.** Plastic parts should be sprayed with a paint labeled for use on plastic. Vinyl or fabric parts should likewise be sprayed with a vinyl or fabric paint, respectively. If possible, choose spray paints designed for use on automotive components.
Vinyl and fabric spray paints are able to flex along with those materials. A paint designed for plastic will crack and flake off of vinyl or fabric.
16. **Apply thin coats by using a quick, steady spraying motion.** Spraying on the paint involves the same process as applying primer. Shake the can as directed (usually for 1 minute), hold it 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) from the object, and apply thin coats with bursts of spray while you move the can over the surface.
Wait approximately 10-15 minutes between coats—follow the package instructions.
It may take 3-4 coats, or even more, to adequately cover some components. Applying numerous thin coats produces far superior results to trying to spray on 1 or 2 thick coats.
No matter how many coats of spray paint you apply to fabric, you may never achieve ideal results that cover every spot on the fabric. This is especially true for suede fabric. Therefore, it's best to temper your expectations somewhat before painting interior fabric, or to let a pro do the job for you.
17. **Spray 1-2 coats of clear coat on plastic or vinyl, if desired.** Clear coat will add a little extra shine and protection to your paint job. Apply it in the same way as the paint, but take special care to apply thin, even coats over the surface of the object. Otherwise, you may notice streaks or differences in the level of gloss on the finished product.
While you might wait 5-15 minutes between coats of primer or paint, it's better to wait the full 15 minutes (or even a little longer) between applications of clear coat.
18. **Don't touch the components for 24 hours.** No matter the material, and regardless of whether you applied clear coat or not, it's best to keep your hands off the paint job for at least a day. This will permit the paint to dry fully and remove any tackiness from the surface.
A good-quality fabric paint should not leave any discoloration on a white cloth pressed to it after 24 hours. If it does, and the fabric is on a seat, you'll have little choice but to either replace the seat or find a seat cover that will prevent stains on your clothing.
19. **Unmask and reinstall the components.** After 24 hours, peel off any painter's tape and plastic you used for masking purposes. Then, using your owner's manual as a guide, reinstall any removed components in the reverse order from how you took them out. For instance:
Lift the seats into place, push in any plastic clips to reconnect any wiring, and reinstall the bolts (there are usually 4) with a socket wrench.
Reconnect the steering wheel's airbag and any components you removed very carefully according to your owner's manual, or have a professional do it.
Lift the door panels into place, connect the wiring by pushing the plastic clips in place, reinstall the mounting screws with a screwdriver, and pop in any plastic panels near the windows, handles, etc.
Pop in any plastic trim pieces held in place by plastic tabs. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Paint-a-Car-Interior", "language": "en"} |
How to Prepare for Your First College Semester | Going away for college can be both an exciting and intimidating transition. It is important to be ready before you leave, so that you aren’t stressed out when you arrive on campus. The more prepared you are, the more you can enjoy all the opportunities that college has offer.
1. **Find out the details about your living situation.** Will you be in a dorm or an apartment? Will you be living on campus or off campus? How many roommates will you have? What is the size of your room? What furniture will already be included with your room? How many people will you share a bathroom with? Knowing these details will help you figure out what items to buy for your room. Plus, it will give you time to prepare mentally to live with other people if you’ll be living with roommates for the first time!
2. **Contact your roommate.** If you chose your roommate, or if your university discloses who your roommate is before you arrive at school, reach out to them to figure out who will bring what to for the room. There’s no use having two refrigerators and two tea kettles!
It’s okay to get to know each other on social media before you meet in person, but try not to make first judgements based on what you see online - wait to get to know the real them when you arrive at school.
Try to talk to them on the phone if you can't physically meet before you go to school.
If you don’t know who your roommate is before you arrive, that’s great too! It will make moving in all that much more exciting, and allow you to get to know them in person on the first day.
3. **Think of how you want to decorate your room.** You might want to match your bedding with your rug, for example. Or, you might want to bring some pictures of your friends and family to frame or put on your wall.
If you’ll be living at home and staying in the same room you’ve always lived in, maybe you’ll want to change it up a bit for the transition to college. A fresh coat of paint or a rearrangement in your furniture can make all the difference for a fresh start. Make sure you have a good, quiet study space with an uncluttered desk and adequate lighting if you don’t already.
4. **Make a checklist of everything you’ll need for your new room.** Include all of the supplies to outfit your room, from bedding to wall decorations. You can find great college checklists online.
From there, see what you already own at home that you can bring to school and what you need to buy.
5. **Go shopping.** The earlier the better, as many stores sell out as the summer winds down.
Before you go out and buy a mini fridge full-price from Target, see if you know someone who just graduated college who might be selling theirs for a cheaper price. Or, look online at sites like eBay or craigslist for used items.
6. **Get oriented on campus.** Nothing screams “freshman” more than someone cluelessly wandering around the buildings with a campus map in their hands. A few days before classes start, figure out which buildings your classes are in so you’re not in a rush on the first day. It will also give you an idea of how much time it will take to get to class and what time you’ll need to leave your dorm.
If you can, walk your class route before classes start so that you know how long it will take for you to walk from building to building.
Figure out how you will be commuting to campus/class. If you are far from campus or your campus is really big, consider driving or biking. If it’s not too far, you can walk or skateboard.
Be early on the first day to get a good seat. Even for the subsequent classes, it doesn’t hurt to be a few minutes early.
7. **Have an idea of your class schedule.** It’s okay not to know your exact class schedule before you arrive on campus. Usually, there will be academic advisors at orientation who guide you through what courses you should enroll in for your first semester. However, have an idea of what you’re interested in taking and browse your school’s course website to make enrolling in classes easier once you get there.
When it comes to scheduling classes, try to choose a good mix of classes that both fulfill general education or “core” requirements and delve into subjects that you might be interested in majoring in.
Don’t be over-ambitious with your course load for your first semester. You will already be busy meeting new people and getting situated during this big transition - the last thing you want is to be bogged down with work in the second week.
Consider your class times, as well. Do you want to have your classes staggered throughout the week, or would you prefer a few packed days?
Look up your professors online to see if their teaching style is likely to match with your learning style. You should be able to find reviews online.
8. **Prepare your school materials.** While professors don’t usually send out a checklist of required school materials like in high school, you’ll need to be prepared with the right materials to stay neat and organized.
Get a planner or calendar. As soon as you get the syllabus for each class, go through and write down all your assignments. This will help you stay more organized during the semester.
The one list professors will send out is a list of the required textbooks for each class. You can either buy or rent them at your school’s bookstore, or check out websites like Amazon.com that sell used textbooks for less.
Get a laptop. A laptop is almost indispensable in college, as many students like to take notes on their laptop in class, and it gives you the freedom to study anywhere. Also, it’s a good idea to back up your files on the cloud or on a flash drive.
Although you will be using your laptop a lot, don’t ditch the old-school paper and pencil. Be sure to have a notebook and a handful of pens and pencils with you at all times when going to class, in case a professor doesn’t allow laptops to take notes or you quickly have to jot something down.
Buy folders or binders to keep your papers organized. Although almost everything seems to be done digitally nowadays, professors still hand out assignments on paper. Don’t let them get crumpled at the bottom of your bag and buy at least a couple folders to keep them tidy.
Decide if you want to invest in a printer for your room, or if you will use the university printers. Keep in mind that, although the school usually charges you for each page you print, it may still be more cost effective than buying a new printer and refilling paper and ink (plus, everyone will ask you if they can borrow yours!).
9. **Pay attention and be prepared to work.** Although the first day of classes are usually just an overview of the course, don’t zone out! Especially if you’re deciding whether to keep or drop a course, you’ll want to get a good understanding of the syllabus and professor’s teaching style. Get in a good habit of taking notes during the first lecture.
There might even be homework assigned before the first class, like a reading assignment. Check your email the week leading up to the first day so that you’re prepared in case your professor sends out an assignment.
College classes run at a much higher pace than high school. There are no ice breakers on the first day of class. Professors lecture at a fairly fast pace, and although they sometimes stop for questions, they are on a strict agenda, especially for big lectures. Be sure to note down what you might need clarification on to ask them during office hours.
Avoid missing class. Save your absences for emergencies so that you don't risk getting behind.
10. **Keep an open mind when meeting people.** Even if you have friends from high school going to the same college, branch out and meet new friends through your dorm, classes, and extracurricular activities. Your high school friends will always be there - now is your chance to meet people with diverse backgrounds and interests to expand your social circle.
11. **Step out of your comfort zone and be super social the first week.** The first week of school is the best time to meet people - usually that’s when all the freshmen activities are, and no one knows each other yet! Put yourself out there and don’t be scared of being awkward or weird, no one really knows what they’re doing anyway. Start up a conversation with someone sitting across from you at the the dining hall table or in class. All you have to do is introduce yourself and ask them where they’re from, or if you can borrow a pencil - easiest ice breaker ever!
That being said, don’t be discouraged if you don’t meet your best friend on the first week. You will not click with every single person you meet. Oftentimes, once you get into your routine and bump into the same people from class on a day-to-day basis, friendships will seamlessly blossom from everyday experiences.
If you are shy, a good place to start making friends is in your own room with your roommate, if you have one. You can easily bond over moving in and getting up for your first day of class together. This doesn’t mean that you have to be automatic best friends, but these shared experiences are likely to bring you close.
12. **Join a student group and try new extracurricular activities.** College is a clean slate - join a club that fascinates you, or try out for a sport you’ve never heard of. There are plenty of student organizations, sports teams, and clubs that you can join. Who knows - you might end up discovering your lifelong passion. Your college will likely put on an activity fair during orientation week, so be sure to check it out.
Greek life is often regarded as the quintessential way to build a social life in college and can be a great way to meet new people. But, if it doesn’t seem like a good fit for you, there are a multitude of other types of student groups you can join. Keep in mind that Greek life differs vastly from school to school, and is likely very different from what you see in the movies. If you’re on the fence about joining a sorority or fraternity, just try it out! It doesn’t hurt to go to rush, and you don’t have to commit to joining a sorority or fraternity at the end of it. Go with your gut, and know that you will make friends whether you’re in one or not.
13. **Meet people at parties.** Of course, moving away from your parents’ watchful eye means you have all the freedom to do what you want on the weekends, including going to college parties. This can be a great way to unwind and meet new people, dress up in themed outfits, and have fun getting ready with your dorm mates beforehand. Keep in mind that you should always have a buddy system before entering a party so that you have someone to rely on if you ever run into trouble. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the campus’ safety resources and procedures and have important emergency phone numbers inputted in your phone before heading out. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-for-Your-First-College-Semester", "language": "en"} |
How to Plant and Care for Butterfly Pea Flowers | The butterfly pea flower produces bright purple blooms that can add a pop of color to any garden, porch, or window. It's a particularly hardy plant and can adapt to most environments as long as the weather is warm enough. If you’d like to add this flower to your garden, grab your gardening gloves and a few seeds to get started!
1. **Plant your seeds in pots if temperatures get below 60 °F (16 °C).** Butterfly pea flowers thrive in warm, tropical environments. If you know the weather is going to dip into colder territory, plant your seeds in pots so you can bring it inside when you need to.
Butterfly pea flowers can thrive outside when the temperature is above 60 °F (16 °C). If it gets much cooler than that, the plant could die.
2. **Soak the seeds in water for 12 hours to soften the casings.** Butterfly pea seeds need water to open up and get their shoots ready. Pour your seeds into a bowl, then cover them in water and let them sit overnight.
You can find seeds at most garden supply stores, or you can get them out of the pods that grow on butterfly pea vines.
You can also use cuttings from an existing flower as long as they have roots attached.
3. **Fill a medium-sized pot with a mix of sand, compost, and potting soil.** Make sure the pot has drainage holes at the bottom so your plant doesn’t get waterlogged. Mix together equal parts of sand, compost, and potting soil to make a well-draining mixture, then fill your pot up all the way.
You can find sand and potting soil and most garden supply stores.
4. **Dig a small hole about 1 in (2.5 cm) deep in the soil.** The hole doesn’t have to be very deep—about 1 in (2.5 cm) is fine. Poke 1 finger into the soil and make a little opening for the seed to nestle into.
Since butterfly pea vines grow several feet around the plant, use 1 seed per pot.
5. **Put 1 seed in the hole and cover it with soil.** Gently smooth the potting soil over the hole to cover it up, but don’t tamp down super hard. You only need to plant 1 seed in each hole since butterfly pea flower seeds are usually very successful.
If you smash the dirt down on top of the seed, the soil won’t drain well.
6. **Water the seed well to establish it in the dirt.** These plants love water, so go ahead and give them more than you think they need. Make sure the dirt is wet, and don’t stop watering until you can hear water running out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
The water will help to settle the dirt around the seed and get it ready for germination.
7. **Put the pot in a sunny spot so it gets 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily.** If you’re keeping your plant indoors, put it next to a sunny window. If you want to start the seeds outside, put the pot in a bright spot on balcony or porch.
8. **Wait until the threat of frost is over before you plant seeds.** If you’re planning to plant your butterfly pea plant outside, wait for spring. You can sow your seeds outside once temperatures stay consistently above 60 °F (16 °C).
If you don’t want to wait that long, you can start your plant indoors and then transfer it outside once the weather is warm enough.
Butterfly pea plants are usually grown outdoors in California, Texas, Florida, and Georgia.
9. **Choose a planting spot that gets 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day.** Stay away from large trees and shrubs, and instead pick a spot that has a pretty open canopy. The more sun this plant gets, the better!
Try watching your yard throughout the day to see which area gets the most light.
If you’re planting your flowers in a pot, you can put them next to a window or on your balcony.
10. **Check for well-draining soil before settling on a location.** After a big rainfall, take a look around your yard or garden. If there’s still puddles of water after 1 to 2 hours, it’s probably not a good location for the pea flower. If the soil drains quickly and looks sandy, that’s a good spot to pick.
11. **Plant seeds or cuttings near a wall or fence for vine support.** If you don’t have a wall or a fence nearby, put up a wooden trellis or some chicken wire so the vines can climb. Butterfly pea flowers can’t flourish without a structure, so this is very important!
You could also plant it near a small shrub or tree to climb.
12. **Dig a hole about 1 in (2.5 cm) deep.** Pick the spot in your garden that you’d like to plant, then dig a small hole with the tip of your finger. Since the dirt is well-draining, it shouldn’t be hard to move.
You can also use the tip of a pencil.
13. **Bury your seed or the roots from a cutting in the hole.** If you’re using seeds, put one in your hole and then cover it gently with dirt. If you’re using a cutting, put the roots into the hole and then cover it with dirt so that only the stalk is sticking out.
Cuttings do well outdoors since they’re already established. However, you can still grow butterfly pea plants outside from seed if you want to.
14. **Space each plant 20 to 30 centimetres (7.9 to 11.8 in) apart.** If you want to cover an entire area with butterfly pea plants, you can! Make sure each hole is far enough away from its companions that it can spread out once it starts to grow.
15. **Water the area well to establish the plant.** These plants love moisture, especially when they’re first starting out. Grab your hose or your watering can and give them a good drink so the roots can poke into the soil.
Butterfly pea plants can withstand drought conditions, but it isn’t ideal.
16. **Water your plants every day to keep them healthy.** Butterfly pea flowers need tons of water. Grab your hose or watering can and soak the soil around the plant every day until it’s moist but not soaking wet.
This is why well-draining soil is so important! If any of the water pools up on top of the plant, it could drown.
If you’re getting a heavy rainfall that day, don’t worry about watering.
17. **Prune the vine back when it gets heavy or too bushy.** Most butterfly pea plants don’t need a ton of pruning, but their leaves can pull down on the vine if they grow too much. Use sharp pruners to cut the leaves back in the spring, leaving at least 7 to 10 centimetres (2.8 to 3.9 in) of the vine intact so it can keep growing.
Pruning isn’t strictly necessary, but it can be nice for aesthetic purposes.
You can also prune the vines back if they’re starting to take over other plants in your garden. Butterfly pea plants tend to spread outwards, not up, so they do have the potential to kill any groundcover in the area.
18. **Collect seeds from pods if you’d like to grow more plants.** If you find that you like the look of your butterfly pea plant, wait until the spring and then pick the pods off the vines. Slice open the pods to get the seeds and grow more plants if you’d like to.
Butterfly pea plants tend to spread out on their own, so you might not need to manually distribute the seeds in your area.
19. **Harvest the flowers when they’re in bloom and dry them.** If you’d like to use the butterfly pea flower to make tea or extract, pull the flower heads off the vine in the spring. Spread them out in the sun and wait a few weeks for the flowers to dry before you store them.
Butterfly pea flowers are perennials, so they’ll continue to bloom year after year even if you take the flowers off. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Plant-Butterfly-Pea-Flower", "language": "en"} |
How to Stop the Spread of Covid-19 | With all the information buzzing around about COVID-19, it’s very easy to feel overwhelmed and confused. Thankfully, there are a lot of easy ways to prevent and stop the spread of the virus, whether you’re at home or out and about. No matter where you live, there are plenty of things you can do to make your home and community safer and healthier during the COVID-19 pandemic.
1. **Get the COVID-19 vaccine.** The vaccine is one of the most effective methods of preventing new infections. While you can still get COVID-19 if you’re vaccinated, it’s much less likely to happen—and your symptoms will be much less severe. Talk to your doctor about getting a COVID-19 vaccine, which is currently available for adults and children ages 5 and up.
In addition to keeping you from getting sick, being vaccinated makes you much less likely to spread COVID-19 to others.
When you are fully vaccinated, you may be able to safely get back into activities that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic, such as attending live events, visiting gyms and recreation centers, and traveling. Keep in mind that returning to pre-pandemic life is dependent on the current public health guidelines and restrictions in your region.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe for women in pregnancy.
There are several different kinds of COVID-19 vaccines available. As of July 2021, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is the only vaccine currently approved for kids and teens under 18.
Other countries may have different guidance or mandates regarding vaccination. Contact your local health authority to see what is recommended and available to you.
Most types of COVID-19 vaccine require you to get 2 doses, about 3 weeks apart. However, if you get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you’ll only need 1 dose.
2. **Find a local clinic or pharmacy that offers vaccines.** In many countries, the COVID-19 vaccine is free for all residents. You may be able to get the vaccine at your local pharmacy, clinic, or public health department.
In the U.S., you can find vaccination providers near you by visiting https://www.vaccines.gov/. You can also text your zip code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233 for more information.
Check your local government website for more information about finding vaccines in your country or region.
3. **Watch out for possible side effects.** The COVID-19 vaccine is safe for most people. However, it’s common to have some mild side effects or feel a little sick afterwards. This is nothing to worry about—it just means your immune system is learning how to fight the virus! Your healthcare provider may ask you to sit in the waiting room for 15 minutes after getting the shot to make sure you don’t have any serious reactions, but severe side effects or allergic reactions are rare.
Common side effects include a soreness, redness, and mild swelling around the site of the shot. Over the next 1-2 days, you might also experience some flu-like symptoms, such as tiredness, a headache, muscle aches, nausea, and a fever or chills.
Call your doctor if you’re worried about any of your side effects, or if they get worse or don’t go away after 2-3 days.
4. **Wait until you’re fully vaccinated to go back to regular activities.** For 2-dose COVID-19 vaccines, you’re considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after you get the second dose. For single dose vaccines, such as the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you’re fully protected 2 weeks after your initial dose. According to the CDC, once you’re fully vaccinated, you can go back to doing many of the things you did before the pandemic started—such as socializing with others without wearing a mask or social distancing.
Until you’re fully vaccinated, you’ll still need to take precautions, such as wearing a mask and staying at least 6 feet (1.8 m) away from others in public places. You’re not fully protected until 2 weeks after your final dose of the vaccine!
Since there’s still a small chance you could catch COVID, not all experts agree that you should go back to normal activities after getting the vaccine. The World Health Organization still recommends taking extra precautions, such as wearing a mask, washing your hands frequently, and staying at least 3 feet (0.91 m) away from others in crowded public places. Use your best judgment and follow local laws and guidelines.
5. **Ask your doctor if you’re not sure you can safely get the vaccine.** All forms of the COVID-19 vaccine that are on the market right now have been thoroughly tested, and they are safe for most people. However, your doctor might recommend avoiding it if you have certain health conditions, or if you’ve ever had a severe allergic reaction to another vaccine.
Before you get the vaccine, your healthcare provider will ask you about your health history and any allergies you may have.
Your doctor can help you decide whether the vaccine is safe for you based on your health history.
6. **Stay at home if you can.** Although it’s a simple solution, avoiding contact with other people is an effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Make an effort to stay at home when you can, and avoid making trips unless you absolutely have to.
You can always stay connected by calling or video chatting with friends and family.
7. **Wear a mask or face covering before going out in public.** Slip on a medical mask or face covering before you go to the grocery store or any other public area. If you unknowingly have the virus, a mask can prevent you from spreading the illness to other people. Similarly, masks can protect you from picking up the virus from other people.
Some people with COVID-19 don’t show symptoms, so they can accidentally make others sick without knowing they have the virus. Masks can help prevent this from happening.
Cloth masks are ineffective in preventing the spread of more infectious variants of COVID-19, like Delta and Omicron. Use a medical-grade mask to limit the spread and risk of infection from the current dominant variants of the coronavirus.'
8. **Distance yourself physically from other people.** Germs can travel long distances, which makes physical distancing especially important. Make an effort to stand a safe distance—6 feet (1.8 m) is recommended in the U.S.—away from others, whether you’re shopping or going for a walk around the neighborhood. While this may seem a bit excessive, you can protect both yourself and others by keeping your distance.
In some places, like grocery stores, you won’t realistically be able to distance yourself from everyone around you. Just wear a mask and do the best that you can!
Do your best to social distance wherever you go, whether you're indoors or outdoors.
9. **Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze.** Don’t sneeze or cough into the air—this allows the virus to spread very easily. Instead, cough or sneeze into your elbow, which helps keep the germs contained. Additionally, you can sneeze or cough into a tissue and then throw that tissue out. After you’ve sneezed or coughed, always wash your hands thoroughly.
10. **Wash your hands frequently throughout the day.** Lather your hands with soap and rinse them in warm water for 20 seconds. Get in the habit of washing your hands before eating food, after you’ve coughed or sneezed, after you’ve used the bathroom, or after you've touched any area used by the public, such as doorknobs. If you wash your hands often, you’re less likely to spread COVID-19 to other people.
Hand sanitizers are a great alternative if you’re in a rush or don’t have access to soap and water. Look for products with at least 60% ethanol/ethyl alcohol, which ensures that the germs will be destroyed.
11. **Sanitize high-touch surfaces each day.** Think about the places in your home that are touched by a lot of people, like doorknobs, sink faucets, countertops, and tables. Each day, sanitize these surfaces with disinfectant, so you won’t pick up any unwanted germs.
12. **Practice healthy habits to keep your immune system strong.** In addition to preventing the spread of disease, you can develop healthy habits to keep your immune system working its best. These include:
Getting at least 7-9 hours of sleep each night
Eating nutritious vegetables and fruits each day
Doing at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week
Relaxing and practicing mindfulness to reduce stress.
Regularly connecting with friends and family on the phone or with video calls.
13. **Quarantine yourself for at least 14 days.** Stay at home when you’re sick, so you don’t risk passing the virus on to anyone else. Keep track of how long you’ve quarantined—if you’ve been at home for 14 days and you haven’t had a fever for at least 1 day, then you can return to your usual routine.
Your fever has to have gone away on its own without the help of any medication.
Ask friends or family members to pick up food for you so you don’t leave your home while you recuperate. Or, order delivery.
14. **Separate yourself from the rest of your household if you’re sick.** Designate a specific area of your home to be “yours” if you come down with COVID-19. If possible, designate a specific bathroom for yourself so you won’t be spreading germs to anyone around you. Encourage the other people in your household to keep their distance so you don’t risk spreading any germs.
As you recover, practice the same healthy habits you’d normally practice, like covering your coughs and sneezes and sanitizing your hands regularly.
15. **Wear a mask and wash your hands often.** Even though you’re stuck at home, wear a mask when you’re near other household members so you don’t spread as many germs. As an extra precaution, don’t use or touch anything that other people in your household may use, like cups, silverware, or bedding. Whether you live alone or with other people, get in the habit of washing your hands often, using warm water and soap for 20 seconds. Additionally, cover all of your sneezes and coughs with a tissue, or direct them into your elbow if you're not wearing a mask.
Keep hand sanitizer close by so you can always keep your hands clean.
16. **Don’t snuggle with pets when you’re sick.** As wonderful as it is to spend time with your pet, your furry friend may collect some of your germs on their fur, which can be spread to other members of your family. To be safe, ask a roommate or family member to care for the pet while you recover.
17. **Keep your hands away from your face.** Your eyes, nose, and mouth are major ways you can get infected with COVID-19, especially if you’re rubbing those areas with your hands. If you touch your face often, try out different habits that keep your hands distracted, like knitting, using a fidget spinner, or squeezing a stress ball. If your hair gets in your face a lot, tie it back so you’re less likely to touch it.
If you’re less likely to catch COVID-19, you’ll be less likely to spread it as well.
Glasses that don’t fit properly may also cause you to touch your face.
If you really have to itch your face, use a tissue to get the job done.
18. **Don't touch germ-infested surfaces.** Whether you’re in public or at home, you’ll likely run into a lot of surfaces or spaces that pick up a lot of different germs. If you can, touch these surfaces with a tissue so you won’t pick up as many germs in the long run. If you do have to touch these surfaces, wash or sanitize your hands immediately after.
19. **Avoid shaking hands or hugging anyone in greeting.** Unfortunately, handshakes, hugs, and high-fives allow germs to spread pretty easily, and aren’t the greatest option when you’re meeting up with someone. Instead, think of some hands-free ways you can greet your friends and loved ones, like offering a wave.
20. **Accept that any person can come down with COVID-19.** There are plenty of rumors going around about who can and can’t catch the virus. It’s important to remember that any person can come down with COVID-19, regardless of their age, gender identity, race, ethnicity, or health status.
21. **Remind yourself that there are no approved cures for COVID-19.** It’s important to keep a positive attitude during the outbreak, but you don’t want to put any faith in false facts. Don't believe any claims you see about products that can cure COVID-19, as none have been proven or approved.
If you test positive for COVID-19, always follow your doctor’s recommendations.
While there’s no cure for COVID, there are a variety of treatments available that can help manage your symptoms and improve your chances of a quick recovery. These include certain antiviral medications, steroids, and medicines that help block severe inflammatory reactions in the lungs. Only use medications that have been prescribed or approved by your doctor.
22. **Don’t worry about spreading COVID-19 through your shoes.** There’s little evidence to prove that the virus can be tracked into your home through your shoes. Instead, follow usual health practices to keep safe, like washing your hands, covering your nose and mouth when you sneeze, and wearing a mask when you go outside.
You may want to store your shoes away from common areas or outside of your home if you have young kids who will likely be crawling or touching the ground a lot. This way, they won’t touch any of the dirt that’s on your shoes.
23. **Trust that COVID-19 can’t be spread through common pests.** House flies and mosquitoes may be pesky, uninvited guests around your home, but they won’t be bringing the COVID-19 virus with them when they enter. Still, make an effort to stay extra safe and healthy around your home by washing your hands often and sanitizing any surfaces in your home that people touch a lot, like countertops or tables.
24. **Don’t expect extra sunlight to protect you from COVID-19.** While sunlight comes with its share of health benefits, it won’t give you a get-out-of-jail-free card when it comes to the virus. Instead, practice healthy habits both at home and when you’re out and about, which can help reduce your risk of spreading COVID-19.
For instance, wash your hands frequently while you’re at home, and make an effort not to touch your face. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-the-Spread-of-COVID%E2%80%9019", "language": "en"} |
How to Identify a Dalmatian | Dalmatians are a large dog breed that is highly energetic, playful, and loyal. If they are not given enough exercise they can become high strung and may act out by being destructive. In order to identify a Dalmatian, you should examine the dog's coat and other physical characteristics, ask the owner, a veterinarian, or the breeder to help with identification, or get the dog's DNA tested.
1. **Look at the markings.** The best way to identify a Dalmatian is by looking at the dog's markings. Dalmatians are white dogs that have round black or reddish brown spots. Ideally the spots should be distributed across the entire body and there should be no large patches.
Spots are usually smaller on the head, legs, and tail.
When Dalmatians are born they are completely white in colour and develop spots as they age.
2. **Acknowledge rare colour variations.** Some Dalmatians may have dark blue or tricoloured spots. These colour variations are not accepted as the breed standard for dog shows, but they can still be found on some Dalmatians. Typically tricoloured Dalmatians will be white with dark spots, as well as a few brown patches located on the head, legs, chest, and tail.
Some Dalmatians may have large black patches on their coat.
3. **Feel the dog's coat.** The Dalmatian has a short, smooth, and silky coat. When you pet a Dalmatian, the top of their head feels velvety.
4. **Determine if the dog sheds.** Dalmatians shed considerably throughout the year. Brush the dog's hair frequently in order to manage the shedding.
5. **Examine the dog's build.** Dalmatians are considered a large dog breed with a strong muscular build. The average Dalmatian is about 20-24 inches (50-60cm) tall at the shoulders and weighs 48-55 pounds (22-25kg). Dalmatians have a deep chest and thin tail. Their feet are round with arched toes and the toe nails can be either black or white.
In order to measure the height of a Dalmatian, use a tape measure and record the distance from the ground to the top of the dog's shoulders.
Dalmatians will have an athletic and graceful appearance.
6. **Look for brown or blue eyes.** The head of a Dalmatian has a similar width and length and the top is flat. Their nose can be black, dark brown, blue or grey and their eyes are brown, blue, or a combination of both.
7. **Recognize deviations.** Dalmatians can vary in size based on the individual dog. It is for example, possible to have larger or smaller Dalmatians. This is typically a result of environmental and care factors. For instance, a Dalmatian that is overfed may appear much larger than the breed standard.
8. **Use a dog breed identification app.** There are a variety of applications available that can identify different dog breeds. In order to use these apps, upload a photo of a dog and the app will identify the breed.
For example, try the Microsoft application called Fetch!
These apps are not always 100% accurate, but the Dalmatian is fairly easy to identify because of the unique spots.
9. **Ask the owner.** If you see a dog that you think might be a Dalmatian and are curious about the breed, approach the owner and ask. For example, you could say something like “That is a beautiful dog. Is it a Dalmatian by any chance?” Alternatively you could say “What kind of dog is that? I really like its colouring.”
Most dog owners will be happy to tell you about their dog and the breed.
10. **Ask your veterinarian.** If you are unsure of your dog's breed or lineage, ask your veterinarian to help you identify the breed. Veterinarians will be familiar with most dog breeds and will be able to examine the physical characteristics of the dog to help with identifying the breed.
11. **Talk with the breeder.** If you are purchasing a Dalmatian from a breeder, you should talk with the breeder about the puppy's parentage and lineage to make sure that you are getting a purebred Dalmatian. A licensed breeder will be able to provide you with paperwork that proves both parents are recognized as Dalmatians by the American Kennel Club.
12. **Purchase a DNA test kit online.** Search Google for a “dog DNA test kit.” These kits cost approximately $80 to $100 and can be ordered online.
13. **Read and follow the instructions.** Once you receive the DNA test kit in the mail, open the package and carefully read all of the instructions. The instructions will provide you with steps on how to take a DNA swab and then how to return the results to the lab for testing.
Each kit is only designed to test the DNA of one dog.
14. **Swab the dog's cheek.** The kit will likely come with two swabs. They are both to be used on the same dog. Open your dog's mouth and rub the swab across the inside of the dog's cheek. Do the same thing with each of the swabs.
15. **Mail the kit.** Place the swabs into the plastic baggies provided. Then place them in the pre-paid return envelope or box and mail the results to the lab for testing.
16. **Read the results.** Approximately three weeks after you completed the test, you will receive detailed DNA results. Your dog's DNA will be compared to approximately 200 different breeds. If you have a Dalmatian, a DNA test will easily be able to identify this breed.
The results can even test to see if your dog is a mixed-breed that is part Dalmatian. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Identify-a-Dalmatian", "language": "en"} |
How to Study when You Have ADHD | Having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can make it difficult to sit still and study for school, especially if you are already feeling worked up about preparing for a test or exam. Studying when you have ADHD can be done effectively if you stay organized and if you maintain your focus while studying. If you struggle with studying with ADHD on your own, you may seek professional help so you can focus and do well in your studies.
1. **Put important dates in a calendar.** One way you can make studying easier when you have ADHD is to stay organized and prepared to study. Start by putting all important due dates and deadlines in a calendar. This could be a physical calendar on the wall in your room, a day planner that you carry in your school bag, or a calendar you keep on your phone. Record all important dates in the calendar so you can stay organized and on top of your assignments.
If you are using a calendar on your phone, make sure you set an alarm that will remind you a day before or several hours before an assignment is due. This way, you are reminded of the assignment and have enough time to get it done.
2. **Make a list of tasks.** When you have ADHD, you tend to have difficulty prioritizing your assignments. To avoid getting overwhelmed, sit down and make a list of all of your study tasks. Then, read over the list and number them in order of importance. Put the most important tasks first and the least important tasks last.
If you have a large assignment that you need to tackle, write out each step of the assignment. This will make it easier to divide the task up into manageable chunks so you do not feel overwhelmed.
For example, if you have to do a 10 page research paper, write down each step: “Find five scholarly sources for the paper. Read the scholarly sources and pull out quotes. Outline the paper. Write each section of the paper, using the quotes from sources.”
3. **Organize your study materials.** Lay out all the materials you are going to need to study. Make sure you have all the required textbooks and reading materials. Have your study notes from class nearby. If you like to record your teacher’s lectures to refer to later, have the recordings ready and accessible. This way, you will have everything you need to dive into studying.
You may create separate folders for each subject or class you are taking. Then, you can pull out the applicable folder and stack of study materials when it is time for you to study for that subject or class.
4. **Create a study plan.** Organize your time smartly so you can stay focused and prepared. Make a study plan that outlines when you are going to study for each class or subject. Break your study time by hour or half an hour. Label each hour or half an hour so you know exactly what you will be studying at any given time. This will help you stay on track and ensure you are prepared when you sit down to study.
For example, you may write down on your study plan for Monday: “Review terms for 30 minutes for test on Wednesday” or “Go over class notes for 1 hour for quiz tomorrow.”
5. **Find a quiet, distraction free place to study.** Staying focused when you have ADHD can be a challenge. Make studying easier by choosing a study spot that is quiet and distraction-free. You may choose to study in your room with the door closed. Or you may pick a quiet spot in your school library.
If you are studying at home, let everyone know you are studying and that you are not to be disturbed. Ask everyone in your household to be quiet and respect your need for focus.
6. **Break your studying up into chunks.** When you have ADHD, you may find working intensively in short chunks may be more effective than trying to study for prolonged periods of time. Break your studying up into manageable chunks, such as 30 minutes at a time. This can help you stay focused and retain information without feeling overwhelmed or distracted.
For example, you may try studying for 30 minutes and then getting up and doing something else for 5-10 minutes. Repeat this until you get used to focusing for 30 minutes at a time, followed by short breaks.
Instead of cramming the night before, try studying for smaller periods every day for a few days leading up to a test. For example, instead of studying for three hours the night before, try studying for 45 minutes every day for four days.
7. **Walk or march while you study.** Sitting still can be a challenge if you have ADHD. Do not be afraid to move around while you study. Walk or march while you read a textbook. Pace around as you memorize study terms or read over your study notes. Moving around can make focusing easier for you, especially if you tend to fidget or have trouble sitting still.
You can also try sitting on a chair that shifts or rocks to help you stay focused. Get a sitting disk, which is a lightweight portable cushion that fits on the top of a chair seat. This way, you can still move around in a gentle, controlled way and focus on studying.
8. **Read your study materials out loud.** Reading out loud helps you use your auditory skills. It can also help you memorize information and retain it better. Try reading your study materials out loud, focusing on each word. Walk or march as you read. This will help you focus your attention on the study materials.
You can also try reading a section of your study materials to yourself and then paraphrasing it out loud in your own words. This can help you retain the information better and process the information more effectively.
9. **Change subjects if you start to lose focus.** If you start to feel your attention start to drift, try changing subjects. This is called shifting, where you shift to a new topic or subject when you start to drift. Have a different subject or topic on hand so you can shift easily. Try shifting back and forth between assignments until all of your work is completed.
Make shifting between subjects part of your study plan so you can change subjects easily. Doing this can help you stay productive without feeling overwhelmed.
10. **Talk to your teacher.** As a student with ADHD, you are entitled to learning accommodations at your school. Talk to your teacher about accommodations in class and for your assignments that can help support you as you complete your studies. Your school may offer accommodations for you as a student with ADHD, which can help you focus and do better in your classes.
You can also talk to your school counselor and administrators at your school to find out about possible learning accommodations for students with ADHD.
Accommodations may include getting an extension on assignment due date to accommodate your ADHD as well as different learning options, such as doing oral presentations instead of written papers to make doing assignments easier for you.
You might ask your teacher to help you set daily or weekly goals to help you keep focused.
11. **Hire a professional tutor.** A professional tutor can help you learn how to study and stay focused while in school. Look for a professional tutor who has worked with students with ADHD in the past and who has experience working with students with disabilities or disorders. Ask them for guidance on how you can study better and more effectively.
The tutor may work with you one on one and share tactics that you can use to study better on your own.
12. **Find a counselor or coach.** Your school or university may offer counseling services with experienced counselors, therapists, and coaches who can help you schedule and manage your time effectively. They can teach you healthy organization and study skills. They may also offer positive reinforcement that can help you build confidence.
If you are a university student, your university may offer these services as part of their psychological services or as a part of their accessibility and disability resources.
A school counselor can help you with the process of applying for accommodations. You might qualify for help with note-taking or test-taking. You may even get permission to record lectures.
13. **Speak to your doctor.** If you are still finding it hard to study with your ADHD despite adjusting your study habits, speak to your doctor. Discuss your struggles with studying and focusing with your doctor. Your doctor may refer you to a mental health counselor who can then help you identify what is holding you back. You may also be given talk therapy or medication to make it easier for you to focus.
Your doctor may also try to rule out other issues that may be causing your lack of focus, besides ADHD. Sometimes the symptoms of ADHD mimic the symptoms of anxiety and other disorders. Determining your disorder will ensure you get the proper help and support that you need to succeed in your studies. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Study-when-You-Have-ADHD", "language": "en"} |
How to Start Reading eBooks | One of the great new inventions of the last several years is the e-book, which is a digital book that you can read on a variety of devices. From Amazon's Kindle to an iPad or standard laptop, there are many ways to read e-books and plenty of places to purchase them or obtain them for free. But before you get started, you need to decide on your e-book platform. After that, you can begin reading some stories and building your collection!
1. **Find an e-book application for your mobile phone.** Whether you have an iPhone or Android, there are many applications designed for reading e-books. The most popular are OverDrive Media Console, Kindle App, Google Play Books, Bluefire Reader, and iBooks. Compare the features of each and select one catered to your needs.
Use Open Fire Media if you plan to read content offered through libraries and schools.
Download Bluefire Reader if you are going to read e-books from many different sources.
Select Kindle App if you have an Amazon Prime membership—this opens up over 1 million books for you to borrow from the Kindle Owners' Lending Library.
2. **Download e-book software onto your computer.** If you want to read an e-book on your desktop or laptop, there many programs to choose from. The Kindle App, Calibre, and Adobe Digital Editions are the most popular free software and all have Windows and Mac versions.
If your browser is Firefox by Mozilla, you can download the EPUBReader to read ePub files right in your browser.
3. **Purchase an e-reader tablet if you plan to read for long hours.** Devices like Kindle (Amazon) and Nook (Barnes & Noble) have longer battery lives than iPads, meaning you can travel without a charger for weeks. They also come with e-ink screens that prevent you from staring directly into the source of light, which is easier on the eyes.
Choose a tablet if you plan to read outside during the day often.
Remember that e-tablets are only compatible with e-books purchased from their respective companies (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Sony, etc.).
Download conversion software to remove digital rights management (DRM) from e-books and read them on any device. However, bear in mind these are third-party programs that are not guaranteed to be effective.
4. **Invest in an iPad if you plan to read a variety of image-rich materials.** With an iPad, you can purchase e-books from Kindle, Kobo, Nook, Google Play Books, and more, giving you much more variety in terms of suppliers. It's also better suited for image-rich materials like comic books.
Don't use an iPad to read for long periods of time, especially outdoors—it will strain your eyes with its LCD display.
5. **Purchase e-books using commercial services.** There are plenty of places to purchase e-books, including Amazon's Kindle Store, Kobo, iBooks, Barnes & Noble, and Sony. Amazon is typically the cheapest, but look around and see which service has a selection of books suited to your tastes.
If you lose a copy of your e-book on your computer or reader, return to the service you purchased it from and download it again from your personal library.
If you're looking for free books, these services also have a limited number of options.
6. **Borrow e-books using a public or educational library.** Local libraries and schools often have their own catalogue of e-books. For public libraries, you need a library card and PIN to download books to your device. For school libraries, you will need your student number and pin to log-in to the system and borrow materials.
Borrow e-books from libraries if you don't plan to take a while to read them. After the borrowing period is up, library e-books are automatically returned.
7. **Download public domain e-books through Project Gutenberg.** This project contains an archive of public domain books in e-book format. Simply browse their catalog (https://www.gutenberg.org/catalog/) and choose something you like, or search their database for something specific.
Choose a specific language if you are interested in reading books in different languages.
8. **Download an e-book organizer.** As you begin amassing an e-book collection through the methods above, you might find things get a bit cluttered. Download an organizer like Calibre, Alfa Ebooks Managers, Delicious Library, or Library Thing. These programs help you organize you collection alphabetically, by author, by publisher, or chronologically.
Tablets like Kindle and Nook come with management software, but only for e-books purchased through their distributors.
Download a DRM removal plugin for organizers that support them, such as Calibre. This allows you to import e-books purchased through Kindle and Nook to the free organizer. DRM removal is typically only illegal if done with the intention to sell or share the file. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Start-Reading-eBooks", "language": "en"} |
How to Help a Hamster With Sticky Eye | When hamsters sleep, their eyes secrete fluid to keep the eyeball moist. If this fluid drips out and dries around the eyelid, it can prevent the hamster from opening his eyes. This is common in all hamsters, especially older ones. Fortunately this usually isn't a medical emergency, and you can treat it at home.
1. **Check your hamster's eye for foreign objects.** One reason your hamster's eye may be watery or closed is that something is stuck in the eye. If this is the case, there won't be any crust present holding the eye closed, so you can gently open your hamster's eye and look. If there is dust or sand in the eye, you can use a Q-tip or similar, dipped in lukewarm water to gently remove the debris. If an object has actually punctured the eye, don't try to remove it or you could cause further damage. Take your hamster to the vet as soon as possible.
2. **Examine your hamster for pink eye.** Animals, as well as humans, can contract conjunctivitis, commonly known as Pink Eye. The condition is usually not harmful to hamsters, but you should still see the vet to make sure your pet heals properly. Schedule a visit to the vet if your hamster exhibits the following symptoms.
A watery eye discharge. This may become more pus-like as time goes on.
Sticky eyelids.
Swollen eyes.
Redness around the edge of the eyelids.
3. **See if your hamster's eyeball is protruding from the socket.** It is possible for the eyeball to actually protrude from a hamster's head. It can occur from an infection or trauma. This is a serious condition that requires veterinary attention as soon as possible. Don't waste time if you see this condition in your hamster. The faster you get to the vet, the better the chances you can save the eyeball.
4. **Hold your hamster gently.** You'll want to avoid hurting your hamster while cleaning out the eye. Being too rough while handling him for this procedure can cause injury that will require veterinary attention. Pick him up gently and don't start cleaning until he's settled down. Be sure the hamster is comfortable and has stopped struggling before you start cleaning out his eye.
5. **Wet a cotton swab or washcloth with lukewarm water.** Either of these objects will work, as long as you use lukewarm water. Make sure the water isn't hot, or you could burn your hamster and cause damage to the eye.
6. **Hold the cloth or swab on the eye.** You shouldn't abruptly pull the eye open. The crust associated with the sticky eye will be holding the eye shut, and pulling it apart can cause damage. Instead, you have to break down and soften the crust that is keeping the eye shut. You can do this by holding the wet cloth over your hamster's eye for a few minutes. This will help loosen up the eyelid. He may even be able to open his eye on his own after this without any further help. Try two minutes of this before taking any further action.
7. **Wipe away any crust from the eyelid.** After you've held the cloth over your hamster's eye for a few minutes, the crust should be soft and loose. Now you can gently brush it away from his eyelid without hurting him.
If the crust doesn't come away easily, don't force it or you could hurt the hamster. Instead, go back to holding the cloth on the crust and let it loosen further.
8. **Open the eye gently.** If a few minutes go by and your hamster is still unable to open his eye by himself, you'll have to open it manually. After wiping away the crust, it should be easy to open the eye. Gently pull the lids apart until your hamster is able to open his eye on his own.
Remember to stop right away if you have any difficulty doing this. Go back to holding the cloth over the eye and wiping away crust, then try again.
9. **Visit the vet if you have any trouble.** If you can't get the eye open or suspect that anything else may be wrong, don't hesitate to go to the vet. If there is a problem, catching it early is key for your hamster's health.
10. **Wash around you hamster's eyes regularly.** If your hamster is prone to sticky eyes, you can prevent the problem with regular washing. Take a wet cloth and gently wipe around the eye to get rid of any fluid buildup. This will prevent crusting and help keep your hamster's eyes from getting stuck together. You should especially do this if your hamster is getting old since older hamsters are more prone to the problem. | en.wikihow.com | {"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Help-a-Hamster-With-Sticky-Eye", "language": "en"} |