Funny (click me)

Humor can improve most situations. Instead of getting angry, or annoyed, or sad, try to find the funny bits and go with that. It'll make you feel better.

“Do you think that all children’s books ought to have

funny bits in them?” Miss Honey asked.

“I do.” Matilda said. “Children are not so serious as grown-ups, 

and they love to laugh.”

-Roald Dahl, Matilda-

Testing Snippets

Occasionally I create snippets of audio, impromptu, and I've decided some of them are fit for including in the blog. Here's to gaining experience!
I'm testing out Box.net's free (lite) service, it allows up to a GB of storage (I think).
Click on the post title to check it out.

Don't Confine Yourself

Sometimes it can be hard to keep track of the real world, you get caught up in what you're doing. Try to remember what's important, overall, in the long run.

School is like starting life with a 12-year jail sentence

in which bad habits are the only curriculum truly learned.

-John Taylor Gatto-

Extra credit:

Post a comment of your interpretation, because I've forgotten what the heck I'm talking about here.

Read A Book

Read a book you've never read before, in a genre you don't usually read. Not for school or for work or for obligation, but because you've chosen to.

You will learn.
Your mind will grow.
And it will be fun.

"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." 

- Sir Richard Steele -

Document Clutter

I heard someone ask, Is it worth it to get a scanner in order to scan all your personal documents, statements, bills, and receipts into the computer?

Well, they were asking it rhetorically, but that's no reason I can't answer:
Yes!

Why?
-You can shred the originals and don't have to worry about filing or losing them.
-It saves space.
-Easily organize the PDF files on the computer, and even keyword (or do text recognition on) the files so you can search the text.
-Switch to paperless statements for those with the option, and you'll have all your files together.
-Some scanners do double-sided and auto-feed, and some have special slots (for different kinds of documents) and filing software.
-Easily go through and delete documents you no longer need.
-Keep documents of all sorts in case you need them, without needing to worry about the space or filing process.


But:
-Be sure to do backups of your data! Always!
-Include the date in the name of the files, preferably at the beginning, so you can always find things by date.
-Put passwords on really important files, and of course keep general computer security.
-Remember, a file on your computer is only on your computer, but when you e-mail something it's out on the web.
-Invest in a good scanner, because a bad one will drive you crazy. It's supposed to make the process easier, not cause you to want to tear out your hair!

Say goodbye to filing cabinets -- we're in the digital age...
...even so, not all people feel the same, so for really important stuff it may be best to scan the document and keep the physical file on hand.

Today I learned I like telling people about things so they learn things. It makes me happy.

Save Water + Time!

I thought of this a couple months ago. No wait -- it was as soon as I moved into my own place. ...You see, changes in circumstances can help us to learn.

There's a really simple way to keep your water bill down a little and save some time doing dishes (<- the real reason). All you have to do is reuse dishes. Imagine, if you used every dish twice, that cuts dishwashing time and washer loads in half.

i.e.
Use the same glass for water all day (or multiple days).
If you're having something like a salad followed by stir-fry and rice, use the same bowl (or plate) and fork for both.
Toast in the morning? Save the plate.
Coffee-fanatic? As long as you don't use real cream/milk (which might be OK anyway, but I don't trust it), just rinse the cup briefly and use it the next day. Same with tea.
If you can take it, instead of getting a new glass for a different drink, use the same one. (Can you handle orange juice after milk??? Fruit juices all mix. I do not suggest milk after fruit juice.)

So I don't know how healthy this is, there's probably a limit to how many times you should use something -- we wash dishes for a good reason. Anything that's been used for dairy products like cream and milk (left out = eew) or raw chicken/pork/eggs (unhealthy) should NOT be reused.

I also tend to reuse plates and bowls more than cups, and all those more than silverware, and depending on what I used it for I'll rinse it a little. Keep it down though; rinse too much, and you may as well have put it with the rest of the dishes.

It's a simple but effective method, as long as you don't mind a few dishes hanging around the kitchen.

And if you forget to replace your cup for too long a time, let me know what happened.

Walk Instead of Driving

Like you don't know. Like I don't know. Let's pretend.

My policy is if I have the time, and it's within a mile, and I'm not carrying a ton of stuff, walk.
To some people this may a 'well, duh' moment, but I know so many people who choose to drive when they could just as well walk.

Walking instead of pulling out the car saves gas, the hassle, and threat of car accident (most accidents occur near home!). It makes you feel refreshed, you get a little exercise and some time to yourself (or quality time with your walking partner). Walking forces you to get a real look at your surroundings, you may be surprised at what you see, and how different things look from a slower pace.

Instead of driving down the block for lunch, try walking there.

Oh oh--
and when you walk, you always learn something new about the area you're walking through. Oh yeah!

Feel Refreshed

I learned this a couple years ago. Today I am unlearned.

Down 2 cups (1 large glass) of water in the morning after brushing your teeth. It feels really good, and you get back all the water you lost during the night (sweating or whatever).
It's also easier to remember to take any vitamins you need to.

That said, you should be drinking at least 8 cups of water a day, more if you exercise. It's hard, especially if you aren't a water person or don't have easy access to a toilet, but try having a glass (or bottle) of water at your desk, keep a glass at your place at the table, and take a bottle of water with you to class.

It really helps.

Clean the Car

So maybe I'm a little paranoid when it comes to germs. They're sneaky little buggers.

When was the last time you wiped down your steering wheel, car door handles, signal switch, and stereo buttons? Think of how often you and other people are touching these parts of your car. Take a simple cleaning wipe and go through the main used areas of the car, get everything people touch: air dials, glove compartment handle, blinkers and light switches, window controls, vents, and all the random buttons and handles and switches you might have around the driver/passenger area of your car. It takes a few minutes. Is it worth it? Who knows, but it smells nice.

...And yes. This just occurred to me today.

Sleeping Well #2

I've found this to work well. Sometimes. I learn what works and what doesn't almost every morning. Hah.

Test out different sleeping positions using pillows. Sleep on your back using different pillows not just under your head, but under the arch in your back, and under your knees. If you sleep on your side put a pillow between your knees. Try hugging a pillow (or stuffed animal).

Question(s):
Why do people think it's funny I still sleep with my puppy and blankie?
Does it make me seem so immature?
Aren't I?
Have they tried it?
Because it feels nice.
Substitute cat or dog if you can get the creature to stay.

Sleeping Well #1

Troubles sleeping? Some people work best on a schedule, doing set things that let the body and mind know it's time for bed. Try to keep a reasonable schedule, going to bed at about the same time every night after a series of similar motions (washing, brushing, stretching, etc.).

Truth?

I learned this a long time ago. I haven't learned anything new today except --

-- no, I won't talk about that.

...

Advice for the Sore-Backed #3

Can I just say it's probably a good idea to exercise regularly?
Nah, I'll be honest, that's too much work.

So you can't swap out your chair, but you can make little adjustments that may help you feel better during the day. Try putting a pillow behind you for a while (at different points on your back), lower and raise your chair and see how different positions feel, and adjust your screen/desk if needed to put things at a more comfortable level (phonebooks/manuals are great for this). Don't cross your legs, try not to hunch forward, and when working on a computer try adjusting text size / the size of the page / computer resolution in order to make things bigger so you don't have to squint (and you won't have to lean forward to see). 
Don't stay sitting too long either!

And yeah, exercise regularly. ...
...
...

Advice for the Sore-Backed #2

The more I learn, the happier my back feels. It smiles at me.

Every day, or multiple times a day, try this 5-second exercise:

Stand with weight evenly distributed to both legs, put your arms by your side and bend to 90° angles. Keeping your body facing forward, swing your arms sideways so that you turn (almost like punching sideways). Try to keep facing forward while your chest turns, and you will probably feel satisfying cracks around your ribs and back. Do that a couple times at a moderately fast pace, also try turning slowly as far as you can.

Try rolling your shoulders forward and backward once you're finished.

Don't overdue it. If you have back or any kinds of problems, be extra careful.

It's so satisfying every time it *CRACKS*
oops.

Advice for the Sore-Backed #1

Guess what I figured out.

Sitting at a desk all day?
Get up about every half-hour or hour and simply walk down the hall! Not only will it offer some relief for your back, it will stretch your legs, and walking at a swift pace can stimulate your brain cells.

"Run, lil' grey cells, run," sing with me now!..