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ooak-tree-dolls · 6 years ago

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What materials do I use? What to avoid? And some basic rules.

In this post I will show you which materials I use, which are good for dolls & which you should avoid (and why). There will also be some basic rules about how to use each medium. If you want to check on how to cut costs on basic materials and what to get to start your first repaint – check my previous post here. OK, so let’s get started…

SEALANTS

Sealants are a must! You need a layer of something “toothy” over vinyl (or plastic or resin) for your watercolor pencils and pastel dust to stick to. Sealants used as last layer also make your work waterproof & permanent.

Basic rules of working with sealant

ALWAYS and I mean it – always – use vapor mask! Even when working with an airbrush. Other options? You’ll die. Or get cancer. Or asthma. Just wear the goddamn’ mask! You need a good vapor mask with disposable filters, that are meant for lacquer and chemical vapors. Mine uses A1P2 filter type. Most popular and good brand? 3M. Those cheap paper masks that make you look like a Dr. house? It’s shit. It doesn’t even protect you from a flu. Buy a good mask. You either spend like $15 on a mask… or $5000 on a coffin – the choice is yours. Just be warned.

you need at least 2-3 layers of sealant as a base before you even start to work with your doll. Just think about it as creating a paper from scratch – you need some thickness to it or you’ll just punch a hole in the layer with your sharp pencils. If you start with basic shading – 2 layers is enough. If you start with drawing some basic lines & shapes – I would recommend 3 layers.

each sealant layer needs time to dry – usually it is 15-30 minutes per layer. What means you spray the doll – you leave it to dry – you spray the doll – you leave it to dry. There is no safe way to make it faster and working. Sealant compounds must dry and cure properly. Heating it will cause the sealant to get sticky and gooey – you don’t want that. Some things just need time – this is one of those.

always spray in a ventilated area: either it will be a garage, a basement, your kitchen with kitchen vent/ hood working, or even a room you don’t sleep in, that have more than one window and great air flow. Spray residue can harm your lungs. Why? Not because it’s radioactive shit that will make you glow in the dark… geez. Because tiny sealant particles can get to your lungs, stay there, harden, and lesser your lung capacity. It can give you headache and asthma in best case scenario, or evolve into cancer in the worst scenario. Therefore you always spray in a ventilated area and wear a mask.

spray with good weather. Heat and high humidity can affect how sealant layers dry and cure over time. If it’s too hot – sealant won’t cure. Too cold – it cannot evaporate. Too humid – it cannot dry. It seems like a lot, but besides extreme weather, you can spray almost any day. If it’s not super hot, no snow blizzards or heavy rains – you’re good to go. Or you can always spray indoors 🙂

spray from at least one feet /30-40cm distance, in short series. You rather want to dust your doll in a delicate sealant cloud, than pour it in a heavy rain of sealant. Thin layers. Proper distance. And you’ll be good.

give your can a good shake. Best way is to warm the can in your hands for several minutes and then vigorously shake up and down for 1-2 minutes. The better you shake your sealant – the thinner and smoother layer you’ll get. Shaking helps all ingredients to mix well, warm up, and makes pressure inside can higher. If you learn all the basics of how to properly use sealant – you can be sure no matter what brand you’ll choose – it will always give you great results.

Sealant brands – pros and cons of each

MSC

Most popular among doll artists is MSC aka Mr. Super Clear, but it is also really expensive, sold in tiny cans and really hard to get in some areas. Why it’s so pricey? Because it’s good. Obviously. But also because it is produced and imported from Japan – a small country, located on several bigger and smaller islands – so shipping anything from there costs tons of money!

MSC pros: – creates good tooth to surface – usually 2 layers are enough as a base – widely known & tested – waterproof MSC cons: – pricey! – hard to find in some areas – sold in small cans – very vulnerable to air humidity and temperature – tends to lighten surface – new Matt version tends to crack over time

See the problem? If you want your doll’s head to perfectly match the body – you must either spray both with MSC or constantly checking shade of the head and blush it with pastels.

CITADEL Munitorum Varnish aka Purity Seal It’s basically MSC in bigger can 😀 Made in UK. Widely popular among miniature artists and board game players. If you have a nerd friend playing miniature games – he’ll know how to help you get this one! My sealant of choice ❤ Munitorum Varnish pros: – big can! – fair price – creates good tooth – less vulnerable to weather conditions – waterproof – a bit elastic – won’t crack Munitorum Varnish cons: – mostly available in boardgame stores or online – must be sprayed from a proper distance, or it will tend to cure into a satin finish – usually needs 3 layers as a base for watercolor pencils Most of my repaints were made with Munitorum Varnish spray 🙂 Army Painter and Vallejo Spray Matte Sealant

Those are meant to be used with wargame miniatures. They are less popular than other brands. They both give a nice surface to work with watercolor pencils, but colors on them aren’t as bold as with MSC or CITADEL. The biggest con I have with these two is the packaging – both Army Painter;s and Vallejo’s Sealant cans ended up with broken nozzle just after few uses. I have no idea what causes it – but the nozzle tends to crack or getting clogged easily. You can buy spare ones, but I just let them go for other, easier to use for me, media. Tamiya C matte sealant

It’s also Japanese sealant, same as MSC. Sold in tiny cans [is everything in Japan tiny? Why? ] and meant to be used with wargame minis. I used only one can of it, because of it’s horrible smell. Even tho it gave me a good surface to work with, and can was easy to operate – I felt the smell even in my pro mask with filters. And even after 4 hours with wide opened windows in my apartment. If you have a basement or a garage – you can probably use it with more success.

Hint for drying a doll in humid climate!

For those who are afraid of air humidity in their region, or have a sneaky furry friend as a part of their family – there is a trick to help you save your dolls and let them dry safely! It’s a drying chamber / dry box. Basically a plastic box, filled with silica gel packets [those do-not-eat baggies you can find in new pair of shoes or newly bought bag] and some tiny holes poked in a lid. You can put the doll there and leave it to fully dry in most clean and dry conditions you can get at home. Also – without any fluff particles, fur or dust bunnies that could be stuck to a wet sealant layer.

PAINTS

When it comes to paints I always recommend miniature painting brands. Why? Because they are meant to be used with tiny surfaces! Miniature paints have the smallest pigment particles you can get – it helps you get smoother layers and better coverage than any art grade paint. These paints are also a bit elastic after fully dry so they won’t chip off easily, even from squishy vinyl heads. They’ve meant to be used with resin wargame and boardgame miniatures – tiny objects that are often used, moved around and thrown to a box without air pillows. They can really withstand a lot more than your usual acrylics. The only con I can find is that they need a lot more practice than pencils to achieve same results. You need to learn how to control your paint thickness and train a steady hand to achieve clean lines and smooth layers.

ALWAYS thin your paints before use! Either with water or paint thinner. – you need it to get smooth layers without gritty or lumpy texture and to avoid future chipping. Paints are not meant to give full coverage in one layer, so don’t try to achieve that. As with any other medium on a tiny surface – work with thin layers, patiently building up color and coverage.

What people usually are afraid of is that paints are sold in small bottles so they won’t last long. But it’s not true! Thanks to great coverage and small scale we work with you really don’t need much at a time. You also usually use paint thinned down with water or dedicated thinner in 50/50 ratio.

Paint brands – pros and cons of each

CITADEL [ sometimes called Games Workshop]

It’s a brand of paints that was created for Warhammer miniatures. It’s probably the most popular brand in the miniature artists world. CITADEL pros: – variety of colors – different lines for different special effects, eg. drybrushing, layering etc. – easy to find both in stores and online – good coverage CITADEL cons: – poor package – it makes paints dry out faster – thick – it needs acrylic thinner to work properly – you can feel overwhelmed with how many lines they have for different things [mostly unnecessary ones, like Dry line for example]

Vallejo

It’s a Spanish brand, very popular among pro painters. My personal choice ❤ I love all their series, they have clear descriptions, lots of additional mediums, and what’s great – they last forever! Vallejo pros: – great package! It’s almost impossible for these to dry out or spill, or use too much of it – variety of colors – from vibrant Game Color series, Metallic mediums in all colors to Model Color in more toned down shades – lots of different mediums: metallizers, thinners, shading media etc. – great quality and coverage Vallejo cons: – they are a bit harder to find outside EU, most often available online – outside of EU they can cost a bit more than Citadel

Army Painter This is typically a wargame miniature designed brand. Their colors are more earthy and calm, more toned down – meant to be used for skin tones and army uniforms. If you’re looking something super vibrant – that’s not your type. They have similar packages to Vallejo –a tiny bottle with dropper.

Tamiya Japanese brand of paints. Sold in tiny jars. I must say I don’t like these packages neither working with a bit jelly consistency of these paints. Big pros of these is their long tradition on market – probably any miniature model store will have Tamiya paints – from wargame stores to these for car or train lovers. If you want to try these – you aim for Tamiya C series – acrylic based paints. P3 and Pactra Similar to Army Painter – these are more into natural shades. I worked with them shortly, because they’re less available where I live. Their coverage isn’t as good as other brands. Still – they give great smooth layers when dry.

What else do I need to start with paints?

paintbrushes – duuuh! 😉 I recommend getting tiny paintbrushes, often referred to as miniature brushes, in sizes of 1,2, 0, 00, and 000. Preferably sable bristles or nylon. Nylon brushes are cheaper but last shorter. Sable ones are pricey but properly cleaned will last for years.

paint thinner – I use Vallejo Airbrush Thinner. Thinner changes surface tension of the paint, which allows you to dilute paint without losing as much coverage as it is when diluting with water. Diluted paint gives you a smoother layer and thinner, sharper lines – eg. when you want to paint eyelashes.

brush cleaner – I use 2in1 hair shampoo with conditioner because it cleans brushes without damaging sable bristles. Remember to always use lukewarm water for your brushes, never too hot! Hot water will damage your paintbrushes and make paint harden around bristles.

WATERCOLOR PENCILS

You can only use watercolor pencils – normal colored pencils are your worst enemy! Why? Usually colored pencil core is a mix of pigments, mineral oils and binder – they are meant to be used on paper and sip into it thanks to addition of mineral oils. Sadly that’s the main villain – mineral oil, or basically any other oil, will destroy sealant layers. It will make layers sticky and fragile. It will prevent sealant from curing and your work won’t be permanent or waterproof.

On the other hand – watercolor pencils are made from tightly compressed, clean, water-soluble pigments. Nothing more. Just pigments that can be dissolved by using water. They are dry, and allow sealant to cure properly. They will also give you clean, sharp lines.

Please remember, that if you want colors to stand out – you will work with layers over layers over layers. First layer won’t be super-saturated in color, since there isn’t too much pigment yet. You need to seal your work several times and re-draw any details you want to be more saturated. But thanks to working with pencils – it’s an easy and fast process – just remember to always leave sealant layer for recommended time to dry 🙂

Do I need to wet my pencils?

– no, you don’t. But you can. If you want sharp lines, tiny details and great control over the final result – use your pencils dry. If you’ll need a bigger surface to be covered in one color, or maybe a smooth transition between colors – use dry pencils on the doll, and then damp brush to smooth em’ out.

Never ever dip pencil core in water cup! It will make the core soft, mushy and fragile. And you won’t be able to properly sharpen it for days, before all the moisture evaporates.

Watercolor Pencil brands – pros and cons of each

What brands I recommend? What I use? – I worked with Derwent Watercolor, Derwent Inktense, Kooh-i-Noor Mondeluz and Faber Castel. Derwent Watercolor It’s most recommended brand. Easily available online and in stores worldwide. Derwent offers soft core with great saturation. It is also easy to sharpen. Derwent Watercolor pros: – widely available – great quality – great saturation – lots of colors to choose from – can be bought per piece and in sets – easy to sharpen

Derwent Watercolor cons: – fragile core – they sometimes tend to break on the tip if sharpened too much – high price – colors on outer shell are often different than what you get when drawing – make sure to have your own swatches on paper!

Derwent Inktense

Those are basically Chinese inks in form of a pencil. They are meant to be used on silk and cotton fabrics wet and are waterproof when dry. They have great color saturation but give slightly translucent layers. White is their weakest point – you’ll prefer to get it from other brand.

Derwent Inktense pros: – vivid colors – easy to sharpen – can be bought by piece – widely available – tougher core

Derwent Inktense cons: – white gives almost no coverage – any lighter color will be semi translucent – pricey – sadly the outer shell does not match inner core colors as well

Kooh-i-Noor Mondeluz This is a Czech brand with great tradition [they were funded in 1790] and are probably the cheapest watercolor pencils you can get with one of the best quality pigments. They offer big palette of colors in very reasonable prices.

Kooh-i-Noor Mondeluz pros: – they are cheap – lots of colors to choose from – very good saturation – give smooth layers – white offers great coverage – outside shell exactly match core color you’ll get

Kooh-i-Noor Mondeluz cons: – outside of EU mostly available online – they can only be bought in sets – from 12 to 72 colors – they are a bit harder to sharpen – you’ll need new, good quality sharpener because of their smooth inner core

Faber-Castel Albrecht Durer Watercolor pencils

Those are thicker than any other pencils you’ll find. They are easy to grip and offer bold colors. And they cost a ton of gold!

Faber-Castel Albrecht Durer pros: – thick, easy to grip pencils – bold colors – easy to dissolve with water if you want smooth color transitions – can be used with a paintbrush instead of paint

Faber-Castel Albrecht Durer cons: – thick core won’t give you tiniest details – very soft – hard to sharpen – very pricey – hard to find – available only in sets – lesser choice of colors – dry and wet color will look totally different

Best thing about making repaint with watercolor pencils is that you don’t need nothing more to start – no paintbrushes, thinners, cups with water etc. Just the pencils and a sharpener and you’re ready to go! It’s also the most popular artistic medium – we all had pencils as kids, so we all know how to handle them. There is less space for an error than with paints.

Soft Pastels

– soft pastels, or something else?

Pastels are used for blushing and shading. With bigger than 1:6 dolls or for more advanced artists – pastels are often skipped for an airbrush, but they give this soft, natural look that cannot be achieved by anything else. Think of them like a girl’s make up 😉

As any other medium pastels need a basic layer of sealant to grip to. You can use them with normal paintbrushes, Q-tips, cotton swabs or new, unused makeup brushes. I prefer the last option because makeup brushes offer softer bristles than other brushes – that will result in a smooth shading.

You can use the cheapest brushes you’ll find in your local beauty store – they don’t need to be clinically tested or gentle for skin – you’ll use them for dolls only! Why you need a new set of makeup brushes instead of using your old ones? Because human skin is oily. Always. Any type of human skin will be covered in natural sebum, that will over time sip into makeup brush and no washing session can fully clean it from bristles. And as I mentioned before – you need to avoid any oil near your dolls.

You can use soft pastels sold in blocks, or already ground into dust [eg. Pan Pastel]. You can even get pure mineral pigments.

What brands I recommend? What I use? – I mostly use Kooh-i-Noor, Stabilo and mineral pigments. Recommended brands will be same as for watercolor pencils: Derwent, Faber Castel, Prismacolor. You aim for good quality pastels – soft, highly packed with pigments, with small % of binders and fillers.

How to use soft pastels?

you can use them as they are – simply dab your makeup brush over pastel block to get some pigment

you can grind it on sandpaper – 400 or finer grit is best

you can scratch some dust with craft knife over a paper

you can be lazy and buy already ground pastels or pigments 😀

Mineral pigments instead of soft pastels?

I often use pure mineral pigments, that I got for cheap in local eco beauty store. If you want ever to use a human make up product on dolls – you must always check if what you get is a pure mineral product without silicones, parabens or any kind of oils.

Because otherwise – as you already know – you will destroy your doll.

No, Rhonda, your eye shadow set won’t work! No, they are no good, I don’t care how much you’ve paid for them.

Pure mineral pigments are often offered by brands that specialize in mineral make up, like Annabelle Minerals etc. They can also be bought on Etsy from small manufacturers or in local eco beauty stores. They are already finely ground, with no additional fillers, so they offer bold vivid colors with great coverage and smooth layering. You will also often get mineral shimmers and glitters, that are fine enough to be used on doll eye make up. Read the labels, ask seller about full list of ingredients – and you’ll be good 🙂 And those are mineral pigments I have from my local store:

OTHER GOODIES

– what you can use, and what should be avoided at any cost? What else you can use for doll faceup? – any kind of textile glue to attach eyelashes – human grade eyelashes – any craft glitters – 3D paints – any acrylic based inks and contour paints – POSCA acrylic markers – nail art stickers, rhinestones or coloring dust – decals –but you’ll need to seal them at least 2 times after they are dry! What to avoid? – anything with oils – either mineral or natural – human makeup products: powders, eye shadows, eyeliners, body shimmers etc. – normal colored pencils – oil pastels – alcohol-based inks – they will sip into vinyl and destroy it – Sharpies!!! no, they are not good, neither for faces or for hair – they will bleed over time – permanent markers – Mod Podge instead of gloss or varnish – it will get sticky and yellow over time. And no amount of sealant will save it. – nail polish – yes, it will hold to sealed vinyl head, but it’s too stiff when dry and will chip off easily – gouache paints or caulk paints – they will chip off – any cheap art grade spray sealant / fixative – they will get sticky on vinyl and provide no tooth

If you are interested on my notes about dyeing doll hair – check this note here.

Doll LAB: recommended materials. Tips & tricks. What materials do I use? What to avoid? And some basic rules. In this post I will show you which materials I use, which are good for dolls & which you should avoid (and why).

#acrylic paints #derwent #doll repaint #doll sealant #MSC #Munitorum Varnish #Purity Seal #recommended sealant #sealant #watercolor pencils #what sealant #what sealant to use on doll

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silverfickle · 3 years ago

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Nova dnd logs

Writing some plot from my oneshot dnd campaign! It'll be a string of moments my char experienced.

-----

In front of me, is the following: a talking chicken wearing a knight helmet who just defeated an animated statue monster 20 times his own size with a greatsword that is 3 times his size, a dwarven rogue with a serious face and long flowy river-like beard who idolizes my friend Robin Hood, and a gangly half-orc wizard who’s hand is covered in blood. Well, the wizard is behind me since he’s usually frightful of most things, and only did the blood ritual on the stone altar because of sheer boredom of nothing happening.

“Are you cursed now?” I look behind me to cheekily taunt Greecle. Disgust and cowardice washes over his face and he pleads for me to stop.

After looking around more, it would seem that the only way to proceed forward the subterranean temple was to draw blood on the altar. All that arguing about what to do was futile.

The environment rumbles and the gates lower, motioning us to continue on our adventure. Nobody dares to say a word as Chase takes the lead. The irony isn’t lost on me, we’re following a 40cm chicken because he’s the strongest of us all and the hardiest. That fact will never not tickle me.

Excitement and anxiety stirs in my stomach, this is my first real adventure after all!! All the mystery and treasure awaits with every splashy, watery step I take. I’m doing it, mom!

---

Maybe that bad feeling buried in the last section of my spine shouldn’t have been ignored. I mean, it’s called a bad feeling for a reason, right?

I didn't speak up but deep down, I super hated that we glanced over the ominous prophetic plaque of words before we descended into this damp and rocky abyss. I have no idea why everyone ganged up on Rina about money and didn’t get enough information before jumping head first into the well entrance. It’s as if we raced down for the treasure without putting on our shoes first. (Well, this is kinda true for Greecle… Why doesn’t he have shoes? I can’t imagine sleeping somewhere so cold without covering up my feetsies.)

Everyone else is sound asleep on the first night of our real adventure. But I… ... ! I, Nova, am really sad !!!! Mixed feelings keep piling up inside of me. But putting down skeleton creatures with my bare hands shouldn’t upset me this much right? I’ve seen lots of things in my home forest after all.

I look around and admire the temple, crystals of red and blue softly glint in the dark, faintly illuminating the vast tunnels and spaces around us. The water reflects the hues and bounce the glow around as far as it can reach before stretching itself thin into the darkness. I hold up one of the skelly heads that wasn’t crushed with both my hands and wished for it to talk. “Why wasn’t I charming enough to convey my feelings of wanting to be friends? I could’ve saved all your skelly friends too y’know?” I frown.

Thinking about their cute heads and little swords that they swung against my neck, I wrote in my journal with mom in mind, and a poem before sleepytime.

I hope we get along tomorrow.

Whispers of my regret can’t reach you anymore

Please pass on safely without much sore

Floating in the abyss, the ripples, the splashes

Find salvation or peace after scintillating ashes

---

I have to crane my head up to look at Greecle every time he relays knowledge to us. Despite being a huge troublemaker, he's still a wizard who knows a lot more things about our world than I do. He studied the round plinth and ran around the hall to detect traces of magic to identify and to uncover. He’s super useful but it all goes unnoticed because our team members spend most of our interactions scolding him for his misdeeds. He tells us that the moss covered carvings on the stone plinth that may have lasted centuries make up some sort of calendar.

---

I pout as my sweet sentences get twisted up and interpreted in an offensive manner. There goes my chance to be friends with this fire creature. All I said was that they’re hot as hell, but maybe they’re from the realm of Tartarus and not Asphodel; I shouldn’t be too judgemental.

I try to think of more ways to befriend the creature but I’m instantly distracted as I spot an unconscious body under some singed rags.

Oh no, I have to help.

That was my main objective, my only thought. We didn’t initially agree to a rescue mission but what cycles my thoughts is one word: Survival. The rest seem preoccupied with battle, so it has to be me.

I ran as fast as my legs could carry me to the body. It’s sweltering in here, I’m glad I’m wearing shoes. My feet would’ve scorched if I touched this tiled floor, my fire resistance would not have negated the pain. My eyes dart around to examine the person, hoping for signs of life. Chocolate scales faintly rise and fall, carrying a golden undertone, revealing their mighty ancestry and potential.

Ah, great! They’re breathing!

I took out the only healing potion I have to help the dragonborn. I guess we have to defeat this creature if it won’t listen to reason and have already injured this being. I whine mentally.

But a huge smile spreads across my face as the person in front of me springs back up, brimming with life, as if their life force is reignited and flickers equally as bright as the melty lava creature behind us. Their fists clench and their eyes are filled with panic.

A new friend!

---

This is one of those times where my darkvision would burn things into my sclera and instill fear in my soles, bringing forth the imagery of the roiling mass that is a ceiling sea of bats.

I don’t know what to do. I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do.

I can NOT harm these animals, even if we wanted to we are easily outnumbered. But the more time we spend in this room, we will eventually be drowned in this vast sea. The bats won’t listen to us, they’ll continue to chip away at our constitution with relentless determination.

Damn it! Why is this lock so sturdy! My legs are chilled with fear, I hesitate and shiver as I mess up my aim.

The bats, they swoop down and claw us into shreds. Our skin but mere cloth for them to cut up into ribbons and string. All we can do is try to break open this chest and make a run for it. There’s no way we can face this many. We’ll get swallowed up and ground into bones if we don't hurry!

Hurry!

The acid misses.

Hurry!

The arrow misses.

Hurry!

The fists and greatsword connects.

Run!

---

In the magical darkness enshrouding us, a blue flame floats toward me, revealing itself while crackling the air softly with electricity. It reminds me of a quiet forest night watched over by the full moon. Spirits and spectres would come out and wander; some want satisfaction, some want salvation, some yearn for affection from forgotten loved ones or fallen comrades. In those quiet nights, every living being proclaims their existence, they take up space in our shared world with heartbeats or willpower. It's wonderful to be able to leave traces in the soil or the sky. Being alive is truly miraculous!

In this magical darkness, I don't see anything but a living creature that still blazes with life. It might have a past filled with joy, sorrow, frustration; it might still want to take steps out of this black void and write history. I wonder who imprisoned the servants that dwell in these desolate halls, which heartless soul would rob them of their freedom and force them to pointless bloodshed? Who is it that beckoned sturdy adventurers to plunge themselves down here and destined them to reemerge as carcasses to be cut down again? Whatever malevolent being that built this temple, whatever goal they serve, I want to get out of here without bowing down to their insolence on life.

I think about my mom who befriends the earth. Surrounded by warmth and love, she's nothing but being of kindness and nurture. Sometimes I believe she’s secretly an otherworldly guardian that looks after those around her. She wouldn’t let earnest creatures be trampled ruthlessly, she appreciates every little living being and would do anything for the needy. Ah, I miss spending time with her.

I pull out Harper and start playing a soft melody to declare my feelings.

Please let us continue with a bright future. Hear my plea and take in my wish for camaraderie.

Sharp notes from Her Sh’i’s bagpipes intertwine with my light tones. The willowy blues grow fainter and calmer.

I stumble on my words but I try my best to convey to the being that we mean no harm. I smile and sigh out of relief as the appeased creature gently places a token on my hand.

---

Somehow we have managed to take down the god and return it into pieces of bone and dirt. We ended the cycle. Rinah will remain in the temple with the community of reanimated skeletons and figure out a way to turn them back into living humans.

It should have been a triumphant win and we emerge with golden sun rays congratulating us when we climb our way back out to the surface. But it wasn’t. It was windy and gray. Various feelings mix in my belly leaving me feeling uneasy, the feelings I’ve not been able to shake away and will stay with me for a while.

I can’t help but feel swindled by fate, cruel and cunning. If I had known it was the humans who dared to anger Xibalba in the first place, I would’ve tried to appease them. Instead I felt the need to break a curse to save the ‘humans’. How foolish of me.

What’s done is done. I have unwillingly helped to slay a god that once lived to grant blessings for the people. In the same breath, I also freed some trapped souls and no more will unnecessary blood be shed.

I look to my shoulder where Shadow leisurely sits and I smile softly at him when he gazes back up to meet my eyes . At least I have you now, so it’s not a bad ending to this adventure.

Shadow gently boops my cheek, causing some numbness for a second.

I can’t wait to introduce you to mom!

#writing #Nova Xanthous #dnd logs #dnd writing

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giftnger0 · 4 years ago

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Purchasing Online? Tips for a Perfect Fit for Your Stylish Girlie Quartz Watch

Faced with a dilemma, yes that girlie-fashion quartz watch looks gorgeous. You love it! You can't wait to receive the cute time piece via mail order, and to just slap it onto your wrist. Perhaps you've already made a purchase, or you are still weighing out your options?

Whichever stage of purchase you are at, there's no escaping some pretty cracking questions. You torment yourself, "Once the stylish girlie-fashion quartz watch arrives... will it?"

Fit on my wrist size? Will it,

Match my face?

Match my height, weight?

Match my outfits?

Girl. These are torrid questions to attempt answering when the fashionable time piece is halfway being shipped to you. Still you fear it will just not fit anyway, and that perhaps... you are a bit helpless and there's nothing you could have done about it.

Well, that might not be entirely correct... if you have not made purchases yet, there are several test and fit routines you can perform at home for that hot leather strap quartz watch, well before you place your order.

So what needs to be done before you place your online order?

I would say, follow the simple steps outlined below, and you are so very covered-:

Girl... start by measuring your wrist size.

Yes. It's best you use a flexible tailor's tape measure. Strap it into a fit, as loose as you would prefer, just below your wrist bone, where the classy watch will sit.

You don't have a tailor's tape measure? Okay. Don't stress, you may also use a strip of paper, just mark where your wrist ends, then measure the paper markings against a ruler.

Your wrist size might be thin, slender, medium, or thick. For girls, 14-16cm is considered very thin. 16-17cm is somewhat medium and standard, whilst 17cm-18cm and above is a thick wrist.

Most grown up girls (age up to 28) have wrist sizes in the 16-17 cm range. This is the standard wrist size range for most fashion savvy boho-chic quartz watches as well.

Now, you should check to see if the girlie-fashion watch you intend to buy, has strap bands that have a length between 18cm to 27cm. That way, your wrist size is perfectly covered, and you will have the extra band length as comfort for a just-good-enough strapping into the buckle.

Now... let's measure your height/weight/body structure.

Do you have a thin frame? And matching thin wrists? And are you considered chic-tall? Then girl... wearing a big watch will certainly accentuate your scrawniness.

It's kind of, the same look you'll get if you wear oversized clothes. You see, they may fit your height, but they'll still look baggy and large if you don't fill them out.

However, girl... if you're tall and have proportionate mass, but just happen to have disproportionate little elf-wrists, then a watch that matches your frame and isn't too much larger than your wrists alone, would probably be fine.

And now girl... let's consider the outfits to wear with the watch.

North America office girls have a culture for wanting to look strong and assertive. Whilst European office girls tend to like looking a little bit demure.

Girls in North America prefer dressy quartz watches that may be a bit larger in case diameter (around 40-42mm), whilst smaller case diameter watches are preferred in Europe, Australia and Latin America (from 25-38mm).

Hot-chic fashion watch trends are also available for larger women in North American. So a bigger size may look more trend setting for them. Whilst the rest of the world's girls prefer "dainty" size, classic quartz watches.

I would say... it's really down to preference. Some girls have a tiny wrist at 5" and yet feel vibes wearing a 33mm case diameter quartz watch, and still feel that it's "just the right size." And that it's appropriate for workplace and dressy events.

Now girl... at this point, can you go ahead and choose the fitting size for your girlie-fashion quartz watch?

No, not yet. You still need to determine the watch's features. Let's start with the-:

Case diameter.

Now girl... to find your smugly fitting look on your case diameter, use the wrist measurement. If your wrist is 16cm and below, select a small or medium sized case with a diameter of 25-38mm and below. If your wrist is 16-18cm, choose a larger case in the range 38-40mm. If your wrist is above 18cm, you may go for case diameters starting from 40cm upwards.

Case thickness.

Go on, now let's look at your quartz watch's case thickness. Here, remember girl... as a general rule, it comes highly recommended that the case depth should be proportional to the watch's case diameter.

That means the bigger your stylish quartz watch's diameter, the thicker the case should be. The smaller the case diameter, the thinner the case, and so forth. If you stick to this rule, you'll be able to choose the best girlie-fashion quartz watch that has a most flattering thickness for your cute wrist.

So here it is... a watch that is 25mm to 38mm in diameter, should have a 6-10mm thickness. A girlie-fashion watch that's 40mm, should have a case diameter from 10mm and above. However, depending on style, some watches may actually look and feel cute when they have a case diameter of 40mm with a thickness of 8mm.

Strap width.

Girl, you need to check and be sure about your watch's band width. Make sure that cute watch is a well-proportioned stylish time piece.

In fact, your girlie-fashion watch should have a strap width half the size of the case diameter. Therefore, if your watch features a 42mm case, it should have a 21mm band width. Of course, this is just a guide, your general preference still applies as you want to suit the kind of girl you are.

Strap material.

Fashion savvy girls barely choose quartz watches with metal straps. Unless otherwise, if the watch band is one solid bracelet type.

Otherwise in general, your pretty dressy quartz watch should have softer strap materials and the best choice would be to go for leather straps. You'll find leather straps lighter and luxurious on your skin. They're also hotly chic-savvy and feminine.

Remember... you're not James Bond, you are a boho-chic.

Now to conclude.

Remember girl...

If you have a skinny wrist.

Try to avoid girlie-fashion quartz watches that are too big and bulky. It will overwhelm your thin wrist and likely look awkward. Also, remember... anything large will have problems sitting neatly under a slim shirt cuff, so stick to small and slender designs.

Typically, a 38mm watch will offer the perfect fit for girls with very thin wrists.

Make sure that cute time piece is as dressy as it can ever be.

If you have a medium sized wrist.

It's best you choose a girlie-fashion quartz watch that has a slim and sophisticated appeal without looking too dainty. To get this, try a timepiece that has a thin case and a medium sized diameter.

A design that's 40mm will be super cute for your medium sized wrists. As for the thickness of the case, ensure that you keep it at, or below 10mm. Anything larger than 10mm may stick-out from your wrist.

Also, keep the overall design of the watch in mind when shopping online. Slim timepieces, which are ideal for medium sized wrists, tend to look best with slim bracelets.

If you have thick wrists and a big frame.

A thick wrist calls for a larger watch, but don't get too carried away. Choosing your perfect classy quartz watch to suit your big frame doesn't mean just selecting the biggest one on the market.

Try instead, to balance size with style. You may start by choosing a stylish girlie-fashion quartz watch with a 44-46mm case or slightly larger. This will ensure that the watch is proportionate to your wrist and doesn't look or feel too small or large.

Then, once you feel a happy fit, you may choose the style that best suits your liking.

And also remember... your girlie-fashion watch should not feel heavy and look unsightly on your wrist, you need it to be comfortable and perfectly fitting. Not too loose, and not digging too tight into your skin. Just perfect.

Now make that bold statement and click away, choose your best style, girlie-fashion quartz watch and rock with your perfectly-chic dress. Enjoy, looking good girl!

Clare Hery is a passionate writer at Alice Gibbon Paris.

Clare has massive world-wide exposure writing about ALICE GIBBON best selling, highly popular, fashionable and exquisitely beautiful charm jewelry, charm bracelets, Christmas charms, Halloween charms, bangles, silver sterling charms, necklaces, rings, handbags, sunglasses, luxury leather watches and sparkling earrings.

She invites you girl... to click through to the ALICE GIBBON website at [ https://giftinger.com/product-category/accessories/watches/ ] and see our fantastic range of the hottest accessories including the much prized colored mirror sunglasses, which come in a range of ten amazingly cool retro-fit colors, with catchy cat eye design.

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ireviewuread · 4 years ago

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I review my sleep with ORIGIN’s Latex Pillow

I Review My Sleep Episode 2 | Origin Superior Coolmax® Latex Pillow

Welcome back to I review my sleep, the kind of review that 17 years old me would judge me for. In episode 1, I reviewed Origin’s memory foam mattress topper where I started off the post with a huge declaration for my love to sleep. In this episode, we’re going to forgo the declaration and jump into the review of an important item when it comes to sleeping comfortably a latex pillow.

Origin Superior Coolmax® Latex Pillow is deemed to be the best latex pillow by Best in Singapore* to rest on. It has incredible head and neck support to help minimize the stresses on your cervical structures whilst sleeping. Plus it is made of natural latex. That means, it can mould the shape of your head and give you the right level of support you need.

*Learn more about Best in Singapore at the end of this post.

Choosing an optimal pillow for your slumber is important for it not only improve the quality of your sleep but it also reduces long term back problems. The latex foam pillow reduces spine pressure relief and they are designed to create constant air circulation through the pillow. This allows your pillow to be cool and free of unpleasant odours, a factor important to users residing in hot and humid climates like Singapore.

The Origin Superior Coolmax ® Latex Pillow Review is a natural latex pillow that is made with 100% natural materials that have hypoallergenic properties. This makes the pillow suitable for people with allergies. It is also impression-resistant, making it extremely durable and can hold its shape for years while still feeling soft as a feather.

This organic latex pillow also comes with a removable Tencel fabric pillow cover that is hypoallergenic, lightweight and suitable for hot climates. Tencel fabrics are known for their eco-friendly manufacturing and giving a much more delicate feeling than cotton would. The cover can also be machine washed as well.

Origin Superior Coolmax® Latex Pillow Review

This natural latex pillow is made of natural latex and Coolmax® Cooling Gel. It is designed in Germany and has the dimensions of 65cm x 40cm x 13cm. It is the size of a normal pillow but it does feel slightly heavier. It came in a large box that helps protects the latex pillow during transportation. The Tencel fabric cover is soft and comfortable. It feels very satisfying to touch and rest your head-on.

As this is an organic latex pillow, there is a latex smell when it just came. My suggestion is to take off the pillow cover and air the pillow out but avoid putting it under direct sunlight for it may impact the pillow’s lifespan. Alternatively, you can sprinkle some baking soda, allow it to rest for several hours before vacuuming away the excess. Even if you don’t do all these steps, the scent will eventually fade.

Upon laying my head on the pillow, it felt bouncy and soft. It’s a new and interesting sensation to me for this is the first time I’m trying out a latex pillow. Since I don’t sleep with the air condition on, having a pillow that allows air ventilation is important to me. Since the latex pillow was infused with Origin’s cooling gel formula, it did help maintain my body temperature.

All in all, the Origin Superior Coolmax® Latex Pillow is a bouncy and durable pillow with a soft and comfortable fabric cover. Since it is made of natural latex, I would expect it to last for years; You can check back here a few years from now to see how did the pillow turn out. So far, the journey has been good.

Get Origin Superior Coolmax® Latex Pillow from Origin Mattress

You can get this latex pillow from Origin with 2 years warranty and free shipping. If you’re looking for instant delivery, you can also opt for express delivery with an additional cost where they will deliver the pillow in 2 hours. On the other hand, if you’re unsure about your decision to get a latex pillow, the pillow comes with a 30-night trial. In this time, you’re able to try out the pillow in the comforts of your own home. Granted that you’re unhappy with your latex pillow, you’re able to return the product and get a refund without any obligations. You can get more details here.

With that, what are you waiting for? Get your pillow from ORIGIN today! Of course, always remember to do the lazy night care routine and rest well.

Best in Singapore

In the above post, you saw me giving credits to Best in Singapore deeming this pillow to be one of the best pillows but you must be wondering, who is Best in Singapore? Best in Singapore is a website that features the best products, the best technology and the best of everything in Singapore, since we area always looking for the best of anything. Recently, they even featured IreviewUread as one of the top 35 Lifestyle bloggers in Singapore! You can check them out on Instagram, Facebook and their website.

#Origin #lifestyle #collab #pillow

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topfygad · 5 years ago

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Things To Do In Montreal In Winter

From skating in the old port to relaxing on a spa boat and exploring the city through its cuisine, these are the best things to do in Montreal in winter.

Earlier this year we spent a magical few days in Montreal, Canada. It’s a city I’ve always been intrigued by, with its fascinating French Canadian mix. I knew it was arty, cultural, pretty, and had the best foodie reputation in Canada. Needless to say – I couldn’t wait to get on the plane!

Then I realised we’d be there in peak winter. Not just any winter, this was a Canadian winter. I feared the temperatures might prevent us from really getting to know the city. I’d seen -16 on the forecast, a temperature that I could only imagine enjoying if I was curled up indoors under several blankets.

But no!

It turns out, there’s absolutely loads to do in Montreal in winter, and it’s not all outdoors (so don’t panic about the cold!) Oh and even when you do venture out, it’s really not as painful as those temperatures sound, provided you’re wearing the right clothes.

So, tale a look at the highlights video, then scroll down for a quick rundown of some of the amazing things to do in Montreal in winter…

Play In The Snow On Mount Royal

If you love the great outdoors, Mount Royal (the mountain that gave the city it’s name) is THE PLACE TO GO! It’s super close to the city centre, so just hop on a bus up to the top of the mountain and enjoy some winter fun.

The day before we arrived in Montreal, winter had hit the city with all its might. 30-40cm of snow fell in just 24 hours – one of the city’s biggest snowfalls in a long time. It meant that we were spending our time in the ultimate winter wonderland, which was PERFECT for a day at Mount Royal. After checking out the cityscape from the viewpoint, it was time for the part I was looking forward to most – playing in the snow!

Mount Royal viewpoint

We layered up in ski gear (salopettes, thermals, ski gloves) and spent half a day enjoying the winter activities on offer. You can ice skate on Beaver Lake, try some cross country skiing, or hire snowshoes and head off on an adventure through the beautiful forests. It’s a great place for families too; we saw lots of kids relishing being out in the snowy environment.

Ice skating on Beaver Lake, Mount Royal, Montreal

Snow shoeing in Mount Royal Park, Montreal

One of my favourite things to do in winter in Montreal? SNOW TUBING! Yup, grab a rubber ring, make your way to the top of the slope at Mount Royal, and whizz down picking up some serious speed along the way. You won’t be able to stop yourself from screaming, smiling… and making your way to the top to do it ALL OVER AGAIN! What a buzz!

Find out more about visiting Mount Royal Parkin Macca’s helpful guide to all the winter activities on offer.

Snow tubing on Mount Royal

Relax With A Spa Day At Bota Bota

Bota Bota is an old ferry that’s been converted into a unique spa experience. It’s moored on the St Lawrence River close to Old Montreal. On our visit the water around it was totally frozen, with several inches of snow layered on top. It definitely wasn’t sailing anywhere soon!

The spa is famed for its water circuit, which encourages you to go from warm experiences (sauna / steam room) to cold (plunge pools) and then to relax somewhere comfortable. This process aids circulation and reinvigorates your body.

Bota Bota spa boat, Montreal

With temperatures of -16 outside, I never made it to a cold plunge pool (WIMP!) but I did enjoy the rooftop Jacuzzis a lot. At one point my eyelashes and hair froze. Something that’s really unique, and only for the bold, is the small opening to the frozen river, which you can access as one of the cold plunge activities. Obviously my fiance Macca couldn’t resist that one, while I was much happier watching from the sauna!

Bota Bota offers a range of treatments, plus there’s a small restaurant on board – perfect if you want to spend a whole day there. While I imagine Bota Bota is a lovely place to visit all year around, there’s something particularly special about getting cosy in a sauna and looking out at the snowy landscapes around.

Take a Trip On Montreal’s Ferris Wheel

A trip on La Grand Roue is definitely one of my top things to do in Montreal in winter. What could be more magical than catching sunset from Montreal’s illuminated ferris wheel?

Montreal ice rink and ferris wheel

Located in the old port area, overlooking one of the city’s winter ice rink, the trip on the wheel takes around 20 minutes. As Montreal is pretty flat it’s a great way to see the entire city, along with some key landmarks like Notre-Dame Basilica, Montreal Biosphere and the peak of Mount Royal.

Ice Skating In Montreal

This has to be one of the most popular activities in Montreal in winter. While you can go ice skating up on Mount Royal (mentioned above) I’d recommend visiting the Natrel Skating Rink in Old Montreal by the ferris wheel.

The setting is really picturesque, and along with a main rink, there’s also a track that goes round in a loop, taking you under a bridge and closer to Old Montreal. I’d never seen an ice skating experience like that before, and loved how pretty it all looked with so much snow around. It was even prettier at sunset with a pinky sky enveloping the city.

Sunset over the ice rink in Montreal

Eat Your Way Around The City On A Montreal Food Tour

On one of our first days in Montreal, we headed off on a food tour around Old Montreal with Local Montreal Food Tours. If you read this blog regularly you’ll know I’m a massive fan of food tours. I find they’re a great way to get to know a new city, teaching you not only about the region’s cuisine, but also about the history, the architecture, the local people and more.

Sparky and engaging guide Kim introduced us to some great spots in Old Montreal, including Crew Collective – a very grand bank that has been converted into a café and workspace, and Restaurant Taberna, which serves up a Portuguese take on the Quebec classic poutine. More about this in my food guide to Montreal, which is coming soon.

Poutine on the Montreal food tour

Visit Notre-Dame Basilica

A visit to the city’s spectacular cathedral is one of the best things to do in Montreal in winter, summer or whenever you choose to visit! I can genuinely say Notre-Dame Basilica is one of the most stunning cathedrals I’ve ever ventured inside.

Notre-Dame Basilica, Montreal

The outside is quite plain, so it’s surprising to walk inside and see the incredible painted roof, ornate architecture and beautiful decorations. It really is awe inspiring. There’s a fee to go inside, but that includes a free tour which will teach you all about the cathedral’s history and design.

Notre-Dame Basilica, Montreal

Play Crazy Golf In Montreal

If you’re struggling with the winter temperatures, warm up at Putting Edge – Montreal’s indoor crazy golf club. It’s one of the most fun indoor activities in Montreal right now!

As you venture down the stairs, you’ll be surprised to see it gets darker and darker, as everything is illuminated by UV lights. The 18-hole course literally glows in the dark, so I’d encourage you to wear white or neon so you stand out too.

We spent around an hour playing crazy golf here, putting our way from luminous flamingos to neon dragons and fluorescent palm trees. It was such a fun activity.

Putting Edge Crazy Golf, Montreal

Unwind at A Chic Wine Bar In Montreal

One of the locals recommended we stop by Pullman if we had time. We ended up visiting on a Sunday night, craving a simple dinner of wine and cheese. It was the perfect spot. Romantic with its flickering candles and dim lighting, and beautifully cosy, with a casual sophistication. We loved it!

Our waitress let us taste a few options before we decided on a bottle of red. Even better, on Sundays the entire wine list is half price, meaning we could select a bottle in a slightly higher league than usual.

The food was divine too. Our favourite dishes were the flavoursome tuna tataki and the winter beet salad. The Quebec cheese board was great too, and exactly what we left our hotel in search of.

Explore Montreal’s Neighbourhoods

Like many major cities, Montreal feels like a big city made up of small towns and villages, each with their own unique identities. I really enjoyed getting to know the different neighbourhoods.

There’s up and coming Saint-Henri, trendy The Plateau, foodie mecca Little Burgundy, hipster Mile End and mural-covered Saint-Laurent Boulevard. My favourite was probably the latter – I’m a sucker for colourful places and the street art there was some of the best I’ve seen on my travels.

Street art in Saint-Laurent Boulevard, Montreal

Spend The Evening At A Concert

Montreal is an extremely cultural city, with a plethora of top orchestras, pop stars, actors and dancers passing through on a regular basis. During out visit we were lucky enough to see critically acclaimed British contemporary dancer Akram Khan perform at Théâtre Maisonneuve. Meanwhile, at the symphony hall next door they had a classical concert that evening, an opera the next week and ballet the week after.

I was also desperate to check out Montreal’s jazz scene on my trip, but simply ran out of time. Next time I return, I’ll head straight to the ironically-named Upstairs – a basement jazz bar with an excellent reputation.

Challenge Yourself With An Escape Room

There are plenty of indoor activities in Montreal, perfect for cold winters in the city. If you’ve never done one before, definitely squeeze in an escape room. It’s a challenging hour of code cracking, riddle solving and observation activities, which will hopefully lead to you escaping from the locked chamber.

We attempted Amaze Montreal’s Mad Scientist Laboratory, which with only two of us was a little too challenging, but would be great in a group of four. It was still a lot of fun, and thankfully they still let us out after the time ran out…!

Enjoy Montreal’s Eclectic Food Scene

Montreal’s foodie reputation preceded it, but to be honest, I was surprised (and impressed) by what I found in the city. I expected tasty but slightly unrefined dishes like poutine and smoked meat sandwiches. Yet I found a city brimming with multicultural restaurants and exciting gastronomy.

In just a few days we ate an amazing bowl of pho at I Am Pho, juicy steak frites at Brasserie T, bagels fresh from the oven at St-Viateur Bagel Shop, Quebec cheese at Pullman, tangy ceviche at Tiradito, vegan delights at LOV, healthy poke at Le Poke Bar, and enjoyed a meal with an incredible view of Montreal’s twinkly lights at Les Enfants Terribles. Plenty more about the best places to eat in Montreal coming up in my next post about the city.

I knew I’d enjoy Montreal’s restaurants, but I hadn’t expected the offering to be as diverse and sophisticated as it is. Let’s face it, what better way to enjoy Montreal in winter, than to eat your way around the city?

Check Out Some World Class Art

One of the best Montreal winter activities? How about warming up in one of the city’s top galleries? As you’ve gathered, this is a seriously arty city, so don’t miss a trip to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. It’s the city’s largest museum and is spread across five pavilions, featuring paintings, sculptures, furniture and fashion.

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

We were lucky enough to catch the Alexander Calder exhibition during our visit, but there are plenty of great shows on throughout the year, so check the website before your trip. I should also add, this is one of my top free things to do in Montreal. Access to the main collection is free for the general public on the first Sunday of each month.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to some of the top things to do in Montreal in winter! Big thanks to Destination Canada, Quebec Original and Tourisme Montreal for inviting us to explore this beautiful city. Lots of great info on their sites if you want to find out more. As always, all opinions are my own.

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The post Things To Do In Montreal In Winter appeared first on Wanderlust Chloe.

source http://cheaprtravels.com/things-to-do-in-montreal-in-winter/

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fleckadventures · 8 years ago

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Tropical Medicine

Before coming to India, I had tried to set up my foundation training so that I’d get good experience in tropical medicine. I was thankful to spend 4 months in the QUEH Infectious Disease Ward, which is the central ID unit for Scotland. The first patient I saw there on my first day had neurosyphilis. Towards the end of my FY2, I studied part time to complete the Diploma of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, and thankfully passed.

I’ve found tropical medicine such an interesting part of medicine (not just because the infectious are often unusual and can be dramatic) but because I think it makes you realise how connected the world is. With people migrating more you can see ‘tropical’ conditions wherever you work. So, I thought I would share some of the interesting cases I’ve seen whilst being here in India. I apologise in advance if you find this super boring or super gross or totally basic knowledge. I can’t please everyone, and I might please no one. But you’ve got to try.

Tuberculosis I was advised by my ID consultant that I would see ‘a lot’ of TB in India and that has definitely proved to be true. We always have at least one patient in the TB isolation rooms and each week there are a couple of new diagnoses made in the outpatient department. I’ve seen people do very well with TB - taking their 6 months of anti-TB therapy and move on, but I’ve also seen so many chest X-rays that have made me think “Oh dear. What is going on here?” with massive consolidation, bullae, hydrothorax (a big bubble with fluid inside the lung), or a completely collapsed lung. These are the patients that are thin to the bone, who spend all day coughing up thick sputum, with fevers we can’t keep down. I’ve seen one patient with a tuberculoma in the brain causing seizures, and one or two cases of multi-drug resistant TB that we have had to send to Delhi for treatment.

Leprosy Leprosy is such an interesting disease. It’s one of the oldest diseases recorded and perhaps one of the most misrepresented. Most people still think that they shouldn’t get too close to the disfiguring skin lesions of a leprosy patient. Actually you are more likely to get leprosy 5-10 years after being sneezed on by an infected patient than from touching their skin. It’s a disease of nerves, causing nerve damage - meaning you might lose sensation or movement in part of a limb. If your own immunity can’t handle the infection, some bacteria might be jostled out of the nerves and leak into the skin and then you get skin patches. One interesting feature of leprosy is what is known as the ‘leonine face’ - heavy facial features where the bacilli multiply in multitudes under the skin. Then there’s madarosis, which is a fancy term for losing the end third of your eyebrows (don’t ask me why that happens). The lady we had was suffering from painful skin rashes and a fever, coming in cycles. Our dermatologist spotted the pattern that many would have missed - that this was a Type 2 Erythema Nodosum Leprosum reaction.*

Typhoid This one isn’t really all that exciting but we see it so often it’s worth mentioning. Salmonella enterica bacteria spreads through contaminated water. It makes you sick. One of the reasons you don’t drink the tap water in India.

Tetanus Tetanus is a bacteria that lives in soil. It enters the body through a dirt contaminated wound or scratch and the bacteria produces toxins that travel along your nerves and mess them up**, causing them to spasm uncontrollably. Two signs of tetanus (which have scary names as well as being scary to observe) are risus sardonicus (a grimacing smile caused by facial muscle spasm) and opisthotonos (hyperextension of the back, again due to spasms). The case here was in a toddler who had both these signs but he did well with tetanus immunoglobulin - thankfully so considering the mortality for tetanus is as high as 60%.

Neurocysticercosis In the UK you wouldn’t think to consider that a 19 year old male presenting with a seizure might have a cyst from a tapeworm in their brain. But in India, where taenia solium infection is common (that’s a pork tapeworm) that’s exactly what you might find. This was diagnosed after the patient had a MRI scan showing a lit-up 'ring enhancing lesion’ in their frontal lobe. We gave them Albendazole and sent them on to a bigger hospital.

Ascariasis Tropical medicine is gross as there are so many worms that can live inside of you. This one can grow up to 40cm. It lives in the small intestine and eats what gets kept in there. If a male and female find each other they can produce up to 200,000 baby worm eggs per day. It’s one of the reasons why we soak our tomatoes in potassium permanganate before making salsa.

Tropical Pulmonary Eosinophilia This is another wormy one, this time tiny worms spread by mosquitos. The patient presented with an asthma-like symptoms. Turned out their body didn’t like the tiny filarial worms wandering around their lungs at night, and decided to fight with an immune response, causing them to wheeze and cough.

* apologies if this is too technical ** apologies if this is not technical enough

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topfygad · 5 years ago

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Things To Do In Montreal In Winter

From skating in the old port to relaxing on a spa boat and exploring the city through its cuisine, these are the best things to do in Montreal in winter.

But no!

So, tale a look at the highlights video, then scroll down for a quick rundown of some of the amazing things to do in Montreal in winter…

Play In The Snow On Mount Royal

Mount Royal viewpoint

Ice skating on Beaver Lake, Mount Royal, Montreal

Snow shoeing in Mount Royal Park, Montreal

Find out more about visiting Mount Royal Parkin Macca’s helpful guide to all the winter activities on offer.

Snow tubing on Mount Royal

Relax With A Spa Day At Bota Bota

Bota Bota spa boat, Montreal

Take a Trip On Montreal’s Ferris Wheel

A trip on La Grand Roue is definitely one of my top things to do in Montreal in winter. What could be more magical than catching sunset from Montreal’s illuminated ferris wheel?

Montreal ice rink and ferris wheel

Ice Skating In Montreal

Sunset over the ice rink in Montreal

Eat Your Way Around The City On A Montreal Food Tour

Poutine on the Montreal food tour

Visit Notre-Dame Basilica

Notre-Dame Basilica, Montreal

Play Crazy Golf In Montreal

If you’re struggling with the winter temperatures, warm up at Putting Edge – Montreal’s indoor crazy golf club. It’s one of the most fun indoor activities in Montreal right now!

We spent around an hour playing crazy golf here, putting our way from luminous flamingos to neon dragons and fluorescent palm trees. It was such a fun activity.

Putting Edge Crazy Golf, Montreal

Unwind at A Chic Wine Bar In Montreal

The food was divine too. Our favourite dishes were the flavoursome tuna tataki and the winter beet salad. The Quebec cheese board was great too, and exactly what we left our hotel in search of.

Explore Montreal’s Neighbourhoods

Like many major cities, Montreal feels like a big city made up of small towns and villages, each with their own unique identities. I really enjoyed getting to know the different neighbourhoods.

Street art in Saint-Laurent Boulevard, Montreal

Spend The Evening At A Concert

Challenge Yourself With An Escape Room

Enjoy Montreal’s Eclectic Food Scene

Check Out Some World Class Art

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

Enjoyed this post? Pin it for later…

The post Things To Do In Montreal In Winter appeared first on Wanderlust Chloe.

from Cheapr Travels https://ift.tt/2NhTraI via https://ift.tt/2NIqXKN

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topfygad · 5 years ago

Text

Things To Do In Montreal In Winter

From skating in the old port to relaxing on a spa boat and exploring the city through its cuisine, these are the best things to do in Montreal in winter.

But no!

So, tale a look at the highlights video, then scroll down for a quick rundown of some of the amazing things to do in Montreal in winter…

Play In The Snow On Mount Royal

Mount Royal viewpoint

Ice skating on Beaver Lake, Mount Royal, Montreal

Snow shoeing in Mount Royal Park, Montreal

Find out more about visiting Mount Royal Parkin Macca’s helpful guide to all the winter activities on offer.

Snow tubing on Mount Royal

Relax With A Spa Day At Bota Bota

Bota Bota spa boat, Montreal

Take a Trip On Montreal’s Ferris Wheel

A trip on La Grand Roue is definitely one of my top things to do in Montreal in winter. What could be more magical than catching sunset from Montreal’s illuminated ferris wheel?

Montreal ice rink and ferris wheel

Ice Skating In Montreal

Sunset over the ice rink in Montreal

Eat Your Way Around The City On A Montreal Food Tour

Poutine on the Montreal food tour

Visit Notre-Dame Basilica

Notre-Dame Basilica, Montreal

Play Crazy Golf In Montreal

If you’re struggling with the winter temperatures, warm up at Putting Edge – Montreal’s indoor crazy golf club. It’s one of the most fun indoor activities in Montreal right now!

We spent around an hour playing crazy golf here, putting our way from luminous flamingos to neon dragons and fluorescent palm trees. It was such a fun activity.

Putting Edge Crazy Golf, Montreal

Unwind at A Chic Wine Bar In Montreal

The food was divine too. Our favourite dishes were the flavoursome tuna tataki and the winter beet salad. The Quebec cheese board was great too, and exactly what we left our hotel in search of.

Explore Montreal’s Neighbourhoods

Like many major cities, Montreal feels like a big city made up of small towns and villages, each with their own unique identities. I really enjoyed getting to know the different neighbourhoods.

Street art in Saint-Laurent Boulevard, Montreal

Spend The Evening At A Concert

Challenge Yourself With An Escape Room

Enjoy Montreal’s Eclectic Food Scene

Check Out Some World Class Art

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

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