#some tiny magnets to attach the pots to a magnetic surface

[narrators-journal]

The most dangerous game

I know I’ve been hella dead, but I return with my usual! Stano smut! I dunno why I adore writing these two so much, but I guess I’m attached, so yeah. Ya’ll get content.

CW: Predator/prey vibes, Xeno gets chased but there’s no real big acknowledgement of it.

It was likely because Xeno had developed a persistently wonky sleep schedule that he got so many night time jobs. That, he supposed, was why he was once again out at night hunting another Vampire, despite having told his boss of his run-in with a particularly pretty vampire. However, at the moment, Xeno somewhat wished he was dealing with Stan instead. At least with him he could rely on his need to flirt and toy with him to give him away. But no, the scientist wasn't hunting Stanley, but instead a completely different vampire who was proving his dislike for hunting the blood sucking monsters. Taking advantage of how dark the night was, the human's weaker vision, and whatever ninja techniques he had learned from the internet, the young vampire had hidden annoyingly well in the thick blanket of shadows and clutter on the streets. So, the white-haired college graduate was poking around at every rock and thicket of grass or bushes along the sidewalk before the boiling irritation in his veins got to be too much and he let out a mix of a groan and a scream like a tea pot. Stomping over to one of the few flickering street lights on the road, the hunter stood in the light and dug out his knife, then used it to slash at his stomach to fill the air with the alluring scent of fresh blood. With a pained hiss and the new wet feeling of blood dripping sluggishly down his pale skin, the trap was set, and all the hunter had to do was wait for the shallow cut to work its magic. Which, didn't take long. All Xeno had time to do was get one of his metal stakes from his pocket and extend it, then he was set upon by the vampiric ninja-wannabe. However, despite his skill at stealth, the vampire was young in both a human and vampire sense. Freshly turned at a young age, he'd become a problem because he had yet to grow out of his pubescent hormones quite yet, and giving him a predatory draw and increased strength had only encouraged him to turn hard into the bad boy persona. Sadly, being a new vampire wasn't all improvements. It also meant an increased hunger and little control of your newfound strength. Which is what had led the young man to be targetted by the monster hunter association, and swiftly wiped out by a stake through the throat via Xeno Wingfield. With a grunt, the monster hunter threw the freshly dead young man to the sidewalk, wincing at the burning and itching sting bending down to yank the stake from his throat brought to his stomach. For a moment or so, he felt bad for the creature. He'd been young, and he'd let his newfound powers obviously go to his head after a lifetime diet of anime and movies, the silver haired hunter could understand his over excitement, but he also had little to no patience for dumbasses who couldn't register that they weren't in Naruto. So, his sympathy was brief, and he was soon just dragging the young creature's corpse into some bushes and calling the cleaning crew to come collect him. Then. He spoke.           "God damn, Doll. You're quite attractive when you're being lethal." Stan hummed, hopping down from his hiding spot in a nearby tree and giving the hunter a charming smile that he refused to admit brought a little heat to his face.         "Oh, so you're just gonna become a full blown stalker now? Did you follow me from my house, or was this another 'coincidental' run-in." Xeno's words dripped with sarcasm and venom, but the vampire simply rolled his glacial blue eyes,          "Actually, I'm here because I smelled fresh blood," At the mention of fresh blood, the scientist glanced down at his work shirt, spotting the tiny stain of blood his cut had left,          "Oh." He inwardly winced at how disappointed he sounded, but tried to recover with a sniff, "I had trouble luring the bastard out. It was quite the shock for me to find out that not every vampire would want to chase me down and prowl around my house for the entire fucking night." Stan simply snorted, fishing out a pack of cigarettes and lighting one before he spoke again,          "Nah, that's just my thing, doll,"         "Quit calling me doll! You have my name now, fucking quit." The vampire put his hands up in mock surrender, though his smirk didn't falter under the scientist's withering glare. For a moment, they simply stood in the cool night's darkness, the hunter with his arms crossed and dark eyes narrowed, and the vampire returning his malicious look with his own nonchalant, half-lidded one while he breathed whispy smoke from his dark mouth. Both men seemed to dare the other to say something or do anything, each looking for an excuse to make some sort of contact until the smaller male spoke again,           "Are you expecting me to run away? Because I told you the first time we met, I'm not likely to do that," He huffed, but Stan simply shrugged,           "I'm just messing with ya, doesn't matter to me if you run or not." He grinned more at the lightning fast moment of irritation on Xeno's face, but the hunter schooled his facial features back into their usual disdain-filled glare, only broiling with frustration on the inside. He hated this man's relaxed demeanor. He was a monster hunter, the tall, hypnotically pretty predator should be avoiding him at all costs. Yet here he was, needling at him as if he couldn't end him just as quickly as he had the younger blood sucker. Okay, well, not as quickly. Stanley had a good four inches on the monster hunter at least, and had a body that had been frozen at the prime of his life, toned and pruned like an artfully shaped shrub through the years into a gorgeous, powerful example of why humans were the apex predators of the world. Or, well, they were, but with his change into the more monstrous his status as the perfect predator had only increased. Stan was perfectly built to hunt humans. Not only did he have a supernatural magnetic beauty to him, but he'd been human, so he knew how humans behave first hand. He was a nightmarish wet dream. Xeno gave his head a good shake to banish those thoughts from his mind when he realized he was looking the vampire over with the hunger of a sugar baby sizing up their next piggy bank.           "Hey, Xeno," Stan hummed, but the hunter refused to look back at the man, which he simply took as a greenlight to continue, "you wanna play our little game tonight?" The hunter snorted in response, staring off into the darkness while his cheeks cooled,           "I thought you were only here to bother me, not play a game of fucked up tag," He said calmly, only looked back at the man when he heard him walking closer, only stopping when he was about two feet away, maybe within reach, a grin on his pretty face,           "Well, I thought it'd be a bit more polite to offer that rather than just asking if I could drink your blood outright." he reasoned, amused at the edge of poutiness that he seemed to sniff out through the veil of aloof indifference the hunter spoke with.            "No thanks to either offer, I don't want to be chased tonight." Xeno sniffed in response, simply adding a thicker layer of ill temper to cover how excited he was at the thought of being pursued a second time. The first time had, admittedly, given him a thrill, but he wasn't ready to voice such to the annoying vampire in front of him. However, Stan seemed to have picked up on his kryptonite from that first round,              "But aren't you curious to see what happens when you add the scent of blood to the mix?" The purr in the man's voice annoyed Xeno immensely, but the thought of maybe learning just how sensitive vampire instincts were, and how quickly one would succumb to them. Obviously young vampires are more prone to being controlled by their need to feed, but Stanley isn't a new vampire, that curious voice mused, already setting Xeno on a very likely stupid and dangerous path, It'd be immensely helpful to know just how easy it is to bring out those base urges in him. If he's going to follow you around it's best to know what to avoid so he doesn't go feral. It further encouraged, stoking the flames of the scientist's natural curiosity until he hummed,              "I suppose it would be useful for the association to know exactly what triggers a vampire to go into a frenzy of some sort. Fine." The vampire grinned at that,             "You do know that I can't promise my feeding instinct is the only one that'll come to the surface," he pointed out, making Xeno blink and raise an eyebrow at him,             "What? Why would any other instinct come into play?" turning red as Stan laughed,               "Well, in simple terms, I find you too attractive to promise that when I catch you I'd only want to drink your blood~" Xeno's face warmed up more at that, getting huffy and tripping over his words in his rush to snap at him.               "You can have a five minute head start, just like last time," he simply assured, "Just need a bit of blood, because your original scratch has closed," He laughed more when Xeno pulled up his shirt to see that his shallow cut from earlier had in fact begun to heal, no longer bleeding and instead beginning to scab over. The hunter only responded with a glare at that point as he plucked his knife from the sidewalk where he'd dropped it and wiped it off before leaving another cut along his stomach, this one a bit deeper than the first, but not enough to linger for more than a day or two. With that, Stan gave him a charming smile that showed his extending fangs, his blue eyes already getting a hungry gleam to them. So, without further conversation, Xeno took off down the street. The cuts on his stomach stung and itched more from his running, but he pressed on. His main concern was regulating his breathing and energy so that he could get as far away from the vampire as he could in his small window of time. Naturally, his plan wasn't to just run in a straight line and wait to be caught, not only would that likely be dangerous, as a vampire in a feeding frenzy was much more violent, but was less likely to fulfill the goal of bringing those deadly instincts to the surface at all. So, instead, he sought out other people, a crowded area, maybe a shop, that way it wasn't as easy for the predator to catch up to him. This is insanely stupid, that voice of reason finally spoke up, not only am I playing with fire by instigating an instinctual reaction, but I am woefully under prepared to run from Stan. He realized, filling his veins with icy terror when the weight of his situation fully sunk in, The first time we did this I barely survive on pure panic and him toying with me. If he really loses his shit and goes into a frenzy, I can't outrun him. The reality of the thought hurt, but it was sorely true. Despite all of his training as a monster hunter, Xeno had never been one for good cardio, namely in the stamina category. He relied on his wits and pure speed, not his ability to maintain those speedy response times or pace for long periods. but it's too late now, he reminded himself, thinking back to the way the vampire's fangs had extended so soon after he'd given him a fresh source of scent. Nope, he couldn't chicken out now. He had no choice but to stick to his plan and push the panic and fear aside. Instead, he simply focused on the route ahead of him and locked onto the light of a store further down the street, which he headed for instantly. The bright, artificial light blinded the pale scientist for a moment when he stumbled into the store, but he was swift to regain his barrings and dash down the aisles and through the crowds of night owls and whatnot that were still up at this hour. He knew that his five minutes had ended a minute or so before. Meaning he didn't have long before the vampire would be on his ass. So, thinking quickly, he swiped his hand over his wounds, then smeared the blood on his palm onto the tile flooring in an aisle. Once he had that down, Xeno ran off deeper into the store. He had very few places to hide. The bathroom was basically a dead end with no windows and only one door, he couldn't climb up the shelves or to the rafters in a timely manner, so he forwent that plan. Instead, he did the next best thing. leaving as distracting a trail as possible before bolting out one of the fire exits.            "Shit," he wheezed when the fire exit triggered a screaming alarm through out the store. If Stan was in there, he'd definitely know he got out now, but that only meant the scientist had less time to think of such things. He had to focus on running. So, Xeno ignored the way his legs throbbed, and his lungs ached from gulping down the cold night air. He focused entirely on getting home, or at least to a more residential area. He could feel his limbs getting heavier, threatening more and more to give out with each step, but his grit his teeth and bared it until the threat became reality and the asphalt bit into his skin. And there he laid for a few seconds, gasping for air and scraping up as much energy as he could to push himself to his feet. As he did, he glanced back down the street, and sure enough. Stanley was coming out of the alley Xeno'd run out of, his glowing blue eyes locking onto the scientist in an instant. With another curse spat out through gritted teeth, Xeno took off again. His legs still screamed from exhaustion, and now his hands stung viciously from the fall, but he kept going. He could hear Stan closing in on him, which gave him a final burst of frantic energy that carried him to at least the park near his home before the vampire finally tackled him to the grass. The scientist could only wheeze in response, letting the vampire crush against him and push his face into his pale neck with a growl. That seemed to snap him out of the exhaustion cloud, and in an instant, Xeno was squirming and forcing himself up once again. The only way he managed it was because the vampire was taken by surprise, so he was able to slip from his grasp and scramble up, but he only got a few more steps before he had to lean against a tree for support so that his legs didn't crumble a third time. Then, just as quickly as he'd gotten away, Xeno was back in Stan's luke-warm arms, trapped against his needlessly heaving chest with his fangs hovering over his jugular once more. However, he didn't bite down. To the contrary, the feral vampire seemed to hesitate for a moment, seemingly weighing his options of what to do with the hunter before settling on a choice and swiftly switching to almost slamming him against the nearest tree.           "S-Stanley!" The hunter wheezed, more surprised then anything, pushing back so that his face at least wasn't forced into the course bark and he could look back to try and see the blonde behind him. Said blonde was keeping him in place with a hand on one of his shoulders, looking Xeno in the eye and almost relishing the dawning realization that painted his pale cheeks before he used his free hand to hook into his pants and tug them down pretty roughly. Then, he was back at the man's neck, but this time he bit with his blunter teeth, sucking at the skin until Xeno's mewls and hums were pulled out and he was satisfied with the hickey he'd left. The scientist, meanwhile was a bit ashamed of how quickly he accepted the turn of events. He tried to save some face by muffling the noises bubbling in his throat, but Stan's mouth at his neck, paired with the way he ground his groin into his now-bear rear drug a few noises out. Though, it also bat back the fog of hormones and lust long enough for the hunter to realize that he was very likely to get hurt if he didn't intervene. So, he whined and reached up to tangle his fingers in Stan's messy hair, tugging at it until he finally relinquished his throat from the second hickey he was dedicated on leaving. Carefully, Xeno turned himself around with what little room he was permitted between the vampire's muscular chest and the much-less-forgiving tree. Once they were face to face though, the college graduate's brain no longer seemed to work, so, the two simply stood there, panting a bit from the chase, before he finally gave up on using words and instead simply sunk down to his knees. Keeping his eyes glued to the glowing blue pair above him as he went. Luckily enough for him, his actions at least intrigued the vampire, because he was allowed to tug his bottoms down just enough for his member to spring free, which earned him a noise somewhere between a growl and a hum. With Stan's pants down and his member now standing erect in front of him, Xeno hesitated. Should it matter if I'm any good at this sort of shit? I just need some sort of lubrication, and he shouldn't really care about anything beyond...mating, so surely he won't give a shit, right? He asked himself, puzzling over the predicament before Stan reached down to grab onto his shirt, reminding the scientist of his lack of patience. So, Xeno threw his insecurities to the wind and grabbed onto the base of the shaft so he could slip Stan's impatient member into his mouth. The vampire moaned in response, and Xeno took that as a sign that he'd bought a bit more time for himself. So, he slowed down, bobbing his head at a medium sort of pace to work himself up to taking as much of the length as he could, which, thankfully for him, was almost all of it thanks to years of speed-drinking coffee and energy drinks and eating at record speeds in college. He also found that once he actually got to moving, the embarrassment of his lack of skills faded away, and part of him simply enjoyed the groans he got out of Stan while he moved his lips up and down him at a steady pace. He simply continued to work him as much as he could until the vampire let out a little hiss and gripped onto the scientist's shirt until he pulled away and let his throbbing member go with a coy 'pop'. Suddenly, Xeno was yanked back to his feet and whirled around again to be slammed back into the tree. His pants were tugged down once more and his feet were kicked apart in rapid succession so the monster hunter only got a moment's break before Stan pushed into him. And while it hurt still, the white-haired man found that he didn't mind as much. As the vampire began thrusting into him, one hand clawing into his hip, the other on his shoulder, Xeno moaned out curses and did his best to grab onto the tree or Stan's neck to keep steady under the merciless thrusts of the blonde. It was shameful how hot his body got, but with how Stan was hitting that sweetspot within Xeno, his face back to being buried in his neck for more marks, Xeno couldn't care less.        "Mmmm, fuck! ah, r-right there, please!" he plead, tangling his fingers back into Stan's hair as he moaned, giving another lewd noise when his pursuer did as he asked, swiftly learning that doing so got more needy noises from the hormone-addled hunter. With that, Xeno lost all coherency as euphoria further fogged his mind, and soon brought him to his peak with a whine of the vampire's name. Though, Stan didn't stop when Xeno came, he just kept thrusting into him, still flooding his pale body with more and more pleasure while his hot puffs of breath tickled his hickey-littered neck. The continued rough treatment was beginning to sting, but the edge of pain only seemed to bolster Xeno's pleasure back to its peak, pushing a second orgasm from him before Stan finally grew sloppy with his thrusts and soon gave one final movement before emptying himself into the hunter. After that, the monster hunter let himself melt against the tree, relying on Stanley to hold him up because he was on the verge of passing out after that night's activities. The last thing Xeno remembered was giving a thumbs up to what he assumed was the question 'are you okay'. Then, he let his exhaustion take him into dreamland.

[wineviral]

8 Kitchen Hacks to Save You Time and Space

Your kitchen has a lot more storage space available than you’re currently using. In fact, we’re willing to bet there’s some space you haven’t even considered since there doesn’t seem to be any way to use it.

Free up your counter space and save time and money with these eight brilliant kitchen hacks. If you’re looking for tips to keep your kitchen clean and organized, these will do the trick.

1. Use your walls as storage space

Hanging your pots and pans from hooks attached to the wall looks great, saves space, and makes them easy to get to.

By the same logic, why not attach a magnetic strip on the wall for your knife set instead of taking up counter space with a knife block? It will look beautiful and professional, too.

2. Hang spray bottles from a tension rod

Spray bottles take up a lot of space under the sink, but it’s not like you can do without them. So, why not install a tension rod under the sink to hang the bottles from? You also can hang spray bottles from a towel rack attached to the inside of the door under the sink. This frees up space underneath them for cleaning rags, sponges, and that box of scouring pads.

You can do the same with your bathroom cleaning supplies and use up all that extra room below the sink without having to stack things. It’s such a simple kitchen storage hack that it needs to become standard.

3. Make a magnetic spice rack

This kitchen organization hack will have you admiring all the cabinet space you’ve freed up. If you want to be able to find your spice jars, store them in magnetic tin storage containers and stick them to the side of your refrigerator.

You can get them at any large kitchen or housewares store. Label the bottoms with the contents (since they’ll be sticking to the fridge by their lids). It will also look very decorative and be extremely handy!

4. Store food in plastic desk organizers

One of the easiest and cheapest of all the kitchen organization tips is using plastic desk organizers to store food in the refrigerator. You can buy them at the dollar store and stack them, so you can organize your food and see what you have at a glance.

You have some shelves in your fridge, why not add some more for yourself? Either get clear ones to blend in, or color coordinate and organize your food for easier access.

5. Pick up broken glass with a piece of bread

One of the scariest things that can happen in the kitchen is breaking a glass. The tiny shards go everywhere and you can’t see them or feel them until it’s too late. Even sweeping can miss a few on a rough surface.

Try this kitchen safety tip: once you’ve picked up the pieces you can see, and swept the area, take a piece of soft bread and dab it on the area like a sponge; even the tiniest piece will stick in the bread. Problem solved!

6. Make sponge holders out of alligator clips

When you’re done cleaning the counters, it’s tempting to just leave the sponge at the side of the sink. But if you do that, sponges are prone to grow mildew. There’s nothing worse than a mildew-covered sponge. This kitchen cleaning hack will prevent mildew-spreading and the resulting illness.

Take an alligator clip (the black binder clips for office papers) and use it to stand your sponge upright. It will dry more thoroughly that way and keep your sink area neat too. Give this kitchen cleaning tip a try!

7. Use the space next to the fridge

Every house has one: a space between the refrigerator and the wall that is no more than six inches wide. If you’re not storing brooms and mops there, why not invest in a rolling cart? They come in extremely narrow sizes that you can use to organize dry foods and snacks that don’t need refrigeration.

Remember, the best tip for organizing kitchens is to use all the space, even the space above spaces! Which brings us to…

8. Hang floating mason jars from your shelves

The one space to fill we haven’t discussed yet is that gap underneath your kitchen shelves and cabinets. There’s a way to store items there, too, and it’s ingenious.

Simply attach mason jar lids to the underside of your cabinet or shelf. Since they’re all the same size you can put whatever you need in the jars: pasta, beans, rice, coffee, you name it. Just unscrew the jar from its place and you’re ready to go!

This trick started in garages for nails, screws and other small items, but why not use it in the kitchen, too?

[geartechautomotive324]

19 Piece PC Computer Tool Kit with Case - Tools - StarTech.com

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From the Apple View with its new tiny Tri-Point screws to vintage Nintendo video game consoles with gamebit fasteners, the 64 bit set covers them all with the greatest quality CNC machined bits. Even the tough case was carefully engineered, having no hinges or latches to break, and includes a sorting tray inside the magnetically attached cover.

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Pc Tech Tool Kits - Computer Tools - Scorptec Computers

In the Pro Store, in your home or in the field, the Archery Tech Tool Pro Set supplies important tools for bow setups, tuning and advanced bow maintenance. Outfitted inside the Tech Tool Bag are a few of OMP's professional grade tools for proficient archery Specialists. Set Includes: hex sets 0.05 1/4, torx set T9-T40, multi pliers, nock pliers, serving jig, bow square, bow level, arrow level, accu-arrow scale, string serum.

Some people choose to carry out upkeep and continued set up on their guitars themselves; others offer it to a tech. Which is the much better alternative is essentially approximately how technical and exact you are. If you don't know what you're doing, it is more difficult than it seems, and if you begin changing truss rods incorrectly, your guitar can end up in a bad method.

Like trying to adjust the saddle on a with the idea of a sharp knife. Yes, we understand, the physician said that also. It is always best to have what you require to make any modifications required. Therefore, finding the Finest Guitar Tool Kits is very important. So, let's take an appearance and at what's on deal and discover the perfect set for youContentsThis toolset from MusicNomad is a compact little kit with some beneficial inclusions.

Eurooptic - Desert Tech Toolkits - Eurooptic.com

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Well, in this kit, you'll discover two screwdriver bits, one for flathead one for Philips. There are 8 hex bits or Allen keys, of sizes from 1.5 mm to 4mm, and likewise seven hex wrenches. They are all stored in a cool little compartment box with sizes identified. If you have actually ever kept a few of these tools loose in your case or a bag, you will know how easy it is to mislay them.

Professional Field Service Tech Tool Kits - Specialized Products

Nice appealing rate point make this kit a bargain and definitely one of the very best multi-function guitar tool sets around. Pros A lot of sizes for all requirements. Handle made from difficult nylon that will not harm the instrument. Cons No carrying pouch or bag consisted of. This is a tool set that has been developed to be carried around with you.

It will also handle some fundamental adjustments to pedals and amps and their controls. And the Cruz Tools set puts it all inside a simple to bring pouch. One of the things about guitars is that you never understand if you are going to need to make changes. It could be anything from the height of your pickups to articulation. computrr tech tool kit.

It is a 19-piece set that has magnetic bits. It has a screwdriver-like deal with to hold them. The hex wrenches, sockets, and screwdrivers all are available in inches and millimeter gauges. The series of sizes will fit most guitars and basses. Whatever you require to set up the guitar is includedThe package will cover intonation, neck bowing, the height of the action, and whatever you require to get your instrument how you like it.

Techsource Tools: Custom Tool Kits

Consisted of in the set are 12 hex bits, 6 of which remain in inches, and 6 metric. There are three sockets and four screwdriver hex bits. There is a string winder and string cutters and a density gauge measurer with a built-in ruler. This will be needed for accurate truss rod modification.

[tabletoptrinketsbyjj]

Trinkets, 12: Interesting baubles, semi magical objects and items touched by mystery.

A sealed vessel topped by a jackal’s head, all crafted of glazed porcelain. The canopic jar contains a wrapped and preserved humanoid stomach.

A sealed vessel topped by a mummy’s head, all crafted of glazed porcelain. The canopic jar contains a wrapped and preserved humanoid liver.

A sealed wooden box holding seven sealed scrolls containing missives to seven different people. The missives are written in code and need to be deciphered.

A set of four metallic, pointed-toe boots designed to fit a horse or a similar equine creature

A set of soft leather suspenders that fasten to buttons on the front and back of trousers. They have two adjustable iron clips, triangular in shape and heavily rusted, each bearing an etched diamond shape.

A set of ten leather sleeves that fit over one’s fingertips and extend right up to the knuckles and palm.

A shattered stub of a wooden stake. Black blood covers the stake’s tip. Barely visible under the blood is some kind of rune, but its meaning is impossible to determine as part of it is missing.

A shrunken head of a zombie which still occasionally snaps its teeth together and moans.

A silk scarf once used to gag a captive siren. It occasionally makes strangely attractive sounds when the material rubs against itself

A single glove with three large fingers that puts out any candle sized or smaller flames it touches.

---Keep reading for 90 more trinkets.

---Note: The previous 10 items are repeated for easier rolling on a d100.

A sealed vessel topped by a jackal’s head, all crafted of glazed porcelain. The canopic jar contains a wrapped and preserved humanoid stomach.

A sealed vessel topped by a mummy’s head, all crafted of glazed porcelain. The canopic jar contains a wrapped and preserved humanoid liver.

A sealed wooden box holding seven sealed scrolls containing missives to seven different people. The missives are written in code and need to be deciphered.

A set of four metallic, pointed-toe boots designed to fit a horse or a similar equine creature

A set of soft leather suspenders that fasten to buttons on the front and back of trousers. They have two adjustable iron clips, triangular in shape and heavily rusted, each bearing an etched diamond shape.

A set of ten leather sleeves that fit over one’s fingertips and extend right up to the knuckles and palm.

A shattered stub of a wooden stake. Black blood covers the stake’s tip. Barely visible under the blood is some kind of rune, but its meaning is impossible to determine as part of it is missing.

A shrunken head of a zombie which still occasionally snaps its teeth together and moans.

A silk scarf once used to gag a captive siren. It occasionally makes strangely attractive sounds when the material rubs against itself

A single glove with three large fingers that puts out any candle sized or smaller flames it touches.

A single leather glove that is extremely durable and resistant.

A single sheet of of non-flammable paper that erases itself every night.

A six chambered spice box containing different varieties of pepper

A skull of a small rodent with a name carved into it in tiny runes.

A slate tablet with an exquisite picture of a prominent nearby landmark on it. The chalk image is unfinished and a small box of materials rests nearby.

A sleek corset which includes a patterned brocade of skulls.

A slender belt pouch specially treated to be waterproof. Inside the pouch is  a variety of dried herbs. Each bunch is tied together with twine.

A slender chain supporting a small wooden holy symbol of an evil cult’s God. A cultist’s name is etched on the back of the symbol.

A slender scroll tube cleverly carved from an immense fang that holds a single sheaf of tightly wound parchment. The parchment holds a map showing the surrounding area in a simplistic form. The map marks several nearby dangerous locales.

A slender wooden twig which cannot be broken by any man

A slowly beating clockwork heart

A small black branding iron with a stylized “S” forms the iron’s head. The tips of the “S” end in crude snake heads. The iron is wrapped in bloody, scorched cloth.

A small black pouch containing a set of cosmetic tools for cleaning the ears.

A small blue disk that seems magnetically attracted to skin and is hard to pull off when its comes in contact with flesh.

A small bottle of eye drops that make the user’s eyes seem completely white with no pupils. This effect lasts for an hour and the user suffer no loss of sight

A small brass bell that rings a different note every time

A small card marked “Get out of jail FREE” in Common. The local King’s official stamp or good forgery thereof is displayed prominently on back.

A small ceramic cat with a perpetually waving arm

A small ceramic pot that produces a tiny puff of colored smoke once every hour and a half

A small coin pouch containing five large golden triangular coins stamped with symbols of the minor god of greed, lies and outer beauty. Perceptive PC’s will notice that they are actually lead coins covered in a thin layer of gold leaf.

A small coin purse containing a set of ten false fingernails painted with mysterious symbols.

A small drawstring bag of marbles made from real marble

A small flask of pure spring water. The leather flask itself has a small strap allowing it to be carried over the shoulder.

A small frozen glass-like flame that subtly melts and refreezes, morphing over time. It reflects light (Especially firelight) very well but gives off no heat or light of its own.

A small globe of glass with a city inside, if touched or moved one can hear soft screams.

A small half-full wineskin containing a powerful, but harsh, brandy smelling strongly of blackberries.

A small hand fan that only blows hot air.

A small hand mirror that shows someone other than the viewer when gazed upon

A small hourglass who’s sand only runs when someone nearby is hungry

A small inconspicuous black bag containing a collection of dirty implements including: a pliers, a dozen needles, a scalpel, a half dozen clamps of various sizes, a vial of powdered glass, a pair of thumbscrews and a suspiciously clean steel tablespoon.

A small ivory statuette of a small human child

A small knitted octopus

A small leather pouch of loose smoking tobacco

A small leather pouch tied shut with thin leather cords contains a half-dozen carefully wrapped white mushrooms. The mushrooms are fresh and tasty. They contain a mild hallucinogen that when ingested creates feelings of euphoria and visions of subdued colors bursting forth from any nearby mundane light source. Magical light gives forth more vibrant colors; the more powerful the magic, the more vibrant and scintillating the colors. The effects last for 2d4 hours per mushroom.

A small locked box that quietly hums a lovely melody at night but all who hear it cannot recall it by morning

A small mass of grey metallic ooze that can be stretched but not pulled apart

A small mechanical snapping turtle

A small metal bar etched with the word: “Help.”

A small metal box made of six inward facing mirrors that put off a dim glow which keeps the interior perpetually illuminated. Located inside is a small figurine of a crying angel. The figurine disappears if it is ever  outside of the box and is not actively watched by at least one intelligent creature.

A small metal box made of six inward facing mirrors.

A small metal box with broken hinges. When pried open a preserved eyeball will be found inside. If touched the eyeball will share mentally with the user grainy imagery of several hidden treasure hoards but doesn’t provide any clue or direction to the hoards.

A small metal cylinder with a lens at one end. When looked into, randomly colored geometric patterns can be seen. The patterns change if the end is twisted

A small mirror on the end of a rod that can be used to peer around corners.

A small piece of amber containing a spider in the process of eating a fly

A small piece of apparently unbreakable glass that slowly ripples like the surface of a pond.

A small piece of fabric that still holds the scent of a lost love

A small piece of granite in the shape of a rhomboid that occasionally turns to liquid, but always reforms quickly

A small piece of rock that floats almost imperceptibly above the ground

A small portrait of a family with all of the eyes crossed out

A small pouch containing common herbs for making tea

A small pouch containing three quills wrapped in an ink-stained cloth, two small vials of ink (red and black) and several scraps of crumpled parchment.

A small pouch made of blue chain mail. When opened on a surface, hundreds of tiny, green ants march out, find nearby small objects (coins, pins, buttons, beads etc.) and begin hauling them back towards the bag. If bag is inspected it is always found to be empty of the ants or anything they have collected.

A small pouch that sometimes has a rock in it, and sometimes doesn’t

A small pouch with a fold-over top holds a half dozen slender knives. All are razor sharp and spotlessly clean. Some have very strangely shaped tips. To a collector of torture equipment (or perhaps an apothecary or necromancer) the set may be worth something.

A small rabbit-fur pouch filled with ceremonial herbs and incense

A small rectangular device that makes a chirping sound at the same time each day

A small red velvet pouch. The pouch is all but empty, however a determined examination reveals a few flecks of diamond dust stuck to the lining.

A small round grey stone that, when held, gives the user complete control over their pinky toes.

A small sack full of blood-soaked earth destined for the garden of an evil cultist. According to the attached note he believes using blood-soaked earth gives his crops a “certain taste”.

A small scroll case containing scraps of paper that, when ordered properly, become the outline for an epic poem. Based on the outline and the few incomplete verses, this would have been the bard’s masterpiece.

A small scroll tube containing several pages of sheet music for a haunting melody that sticks in the listener’s head if played.

A small silver locket that opens to reveal a tiny painting of a severe-looking woman wearing a ball gown. The clasp for the locket’s chain is broken, perhaps it was ripped from its owner’s neck.

A small spool of spider silk

A small stone chest containing the preserved heart of a virgin, wrapped in shroud-cloth

A small stone face that hovers a few inches in the air, occasionally slamming down to the ground

A small stone hammer, worn down to a nub

A small stone idol in the shape of a feral, wildcat

A small stone that shifts through the color spectrum over the course of a week

A small stone that sings a lullaby in an unknown tongue when you rub your thumb over it

A small travel pouch containing a symbol drawing kit, consisting of a length of string, chalk, compasses and a notebook with detailed notes and diagrams.

A small utility knife made of flint with bone inlays

A small wooden idol of a cross legged man in prayer

A small, colorful pebble that (No matter what) somehow finds its way back to its owner at sundown.

A small, corked, dark glass bottle filled to the brim with a powerful liquor

A small, slightly worn, silver broach in the shape of a dove with an inscription on the back that reads, “To my dearest, Lorael, on the 400th anniversary of your birth.”

A small, soft, black pouch containing a half-dozen lock picks. One is horribly bent and all but useless.

A smoked glass urn containing the ashes of a cremated mage

A smooth green stone that, when palmed, causes strange music to play in the bearer’s mind.

A soft cushion that never gets warm

A spindle-shaped piece of blue stone with a golden rod stuck in it that occasionally vibrates and produces fragments of not-quite-human voices, none of which speak a familiar language.

A spoon made of linen that makes food taste amazing when moving east

A square pane of glass set in a bone frame that shows images of animals you’ve never seen.

A squishy ball that randomly changes color when clenched or squeezed.

A standard copper coin that always lands on its edge.

A steel belt buckle that pulses when moving upwards

A steel holy symbol of a minor God of a Random Evil Domain, which has one particularly sharp edge. Close examination reveals dried blood smeared over it.

A stone tablet, broken at one end and covered with odd writing. Each night of the full moon the writing glows and dogs in the nearby area begin to bark.

A stoppered clay flask decorated with lewd images of demons cavorting with humans.

A strange barbed choker that makes the bearer’s voice more resonant

A string necklace made up of various bits of bone and teeth, presumably trophies from an adventurer’s travels. Most are from kobolds, goblins and the like, but the centerpiece tooth appears to be from a young dragon.

[maghzel]

8 Kitchen Hacks to Save You Time and Space

Your kitchen has a lot more storage space available than you’re currently using. In fact, we’re willing to bet there’s some space you haven’t even considered since there doesn’t seem to be any way to use it.

Free up your counter space and save time and money with these eight brilliant kitchen hacks. If you’re looking for tips to keep your kitchen clean and organized, these will do the trick.

                        1. Use your walls as storage space

Hanging your pots and pans from hooks attached to the wall looks great, saves space, and makes them easy to get to.

By the same logic, why not attach a magnetic strip on the wall for your knife set instead of taking up counter space with a knife block? It will look beautiful and professional, too.

2. Hang spray bottles from a tension rod

Spray bottles take up a lot of space under the sink, but it’s not like you can do without them. So, why not install a tension rod under the sink to hang the bottles from? You also can hang spray bottles from a towel rack attached to the inside of the door under the sink. This frees up space underneath them for cleaning rags, sponges, and that box of scouring pads.

You can do the same with your bathroom cleaning supplies and use up all that extra room below the sink without having to stack things. It’s such a simple kitchen storage hack that it needs to become standard.

3. Make a magnetic spice rack

This kitchen organization hack will have you admiring all the cabinet space you’ve freed up. If you want to be able to find your spice jars, store them in magnetic tin storage containers and stick them to the side of your refrigerator.

You can get them at any large kitchen or housewares store. Label the bottoms with the contents (since they’ll be sticking to the fridge by their lids). It will also look very decorative and be extremely handy!

4. Store food in plastic desk organizers

One of the easiest and cheapest of all the kitchen organization tips is using plastic desk organizers to store food in the refrigerator. You can buy them at the dollar store and stack them, so you can organize your food and see what you have at a glance.

You have some shelves in your fridge, why not add some more for yourself? Either get clear ones to blend in, or color coordinate and organize your food for easier access.

5. Pick up broken glass with a piece of bread

One of the scariest things that can happen in the kitchen is breaking a glass. The tiny shards go everywhere and you can’t see them or feel them until it’s too late. Even sweeping can miss a few on a rough surface.

Try this kitchen safety tip: once you’ve picked up the pieces you can see, and swept the area, take a piece of soft bread and dab it on the area like a sponge; even the tiniest piece will stick in the bread. Problem solved!

6. Make sponge holders out of alligator clips

When you’re done cleaning the counters, it’s tempting to just leave the sponge at the side of the sink. But if you do that, sponges are prone to grow mildew. There’s nothing worse than a mildew-covered sponge. This kitchen cleaning hack will prevent mildew-spreading and the resulting illness.

Take an alligator clip (the black binder clips for office papers) and use it to stand your sponge upright. It will dry more thoroughly that way and keep your sink area neat too. Give this kitchen cleaning tip a try!

7. Use the space next to the fridge

Every house has one: a space between the refrigerator and the wall that is no more than six inches wide. If you’re not storing brooms and mops there, why not invest in a rolling cart? They come in extremely narrow sizes that you can use to organize dry foods and snacks that don’t need refrigeration.

Remember, the best tip for organizing kitchens is to use all the space, even the space above spaces! Which brings us to…

8. Hang floating mason jars from your shelves

The one space to fill we haven’t discussed yet is that gap underneath your kitchen shelves and cabinets. There’s a way to store items there, too, and it’s ingenious.

Simply attach mason jar lids to the underside of your cabinet or shelf. Since they’re all the same size you can put whatever you need in the jars: pasta, beans, rice, coffee, you name it. Just unscrew the jar from its place and you’re ready to go!

[wearethequeens]

8 Kitchen Hacks to Save You Time and Space

Your room encompasses a heap additional space for storing on the market than you’re presently victimization. We’re willing to bet there’s some area you haven’t even thought about since there doesn’t appear to be any thanks to using it.

Free up your counter area and save time and cash with these eight good room hacks. If you’re trying to find tips to stay your room clean and arranged, these can do the trick.

Use your walls as space for storing | eight-room Hacks to save lots of You Time | Life360 Tips 1. Use your walls as space for storing Hanging your pots and pans from hooks hooked up to the wall appearance nice, saves area, and makes them straightforward to induce to.

By constant logic, why not attach a magnetic strip on the wall for your knife set rather than an absorbing counter area with a knife block? it'll look stunning and skilled, too.

2. droop spray bottles from a tension rod Spray bottles take up plenty of area underneath the sink, however, it’s not such as you will do while not them. So, why not install a tension rod underneath the sink {to droop|to hold} the bottles from? you furthermore might hang spray bottles from a towel horse hooked up to the within of the door underneath the sink. This frees up the area beneath them for improvement rags, sponges, which box of scouring pads.

You can do constant along with your area|lavatory} improvement provides and assign all that additional room below the sink while not having to stack things. It’s such a straightforward room storage hack that it has to become commonplace.

3. create a magnetic rack Make a magnetic rack | eight-room Hacks to save lots of You Time | Life360 Tips This room organization hack can have you ever-loving all the cupboard area you’ve freed up. If you would like to be ready to realize your spice jars, store them in magnetic tin storage containers and stick them to the facet of your icebox.

You can get them at any massive room or housewares store. Label the bottoms with the contents (since they’ll be jutting to the refrigerator by their lids). it'll additionally look ornamental and be extraordinarily handy!

4. Store food in plastic table organizers One of the simplest and most cost-effective of all the room organization tips is victimization plastic table organizers to store food within the icebox. you'll be able to get them at the greenback store and stack them, thus you'll be able to organize your food and see what you have got at a look.

You have some shelves in your refrigerator, why not add some additional for yourself? Either get clear ones to mix in, or color coordinate and organize your food for easier access.

5. obtain broken glass with a chunk of bread Pick up broken glass with a chunk of bread | eight-room Hacks to save lots of You Time | Life360 Tips One of the scariest things which will happen within the room is breaking glass. the little shards go everyplace and you can’t see them or feel them till it’s too late. Even sweeping will miss a couple of on a rough surface.

Try this room safety tip: once you’ve picked up the items you'll be able to see, and swept the realm, take a chunk of soppy bread and dab it on the realm sort of a sponge; even the tiniest piece can stick within the bread. drawback solved!

6. create sponge holders out of alligator clips When you’re done improvement the counters, it’s tempting to simply leave the sponge at the facet of the sink. however if you are doing that, sponges area unit vulnerable to grow mildew. There’s nothing worse than a mildew-covered sponge. This room improvement hack can forestall mildew-spreading and also the ensuing unwellness.

Take AN clip (the black binder clips for workplace papers) and use it to face your sponge upright. it'll dry additional completely that approach and keep your sink space neat too. provide this room improvement tip a try!

7. Use the area next to the refrigerator Use the area next to the refrigerator | eight-room Hacks to save lots of You Time | Life360 Tips Every house has one: an area between the icebox and also the wall that's not quite six inches wide. If you’re not storing brooms and mops there, why not invest during a rolling cart? they are available in extraordinarily slender sizes that you just will use to prepare dry foods and snacks that don’t want refrigeration.

Remember, the simplest tip for organizing kitchens is to use all the area, even the area higher than spaces! that brings the United States of America to…

8. droop floating mason jars from your shelves The one area to fill we tend to haven’t mentioned however is that gap beneath your room shelves and cupboards. There’s the simplest way to store things there, too, and it’s ingenious.

Simply attach Mason jar lids to the side of your cupboard or shelf. Since they’re all constant size you'll be able to place no matter what you wish within the jars: food, beans, rice, coffee, you name it. simply unscrew the jar from its place and you’re able to go!

This trick started in garages for nails, screws and different tiny things, however, why not use it within the room, too?

[lifeinstereo-blog1]

An Introduction.

The official first post of my blog! Yay!

I feel like it’s only right to start off with a little more background information about myself. this might be long. Bear with me here.

I am a nineteen (well, I will be nineteen tomorrow...so it’s close enough) year old female who just happened to be born completely and utterly deaf in both ears. I can’t hear anything. Nothing. To put that into perspective, I can’t hear a gun being fired, a jet taking off, people screaming at me (which is nice in some situations, hah), pretty much anything you throw at me, I can’t hear.

My parents did not know (I missed the hearing test requirement for all newborns by about a year) until I was nine months old. Although, my mom had sneaking suspicions starting at about six months. I wasn’t startling or turning my head to sounds. I’d sleep easily. I believe one day, I was sitting on the floor unaware that my mom was behind me. My mom had gotten pots and pans and banged on them and made noise. No response from me. After that was when I was taken to the doctor and it was confirmed I was deaf as heck.

It is believed what caused my deafness was a virus called cytomegalovirus, or abbreviated as CMV. Most of the population gets it sometime in their lifetime and it’s no big deal. It basically shows up as a cold or maybe doesn’t have any symptoms. The only populations that should be at least somewhat concerned about it is very young children, the elderly and those who are pregnant. Emphasis on the last population. That’s where CMV can do the most damage. My mom was pregnant with me and must have picked it up from somewhere. But she didn’t know she had contracted it. She was never sick, she never even had any morning sickness. I ended up getting the brunt of the CMV. I was born with profound bilateral sensorineural deafness, poor leg muscle tone, and slight brain damage. The brain damage was superficial and I grew out of that. The poor leg muscle tone resulted in a delayed ability to walk and years of physical therapy in elementary school.’The bilateral sensorineural (having to do with the cochlea, it’s hair cells and the auditory nerve) deafness was due to the CMV stunting the growth of the thousands of the tiny hair cells that are found in the cochlea. So basically, my cochleas are bald. If there are any hair cells, they’re either broken, non-functioning, or there just isn’t enough of them to actually produce any sensation of sound.

In normal hearing, sound travels through the air by vibrating the molecules in air and those vibrating air molecules hits the eardrum (tympanic membrane) and causes it to vibrate. This in turn, causes the ossicles (those three tiny ear bones called the malleus, incus, and stapes... better known as the hammer, anvil, and stirrup, respectively) to move. The stapes is connected to something called the oval window. The oval window is part of the cochlear-vestibular structure and when the stapes vibrates, it causes fluid that is inside of the cochlea (the snail-shaped structure in the inner ear) to move. The cochlea contains the organ of Corti, which has four rows of hair cells that stick out from the surface. When the fluid moves, it makes those hair cells move as well. When those hair cells move, it creates electrical impulses that are sent to the auditory (hearing) nerve, The brain receives these signals and perceives them as sound. To me, I think of the whole process like a domino effect. You take out one domino, then it won’t work. That domino in this scenario is my hair cells. My eardrums and ossicles function perfectly fine, but because I don’t have these microscopic little things, I can’t hear sh*t. But that’s fine with me.

After much research. my parents found out about cochlear implants. They took me to an audiologist to see if I was a candidate. I failed all hearing tests. With pediatric cases, a 3-month trial with hearing aids is required. We tried that, and there was no observable benefit from them. I had CT scans of my temporal bones done to look for normal cochlea structure. My cochleas were normal and not ossified. It was made sure that my family and I had realistic expectations and the necessary motivation to train me to hear with the cochlear implant, since it would take a lot of work and practice. After all evalutations, I was deemed to be an excellent candidate for a CI. However, doctors said not to expect much, since CIs aren’t a miracle cure, They said I probably wouldn’t like music, that it would be screechy and unpleasant. But that was okay with my parents. They wanted me to have environmental awareness so that I would be safe from cars passing by or hear sirens, fire alarms, etc. After much consideration and trepidation, my parents decided to go ahead with the surgery. In November of 2000, I was implanted with Clarion’s (it would later become Advanced Bionics, one of the three cochlear implant companies) C1.2 implant, the newest technology they had at the time. During the candidacy process, I was learning and using ASL (American Sign Language) so that I could communicate with my parents and others.

A cochlear implant bypasses the non-functioning part of the ear (in this case, it’s the cochlea) and sends electrical signals to the auditory nerve. It essentially takes the place of those hair cells. A CI consists of two main parts: the external and internal parts. The external part consists of a sound processor that can be worn behind the ear (BTE) or off the ear, depending on your preference (I prefer the BTE version). The sound processor is powered by a battery that slides on and off of it. The battery can be disposable or rechargeable. The sound processor has microphones that pick up sound and the processor sorts out the sound into information that is sent through a wire to the headpiece that is attached magnetically to the internal processor. The information is sent via FM radio communication to the internal chip which is a computer that sends electrical impulses down an electrode array that is inserted in the cochlea. Depending on how the sound is sorted, certain electrodes will be stimulated and the electric impulses from the electrodes come into contact with the auditory nerve. The brain perceives this as sound, albeit, a different type of sound.

When my first CI was activated, sound actually scared me. Eventually I got used to it and it took about two years for it to really get to full potential. However, I still did a lot of speech therapy and listening practice, as well as just daily activities like having conversations and listening to music—that’s right, I defied the doctor’s expectations and enjoyed music! I even joined the school string orchestra and played viola from fourth grade until I graduated. It’s been a deep passion of mine.

Even though I exceeded expectations and was able to gain full use of English, my cochlear implant wasn’t perfect. And it still isn’t. I still had an interpreter up until seventh grade, then had captioning from eighth to tenth grade, then after that I was completely self-reliant. I can carry a conversation near perfectly or perfectly if it is one-on-one in a quiet setting and I can lip-read. In noise, it gets a little harder, I rely more on lip-reading in that situation. The more noise there is, the more I need to lip-read. I often have a hard time following a conversation between multiple people with background noise. Think of something like a school cafeteria or a noisy restaurant (even harder if it’s dimly lit!). Those situations are the worst for me. I can talk over the phone sometimes. If the person’s voice is loud. clear, and at a normal pace, I can understand them okay, I will probably have to ask them to repeat things several times but it is not impossible. I prefer to talk with speakerphone on and have someone with me so they can relay information to me if I don’t get everything. However, these days I use a videophone so I have an interpreter sign what the other person is saying. I can sign back and the interpreter voices for me, or I can voice for myself. I prefer to voice for myself. It’s a pretty neat tool to use. Since I only have 1 CI, it’s basically equivalent to hearing out of one ear. That means I also have a hard time locating where sound comes from. If someone yells out my name, I sometimes have to do a full 360 to find where the person is. I also hear in “2D” since I only have 1 CI. I can’t really say for myself because I have no comparison, but apparently 1 CI/1 ear only gives you a flat quality of sound. There’s no depth or fullness to it. Sound isn't as rich and layered. So it will be interesting going from hearing in mono to hearing in stereo. Listening to music and my experience in orchestra is a whole other blog post.

Enough about my ears. Other things about me... I am a freshman in college who is majoring in biomedical science and on the pre-med track. If you couldn’t tell, the detailed description of how hearing works should’ve tipped you off that I’m a science nerd. Other than science, I enjoy art and music. I draw with graphite, charcoal, and prismacolors. Portraits are my favorite thing to draw. I paint with watercolor and I like to combine abstract and realistic concepts in my paintings. I like to play music on my viola, as well as listen to it. I listen to a wide range of music, from classical to rap. However, I absolutely love to listen to string music. I also am a huge, huge fan of the 1965 movie production of the Sound of Music and listen to the soundtrack constantly. Julie Andrews’s voice is just magical. I also love to read (although I have to admit I haven't been reading a lot recently) and am a fan of Greek mythology. Other than that, I like to spend my time on the internet on social media and other websites like YouTube, I am a YouTube addict and love watching videos (although I’d like it if all of them were captioned so I wouldn’t have to use as much effort to listen and understand the videos). If you go to any of my social media profiles, you’ll see that I’m pretty passionate about social justice. I like to learn and educate myself about things that are happening right now in our politics and culture.

That basically sums me up. I think this was a good (and quite long) self-introductory post. I really look forward to making more posts in the future!

Ashley

[ciathyzareposts]

Nippon Safes Inc. – Back with a wrench-ance

By Torch

Doug Nuts here again. Being a genius, I usually like to get by in the world using my brains. This time, however, my legs have done most of the job

Last time I left off trying to figure out how to win the grand opening competition at the restaurant Kaizen-Sushi (or Kaiten-Zushi. I’ve stopped caring). The prize is an all-you-can-eat meal at the restaurant. I’m 99% certain I need this to give to Dino, in exchange for a ticket to tonight’s Sumo match, which I need to give to the taxi driver to have him take me to the monastery.

Also, I had a voucher for a free bean tasting at the very same restaurant. I couldn’t figure out if Doug already received the beans when I presented the voucher, or if I was supposed to pick them up somehow, but according to commenter Vetinari, Doug ate them on the spot. So I hope I’m good.

Back to the job at hand. Now, maybe my adventure gaming skills are getting rusty in an age of easily accessible, hand-holding AAA-games, but I feel that a lot of this play session was all about brute force. It’s a good thing my metro ticket is an all-day pass, or I would be in big trouble. Also, I’m all but ready to declare Doug’s wrench this chapter’s MVP ( Most Valuable Pocket-filler ).

I’ll spare you most of the back-and-forth, train trips, park strolls and such, and jump right to my first new discovery. Let’s head back to Doug’s apartment and take a new look at his “larder”. You may remember me mentioning a radio in the previous post, that I could do anything with. Well, turns out that I can.

Strange choice of words. And I think using a screwdriver would be more realistic, but I’ll take it. 

Using the wrench I’m able to “dismount” Doug’s radio, and I’m rewarded with…. a… thing! Ok, it looks like a speaker. Why oh why, game, couldn’t you include at least a mouse-over description of inventory items?

Lower left item. It’s either a speaker or a propeller. Or a really weird hat. 

With my newfound appreciation for the wrench, I decide to use it wherever I can, and lo and behold:

Chan to the rescue

Finally some progress. Honest Chan accepts the wrench and will let me trade it in for either a large or a small pot. (He also lets me trade back afterwards). At this point, some cogs in my brain that I believed to be rusted shut, start moving again. My theory is: If one of the pots is the same size as the one in the restaurant, perhaps I can somehow fill it with balls and count them, so I can “guess” the correct number of balls and thus win the competition. Great stuff, but there’s one problem… What kind of balls are they, and where can I get some? Anyway, for now I’ll take the big pot.

  Yay! The pot is my

I go check the department store again. I still have some flyers (dispensed bills), and one of them says something about “Sento baths” and something about soap. Maybe the balls are tiny soaps? But the department store still won’t open. I wonder how they manage to stay in business without customers. Maybe it’s invitation only.

Sigh, and here I had my hopes up. I roam around some more, and after a while, on my 56th (or so) ride on the metro, I notice a poster that I can interact with after the train leaves the station.

More like come and lose, amirite?

Ok, there was a section on Pachinko in the manual. I’m pasting in the whole thing for reference:

Pachinko is a typically Japanese form of fun, and also the most widespread. In Tyoko, for example, where the number of inhabitants is 1.732.461, at least 70% of Japanese men and 30% of the women play regularly. It consists of a machine half-way between a slot machine and a flipper. The game takes place on a vertical surface with holes in it and the nails hammered into it. The players ability consists of making a metal ball bounce on the nails so that it falls into the holes. In this way he can win more balls, until he has won enough or all the balls are finished. The balls won can be exchanged for prizes in proportion to their number. They usually consist of things one uses daily such as chocolate, perfume, cigarettes, and so on. Strictly speaking, exchanging the balls for money is prohibited, although it is a common practice throughout Japan. Scattered all over the country there are over 15.000 Pachinko halls. Each of these contains an average of over 200 machines, and when in use they make a deafening sound.

These tidbits of information about Japanese daily life are fun and interesting, but the thing that struck me about this was the word “balls”. They use little metal balls. Maybe the same ones that can fill my pot? Ok, I’m game. But where’s Subu? Is it a station like Kinza? I still have 100 yen, so I go back to dishonest Chan’s, and, as luck would have it, he sells me a ticket to Subu. One short metro ride later, and I have arrived at a brand new location! Now we’re getting somewhere.

Expectation: Look at all the exits! I can go anywhere! – Reality: Only one works

The Pachinko house is on the right, and boy are they all over this thing called “capacity management”.

This guy is a placeholder for 70% of the city’s male population

I don’t have any money or anything to play with, but I find a single ball in the deposit slot on the machine on the right. This is apparently where you buy ball, or exchange them for other stuff. I can insert the ball in the machine on the very left to play.

Ignore the fact I’m supposed to be playing on the leftmost machine…

Ok, so if I put the ball in and play, I will randomly(?) win or lose a ball. I can’t say I’ve done exhaustive research, but in my attempts, I never went below one or above four. Hardly enough to fill a large jar. To speed up the regular walking animation, I’ve cranked up the performance of Dosbox, and this probably caused me to not discover sooner that you can use items while the ball is in play. The game pauses when the action menu is up. Now, I didn’t have my wrench at the moment, having traded it in for the jar, but looking at the options, I remembered that loudspeakers are built using magnets, so perhaps that could be used to affect the ball? Yes!

Ballsy

Ok, great. But how do I get them into the jar and count them? As I noted during the intro post, it doesn’t seem like it’s possible to combine items…. Only, suddenly it is…

Usually after I select an item, and then bring up the inventory/action menu again, the pointer changes back to the default one, but this time the balls remain attached to the pointer… I’m not 100% sure of the order of left-right clicks, but after some persistent mousework they combine successfully. With the balls in the jar, I can click the whole thing on Doug to count the balls.

Fun fact. When guessing wildly at the restaurant before all this, Doug guesses 7153, and the chef tells him it’s way off….

Back to the restaurant then. When I get there and talk to the chef, though, there’s no dialogue option to guess the number of balls again! Drat… oh, but after I look at the contest jar one more time, I get the option back. Whew! Nice scare there, game. Doug guesses the correct number, and receives a voucher for an all-you-can-eat meal. Fast forward to the Kinza district, I meet Dino again and give him the voucher in exchange for a ticket to the sumo match.

Err… Sure whatever, just give me the dang ticket.

Another quick trip on the metro to meet the taxi driver, who thankfully is back in his spot. Giving him the Sumo ticket totally changes his tune.

Fascinating how his forehead vein remains even when he’s smiling

I could probably order a hit on someone after this, but I settle for asking for a ride to the monastery. Note that after this, the left exit on this screen leads right to the monastery, which is a nice touch.

One does not simply *walk* into the Monastery

As you can see from the screenshot, getting in to the monastery is going to take some effort. So far I haven’t found a jetpack, but if somebody could make one, it would have to be Doug “Einstein” Nuts, right? Anyway, there’s an intercom in an alcove in the wall that lets me call the gatekeeper or whatever. As I approach it, they greet me by my name. How did they know? Well, their zen discipline gives them some supernatural powers.

The “intercom” looks like it’s just a duct that goes up

 Doug presents himself as a wannabe initiate, but the only way to join the order is if one of the other members “reaches a state of universal harmony with all” (read: dies) or I get a letter of introduction from someone very high up. Though they all look pretty high up from where I’m standing…

So it’s back to Tioko (sorry TBD) again to try to find out what I might have missed. At some point I try to trade the jar back to honest Chan. I get my wrench back, and I keep the balls. Hmm… ok? What did the manual say again… The balls are traded in for various items at the Pachinko halls. Ok, back to Subu district. When there I have only one option to trade for.

There’s a Clinton joke in here somewhere

So ok, cigars… New theory coming up…. What if… I go find one of those monk dudes who walk around the city aaaaand…. Offer him a cigar. He smokes himself to death, and…. No, it’s too silly. I still try, of course. But it doesn’t work. The only other thing I can think of using cigars for is to bypass laser based intrusion prevention systems (Yes, Space Quest 4, that’s on you)

I walk around town trying to offer the cigars to everyone I meet, and some point I enter Doug’s home, only to come face to face with a familiar…eh..face.

  Well, for you, I COULD be… Oh wait yeah, that IS me

So I’m guessing each chapter will have some intersection with the others, which is a neat idea, in my opinion. As with Dino, Donna needs Doug to get her something, and she will in return provide something that Doug needs. More specifically she needs a sword, the “Katana Shinjuku”, but the person who has it is in prison. So she wants Doug to break her out. She sought out Doug because he’s an expert in “Money surgery”, which is a good example of the game’s at times strange English.

Er… I think the word you’re looking for is “transplantation”, Doug

In return for freeing the prisoner, Doug requests a letter of introduction from someone high up, and Donna claims to know the emperor (of… Ti/yoko? Of Japan? Why does he live here?), so she agrees to provide this. She leaves Doug with a parting gift before exiting stage right.

Donna certainly lives up to her last name (Fatale)

I haven’t the slightest idea how to get back to prison, or if it’s even the same prison, but I figure it’s time to talk to Max & Kos again, the fourth wall breaking game developers sitting in the Hot Sushi bar to see if they have any more information. They do in fact know how to get to the prison, but they will only part with this knowledge in exchange for some cigars. For once, I’m ahead of the game, even though this puts a damper on my plans to get a monk to smoke himself to death. They tell me you can get below the prison by entering the metro tunnel at the Subu station, so I head there. At the station, I can leave the screen on the right side.

Doug sees hatch. Hatch has bolts. Wrench sees bolts. Bolts go bye. 

Going through the hatch, I arrive once again at a place similar to the one in Doug’s intro: The sewers.

Hope it’s not a maze

It IS a maze, but it’s not too bad this time, as I can find my way around it without having to map. On one screen I find a pick (maybe Doug’s from before?), and on another I end up below the prison.

What’s behind window number 3?

This screen is another example of my issues with the interface. Nowhere on the screen is there any indication of a hotspot if I just mouseover with the default pointer, but if select the pick, I get the option to make a hole on the third wall section from the left. Ok, fine. I make a hole, but it’s kind of small. Not large enough for a person to fit through. More like the one in the intro where I placed the plastic explosives…. Only I don’t have plastic explosives, just the detonator that came in the mail. Ok, I head home to check the mailbox again, and hooray! The explosives have arrived. I don’t quite understand why I couldn’t have gotten these together with the detonator, but there’s probably a reason. Back to the sewer.

I plant the explosives, move away and activate the detonator. Ka-BLAM! A woman emerges from the hole. Good thing she wasn’t sitting near the wall or anything in her probably gigantic cell with multiple walls that would surely protect her from unannounced explosions. Doug’s not too big on EHS, I presume.

Well, first the dinosaurs came….

As a reward for freeing her, she hands me a key to the sword, which is in a secret crypt in the “Residence”, which I presume is the house near the park, where I couldn’t interact with anything. Oh and, don’t they like, take away your belongings when you get sent to prison? Where exactly did you keep this key? Or maybe I don’t want to know…

I head back up and go to the Residence, where I still can’t do anything. But perhaps Doug isn’t supposed to get the sword by himself? I try going home instead, and meet Donna again. We exchange quest items, and I think I’m finally ready to go monastery…ing.

Back at the monastery, the guy in the intercom seems to accept my letter of introduction, so they lower a makeshift elevator.

Eh… where’s the rope?

According to Google Translate, it means “I don’t like bride position”.. Reiko..?

Ahem, if I may direct your attention to this letter by the EMPEROR…!

Despite coming highly recommended by the emperor himself, they want me to perform chores to prove that I’m worthy. More specifically I’m to pick up the leaves scattered around on the ground. Leaf on, leaf off? Oh well. I’m given a stick and a sack to help me. After I’m done, I’m taken to see the Elder, which is a guy that floats upside down in the air.

Yes, I too want to learn that floaty stuff. 

To be accepted I have to pass another test (of course), which is to answer 2 riddles correctly in a row. If I fail one of them, I have to go out and pick leaves again, then come back and try again.

It’s a big plus for the game, that so far it doesn’t seem to be possible to get dead-ended. I guess I’ll reserve final judgment for when I finish it, but so far, so good.

The elder’s riddles are mostly logic or sometimes math based. I’ll give you an example:

“The forbidden city is half as old as time. One thousand million years ago, the forbidden city was two fifths as old as the age of time in a thousand million years.”

This required a little bit of math to solve, but you get a choice of three possible answers, so you could also just guess. In case you want to try to solve this yourself, here’s the answer in ROT13: Gur sbeovqqra pvgl vf frira gubhfnaq zvyyvba lrnef byq.

I fail a couple of times, and one of the times, the guy with the glasses is gone when I enter the main building, which looks to be the monks’ dormitory.

There are several small chambers in here, and scattered throughout are many new additions to my inventory. To save some time, I’ll sum them up. I find: A Buddha figure(not jade), a sheet, some poison(!), 2 floor mats, a sexy magazine, a knife and a bowl of rice. That’s pretty random, but ok. One of the rooms also contains a large, golden Buddha statue.

Thankfully it’s not the jade one

I get back to leaf picking and riddle guessing, and after a couple of tries I’m admitted into the order, whatever that entails. The only difference I can spot, is that I have a new inventory item, that looks like Doug chanting or meditating.

Or he’s been hit over the head with a large cartoon hammer

A lot of new toys to play with, and I’m not sure what to do with them all, but the area to move around with is rather small, so brute forcing is a viable strategy. In the room with the Golden Buddha, I can use the meditation action/item to make the statue float. Guess Doug’s a pretty fast learner.

If I were a buddhist, I’d take offence to somebody trying to speak “whale” to my idol.

The statue rises a bit, but then goes back down. I’m not sure what the point was, but I’m here looking for a safe, and I’ve not seen one so far. Maybe the statue hides one, or a passage to it? I try to humm again and use the stick to hold the statue up, but it doesn’t work. It would probably be way too flimsy to support the weight of the statue anyway.

Out of options here, I go outside to try to find something to use my other newly acquired items for. One strange option presents itself.

No! Bad Doug!

Now this whole next sequence bit I didn’t understand until way after I was done, but it’s sort of starting to make sense now. I poison the fish in the pond, then throw them in the pot in the kitchen to make “fish glue”. Is that a thing that people know..? You can cook fish to make glue?? I had no idea, so I had to Google it, and apparently you can make some sort of glue from fish bladders. All the wiser now, I guess.

On the other side of the courtyard, there are a couple of birds nesting in the trees. During one conversation with the guy who introduced me to the elder, one of them echoed him as he was speaking. Just trying to combine stuff in my inventory I manage to apply the fish glue to one of the floor mats. I discover that I can leave the floor mat on the ground near the trees and put the bowl of rice next to it. Then the birds will fly down to eat rice and get stuck on the mat, after which I can capture them and stuff them in my sack. Poisoning fish and stuffing birds in sacks…. Don’t tell PETA about this game.

With the birds in my posession, the next time I humm the Golden Buddha, one of birds take over afterwards. And the statue floats all the way up, revealing a jade Buddha underneath it. Score! So I guess the statue WAS the safe.

Guess the bird outranks Doug in the monk order hierarchy. Must be why he has that rad mohawk

I’ll just levi-take this

Ok, goal achieved. Time to split. But how? I can’t seem to work the elevator. I thought about tying sheets and mats together to make a rope, but they can’t be combined.

Out by the fish pond, though, there are a couple of ropes tied around some poles, and with the knife, I can cut them down. Note that they do not show as a hotspot unless I have the knife as the active pointer. I’m still not too happy about that, but at least they’re fairly visible on the screen.

Again I struggle with combining things in the inventory. If I pick the ropes and try to use them on the sheet, it doesn’t work. If I pick up the sheet though, I can click it on the ropes to make a parachute. I can’t use the parachute explicitly, but if I run to the edge of the wall above the fish pond, Doug jumps off the side of the building.

Why can’t I see my house from here?

After I land though…. Dun dun DUH! Plot twist!

Chapter completed

With that, the chapter completes, and I’m back to the character selection questionnaire.

What, can I play Doug again..?

Who will I play next? Only time (and reading my next post) will tell!

Tyoko/Tioko (only 2 mentions this time): Tioko: 8 Tyoko: 6

Times wrench used: 4 Inventory items:

source http://reposts.ciathyza.com/nippon-safes-inc-back-with-a-wrench-ance/

[kashmir-box]

Top most selling products | Kashmir box

Kitchenware

From simple spaghetti over to a hearty stew and exotic curry - having the right cooking pots in the kitchen is indispensable. The right cookware makes cooking your favorite dish easier. No matter whether you're having a family celebration or want to create a romantic dinner for two. But which pot should it be: Pressure cooker, stewpot or casserole? There are countless possibilities. But don't worry, here in our online shop you'll find advise so that you will find the right cooking pot fur sure! The first steps before buying a cooking pot are thinking about material, size and function. Here's how to find the ideal cookware:

1. Different Types of Stoves

2. Material Variety of Pots

3. Cooking Pot Size & Form 

4. Functions

5. Price of Design Pots

1. Types of Stoves: The Right Cooking Pot for Every Stove

Not every pot fits all kinds of stoves. There are hardly any problems with electric stoves. The Ceran field transfers the heat to your cooking pot. The most classic cooking pots are stainless steel pots. They do have the disadvantage however that they do not have an even heat distribution. If you want to save energy use pots with a copper-stainless steel mixture on the bottom. They are extremely conductive and effectively protect against burning.

If you have a gas stove, you have virtually every option in terms of pots. Only glass pots should not be used. Most professional chefs use the earlier mentioned copper pots when cooking on gas stoves.

If you're using induction stoves, however, there are a few things that should be considered. Induction stoves generate heat through magnetic forces. That's why you should not use cooking pots made of enamel, copper or terracotta. Stainless steel pots are usually suitable for induction. To be on the safe side make sure that your cooking pot is labeled as an induction pot.

brings you the Bamboo Drawer Organizer, a bin where large, medium, small, and oddly shaped objects can be stored together in harmony. Organize your home cabinets, beauty supplies in your bathroom, or large sets of utensils in the kitchen drawer. It is also perfect for other types of storage, such as arts & crafts and sewing supplies.

Get buy kitchenware

Some items are just hard to organize, making the inside of your drawers an endless mess: electric knives, hair dryers, large kitchen utensils, spoons, pliers, rolling pins, hair flat irons, scissors, whisks, ladles, graters, wine openers… You know what we are talking about! We HAD that same problem. Not anymore—we solved it! And we want to share the solution with you.

 CLEVER DESIGN: Diagonal slot arrangement lets you store extra long items as well as small and oddly shaped utensils. Tray’s outside dimensions are 17” long X 12” wide X 2.5” deep. 

CUSTOMIZABLE: Slots can be removed to modify the bin’s size and shape, giving you organizing superpowers!

SPACE SAVER: Conceived to be deep enough to fit bulky items and make the most of your drawer space.

 Jewelry box

More often than not, when women collect jewelry, there comes a point when one or two pieces get forgotten in a drawer or other place. Then one day, you come across it and wonder, “How did I ever forget I had this!”

Organizing your jewelry so you can see all the different pieces at any given time is a good way to make sure you know exactly what you have in your jewelry box.

Why are so many people buying jewelry boxes today? Know the nitty-gritty of buying a great jewelry box for yourself or the leading lady in your life.

Because some jewelry collections are bigger than others, the first thing you need to do is chose a jewelry box that works for what you have and that allows you to organize and display your jewelry properly.

If you have a good amount of jewelry, or you keep adding pieces to your collection, a jewelry box with different drawers might be the best option for you.  If on the other hand, you have a small jewelry collection, then a medium to small decorative jewelry box might be best.

  A toy wind-up jewelry box that opens up to beautiful music and a tiny figurette ballerina dancing atop it is what took every little girl’s fancy back in the day. She’d put in her toy jewelry and apply make-up looking at the tiny mirror within it, imitating her mother as best as she could.

What made a little girl happy… still makes a grown-up woman happy.

 Every woman owns some jewelry – even those who you have never seen wearing any. And every one of them treats their jewelry as one of their most prized possessions – something they would hate losing and love giving to their daughter or daughter-in-law later in life. Therefore, taking good, proper care of their jewelry and storing them safely is very important for them.

 Handmade Jewelry box are small boxes usually with a latched lid that are used to store jewels and small trinkets. They have been in use since the times of Kings and Queens. Even today, if you go visit any palace, you will see that the Queen’s room had a huge handcrafted jewelry box attached with mirrors and a broad array of hair brushes. As times went by, jewelry boxes became a mainstream commodity that women from all walks of life began to use. Only the materials used and the sizes they were made up of began to alter.

 handmade wall hanging

In case you're attempting to finish a minor space, you're for the most part constrained by the area (or scarcity in that department). You know what doesn't take up any of that valuable floor space? Divider stylistic theme! In case need some motivation for what to do with your dividers and add to your Pin sheets, we gathered together 45 of our most loved thoughts at this moment. Regardless of whether it's with picture edges or vintage maps, divider sconces or clipboards, these dividers are intended to rouse—and dribble over.

 1. Hang Potted Wall Plants

 Divider mounted grower is an extraordinary greenery answer for the plant darling with little space. Here, a handmade wall hanging made a smooth and space-adroit succulent garden over her bed with only a bunch of them.

 2. Design a Flashy Wall Hanging

 Here and there a striking bit of divider stylistic layout is all you have to convey character and visual enthusiasm to a room. Locate a garnish inside decoration, or even better, make your own particular à la A Beautiful Mess, and add some shading and surface to a generally void divider.

 3. Hang up Your Faves

 Wall hanging knows some things about beautiful and capacity benevolent divider stylistic layout. Inside her Arizona home highlighted on Domino, the Little Green Notebook blogger selected to hang up her guitar accumulation with divider mounted capacity snares.

 4. Hang up Your Hat(s)

 Capacity snares aren't only to hang umbrellas (or guitars, as observed previously). A bunch of divider snares—self-glue ones work incredibly for leaseholders—can transform a vacant divider into a complex method to store your caps, much the same as this mass of caps in the studio of material craftsman Jane Denton on SF Girl by Bay.

 5. Cover a Wall in Corkboard

 Regardless of whether you're searching for a practical method to handmade wall hanging or mold an inclination board in your home office space, a corner divider shrouded in stopper (like this one from Coco Lapine) is the ideal place to play with visuals.

 Paper mache

Here we bring you some more simple guide to get started with something new to try on. Let’s do Paper Mache this coming weekend as its really easy and fun to create things out of paper. We can create anything with paper mache, from useful and pretty bowls to unique lampshades- all you need to know is the basic technique behind great paper mache.

Here we bring you some more simple guide to get started with something new to try on. Let’s do Paper Mache this coming weekend as its really easy and fun to create things out of paper. We can create anything with paper mache, from useful and pretty bowls to unique lampshades- all you need to know is the basic technique behind great paper mache!

Papier-mache (pap-yay mash-ay) or paper mache (paper mash-ay) is easy to make, hard material that can be used to cover various surfaces. It is often used in arts and crafts to make various sculptures, fruit bowls, puppets, dolls and much more. The surface is easy to paint, allowing you to add patterns, bright colors, and interesting designs to your finished product. This article details how to make the basic paper mache that can be used for any project that you have in mind.

It’s great for little fingers and grown-ups can also make all sorts of wonderful art projects — it will keep you all entertained for ages.

Materials Required:

Paper/Newspaper

Flour

Adhesive

Water

Salt

Table covering

Emulsion paint

Vaseline

Paintbrush

 We love Paper Mache, or Papier Mache depending on your preferred spelling! You can make your own Papier Mache Paste quickly and easily – and above all environmentally friendly and inexpensive.

Our simple paper mache recipe only requires two ingredients – yes that is correct – flour and water. It is the most traditional method for how to make paper mache paste and gives you a strong, durable papier mache glue. With the added bonus that this paper-mache glue is inexpensive, can be made from household items, is not as messy as PVA Papier Mache paste AND is good for the environment.

Himalayan Rock Salt

Some people describe pink Himalayan salt as one of the purest salts available and say it boasts several health benefits.

But does this salt earn its place among the "healthier" salts? This article explores the possible benefits of this exotic salt.

What is pink Himalayan salt?

People claim that pink Himalayan salt is healthier than regular salt.

Pink Himalayan salt is chemically similar to table salt. It contains up to 98 percent sodium chloride.

The rest of the salt consists of trace minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. These give the salt its light pink tint.

These minerals also explain why Himalayan rock salt tastes different from regular table salt.

How is it used?

People use this type of salt and common table salt in the same way: As part of cooking, to season meals, and to preserve food.

Blocks of pink salt sometimes become serving dishes, cooking surfaces, and cutting boards. Some people also use pink Himalayan salt in place of bath salts. It is also possible to buy lamps and candleholders made of pink salt.

Why does the body need salt?

Sodium is an essential trace mineral found in salt. The body needs this for a variety of functions.

It can support:

contracting and relaxing muscles

maintaining proper fluid balance and preventing dehydration

sending nervous system impulses

preventing low blood pressure

Recent research has suggested that eating salt can reduce the risk of infection and kill harmful bacteria.

[teressasptthk-blog]

Five Spots That you simply Can find How to grow marijuana.

Expand Your Own Organic Vegetables, Fruit And Herbs With These Tips Gardening can be a rewarding pastime and may bring numerous advantages. Whether you want to grow a flower garden or plant some fresh herbs, you'll find that tending to the plants is exceedingly fulfilling. The guidelines in the following paragraphs will help you get the most from a garden. Which means you don't shock the plants, you must gradually purchase them use to a change in the temperature and conditions. Initially, only leave them outside for a brief time period lowest price Since the week progresses, gradually improve their being exposed to the outdoors. Once the week is carried out, your plants will be ready for the large move without any problems. Select plant types that may bring a greater profits and yield. A hybrid designed for your weather, and resistant against local diseases, will give a greater yield than non-hybrids. Cover fences and walls with lots of climbers. Many climbers can cover the wall or fence within one growing season. You don't need to worry about removing trees between the climbing plants and also the fence, because the trees don't present obstacles on the climbers' growth. Some people use climbers being a natural "ceiling" to arbors. Some require ties attaching these people to supports, but others will attach themselves to the surface nearby. Among the most reliable varieties are wisteria, clematis, jasmine, honeysuckle and climbing roses. When winter comes, it can save you a few plants by transferring them indoors. Think of saving your resistant plants or the expensive ones. Dig around the roots carefully and transfer the plant to your pot. Plant bulbs within your garden if you need flowers through summer and spring. Planting and growing bulbs is very simple, and when planted the bulbs will grow for many years. Plant bulbs that may bloom at various intervals to make certain beautiful flowers are growing within your garden all year long. Both cat grass and wheat grass are perfect for giving your errant feline pause. You may also repel your pet by planting rosemary or placing citrus fruit peels around the garden. If you are growing vegetables inside your garden, it is essential that you possess them within a spot where they can get at least six hours of sun a day. Most vegetables need no less than that much sun exposure to grow properly. This is especially true for many flowers. Before starting planting your backyard, plan it! Having a planting plan will assist you to correctly identify the young plants when they begin to sprout. Another benefit is that you won't lose the tiny plants in the big garden patch. Maintain your plants dry and aerated daily. Moisture can be a magnet for disease and parasites on your plants. Fungi are parasites which can be common in the plant world. There are several effective fungicide products which prevents fungi growth and clean up any existing problems too. To summarize, gardening is a fun hobby to possess. There exists just something about growing your personal flowers and vegetables that may be very fulfilling. Should you heed these suggestions, you can experience gardening more than ever before..

[offerup-blog1]

6 Simple Genius Tweaks To Clear Up Space Around The Home

July 5, 2017

Time and again, it's been proven: Excessive accumulation of clutter is detrimental to your health. Whether your dwelling is of micro or mansion proportions, chances are you've got anywhere between one and 20 unneeded items crowding your space.

The coffee table you sometimes bump into en route to the kitchen, or the barely-used spices that get knocked over every time you reach for the pepper, or that pile of half-read magazines on your desk? More than just annoyances, that excess stuff may be jeopardizing your career.

You don't have to kiss all those items goodbye (though you might want to recycle your old copies of Vogue). Your first step to enlightenment is decluttering. We’ll show you some ways to get everything cleaned up, cleaned out and in order:

1. Sell your unnecessary stuff

Seems obvious, right? But it's not always easy to recognize the clutter for what it is. We grow attached to certain items or become convinced we’ll need them in the future. As a result, we don't realize what they’re actually doing is devouring precious space.

If you’re struggling with identifying your clutter culprits, try taking a photo of the room in question. It'll give you some objectivity and make it easier to categorize applicable items as wasteful.

Another way to decide what to part with? Check how similar items fare on OfferUp. When you know your blender could fetch up to $55, keeping that second one around “just in case” suddenly seems a lot less necessary. 

2. Put out-of-season and infrequently used items into storage

So you sold your untouched elliptical on OfferUp and bequeathed your old guitar to more skilled hands. Now the only thing standing between you and a streamlined hallway closet is a couple of bulky winter coats and your roommate's bicycle.  

The solution? Deal with the wardrobe and wheels, storage-style. Schedule a MakeSpace pickup (they’re a full-service LA storage company that also serves Chicago, New York City, and Washington, DC) and rotate your gear on an as-needed basis.

This works if you’re moving or downsizing, too. Even after a thorough decluttering, certain remaining items might just not fit. If your heirloom wicker chairs don’t rock as well in your new studio, keep them safely stored until there’s room to swing again. Our favorite rule of thumb? If you haven’t retrieved a stored item for a year and have no grand plans for its future use, it’s time to find it a new home.

3. Designate and separate your zones

Image via A Beautiful Mess

Now that you’ve effectively decluttered, it’s time to get strategic. 

Take a cue from House Beautiful and divide up your areas into specific zones. Not only will this make sense of your space, it can also make your home look bigger in the process.

Is one nook just for reading? Scooch a cozy arm chair under a floating shelf, then incorporate exclusively literary-related items within that zone. That leaves you space on the other side of the same room for a whole separate zone. Mini bar, anyone?

Keep miscellanea like shoes and glassware out of your designated living spaces. This allows for fewer obstacles, more space, and greater productivity.

4.  Invest in multipurpose furniture

It’s a bookshelf! It’s a chair! No, it’s … both? Convertible furniture can be a lifesaver in small spaces. Not to mention, turning your sofa into a bunk bed makes for a pretty snazzy party trick.

Of course, for all the dazzle of a highly engineered piece, there are also plenty of simple staples that can perform double duty. Sofas with a lift, for example, let you slide floor cushions underneath it. Pull them out, and voilà: ingenious, stowable seating for impromptu guests.   

Equally brilliant in its simplicity and space-saving power: a storage ottoman. Toss your TV accessories inside, then sit back and relax as the eternal “where’s the remote?” dilemma ends once and for all. Or load it up with blankets for winter nights, when Netflix and chill turns all too literal.

Got kids? Then you’ve probably got (a lot of) toys. Save your sanity (and floor space) with a bench seat that doubles as a toy box – perfect for storytime readings.

5. Hack your kitchen storage  

Image via The Green Cupboard

There’s nothing quite like a home-cooked meal. But nonna’s famous tagliatelle recipe seems less appetizing when prep requires wading through three cookery-crammed cabinets. Wouldn’t it be nice if your utensils were simply … accessible?  

Buona news: With this sleek bookshelf pot rack, they can be. Up to 12 pots and pans hang from the sturdy hooks, making them great for air drying as well. And the extra shelf space on top is perfect for cookbooks or your budding herb garden.

You could also install a pegboard for additional hanging space (Apartment Therapy has step-by-step DIY instructions). Hey, if it was good enough for Julia Child, it’s good enough for us.

If your external surface space is already taken, though, Style at Home has a solution: Paint the inside of cupboard doors with magnetic paint. Then hang any important papers that might otherwise “get knocked off a fridge in a small space.”

You could also take that magnetic magic a step further, and magnetically hang your spices from a cookie sheet à la this suggestion from Bea Organized.

A Lazy Susan works wonders for organizing spices, too. Just make sure to label the lids for easy future reference.

6. Get sorted with Sugru

What’s tiny, fun to say, and has the potential to organize your entire life? The putty-like marvel known as Sugru.

Fasten the pliable substance as needed, and it’ll harden into rubber after 24 hours. Maybe you’re designing a floating herb garden, or organizing your shower. Or maybe you’re upcycling a mirror for jewelry storage. Either way, Sugru saves the day.

This post was written by MakeSpace, a full-service storage company that picks up, stores, and delivers your stuff so you never have to visit a self-storage unit. 

[connorrenwick]

CDW17: Experiencing Design at Clerkenwell Design Week

Now that new product launches are instantly disseminated the world over through social media and blogs like this one, design festivals have to try harder to reward those who visit in person, whether that’s through hyper-local design or live experiences. Clerkenwell, a tiny area of London that gets its own festival due to the sheer number of creatives based there (there are rumored to be more architects per square foot than anywhere else in the world) and its Design Week is no exception.

Commissioned by our very own Editor at Large, Katie Treggiden, the Curved Twist installation at Desso‘s flooring��showroom was created by Kia Utzon-Frank and Faye McCaul, combining Kia’s patent pending Louver Twisting Comb system, a frame made from recycled yogurt pots, and 21,500 dichroic rods that Faye knitted into a screen that changes color depending on the light and angle it is viewed from. It really came alive in natural daylight and had to be seen to be believed.

Kia also made a series of sculptural cakes covered with Tarkett’s flooring designs and featuring an ‘ombre’ flavor profile that changed in intensity from rhubarb compote to white chocolate and rum ganache depending on which slice you tried. They were served as part of a ‘fika’ ritual – a cake and coffee break that is an important part of Swedish culture.

Clerkenwell London is a multi-disciplinary space housing a bar, restaurant, spa, wine cellar, shop and events space. A series of making workshops brought the space alive for Clerkenwell Design Week, including screen-printing classes with Anthony Burrill, who created a timely special edition of his Give The Joy Back print for the event.

Meanwhile, artist and print maker Alex Booker taught a woodblock carving print workshop. Alex is currently in Tanzania with the human rights charity Standing Voice as part of their Summer Skills Workshop: a fortnight-long program of training, seminars, and workshops supporting marginalized communities of people with albinism on Ukerewe Island. Your can follow his journey on Instagram.

Alongside workshops, there was an extensive talks program from the main talks space to fringe events happening right across Clerkenwell. London-based independent magazine shop, magCulture, collaborated with MacGuffin magazine to create an installation based around the humble kitchen sink – each issue of MacGuffin is inspired on one object and the sink is their current focus. magCulture hosted ‘What the Sink Saw’ a talk which saw magCulture founder Jeremy Leslie and MacGuffin contributor Eliot Haworth explore the role of 1950s kitchen sink dramas.

There was of course also some product on show. Alhambra Tiles collaborated with artist Rob Lowe – more commonly known as Supermundane – to create Super Tile, with a share of the profits going to Core Arts, an East London-based not-for-profit social business promoting positive mental health and well being through creative learning.

Transport for London is well-known for its smart use of design and patronage of the arts. Its pop-up shop of brooches inspired by the capital’s subway system was a treat – our favorite was this set of table mats, coasters, and of course brooches, by Loris & Livia made from the speckled heat-resistant flooring of the London Underground carriages.

East London-based Grace Souky was born in Venezuela and educated in New York. Her Domestic Collectables series explores the connections between users and everyday objects, especially with regard to the ways in which we interact with such objects around the ritual of food. Using brass, copper, aluminum, marble and wood to create the same piece in a variety of materials, she creates endless variations to suit different needs and tastes.

An architect by trade, Brighton-based Amalia Sanchez de la Blanca now pursues her first love, drawing buildings rather than designing them, to create a wide range of products, from bottle opener magnets to art prints, inspired by modernist properties around the world.

Textile designer and maker Laura Spring is originally from Staffordshire in England and now lives and works in Scotland’s Glasgow, having graduated from the Glasgow School of Art, where she creates bold graphic print designs which she translates into fashion and home accessories.

And not forgetting Clerkenwell Presents – the street installations commissioned by the festival organizers every year to engage passers-by and visitors alike with design and architecture. Double Vision is a four-meter high structural installation positioned at the entrance to the the historic Clerkenwell Close sponsored by flooring manufacturer Hakwood.

Detroit-based manufacturer Shinola collaborated with London-based design practice Giles Miller Studio, known for its innovative surface development, to create The Bolt – a celebration of handcrafted skills, materials and product, in which Giles Miller took the Shinola logo and applied his trademark three-dimensional surface pattern design approach.

Design and fabrication specialists Aldworth James & Bond worked with Corian to create Order – an installation for St John’s Gate, using an octagonal form inspired by the Cross of St John – the icon for the Order of St John, which was granted a royal charter by Queen Victoria in 1888 “to prevent and relieve sickness and injury, and to act to enhance the health and well-being of people anywhere in the world.”

Now in its second year the Next Generation Design Pavilion aims to inspire GCSE students from across London to consider design and construction-related careers. A series of educational workshops run by community interest collective Scale Rule asked students to explore how architecture and design might encourage social interaction – their solution was a bridge to which visitors can attach ribbons inspired by the padlocks attached to bridges all over the world.

And finally, British artist Sally Hogarth worked with flooring manufacturer Karndean to create Apex, Cubix, Pyramid, Tripoint, Pennon and Hexa – a series of six kaleidoscopic installations along the official Clerkenwell Design Week trail, that stopped people in their tracks and inspired a sense of child-like wonder as they explored the festival.

via http://design-milk.com/

from WordPress https://connorrenwickblog.wordpress.com/2017/06/09/cdw17-experiencing-design-at-clerkenwell-design-week/

[tabletoptrinketsbyjj]

Trinkets, 9: Interesting baubles, semi magical objects and items touched by mystery.

A powerful magnet that appears to be in the shape of a stylized spider

A powerful magnifying glass

A preserved flower that lights up when you blow on it

A Randomly Colored metal sphere, one-inch in diameter that is always warm to the touch

A red gemstone that changes to a deep purple colour when it catches the light

A rod that does nothing but make overly dramatic “SWOOSHing” noises at even the slightest movement.

A roll of five bandages that changes size to perfectly fit any wound up to six inches

A set of tassels that attach to your clothing and flutter when you’re near someone you love

A sheet of paper that absorbs ink (and stains) after one hour

A signal horn that, when blown, blows bubbles instead of making a sound

---Keep reading for 90 more trinkets.

---Note: The previous 10 items are repeated for easier rolling on a d100.

A powerful magnet that appears to be in the shape of a stylized spider

A powerful magnifying glass

A preserved flower that lights up when you blow on it

A Randomly Colored metal sphere, one-inch in diameter that is always warm to the touch

A red gemstone that changes to a deep purple colour when it catches the light

A rod that does nothing but make overly dramatic “SWOOSHing” noises at even the slightest movement.

A roll of five bandages that changes size to perfectly fit any wound up to six inches

A set of tassels that attach to your clothing and flutter when you’re near someone you love

A sheet of paper that absorbs ink (and stains) after one hour

A signal horn that, when blown, blows bubbles instead of making a sound

A silver needle that always remains sharp but can puncture nothing

A silver whistle in the shape of a wolf’s head.

A single sparkling earring that whispers optimistic words when its bearer feels sad.

A six foot long, multi-coloured wool scarf

A six-inch wand of glass that can be bent and even tied in a knot

A skull of an unknown creature that is covered in ornate tattoos, one of which is the face of someone you used to know

A slab of petrified wood that glows with a soft green hue

A small blown glass bird that flaps its wings in sunlight

A small blue stone that stays wherever you put it, even if you release it in the air, but it can hold no weight

A small brass statuette taken from the nearby shrine of a minor God of a Random Good Domain

A small bronze lamp that was reputed to have once contained a genie before it was freed by a foolish sultan.

A small coin pouch that holds twice as much as it appears it should

A small compass that never points north, and sometimes points at strangers.

A small crystal goblet which makes an unusual ringing sound when tapped.

A small disk that bears the image of the father of whoever is touching it

A small doll that appears to have been pierced numerous times with 4 silver pins

A small folding chair made of wood and canvas

A small glider built from the cured wing-skin of a bat stretched over a wooden frame.

A small grey bottle with a screw-off lid that looks like a piece of common rock

A small handheld box that can project a series of shadows on any flat surface. The shadows seem to be asking for help.

A small iron hammer made by an ancient dwarven clan

A small iron sphere that always remains one-inch from the tip of a short marble rod, even though they are not physically connected

A small iron statuette taken from the nearby shrine of a minor God of a Random Lawful Domain

A small living cactus in a crudely decorated ceramic pot.

A small metal box filled with blue powder that, when snuffed, causes profound feelings of ecstasy for about a minute followed by painful cramps that are alleviated only by a messy and noisy bowel movement

A small metal box that makes a clicking noise when in the presence of smoke

A small metal box that produces sounds of hysterical laughter when shaken

A small metal container that keeps liquid poured inside lukewarm but makes it bitter

A small metal container that makes a loud (but brief) shrill tone when opened

A small metal container that produces a peculiar (but not unpleasant) odor when opened

A small metal disk with a crystal at its center that causes a buzzing noise in the ears of anyone holding it.

A small mirrored cube

A small model ship that, when placed on water, always points towards the location of the real ship it is linked to currently wrecked off the coast.

A small orange flag with the symbol of a pair of crossed bone clubs in black on it

A small pearl that always feels warm to the touch locally known as Dragonpearls, used to keep warm during cold evenings.

A small piece of bronze hammered into the form of a bearded dwarf’s head

A small piece of natural, unworked stone that, when held up to an ear to it, makes noise that sounds like that of people screaming

A small pinkish crystal attached to a piece of leather cord.

A small rod that emits a voice saying the same thing in an unknown language every time a button is pushed

A small round mirror that reflects nothing during the day and reflects only the moon at night

A small sack made of supple, high quality leather, with a dyed design that makes the entire pack look like a chicken when carried

A small skull carved from lava rock

A small sphere nested within a cube, but the cube exists out of phase and cannot be touched

A small stamp that creates a bizarre design on anything edible

A small statuette of a man with an eye in the center of his forehead

A small steel box set with a single piece of coral on the top. Each side of the interior is mirrored.

A small stone block from a long-forgotten castle. For some reason, gripping it puts you in a foul mood.

A small stone box containing a single unfamiliar coin of a silvery metal.

A small stone idol depicting a nightmarish creature that appears be half human and half giant worm.

A small stone statuette taken from the nearby shrine of a minor God of a Random Neutral Domain

A small sundial on a leather strap that can be worn on the wrist.

A small wooden box filled with a dozen polished turquoise buttons.

A small wooden box filled with dried leaves from the Crescent forest

A small wooden sailcart toy

A small wooden statuette taken from the nearby shrine of a minor God of a Random Chaotic Domain

A small wooden top. When you spin it you hear the rushing wind, but no one else does

A small, bone, eye mask that protects the wearer’s vision from the effects of heavy snow.

A small, ornate bead that adjusts to fit over any diameter of rope or string

A small, warm metal blade that gives a very close shave

A smokeless and odourless candle.

A smooth river stone with shards of bone stuck into it. If you look hard enough you can see that the bones are not of a human but of a goblin.

A soft, big-brimmed hat that sometimes drips water when it’s not raining

A sprig of dried wolfsbane that completely rejuvenates in the light of a full moon and dries out again the following morning.

A spyglass, dented and bent in half. However because the inside is so reflective, it can still be used.

A steel flask filled with water from the Lake of Golden Dreams

A sticky piece of metal that shows a series of bones and adheres to almost anything

A stone snail figurine that grows edible mushrooms instead of a shell

A stone tablet inscribed with the names of a dozen ancient knights

A stone with a mouth carved into it, that sometimes has a pinkish tongue

A strange rock hammer with a steelmark of Abyssal runes. The runes read “HAIL TO THE KING OF THE ROCK”

A stub of paper with writing on it that says something different to everyone who looks at it

A stuffed jackdaw that occasionally blinks or cocks its head.

A teardrop-shaped crystal that always leans to the south

A teardrop-shaped crystal that forms salt crystals along the bottom surface

A three foot length of steel chain that glows blue if touched by sweat or salt water

A tiny box with a button that makes a faint chiming noise when pressed

A tiny cage in which different things appear, sometimes living, sometimes not. There appears to be no way to open or break the cage.

A tiny glass vial with silver end-caps and a chain for wearing as an amulet. Every full moon a message printed on a slip of rolled paper appears inside.

A tiny harp with strings made of glowing energy

A tiny metal mouth that spits out words all day long, at random

A tiny orb of an unknown metallic alloy

A titanium sewing needle that can only unweave thread.

A toy sword that whistles a children’s song when swung.

A tube of lip gloss that makes the user’s lips invisible for one hour when applied.

A used hangman’s noose that fills whoever holds it with a sense that justice was done

A vampire fang capped with gold.

A varnished orb, eight inches in diameter, made from a nothic’s eye.

A velvet pouch containing a small silver bell, a razor blade, and a sprig of holly

A violin case containing a functioning violin and bow, sized for a cat sized creature

A violin case containing a functioning violin and bow, sized for a mouse sized creature