Month: March 2020

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Some Helpful Tips for Working From Home Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

The United States is not on an official lockdown quarantine yet, but many people – and businesses – are taking the recommendation to socially distance themselves seriously.

That means we’re at home, probably with our kids and maybe our spouse, trying to get work done amidst the chaos. And as someone who fights this battle every single day already, I’m here to tell you…it ain’t easy.

If you’re finding yourself facing this battle for the foreseeable future, here are some tips for being productive even without someone there watching.

Also, some tips for being able to separate your home and work lives, because take it from me, it can be far too easy to let everything blend together. Which means you’re basically always working, or think you should be working, and that doesn’t do anything good for your stress levels.

Here are 12 really amazing tips!

12. It’s so, so hard for friends and family to get.

11. That “end time” is tough but necessary.

10. Hopefully they’re old enough to listen to rules.

9. As hard as it is to ignore the laundry…

8. This will make everything easier.

7. Act like you’re clocking in and out.

6. Be patient; it takes time.

5. Especially the news on the television.

4. Only a year?

3. I love the timer idea.

2. I am going to try this one, for sure.

1. This is something we need to do more of even with our day jobs.

I’m going to incorporate some of these myself, though the kid thing is hard to navigate at the moment.

Do you have anything to add? Are you struggling with everyone at home?

Let’s talk it out in the comments!

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Funny Social Distancing Measures People Are Taking to Avoid Getting Coronavirus

COVID-19 has spread to many countries all over the globe. Governments are urging citizens to stay home, and some countries are on lockdown.

Common advice includes frequently washing one’s hands (and for a minimum of 20 seconds), not touching one’s face or eyes, and staying indoors to prevent transmission.

People are changing their habits in order to prevent sickness, but some people are changing their habits more than most.

7. This YouTuber Went All Out!

YouTuber is ready to travel and stay safe.

6. Bras Are DIY Masks Now!

(Note: there’s no proof that these work or that they don’t.)

5. Here’s An Interesting Thread

These are some creative methods to go shopping for food.

4. Dogs Also Get Protection Too!

People are geniuses at repurposing every-day items so they can fashion any possible way to protect themselves—and their furry friends.

3. Motorcycle Helmets Have a New Purpose

2. Memphis Parents Aren’t Playing!

Some parents are wearing garbage bags as outfits. The video also shows parents who spray their children down with disinfectant, and who wipe their children’s things down as well.

1. This Man Made Made An Isolation Contraption

A perfect visual for our time of social distancing.

These things seem funny, but at least they show that people are taking the coronavirus seriously and doing what they can to prevent infection.

In the meantime, it’s definitely important to heed the suggestions of public health experts and stay put.

What did you think of these makeshift prevention tools? We can’t wait to know your thoughts and opinions.

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Unusual Jobs That You Can Study For in College

If you’ve ever seen the TV show Dirty Jobs, you know there are some truly unusual careers that people actually live out every day. While I don’t consider my job to be in that field—sitting at home writing from the confines of my plush desk chair certainly doesn’t sound too bad—other jobs can only be described as weird.

But no matter if you prefer a typical office-based job or your interests veer well outside the norm, there is a job for everyone. Certain colleges and universities offer unique opportunities that can set you up a lifetime of success. Here are 13 unusual jobs that you can study for in college before you go out into the working world.

1. Fermentation Sciences – Appalachian State University

Photo Credit: Pexels

Amateur home brewers can take their talent to the next level at Appalachian State University. This major is offered in the A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences and provides students with a strong foundation in chemistry and biology.

You will also learn about the business, marketing and advertising principles that can make you a successful brewer and salesman.

2. Viticulture and Enology – Cornell University

Photo Credit: Pexels

If beer isn’t your thing but you still appreciate the fermentation process, you can go to Cornell University and learn about the wine business.

This growing industry requires extensive knowledge in growing grapes, soil management, pest control and everything involved in the wine-making process.

Just make sure your study time doesn’t turn into drinking time.

3. Floral Management – Mississippi State University

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Ask any guy how expensive Valentine’s Day flowers can be and you’ll have a new appreciation for that bouquet of roses.

Floral management involves a number of critical steps, such as sourcing, purchasing and marketing.

If you pursue this unusual career at Mississippi State University, you can even get practical experience at The University Florist flower shop located on campus.

4. Entertainment Engineering & Design – University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Photo Credit: Pexels

It takes an army to run a casino. And there’s a reason casinos generate millions of dollars every year.

Students who pursue this unusual degree from the University of Nevada get exposure to the business of the entertainment industry as well as venue design and biomechanics.

Anyone down for an educational trip to Vegas?

5. Bowling Industry Management and Technology – Vincennes University

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At Vincennes University, students can study a truly one-of-a-kind major in Bowling Industry Management and Technology.

If you pursue this unusual job, some of your classes will include “Lane and Pinsetter Maintenance” and “Responsible Alcohol Service.”

Are bowling shoes considered professional work attire?

6. Packaging – Michigan State University

Photo Credit: Pexels

Michigan State’s School of Packaging is no joke. In fact, it offers bachelors, masters and even doctorate programs in this overlooked field.

By the time you’re done, wrapping Christmas presents won’t be a challenge anymore.

7. Bakery Science – Kansas State University

Photo Credit: Pexels

Baking bread would be a dream come true (if I didn’t manage to eat all of it).

Fellow baking enthusiasts can pursue this career at Kansas State University, where students will learn the science of the perfect loaf.

Just let me know if you need any taste testers.

8. Gunsmithing – Lassen Community College

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Lassen Community College is located in California and offers a historically good Gunsmithing school that was founded 75 years ago.

This may seem like a #FlashbackFriday type of job, but it takes supreme skill and focus to be successful in this field.

9. Adventure Education – Plymouth State University

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If you can’t stand staying indoors, then Plymouth State University’s Adventure Education major is the choice for you.

Students will get to work alongside ecologists and physicians while learning how to survive and thrive outdoors.

10. Bicycle Design and Fabrication – Minnesota State College Southeast

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Become a cycling pro at Minnesota State College Southeast, where you can obtain a two-year degree in Bicycle Design and Fabrication.

You’ll never have to worry about fixing a flat tire or bent handlebars again.

11. Greenhouse Operations – Gateway Technical College

Photo Credit: Pexels

Building a sustainable food supply is critical moving forward. And what better way to learn about cultivating crops than studying Greenhouse Operations at Gateway Technical College.

Soon enough you’ll be a certified expert in everything from temperature to humidity to soil maintenance.

12. Citrus and Horticultural Science – Florida Southern College

Photo Credit: Pexels

If you’d prefer to be outside with nature, take your talents to Florida Southern College.

Here you will specialize in citrus studies, learning about lemons, grapefruits, oranges and other delicious fruits. You’d be surprised at what a sweet payoff this major can provide.

13. Social Media – Pace University, University of Florida, University of Southern California

Photo Credit: Pexels

Everyone can post on Facebook or Instagram. But do you know how to run ad campaigns or make use of Google Analytics?

Nearly every industry has a need for social media expertise, and you can go from taking selfies at home to managing social media accounts for Fortune 500 companies.

Any of these seem appealing to you? Let us know in the comments!

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The Funny Reason Why Scientists Think Chimpanzees Throw Their Poop

As far as I’m concerned, monkeys in general can just keep their distance. I think it was reading ‘The Hot Zone’ that led me to this conclusion – and that’s also the reason I refer loudly to all monkeys as “Ebola Monkeys” at the zoo.

But seriously, you guys. Monkeys are kind of gross.

Case in point – they like to throw their own feces, preferably at people and seemingly just for laughs. Who does that? And why?

Well, hold on, because we’re about to tackle yet another big question.

Here’s the most interesting thing, right up front – according to the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, chimps don’t typically throw their poop in the wild.

They do like to throw things, but they usually stick to rocks or branches when they’re annoyed, but in captivity, there often isn’t anything readily available. So. Poop, because that’s always on hand (literally).

Chimps are also a**holes, so they throw poop at people because we give them a reaction. Whether it’s a zoo employee or a guest, people tend to lose their own shit when some is hurled their direction, and when chimps realize that they can control the behavior of their captors with a simple gesture, well. They love it.

Yes… that’s right… they’re basically toddlers.

But hold on, because also like toddlers, their behavior doesn’t mean they’re dumb. A 2012 study out of Emory University found that chimps with good aim had better developed motor cortexes, where physical actions are coordinated. They also had better communication between the cortex and Broca’s area, part of the frontal cortex that helps process language in people.

They also demonstrated more development in their left brain hemispheres and were better communicators in their social groups.

Also? A 2009 study found that the actions could be premeditated – an aggressive chimp at Sweden’s Furuvik Zoo named Satino would gather rocks and stockpile them before the zookeepers arrived for the day, making sure that he had ammunition ready. Similarly, other chimps have been known to poop in their hand and then hold onto it until a particularly annoying human walks by.

I mean, I’m not a fan of monkeys, but listen… if people were wandering by and staring at me all day, making dumb comments and harassing me while I’m trying to take a nap? I don’t know, I might be tempted to throw something, too.

So like I said at the outset, I really think it’s best for us and the chimps if we all just keep our distance.

Thank you.

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A 230-Foot Organ Uses the Ocean to Create Truly Haunting Music

It might seem like the ocean and human beings have nothing in common, but this 230-foot sea organ in Croatia proves that if we work together with the elements, there’s still beauty to be found.

The organ uses the energy of both the wind and the waters of the Adriatic sea to create random, soothing, and amazingly harmonized notes. It’s a vast improvement on the ugly, long concrete shoreline that ran the length of Croatia’s shore previously. WWII devastated the country, and the reconstruction of Zadar was quick, pragmatic, and uninspired.

The sea-organ is called a “morske orgulje” in Croatian. It was designed, by a native architect named Nikola Basic and has been open to an adoring public since 2005.

The organ has holes at the bottom of the steps, and the water and wind that enter there are channeled into resonating chambers. From there, the sound exits through holes along the highest steps.

Locals love the installment, and often enjoy their lunches there along with the tourists who want to see the harmony between human and sea for themselves.

I imagine there’s something about staring out at the waves, soaking up some much needed fresh air and sunshine, and listening to the sound of what could still be, should people everywhere have the good sense to listen to the world we live in before its too late.

Take a listen…

Or maybe they just like the sound and the water and it’s a nice spot where people don’t talk too much.

What do I know? Let’s hear from you! What did you think about the organ’s music? Drop a comment!

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This is the Sleep Cycle Used By Tesla and Da Vinci

Most of us look forward to being able to get several solid hours of sleep when possible. If you’re someone who has more ideas than hours in the day (or years in your life), though, sleep can start to seem like one big, frustrating waste of time.

If you’re as big a Seinfeld fan as I am, here is where you start to realize you’ve heard about this Uberman Sleep Cycle before, and recall that in practice, it didn’t work so well for Kramer.

It seems counterintuitive that sleeping less could lead to more and better ideas. Sleep deprivation is linked to many not-so-great side effects like eating too much, leaving you as impaired as alcohol, deadening your ability to learn, and withering your brain.

That said, the science behind naps is also solid. People who lived in the pre-Industrial age seemed particularly attuned to that fact. They used to sleep in segments, twice a day, known as a biphasic sleep cycle.

Thinkers Nikola Tesla and Leonardo da Vinci, though, took things one step further with a polyphasic sleep cycle (sleeping more than three times a day), known as the Uberman.

Basically, they would take several shorter naps, around 20 minutes in length, throughout the day. They don’t have to be equal distances apart, and both da Vinci and Tesla adapted the practice for their own needs.

Da Vinci (who Kramer attempted to copy), famously slept fifteen minutes every four hours, meaning that for every 24 hour period, he slept only around an hour and a half. The schedule gained him six extra productive hours a day, and 20 extra years of productivity during his lifetime.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

And Tesla, he allegedly never slept more than two hours out of every 24, a practice that professors warned were killing him, and some speculate led to his mental breakdown at the age of 25.

As for whether or not any of this might actually have contributed to their genius, a 1989 study published in Work & Stress found that polyphasic sleep strategies do improve prolonged sustained performance – but given how things can turn out in reality, you won’t want to take it to these sorts of extremes.

If you do decide to give this a go in some way, shape, or form, please report back – I’m dying to know if you, too, end up in the Hudson River in a sack.

And you know, even if it’s not that dramatic, we still want to hear about it.

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5 Ways You Can Spot A Narcissist Or a Psychopath

I have no room in my life for people who don’t show me with their actions that they deserve to be there. And people who are clinically unable to be your friend definitely shouldn’t have a place in your world.

Narcissists are people who tend to overvalue themselves at the expense of others while psychopaths habitually take advantage of others, be it physically, mentally, emotionally, psychologically, or financially – two types of people you definitely want to avoid if at all possible. Narcissists tend to overvalue themselves at the expense of others. Psychopaths habitually take advantage of others physically, mentally, emotionally, psychologically, or financially

If you’re wondering how to easily spot people like narcissists and with other psychopathic personality disorders, well, it’s not easy – but below are some tips that might be enough to let you know that it’s time to run the other way (fast).

5. No, you’re not having deja-vu. You’ve heard this before.

Image Credit: Pixabay

People with both types of personality disorders will tell the same extremely personal story over and over again – usually one that’s self-serving or boastful – as if they’ve rehearsed it (and it might be a total lie).

4. They want to get close really fast.

If you’re a narcissist or a psychopath, you might discuss things like financial investments, financial drama, medical issues, or the like minutes after meeting someone.

But beware – these are tactics to encourage fast intimacy and bonding, because the faster they draw you in, the sooner they can begin to manipulate you.

3. The ruse of the “special” favor.

Image Credit: Pixabay

This is actually one of the criteria for diagnosing narcissistic personality disorder – these people are more likely to ask for a “special” favor, not because they need it, but because they feel entitled to your time and effort.

Like, you’re lucky to receive such a unique and special request from such a person!

Don’t give in – if you do, the next ask will be bigger, and so on.

2. All or nothing approach to friendship.

It won’t hurt you to learn too much about a person right away (it’s weird, sure, but not harmful), but if they expect the same from you, they’re looking to gain insight they could use to manipulate you in the future.

It’s a way to gain your trust, as well.

If they don’t ask you anything about yourself, they’re trying to hook you on their wild-and-crazy stories.

1. Don’t take this the wrong way…

Image Credit: Pixabay

Narcissists and psychopaths will often pay you a compliment that, upon further reflection, insults other people. They’re an attempt to throw you off-balance and test whether you’ll stand up for yourself or let them walk all over you.

I’ve definitely run into a few of these in my day – sadly! It’s never too late to do a friend purge!

How do you decide who to keep around and who has overstayed their welcome in your life? Share your own tips for spotting the bad apples in the comments!

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Here’s an Italian Doctor’s Plea for People to Take COVID-19 Recommendations Seriously

Some countries, like China and Iran, seem to be on the downward side of the coronavirus hill while countries like Italy, France, and Germany are sitting squarely in the middle.

For places like the United Kingdom and the United States, there seems to still be time, in theory, to “flatten the curve” of the virus’ spread so that the healthcare system doesn’t get overwhelmed.

One doctor in Italy, where that time has passed, is telling the rest of the world that the time to take the recommended precautions – all of them – is now.

Dr. Daniele Macchini works at the Humanitas Gavazzeni hospital in Bergamo, Italy, which is basically on the front lines of one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in the world. Deaths from the virus are reaching triple digits (daily)in Italy, and as the rest of the world prepares for it to arrive with a vengeance, here’s what Dr. Macchini wants us to know.

The crux of his warning doesn’t have to do with a virus so deadly most people need to avoid it for their own health, but a virus that’s so good at infecting people that patients are overwhelming the hospitals.

He went on to describe some heartbreaking scenes from the hospital where he works,  and that he really, really wants people to stop dismissing COVID-19 as “just the flu,” and here why.

As for the symptoms, well, for those who get hardest by the virus, they’re not going to be something they can recover from without medical intervention. We have to hope those interventions are available when the time comes.

The doctors and nurses have no time off, no social lives, and are looking death in the face every day as they wait for their own inevitable positive test. They don’t go home for the same reason.

In the end, he doesn’t want to panic or frighten anyway, he just wants to give us real reasons to listen to what the WHO, CDC, and governments around the country are saying.

(NOTE: There wasn’t a #19 in this thread, just in case you were wondering if we missed it)

So yes… is it time to hunker down? Stay home? Interact with as few people as possible? Probably. Because we can protect not only the vulnerable, but the healthcare workers who are bracing for the worst.

We can do this, guys. We have Netflix and grocery delivery and spring is almost here.

Hold on.

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The Psychological Reason People Are Hoarding Toilet Paper During This Pandemic

Some folks might be confused as to why the shelves are emptied out of a random household staple like toilet paper. The coronavirus, or COVID-19, doesn’t typically cause any kind of intestinal distress, and I’m guessing the majority of households were already buying toilet paper in bulk.

So why, then, are so many people hoarding toilet paper when it makes little-to-no sense to do so?

It turns out there’s a psychological reason, and ya’ll. It’s pretty interesting.

According to clinical psychologist Steven Taylor, the rush for toilet paper could be based on a panic response to global fears over how this virus is going to impact populations long term. So much is still unknown, people are grabbing the one thing they know they’re going to need eventually – toilet paper.

And within reason, it makes sense. If we’re all going to be expected to stay home for at least a few weeks, we want to be able to be sure that essentials are on hand.

That said, a year’s worth of toilet paper looks a lot different than 1 couple of months worth, people.

Taylor also mentioned the snowball effect that panic-buying can have – if one shopper sees another with a full cart and then glimpses decimated shelves, well, they think they need to stock up too, and so on.

But look… there are people who now have enough toilet paper to last until Christmas, and other people who can’t find a four pack and are going to be foraging for leaves that can do the job.

Does that seem fair?

Remember that your friends and neighbors are going through this crisis and time of uncertainty, too, and only take what you think you’ll actually need to get through a short-term quarantine, should your family come down with COVID-19.

Be prepared, but don’t be selfish.

It’s a good motto to have in the best of times, so it definitely goes double for the sh*tshow out there today.

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Here’s a List of Leaves You Can Use as a Toilet Paper Substitute

A good portion of the human race is, for some reason, responding to a health crisis by buying a sh*t ton of toilet paper.

Just for the record COVID-19 does not, in the vast majority of cases, cause intestinal distress.

That said, the panic-buying of toilet paper all over the world is actually causing people to have to wonder how they’re going to clean their nethers in the coming weeks.

Except for people in places like France and Asia, who have smartly invested in the bidet for some time now, of course.

As usual, the internet has your back.

This time, in the form of a handy graphic that shows you what native plant life you could safely use in place of the missing toilet paper.

The toilet paper shortage crisis is upon us, and desperate times call for desperate measures.Are you concerned you may…

Posted by Hills Herbal Collective on Wednesday, March 4, 2020

The information comes from the Hills Herbal Collective, a group of plant experts out of Victoria, Australia, where things are apparently getting real. It specifically notes that mullein, lamb’s ear, and mallow are excellent replacement choices if things get dire in your neck of the woods.

#1. Mullein (Verbascum thapsis).

These plants have large, thick, fluffy leaves that are absorbent and unlikely to tear, grows everywhere, and is not irritating to most people. Some do complain about irritation from the fine hairs, so you might want to test it on a less-sensitive area before going for it.

#2. Lamb’s ear (Stachy’s byzantina).

It’s less heavy-duty but is delightfully soft and furry, great for sensitive skins. The leaves are narrow, though, so one isn’t going to do the trick.

#3. Mallow (Malva neglecta).

These soft, broad, durable leaves are common, though the larger ones can get a bit leathery and rough. If you give the leaves a bit of a scrunch before using them, they’ll even provide a bit of a skin-soothing effect!

They also note that you should “steer clear of poisonous plants or you may end up with a nasty rash on your posterior. If you’re not 100% sure what a particular plant is, don’t put it anywhere near your sensitive bits. If you’d like to learn how to ID these plants and other medicinal and edible weeds, come along to one of our weed walks.”

Good advice for sure.

And while I hope that none of us will have to resort to these leaves because our dear neighbors decided to hoard a year’s worth of toilet paper in their basement, it’s good information to have.

You never know when you’ll be out for a solitary hike and have the urge hit you, right?

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