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By Mark Nelson President Nelson Water:
With more than 30 years’ experience in the residential and commercial water treatment space, Mark Nelson is a Class 1 Drinking-Water Operator and a CBWA (Canadian Bottled Water Association) Certified Plant Operator. As founder and president of Nelson Water in Ottawa, Mark focuses on dealing with challenging water treatment system designs for problem water. He also heads the largest water bottling plant in the city of Ottawa with a delivery network throughout the Valley.
Hard water is a common issue throughout Canada and North America. While it is not considered dangerous to health, hard water can be problematic in a variety of ways around the home. So, here we’ll explore how to determine if your home has hard water and what you can do to correct the issue.
The Problems With Hard Water
Hard water contains high levels of minerals, specifically calcium, magnesium, and possibly iron. While these minerals are considered essential for human health when in significant quantities in your water, it can create a number of issues around your home. Hard water minerals accumulate to cause scale. This can be visible around fixtures such as shower heads and taps, but it can also be hidden inside pipes and water using appliances. Unfortunately, this scale not only impedes water flow, but it can also create energy efficiency problems, as the scale accumulates around heating elements, forcing appliances to work harder. Eventually, this scale build up will compromise the lifespan of your appliances, forcing premature replacement.
Hard water can also cause problems with laundry, dish washing, and bathing. You may notice spots on your glassware, your whites may look dull and gray, or your skin may feel dry and itchy. All of these issues are related to hard water. The hard water minerals interfere with the lather capabilities of soaps and detergent. This impedes cleaning and may create a scum that is difficult to rinse. This soap scum can even remain on your skin and hair, causing itchy, irritated skin and dull, hard to style hair. If you have experienced any of these issues, it is likely that you have hard water and you’ll need to determine the level of hardness in your water.
DIY Testing
If you’re unsure whether your home is affected by hard water, there is a simple way to perform a DIY check. This can be performed at home to determine if you need to take further action. You’ll need some pure liquid soap and a clear water bottle.
First, fill your container, such as an empty plastic bottle, approximately a third of the way to the top with tap water.
Add approximately ten drops of your liquid soap into the container. Pure liquid soap will work best for this. Any soap labelled as detergent will contain additives that can affect the results of this testing, so try to stick to pure soap varieties, such as Castile soap that does not contain perfumes or dyes.
Put the lid on the container and shake for at least ten seconds. You want to mix the soap and water in an attempt to make bubbles.
Once you’ve shaken the bottle, it’s time to check the results. If you can see a decent amount of soap suds on top and nice, clear water underneath, your water is relatively soft. If your bottle doesn’t contain many suds even after a vigorous shaking and the water looks cloudy, it is a good indication that you have hard water.
If preferred, you can keep adding more soap and shaking to continue this test. Just remember the more soap needed to create bubbles, the greater your water hardness.
The reason this test provides insight into your water hardness is that the hard water minerals prevent soap from creating suds and cleaning effectively. The sap binds with the dissolved minerals to form a cloudy liquid that will leave a residue on your dishes, shower, clothing, hair, and skin.
Detergents are formulated with additives to create suds in hard water. This is why these products shouldn’t be used in the above test. Unfortunately, even if you’re using these products, you’ll still need to use increasing quantities in hard water to get those all important suds.
Accurate Water Testing
While this DIY test can provide you with some information, it is not completely accurate. This test will highlight a hard water problem, but it won’t provide a precise number of the water hardness level of your supply. This test highlights a need for more accurate water testing.
A water treatment expert can provide this form of testing. The technician is equipped to test water for the hardness level, pH, total dissolved solids and other possible contaminants. This testing can be tailored to check for the contaminants that are common in your geographical area. For example, if you live in a rural area, it is a good idea to check for nitrates and other chemicals associated with agricultural runoff. The technician can help you to identify the underlying cause of any water problems you may be experiencing, such as strange tastes, odours or aesthetic qualities, such as strange colours.
Treatment Options
Once you have had accurate testing performed, your water technician can help you to understand the testing results and guide you through the treatment options. If the only water quality issue is high hardness levels, a water softener is likely to be the best choice. These devices use ion exchange to replace the magnesium and calcium with sodium ions. This immediately creates softer water to eliminate any hard water issues around your home.
If you have more extensive water quality issues, you are likely to need other types of water treatment. For example, Reverse Osmosis systems can be used to eliminate up to 99.9% of waterborne contaminants. This is a particularly effective treatment method for heavy metals, minerals, bacteria, and viruses. Unfortunately, the semipermeable membrane in RO systems can be vulnerable to clogging and damage if you have high total dissolved solids. In this scenario, you may need to introduce a pre-filter to remove any sediment and larger particles of dissolved solids before it is passed through the RO membrane.
If you have concerns or questions about your water quality, you should consult a professional water quality expert. An experienced professional can perform on site water testing to check for hard water and other contaminants before recommending the treatment options best suited to your water conditions.
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In Moskau wohnte ich in einem Hotel, in dem fast alle Zimmer von tibetanischen Lamas belegt waren, die zu einem Kongreß der gesamten buddhistischen Kirchen von Moskau gekommen waren. Es fiel mir auf, wieviele Türen in den Gängen des Hauses stets angelehnt standen. Was erst ein Zufall schien, wurde mir unheimlich. Ich erfuhr: in solchen Zimmern wohnten Angehörige einer Sekte, die gelobt hatten, sich nie in geschlossenen Räumen aufzuhalten.
–walter benjamin
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Rome has enough to see and do to keep you busy for weeks – but we think two days is plenty of time to get to grips with the Eternal City’s best b
The Colosseum or Coliseum also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre is an oval amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy.
its. The secret is having a plan, which is where we come in.
We’ve put together an in-depth guide to spending 48 hours in Rome, from which sights to see when, to where to grab a few scoops of cioccolato gelato. Once you’re done reading, let us know in the comments what your ideal 48 hours in Rome would entail!
DAY ONE
08:00 If your Rome hotel doesn’t serve breakfast, do as the Italians do and grab a coffee and croissant from a nearby café. Then make your way to the entrance to Palatine Hill on Via di San Gregorio, where you can buy a combination ticket that includes the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and the Colosseum. Alternatively, hop on a guided tour that includes priority entry to the Colosseum.
09:00 Start off exploring the ruined palace and stadium of Palatine Hill, before stopping in the botanical garden to admire the views across the Forum. Head down to the Forum and you can walk along dusty paths past temples, churches and the impressive Arch of Titus. Once you’re done, exit the Roman Forum and walk next door to the Colosseum – your combination ticket means you can skip the queues at the ticket office and walk straight in.
12:00 Pop round the back of the Colosseum to Via Labicana, where you’ll find the Basilica di San Clemente. It’s a multi-layered church – the 12th-century basilica was built on top of a 4th-century church, which was built over a 2nd-century pagan temple – and is one of our favourite sites in Rome. Admire the beautiful mosaics in the basilica, before descending below ground to explore the remains of the earlier buildings.
12:30 It’s almost time for lunch, so make your way over towards Piazza della Rotonda, about half an hour’s walk away. On the way, pop into Signor Panino, a little sandwich shop on Via Piè di Marmo, and pick up a panino to take away – when you get to Piazza della Rotonda, you can perch on the steps of the Fontana del Pantheon and eat it overlooking the Pantheon’s 2nd-century pillars. Once you’ve finished up, head inside the Pantheon and marvel at its tombs, paintings and marble statues.
14:00 Walk 10 minutes eastwards to Via della Panetteria. Look for the tiny sign that marks the entrance to San Crispino, one of the best gelaterie in Rome. Get a coppetta of stracciatella (vanilla with chocolate shavings), nocciola (hazelnut) and cioccolato (chocolate) to go and walk the two minutes to Piazza di Trevi, which is dominated by the iconic Trevi Fountain. Prefer a tour complete with an expert guide? Sign up to the small-group Rome Fountains and Squares tour or the Espresso and Gelato Tour.
15:00 Head down Via delle Muratte and turn right when you reach Via del Corso. The street is lined with high street names and independent clothes stores, so it’s ideal if you fancy a bit of shopping. When you reach Via Condotti, turn right – you’ll pass designer boutiques including Prada, Armani and Gucci, and end up at Piazza di Spagna, with the famous Spanish Steps in front of you. Walk up to the top of the steps for great views and a chance to peek inside Trinità dei Monti church, or find an empty spot on the stairs to rest your legs and enjoy the atmosphere.
16:30 From the top of the Spanish Steps, you’re less than 10 minutes’ walk from the Villa Borghese (just follow the signposts). It’s the biggest public park in Rome, so is perfect for relaxing at the end of a busy day.
20:30 There are plenty of little restaurants around Piazza del Popolo – try the Fiaschetteria Beltramme on Via della Croce, a hole-in-the-wall trattoria serving traditional Roman dishes.
22:30 If you’ve still got energy, walk down to Piazza Navona (about 15-20 minutes). Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers looks lovely all lit up, and the al fresco diners, street musicians and artists give the whole place a lively feel. Explore the streets and piazzas nearby and you’ll find plenty of tucked-away wine bars (we love Cul de Sac on Piazza Pasquino and Caffè della Pace on Via della Pace).
DAY TWO
09:00 Arrive at the Vatican Museums bright and early – if you’ve booked your tickets online in advance, you’ll be able to skip the queues. The site is huge, so if you’re not taking a guided tour, make sure you read a guidebook beforehand and decide which parts you want to see. Some of the most popular sections are the frescoed Raphael Rooms, the Gregorian Etruscan museum, and – of course – the Sistine Chapel.
12:00 Time for an early lunch. Refuel with a huge panino from Duecento Gradi (Piazza del Risorgimento) or a topping-laden slice of pizza from Pizzarium (Via della Meloria), before walking round to St. Peter’s Square.
13:00 Join the queue to enter St. Peter’s Basilica. It can look dauntingly long, but it moves quickly and gives you a chance to take in the grandeur of the square and the basilica’s exterior. Make sure you’ve got your shoulders and knees covered – you won’t be allowed in if not. Give yourself at least half an hour to wander through the vast, richly decorated interior. You can also climb up to the top of the basilica, or go underground and explore the necropolis beneath (you’ll need to book in advance via the Vatican’s website).
15:00 From St. Peter’s Square, wander down Via della Conciliazione to Castel Sant’Angelo, a mausoleum-turned-fortress-turned-museum. Tour the frescoed interiors, take in the views of Rome from the terrace (which features in Puccini’s Tosca), then pull up a chair at the castle’s café for an espresso.
18:00 Start your evening off early in Trastevere. The Piazza Santa Maria is the hub of the neighbourhood. Have a drink at one of the cafés edging the square, and perhaps pop in to the church to see the 12th-century mosaics.
19:00 Lively Freni e Frizioni on Via del Politeama is famous for its aperitivo. Order a drink, then help yourself to a buffet of bruschetta, salads, pasta and pizza.
21:00 Tuck in to Roman specialities at Roma Sparita, a lovely restaurant with a terrace on Piazza Santa Cecilia.
22:30 A 15-minute walk takes you across Ponte Garibaldi and over to Campo de’ Fiori, one of the liveliest area in Rome. Pick a bar, order a Negroni, and enjoy your final evening in the Eternal City.
Raring to go? Take a look at our holidays to Rome.
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Police: Prescription narcotics are most abused drugsCorsicana Daily SunCody Stark/The Huntsville ItemPrescription medication abuse and illegal distribution continue to rise in Walker County and across the country. Evidence rooms at the Huntsville Police Department and Walker County Sheriff’s Office are full of seized …
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The issue, Possibility of Perfect Research, brings up some significant issues on a research yield or research process. What is research? What is the total premise of research? Why research is started? How research is directed? How research is assessed? What is flawlessness? Is flawlessness during research process reasonable? What is viable research the executives? What is research paper? We will try to address the previously mentioned inquiries.
Oxford Dictionary characterizes research as, a cautious investigation of a subject, particularly so as to find new actualities or data about it. A research is either synopsis of data or assessment of some effectively found data. Truly, research includes “looking once more” the subject what others have composed on it. A research is mix of data, assessment, and development. Initially, it gives data on a specific subject or matter, also, assesses the previous research or audits significant writing, lastly, the new work includes some creative angles, both pragmatic just as applied.
Man is mix of three essential substances, i.e., body, brain, and soul. Human exercises are molded by physical needs, mental impulses, and soul desires. At physical level, a significant physical need is recreation or unwinding. At mental level, a significant mental impulse is interest. Once more, at otherworldly level, a significant soul desire is flawlessness. The different reasons of research are physical interest for more recreation, scholarly push because of instinctual interest, stickler yearning of soul because of imbued inclination of soul towards flawlessness. The very establishment of human life systems is subsequently extreme premise of research, with the goal that research will proceed until the end of time. There isn’t probability of ideal research in any order.
Life has two levels, individual and group. Aggregate life is authoritative plan of pioneers and devotees. Establishments are inescapable part of aggregate life. A foundation works under the stewardship of pioneers. Pioneers start different projects to keep up their power over adherents or to keep up going great of organizations. A devotee may alter her perspective towards initiative by virtue of static, poor, and degenerate administration. The answer for formal or non-performing institutional arrangement is presentation of developments, both reasonable just as pragmatic. Thus, developments are acquainted from time with time. The very establishment of development is inception of new and new research. So as to keep up the texture of aggregate life, pioneers (social or monetary or political) starts research now and again. At scholarly level, the led research is inclined towards flawlessness however for all intents and purposes it accomplishes just a reasonable yield because of different requirements, monetary and non-money related, forced by pioneers.
A research is led by savvy people. Intelligent people/Scientists are imaginative gathering of a general public. They get thoughts from numerous life occasions, every so often. The gathering of thought is exceptional psycho-social quality of educated people/researchers. A thought resembles a seed of a plant. They think-reevaluate on it and survey the practicality of thought. Finally, they are sure towards profitability of their thought. They independent/mastermind assets for thought acknowledgment. Sharing of thought with business visionary (social or monetary or political) is a significant advance for asset course of action. A thought acknowledgment movement is self-flawlessness of scholarly/researcher. It is significant that proactive methodology of a business person or society towards new thoughts is essential for the emergence of scholarly innovativeness.
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Anyway, I think I will restart my work with the Illustrated Botanical Dictionary. I am going to capture subjects in daylight with color photography; I will compile them into the Illustrated Botanical Dictionary. For that, they must be color photographs. This is because I would like to completely cast off any trace of the hand that remains with the darkroom process of black-and-white photography. The hands themselves have made the art. The hands are the others within oneself. But of course the hands are the self. Manipulation and a thing manipulated by the hands are still an extension of the hands. The world is manipulated by the hands. My Illustrated Botanical Dictionary will come to exist by cleanly severing all ties with hand-manipulation. In that sense, the color photograph is already in the other world. Release the shutter once, and everything comes to an end
Takuma Nakahira, from Why An Illustrated Botanical Dictionary
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Dyspereunia. Admittedly, it’s not a flowery word, and it’s not a walk in the park for those who are diagnosed with it. Dyspereunia is an umbrella term that describes several types of negative pelvic sensations that women may experience. Discomfort in the vulvar region or pain with intercourse, vaginal muscle spasms that prevent penetration – any of these conditions can result in a dyspereunia diagnosis from a medical provider.
And that leads us to another issue – a specific diagnosis is often difficult to come by. Women who experience any type of dyspareunia condition can be hard pressed to find a provider who is able to accurately assess and identity the issue and offer appropriate treatment. This is evidenced by the vast majority of women who seek our care and report that they have seen more than one gynecologist or other specialist who wasn’t able to help. To make matters worse, these patients say that more often than not, they were told: “you just need to relax” or “it’s all in your head” or “I can’t care for you because you’re not allowing me to do my exam”. Women leave these appointments feeling dismissed, broken, humiliated and defeated.
We don’t seek to vilify all women’s health providers – many have been properly trained in the field of sexual dysfunction, and for that we are thankful! However, too many lack knowledge and experience in this area (and clearly in some cases, bedside manner as well!), and that’s where we can help. At Maze, we understand just how challenging conditions like vulvodynia, vestibulodynia and vaginismus can be. Our holistic, integrative approach combines medical and behavioral expertise that focuses on meaningful and effective evaluation and solutions. We work collaboratively and comprehensively with our patients and aim to help them heal and achieve their optimal sexual health.
If you’d like to find out more, please contact us for a free 10-minute phone consult. You will learn that you are not alone, and that we are here to help.
The post Diagnosing Dyspareunia (Vaginal Pain) appeared first on Treating Vaginismus, Low Sex Drive, Hormone Imbalances | Sexual Health Experts.
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Palast, Duisburg, March 2017
A City is a parasitic organism that dwells on people to make them build its streets and houses; if nobody is happy in the city, who builds them? And for what purpose? And how did we end up in this visual and aural onslaught of advertising? When did we become just the prey for the entertainment/consumption-complex. Why are we complicit in building our own unhappiness?
Imre Kertesz: City as a stage
Atget: People have left the city, only their ghosts remain to haunt its buildings
Lewis Bush: City as the theatre of capital; The World is Ugly/And People Are Sad
Moriyama: City as a libidinal arrangement? Compound? complex?
Nakahira: City as overflow; city as beyond interpretation (or before?)
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from: A43/Südstr., Herne, July 2019
The contemporary phenomenon of the gluten-free diet […] currently obsesses almost a third of American adults, despite actual gluten intolerance affecting a single-digit percentage of the population. The gluten-free phenomenon is a magic bullet solution to modernity. “Gluten” sounds abject and glutinous, and it is found in wheat: agriculture as sin, just like Genesis says. Such an allergic reaction of modernity to itself is absurd: even Neanderthals made bread. Consider the modern hatred of the body that links with a profound (and accurate) unease that “something is wrong” and is then blended with primitivism: the “Paleo diet”. The term Paleo acknowledges that something is wrong with the Neolithic, the term we use for post-Mesopotamian human social forms: something is wrong, as Genesis had already pointed out.
–Timothy Morthon, Dark Ecology
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Driving around to see houses lit up in holiday lights is a time-honored tradition in many families. The twinkle of hundreds of thousands of tiny lights brings out the child in all of us.
If you’re looking for more than just your average neighborhood light display this year, then you’ve come to the right place. We have scoured the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex for the most awe-inducing spectacles in 2017! Grab your coat and gloves, or if it is a typical North Texas Christmas, a light fleece, and venture out to these family-friendly exhibits!
Historic Grapevine Light Displays
There’s a reason Grapevine is considered the “Christmas Capital of Texas.” With three different nights dedicated to decking the halls, there’s no reason to miss out on the excitement. While the Christmas tree at City Hall is lit just after Thanksgiving, there’s still time to catch the Parade of Lights and the Twinkle Light Boat Parade.
The Parade of Lights in is the largest lighted Christmas parade in North Texas, and will feature more than 100 lighted floats and marching bands. If that isn’t enough, head to Lake Grapevine to watch boats decked out in holiday décor, and a lights parade from the Twin Coves Marina to Silver Lake Marina. Each event is free and open to the public.
Sparkling Nights in Addison
Walk off those extra holiday pounds by wandering around the Vitruvian Park’s holiday spectacle in Addison. Twelve acres of the park have been decorated with twinkling lights that are just begging to be explored. Weekends in December will also feature food trucks, live music, and holiday shopping villages. Bring the kids for free pictures with Santa, and to visit with the local police and fire department, too!
Gift of Lights in Fort Worth
Ever dream of hitting the Texas Motor Speedway? Well, here’s your opportunity! Cruise around the raceway through the Gift of Lights, and experience over 150 new light displays this year. At the end of the tour, explore Santa’s Village for family-friendly activities, including photos with Santa. Admission is $25 per car; however, if you bring an unwrapped gift for Toys for Tots, you receive a $5 discount. The event benefits multiple local charities, and is open daily from 6pm-10pm.
Christmas in the Square – Frisco
Head to Frisco Square to experience the largest choreographed holiday lights and music display in North Texas. Running daily from 6pm-10pm, visitors can bask in the glow of over 175,000 lights on display. To put this number in perspective, it takes over 11.5 miles of wiring and 8 miles of extension cords to pull off this show. If you’re longing for a white Christmas, you can even experience “snow flurries” every fifteen minutes in the Square on Fridays and Saturdays. And, finally, test your skating skills on the outdoor rink!
Prairie Lights – Grand Prairie
Drive through more than four MILLION lights sets along a two-mile path at the Lynn Creek Park on Joe Pool Lake in Grand Prairie. Halfway through the drive, hop out of the car to wander around the Holiday Village that features food, gifts, a snow maze and lighted forest.
After enjoying the stopover, you get back in the car to experience the grand finale of the display, including an animated light tunnel. Bring the kids to snap a photo with Santa as well. Purchase tickets online to save $5 off admission per vehicle.
The North Texas region is full of holiday cheer this year! No matter where you live in the metroplex, there is a holiday light spectacular nearby. Didn’t see one of your favorites on our list? Leave us a comment and tell us where else we should check out!
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Today we will be talking about and giving advice on fitness workouts with you and your baby. Being a Mom is difficult, as we all know!
However, if we can find fun things to do with our kids AND get a workout in at the same time????
#SCORE
Let’s dive a little deeper in fitness workouts for moms and their baby!
Shedding abundance pounds post-pregnancy may appear to be overpowering, however with the correct exercise, it can likewise be a pleasant holding experience. Here are five wellness exercises for mother and infant to appreciate
Workout
“I love workout,” says Drygas. “To get in shape and tone up, it is handily done.” Moms can do lurches, squats, push-ups, calf raises and numerous other straightforward, cadenced activities at home, or in a class. Drygas cautions, notwithstanding, that new mothers ought to stay away from crunches and sit-ups-moves that can accomplish more damage than anything else to sensitive stomach tissues. To reinforce this territory, she suggests a basic movement that fixes inward muscles securely. “[Just] suck your stomach button into your spine and hold,” she says. Another simple must-do? Kegels. By contracting and discharging the pelvic floor muscles, new mothers can dispose of problematic urinary issues. “Inside possibly 14 days [of the birth], you ought to be agreeable to do them while sitting on the lounge chair breastfeeding,” says Drygas.
Yoga
Low-effect and extraordinary for by and large wellbeing, yoga extends assist us with remaining quiet and nimble, and infant gets the opportunity to enjoy her preferred game watching Mom! To ensure an agreeable exercise, Drygas recommends breastfeeding before class. It discharges the weight from your chest, and guarantees that child will be content through the meeting. Most yoga studios across Canada incorporate mother and child programs. Check your nearby paper, go on the web, or approach your companions for suggestions. “Verbal exchange is actually the most ideal way,” says Drygas. “On the off chance that you know somebody who has taken a class and delighted in it, it’s a sure thing it’s a decent class.”
Swimming
Time in the pool urges infant to investigate her regular senses for water, while mother appreciates a low-sway schedule that is thoughtful to her recuperating body. “It’s calm on the joints, and can be an extraordinary cardio exercise,” says Drygas. Some swimming projects acknowledge babies as youthful as 12 weeks old enough, while others normally like your kid to be five to a half year. Numerous YWCA areas across Canada offer mother and child meetings, or attempt Fit4Two’s AquaFit classes in B.C., Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Swimming ticks all the cases for a sheltered and powerful exercise, be that as it may, “Not all mothers are happy with getting once more into a bathing suit immediately, so it’s not for everybody,” says Drygas.
Move classes
Infants love being squeezed against Mom, and move classes play into this significant holding time. Just ensure that you utilize a protected bearer never practice with infant in a sling. “[A] strong bearer can be utilized from about a month old,” says Drygas. Youthful infants should ride in transporters that help their head and permit exposure with Mom, while more established tots have sufficient necks to confront outwards. Keen on getting your score on? Salsa Babies works in B.C, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec. You can likewise scan online for mother and infant move exercises close to you.
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Wood pallet furniture? You mean you can turn those slatted things stacked up outside supermarkets and construction sites into something you’d actually want inside your home?
It seems weird, but wood pallet furniture is a big thing these days. The website 1001pallets.com, with its 4,400+ pallet projects, has over 375,000 Facebook likes, and wood pallet furniture Instagram posts are racking up hundreds of thousands of fans.
It’s so popular, in fact, that crafter Samantha Hartman was able to quit her day job as a graphic designer to build wood pallet furniture and home accessories full time—many of which are featured in her book, “Wood Pallet Wonders,” with simple, step-by-step instructions so others can follow in her footsteps.
Hartman believes the whole “Fixer Upper” phenomena are partly responsible for the popularity of wood pallet furniture.
“Everyone is super into the farmhouse style they see on television,” she says. “Who doesn’t love Joanna Gaines?”
Don’t let Samantha Hartman’s large workshop fool you—you can do these projects in a small space with just a few tools.
Samantha Hartman
In fact, Hartman notes that she often sees wood pallet furnishings in stores ranging from Target to chic designer boutiques. However, she wonders why you’d pay for them when you can get your materials for free?
“Wood pallets are usually free and easy to come by,” Hartman says. “Grocery stores, hardware stores, and lumber yards often have them lying around and are happy to give them away. Just make sure you ask first.”
Wood pallets are also easy to work with, even if you don’t have a lot of tools. Some of the projects in Hartman’s book are so simple, in fact, you can pull them off with just a hammer, nails, wood glue, a saw, and sandpaper. Others are more complicated and might require a table saw or jigsaw.
Sarah Hartman’s book offers simple, step-by-step instructions.
Samantha Hartman
Curious about what can be made out of wood pallets? We’ve picked out a half-dozen projects from Hartman’s book. Shown below, they range from easy to midlevel complicated, but none is too difficult for even a woodworking neophyte to handle.
If you’d rather not lift a saw at all, you can buy many of these items on Hartman’s Etsy page or her website, InfiniteAbyssHandmade.com.
1. Hexagonal shelf
These hexagonal shelves are simple to construct.
Samantha Hartman
Let’s start with the easiest project of all: This adorable hexagonal shelf looks fine on its own or in a group. Hartman says the size is easily scalable, and with only three 20-inch pallet boards, you can whip up several in one afternoon. If time is of the essence or you’re not crafty, you can buy one already made on Hartman’s website for $24.
2. Spice rack
This spice rack can be used to hold many different things.
Samantha Hartman
In addition to holding spices, this simple hanging shelf can be used in your sewing corner to hold jars of buttons and rolls of trim, in your workshop to hold containers of nails and screws, in your living room to display seashells or other knickknacks from your travels, or in the bathroom to hold lotions and potions.
All you need is 10 pallet pieces, plus wood glue and nails. Then you can finish it with paint and stain it to your taste, or even add a backing lined with vintage wallpaper. You could also buy one on Hartman’s Etsy page for $55 and customize it yourself.
3. Vertical herb garden
This vertical planter works indoors or out.
Samantha Hartman
This clever, simple piece works well indoors and out—wherever you get a decent amount of sunlight.
Hartman likes it because, while it’s simple and rustic, “it really shows off the beautiful color and vibrant life of whatever herbs and flowers you choose to plant in it.”
It’s easily customizable to accommodate the number and size of the pots and plants your heart desires. With only seven pallet pieces, you’re good to grow.
4. Storage chest
Who would guess this rustic bench with storage is made from free wood pallets?
Samantha Hartman
This may be one of the larger projects in the book and uses a lot of pallet pieces plus gate brackets, handles, and hinges, but it’s far from the most complicated. You’re basically just building a box.
Hartman sees it as “perfect for a child’s room or storing away gardening tools for winter.” It can be customized for any use, but if you’re storing anything made of fabric in it, you might want to line the interior with fabric-covered, heavy cardboard panels, so nothing snags.
5. Chevron coffee table
Chevron coffee table
Samantha Hartman
This chevron coffee table turned out “even better than I imagined,” Hartman notes. She used blemish-free pallet pieces and stained them to look like aged barn wood.
All you need for this project is 14 pallet pieces cut to size for the sides and chevron pattern on top, a rectangular piece of plywood for the bottom, and four ready-made table legs.
6. Bar cart
Rustic yet chic bar cart
Samantha Hartman
No home seems complete without a bar cart these days, but it’s not easy to find one that fits in with a farmhouse chic decor. So Hartman came up with this more rustic version, but used gold and white paint and finished it with a couple of coats of glossy lacquer to gussy it up a bit.
Because of the casters and the detail, this is one of the more complicated projects in the book—it involves 26 pallet pieces in all, but you can simplify things by using a towel rod or a dowel for the handle, which, in fact, is optional. You’ll feel a real sense of accomplishment when you finish it, not to mention have a swinging server for drinks and snacks.
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Feeling lucky? This week’s most popular listing on realtor.com® is a Las Vegas mansion priced just a hair under $8 million. The luxe spread includes a pool on the second floor, primo views of the Vegas strip, and an indoor basketball court. Custom-built nearly a decade ago, it has landed on the market for the first time ever.
The runner-up this week is where Baton Rouge crosses over with SoCal chic. This contemporary home in an unlikely locale has been featured in design magazines and includes a living space with 21-foot-high ceilings, as well as a glass wall opening out to the pool.
Other homes racking up clicks this week include a luxe Hidden Hills spread in prime Kardashian country, a beautifully renovated twin house in Philly, and a potential bed and breakfast in North Carolina.
We’ll bring the tea and scones if you promise to scroll down and check out all of this week’s most popular properties…
10. 2320 Rhoades Rd, Farmersville, OH
Price: $160,000Why it’s here: Log cabins remain oh so lovable! This pinewood build sits on 3.61 private acres. The two-bedroom home has only had one previous owner and features an open loft, full walkout basement, covered patio, a pole barn, and new flooring.
Farmersville, OH
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9. 6005 Annie Oakley Rd, Hidden Hills, CA
Price: $8,990,000Why it’s here: Here’s a way to cozy up to the Kardashians! Space and privacy are the perks that Hidden Hills delivers, and celebs flock to this exclusive enclave. This chic seven-bedroom has amenities like an office, gym, home theater, and an “avant-garde” master suite. Outdoors, the grounds feature an infinity pool, barbecue, sun deck, and gardens.
Hidden Hills, CA
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8. 1501 E Martin Luther King Dr, Maxton, NC
Price: $99,750Why it’s here: If you have $100,000 in cash, you can score this oversized two-story home. Built in 1909, the 4,250-square-foot space includes five beds, two baths, and a large kitchen. It’s in need of a few renovations, but the spacious layout could be converted into a charming bed and breakfast.
Maxton, NC
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7. 7920 Forest Ave, Munster, IN
Price: $289,900Why it’s here: Built in 1930, this gracious brick house includes period details like an arched front door, flagstone fireplace, and hardwood floors. While the interior needs cosmetic updates, the interior space is intriguing for a buyer with an imaginative eye. Cool features include a dining room with vaulted ceiling connected to the kitchen, a sun roof with sliding glass doors to the deck outside, and a living space with skylights. The home has already grabbed a savvy buyer’s attention and is currently pending sale.
Munster, IN
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6. 19290 Telegraph Springs Rd, Purcellville, VA
Price: $8,500,000Why it’s here: The massive 116-acre ranch owned by comedian Martin Lawrence has captivated the attention of the Internet. On our list for a second consecutive week, the 22,500-square-foot home includes an indoor pool and hot tub, bowling alley, home theater, and basketball court.
Purcellville, VA
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5. 1835 W Porter St, Philadelphia, PA
Price: $589,950Why it’s here: It maintains tons of vintage curb appeal, but this twin home built in 1916 has been completely renovated inside. The 1,700-square-foot space features three bedrooms, hardwood floors, recessed lighting, a fully finished basement with custom bar, custom tile work throughout, and private parking.
Philadelphia, PA
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4. 713 N 1800 East Rd, Milford, IL
Price: $4,500,000Why it’s here: Named Amber Oaks for the 3,000 oak trees on the property, this contemporary mansion lives up to its name, with 68 tree-filled acres of property. The home includes 13,000 square feet with eight bedrooms, a separate guesthouse, and an open concept living room, dining room, and kitchen.
Milford, IL
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3. 450 W Grixdale, Detroit, MI
Price: $550,000Why it’s here: There’s still a chance to grab this perfectly preserved home, which comes with all the retro furnishings and memorabilia inside. Still not convinced? There’s also a heated swimming pool with an outdoor shower and cabana. The two-car garage has hand-painted automotive murals. And the finished basement features a billiard room. At the moment, we can’t take our eyes off the vintage kitchen. Four weeks and counting as a most popular listing, property watchers can’t take their eyes off this place.
Detroit, MI
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2. 7434 Lanes End, Baton Rouge, LA
Price: $1,375,000Why it’s here: Behold this Bayou beauty! The contemporary appears as if it materialized from the pages of a design magazine, and you’d be forgiven if you thought this place was in L.A. as opposed to Louisiana. In true SoCal style, the open living area’s glass wall opens completely to the pool and patio outside.
Baton Rouge, LA
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1. 37 Painted Feather Way, Las Vegas, NV
Price: $7,988,000Why it’s here: Let’s bet the house on this property. Built in 2009, this 10,346-square-foot spread features a pool on the upper level with views of the Las Vegas Strip, golf course, and mountains.
An 80-foot great room with pocket doors opens to an enormous terrace. The layout also includes a basketball court, wine room, elevator, and gym. “I think it’s spectacular design, really in tune with what people are really looking for, as far as modern architecture is concerned,” says listing agent Gavin Ernstone. And he adds, “Everyone loves an indoor basketball court.”
Las Vegas, NV
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The post The House Always Wins! Glitzy $8M Vegas Mansion Is the Week’s Most Popular Home appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
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Performers are not infallible. There are plenty times in the careers of a DJ, actor, comedian, athlete or what have you that they are not in peak physical condition — and yet, they soldier on and deliver a worthy performance because it is their job and they’re passionate about their craft.
Yesterday, beginning with a rather innocuous comment from Rezz, Jauz shared his own horror story of being on stage in Vegas with a raging fever: “it was one of the best residency shows I ever did, I ended up giving so much energy during the set and then when it was done I literally couldn’t walk back up the stairs to my hotel.”
I played a day club show in Vegas once with a 104 degree fever and it was one of the best residency shows I ever did, I ended up giving so much energy during the set and then when it was done I litterally couldn’t walk back up the stairs to my hotel
— JAUZ (@Jauzofficial) March 7, 2019
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From there, Rezz got the idea to ask others about their own “performance horror stories,” and let me tell you, the floodgates opened. Kayzo, Illenium, Hotel Garuda, Ducky, Ekali, Tisoki, p0gman, Feed Me, Luca Lush and more all shared their unique performance horror stories, and we just gained a whole newfound respect for these legends.
LOL. This makes me curious to hear any other performance horror stories of being Sick on stage , anybody else? t.co/iyumolZfh1
— Rezz (@OfficialRezz) March 7, 2019
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Read them all below!
NYE 2017 I had insane food poisoning with three shows in 24 hours. By the 3rd show I needed an IV but the paramedic missed and I started bleeding everywhere which made me puke more. I Almost passed out lol. Honestly I barely remember the shows hahaha.
— ILLENIUM (@ILLENIUMMUSIC) March 7, 2019
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Played cakeshop in Seoul one time with food poisoning… halfway thru a transition I knelt down and puked on the stage, then had to DJ in it for the rest of the set. Was awful
— EKALI (@EkaliMusic) March 7, 2019
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i was awake for 3 days before i played a show in Italy once like 4-5 years ago and passed out during my set from exhaustion and woke up to the stage manager leaning over me lol
— TISOKI (@tisoki) March 7, 2019
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played support on @JaiWolfx first headline run , LA show i was battling a 105 fever the whole time, sweating through my clothes. not fun !!
— Hotel Garuda (@hotelgaruda) March 7, 2019
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I played lollapalooza last year with kidney stones
— kayzo (@KayzoMusic) March 7, 2019
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Fainted after a set – club was packed and recorded temperature in booth area was over 100 degrees – took a photo after I came to and went to the restroom to collect myself it was like I had just stepped out of the shower pic.twitter.com/wsltSm6VIx
— Dani Deahl (@danideahl) March 7, 2019
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Also did 10 shows in 10 days with dislocated bones in foot, XS had to be wheelchaired in. Jake pushed me into roulette table and I fell out. Bones popped back together while at drinks with @DjDieselboy have never forgotten how good that felt
— Feed Me (@feedme) March 7, 2019
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Had diarrhea so bad I had to stop the music and run through the crowd to the club bathroom because there was no green room bathroom. Luckily @DjDieselboy was there to step in and play a few tracks while I basically exploded
— Downlink (@downlinkmusic) March 7, 2019
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・used to get so nervous before my sets I’d panic & throw up
・ 104 fever strep throat – euphoria 2016
・gas station burrito from hell & the endless poops – Tampa 2016
・ food poisoning from in&out – escape 2017
— ʟᴜᴄᴀ ʟᴜsʜ (@LUCALUSH) March 7, 2019
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dry heaving thru a set on stage in montanta while the green room is below 20 degrees F and then going back to sit there for and wait for a taxi that just wouldnt come
— bleep bloop (@bleepbloopbass) March 7, 2019
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Got food poisoning before a Vegas day show and puked in a bucket behind the decks
— louis (@LouisTheChild) March 7, 2019
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my first time playing bill graham i had food poisoning AND the flu at the same time
— DUCKY (@QUACKHOUSE) March 7, 2019
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Broke my leg on the Friday night at @ValhallaSC. Played my set in a cast and wheelchair on the Saturday night. 2 snapped bones, a 10 inch metal plate and 14 screws later. I went on to do an 8 week US tour on crutches 3 months after too
— TRINAL VOL. 1 OUT NOW (@p0gman) March 7, 2019
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Photos via Rukes.com
This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: Jauz, Illenium, Kayzo & More Share Their Worst Horror Stories Of DJing While Sick
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Hot Big Ass 04 FGWS Fitness Girls Workout Stories Sexy ft. Neiva Mara Ana Cheri 0:50 Isabela Fasanaro 1:03 Neiva Mara 0:03 Sonia Amat 1:14 Thx for …
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The notorious dick sucking story from Netflix‘s FYRE documentary will live on in infamy. Although nothing can quite top Andy King‘s real life account from Fyre Festival — this new FYRE parody is the next best thing.
Apparently show host Aubrey Plaza needed some help to make the 2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards happen. Thankfully, her old ‘Parks & Recreation‘ co-star Jim O’Heir aka “Jerry” was there to take one for the team.
Following in the footsteps of legend Andy King, “Jerry” shares his own parody that involves mouthwash, bottled water, and a very shameful trip to Costco.
“That’s what friends are for.”
Read More: FYRE’s Notorious D*ck Sucking Story Is The Best/Worst Thing Ever
FYRE Parody
Image via BroBible
This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: Jerry From ‘Parks & Rec’ Parodies FYRE’s Oral Sex Story To Scary Perfection [WATCH]
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Ben Affleck has reportedly bought a home in Pacific Palisades—and if this rumor turns out true, Batman sure paid a bundle: $19,250,000 to be exact, according to celeb site X17.
Wow. Even in A-list celeb terms, a $20 million house is quite pricey. Whom is Affleck trying to impress?
Perhaps his new girlfriend, “Saturday Night Live” producer Lindsay Shookus, whom he’s been dating in the wake of his divorce from Jennifer Garner. According to E! News, Affleck and Shookus were spotted house hunting in the Los Angeles neighborhood on Valentine’s Day.
“They visited two homes in the $8 million to $10 million range with a broker who gave them tours,” an eyewitness said.
Hey, it doesn’t get much more romantic than house hunting on Valentine’s Day! But apparently, those mansions weren’t nice enough, so Affleck must have doubled his home-buying budget.
Did Ben Affleck buy this home?
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Is Affleck bending over backward to impress Shookus? Or is this guy going off the rails post-divorce and plagued with impulsive decisions (witness crazy back tattoo)?
A tour of this $20 million megamansion could contain some inkling of an answer.
An ‘entertainer’s dream house’
For starters, according to the real estate listing (currently under contract), Affleck’s alleged new digs features seven bedrooms and seven full baths—plus two half-baths, just in case nine guests need to use the loo all at once. (Hey, it’s possible.) Offering 13,453 square feet of living space on a lush half-acre, the property provides kids and adults alike with plenty of room to roam.
The living room opens out to the yard.
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As for the home’s style, it’s billed as “brand-new East Coast traditional” and an “entertainer’s dream house,” complete with a chef’s kitchen, gym, screening room, walk-in wine cellar, and even a room for live-in help. Outside, there’s a pool, spa, and guesthouse. This all means plenty of friends can crash without cramping anyone’s style.
“The amenities are killer here,” says Los Angeles real estate developer Tyler Drew. “Keep in mind, he’s also a director, so the theater in the house isn’t simply window dressing. Filmmaking will happen here. Add in a couple extra bedrooms for Kevin Smith or Matt Damon and you have yourself a great place to work on film. This seems designed from the ground up for a Hollywood actor or actress, with the gym, pool, and mature view-blocking trees. It’s probably worth a few million less than what he paid, but privacy is something that’s hard to put a price on.”
No doubt, had Shookus gotten a gander at this place, too, she would have been impressed.
The kitchen
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Or is Ben Affleck buying for his kids?
But perhaps best of all, the house is less than a mile from Garner, so shuttling their kids—Violet, 12, Seraphina, 9, and Samuel, 6—back and forth would be a breeze.
“The fact that it’s less than a mile away from his ex-wife and the kids is perhaps one of the biggest selling points of the house,” says Shane Lee, real estate analyst for RentHop. “It’s easier for him to visit the kids and to maintain a good relationship.”
This proximity to his family could explain why Affleck may have been so willing to entertain this home’s sky-high purchase price.
“In an age where absentee fatherhood is a thing, throwing a couple of million onto the fire is not going to bother Batman too much,” says Drew. “Mr. Affleck’s been living in a pool house this entire time, so it’s safe to say he’s been saving his money for a property like this. This purchase is not for him or to impress his girlfriend. It’s for his kids.”
Kids’ room
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Oh, and maybe his ex factors into this over-the-top purchase, too.
“Perhaps Ben is affected by ‘keeping up with the Joneses,’ or should we say ‘keeping up with his ex-wife,‘” says Denise Supplee, a real estate educator at SparkRental. “While there are some homes in that price range; there are other viable options much less expensive.”
Nonetheless, “I see nothing but pros with this home—light, bright, and neutral with timeless elegance that never goes out of style,” says Florida real estate agent Cara Ameer. “I’m not sure if buying this home is a way to impress his new girlfriend, but clearly this move appears to be more motivated by family than anything else. While no one ever ‘needs’ a 13,000-plus-square-foot home or something that costs nearly $20 million, in this case, because Affleck can, he did! Maybe he wants more room in case Shookus decides to move in at some point down the road.”
Game room
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A while back we covered some troubleshooting solutions to speaker problems that we hear about all the time. For this article, we’re going to focus on home theater issues that are the result of folks not always making the best choices. If some of these examples look a bit familiar, fear not, they will all be easily remedied by following our recommendations. Let’s dive in and start tackling the obstacles and finding fixes!
1. Placing Tower Speakers Too Close to a Wall
Take a look at this Verus II Grand set up, it looks amazing right? Indeed it does, but there’s one minor issue that can be quickly addressed to improve its performance, which is the placement of the left tower. It’s nearly touching that sidewall and because of that, the bass is probably reverberating too much and the speaker likely sounds muddy. Basically when a tower speaker, or any speaker with a good amount of bass, is too close to a wall, you start to hear the room vibrate instead of the sweet, sweet music coming from the speaker. For a rear ported tower speaker like the Verus II Grand, you really want to give it at least a foot on all sides from any walls and if you can, two feet is even better. For front ported speakers like the Intimus 4T and 5T, you still want to give them at least a foot, because sound will still wrap around the cabinet from the front. The absolute worst thing you can do is to place your front speakers in a corner or alcove. People get tempted to place their TVs in a corner in open floor plans, but it’s a recipe for your front speakers to be too close together. When front speakers aren’t properly spaced apart, you lose stereo imaging and the 3D spaciousness that a correctly set up stereo system can provide. Instead of a realistic soundstage with each instrument having space to breathe, things can sound compressed and undefined. On top of that, the corner walls will really increase the dB level of the bass frequencies. In fact a corner can increase the bass response of a speaker by up to 16 times! So you can see how placing your fronts in a corner is a bad idea that can easily result in a very unbalanced sound.
2. Other Non-Ideal Speaker Placement
Beside placing a tower speaker away from a wall, there are some other rules of thumb to follow when you are positioning speakers in your room. An extremely common impulse we see is for folks to place their center channel pushed back on a shelf. Whether they are concerned with knocking the speaker off the shelf or just like the way it looks with the speaker pushed back, people often times don’t place their speaker on the edge of the shelf initially. But you don’t want to leave any empty shelf in front of a center channel because the reflections off the hard surface in front of the speaker will cause a peak in the midrange and de-emphasize the other frequencies.
Another common placement people attempt when they have difficult rooms is to put their surrounds in front of their seating position. Now you can place the surrounds ever so slightly in front of you, a few inches if you have to, but anything more than that and you will start to lose the surround effect of the speakers. Once the surrounds are a couple feet in front of you, the sound fields between them and the fronts begin to merge and you only perceive two speakers instead of four. Sure sounds coming from the surrounds may be a bit louder because they are closer, but you will not hear sounds as they are moving between the speakers any longer.
3. The Battle Between TV and Center Channel
It’s the age old conundrum, the ideal placement for your TV is eye level and the best placement for your center channel is ear level. Well, bad news, it turns out that your ear and eyes, at least for most of us humans, are roughly at the same level. Because of this, you either see TVs placed way too high, which is frequent when it is placed over a fireplace, or you see center channels that are either too high or too low. Bearing in mind that there will need to be some compromise between the two, the best placement option is to have the TV at eye level and the speaker just below it or conversely the center channel at ear level and the TV just above eye level. No matter what you do though, don’t place everything several feet off the ground as you’ll end up with not only a sore neck from looking up, but also subpar dialog intelligibility. Or hey, maybe go for this placement if your goal is to stop watching so much TV and to go outside once in a while. Just kidding, we would never recommend that!
4. Buying Speakers Without an In-Home Audition
We hear about it all the time from people we talk to, the speakers they purchased sounded absolutely incredible when they listened to them at the store, but not once they were installed in their home theater. It sounds obvious, but the demo rooms in stores have been specifically designed and treated to make speakers perform optimally. By contrast, if you are just listening on the floor of a big box store, there’s so much background noise that who can say how the speaker really sounds? In both instances, the listening environment is going to be nothing like your home. Without a doubt, home speakers that you hear at a store will sound drastically different once you get them in your own home due to the size of your room, placement, furniture, electronics, floor material and ceiling height, just to name a few factors. In fact, your room is a larger part in affecting your speakers sound than the receiver or amp you use! We do it too, here at the Aperion Audio showroom, we’ve spent a large amount of time placing and calibrating our speakers and electronics, as well as adding room treatments to quiet the space in order make sure our speakers sound their absolute best. But the difference with our business model is that getting the speakers home and setting them up is just the beginning of the audition process. With our 60 day in-home audition, you’ve got plenty to time to listen and make any adjustments needed in placement or even try out different receivers and amplifiers if you’re a real gearhead with more than one laying around. It can’t just be us with “spare” receivers waiting in the wings, right?
5. Buying an Underpowered Receiver
This is an easy trap to fall into because so many manufacturers play games with the specs. In fact, we recently even dedicated an entire blog to sorting out how much power a receiver will provide in the real world. Also, many of the reviews out there focus on video processing and features, but don’t really provide much evaluation in terms of sound quality. These reviews may lead you to buy a receiver with all kinds of bells and whistles while lacking a quality amplifier section. But a lot of times folks just don’t set aside enough budget for the receiver. Considering that your receiver controls how everything looks and sounds in your setup, it definitely doesn’t pay to skimp on this link of the chain. Put it this way, if you’re thinking of buying a 5.1 or 7.1 system in the $2K-$4K range as many of our systems are, a $400 receiver is not going to allow the true quality of the speakers to shine through. A good rule of thumb is that most of the receivers that can really power a system a well will start in the $700-$800 range and to really get a beefy receiver that will provide all the juice your speakers crave, you should consider spending $1000-$1500.
Another route you can take is to buy a receiver with pre-outs and then power your fronts and possibly center with an external power amp. While a separate power amp will get much more power to your speakers, keep in mind that you’ll be spending north of $2500 for a setup like this.
6. Not Calibrating Your Receiver and TV
You’ve come this far, you did your research and got the perfect speakers, receiver and TV, but make sure you don’t skip the last step, calibrating your system to get the most out of it! As far as the receiver goes, almost all of them include some form of auto setup software. Now sometimes you can get better results from a manual set up, but the auto set up is definitely a little quicker and can also do a very good job. If you do use the auto set up feature of your receiver, make sure you follow the instructions for the microphone placement, as this is critical. Placing the mic on the back of the couch isn’t the best option as any obstructions can affect the quality of the test tones it needs for setup. Use a tripod if possible and place the tip of the microphone exactly where the listener’s head will be when sitting down. Use as many mic positions throughout the room as you can so that the software can accurately measure the acoustic properties of your room. One last tip, when using the auto set up, turn the level of your subwoofer down to maybe 1/3 or ½ volume and always double check your channel level when the calibration is done. If you see large variances in volume level, especially from the surrounds or subwoofer, chances are you didn’t get a clean reading and should try again. If you do go for a manual set up, you can find some tips for adjusting the settings here.
As for the TV, these days some calibration is something you simply must do. At the very least you’ll want to turn down the brightness that they use for in-store demonstrations and turn off the dreaded “soap opera” effect aka motion smoothing. Beyond that, it’s a good idea to go through each of the settings in your TV and to adjust them to your viewing conditions and preferences. If you want something a bit more technical, but also more generic, you can search for your model’s ISF settings and use those recommendations to dial in everything. Spend a little time making either your own adjustments or use the ones from ISF and you’ll be amazed at just how much better your display will look.
7. Listening to or Watching Low Quality Source Material
Finally, once you’ve calibrated your system and everything is ready to rock, pay attention to what you are going to be running through it! We hear about people that are having issues with audio and video quality all the time and it turns out they are either listening to low quality mp3s or just watching broadcast TV. Especially if you are watching standard definition TV on an HDTV or 4K display, it’s going to look pretty terrible. Remember, your system is only as good as its weakest link and that goes for the material you watch and listen to as well. You’ve spent the time and money on your gear, make sure that the sources are high quality too! Stick to HDTV and Blu Ray for your TV and CDs, SACD or lossless audio downloads for music.
Now that you now what not to do, go forth and enjoy the best that your system has to offer and as always, happy listening!
Seven Frequent Home Theater Missteps published first on medium.com/@123movieshub
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It’s the color of royalty, a signal of wealth and power—and interior design’s hottest color in 2018.
Sure, purple might inspire you to hum a few tunes from (or mourn once more) that musical genius from Minneapolis. But it’s also a fresh shade with a strong personality and lots of versatility, says Olivia Rassow, style editor at Birch Lane, an online retailer of furniture and home decor.
And homeowners are catching on.
“Jewel-inspired tones have been trending in the marketplace,” says Misty Yeomans, senior color marketing manager at PPG paints. “These colors, including the purple hues, evoke feelings of elegance and grandeur, which appeal to consumers.”
But too much of this grape hue could backfire in your home, much like a Barney-themed birthday party run amok. Instead, ease into the trend with some smart advice from the pros. Here are seven ways to introduce this year’s hottest color into your home decor.
1. Paint a purple accent wall
Photo by kmh design inc.
“Purple on its own may intimidate those who live in mostly neutral spaces, so think about using this shade on a single wall or the ceiling,” suggests Sasha Bikoff, an interior designer in New York City.
Your room will seem brighter and more welcoming with just a pop of this tone, she adds.
And when selecting a shade of purple, think in terms of rich tones—bolder, deeper shades of violet create an electric feeling on an accent wall, particularly when paired with complementary colors such as clean, grassy greens,Yeomans notes.
Her picks? Glidden Regal Purple or the more modern Purple Surf, especially in a dining room with warm wood furniture or flooring.
2. Lay down a purple rug
Photo by Susan Nelson Interiors
Those who are color-shy can introduce purple in subtle ways with wall art or rugs.
“A light purple rug adds vibrancy and personality,” Bikoff says, “but because it’s not at eye level, the room doesn’t feel aggressive or too bright.”
Or move into the hue slowly with a single item.
“A purple statement piece like a sofa, headboard, or armchair that uses rich textures—such as velvet and silk— brings excitement to the space,” she adds.
3. Try purple in a powder room
Photo by Slotegraaf ConstructionDrew Henry of Design Dudes saves purple for a half-bath.
“These spaces are guest-centric and made to be impactful, so it’s the ideal spot to go a little crazy and showcase the latest trends,” he explains.
Paul Miller of MakeNest Interiors agrees: “Violet towels in a white bathroom are warm and luxurious,” he states.
4. Pair purple with unexpected colors
Photo by Charlotte Crosland Interiors
Purple doesn’t always have to be paired with its opposite on the color wheel. You can achieve harmony in your decor with some surprising combos.
“We love to add purple to a mix of blues and indigos for an unexpected twist on a classic palette,” Rassow says.
Case in point: The 2018 Pantone pick marries nicely with Oceanside, a deep teal that was named the Sherwin-Williams color of the year, Henry notes.
“I would also pair purple shades with gray and simple whites, though yellow would be a great color to accent with—just use it sparingly,” he adds.
And if purple is in your wallpaper pattern, match it with muted silver, pale pink, or even bright red, Bikoff says.
5. Use purple in your accessories
Photo by Justine Sterling Design
If you fear making a commitment to an eclectic hue, you can always dip your toe in the purple pool with accent pieces—think lamps, a bright throw, or vibrant pillows.
“Getting a few pillows for your couch or bed is a good way to test the trend and frees you up to switch them out next year at low cost,” notes Henry.
Flowers and houseplants are other easy ways to add a bit of purple.
“A potted purple queen adds beautiful color in a kitchen window or a softly toned guest room,” Miller says.
Or look to kitchen accessories in this shade, including a Dutch oven, blender, or dish towels.
6. Give purple to the kids
Photo by Shana Dee Nursery Decor
Purple is young and vibrant—and therefore the perfect pick for a baby’s nursery (try soothing lavender) or a tween’s bedroom (electric magenta).
“Violet shades invoke creativity and imagination, and make for great color choices in a kid’s playroom,” Yeomans adds.
To unite the space, pick bedding and window treatments that have a touch of purple in them.
“Muted purples are neutral enough to work in many spaces,” Yeomans says. “And a grayish purple, like Glidden’s Violet Verbena, has a chameleonlike presence that appears polished yet playful in children’s spaces.”
7. Steer clear of clichés
Photo by House Doctor
As with any color trend, it’s important not to make tired mistakes or mix in wild shades that aren’t cohesive. One sin from the past that designers want you to avoid: adding pops of purple—no matter the shade—into an all-white room.
“This was popular 10 years ago, but it should be long gone by now as it’s just plain tacky,” laments Bikoff.
And refrain from using multiple shades of purple or pink together, Henry warns.
“This look can very easily begin to clash,” he notes.
Finally, make sure to choose your shade of purple carefully.
“Purple [can] quickly look juvenile,” Miller cautions. “So keep the color sophisticated with a version that has red or bluish undertones.”
The post Purple Reign: 7 Pretty Ways to Use This Trendy Color in Your Home Decor appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
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Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.
–Samuel Becket
(And do not be tempted to read this in the American way, that says: Fail until you succeed, but read it in a very European, old-world way. Embrace this failure, insist on failure being the thing you’re striving for, disappointment being the most natural thing and not strive for something. The very notion of striving is, what distracts you. Be allergic to achievement. Tak failure seriously as an achievement in and by itself. Leave this failure-as-a-pose behind you: It is our loss, that the greatest achievements of the Failure-Artist, his mastery of failing shows itself in his invisibility – what beauty lies in his being overcome and defeated by the world.)
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Getting braces, whether as a child, teen, or adult, requires strict and diligent adherence to good oral health. While you might feel like you’re spending tons of time at the orthodontist, that time in the chair doesn’t allow for slacking at home with forgone brushing or flossing. Since plaque and other bacteria can easily become trapped inside and around the brackets and wires of braces, tooth decay can easily occur and go undetected.
In addition to maintaining a good tooth cleaning routine, it’s also important to eat foods that will benefit your teeth and not set you back in your treatment, whether it be as a result of broken wires or cavities. We have comprised a list of foods that are good to eat with braces as well as those that should be avoided! Take a look.
The good
If you’re looking for something quick to eat, it’s important to choose items that are soft in texture for the sake of your braces. This is especially important after you get your braces tightened and your teeth are sore.
Experiencing pain isn’t a free-for-all to eat carb-dense food just because it is soft, however. Remember that carbs turn into sugar that spur bad bacteria growth on your teeth! Instead, turn to calcium-rich foods such as milk, yogurt and cheese.
Since braces are attached to the enamel on your teeth, it’s important you keep your teeth strong so the braces can do their job. Increasing your calcium intake will help boost your enamel, too. It is also important to remember to eat protein-dense meals. These meals will keep you full longer and help keep you from snacking later. While dentists typically recommend nuts as a good source of protein, and a natural exfoliator for your teeth, we would suggest staying away from hard nuts (such as almonds) since they could harm or break your braces. Instead, incorporate soft meats such as chicken, turkey and fish into your diet.
Finally, fruits and vegetables are always a good option! Try streaming vegetables on days where your teeth are especially sore. Soft fruits such as kiwi, peaches and tangerines are easy to eat and provide a high nutritional benefit.
And here’s the best trick…no one expects you to avoid dessert during the course of your treatment! Treating yourself to soft-serve or other ice creams (without add-ins like bubble gum) are a good way to relieve pain after orthodontist appointments and stick to the “soft foods” rule.
The bad
Any food that is tough or chewy should be minimized or eliminated during your treatment. This includes foods like pizza crust, or raw vegetables like carrots or celery. While raw vegetables are normally recommended by dentists for the natural cleaning effect on the teeth, with braces, they are too hard and could break wires or brackets.
Tough meats such as beef jerky or undercooked meat that makes it difficult to consume can also be problematic for those with braces. Just like with crunchy foods, these meats could do measurable damage in your mouth.
Finally, avoid chewing on non-food items (including ice!) for the duration of your treatment. This could include pens, pencils or nails. Many times, we unconsciously gnaw on our pen out of stress or boredom, however this could adversely impact your braces and set you back on your treatment.
The ugly
Hard candies are bad for your teeth whether you have braces or not. While we would advocate for everyone to ditch these tooth-destroyers, those with braces need eliminate them most of all. The sugar in these candies can get lodged behind brackets, out of reach of any toothbrush, and lead to tooth decay. In addition, you may be tempted to bite down on the candy and cause serious destruction to your braces.
Sticky foods are just as bad as hard candy. Taffies and caramel can get stuck in the wires and be nearly impossible to remove.
Getting braces is a great catalyst to help you clean up your diet as well as your oral hygiene. Eating foods that promote strong teeth, healthy enamel, and reduce bad bacteria will ensure you have a bright, straight smile when you get your braces off.
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