Tours Travel

Ten steps to cheap travel in Europe

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Chances are, you look for plane tickets at least once and think that they will still be there when I am 65 and retire. Do not be discouraged! I am going to explain how you can travel to the European country of your dreams for less than you imagined possible.

Step 1. Forget about your exact travel plans

The quickest way to make your trip as expensive as possible is to narrow your search to something incredibly specific.

For example, just because you have a four-day weekend at Easter doesn’t mean it’s a good time to travel. Be flexible about your travel dates, the places you travel to, and the type of places you stay. The more flexible you are, the cheaper the trip will be.

Step 2. Determine where you really want to visit.

I know I just said be flexible, but that doesn’t mean you can’t choose where you want to visit, it means you have to be open to getting there in ways you didn’t anticipate. If you want to visit Dublin more than anything, don’t look for flights from the US to Dublin only. You can most likely find a plane ticket from the US to another European city for much less. Then you can book another short flight to Dublin for less than $ 80 round trip. It’s also a great way to see an additional country!

Step 3. Determine which city you will be flying from

Flights to Europe vary greatly in price depending on the airport you fly to, where you depart from and the dates of travel. Therefore, a good first step may be to determine which airport you will be flying from. If you live in a big city like New York, Boston or Los Angeles, good luck! You will find the cheapest flights to Europe from these cities. If you don’t live in these cities, you will likely end up flying through them to get to Europe. So if you can drive to one of those cities, that may be a cheap option. Otherwise, consider booking a flight to one of those cities from your hometown. Oddly enough, you can get cheaper flights by booking each leg individually instead of booking a ticket from your home to your destination.

Step 4. Determine the cheapest European city to fly to

The easiest way to do this is to check the websites that aggregate all the cheapest airfares so you don’t have to search hundreds of flights yourself. Some sites allow you to type the United States or the city you know you will be leaving in the “from” field. In the “to” field, try to choose “everywhere”. Then scroll down the resulting list looking for the first cheapest country / country in Europe to fly to. If, for example, Norway costs $ 340 and France $ 380, then France is probably worth choosing if that’s your desired destination; however, if the difference is more than $ 100, I would choose the cheapest airport first. The annoying thing about Skyscanner is that the deals are often no longer active and sometimes you also have to search many dates in search of the cheapest one to travel with. But patience is key and this is how you find the cheapest flights. Another tip is that sometimes flights are made through travel agencies and it is probably worth looking for reviews at the agency before booking your ticket, considering that satisfied customers rarely write reviews. But if the agency has a five-star rating, that may be a clue to pass.

Step 5. Find a flight between Europe that will take you to the European destination of your dreams.

One thing that most people don’t realize is that flying from one European country to another is very cheap.

I have flown across Europe for $ 14 one way. It is not a joke. I have never paid more than $ 60 for a flight within Europe. Use Kayak.com to find a flight to your actual destination from any country where you’ve booked the cheapest flight to Europe.

Step 6. Now that you have arrived, find a cheap or free place to stay

Everyone has their own idea of ​​a dream vacation. If yours stays at the Ritz, then I’m surprised you’ve read this article this far. For most of us, we just want to stay in a decent place while enjoying all that Europe has to offer. I have never been left in a garbage dump in Europe. I don’t want to and I’m not so desperate. Accommodation is reduced to four options: hotel, rental, hostel or Couchsurf.

  • hotel. Staying in a hotel is a safe way to go and if it is your first time in Europe or it is not very risky, then this is probably the route you want to take. Hotels, depending on where you visit, range from $ 20 to $ 200 per night, so you may want to take that into account when choosing a destination. I wouldn’t recommend staying in Monaco unless your oil company is making record first-quarter profits, but staying in the vicinity of Nice might be an option. In other words, keep your options open.

  • Rental. Booking a room, apartment, villa or house for rent is also a safe bet, but it can be a bit more complicated than simply checking into a hotel. Sites like Homeaway and Airbnb offer really unique locations and I have to say that some of my favorite places I’ve stayed in Europe were rentals. From a winery villa in Tuscany to a secluded mother-in-law in a quiet neighborhood outside of London, I really enjoyed staying in rentals and the price is often much less than staying in a hotel if there is a group of you who can share the cost. .

  • Hostel. The word hostel brings up thoughts about horror movies, but the reality is that the difference between a hostel and a hotel is sometimes imperceptible in Europe. Sure there are hostels where you can get a bunk in a room with five other travelers and for some people this is exciting and interesting. But just because bunk beds aren’t your thing doesn’t mean you should discount everything that has the word hostel in the title. I have stayed in some “hostels” that were as nice as a hotel.

  • Surf coach. If you really have a tight budget or if meeting local people is really important to you, there is no better way than Couchsurfing. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, visit the Couchsurfing website. Basically, the site allows you to request to stay with someone who wants to host travelers in their home for free and vice versa. People leave comments about travelers and hosts so you can be sure they are respectable. Of course, this carries risks and safety precautions must be taken. Also, you should always have a backup plan in case the situation doesn’t work out.

Step 7. Eat cheap.

I am focusing on the needs of visiting Europe: travel, accommodation and food. Of course, there are many other ways to spend money, but these are the things you have to spend money on, with food being one of them.

The food is amazing. I love food and the first few times I went to Europe I was disappointed because I randomly walked into restaurants and most of them were unsatisfactory. This all changed when I started looking for restaurant reviews on TripAdvisor, that’s all it took to make every meal amazing. It wasn’t so much money saving advice as general advice. However, TripAdvisor allows you to search by general restaurant prices, so $ is cheap $ is moderate $ is getting expensive, etc.

Here’s a money-saving tip: Buying groceries in Europe is usually very inexpensive. So if you’ve booked an apartment with a kitchen, take advantage of it! Go shopping at a local market and buy strange new foods to cook! If you’re on a road trip, grab some sandwich to save a few bucks.

Step 8. Keep in mind that there are still more expenses

While travel, accommodation and food are your main expenses, of course there will be others. Things to think about include transportation once you arrive, attraction fees, and souvenirs.

Transportation options include public transportation. Most European cities have fantastic and inexpensive public transport that can be purchased with local currency or a debit card at a kiosk. Keep in mind that American credit cards often don’t work on these as you need a chip and a PIN number.

Renting a car is a great option if you plan to travel outside of cities, it is usually quite affordable and gives you maximum freedom of mobility. Trains, while charming, are rarely a cheap way to travel around Europe. The flights are much less expensive and faster. But if you are in love with the idea of ​​seeing the countryside by train, it is worth a try. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the Eurorail website for a fee. Or if you’re more flexible and feel like the risk is worth the risk, you can buy them in person at the train station for a significantly lower price.

Step 9. Travel light

While you don’t think traveling light will save you money, trust me, it will. First of all, all airlines will charge baggage fees. Therefore, each leg of your flight will cost you between $ 25 and $ 100 for each bag. That adds up fast. Second, if you have two suitcases, you are going to fill two suitcases full of things that you probably don’t need. Third, taking cheap transportation like the subway becomes frustrating and impractical when you’re carrying two unwieldy suitcases. Fourth, your bags have to be with you at all times or at a hotel, so if you plan to check out in the morning and go to another city, you won’t be able to do anything until you get to your hotel. and check your bags. In general, it is a great pain to carry a lot of things around Europe with you. My advice, and I can’t stress this enough, is to pack everything in a backpack. I have a 50L backpack and had everything I needed for a month and a half in Europe. Yes, there are also places to wash clothes in Europe. If you’re saying, well, you don’t understand because you’re a boy. I traveled with two young women and they both fit everything in a backpack. If you are saying you don’t understand because you are young, I traveled with my mother to Europe and she packed everything in a standard size school bag! You can do it too!

Step 10. Always plan for the worst and hope for the best

Whenever I travel to Europe I plan my planned expenses and round everything up. I also plan for at least $ 200 of unexpected expenses. In the end, my expenses are always well below this number, but I never want to end up in a situation where I am overwhelmed by the cost.

Conclution

In 2,000 words I have given you the summary guide to Europe on a budget. Of course, there are many other things to think about when booking your trip to Europe, but the most important thing is to do it! Find those cheap airline tickets to Europe and book them. You can fill in all the blanks later, don’t try to plan everything before you get your tickets, and don’t try to plan every second of every day. Allow time to be spontaneous and immerse yourself in European life.

Arts Entertainments

Reality TV will kill TNA

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It was a Friday night like any other Friday night. I was on my computer, talking to my friends and watching WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) Friday Night Smackdown. Suddenly I felt like Santa’s little helper, the family dog ​​from The Simpsons. In that show, there is an episode where the family is trying to train the animal. The dog obviously doesn’t understand at first. Everything everyone says to you is interpreted as “Blah, blah, blah.” Until finally Bart keeps talking and finally the dog hears “Blah, blah, blah, sit down.” The dog finally understands and sits down.

On a cold Friday night, I was that dog. I was surfing the web, talking to someone on Skype, and watching Smackdown. Suddenly, from Michael Coles’ mandatory tone, blah blah blah, I hear “WWE Tough Enough coming to USA Network.” What? Could it be true? Will one of the most successful reality shows in history return? This is great! WWE Tough Enough was the survivor of professional wrestling or Vince McMahon’s Twisted Little World, Sports Entertainment. They took the average Joe and Jane, trained them, and eventually gave one of each gender a contract with WWE. It was also like WWE’s own farm system. Take people that no one has ever heard of and turn them into superstars. This is sheer awesomeness on the part of WWE. Why? Here’s a little secret WWE doesn’t want you to know. THEY DO NOT CONTRACT ONLY THE WINNERS OF THE CONTEST.

In fact, they have clung to men who haven’t won the competition any longer than the actual winners. Guys like The Miz didn’t even make it to the finals. Now, he’s not just in the company, as of this writing, he’s the WWE Champion. What’s even more absurd is that Josh Matthews, who didn’t even participate in the competition, is now one of the WWE commentators. This ridiculous practice will not only help WWE, but it will also kill TNA (Total Nonstop Action) Wrestling. You see, since Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan took over TNA, the company has become nothing more than wrestlers past their prime or WWE remnants. Meanwhile, in WWE, they are getting younger. Between the evolution of NXT, which is the display of WWE talent from its minor leagues in Florida, and now the rebirth of WWE Tough Enough, I think WWE is on schedule for the next ten to fifteen years. Now, WWE has its own version of a major league baseball team. They have not one, but two streams of young talent at their disposal.

I was on the Pro Wrestling Illustrated blog the other day and someone was complaining about the return of Tough Enough. The person’s argument was that the show would be compared to American Idol. My thinking is what’s wrong with that? Isn’t that the American dream? Take people no one has ever heard of and turn them into superstars? That is what we live for. That is what we thrive on as people. Go after our dreams as something we think we were born to do. What I think WWE is doing in a sense is keeping the American dream alive for people who want to become WWE Superstars. If they get hired by WWE, great. If it doesn’t work … Hey, there’s always TNA.

Technology

Get to know your VoIP phone system with this helpful glossary

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Have you ever been part of a conversation with a group of people who seemed to speak their own language? Perhaps it made you feel left out and it was difficult to connect with the group on a personal level due to what seemed like a language barrier. This is how jargon can make people feel “average.” All the VoIP phone system acronyms and industry terms only create confusion for certain individuals and make them feel like strangers, increasing the communication gap between a service provider and their consumer.

That’s why we’ve provided you with a glossary of essential terms used by VoIP providers so that you can meet with VoIP agents and telecommunications experts at least halfway there. However, before we get into it, let’s clarify what the difference is between VoIP, IP and cloud telephony.

Bottom line: there really isn’t much of a difference. VoIP, IP, and Cloud (or cloud-based) are essentially synonymous. All of them use an IP network that digitizes communication data, such as voice, creating data packets and sends these data packets between different end points. Using this method is known to be more cost effective as data packets can be transmitted on shared lines without the PTSN tolls (read on to find out what PTSN is).

This glossary was developed with the average business owner in mind. Since the way businesses communicate is changing to accommodate today’s technological advancements, we want to help you stay current on the terminology you may hear on the phone when speaking with VoIP service providers.

Here are some other useful words to help you better understand the agents of your current business cloud phone service provider.

VoIP Glossary

ATA: Analog Telephone Adapter. This allows analog users to connect their traditional telephones and fax machines to a VoIP network. Convert your fax machine to a virtual fax machine with a Cisco SPA112 ATA.

BYOD: bring your own device. Many VoIP phone system providers make it easy to switch providers by allowing users to use their existing communication hardware. If you already have IP hardware, you can experience even more savings.

DID: Direct Inward Dialing. DIDs are phone numbers to which you can assign multiple phone numbers associated with one or more phone lines so that each employee can have their own number without the need for a separate phone line. DIDs eliminate additional costs and the appearance of busy signals.

IP phone (also known as a VoIP phone) – A digital phone that uses an Internet connection to transmit calls. IP phones are not necessarily a requirement to use your VoIP phone system, as many offer plans that can be used with your mobile phone.

IVR: Interactive Voice Response. An IVR allows a computer to interact with callers and identify where to route them based on a selection callers make from the message menu. For example, if your VoIP system has a personalized greeting that allows callers to choose between speaking to sales, marketing, or billing, the caller will be routed to a specific endpoint ((individual or department) based on their selection.

Jitter: Variations in packet arrival time, which means that the quality of the call sounds choppy.

Packet Loss – If your voice is transmitted as a “data packet,” the packet loss just means that that chunk of data was unable to reach the desired end point. This usually occurs due to network congestion and causes instability.

PoE – Power over Ethernet. PoE means that the data connection and electrical power are provided over a single cable to provide functionality for devices, including IP phones. With PoE phones, the device can be plugged into a desktop and wall socket to create a complete path for voice and data media.

LNP: Local Number Portability. If you are transferring your number from one provider to another, you will need to complete an LNP form to reassign your number.

PBX: Private switchboard.

PSTN: Public switched telephone network.

Softphone: software that gives you the ability to make phone calls using your computer through an Internet connection. This can also be an application on your mobile phone that allows you to use your mobile as a business communication device.

Virtual Number – Another way of saying DID, a virtual number is not associated with a phone line and is generally used to forward incoming calls to preset phone numbers. Virtual numbers can be used for virtual services, marketing campaigns, and other business purposes.

VoIP: Voice over Internet Protocol

VoIP service providers who speak your language

Regardless of the size of your business and the type of products and services you provide, you can benefit from VoIP service providers and the promoted features they offer. Although VoIP is not perfect and may not be suitable for everyone, it is a solution that many business owners across the country have implemented without a hitch. See for yourself with custom VoIP solutions.

You don’t have to speak like a VoIP agent to enjoy powerful productivity-boosting features; However, now you can stay up-to-date on some of the more common terms and be better prepared for your next conversation with VoIP service providers.

Business

Build a great business model through VPS

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Top-tier companies always pay the utmost attention to maintaining a strong backbone for their business. And one of the ways to build strong technology is to opt for a superior virtual private server solution that will help you gain ground in the market. The websites you host can be used to run software that can serve as a web-enabled ERP that will help all departments take care of their technology and information needs at any time. Automating all business transactions and putting them on the web server for other departments to get information is a great way to be successful in business. Good technology, good people, good service backed by good technology is all you need to gain mind share and market share in this business. Data can be obtained from mobile phones, tablets, laptops and can be easily entered into the system from any device linked to the server.

• Analytics – With a robust VPS solution, you can install a smartphone app on each employee’s mobile phones, which can enter all field data and can be stored on the server you choose to host. Attendance, route traveled, trip assignment and location photos can be saved on servers that can be retrieved by other departments.

• Marketing – Sales reports, customer preferences, customer acquisition data, marketing plan, and marketing budgets can be saved on servers for managers to analyze and make decisions. With complete data on customer charts, marketing plan in place, one can compare the locations against each other and decide where to pay more attention in terms of manpower in marketing dollars. Team performance in identical locations can be measured based on potential and each employee’s territory can be marked and their results calculated.

• Finance: Since these virtual private servers have a high level of security with site blocking and advanced protection against phishing attacks, all accounting records can be safely stored, financial projections, department budgets can be saved and things can be easily recovered.

• HR: Attendance records leave records, employee records, employee data provided at the time of the interview, payroll data and other critical and confidential data that can be obtained from virtual private servers. There is a high level of security and, despite being shared, no data is moved between two entities.

• Operations: be it CCTV images, visitor data, data related to office supplies, display costs, banner costs, banner designs can be saved on the virtual private servers that have now become critical for business operations.

Going forward, you need to buy the best virtual private servers, employ the best technology, and gain a solid understanding of how things work to make informed decisions.

Home Kitchen

Modern house plans and contemporary architectural house features

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If you are looking for modern home plans, there are many different types of plans you can consider. The contemporary architectural features you want will be unique to your own needs, but will be very different from the traditional features of the home. Contemporary homes have been popular since the mid-20th century and are influenced by postmodern and neo-eclectic design elements. You can usually identify contemporary homes and modern designs by tall windows, unique shapes, and other architectural features.

When you inspect contemporary architectural design features for inclusion in your modern home plans, there are many different things to look for. You can usually spot these homes with contemporary features by looking for stone or wood exterior materials, minimal ornamentation, and tall, irregularly shaped windows. The exterior design of these homes takes a minimalist approach, and landscaping is generally used to create the curb appeal of the home, as the design is very minimal. Finding the best features for your home will include inputting these different design elements and determining which ones will give you the look you want for your modern home design.

Interior features of modern home plans that feature contemporary architecture include things like:

– Open floor plans

– High ceilings or high ceilings

– Exposed beams, gabled roofs

– Crown moldings

– Ceramic or wood tile floors

– Craft materials

– Gourmet kitchen designs

– Marble, stainless steel and concrete countertops.

Of course, the contemporary design features you choose for your modern home will depend on your specific tastes, but these are the types of elements you can expect to see in most home plans that fall under modern and contemporary home design. . The goal here is function and style above all else, and traditional features and kitschy designs are not present at all in these homes.

Clean lines and natural colors are other contemporary design features that will likely be in your modern home plans. Creating a contemporary and modern home is a wish of many people because the style is so popular. It offers something different from traditional house styles and allows people to have a more impressive and architecturally unique house for their needs. The décor you choose for your home must match the design features and architectural details, if you want to achieve a truly modern and contemporary look. These are things to keep in mind when looking for architectural design plans.

Auto

Actron CP9135 AutoScanner – The Reliable, Cost-Effective Diagnostic Scanner You Can Trust

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The “check engine” light on his vehicle would go off and on over and over again. What’s going on? This can happen regardless of the make and make of your car, whether you drive a Ford, Audi, Volkswagen, or Toyota. Don’t panic – the Actron CP9135 AutoScanner will be there to rescue you.

When the warning light comes on, it’s just your car trying to tell you that something is not right. Like R2D2 on StarWars, the AutoScanner Actron CP9135 (OBD II compliant) can connect to your On-Board Diagnosis II (OBD II) compliant vehicle to access information stored on your vehicle’s computer. It can be used in all OBD II compliant vehicles made in North America, Europe and Asia since 1996.

The AutoScanner Actron CP9135 features a large, easy-to-read LCD screen that shows the definition of the fault code. For ODB II compliant vehicles (1996 and newer), the AutoScanner Actron CP9135 provides fault code data, then clears the fault code and turns off the Check Engine light. Although you may still need to fix the problem, the scanner turns off the “Check Engine” warning light on your vehicle’s dash so you won’t be distracted while you continue driving.

The AutoScanner Actron CP9135 is simple and easy to use even for a non-professional user. The attached 16-pin OBD II connector cable provides connections for power and data, while the eight-foot cable and rugged housing are oil and grease resistant for durability. The long cable that connects to the computer makes it easy to use in tight spaces. Once connected, simply press the “READ” key and the very easy-to-use menu displays a variety of information in an instant. Use the Monitor Status and Inspection / Maintenance (I / M) function to determine the chances of your vehicle passing an emissions inspection. I / M Readiness is a pragmatic feature that can be used just before your vehicle is tested to verify that it meets the standards of a state emissions program.

One very important thing to note is that all emissions testing facilities will not pass any vehicle that has a “Check Engine” light illuminated at the time of inspection, even if the light is only on to remind you of a delay. gold oil change at 60,000 miles of tune up. With the AutoScanner Actron CP9135, you can turn off the check engine light and clear the emissions test without unnecessary hassle. The menu also reminds you of pending DTCs and reads the status of the malfunction indicator lamp. By reading the status of the malfunction indicator lamp, the scanner gives an idea of ​​what might cause the Check Engine light to come on in the near future. In this way, the Actron CP9135 scanner can also provide some preventative measures to help a non-professional user monitor a vehicle’s on-board systems.

In conclusion, the helpful functions of the Actron CP9135 AutoScanner, along with the simple “READ” and “CLEAR” keys used to read and clear DTCs, make the Actron CP9135 AutoScanner a perfect tool for identifying and solving problems with your vehicle. , which relieves you of unnecessary headaches and more importantly, instead of paying a lot of money to car mechanics, it helps you locate and repair simple and straightforward problems in your car, saving you money .

Digital Marketing

Belief: should it make sense?

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Are you old enough to believe that for every drop of rain that falls, a flower grows? Now that somewhere in the darkest night, a candle is lit? What about the idea that for all who go astray, someone will come to show the way? Even when they were written, some people did not accept these feelings. They had the belief that, to be true, something must be tangibly proven. The growth of scientific culture could mean that we could all end up thinking that there is a provable explanation for everything and if there is not, we cannot believe in it.

Sometimes we meet gullible individuals like those on the flat earth who seem capable of believing almost anything. This attitude is mocked in Lewis Carroll Through the looking glass when the White Queen says,

“Wow, sometimes I’ve believed in as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

So what should we acknowledge to be true? Do beliefs have to make sense before accepting them?

Belief and open mind

I guess we differ a lot in our natural makeup. Perhaps this affects the way we are inclined to think about things. For example, according to the prevailing ‘Five Factor Personality Model’, those with a conventional and traditional outlook prefer familiar routines to new experiences and tend to have a narrower range of interests. At the other end of the scale are those who are more open to experience, curious about ideas and sensitive to aesthetic expression, and pay more attention to inner feelings and imagination. Being closed minded or open minded are two polar opposites and most people are somewhere on the continuum between them. However, it is not difficult to see how this could affect the nature of one’s beliefs.

Belief and a hard-minded disposition

Many of our political beliefs and social attitudes seem to be influenced by what is called a hard-minded or soft-minded disposition. This psychological continuum was first described by William James and is part of Hans Eysenck’s two-factor political attitude model. For example, some people think that more money should be spent in the judicial system because more criminals must be caught and get what they deserve. On the other hand, others believe that society should prevent crime by sharing resources more fairly and caring for vulnerable people.

Belief and how we make judgments

Belief may be more influenced by the heart or the head; by subjective experience or by objective rational logic. I think we all lean towards one of these two. Give more meaning to our feelings or more to our thoughts. Are you more likely to believe what you feel in your heart to be valuable, or is your belief more likely to be based on logical thinking? The danger of the former may be blind faith in some cause. The danger of the latter may be a cold impersonal conclusion.

Willingness to form a judgment

We can all perceive life using our bodily senses and intuitions. We can also, if we wish, draw conclusions about what we perceive. However, according to Carl Jung’s theory of personality typology, judging or perceiving may be the dominant mode. So, he considered that there are personality types that judge and perceive. Judging types seek to order, rationalize, and structure their outer world, as they actively judge external stimuli. They prefer to make decisions quickly and stick to their conclusions once they are made. On the other hand, the perceiver types do not seek to impose order on the outside world, but are more adaptive, perceptive and open, since they receive external stimuli. They have a flexible and open approach to life.

Religious belief and orientation

I suspect that similar to this type of perception is the so-called Religious Orientation Quest. According to Daniel Batson’s theory, people with this orientation treat their spirituality not as a means or an end, but as a search for truth.

“An individual who approaches religion in this way acknowledges that he or she does not know, and probably will never know, the final truth on such matters. Still, questions are considered important, and no matter how hard they are tried and subject to change, answers are sought.“(Daniel Batson, social psychologist)

Belief and personal development

I would suggest that we perceive things through a natural, moral or spiritual lens according to our personal development. In an early stage of personal development we tend to see life in terms of physical things and in accordance with an instinctive need to be nurtured and intimate. And so we make sense of experiences in relation to these factors. Further development involves basing one’s belief in what is good and right in interpersonal behavior. for example, belief related to the moral values ​​of justice and integrity. Later, one’s ideas can be illuminated by a deeper perception of what is good in life, for example, human well-being, a meaning and purpose of life, and an awareness of a hidden power behind the universe. For example, that there is a life force and design within nature, which science cannot measure, but which feels universal and infinite.

Belief and understanding

Until now, I have been arguing that individual differences in natural tendency and personal development affect the way we make sense of the world and therefore shape our beliefs. However, I would now ask if there is an additional important factor. Is it a rational understanding inherent in being truly human? If so:

“Our ability to see and know, if we try, what is true and what is good”(Emanuel Swedenborg, spiritual philosopher)

Because of this understanding, I would say that we can discern between what makes sense and what doesn’t. Without this ability, how could we have self-awareness and self-reflection? Without it, how could we see the pros and cons of a proposal without undue biases? And without it, how could we be aware of what is correct in the face of unhealthy desires.

In other words, this rationality is present no matter what kind of temperament and tendencies we are born with, and regardless of whether we are functioning on a natural, ethical, or spiritual level. It allows us to evaluate what ideas we listen to regardless of our wishes. Consequently, I would conclude that it forces us to form our beliefs on the basis of what makes rational sense using a higher light of understanding.

Relationship

5 strategies for a better night’s rest in middle age

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Midlife in dreamland: it’s not how it used to be

Can’t you fall asleep?

Or is it constantly interrupted?

Or do you wake up after 8 hours or more without feeling refreshed?

In my practice as a herbalist and acupuncturist I see these kinds of problems all the time. We all deserve a good night’s rest, but this fundamental respite can turn into torture for people over 50.

I work with people dealing with midlife changes that affect their bodies, minds, relationships, and even spirits. In middle age we find ourselves trying to live as we always have, but without getting the same results. For example, this is the complaint I hear so often from people who work hard and are very stressed:

“I used to sleep really well, but these days I can’t seem to. It’s infuriating. I’m exhausted, I don’t have energy, I can’t concentrate and I’m very irritable. I just need a good night’s rest!”

Sleeping habits have been observed in mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. And yet, homo sapiens is the only known animal that deliberately reduces, interrupts, or disturbs its normal cycle of rest. While a bear hibernates until its inner clock wakes it up, men and women will shorten its sleep based on external criteria: a business meeting or doctor’s appointment, family demands, a gripping novel that paralyzes, or a movie too exciting to turn off.

It is a common misconception that sleeping less is a sign of a more productive person or that, as we get older, we need less.

I have to admit that in the past I have bought into this way of thinking. Instead of trying to live 16 hours a day, I tried to accumulate even more life by reducing my rest, to get more things done; a pattern much like that of New York Times writer Jane Brody. Read his recent article “A good night’s sleep is not a luxury, it is a necessity.”

I have fallen asleep in movies, performances, and even social gatherings. From time to time this has been embarrassing. Although my friends, classmates and family who have had to elbow me to wake me up find it funny and occasionally annoying.

I have been lucky. At least while I was fooling myself with the rest, I did not fall asleep while driving, although sadly many do.

While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration makes it difficult to attribute crashes to drowsiness, the agency estimates that up to 100,000 crashes are due to driver fatigue each year. NHTSA further projects that these crashes cause approximately 1,550 deaths, 71,000 people injured and $ 12.5 billion in economic losses. And these are just guesswork. Who knows the big picture?

Reducing sleep is also a danger for those who work in dangerous conditions or with machinery. Or innocent people who are in the wrong place at the wrong time.

These days I can see how valuable my “zzzz” are and I want to be sure that I get as much as I need; It turns out that in middle age we tend to need deeper nourishing sleep than less, so let’s learn how to do it.

So how much do you really need?

Here’s how to determine how much rest your body needs:

Go to bed at the same time each night and see when you wake up naturally without an alarm.

Or, if you’ve had prolonged insomnia, the next time you have two consecutive days off, perhaps a weekend or a vacation, get as much sleep as you can for the first few days. Once you’ve caught up, record how often you wake up without the alarm, plus or minus fifteen minutes. If you have to get up early to work the next day, you may need to go to bed earlier so you can see when you wake up naturally.

The Midlife Goodnight Rest Formula:

We all need a good night’s sleep. In fact, getting eight hours of sleep every night is one of my basic recommendations for good health. If you find that your spirit needs to calm down or that you have trouble going to or staying asleep at night, try some or all of the following strategies:

1. Nourish to promote health and sleep: what and when you eat is important.

– Eat every 2 to 3 hours throughout the day.

– Breakfast is a must. Ideally it includes protein and vegetables.

– A protein snack will pick you up in the late afternoon, say around 4pm

– A light dinner that starts with soup warms up your digestive process and may include steamed vegetables and some protein. You may want to add foods high in l-tryptophan to your dinner, such as brown rice, cottage cheese, turkey, peanuts, or soy protein, as tryptophan promotes sleep.

2. Reduce the impact of daily stressors through exercise and relaxation: Minimizing the effects of stress on your body, mind and spirit is more important than ever during middle age.

– Under stress, our brain, pituitary and adrenal glands release stress hormones, especially cortisol. Continuous exacerbation of cortisol levels can cause emotional / mental difficulties such as depression and psychosis.

– Regular exercise, meditation, and behavior modifications are among the beneficial remedies. Exercise releases endorphins that: block pain, decrease appetite, and create a feeling of euphoria that reduces tension and anxiety.

– Yoga, tai chi and chi gong are the perfect types of exercise to release stress. His stretching and slow breathing techniques loosen the muscles that we have contracted through our work, anxiety and tension.

– Acupuncture to release stress: This ancient healing modality can increase the level of endorphins and stimulate deeper breathing.

3. Create an Irresistible Sleep-Inducing Bedroom Environment – Your bedroom should provide a harmonious, peaceful, and even sensual environment, conducive to deep rest and pleasure, both welcoming and relaxing.

– Muted and relaxing colors are recommended for your decoration.

– If your mattress needs to be replaced, now might be a good time

– Use your room only to sleep or have sex

– Remove all electronic devices and exercise equipment from your room.

– Lighting should be dim, so consider a dimmer switch or candles (toxin-free)

– A free flow of fresh air is essential: open the windows

– If noises in your home or outside regularly disturb your sleep, consider white noise. A monotonous stream of harmless and repetitive sounds can put your mind at ease

4. Develop a bedtime routine that promotes deeper sleep – what you do during the day and before bed makes a difference.

– Take advantage of the hour before going to bed to do things that nourish your soul and allow you to relax.

– Excuse your daily worries so you can consciously relax

– Remember that this is your well-deserved time for pleasure and relaxation.

5. Take Herbs and Supplements to Help You Rest: To supplement everything else you are doing, you may want to use non-pharmaceuticals to help you fall asleep and stay awake or wake up feeling more refreshed.

Listed below are some herbal remedies that are used in various traditions, as well as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other natural ingredients that may be beneficial. However, I must warn you that if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should consult a healthcare provider before taking any herbs or supplements.

Sleep problems:

The blue cap calms the nerves and treats the symptoms of emotional excess. It is used for insomnia caused by worry, nervous irritability, restlessness and anxiety.

California poppy is a mild sedative that promotes relaxation and counteracts nervous tension, anxiety, and insomnia.

Chamomile treats nervousness, headaches, anxiety, cramps, and spasms. It is also good for feverish illnesses (colds and flu) and minor digestive problems. Chamomile tea tastes good and is calming. Note: If you are allergic to ragweed or the Asteraceae (daisy) family, such as blessed thistle, calendula, echinacea, safflower, or yarrow, you should avoid chamomile.

Calm your spirit so you can fall asleep:

Biota Seed (bai zi ren) counteracts poor memory, relieves nervousness. It is good for calming palpitations with anxiety and night terrors.

Polygala (yuan zhi) treats insomnia, anxiety, palpitations, and restlessness. Promote positive feelings.

Polygonum multiflorum (ye jiao teng) relieves irritability, restless dreams, and insomnia.

Vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other natural substances that will help:

Calcium is a natural relaxant with a calming effect. Use calcium lactate (if you are not allergic to dairy) or calcium chelate. (1500-2000 mg daily in divided doses after meals and before bedtime)

Magnesium is also a natural relaxant that helps relax muscles. (1000 mg per day)

It is good to take calcium and magnesium together as they balance and complement each other. Ideally, take them in a ratio of 2 parts calcium to 1 part magnesium.

Zinc helps restore body tissues at rest. (15 mg daily).

We wish you a better night’s sleep and a crisis-free middle age!

Gaming

The future of underwater games

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In the last six months, the disappearance of the sims has been pronounced in abundance. Sims print magazines and web magazines have been telling you that sims are being canceled left and right Jane’s A-10: Canceled. Wolfpack II: canceled. Silent Steel II: MIA. M1Tank Platoon 3: canceled. Fighting Steel Deluxe: canceled. Jane’s Attack Squad: MIA. Thunder over Europe: MIA. The list goes on.

We all know this is a downhill cycle for sims and we think there’s hope that in a couple of years things will change and sims will be back in fashion. Hey, I remember 1973 when the EPA and OPEC strangled life from the muscle car scene. I had a 1970 Cobra Torino that had 450 hp and ran fourth at 13 highs. In less than three years, every car leaving Detroit was a gas-saving bullet that controlled smog. They even started to make them as ugly as they were slow! It was heartbreaking.

But over time, things change. Now you can get a high-performance machine that drives and has luxuries like front / rear air conditioning. My 99 Riviera has a supercharged V-6 that would make my old Torino proud.

So keep the faith. Things will get better, even if no one knows when. Silent Hunter II and Destroyer Command show signs of life. Harpoon 4 is still in development. There are commotions from the Sonalistas field.

When a new subsim comes to shore, try to remember that the game’s developers and producers are our friends. They make the kind of games we like because they like them too. Why would they work on armor thickness charts, ship model physics, and torpedo trajectories for a niche market? I know a few developers and they all love the genre.

Try to keep your criticisms balanced. Should you screw up a simulator you had trouble with or didn’t enjoy all the invective and animosity you would normally reserve for someone who stole your car or used your toothbrush? One producer told me that senior executives frequently ask him about negative posts in newsgroups and forums. The industry sees us as demanding, unappreciative, and impossible to satisfy. It’s much easier and more lucrative to get the Deer Hunter and Barbie games up and running, and their users rarely set the game company on fire.

I work with a CPA accountant who likes computer games and is pretty good at them. He can play a mean warrior from Age of Empires. I tried to interest him in learning Jane’s 688 (I) for a multi-game set. He glanced at the heavy manual and rejected it. He assumed that he would need to learn all the material to play competitively. The blessing and curse of a good sim is its complexity. Do you want to command a battle fleet or do TMA in a Los Angeles-class submarine? You need to learn skills and study. And this restricts the popularity of the simulation. Mass market games generally don’t have the steep learning curve that a simulator has. So while we hardcore simulation gamers revel in the minutiae of seven different stations and all their controls, casual gamers are bypassing the simulation by a 20 to 1 ratio. The Sims are truly a niche. market.

Niche market games have limited budgets. This means that a small number of programmers and artists must focus on the basics. Don’t expect to see everything you want and imagine in a simulation. Oh yeah I’m with you, I wish a subsim could have full motion gear and other fun stuff. But as one producer told me, “We don’t have the money to design and integrate these features into the product. I wish we could too.”

We should be finding out the status of Silent Hunter II soon. Either Mattel Interactive will hire someone to complete it or it will be canned. I went through the “we’re planning to do this” stage with the legendary Jane’s Ice Pack add-on for 688 (I), Akula: Red Hunter, Silent Steel 2 from Crusader Studios, and interoperability between Jane’s Fleet Command and 688 (I). I’m not judging here, I’m just saying that when the momentum dies, so does the target. For whatever reasons, the product champions behind those simulators were unable to secure funding to get started. To get a better idea of ​​the whole process, read my friend John Sponauer’s analysis of the life and death of a simulator, M1 Tank Platoon 2, from its initial development as an update to the last couple of weeks.

Despite my previous experiences with other simulation companies, I am optimistic that Carl Norman and Rick Martinez mean what they say and SSI will continue to raise the Digital Combat Series flag as Jane’s, NovaLogics and Microproses around them fall as unlucky. lead soldiers. . This is not to say that SH2 is a done deal, that moment will come when you hold the box in your hand. We consider the next rumored subsim to be our best hope for advanced submarine warfare. All we can do is stay positive, supportive and, if it’s decent, buy four copies when it comes out.

Health Fitness

What Makes Shirataki Tofu Noodles?

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I’m sure you’ve heard of the rave. Shiratake tofu noodles seem like the best alternative to miracle food. But you are skeptical. They can’t be all good. They claim to be low in carbs, low in fat, high in fiber, and a safe way to lose some weight. But are they really that good for you? We take a look at answering the most frequently asked questions about these tofu noodles.

Where do these noodles come from?

These noodles are a stable staple of the Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese populations. It is produced in countries where the main ingredient, the voodoo lily, is easily cultivated.

Asians eat weird things, what are these noodles made of?

These noodles are composed almost entirely of flour derived from drying and crushing the root of the voodoo lily. Also known as devil’s tongue or Konjac plant. The other ingredients include lime water and tofu (bean curd).

How often could you eat them?

As often as you want, I would say. The voodoo lily has been considered for years as food for famine. The Chinese use the roots of this plant in the same way that we use potatoes. It is also often used as a cereal. Therefore, it is a safe food to consume daily.

Do they really help you lose weight?

They Yes. The devil’s tongue has earned a reputation as food for hunger. This means that a little goes a long way. Shirataki tofu noodles are composed of the combination of this root and tofu, which results in a product rich in natural dietary fiber known as glucomannan.

Because Glucomannan ‘dietary fiber absorbs water filling the stomach and intestinal tract, it tricks the body into believing that the digestive system is full or satiated. Thus avoiding binge eating or the desire to eat more.

Therefore, you will eat less, while feeling full. Fiber will also cleanse your digestive tract, allowing you to better absorb nutrients from your food while burning stored carbohydrates (also known as fats).

Can diabetics eat them?

Consumption of Tofu Shirataki noodles is contraindicated for type 1 diabetics, as they can cause hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar levels) in people who are already taking medication or who have an overactive pancreas.

Consuming Shirataki noodles has been found to be beneficial for those with type 2 diabetes. As they are known to control the absorption of carbohydrates or sugar in the body. Thus helping with sustained sugar levels and preventing sugar spikes. Due to this property, Shirataki noodles are indicated as a low glycemic index food.

Are there any health risks?

Not really. Shirataki noodles are safe for everyone to eat. However, because they limit the absorption of carbohydrates in the diet, they are not suitable for type 1 diabetics.

Because these noodles contain a dietary fiber known as glucomannan, there are conflicting opinions about their suitability as a food for children under the age of five or for pregnant or lactating women. As these individuals need both carbohydrates to ensure proper growth and development. Due to the limitation of carbohydrate absorption, the consumption of Shirataki noodles is contraindicated for these people. Based only on your dietary requirements.

Glucomannan dietary fiber has proven useful in treating patients with high cholesterol or constipation, as it has been shown to substantially improve these conditions. Therefore, the consumption of Tofu Shirataki noodles is recommended if you suffer from any of these conditions.

Is there any nutritional value in these noodles, especially if they are low carb?

Yes, these noodles contain lipids, sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, copper, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, pantothenate, niacin, fatty acids, acid folic. And by adding golden flax seeds to your food, you will add Omega 3 and 6 acids, allowing for a super healthy meal.

So even if you are a bit skeptical about them. Shirataki tofu noodles are good for you, not just if you plan to lose some weight. It is the ideal food to include in a limited vegetarian diet. And it will benefit you more than a diet shake. It will add body to soups and meals while keeping carbs low. They are a low carb alternative to pasta and could replace pasta in most recipes. So go ahead and give it a try.