4 annoying sounds you need to stop making
Video. Covers:
- uptalk
- vocal fry (and its cousin "sexy baby vocal virus": high pitch and vocal fry and uptalk)
- shushing
- "sustained mid-central vowel or bilabial nasal" noise; how we talk when we don't want the other person to interrupt.
Hard Boiled Eggs with an Electric Pressure Cooker
[click headline above] Works great! I've tried for a long time to make easy-to-peel hard boiled eggs, and this method seems to work well. And the Instant Pot is great for all kinds of other things: as a slow cooker, rice cooker, for saute and soups, etc.
My exact method for eggs:
My exact method for eggs:
- although most pressure cookers come with a steamer tray or rack, I lost mine, so I got one of those folding metal ones [link] and put that in the pot
- loaded a dozen eggs into it, and added approx. 1 cup water
- put on the lid, with the vent in the closed position
- started the cooker in manual mode, high pressure, set for 5 minutes
- the device warmed up, hissed for a bit until the pressure built up, and then began timing 5 minutes, beeping when done and reverting to Keep Warm
- I let it sit like that for 5 minutes, then released the pressure, and used tongs to move the eggs into an ice water bath to stop the cooking process
- peeled one, very nice! put the rest back into the egg carton with "HB" written on it and put them in the fridge; had another a few hours later, still easy to peel and perfectly done
How I've found is the best way to peel eggs: tap them around the equator on the counter or side of the sink to break the shell, then roll them briefly between your hands to further pulverize the shell, and then peel the shell off.
There are many more recipes out there for eggs this way, and many of them use low pressure and a natural pressure release (where you just let things cool down until the pressure lets up; less steps); I may try one of those with the next batch.
Hummus Made Easy
I made it using an electric mixer, so the beans weren't completely mushed, there was some nice texture to not having them completely blended.
I read somewhere that hummus is made better by adding sour cream, and that works even for packaged hummus, and also for this.
I made another batch with refried black beans, and some chopped onion and only light mixing, and that is maybe the best batch so far.
I read a Tweet once that said "I feel good knowing I've put so many of the Sabra kids through college." :-)
I have no affiliation with Bush's, an have received no recompense for this post; I'm just a person who has tried to like hummus, and now knows how to make really good hummus.
24 Music Genres Worth a Listen
Each video contains multiple samples. Sign me up for Djent and Glitch.
How to Reckon with Emotion and Change Your Narrative
"Storytelling helps us all impose order on chaos—including emotional chaos. When we're in pain, we create a narrative to help us make sense of it. This story doesn't have to be based on any real information."
The Disquieting Anxiety Caused By Being Disliked For No Apparent Reason [video]
"... thoughtful insight into the disquieting anxiety caused by being disliked intensely for no apparent reason, particularly in this age of social media and digital communication."
Dear Mothers: We're Not Meant to "Bounce Back"
"We’re not meant to “bounce back” after babies. Not physically, not emotionally, and definitely not spiritually.We’re meant to step forward into more awakened, more attuned, and more powerful versions of ourselves. Motherhood is a sacred, beautiful, honorable evolution, not the shameful shift into a lesser-than state of being that our society makes it seem."
This Is How to Find Happiness: 6 Proven Secrets From Research
"So what produces happiness all around the world, among people young and old, across the most varied backgrounds imaginable?"
Missouri, Kansas join other states pushing 'zipper merge'
"Using all available lanes until the last moment, then alternating entry into the open lane, helps reduce accidents by keeping both lanes moving at the same speed, said David Silvester, a Missouri Department of Transportation engineer."
I'm a black ex-cop, and this is the real truth about race and policing
"Every officer in the country should be wearing a body camera that remains activated throughout any interaction they have with the public while on duty. There is no reasonable expectation of privacy for officers when they are on duty and in service to the public. Citizens must also have the right to record police officers as they carry out their public service, provided that they are at a safe distance, based on the circumstances, and not interfering. Witnessing an interaction does not by itself constitute interference."
How To Help a Grieving Friend
"It’s hard to know what to do when someone we love is facing something awful. We don’t want to do the wrong thing or get in the way, or we want to help but don’t know how to, or we face a huge flood of fear and sadness that feels hard to push away long enough to be supportive, or they don’t seem to want or need help. But there are some ways that you can be present and supportive. "
Malia Obama Is Taking a Gap Year. It’s an Increasingly Popular Move
"President Obama’s oldest daughter Malia will take a gap year before attending Harvard University, the White House announced Sunday. While the brief White House statement did not mention what the 17-year-old First Daughter would be doing during that time, Harvard happens to be one of many elite schools that encourages students to take a year off.
“Harvard College encourages admitted students to defer enrollment for one year to travel, pursue a special project or activity, work, or spend time in another meaningful way,” according to the website for the school’sadmissions office. “Each year, between 80 and 110 students defer their matriculation to the College.”"
“Harvard College encourages admitted students to defer enrollment for one year to travel, pursue a special project or activity, work, or spend time in another meaningful way,” according to the website for the school’sadmissions office. “Each year, between 80 and 110 students defer their matriculation to the College.”"
Could have been phrased better
From H&R Block's 2015 tax software for Michigan:
Really? The best they could come up for that question is "Are you an unmarried spouse of a person who was 65 or older at the time of their death"?
An unmarried spouse?!
It took me a while to figure out that it means "Was your spouse 65 or older when they died, and do you remain unmarried?" At least I think that's what it means. No help/explanation anywhere.
Really? The best they could come up for that question is "Are you an unmarried spouse of a person who was 65 or older at the time of their death"?
An unmarried spouse?!
It took me a while to figure out that it means "Was your spouse 65 or older when they died, and do you remain unmarried?" At least I think that's what it means. No help/explanation anywhere.
The Surprising Benefit of Going Through Hard Times
"Growth after trauma can take a number of different forms, including a greater appreciation for life, the identification of new possibilities for one’s life, more satisfying interpersonal relationships, a richer spiritual life and a connection to something greater than oneself, and a sense of personal strength. "
The one thing you need to know before you detox
"Detoxing will deliver a renewed body and better health. Not only will you look better, you’ll feel better. It is a new year. Wouldn’t a purification from last year’s habits (dietary and otherwise) of last year be the best way to start? Well before you pull out your credit card, there is one fact that “detox” advocates are reluctant to tell you."
Exxon's Own Research Confirmed Fossil Fuels' Role in Global Warming Decades Ago | InsideClimate News
"Exxon's Own Research Confirmed Fossil Fuels' Role in Global Warming Decades Ago
Top executives were warned of possible catastrophe from greenhouse effect, then led efforts to block solutions"
Top executives were warned of possible catastrophe from greenhouse effect, then led efforts to block solutions"
A Short Animation Explaining How Depression is Diagnosed and Treated
"... examines the symptoms and treatments of depression, and gives some tips for how you might help a friend who is suffering."
My food invention of the day: Eurotoast
I've been a fan of some British food for some time, especially beans on toast, which I find makes a nice savory breakfast. I recently bought a nice jar of Amish sauerkraut, and decided to try it as the topping of the day on my beanie toast, and it is a great combination. (I also found this recipe for baked beans and sauerkraut, which I'm going to try soon, although I may just add the sauerkraut after it's cooked, so as not to kill the sauerkraut's probiotics by cooking them).
Here's the recipe:
Here's the recipe:
- Make some toast: I prefer to use a nice hearty sourdough that won't wimp out when covered with wet foods... one of our local stores sells Stone House bread, and it's worth the drive there just for that.
- Butter that toast... I know we're about to put other things on it, but this is important for mouth feel and taste.
- Add a respectable layer of baked beans... I prefer the firmer, more savory nature of Grillin' Beans to traditional, softer/sweeter baked beans; I use them room-temp out of the can or cold out of the fridge.
- Layer on some sauerkraut, letting some of the liquid drain back into the container before putting it on the toast (I use a fork for this).
MitchiriNeko March - Cute cat characters in a marching band [cartoon video]
This is a great song!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAIGb1lfpBw
I think I could watch this happy little tune for 10 hours.
So it’s lucky someone made a 10-hour version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejpMgF1pugQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAIGb1lfpBw
I think I could watch this happy little tune for 10 hours.
So it’s lucky someone made a 10-hour version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejpMgF1pugQ
Create A Perfectly Formatted Resume/CV Easily
"When you're done, you can preview your CV in a number of different layouts and download the finished version as a PDF file. And if you create an account and log in, you can keep your data on the site in order to maintain and update your CV as required."
Must-Watch Video: The War on Science
"Science is AMAZING, but unfortunately, it is currently being defunded all around the world. Fortunately, you can make a difference. "
College Students Falling Apart, Thanks to “Helicopter Society”
"We have raised a generation of young people who have not been given the opportunity to learn how to solve their own problems. They have not been given the opportunity to get into trouble and find their own way out, to experience failure and realize they can survive it, to be called bad names by others and learn how to respond without adult intervention. So now, here’s what we have. Young people,18 years and older, going to college still unable or unwilling to take responsibility for themselves, still feeling that if a problem arises they need an adult to solve it."
Theory vs. Hypothesis vs. Law… Explained
"A TV detective may say “I have a theory that the murderer may be someone in this room.” The way he’s using the word “theory” isn’t the way the word is used in science. The words “fact” and “hypothesis” and “law” suffer from the same difference in perception and meaning between scientists and non-scientists."
Notes from a flood
Heavy rains today, and the water table got a little high (click the pics for full size):
And the storm drain system was overwhelmed:
And this is why they say not to drive into standing water:
And this is the bad news in the basement (water backed up from the drain in the laundry room, mostly, but also came in through the foundation); those "dry" spots are where the carpet has bubbled up:
And the storm drain system was overwhelmed:
And this is why they say not to drive into standing water:
And this is the bad news in the basement (water backed up from the drain in the laundry room, mostly, but also came in through the foundation); those "dry" spots are where the carpet has bubbled up:
And here's the new carpet we just had installed after The Great Flood of August 2013:
Basements are great, until they're not. :-(
The True Size Of...
"It is hard to represent our spherical world on flat piece of paper. Every map projection introduces distortion, and each has its own set of problems. One of the most common criticisms of the Mercator map is that it exaggerates the size of countries nearer the poles, while downplaying the size of those near the equator."
How Trigger Warnings Are Hurting Mental Health on Campus
"In the name of emotional well-being, college students are increasingly demanding protection from words and ideas they don’t like. Here’s why that’s disastrous for education—and mental health."
Sisu Sova Night Guard
"The way it works is that you get a flat piece of plastic that is moldable when submerged in near boiling water for a couple minutes. You take it out, put it in your mouth and let it form around your teeth. This creates a custom fit just for your mouth and teeth. I’ve used it about a month and it has worked just as well as my $500 custom-fitted night guard from the dentist."
How we learn to be helpless—and unlearn it
"Learned helplessness keeps people in bad jobs, poor health, terrible relationships, and awful circumstances despite how easy it may be to escape. Learn how to defeat this psychological trap, thanks to the work of Martin Seligman."
Sometimes a friend with depression will say no to...
"Sometimes a friend with depression will say no to a lot of things and decline all or most of your invitations. This can make you feel like you’re overstepping boundaries and should immediately leave them alone until they reach out to you themselves. Pay attention to this feeling...." Click the title for more.
Adventure Time, Explained
I and my son watch this, it is always entertaining, sometimes amazing, and often incomprehensible. The best episodes are all three.
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