A Good Hobby

I recommend backyard astronomy as a hobby. It is a good way to keep human affairs in their proper prospective. It is a reminder that there is still more mystery than knowledge.

The universe is quite beyond human comprehension. Our experiences all involve time and limits, but in space, time and limits don’t exist.

Time, after all, is a human invention, like the donkey cart. It was invented to better organize human activity. Yet Earth spins and revolves around the sun whether anyone counts its revolutions or not. As for limits, so far as we can see, there is no end of the universe. And if we found what we call an end, the question would immediately arise, what is on the other side of the end?

It’s like the big-bang theory, which begs the question of what existed to go bang in the first place. We simply don’t know. We are mites on a cinder, spinning around a third-rate star in a galaxy that is one of billions of galaxies. Much of what we see in the night sky might no longer be there, since it takes light so long to reach us, even traveling at 186,000 miles per second. Distances in space are quite unimaginable.

We have reached our own moon, and one day we might reach Mars, the closest planet, but beyond that, space travel is a vain, human fantasy. The closest star other than our sun is four light-years away. That’s the distance covered by light at 186,000 miles per second. We have no conceivable way to reach anything approaching that speed.

We get puffed up about our own importance because of our very limited perspective. The scientific elites like to suppose that they will one day know everything, but the truth is, what is known compared with what is unknown remains a teacup of water out of an ocean. As has often been noted, modern science, for all its inflated sense of self-importance, cannot even find a cure for the common cold. In fact, it hasn’t been able to find a cure for anything except mild bacterial infections, and that was a happy accident.

Years ago at a Rotary Club meeting, our speaker was a religious man whose topic was exorcising demons. I thought at the time how strange it was to be sitting in a room hearing about demons while satellites whirled overhead and submarines prowled the ocean deeps. But in retrospect, perhaps it was not so strange, since human behavior is yet another aspect of nature that man cannot fully explain.

We are, so far as anyone knows, alone on our little planet in our little solar system. We have not been in existence for very long. If you drew a line representing the age of the solar system, so far as we can figure it, then the time man has been in existence would be a mere dot on that line.

And, if you calculate how long it has taken us to learn simple things, like how to grow crops and how to stack stones on top of each other for buildings, you would have to conclude that as a human race, we are not all that smart. It is an open question whether we are smart enough to survive much longer.

We have constructed a civilization entirely dependent on petroleum, the production of which is estimated to peak in about six years. What will happen after that is an open question. If all of mankind worked together in harmony, the problem might be solved, but we are still engaged in tribal fighting, much like our ancestors who lived in caves. Our so-called civilization is a very thin veneer.

In the meantime, we are upsetting the natural balance that makes human life possible on this planet. If I had to bet, I’d bet the human species will become extinct as a result of its own stupidity.

But in the meantime, buy yourself a telescope and look at the stars. That will at least teach you not to sweat the small stuff. And all human affairs, compared with the universe, are small stuff.

By Charley Reese

A Primer on Deep Water Culture

Deep water culture (DWC) is a type of hydroponic gardening in which the roots of a plant are suspended in a solution of oxygenated water and various nutrients.

Traditionally, Deep water culture has been practiced using plastic buckets. The plant itself is suspended in what is known as a net pot. This net pot – a type of pot resembling an open wire basket – is suspended from the bucket lid in such a manner that the roots are suspended in the bucket containing the water and nutrient solution. The water is oxygenated with an air pump and an aquarium airstone such as are used in fish tanks.

Once the plants reach the flowering stage, the level of the nutrient solution is reduced, gradually exposing the roots to the open air, where they can absorb greater amounts of oxygen. The massive ingestion of oxygen and nutrients leads to maximum growth throughout the plant’s life cycle.

A variation on DWC is recirculation deep water culture (RDWC). An RDWC system employs a reservoir which in turn provides water to several buckets. If these buckets are not connected in some way, it will be necessary to test each one for proper pH levels (acidity vs. alkalinity) and conductivity factor (CF, a measure of electrical conductivity used to determine nutrient levels).

In order to avoid the need for testing of each individual bucket, some RDWC systems dispense with the air stones and instead connect the buckets. The water is recirculated with spray nozzles, resulting in better aeration and oxygenation. By constantly recirculating the water in this fashion, nutrients are mixed more effectively and pH levels are stabilized throughout the system.

Building a DWC system is neither particularly difficult nor expensive, and can be done for under $100. To start, you will need a five gallon bucket, a fish tank air pump, an aquarium airstone for breaking up the bubbles, a six inch hydroponic growing net or net pot, duct tape, and a hydroponic growth medium (organic composted bark is best).

The first step is to cut a hole in the bucket lid that is the same diameter as the net pot. The net pot should fit snugly when the lip rests on the edge of the pot. You’ll also need to cut a small hole in the side of the bucket near the top in order to accommodate the air line. This should be run down to the bottom of the bucket and into the airstone.

The bucket should then be wrapped in about five layers of duct tape in order to prevent any light from reaching the reservoir (which would lead to the growth of algae).

The net pot is then filled with the growth medium and the seedling of the plant you are attempting to grow. Fill the bucket with clean water, put the lid in place, insert the net pot, turn on the pump, and your new system is in operation.

Start Philosophizing

Philosophy is the contemplation of the fundamental nature of knowledge, morality, existence, and the universe as a whole. You may wonder why you would want to get involved with philosophy. Simply put, it’s not as hard as you may think, and you are probably interested in it even if you have not realized.

Firstly, you may be intimidated by philosophy because of the complex ideas it addresses. Additionally, philosophy texts can be deep and hard to understand at first. However, philosophy does not require credentials or expertise. Anyone can philosophize. Life experience is enough to qualify you to philosophize. You do not need to go to school or get a degree. Unlike technical fields such as being a doctor or electrician, philosophy addresses human issues using general human reason. You can pick up a philosophy book from the bookstore and start reading it today.

Though you may wonder if philosophy will interest you, if you think about it you probably already are interested in it. This is because philosophy addresses those questions about which we all wonder. For example, most of us have asked, “what is the meaning of life?” Most of us have asked, “what happens when we die?” Most of us have asked, “can we really know anything?” Philosophy simply consists of asking and attempting to answer questions such as those.

In a way, you could be a philosopher by simply sitting in your home by yourself and asking and attempting to answer philosophical questions. Of course, you would be better off by reading philosophical texts and by discussing philosophy with others. The best way to do that is to go to the bookstore or library and find some nice philosophical books.

The trick is to find books that are written for general readers and not for people with specific knowledge. For example, you probably wouldn’t want to get a college textbook for an advanced class, as such a book would assume that you have already read and studied certain works. Instead you will want to look for an “introduction to philosophy” book or just look for a book with pure philosophy, such as those written by philosophers such as Nietzsche, Hume, Kant, Plato, and Descartes.

Another great option is to use the internet. Using the internet, you can find many free online texts, including many about philosophy. Even better, you can find many free message boards and discussion forums. You can join these forums and talk to other interested people about philosophy.

If you do decide to explore philosophy, have fun and good luck!

Knowing The Rope – Climbing Techniques

Climbing is a sport that requires a lot of equipment and due to the risks involved with the sport it is essential to master the techniques for using the equipment. Rope is part of the basic equipment for climbing and it’s composed of nylon material. It has some elasticity so it can provide some leeway in case of an accidental rapid decent. There are two basic robe techniques used in climbing

The most common technique is the single rope and it’s usually used on straight climbs. Anchors are used to secure the rope with the aid of karabiners which are metal loops with a spring opening. The line is usually secured by a cam which is a device inserted into the rock to provide a hold. The rope is then tied to the “pro” which is any protective gear such as nuts, cams, etc. Various knots are used for tying the rope such as a Prussik or Klemheist knot.

Descending is accomplished by putting friction on the rope by using a belay such as a Figure 8, a Petzl stop or a similar device. Relying solely on using the friction of a glove to slow decent is never intentionally used; only in emergencies is it necessary.

The single rope slinging method is more cost effective in the short term since less rope is used but there is more wear on the rope so it has to be replaced more frequently.

The other common method is the double rope technique. Since there are two ropes used, the thickness can be a few centimeters smaller. The two ropes are either placed close together or a few inches or feet apart. The ropes are threaded in a zigzag pattern with cams, nuts, pitons and other pro. The weight is distributed more evenly than the single rope method. Pros are placed at angles so the wear is less and if a stay comes loose then there is less of a fall. The double rope technique has more of an initial cost since two ropes are used but there is less wear to the ropes so replacement is less frequent.

Rarely used is the twin rope method. It’s a combination of the two methods. Two ropes are used but they are threaded just as the single rope technique. The thickness can be that of the double rope method since two ropes are used. The technique is slower to use and with a variety of ropes to choose from it’s rarely needed.

Climbers must master these techniques (along will a number of other techniques) to be able to safely enjoy mountain climbing. A novice should never try it without professional classroom instruction.

Turning Your Hobby Into An Ebay Business

Do you like to spend your free time making something? Does your hobby include woodworking, or scrap booking? These are things that you can turn into an Ebay business. Here are some examples of hobbies that would make great Ebay businesses.

Woodworking

Woodworking can be a highly profitable Ebay business. If you make holiday decorations, or items for the front yard these can be a great way of making some money with your hobby. There are all types of woodworking crafts that can be made to sell through an Ebay business. Maybe you can draw plans for woodworking projects, this could be another idea for starting your own Ebay business. Take a few good pictures of the woodworking crafts you make and then put some up for auction on Ebay. See what type of response you get to your items. If you have a lot of people bidding on your crafts you know you found a winner. If not try another project.

Scrap booking

Scrap booking is a huge business right now. If you know have scrap booking supplies you are not using Ebay would be a great way to get rid of them. If you know how to make digital scrap booking kits you could start your own Ebay business. There are so many different types of digital scrap booking items that you could sell. Do you know how to make embellishments, or different types of text? Maybe you can put together an E-book teaching others how to use the different types of software for scrap booking. Any business to do with scrap booking would be a good idea to consider right now.

Jewelry

Jewelry can be a great Ebay business to consider. Homemade jewelry has a big following. If you know how to make jewelry you could give this a try. Take some pictures of the items you make and post them on Ebay. See if you get a big response. If you can make customized jewelry this would be a good thing. Someone might see a necklace you made and think how great it would be if it was made in their favorite colors.

Knitting, Quilting, or other type of Sewing

Do you like to knit baby blankets, or make baby clothes? Maybe you enjoy cross-stitching. These could all be turned into an Ebay business. There are many people that do not have the know how or they simply do not have the time to sew. They are willing to pay others for their hard work and time. Making customized quilts and blankets could be a very profitable Ebay business for you to consider. Take pictures of some of the items you have made and then see what type of response you get on Ebay. Maybe you know how to make cross-stitch patterns, or quilting patterns. Do you like to make quilting squares? Use your hobby to start you own E bay business.

Stating an Ebay business from a hobby can seem like a scary thing, but take a shot. Take pictures of the things you make and post a few on Ebay. See if the item would get enough attention to be worth making more. You will soon be on your way to having your hobby become an Ebay business.

Party Decorations Tips And Ideas

Your party’s overall atmosphere will be enhanced by your chosen party decorations. Plus, guests get to enjoy and feel the occasion more with the right themed party decorations. Planning is key in the selection and purchase of your party needs.

Before even purchasing any party decorations based on your color scheme and theme, you must be aware of the type of party that you will be having. This doesn’t mean knowing if it’s a baby shower, a birthday, an anniversary etc. This goes deeper than that and goes into the details like whether it is informal or formal, traditional, serious, etc. Depending on the party, the type will dictate your decorations from color, accessories and even activities.

For a party that includes a full meal whether it is buffet or seated, part of your decorations will have to be your china, napkins, linens and crystal glasses. It is important to consider that your decorations should not clash with your china. For your napkins, you do fancy folds for a more distinct look. Formal table cloths or linens may be used for formal parties while plastic or disposable table cloths may be used for informal ones. If you will be holding an outdoor party, make sure that you provide provisions for covering the various dishes to prevent insects from getting into them.

Other table decorations that could be considered include candles, napkin rings, place cards, flowers or fruit arrangements.

When it comes to room decoration, the possibilities are endless so don’t focus only on your table decorations. You have your walls, windows and even ceiling. Suggestions for decorations include crepe paper streamers or balloon arrangements that could be taped on windows and doors, tied on furniture or made to float on the ceiling or scattered on the floor. Light strings in plain color add a formal touch to any formal party. For less formal parties you can use colored lights.

Add decorative accessories especially for themed parties. A Halloween party gives more of a spooky feel with decorative cobwebs on the various house corners, jack-o-lanterns, bats and even skeletons in an open closet. Formal parties would need lesser decorations but you can use small bowls containing candies or nuts that people can munch while waiting for the party to start. They are not only effective table decors; guests will enjoy eating them too.

For your party decorations, start with what you have and then try to borrow from relatives or friends. Otherwise, there are many places from which you could find party decorations.

So you Want to Start Scrapbooking

You will certainly come across various definitions of what a scrapbook is. You may even have an idea of what it means to you. However, of all the meanings that are associated with scrapbooks, there will always be one thing that is the central focus-preserving memories.

Just like the photos themselves, scrapbooks are the keepers of our precious memories that we will always want to have and return back to. The moments that have been captured in your photos and the creativity you have devoted are embedded in every page, note, caption and journal writing held in your scrapbooks.

One day, you’ll go back through the scrapbooks you have created and they will take you back in time.

Not everyone is an avid scrapbooker. Many may not even have tried to begin one. Yet, we all have an idea of how we wish to preserve our past. Scrapbooking is just like that. You just need to put some thought and creativity into it.

The hardest part for beginners might be starting from scratch. Scrapbooking may look simple to some; yet the time you are going to invest on creating them can feel overwhelming and many could find themselves initially frustrated or possibly even at end of your rope before an idea takes shape.

The following are a few suggestions that you can feel free to modify and apply to your own experiences. Basically, this is just a variety of ideas that will help shed some light on those already floating around in your mind. The best part is they can be adapted for digital, paper or hybrid scrapping.

Somehow you have to figure out your own style.

Make it shine with your personality. After all, it is something that will show through in your results. If you are not quite sure what you really prefer to do when it comes to making the design or the layout of your scrapbook, you might try doing a little self exploration first. Know your personal tastes and don’t feel like you have to follow the crowd with the hypes and fads that you will find presented in the scrapbooking industry. This way, you will be more likely to produce original and personal ideas that will work best for you and do them your way.

There are times when we have to find outlets for our personalities to shine through. Some people write some explore less serious pursuits. Scrapbooking can fill the gaps between the two.

If you are really finding it too difficult to produce an original idea to start with, you can go ahead and find something that you like in another scraper’s work and mimic it. Called a scraplift or scraplifting, it is when you get creative inspiration from a layout or layouts done by someone else. There is nothing wrong with this technique and if you are having trouble coming up with a design for your scrapbook page, it’s a great way to jump start your creativity.

You can choose not to follow this concept if you don’t want to. However for beginners, it is always easier to follow someone else’s techniques to begin with. Somehow, along the way you will find your own ways to do things.

As beginners, it can’t hurt to follow the work of more experienced scrappers. Then all you have to do is modify them using your own materials, photos and personal touches. Once you find some inspiration, you could find yourself filled with confidence and doing things your own way.

Create a mood board.

Commonly, mood boards are used in the fashion industry for testing new ideas. Cutouts, drafts of designs and fabric swatches are laid out to give initial impressions of some new trend. Actually, anything that will help the viewer see the direction and concepts of the design are placed on the mood board.

By making use of a mood board, you could easily find your style. Putting your ideas into more tangible forms will help you construct the foundation for your what you are intending to accomplish.

Remember not to be too critical during this process. While you are flipping through magazines, you don’t need to know why a picture or an image appeals to you. If it produces a positive reaction then go ahead and tear it out. This is a good test to help you in determining your style.

Then you want to check on color combinations. For some of us, we have already set definite grounds on what our favorite color or colors are and what we most likely will not use. Using a single group of shades and keeping it within that family is good if you can manipulate and mix them into varying combinations.

However, most people find it hard to get themselves away from a single color concept. It won’t hurt to experiment with some other color hues too. When inspiration goes out the window and there seem to be no colors that seem good to you, you can always look at the butterflies for inspiration. Nature doesn’t make mistakes!

Still Enjoy Fly Fishing During Winter

The cold season is fast approaching and for most of the anglers, cold season means winter, and winter isn’t the best or ideal time to continue on with this great hobby – fly fishing. But there are still those anglers with brave hearts whom we see by the river banks or in the chilly waters that still pursue the spirit of fishing no matter how cold the winter season is.

These anglers are most likely the ones that are “addicted” to fishing which is why whether it be a cold or hot season, fishing is not a problem at all. If you are the type that is still yet to experience having a good catch by fly fishing, there are some things you need to know. If you would like to continue fishing during the winter season, might as well switch from your stylish and expensive hook to a cheaper one.

The cold weather causes the water to chill and when it does, your hook can easily crack because of the temperature. And if you are really serious about doing winter fly fishing, make sure that you bring along a spare rod. You never know how long your current rod could stand out the ice cold temperature of winter.

When you have rods and you are out in the cold winds, remember to keep the reels of both rods dry. The spare rod, you can keep in a cool, dry place where it won’t get wet and freeze. While the rod you are using, make sure that the reel is also dry. You really don’t want to get stuck when reeling in a catch, do you?

These things are simple but it will make a difference on how you can go fishing without any issues during the cold season. And oh, remember to protect yourself as well from the dropping temperature.

Eight Reasons Why Bird Watching Is So Popular

On any given day, millions of people across the country are watching birds. They are watching via bird watching clubs that they are members of. They join bird watching tours not only in their own city, but in cities and sometimes countries far away. Those really into it, plan holidays and family trips around the migration path of their favorite bird species. For these people, bird watching is addictive. Once you start, and discover the joys in it, you’re hooked.

So what’s the draw? Why are people doing this? For one thing, it’s inexpensive. All you really need to begin your bird watching hobby is a pair of good binoculars. Then maybe in a month or two, you’ll invest in a quality camera to capture for all time the birds you’ve seen.

Secondly, bird watching is a great excuse to spend time outdoors. Too many of us spend the year either closeted inside our homes or in a job cubicle. We’ve forgotten what it’s like to breath fresh air and commune with nature. We’ve forgotten that we’re not the only creatures blessed to live on this planet. We’ve forgotten that it’s natural to be outdoors.

Third – bird watching can be very convenient. What’s more convenient than watching birds in your very own back yard? You can go down to your local garden center, purchase a bird house and some feed, and have a bird sanctuary in your back yard in one afternoon. If you’ve done your homework correctly, your newfound bird friends will love you. If you’re industrious enough and handy with a hammer and saw, you can even build a custom bird house.

Fourth – it provides you with your own private animal reality show. You’ll quickly find yourself involved in the bird family pecking order. Who’s dominant? Who’s selfish? Who’s nurturing? Who’s a bully? You’ll start to recognize distinct personalities. And those among us with slight psychological problems will start to name them.

Fifth – bird watching is a relaxing activity. No matter how stressed out your day has been, once you sit down with your binoculars and aim it towards your bird friends, you’ll notice a sense of calm and tranquility coming over you. It’s inevitable and can’t be stopped. It’s impossible not to feel your blood pressure dropping and the stresses and worries fleeing from your mind.

Sixth – you’ll be helping nature by helping the species to survive. In many parts of the country, the natural habitats of the native creatures, including birds, have been destroyed. In modern society, new industrial or housing development trumps nature every time. With your bird watching hobby, you can help restore some of the habitat balance by providing nesting places, shelter from predators, and food for the birds that you enjoy.

Seventh – bird watching is a great social activity. Finding people who love the same thing as you do and spending time with them allows you to re-connect with your humanity. Instead of spending hours in front of the television, you can form friendship bonds that will stay with you the rest of your life.

Eight – It’s great exercise. Hardly a day goes by without us hearing some newscaster talking about the obesity epidemic and how we Americans are getting fatter and fatter by the day. We all know that we should exercise more, but very few of us actually do it. Bird watching is a great way to exercise and have fun at the same time. Following and tracking birds through forest settings will give you plenty of exercise and help to keep you in good health.

For all these reasons, and more, bird watching is an activity that becomes more popular each year. In truth, it surprisingly has become one of America’s most popular pastimes.

Art Stamps – Secrets To Clean Them Up?

If you have been experimenting with rubber stamps for awhile, you can remember when you forgot to clean a rubber stamp, the one you just stamped with a dark blue stamp pad, and began ink’n it up on a nice light colored stamp pad…It’s ruined! It only takes one mistake to ink a light colored stamp pad, and the only way to stop it is to clean your stamps completely. But…what ways are the best to make sure your stamps get clean?

Art rubber stamps don’t need to be cleaned between your stamping if you plan on using the same dyes with that rubber stamp again before switching. Don’t get so overworked with cleaning the stamps that you don’t enjoy using them. You can always place a stamp face down on a damp towel to keep the ink, dye, or paint moist until you can clean the stamp when you are finished. Don’t forget that some inks will permanently seep into the rubber texture and will not come out…no matter what kind of cleaner is used! Before reusing your craft stamp make sure you use a white paper towel to test stamp and ensure that the ink has dried. Many a stamper has believed the art rubber stamp was simply stained by the ink only to discover that some ink or cleaner remained .

The fastest solution to get off dyes or colorants is to use a commercial rubber stamp cleaner available at your local craft store. These can be a bit expensive and if you run out while still stamping projects, you’ll want to use one of these other methods to keep your rubber stamps clear of any ink.

Another way to clean craft stamps, and one of the fastest, is to use alcohol free baby wipes. Alcohol free baby wipes work great because they are disposable and just damp enough to clean off the ink. Some stampers like to use a paint cleaner to get the deep places of the stamp die clean. Be careful if using a brush because you don’t want to spatter ink all over your clothes!Make sure the brush bristles are very flexible since you don’t want to scratch your art stamp while cleaning it.

Rubber stamping is a blast and cleaning your art stamps shouldn’t be task! You may find you have to use a commercial cleaner every so often if your stamps start to get tacky after using any of the above mentioned cleaning solutions. Keeping your stamping supplies clean serves many purposes and will make the stamps look much better and avoiding the issue of accidentally ruining another ink pad!