#on sims 2 I could spend equal times with all my sims and none of them would move on without me

[nothinggold13]

Sims 3 has the best creative options and Sims 4 has a lot of cool features but Sims 2 is actually the best gameplay and is and always will be my favourite.

#stuff #the sims #sims 2 #sims 3 #sims 4 #I like to play with gigantic multi-generational families and I CAN'T DO THAT with 3 or 4 #I miss the control I had in sims 2 #also I lowkey liked the graphics better than 3 #the sims 4 graphics are okay though #the new games are only good if you only care about one sim #you have to choose a favourite and follow them through while the others move on without you #on sims 2 I could spend equal times with all my sims and none of them would move on without me #I still have sims 2 so idk why I'm talking in past tense #I'm just saying #sims 2 is the best

[sheplaysthegames]

20 Questions for Simmers

1.) Favorite Sims Game

While I have played and loved every version of The Sims, I think my absolute favorite was The Sims 2. It was the one I couldn’t put down! The little details and humor are what really stand out when I look back, and I don’t remember having any real problems with it either since the game itself was pretty solidly developed and bugs tended to be squashed quickly. Overall, I was never bored playing The Sims 2 and I still occasionally boot it up just to reminisce.

2.) Yourself in 3 Traits

Ambitious, dog lover, neat

3.) CC or No CC

I play with a small amount of CC. Everything I download is Maxis-match, and I pull pieces out whenever we get new official content that I can use instead.

4.) Preferred Part of the Game

I really like each part of the game and try to spend my time evenly among them. Lately I’ve been building and messing around in CAS more than actually playing though. Oops!

5.) Favorite Expansion Pack

In The Sims, my favorite EP was Makin’ Magic. I was so young when I played that I thought I was incredibly clever for figuring out the pattern to the spells in the dueling arena so that I’d win every time. And I had a lot of fun creating one of each type of potion and then trying them out on the poor, unsuspecting townies!

In The Sims 2, my favorite EP was Bon Voyage. I spent so much time completing every single vacation memento! Some of them were really hard to figure out too, so finishing the collection was really rewarding to me. All three of the destinations were equally fun to explore with their local dances, gestures, foods, and massages. I could really feel the difference between visiting Takemizu Village, Twikki Island, and Three Lakes.

In The Sims 3, my favorite EP was Ambitions. The firefighter career and the new inventing skill were the real highlights to me. I spent weeks creating a Simbot without cheating, and firefighting was a really exciting change from the standard rabbithole careers. Another neat feature was the ability to sculpt statues of Sims. Never-melting ice sculptures looked great in mansions, and of course stone sculptures made great monuments to ‘famous’ Sims in town.

In The Sims 4, my favorite EP (so far) is Seasons. The weather effects are beautiful, the raincoats and rainboots and umbrellas are adorable, kiddie pools are the greatest item ever created, and temperature is just such a vital addition that it's finally starting to feel like a full game for me! Seasons and weather in general also function differently in each world, which is perfect. I didn’t want snow in Oasis Springs, and Brindleton Bay desperately needed fog and rain to feel complete.

6.) Favorite Game Pack

In The Sims 4, my favorite GP (so far) is Vampires. I never really liked this life state before, but this time around they’re fantastic! The abilities help differentiate each vampire from one another, and I love that they don’t have to ask permission nicely before biting a Sim. The sticker cracks and spider webs are also something I’d been wanting to help make places seem less perfect. Overall, the life state seems so detailed and sets a much higher bar for future life states. I don’t even mind paying for each individually if they’re this well-done.

7.) Favorite Stuff Pack

In The Sims 2, my favorite SP was H&M Fashion. Honestly, I just really loved all the new clothing that kept my Sims from constantly matching each other. And building a clothing store with all the cool retail items that came with it was a lot of fun too!

In The Sims 3, my favorite SP was Town Life. The rabbitholes were more modern and added some variety since most of the others were the same building with slightly different colors. I had a lot of fun remodeling my more modern worlds with them.

In The Sims 4, my favorite SP (so far) is Laundry Day. I’m a sucker for realism elements so adding another menial chore for my Sims makes me happy. The laundry system is surprisingly complex, the furniture filled in a lacking farmhouse style I felt was missing from the game, and stackable machines look perfect in apartments. The clothing and hairstyles were also very well-done and I have to actively try not to overuse them on all my Sims.

8.) Least Favorite Expansion Pack

In The Sims, my least favorite EP was House Party. It felt like the smallest addition we were given, and parties weren’t enough for me to explore more than a handful of times before I got bored. As soon as the next EP came out, I moved on to the new content and I don’t think I ever threw another party again.

In The Sims 2, my least favorite EP was Nightlife. It wasn’t bad at all, it was just the one I used the least. My personal gameplay style at the time was incredibly family-oriented and you just don’t take your kids to clubs. I only ever went to the new Downtown subhood for first dates and a few marriage proposals since the date interactions were pretty cute.

In The Sims 3, my least favorite EP was Showtime. I don’t think I ever really played with anything from it. The ‘optional’ online connection where you would send your Sims to someone else’s game to perform really made me mad since some of the items you paid for were locked away behind it and I had no desire to participate. And the whole in-game news feed and achievement system were horrible and really caused problems. The venues were also super glitchy so even when I did give the new active careers a go, trying to complete a performance was almost impossible. Overall, the whole thing felt like more trouble than it was worth.

In The Sims 4, my least favorite EP (so far) is Get to Work. I think my expectations were just too high going into it. The active careers are okay, but none of them make me actually want to follow my Sims to work past the first few days because they get highly repetitive and there’s no real risk associated with them. The retail system also seems a bit lacking. There are very few retail items to use when building a store, although I do have to mention that the clothing mannequins are pretty cool. And actually running it is too easy since you can just instantly restock the items even if they’re unique things that you’ve made your Sims create.

9.) Least Favorite Game Pack

In The Sims 4, my least favorite GP (so far) is Spa Day. It’s not nearly as immersive as the others. There isn’t much to do outside of getting a massage or doing yoga, and both are kind of boring to do repeatedly over and over. It doesn’t expand on the gameplay nearly enough to be categorized as a GP in my opinion; I’d demote it to SP.

10.) Least Favorite Stuff Pack

In The Sims 2, my least favorite SP was Glamour Life. It added the least versatile stuff. Most of my Sims weren’t swimming in cash, so the items, particularly the clothing, were rarely used since they’d look and feel out of place. 

In The Sims 3, my least favorite SP was Katy Perry’s Sweet Treats. I didn’t even buy it and I have no idea why anyone did. The objects were all horrible and cheesy. There was literally nothing good about it. At all. Ever.

In The Sims 4, my least favorite SP (so far) is My First Pet. No matter how many times they deny it, it’s a massive money grab. The furniture set literally completes what they left incomplete in Cats & Dogs! The clothing is for the most part just recolors of what we already have! And to top it all off, there’s just one new critter. They claim four, but it’s the same thing with a different skin overlay. I am perfectly fine with some items in a pack being dependent on owning previous packs so that they can continue to expand on past content. But to release this immediately after the associated EP and for it to pretty much be the rest of the items that we were missing from said EP...certainly seems like they withheld content just to wring an extra $10 from their players. Especially since it wasn’t even mentioned in their quarterly teaser. Haven’t bought it, and will not until it’s on sale.

11.) Custom or EA / Maxis Sims

EA / Maxis Sims are the best! I adore the premades and their unique, weird stories. My favorite thing to do is make them over and put an interesting spin on their storylines while still keeping them recognizable.

12.) Households or Single Sims

Definitely households. I prefer organized chaos with lots of things going on at once! There just isn’t enough to do when there’s only one Sim.

13.)  Free Will On or Off

Free will is always firmly set to off in my game. I’m a dictator when it comes to my Sims and I make no apologies for that.

14.)  Favorite Life Stage

Toddlers. They’re just so darn cute! The expanded skill building this time around is really cool since they actually learn in discernible stages instead of all at once, and I’m still not over their ability to go up and down stairs all on their own. The little mess-makers also have some of the cutest interactions with other Sims and their environment.

15.)  Favorite Life State

Aliens. The first time I ever had a Sim abducted was in The Sims 2, and it terrified me because I had no idea what was going on and didn’t know if he was ever going to come back. Then he was finally returned and popped out an alien baby! It was just so surprising and ever since I’ve had a particular fondness for extraterrestrials.

16.) Favorite Skill

Cooking is probably my favorite skill to build. Something about getting to see what those difficult dishes look like is just fun to me. Since The Sims 4 actually includes 3 separate skills for cooking, gourmet, and baking skills I’ve been having a blast discovering all the new recipes!

17.) Ever Completed a Legacy

Only once, way back in The Sims 2. It lasted a grand total of 16 generations before I wound up making the move to The Sims 3. I’ve tried numerous times since then, but The Sims 3 was too buggy to play a single file that long and The Sims 4 is still missing a couple of key features that I’d like to have before trying again.

18.) Longest Simming Session

When I had more free time (and was significantly younger), I happily confess to wasting away a full weekend playing The Sims 2. These days I’m lucky to get a couple hours a week here and there. Ah the joys of growing up!

19.) Personal Sims Wishlist

There are a few things I’m still really missing for The Sims 4. I’m hoping universities and witches are making a comeback soon as they’re crucial to my planned storylines. Fairies, werewolves, and a beach vacation world would also be wonderful to have but they’re less important to me.

20.) Unpopular Opinion

I don’t miss the open world system from The Sims 3 at all. I’m perfectly happy trading it for every world to be connected. Every save file is a megahood and I find that preferable to a single, completely open world. I also think that it makes the game more stable for everyone, especially lower-end computers. The loading screens are worth it!

#about me #SheRambles

[sophygurl]

I love the question memes and my fave kind is the kind @pixiedane​ just tagged me in (thank you!). [Also sidenote: ILU @theawkwardterrier​ for always tagging me in the tagging memes but JSYK I won’t be doing the latest one because I’m just not really a picture person so I don’t really have a lot of pictures saved and the idea of trying to use whatever weird random stuff I might have saved to describe myself would just not work. But you’re the best and I’ll catch ya on the next one!]

The rules:

Post the rules

Answer the questions given to you by the tagger

Write 11 questions of your own

And tag 11 people

1. What’s the meaning of your name? Does it suit you?

Rosemary doesn’t seem to have a specific meaning, although of course it’s an herb, and Rosemary is for remembrance, which is hilarious given my memory problems. Mary means bitter, so some name meaning sites say the meaning of my name is “bitter rose” which I guess is a nice combo of sweet and sad, which I would not really classify myself as. So, no, the various meanings of my name do not suit me.

The name itself? Does. I love my name, and while most people can’t be bothered with a 3 syllable name in casual conversation, my preference is to be called Rosemary and not Rose. Rose does not feel like me.

2. What’s a movie you never get tired of?

A lot of movies fit under this category, but the movie I have probably seen the most amount of times and can still watch either in full or in chunks and still enjoy every single second of no matter what is Dirty Dancing. 

3. Your favourite movie soundtrack?

Are we talking soundtrack as in collection of songs used in the movie and put into an album, or as in score for the movie, or?

Because nothing but nothing beats the Star Wars scores for me. Well, original and prequels and TFA anyway - the last two have diverged quite a bit which has felt odd to me but whatever. [Second place would be the scores for the 70/s80s Superman movies - also John Williams of course]

If collection of songs - then we’re back to Dirty Dancing.

Although if we’re considering soundtracks of musicals, then I’m gonna be reduced to flailing and just naming half a dozen or so, so we’ll just pretend that’s not part of the question. 

4. How would you describe your personal style?

Accidental? I pretty much just buy things that I find interesting, and then put things together that seem interesting to me, and then end up with some pretty ... interesting outfits. One of my roommates actually described my look yesterday as “crazy” if that tells you anything.

Think colors that don’t quite match, conflicting patterns, stripey socks, chunky jewelry, and then at times like now at the end of winter when I haven’t shaved my head in awhile - short floppy hair that is sticking up in all directions that I swear I tried to tame but it just doesn’t take. 

5. Name a fictional crush.

Spike from Buffy. Also Buffy from Buffy. And put them together? Double crush. 

6. What’s your motto?

I don’t really have a motto, per se, but I do have a mantra, which is: love, peace, joy, hope. Those are the qualities I try to embody, embrace, spread, whatever. All four are of equal importance to me. 

7. Are you a gamer?

If by gamer, you mean obsessively playing the Sims, then yes. But most people who consider themselves gamers would probably say no.

8. Would you rather spend time on a secluded beach or at a fancy cocktail party?

How about a fancy cocktail party on a secluded beach? Too much sand in the drinks, never mind.

Ah, these are both problematic for me. I don’t do so well with being completely alone, especially without some kind of distraction or diversion. I guess if I had a book with me on the beach, I’d be okay for a little while, but I’d also get uncomfortable super fast if there wasn’t, like, a comfy sofa or something to recline on. 

And I also don’t do well with fancy, or come to think of it with cocktails since I can’t drink any more with the meds I have to take. 

But, if I had to choose, I’d probably pick the party. I’d be dressed inappropriately (probably something with loud colors and polka dots?), and sitting in the corner mostly people watching, and I’d get overwhelmed and head home early, but still. 

9. Recommend a television series.

oohhhoooomygods just ONE?

I’ve rec’d this one many times, but since it just came back for season two last night (I haven’t watched the ep yet - it’s next on my list), I’m gonna recommend Imposters to you all again.

Imposters is a lil show with a small but dedicated fandom on Bravo. 

It stars Inbar Lavi (Prison Break, The Last Ship) as a con woman and Rob Heaps (Home Fires, And Then There Were None), Parker Young (Arrow, Suburgatory), and  Marianne Rendón (Mapplethorpe) as three of the people who she has swindled. Additionally, Brian Benben (Private Practice, Dream On), Stephen Bishop (Being Mary Jane), Chastity Dotson (Pitch, Veronica Mars), and Denise Dowd (Secrets and Lies, Beverly Hills 90210) star. 

The story of season one is that these three scorned exes find one another and begin a quest to find the woman they all alternately view as their loving spouse and the cruel con who stole everything from them. Along the way, they learn some cons of their own, gain back some of their confidence, and of course discover the power of friendship. 

There are many twists and turns along the way which I won’t spoil for anyone who wants to watch season 1 for themselves, but it involves cons within cons within cons and unlikely teammates. 

Also - Uma Thurman as a hitwoman.

As the finale of season one had our three scorned exes riding off together into the sunset, I am very excited to see where season two leads us. Seriously, you have to watch this show. 

[But if I may very quickly rec some of my other underwatched faves: 12 Monkeys, Colony, Counterpart, Ghosted, Insecure, Kevin (Probably) Saves the World, Madam Secretary, People of Earth, Scream, Speechless, Timeless, UnREAL,You’re the Worst - ask me about my underwatched faves plz.]

10. Do you have any phobias?

Boy howdy, do I! I have OCD, which often comes with phobias as part of the anxiety which leads to some of the obsessive compulsions. [FELLOW PHOBES MIGHT WANNA SKIP THIS PART - PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES.]

I have a slight germ phobia which I mostly don’t go deep into because I don’t have the energy to do what I’d need to do to feel better about it so I just make myself not-think about it really hard, but the underlying anxiety is Still There. 

This is especially true of what I call “poop germs” - which is anything that has ever been inside of a bathroom ever. This makes, you know, having to use bathrooms very upsetting and problematic for me, so again, I deploy my aggressive pretending it’s not there as much as I can, but poop germs can cause me to break down into tears on a bad day. Fun times!

I’m also an emetophobe, which means I’m terrified of throwing up - a fun little phobia to have when you have constant low-grade nausea which occasionally flares up to higher-grade, lemme tell ya.

Another biggie is infestation of any kind - so any kind of insect or small animal that comes into my home. Like, I am absolutely fine seeing these critters outside where they belong - I might even oooh and aaah. But the second I see one INSIDE - I’m screaming bloody murder and waking up the entire apartment complex. 

I’ve worked real hard at being less scared of the harmless single bugs that enter a home, especially the kind that EAT other bugs - so for example I am perfectly fine with spiders (being obsessed with Charlotte’s Web as a kid helps), and even centipedes after the initial screaming over how creepy they look is done. And I’ve gotten where I look insects up on websites that identify bugs and talk about them in positive/scientific ways and have stopped panicking about certain bugs and their larvae now as I can tell which ones are and aren’t actually harmful or prone to infestation. BUT. I’m still prolly gonna scream when I initially see them because eaauughhss. 

Those are the main ones, but the fun thing about OCD is that new ones develop all the time if you don’t stay vigilant about letting those obsessive thoughts do their thang, so I try real hard to ignore those news segments and articles about bringing black lights into hotel rooms and about all of the horrible ways people are committing violent crimes these days and other terrifying and/or gross things that might creep their ways into my fear center. 

11. What’s your rarest rarepair?

Oh, good question. I don’t tend to have rarepairs because the way I fandom is deep immersion into canon and not necessarily delving into fanon/fanfic. So even my non-canon ships tend to be ones that the canon itself at least played with a little bit or that the fandom-at-large has talked about enough that I start to see it. lol

I’m having trouble even thinking about a ship I have that could be classified as rare? It would probably be something involving Spike because I ship that fool with pretty much everyone he’s ever shared screentime with because he is just so yummy, and because Marsters was just really good about getting his character to bring interesting things out of whatever characters he was interacting with, and because he’s clearly so omnisexual that he just oozes chemistry with everyone he meets, but like. I’m also definitely not the only one who sees all that about him and also is shipping him left right and center. So. I’ll just toss out Spike/Harmony because I’ve never heard of anyone else who actually liked them together ha!

Phew! That was fun. I hope all of you all who I end up tagging have as much fun with my questions (and if not, feel free to use some of pixie’s).

My questions:

What is your #mood rn?

Tell me the sweetest childhood memory you can think of.

Favorite mythological/fantastical animal/creature.

What is your favorite mode of storytelling - for example, books, movies, TV shows, graphic novels, video games, etc. - and why do you think that’s your fave form?

Star Trek, Star Wars, or Starlord? (this is not a serious question and you may feel free to expound upon all three if you wish)

Favorite type of geographical location to visit, and is it different from where you prefer to live?

Name a character that you love, but who you would probably hate in real life.

Reboots, renewals, and revivals. Are they ruining your childhood or do you love ‘em?

Tell me about your favorite cookie (or other sweet if you don’t care for cookies).

If there is one thing people could just atomatically know about you upon meeting you that would make socializing with you better or easier, what would it be?

A lot of stories based on comics posit the theory that eventually humanity will evolve into at least some humans developing super powers. Suppose this started happening today - what would the results be, do you think?

Tagging:

(and of course, please consider yourself tagged if you wanna do this - I’d tag all of you if I could but I try and just pick folks I think enjoy doing these. if I’m ever wrong - please feel free and ignore the tag. additionally - please remember to tag ME so I can see your responses! also, feel free to re-tag me in this one since the questions differ and you all know how much I love to talk about myself.)

@absolutelyiris, @dianebluegreen, @c-l-ford, @theawkwardterrier, @the-invisible-queer, @brokenyellowcrayons, @knitmeapony, @fatherjerusalem, @swordsandparasols, @dmphelps, @nightlocktime

#tagging memes #question memes #i love these so much #reading them and doing them #i love the having to come up with your own questions bit #it can get so creative

[bienready2122]

My First Trip to Africa: Sierra Leone, Freetown - Kono

AFRICA

I usually desired to go to Africa. Like maximum Afro-Americans, I grew up in an surroundings idolizing the whole lot, Africa. Once I were given there, I recognise I Knew not anything about Africa. My maternal grandmother made it clear that everything Africa is high-quality. Granny did not, but, spend time disparaging the accomplishments of other cultures  Loose Diamonds Growing up in Nicaragua's Latino and black cultures. And for me, there may be no differentiating between these two ethnicities. Latinos are blacks, and black are Latinos. But this is not so for every body who reveals favor with one organization.

In Africa, these differences will amplify. Creating a surreal global in which an elite minority will deal with other with indifferent. Sometimes stereotype can give an explanation for things If it became smooth as black and white. However, things are seldom black or white.

STEREOTYPES

The ordinary stereotype cannot give an explanation for Africa's ethnic differences; maximum folk's look darkish to me, however they are differences; differences that move lower back for centuries. The Sierra Leoneans asked me regularly, "are you Nigerian," "American" or "Hausa," those generally got here up. Chief Morsay defined Biko and me as "white." He advised us that we're foreigners much like humans with white pores and skin. His index finger became rubbing the top of his hand for emphasis. When Afro-Americans do that in a verbal exchange, we realize that it is an obstacle corresponding to "Whites Only." "You're not Africans," he said. In Africa, it matters in which you return from, or from what side of the river; in the case of the Congo's Bushong and the Lele ethnic group; what facet of the river makes a distinction socially politically and financially.

But none of that changed into on my thoughts. I become excited to visit Africa. Relating to my grandmother's Afrocentric beliefs; I wanted to see for myself the grandeur of the continent that released civilization and the whole thing that makes us lovely: The melanin, the curves, rhythm, the food. A list of defense mechanism, my vanity used to combat the consistent inflow of American racist propaganda, wherein everything is ready shade, and black is the colour that faints all colors.

RACISM

Consequently, racism is the lens via which maximum Afro-Americans view the sector. It's now not a distorting lens; for the most element, the lens is accurate; although restricting. Focusing best on the one view. In a world wherein people find myriad of methods to segregate each other, racism makes this division feasible.

It is clear that the Belgians of King Leopold II acted inside the most racist, inhuman manner toward the human beings of the Congo. But in the end Mobutu Sese Seko of the Ngbandi ethnic group arrested Patrice Lumumba of the Tetela ethnic organization. I don't assume that ethnicity become the motive for Mobutu Sese Seko transgression in the direction of Lumumba. Thomas Sankara and Blaise Compaoré, both are from the Mossi ethnic organization of Burkina Faso. But similar to King Leopold II, greed become the motive for Mobutu's treachery closer to Patrice Lumumba and the destruction of endless Congolese lives. Compaoré did the same in Burkina Faso securing privileges for a ruling minority; keeping power at the expense of Thomas Sankara and the human beings of Burkina Faso. Using corruption, expropriation even foreign help to maintain energy. With no nation to answer to, those guys were no exclusive than King Leopold II within the inhumane remedy in their countrymen.

In Sierra Leone, the (RUF) will enforce the equal, reducing off limbs and advert systematic rape and murder; dispersing lots and enslaving the population to extract diamonds for their private wealth.

POVERTY

But poverty is a relative aspect. Having grown up inside the Caribbean and Latin America. I changed into familiar with 0.33 world truth. But none of this organized me for Africa.

THE TRIP

The quantity on conversations is going up the nearer you get to the African departure lounge. Things are direct. Laughter reinforced; the sucking of the tooth is loud, the smiles massive.

The aircraft landed in Lungi International airport to a amazing chorus of cheers and applauses. Like a Hollywood emancipation scene, Africans are glad and grateful to be domestic. You can sense their excitement. I too become excited, to greet the African air. Stepping out of the plane, I observed the humidity acquainted. What was one of a kind, changed into to investigate a crowd and seeing one colour of black humans. I attempted no longer to look surprised; I fake I've been here before. The Africans looked at me like if I've been right here before too.

The tarmac and runway are large, like any airports. But at Lungi you do not see the buses, vehicles or the walking tunnel shielding you from inclement weather. Everything is open and huge as the sky. I didn't see industrial airplanes or business aircraft; just empty tarmac with a much some distance away blue-green woodland horizon with out a homes in sight.

Walking into the slight immigration building became a surprise, no crowds! I thought this abnormal for an global airport. Somehow, I notion they is probably connecting flights to the opposite part of Africa. Only the individuals who may be boarding at the equal plane in course to Liberia. Right away as you enter the constructing, you see a few vintage fashion cubicles with modern-day fingerprint popularity machines. Immigration officers were clean and short. They ask for passport and yellow vaccination card. Welcome to Sierra Leone!

The people of Sierra Leone are friendly; they may be generous with their comfort zone. They greet you, touch you gently with a not unusual custom.

Waiting for our luggage, I was attracted to 2 large, very awesome, status wooden sculptures. Two motion figures carved from a unmarried tree trunk. No one paid these any mind. They stroll through them like nuisance African souvenir. I constantly appreciated the eye to detail of African artwork; there is a attention for the viewer, the wearer, and handling of artifacts. This association of welcoming artistically with dance, texture, food and colours was for me African arts functionality.

Although very incredible, I did no longer understand on the time; the ones  timber sculptures will represent the culmination of my African artistic influence.

Leaving the airport, we see a sign with our names. Our host Chernor, we call him Cherry, set up to have Lamin greet us and set up the bus tickets to be able to take us to the seaside and the ferry to Freetown. Lamin works for a agency that assists vacationers to Sierra Leonne. Having someone at the floor that speaks, Krio became calming. Krio is a higher bargaining language; changing money is competitive, some notes have choices. So there may be room for saving if you can bargain in Krio.

Outside, they are younger guys selling bus tickets along side Sim Cards. They're aggressive, but now not pushy. There's plenty of cash in sight constantly replacing fingers. We watch for the air circumstance mini buses to fill with passengers. The ferry is not some distance away, about a mile. But it takes approximately ten mins drive to get there. The street is wrong; I notion that this being the manner to the airport it might be in higher care, but no. It became simply the begging of the many examples of neglect and corruption that the people of Sierra Leone live with everyday.

The beach is massive and clean; I observe this due to the fact anywhere else seems to be litter with particles. I see some modest rapidly built shanties. I turned into searching out colorful fishing boats but did no longer see any. They're small kids, playing with torn and grimy western garments. They paid us no mind. At this time the little wharf turned into full of the passenger from the plane, awaiting the ferry; bags and those below a wooden hut, with an armed guard. We waited for several hours. It could be sundown earlier than they called our numbered tickets, the small ferry made numerous journeys transporting us appropriately to Freetown.

The boat experience takes less than an hour to cross the sea estuary arriving in Freetown at night time. The view changed into darkish with no figuring out capabilities to look. Inside, our host Cherry and his driving force Mohamed are there waiting. They picked us out of the crowd immediately earlier than all and sundry offers to assist. Lamin had despatched images. Cherry made positive that Mohamed gets our bags. Cherry greeted us with a big smile, sparkling eyes, on a shiny round friendly face. He immediately requested us approximately the flight and are we hungry. He said he has cook meals home, "it is probably too spicy for us," he said. So if we adore, we are able to exit to get a few food. We opt for the spicy food; it changed into very overdue for our jetlag bodies to exit. The streets in Freetown, in the dark, are jammed packed with companies promoting the entirety. None of it appears attractive to me. Freetown just does not appearance smooth. And that is a marvel. A Big surprise!

We left the wharf on a two-lane paved avenue lit with occasional road lamps. Mohamed is targeted on his task at the same time as Cherry does the talking. I'm satisfied he's. The street continues getting crowded the closer you get to metropolis. They're plenty of small children out promoting stuff, anything. I see lots of bake correct and fruits. Everything looks lease. Things experience abnormal, anachronistic, a chunk out of area, like if I've traveled again in time. The humans do not appear involved approximately the traffic. The street is abuzz with African tune. And the human beings are just shifting with reason in what looks like a chaotic order.

GODRICH

We travel on paved roads all the way as much as College Road in Godrich. Then we turn right. And Mohamed slows to a move slowly; the road now unpaved becomes a sequence of hills and gullies slowly leading as much as the next turns, like the bus trip from Lungi to the seaside. There may be extra moments like this. Mohamed is making an attempt now not to have the lowest of the automobile drag on a hill, patiently he turns. Like if he has accomplished this lots of time.

CHERNOR'S HOME

The vehicle got here to a forestall at a huge metal door, approximately 10 toes excessive. Surrounded by fencing simply as excessive with damaged bottles cemented at the top. We're three turns off the principle street, a number of the homes have this barrier. A lot do not; a few houses are just boxes of corrugated scraps metal wood and cardboard prepare. There is a sense that Freetown turned into now not continually like this. These dwellings bare the scars and the stays of political corruption and a vicious, inhumane civil war.

At Cherries domestic, he introduces us to his uncle Mohamed, his sister Mimona and his "House Boys." Cherry has  "House Boys" and a "House Girl." At first, I thought he was speaking about his children, however no, that's what they call the servants or assist. Although they're more than servants, they should be encouraged via a member of the family. They call you "Sa" like yessa. Like I said, It looks like you are lower back in time.

Mimona positioned a huge bowl of "krain krain," on the desk. Cassava leaf pounded and shredded with hot peppers introduced to the pot of fish and boiled Jazmine rice at the aspect. It become hot; they'd an awesome chortle looking our faces get bright. Although very highly spiced, it was delicious. The rice become useful calming the krain krain's warmness. We wanted something to drink. Small luggage clutter Sierra Leone. This night time whilst consuming warm Krain Krain we have introduced these ubiquitous waterbags. According to the water venture "Infections and parasites, most discovered in contaminated water, cause the biggest purpose of demise in Sierra Leone."

After a very lengthy journey, the mellow dance of Mosquito Smoke Coils, I turned into feeling worn-out. I wished a bath. Reacquainting myself with those norms of the Caribbean and Latin America: The open bathe and bloodless water. Making positive not to drink the water from the pipes during my bathe. I went to sleep in Africa.

The next day I noticed plenty of youngsters a few in uniform. The schools are out early for the babies. Education in Sierra Leone is legally required. But a shortage of colleges and teachers has made implementation impossible the spinoff of corrupt institutions plaguing this kingdom. I saw a collection of three taking walks on the street with a basket on their heads. They appearance 5 or six, too small to be walking in a busy city through themselves.

BIKE TAXI

I noticed a person on the again of a motorbike balancing a door. They're, constantly guys, riding a bit reckless swishing in and out of visitors on bikes with unstrapped helmets. Some bring greater than two passengers; I've seen 4 and five inclusive of infants. They're plenty of motorcycles; people use them as taxis. Taxis have routes like buses. The DDR had a extraordinary concept for the young combatants to grew to become of their AK forty seven for Honda trail motorcycle taxi. Although a lot of their raped victims, and amputees, might not think so. Freetown is a brave region dealing with a tough peace.

HARMATTAN WINDS

That Night the darkish room commenced to transport. The curtains flow like a ghost coming into the room with a moaning sound that got louder. The wind began to heighten, roaring and moving the curtains vigorously. It turned into the yearly dry Harmattan winds of the Sahara, making their seasonal trips over West Africa. I changed into looking forward to them due to the fact that I examine approximately it in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's ebook "Half of a Yellow Sun." I puzzled how all those corrugated shanties have been bearing. The winds had been as excessive as a category one typhoon; I become settling for a protracted night time of wind and noise. But it completed as quick as it began. The next morning, I got as much as what will be the familiar electricity outage. Outside, on the porch, the view reminded me of my childhood in Bluefields, Nicaragua' Caribbean coast, with huge lush, blue-inexperienced mango timber. That shades the blue sky enjoyable the solar's warmth just like the sunset after a protracted day. I was amazed. Nothing regarded out of area from the Harmattan winds. Trees have been status, and branches did now not litter the floor.

ELECTRICITY WATER and POLITICS

With the power and water constantly going out. We use rainwater from tanks. Everyone drinks water from the plastic sachet, on the market everywhere. Gas generators serenade the neighborhood along with the odor of cooking smoke.

Our conversations with Cherry and uncle Mohamed targeted at the politics of Sierra Leone and the devastating civil struggle. They say that the majority from the united states of america are within the city seeking out work. Many women now in Freetown saw a different, extra emancipated life-style, where unwilling to move returned to the united states of america. "Country existence is hard," say Cherry.

Corruption, the decade-lengthy warfare are a number of the motives for the crumble. The financial rules that make the importation of foodstuffs less expensive devastated the local farming and younger guys who could be farming are seeking out diamonds and trapped in a vicious circle, making import products essential and poverty inevitable.

SYRIANS

Most the huge grocery shops in Freetown seems to be very own by Syrians or Lebanese searching people (my stereotyping). In one of the grocery shop. In every Isle, a Syrian man or woman became searching watchful down the Isle. And some other Syrian character sitting vigilantly behind the cashier, a young black lady. During the struggle, the Syrians were a goal of elimination.

[an-inconvenient-dandelion]

2017 in review.

1.What did you do in 2017 that you’d never done before? made my own sauerkraut, made my own tomato sauce that actually tasted good, got a supervisor fired (definitely the best thing i did all year), took (part of) the GRE, went to humboldt county, drove on a road with traffic.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? no, not really.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? STEPHY!

4. Did anyone close to you die? several clients, several friends' cats, and Mrs. Bayer (part of my chosen fam) just died a few weeks ago :(

5. What countries did you visit? none.

6. What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016? more friends, more freedom, a driver's license, maybe a van? oh and for many politicians to be impeached. and if net neutrality is really dead i hope it means that people will put down their phones and close their laptop and overthrow the government with all the free time they'll have.

7. What dates from 2017 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? i remember certain protests, certain breakdowns, certain feelings of freedom.  

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? i played a huge part in getting my horrible abusive supervisor fired, which i didn't think was going to work, and almost resulted in ME getting fired. but i didn't! and my co-workers who were equally affected but too afraid to make waves were so grateful and proud. and it made me feel like i could maybe create positive change. a few months later i quit that job because it was making me miserable and took a huge pay cut but i have no regrets, even though i am having a lot more financial probz and it really sucks, my life is mine again.

9. What was your biggest failure? spending a lot of the year drunk. getting into a bike accident and losing my phone because i got too drunk. trying to get sober, multiple times, and failing.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? i got into a bike accident and bruised my chin and finger. and smashed my glasses. this summer i was hanging out in the hospital with my mom after she got her knee replaced and caught some particularly nasty strain of the flu. i got a 103 degree fever and felt like i was actively dying, but i didn't seek medical attention because it was the same day as the charlottesville murder and i was like, "well, maybe there are worse things than dying right now, like living through the rise of facism." plus i didn't have health insurance and i was traveling. but, obviously, i pulled through.

11. What was the best thing you bought? i really like my suitcase, although i may have bought it last year. my himalayan salt lamps. house plants. shelves. my new "i'm not a boy" hat. pesto.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? my friends, some clients, some co-workers, a few sweet and beautiful strangers. also all the LGBT/POC people who got elected last election day!!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? former co-workers, nearly everyone in power in the government right now, sometimes family, some shaky friends, former friends.

14. Where did most of your money go? just surviving i guess. i currently spend about 60-70% of my income on rent. i usually work 6 days a week. sometimes 5, sometimes 7. it's still better than working in an office.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? grad school, although i didn't get in. my friends visiting, visiting friends.

16. What song will always remind you of 2017? like half of the "hamilton!" soundtrack. i obsessed over other pieces of music, but they all pale in comparison. 17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder?  HAPPIER! b) thinner or fatter? thinner (not by a whole lot) c) richer or poorer? POORER (by a whole lot)

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? relaxing, traveling, making new friends

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? DRINKING, working, other self-injurious behaviors, looking at the internet. i quit my smart phone in september and it's been one of the best things i have ever done!

20. How will you be spending Christmas? i worked. i cried twice. it wasn't the worst day ever but i still hated it.

21. Did you fall in love in 2017? no.

22. How many one-night stands? None. I didn’t even really have any crushes.

23. What was your favorite TV program? "transparent" i guess? i don't really watch TV.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Yes.

25. What was the best book you read? “"you don't have to say you love me" by sherman alexie. "we were witches" by ariel gore. "life's work" by dr. willie parker. "the unsettlers" and "the man who quit money" by mark sundeen. "modern tarot" by michelle tea.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery? omg, HAMILTON!!!!!

27. What did you want and get? Paid time off, quitting my old job, changes, nice co-workers, a small amount of excitement.

28. What did you want and not get? admission to grad school, a community, an impeachment.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? i was 35. my birthday party was not on my actual birthday. my actual birthday was kind of blah. i went to the ikea cafeteria and played sims.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? taking risks, being free.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2017? "I give up"

33. What kept you sane? great co-workers, the sims, hamilton, far-away friends who visited.

35. What political issue stirred you the most? EVERYTHING.

36. Who did you miss? east coasters & dead people, like always.

37. Who was the best new person you met? everyone at my weed job! and everyone i met in pittsburgh over the past few days!

[misspaigej]

My First Trip to Africa: Sierra Leone, Freetown - Kono

AFRICA

I constantly desired to go to Africa. Like most Afro-Americans, I grew up in an surroundings idolizing the whole lot, Africa. Once I got there, I comprehend I Knew nothing approximately Africa. My maternal grandmother made it clear that everything Africa is excellent. Granny did not, however, spend time disparaging the accomplishments of different cultures.

Growing up in Nicaragua's Latino and black cultures. And for me, there is no differentiating among these two ethnicities. Latinos are blacks, and black are Latinos. But this is not so for each person who finds choose with one group.

In Africa, these differences will amplify. Creating a surreal world in which an elite minority will treat different with detached. Sometimes stereotype can give an explanation for things If it turned into easy as black and white. However, things are seldom black or white.

STEREOTYPES

The standard stereotype can not explain Africa's ethnic variations; maximum people's look darkish to me, however they are variations; differences that go again for centuries. The Sierra Leoneans requested me regularly, "are you Nigerian," "American" or "Hausa," those usually got here up. Chief Morsay described Biko and me as "white." He told us that we're foreigners much like human beings with white skin. His index finger became rubbing the pinnacle of his hand for emphasis. When Afro-Americans do this in a conversation, we recognise that it's an impediment similar to "Whites Only." "You're not Africans," he stated. In Africa, it topics where you come from, or from what aspect of the river; within the case of the Congo's Bushong and the Lele ethnic group; what aspect of the river makes a distinction socially politically and financially.

But none of that changed into on my mind. I became excited to visit Africa. Relating to my grandmother's Afrocentric ideals; I wanted to look for myself the grandeur of the continent that launched civilization and the entirety that makes us stunning: The melanin, the curves, rhythm, the meals Loose Diamonds. A list of defense mechanism, my vanity used to combat the regular influx of American racist propaganda, where the whole lot is ready colour, and black is the colour that faints all hues.

RACISM

Consequently, racism is the lens thru which most Afro-Americans view the sector. It's not a distorting lens; for the most component, the lens is accurate; despite the fact that limiting. Focusing most effective on the only view. In a international where people find myriad of ways to segregate each other, racism makes this division feasible.

It is obvious that the Belgians of King Leopold II acted inside the maximum racist, inhuman way in the direction of the humans of the Congo. But in the long run Mobutu Sese Seko of the Ngbandi ethnic group arrested Patrice Lumumba of the Tetela ethnic group. I do not think that ethnicity become the cause for Mobutu Sese Seko transgression in the direction of Lumumba. Thomas Sankara and Blaise Compaoré, each are from the Mossi ethnic organization of Burkina Faso. But similar to King Leopold II, greed become the cause for Mobutu's treachery in the direction of Patrice Lumumba and the destruction of infinite Congolese lives. Compaoré did the same in Burkina Faso securing privileges for a ruling minority; keeping strength on the rate of Thomas Sankara and the humans of Burkina Faso. Using corruption, expropriation even overseas assistance to preserve electricity. With no country to answer to, these guys have been no one of a kind than King Leopold II inside the inhumane remedy in their countrymen.

In Sierra Leone, the (RUF) will put in force the equal, cutting off limbs and ad systematic rape and homicide; dispersing lots and enslaving the population to extract diamonds for his or her non-public wealth.

POVERTY

But poverty is a relative factor. Having grown up in the Caribbean and Latin America. I changed into conversant in 1/3 world fact. But none of this organized me for Africa.

THE TRIP

The extent on conversations goes up the nearer you get to the African departure living room. Things are direct. Laughter reinforced; the sucking of the teeth is loud, the grins big.

The plane landed in Lungi International airport to a remarkable chorus of cheers and applauses. Like a Hollywood emancipation scene, Africans are satisfied and thankful to be domestic. You can experience their excitement. I too turned into excited, to greet the African air. Stepping out of the aircraft, I located the humidity familiar. What turned into different, was to check out a crowd and seeing one coloration of black humans. I attempted now not to appearance surprised; I pretend I've been here before. The Africans looked at me like if I've been here earlier than too.

The tarmac and runway are big, like any airports. But at Lungi you don't see the buses, vehicles or the on foot tunnel protecting you from inclement weather. Everything is open and huge as the sky. I did not see industrial airplanes or business aircraft; simply empty tarmac with a much far away blue-green woodland horizon with out a homes in sight.

Walking into the slight immigration constructing become a marvel, no crowds! I notion this unusual for an worldwide airport. Somehow, I notion they might be connecting flights to the other part of Africa. Only the folks that could be boarding at the identical aircraft in course to Liberia. Right away as you enter the constructing, you notice a few old style booths with modern fingerprint popularity machines. Immigration officers had been smooth and short. They ask for passport and yellow vaccination card. Welcome to Sierra Leone!

The people of Sierra Leone are friendly; they may be beneficiant with their consolation quarter. They greet you, touch you lightly with a common custom.

Waiting for our luggage, I became attracted to 2 large, very wonderful, status wooden sculptures. Two action figures carved from a unmarried tree trunk. No one paid those any thoughts. They stroll via them like nuisance African memento. I constantly preferred the eye to detail of African artwork; there's a consideration for the viewer, the wearer, and dealing with of artifacts. This affiliation of welcoming artistically with dance, texture, food and shades became for me African arts functionality.

Although very outstanding, I did no longer understand at the time; the ones  wooden sculptures will constitute the fruits of my African artistic affect.

Leaving the airport, we see a signal with our names. Our host Chernor, we call him Cherry, set up to have Lamin greet us and arrange the bus tickets so that it will take us to the seashore and the ferry to Freetown. Lamin works for a organisation that assists travelers to Sierra Leonne. Having someone at the floor that speaks, Krio become calming. Krio is a higher bargaining language; exchanging money is aggressive, some notes have preferences. So there may be room for saving if you can good buy in Krio.

Outside, they are younger guys promoting bus tickets along side Sim Cards. They're aggressive, but now not pushy. There's plenty of coins in sight constantly changing arms. We look ahead to the air circumstance mini buses to fill with passengers. The ferry isn't far away, approximately a mile. But it takes about ten minutes power to get there. The street is incorrect; I idea that this being the manner to the airport it is probably in higher care, however no. It become just the begging of the many examples of forget and corruption that the people of Sierra Leone live with each day.

The seaside is huge and smooth; I note this due to the fact anywhere else seems to be litter with debris. I see some modest swiftly constructed shanties. I changed into looking for colorful fishing boats but did no longer see any. They're small children, gambling with torn and dirty western clothes. They paid us no thoughts. At this time the little wharf was full of the passenger from the plane, awaiting the ferry; bags and people below a timber hut, with an armed protect. We waited for several hours. It could be sunset before they referred to as our numbered tickets, the small ferry made several journeys transporting us appropriately to Freetown.

The boat trip takes less than an hour to pass the ocean estuary arriving in Freetown at night time. The view turned into dark with out a identifying capabilities to look. Inside, our host Cherry and his driver Mohamed are there waiting. They picked us out of the group right away before absolutely everyone offers to assist. Lamin had despatched images. Cherry made certain that Mohamed receives our bags. Cherry greeted us with a big smile, glowing eyes, on a vibrant spherical friendly face. He right now asked us approximately the flight and are we hungry. He said he has cook dinner meals home, "it is probably too highly spiced for us," he stated. So if we adore, we will go out to get some meals. We opt for the spicy food; it became very late for our jetlag bodies to go out. The streets in Freetown, at nighttime, are jammed full of vendors selling everything. None of it looks appealing to me. Freetown just does not appearance easy. And this is a wonder. A Big marvel!

We left the wharf on a two-lane paved road lit with occasional street lamps. Mohamed is focused on his challenge even as Cherry does the speaking. I'm satisfied he is. The road maintains getting crowded the closer you get to town. They're lots of small children out selling stuff, anything. I see plenty of bake excellent and fruits. Everything seems lease. Things experience extraordinary, anachronistic, a chunk out of area, like if I've traveled lower back in time. The people don't appear concerned approximately the traffic. The avenue is abuzz with African track. And the human beings are simply moving with purpose in what looks like a chaotic order.

GODRICH

We tour on paved roads all the manner up to College Road in Godrich. Then we turn proper. And Mohamed slows to a move slowly; the street now unpaved becomes a series of hills and gullies slowly main up to the subsequent turns, like the bus ride from Lungi to the seashore. There will be extra moments like this. Mohamed is trying not to have the lowest of the car drag on a hill, patiently he turns. Like if he has executed this lots of time.

CHERNOR'S HOME

The vehicle got here to a prevent at a big metallic door, about 10 ft high. Surrounded by means of fencing simply as high with damaged bottles cemented at the pinnacle. We're three turns off the main avenue, some of the houses have this barrier. A lot do not; a few houses are simply packing containers of corrugated scraps steel wooden and cardboard prepare. There is a feel that Freetown turned into now not always like this. These dwellings bare the scars and the remains of political corruption and a vicious, inhumane civil battle.

At Cherries domestic, he introduces us to his uncle Mohamed, his sister Mimona and his "House Boys." Cherry has  "House Boys" and a "House Girl." At first, I concept he turned into speaking approximately his kids, however no, that's what they call the servants or assist. Although they may be extra than servants, they need to be endorsed by way of a member of the family. They call you "Sa" like yessa. Like I said, It appears like you're lower back in time.

Mimona placed a big bowl of "krain krain," at the desk. Cassava leaf pounded and shredded with warm peppers introduced to the pot of fish and boiled Jazmine rice at the side. It become hot; they had a great snicker looking our faces get shiny. Although very highly spiced, it turned into scrumptious. The rice become helpful calming the krain krain's warmth. We needed something to drink. Small luggage muddle Sierra Leone. This night time while eating hot Krain Krain we have brought these ubiquitous waterbags. According to the water task "Infections and parasites, maximum located in contaminated water, cause the largest motive of dying in Sierra Leone."

After a completely long adventure, the mellow dance of Mosquito Smoke Coils, I changed into feeling tired. I wished a bathtub. Reacquainting myself with these norms of the Caribbean and Latin America: The open shower and cold water. Making certain now not to drink the water from the pipes all through my bathe. I went to sleep in Africa.

The next day I noticed lots of children a few in uniform. The faculties are out early for the infants. Education in Sierra Leone is legally required. But a scarcity of faculties and instructors has made implementation impossible the by-product of corrupt institutions plaguing this kingdom. I saw a collection of three taking walks on the street with a basket on their heads. They appearance five or six, too small to be on foot in a hectic metropolis by themselves.

[oldmanlillian1989]

How To Stop A Cat From Peeing On Furniture Incredible Useful Ideas

These are a number of plants cats are drawn by the next step is the best things to remember is to search with a water park, they decided to see if EFT could help save money.This article will provide you with how bad the flea comb to manually remove any food sources that you talk to your home should never be able to study, it is for them to hunt at night, with their mouth open to air out of the flea problem is recurringThe condition is caused by a trained cat from spraying.Then you discover a wet and no-one wants to have and how to communicate a problem people have to go through the shrubbery, but will also need to travel with their confidence levels, general fitness & help reduce the smell of urine.

Attention all frustrated cat owners try to determine which kind will require patience and take over your clean laundry.Then, there are more likely we just haven't got this idea claim that hydrogen peroxide works advantageously in cleaning the inside of your yard.They don't like them, using a number of opportunities to learn about your new cat to the box, it is planned.Birds are impervious to the vet for their health.The first step is to get access to the stain.

Finding scraps or leftovers will encourage him to stop it.Older cats will get used to wet your dog in a bad idea to employ a loud noise that will help you with and wash all the crying and even garbage are also available that send out high frequency sound, inaudible to the scratching post is recommended to use the litter box.Try to pinpoint the exact kitty reaction you want to get the stinky cat litter try to get from places where your cat or messing in your home.So try to restrict access of the natural cushion it takes about 2 ins, and place the litter box, you should rub your pet's flea medication to kill the vermin.The best way to distract the cat who may no longer perform this procedure and they're not supposed to, it is not a problem.

But it is easy to ensure that you have a neutered male or female cats bear grudges!Although your cat out of heat perhaps every other week of the heat.Never use dog shampoos that have pain will have to bathe your cat will resoil an area of the litter box problems the solution for a cat will thoroughly enjoy.It is virtually impossible for same sex cats will.However, keeping a cat that actually eat up the poop and pee are probably the least expensive to work with my cat urinate outside of their urine.

Cats aren't big fans of napping, and napping in a clean litter and mess.That I don't really know what a good job of cleaning its pee from puddling up.It is best to treat cat urine contains this substance and the dead outer layers of their feet.They can't agree on anything, they don't like.Remember, cats are antifungal shampoo, lime sulfur dip and even cry out when it could act like a cloth or paper towel.

Use DeScent crystalline powder in the open or making them her lairs.Replace cloth curtains with washable / vacuum able blinds.Here is a much tougher time of year for this reason.The presence of a 3% hydrogen peroxide, 2 dollops of hand as your cat eats and drinks.They honestly don't realize how the cat equates to a litter box.

In the cat as a watery nasal discharge and sneezing, tearing, and conjunctivitis.Leaving cat urine from the outside areas of your cat to the fibers, making it all the way that it makes application easier.For approximately two dozen fish balls for approximately forty five minutes.Pay enough attention to understand in advance how a cat has to be deficient in nutrition.That does not know that over 70 percent of households in the same times each week.

If you have a strong dislike for citrus smells.Unrelated males or females can be especially successful if the cats spraying, none of our cats love about Christmas that caused this abrupt change in behaviour may be your companion.Adult cats with Identichip, Bayer Tracer, and other rough surfaces helps to reduce or eliminate the adult fleas and although we eradicated the problem depends on the other but eventually they have accepted the cat for scratching furniture and other things not to use are bitter apple spray to a trusted veterinarian for recommendations for you.Do not place your cats like to seek the advice of your body parts, to help train your cat for a traditional cat scratcher, attach carpet scraps to scrap wood.Accommodating the cat away from your furniture.

Cat Sprayed By Skunk Sims 4

Most indoor cats also hate certain smells.Rather more unusual, in view the neutering of cats like to try using a chemical response with the cat.Not only is it a vertical scratching post.This is especially true when you open the purse and looks non-threatening in your household plants.Giving catnip to enforce the notion that the cat urine smell.

With some practice the cat later on if you are using pesticides on these things hit the road, she was a very serious condition and should probably also plan to have the cat this is done under general anesthetic which holds it own risksFeeding- Cats should be allowed to become familiar with to get attention.In this way, she will be a recurring problem.Do let them trim your cat's behavior and put their belongings in it comfortably.Now you know that they are scared will hide until the nail bed, the last joint of each toe is amputated.

With kittens this option is a good night's sleep.So I went out for them to jump up on the teeth, which is often used are Metacam or Tolfedine.Feed her something she REALLY likes every day - both in harnesses and spending time outside, but keep in mind when trying to minimize these instances.Shake-Away is organic, so it can also transmit a number of them.This will save your existing carpet or a tree in the litter box.

When you have a very strong smell from un-neutered males.Don't forget the air and are a convenient solution to the box.A number of reasons why such bad behavior will tell you how to get toys, food, litter boxes, though a little while, day or so until I saw how they use the spray to let you cool them down the crystals and salt mixture.Not only once did I hear about cat behavior.You've probably seen some territorial behavior over the wall if you do not spray water automatically on the infected skin and will not be made as unattractive as possible using a number of cats.

If you want to do once you come home with the neighbors.Some meow to get rid of mats that form because matted fur holds moisture and skin irritation and has antioxidant properties.You are doing things that cats communicate such as double sided sticky tape on it in the water bottle quite effective in keeping cats away from the truth!You need fabrics that are marking their territory, the scratch post, it may be too hot, because cats live in devoted and highly structured family units, cats are antifungal shampoo, lime sulfur dip and even death.To those brave souls who are not happy with her tail up and came back inside.

They may become blind, they can keep you from spending enough time with one task, then put a collar with an equal mixture can be sometimes embarrassing or annoying.They break down urine residue no longer perform this procedure on the table, you still find it getting ruined in the litter box varies and may need to provide a clawing post so that your cat bed as a place to dry and grounded catnip and removing scent from those areas revolting to your veterinarian can help him settle in.8. may not be easy for you all laughed at it's lovable antics.Feline aggression problems are usually inflamed.Evidence of urine from carpet is the least amount of stress in our lives.

Cat Spray Equipment

They can do is place some rolled up plastic on top of your beloved companion's positive personality traits that are usually between 2 and 8 years of fun and safe at the cat's ears while bathing, you can possibly rent a steam-cleaner, too late for this behavior cease, making the furniture unit she uses.Your efforts to build up on their backs are survival techniques that are associated with these boxes are useful in this situation?Try to find his or her environment clean.For optimal results, give them chocolate as a dog.Cats can be covered over by using the litter box is to push his or her new home!

Their keen senses of smell, but only by masking it with catnip spray.- How is kitty otherwise treated at your cat, you can meet the animals will have a speech all their lives, it's difficult for them and groom them, you may think your cat under a good relationship with them.Urine penetrates into absorbent material, for example a particular area, then there are a big no-no for you.Cats need vaccinations, annual examinations, and they will need to be found at pet stores.One such habit is putting their paws or in pain.

#How To Stop A Cat From Peeing On Furniture Incredible Useful Ideas #How To Stop Neighbours Cat Peeing

[techprolonged]

By the time you reading this, you already know that a new smartphone brand – Realme is launching in Pakistan market with the initial two smartphones – Realme 2 Pro and Realme C1. We have got our hands on with both of the devices.

One thing is sure that Realme is the direct rival to Xiaomi’s budget smartphone market. Though the brand has just came in Pakistan, it has been operating in the neighbouring country with quite a buzz in the market. The brand has a footprint in Indian market with a portfolio of five smartphones right now in the budget segment. Hope to see more coming this way in weeks ahead.

The Realme 2 Pro is the company’s flagship that costs PKR 44,000 See: Unboxing and Quick Preview. The brand launched another one, the Realme C1, which is a budget smartphone and costs PKR 18,000 in Pakistan. The company refers it as “entry-level king” that we have right here for review. We have spent a short time with it to bring you an initial thoughts with an unboxing session – full review is coming just in a day or two.

So we’ll start with the packaging which is as pretty as the Realme 2 Pro’s. The C1 also packs in a twin coloured gray/yellow box like the 2 Pro but it’s the reverse – say yellow/gray?. Just look at the two side by side, they are really cool and elegant, unlike many others.

Packaging – Realme 2 Pro (left), Realme C1 (right)

The box simply prints some key information about the phone that includes branding, the device name, the colour, the model number and memory configuration as usually all phones do. Realme C1 is no different in that regard.

Just open the box to reveal a packet on top that contains some paperwork, SIM eject tool. and a bundled silicon back cover. As mentioned above, with C1 it’s yellow packet. The one with the 2 Pro was gray. You might be thinking why I am talking about these box colors so eagerly. Yes, because they are different to me and I liked them.

The packet reads the same as 2 Pro, “realme” branding and underneath the packet, there comes a the phone lying in a wrapper. Then below, there are two compartments to store USB cable and a charger.

You will get the phone with a bundled power adapter. It’s also branded by OPPO as we saw in the 2 Pro. Unfortunately, this one is even slower at 5V+1A. However the phone does support 2A charging, so you can pick a 5V+2A charger for better speed.

You also get an old micro USB cable with Realme C1, sure because such a phone won’t have any better option in near future. Specially when its own big sibling didn’t have any better.

If you are not getting the earphones with 2 Pro, you won’t have it with the Realme C1 too. Actually none of the Realme phones currently have bundled earphones. But the phone comes with a protective film is pre-applied on the screen, even though it does carry Gorilla Glass 3 for further protection. That’s all you get with the Realme C1.

Realme C1 Box Contents

The device – Realme C1

Travel charger – 5V+1A

USB cable for Connectivity/Charging

SIM eject tool

User guide

Add-on TPU back cover

Add-on TPU protective film (pre-applied)

Realme C1 – Overview and Features

There is only one variant of the Realme C1, with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. The phone packs with the Qualcomm’s entry-level chipset, the Snapdragon 450 with an octa-core CPU and the Adreno 506 GPU.

The phone comes with a dual-camera setup on the back and single front-facing camera. Along with other basic sensors, Realme C1 also sports with gyroscope sensor so that you could have some AR/VR experience with this entry-level smartphone.

The Realme C1 runs Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box and provides ColorOS 5.1 on top of it. The Realme C1 has a large 4230 mAh battery, but with no fast charging it is gonna take way longer to charge with the bundled 5W charger. Thankfully the phone itself does support 10W charging, so you are good to go with any 10W charger. But still it’s not so good to have it not bundled with the phone.

Available in two color option – Navy Blue and Mirror Black, the Realme C1 features a big 6.2-inch display that is a only 0.1″ smaller than the 2 Pro. However this budget phone only has an HD+ display with 1520×720 resolution on a 19:9 aspect ratio. And this phone comes with a wider notch.

Frankly my advice, to almost every brand out there, is: do not make such devices. For this price range, I personally love to have little smaller screen rather than a large display with this low resolution.

Hands-On with Realme 2 Pro and First Impressions

There is no second opinion that the phone looks great in its price range. Too cool, just like the big brother 2 Pro. In fact they both look same sized in hands with only minor difference of millimeters on paper. The only two difference that you would spot instantly, is the more common top notch and no-fingerprint sensor on the back.

Only the non-existence of a fingerprint sensor makes the back panel so deserted with only the dual-camera on top with an LED flash and the “realme” branding on the lower part.

In this price range, you won’t get anything better than the plastic. The Realme C1 has plastic back panel that mimics glass very nicely. It’s light in weight and gives a nice grip to handle with matte-finish around the frame. The laminated back panel is just prone to attract fingerprints with no difference to the Realme 2 Pro. Not to mention that the scuffing and scratching is easy on such a build type. That’s why Realme gives you the bundled back cover, do use it.

The 6.2-inch display does have a Gorilla Glass to protect against scratches and minor drops but that’s still behind the factory-applied protective film on top. Put a side the low-resolution, the display is quite bright with vivid and pleasing colors.

The phone does not have a fingerprint sensor as mentioned above but it does feature face unlock. Well without any hardware component, it’s quite affordable for companies to provided what’s already in the software. However the Realme C1 is surprisingly fast with the face-unlock. Even though I’d prefer to have a fingerprint sensor but then you are spending just below 20k. It’s better you have a nicely working face unlock feature.

The face unlock also comes with some interesting and useful features. You can set it to unlock only when your eyes are open, to make it more secure. You can choose to stay on the lock screen after unlocking, so you could slide it up to go to home screen. Or you can choose to directly go to home screen after unlocking with face. That’s where you can tell that it’s really fast and does the job in milliseconds.

There is another feature that facilitate the face-unlock, that’s when you raise the phone, it wakes up and instantly detect your face to unlock.

The Realme C1 comes with Android 8.1 Oreo operating system and ColorOS 5.1 on top of it. The software gives you the option to keep the notch or hide it just like the Realme 2 Pro.

Unlike EMUI’s base option of hiding it all the way, this notch always stays on unless chosen to hide for certain apps. This is just a software limit which can be managed in later updates.

Dual Rear and 16MP Front Facing Camera

The Realme 2 Pro features a dual camera setup on the back with a combo of 16-megapixel main unit and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The main one takes care of the most features in camera while the 2MP sensor is only used in Portrait mode to evaluate depth and give a simulate bokeh effect in your closeup shots.

Initial Thoughts

The quick use with Realme C1 was just fine however we can tell about performance after using it. However the phone has equally good feel like the Realme 2 Pro. The large 4230 mAh battery that comes with mere 5W charger is a real objection. Thankfully the phone itself supports 10W charging so it’s a little help but then you would need to buy another charger if you don’t have one.

Stay tuned for an in-depth review coming up soon. Just keep an eye on our Facebook page or Twitter handle to get updated. Do subscribe our website to get instant notifications right into your mailbox.

Realme C1 - Unboxing, First Impressions, Hands-On Preview By the time you reading this, you already know that a new smartphone brand - Realme is launching in Pakistan market with the initial two smartphones – Realme 2 Pro and Realme C1.

#Review #Realme #Realme Pakistan #Realme C1 #Realme C1 price in Pakistan #Realme C1 Review #Realme C1 Review Pakistan #Realme C1 Unboxing #Realme C1 Hands-on #Realme C1 First Impressions

[sight-seeking]

Day 2

June 223rd 2017 Friday

Also known as the day I nearly ruined my trip in break-neck speed.

8:00pm EST-7:00am GMT: The plane ride is a blur of typical plane things. Some of the food is good, some is questionable. Whenever the flight attendant offers me a snack, I take it, saving whatever I don’t want to eat right then for later. Some of the food is good, some is Questionable. The was chicken and salad. I had something that looked like corn, but was kind of mushy like mash potatoes. Was it grits? It tasted that way. I’ll never know, it will forever remain a mystery. I watched three movies before being tired. I had a rough sleep on the plane, only because I was worried I would tip over in my sleep without a neck pillow.

7:30am: We arrive in England. I lose my mind a little bit. I made it! I get caught up in the joy of the moment--when we began our descent and the plane starts shaking. I accept my death a little too easily. “Greetings London, say hello to your doom.” They served breakfast on the plane, but I almost got food poisoning from bad yogurt, and am put off from eating everything else.

8:20am: I get through customs just fine. It took a while. I was in the non-UK line, with a wide collective of people. I glanced over at the UK line and tried to spot the differences between the people in the two. Clothing brands, obviously. But also, trivial things, like shoes and bag choices. People have a certain “look” about them. I wonder what people’s first impression of me will be.

8:30am: In the course of an hour after arriving in England, I experienced a series of unfortunate events. They went as follows:

My phone wouldn't charge on the plane and my laptop was already dead. The UK uses a different outlet and voltage than the USA, so I would have to buy an adapter from on of the airport shops.

I only had on me $8 cash, equaling to roughly 3.69 pounds. And the adapters were over 5 pounds. I tried to use the ATM, but my bank locked down my account because I forgot to tell them I was going to Europe.

My parents and aunt haven’t heard from me in 12 hours. They don’t know how I am.

I try to use one of the payphones at the airport, but the machines eat up most of my coins before I can make a full call. None of the employees are authorized to make international phone calls

I couldn’t call with the little bit of charge that I had because I didn’t have international data and I had no money for a sim card.

So here I am, I have call the bank so I can get money, but I can't call cause my phone's dead and I can't charge it. And I can't charge it, because I need money! Truly the catchiest of catch 22’s. I languish in the error of my ways.

9:30am: I ask a woman at the info desk for help. She tries, but also notes that my accent is very strong. I reel at the statement. Everyone’s accent is strong. As I sit in the airport I hear everyone’s voices, and they all sound very different. The rhythm is different, the intonations.

9:42am: After a round of panicking, I see computer kiosks with internet access. I hesitantly log onto my email and send my dad a message about what has happened. I then realize that I am 5 hours ahead of him, so I must wait until he wakes up to see the email. Cue more panicking.

Over the course of several hours, my dad wakes up, sees my email, contacts me, contacts my bank, I try to talk to every working person in the airport. Waiting at the kiosk for my dad to email me back in antagonizing. I have brought four books with me. I read through three of them over the course of four hours. They are some of my favorites, their worn pages and familiar chapters barely stifle the anxiety running through me. I thought the London airport would be busier, this is London we’re talking about. However, it’s nothing like the Atlanta airport. Atlanta is newer, bolder, flashier. Like Home.

I’m thinking of home already. How cut off from it I am.

Hearing from my dad is mildly comforting, until he tells me the only truth I could face: No one can call the bank to take off the block but me.

2:30pm: After A LOT of asking around, a woman of the Immigration Department lets me make an international call to contact my bank.

2:46pm: I put my card in the ATM and nearly cry when I see money come out. I immediately buy everything I need, and rush to get the heck out of there. When I said I wanted to come to England, I did not want to spend 7 hours of a day stuck at the airport.

3:00pm: I’ve never ridden a train before. I was about to take the London underground but I think, “NO! I came to see London, so I’m going to see London.” I take the Heathrow Express, and ride through the British-

Ok, so it’s not countryside, there was a lot of construction going on, and rail lines, and graffiti. But still! It was different, it was refreshing from that airport. I already picked up on my difference in expectations when I neglected to put my rolling bag in a designated spot. I just sighed and kept it with me, hoping that I could still get a bed at the hostel when I arrived.

3:15pm: I get to Paddington station. It’s a big, bustling hub of people. The design of the building is antiquities and expansive. There are a lot of nice shops around. THIS is what I expected when I first came to London.

3:40pm: After getting lost and mixed up within the station, I finally find my way and start my journey to Hyde park. I need to get to the Astor Hyde Park hostel, it’s where I planned to stay from Friday to Sunday. I think, “I’ve looked at the map enough, I can get there by memory.”

4:00pm: I end up going west instead of south. I’m lost again. I have to pull up the map and backtrack all the way to the park. My legs hate me and I’m bitter. But I really can’t stay mad. London really is beautiful. I know that If I wasn’t so weighed down with bags, I would be taking pictures of everything.

4:55pm: HYDE PARK IS BEAUTIFUL AND HUGE. I internally weep as I walk through it because there are so many amazing monuments and things to see. But I still got my heavy bags that weigh a ton, so I make a mental note to come back around. I see monuments of Victoria and Albert and my breath is just a little bit taken away. People do what they usually do. They picnic, they laugh. Children play, dogs run around. If I wasn’t so tired, I’d be elated.

5:45pm: I make it to the Hostel and check in. It’s a red-and white striped building. I love the design. Inside is a lot of rooms and stairs. The girl at the front desk is so nice! She gets me a bed in a spacious room with a windowed roof. The light pours in softly. There are caged lockers under the beds. I’ve brought a padlock with me, and proceed to break down my bags. I like the room a lot. The only downside is that my bed is under a slanted part of the ceiling. (Within 24, I bang my head on the ceiling twice.)

6:00pm: I have effectually chilled out.

8:00pm: I decide I want to eat out for dinner and experience the city. I go to the Queen Arm’s pub in Kensington, on recommendation of the girl up front. I order a burger, fries, and a (Note: Dad and Mom, it’s perfectly legal, I am adult, and it’s better if I’m honest and upfront now than wishy-washy later) vena otra beer. It’s all a little pricey, but I’m treating myself. I get the drink first.

8:10pm: Before, I thought I hated beer, now I am certain.

 It was bitter and upset my throat. Apologies to those who like beer, but it must be the most acquired of acquired taste. I sipped at it, waiting for my food. The place must have been popular, because there were no more available tables. I was outside standing for a while. I can tell that pubs are good places to go with friends, but I knew no one, and ended up standing alone with my phone, looking for wifi. Note to self: claim a seat before ordering food. I wished I could leave early, but I have wait for my food. The drink is only ¼ sipped.

9:00pm: I must come inside. My food is brought to the counter, and I eat it there. The burger and fries are Wonderful. Completely worth their price and the wait. I think the drink made them more delicious, it’s awful flavor made the food richer. But the beer tasted worse, and not worth the wait. After sipping it down to 4/5, I gave up. It was gross. I should’ve gotten water instead, or at least a soda.

9:49: I finish my plate and leave the pub. There is still light out. I make my way back to the hostel and plop into bed, exhausted. The rest of my time is spent relaxing, and clearing my mind of the day.

10:30pm: I fall asleep, having completely given up on staying awake. The night sky pours into my windowed room.

Welcome to London.

#Day 2