Like microwave popcorn, but don’t want to risk chipping a tooth on one of the rock-like kernels that never met its potential? Get rid of unpopped kernels with a simple shake. After removing your popcorn from the microwave, carry the bag to a garbage can. Pull the bag open only enough that the opening is slightly larger than an unpopped kernel. Turn the bag upside down and shake the bag up and down vigorously for 10-15 seconds. Gravity will cause the unpopped kernels to fall from the bag and then out into the garbage, and the fluffy popped corn will remain in the bag. Enjoy!
Decorate your house on the cheap (or make great gifts for friends) by creating your own scented candles. Tutorial site WikiHow explains that you need paraffin wax, stearic acid, a glass, a wick with wick sustainer, fragrance oil, a metal pouring jug, a thermometer, colour block, and a double boiler/metal bowl over a saucepan of boiling water. Once you secure this exhaustive list of items, you’re well on your way to create an aromatic candle that can last a long time. You’ll need to mix all the ingredients together over a flame, but be sure that your ratio of stearic acid to wax is proportionate. Add fragrance and then fix the wick in place. Keep pouring the wax (slowly!) until the candle is complete, and then leave it to dry. As long as you follow the directions closely, you can really make a fun personalised gift—add your friends’ favourite fragrance and you’re good to go! How to Make a Scented Candle in a Glass [WikiHow]
Do-it-yourselfer poptones has a workbench he actually works on, but doesn’t necessarily want to see destroyed. So he bought a box of 100 super-cheap mouse pads, ripped the flimsy covering off, and uses the soft, impact-resistant stuff inside to create a custom-fit desktop, one that’s easily repaired if something burns, spills, or dents it. His idea works great for a workbench, but other surfaces around the house could benefit from a no-worry, slip-free covering. Hit the link below for some truly DIY upholstery. The ultimate workbench top! [Instructables]
Author of Snow Crash, Cryptonomicon and other geeky tomes Neal Stephenson described how he wrote his first book at a 2003 USENIX keynote speech. After an editor accepted his book proposal, Stephenson had to complete the manuscript quickly: With all his vacation time and the 4th of July holiday there were 10 days, in which to write a novel. He rented a modern typewriter, secluded himself in his apartment and started to type. Soon a problem appeared: the typewriter had a modern plastic ribbon. The plastic mellowed and became sticky: it was July in Iowa City, and the apartment was hot. The only way to prevent the ribbon from getting stuck is to keep the ribbon moving. And the only way to keep the ribbon moving is to keep pressing the keys.
Webapp NowDoThis displays the most important item on your to-do list in a clean and simple interface. Hit the “done” button and NowDoThis shows you the next most important item. To get started, enter your to-do list into NowDoThis’ simple text area in order of importance, as shown. Save your list and NowDoThis (otherwise known as “the boss”) will spit out the most important directive. Press the “done” button and NowDoThis displays the next one. When your list is complete and the boss has nothing to yell back at you, you can feel like you’ve accomplished something. NowDoThis is extremely simple, especially for those 3-4 most important tasks of the day; it’s one of the most basic (yet useful) to-do lists I’ve ever seen. Thanks, Mark! NowDoThis
