Note: If this is your first time to TotalFluff, please visit this brief explanation. Thanks!
Hi!
A friend shared this list of tips for “nailing a job interview”, and it’s too good not to share. Alas, I don’t know the original source… if you find it, let me know?
Anyway. Enjoy!
Note: If this is your first time to TotalFluff, please visit this brief explanation. Thanks!
Hello!
I’m prewriting this post a couple days in advance, actually, due to stuff coming up. I will probably not get very much sleep during that time.
First, a tiny bit of relevant background. I’m going to have a strict timeframe (48 hours, starting at noon one of the days) to do a thing that will involve minimal sleep. Because I have this specific timeframe, I’m able to try to prep for it.
So, I thought I’d share my caffeination prep I’m using!
(As a second note, I’m usually at a higher-than-necessarily-recommended level of coffeenation. Yes, I spelled that intentionally.)
For the better part of the week leading up to the thing, I worked on getting myself (relatively) off caffeine. So, a couple days of no more than half-caff, or usually decaf.
Then, no more caffeine than available in a cup of green tea, and herbal tea for the rest of the time.
In addition to helping me get off caffeine, this allowed me to catch up on sleep a bit.
4 and 3 days before The Thing, I added a normal cup of coffee back into the mix. You see, I don’t want to be completely off caffeine before starting. That can lead to unanticipated jitteriness, and hypercaffeination by mistake, which would cause problems.
2 and 1 days before The Thing, I was back to the half-caff / decaf route. (Less than the equivalent of one of my usual size cups of coffee, though.)
This enabled me to get sleep. At least, theoretically. I had a couple issues between night 2 and 1, but that was probably at least in part due to being on YouTube. That’s a very distracting rabbit hole! So really, the system can’t be blamed.
And now (well, as you’re reading this, not as I’m writing this) I’m doing The Thing. Since it’s worked previously, I’m guessing it will work now to help keep me awake.
I hope that helps, next time you have 48 hours where it’s nice to not need to sleep!
have a lovely Tuesday!
Note: If this is your first time to TotalFluff, please visit this brief explanation. Thanks!
Greetings, readers.
I have encountered a new problem on the Internet concerning terminology: People are getting confused between “Life hacks” and “DIYs”.
I am here to elaborate.
If you are making something yourself that you can purchase, such as a cat bed using hangers and a t-shirt, that is a Do It Yourself (DIY) project.
If you are doing something to make life easier, that does not end up as a final product that you could sell for money (such as heating towels in the dryer right before giving a dog a bath, to make the dogs less unhappy about the cleaning ritual), that is a life hack.
Thank you, and have a nice day.
Note: If this is your first time to TotalFluff, please visit this brief explanation. Thanks!
Hiya, Fluffsters!
As you may have noticed, one of the things I like to do is talk. And interact with people. I like conversing.
Sometimes, though, it seems as though people don’t know how to carry on a conversation. So I have some tips for you today!
1) Listen. Or pay attention to what the other person is saying. This is one of the more common tips. This brings us to point 0.
0) Know how to ask questions. If you don’t ask questions, or guide the conversation in any way, you might be stuck with the annoying awkward silences. This is also a way to start conversations.
So assuming you’ve gotten through points 0 and 1, which help with the starting the conversation and stuff, here are some tips for keeping a conversation going.
2) Ask follow-up questions. Is your chatting-buddy doing something interesting in her life? Has she said that she’s going to be writing a paper soon? Ask her what it’s about! (Unless it’s obvious… You know, pay attention.) Has he said he’ll be going home for the summer? Ask if he has any plans in mind! It’s not that difficult… sometimes.
3) Turn-the-question. If you’ve been answering a question that can be turned around to ask your chatting-buddy, do so! Have you been answering “what plans do you have for Memorial Day?” Ask him back!
And with those simple steps, you should be able to keep the conversation going for at least 10 seconds.
Have fun conversing!
Note: If this is your first time to TotalFluff, please visit this brief explanation. Thanks!
Hi, Fluffsters!
Last night, due to random interweb spazzigoofiness, a friend and I discovered a different way to use Skype. It was quite fun, and it actually worked pretty well!
A) coordinate with the person you’re skyping to use this setup. (It wouldn’t work as well if you’re the only one doing it.)
Second) video-skype with them. (This is necessary.)
3) Turn off sound / Mic. (Keep video on.) This is also necessary.
Next) Let hilarity ensue. (Acting out emoticons is only semi-optional. Especially since the Skype ones are so animated.)
Have fun!
Note: If this is your first time to TotalFluff, please visit this brief explanation. Thanks!
Hey, Fluffsters!
Last night, I was up a bit too late again. But that was in part because of writing this post. But enough excuses. The main reason I stayed up too late was because I discovered a fun technique on Photoshop. I found a way to make fake windows!
All it took was a couple photos, Photoshop, and about 10 minutes… once I knew what I was doing
So, the two photos are completely separate, and started from these:
This is the original view the “window” looks out on
This is the one in the “frame”.
I next distorted the “view” picture using glass effects. I used the “frosted” glass option. For this one, I went with a small amount of distortion and a large amount of “smoothness”.
I then used vectors to create my frame shape, used a wood pattern I created a while ago to make the window look wooden, and bevelled the heck out of that layer. (Play around with it until you get something you like.) I used the “hard chisel” Inwards.
To create the frame shape, I used the rectangle tool. Next, I took three rectangles “out” of the shape, by using the “subtract” option on the rectangle tool. That’s what gives it the multi-paned look.
Have fun with the wood pattern… I don’t remember how I did that one.
Next I copied the “framed picture” into the image I was working with, on a layer above the frame. I resized it, and moved it to where I wanted. Next, I gave it a fairly thick black stroke. Make sure it’s thick- you’re going to bevel this one, too.
So as I just said, go to bevel. Use the “stroke” bevel. Make sure the depth is less than the thickness of your stroke.
Next, create a new layer the size of your “framed picture”. (This will be your shadow.) Fill it with a dark color, and move it behind your frame. Skew it until it gets to be about the shape you want. Turn the setting to “Multiply”. Then give it a “box blur.” (Again, play around with the settings until you like what it shows.)
And that’s it!
I’ve done a few others of these windows, and just reuse the window frame. (And really, that’s the hardest part. So once you create one, you’re set for a while!)
And there you have it! Other possibilities include “taping” pictures to the window or window frame. Or create more “framed pictures” to go on the “window sill.”
Then you can either use it as a desktop background on your computer (and look “outside” when you’re not working), or you can maybe stick it on a wall to give yourself an extra cool window.
Have fun!
Note: If this is your first time to TotalFluff, please visit this brief explanation. Thanks!
Hello, Fluffsters!
Something that people do is they get excited. And when they get excited they do things to try to express the excitement. Here is a list of things to do that I’ve come up with. (I may or may not use any/all of them…)
1) Bounce. This one’s very easy, and has many ranges. For simple bouncing, start with a flat-footed position. Transfer your weight to your toes, and raise your heels. (Basically go up on tip-toe.) Then, return to your flatfooted resting position.
1b) Advanced bouncing. For more advanced forms of bouncing, once you are on your toes, add a small jump in, land back on your toes, and only then return to your flatfooted position.
1c) Trickiest Bouncing.For the most advanced form of bouncing, which I have not yet mastered, increase the jump size, aim your feet towards a wall or a ceiling, and hit said wall or ceiling. You are now bouncing off walls.
Disclaimer: If you try this type of bouncing, be sure to land back on your feet. We at TotalFluff are not held liable for any damage that may come from attempting anything on this site.
2) Hug someone. I’d suggest getting their permission first. Or at least make sure you know the person before you give them a hug. Hugging a random stranger sometimes gets you weird looks…
…Is that the voice of experience speaking?
I’m… not going to answer that one.
3) Do a cartwheel, or other gymnastics. I actually haven’t done this one. But I wish I could- it looks like a great way to express excitement!
4) Talk to a friend. As long as they’ll even somewhat understand why you’re excited. (It’s annoying to talk to people who give you a confused, “okay, dear, whatever you say” look when you’re super excited(!) about something.) The shrieks of excitement are always fantastic.
Yup. That’s about what I can come up with. What about you? Do you do anything when you’re feeling really excited?
Note: If this is your first time to TotalFluff, please visit this brief explanation. Thanks!
Hello, Fluffsters! It’s still really hot where I am. So I’m continuing tips on staying cool. Today I’m talking about how to do an…
It’s really easy. The bare necessities are some sort rectangular papery substance that holds a fold. The thicker the paper, the more air flow you can get, but almost any type of paper will work. (I would not use rice paper or origami paper, but I suppose you can.)
The optional first step is to color a picture on your paper. This is particularly fun for kids, and makes a great time-sink for them.
Your blank page. Hold it like this.
To start the fold, take one of the sides of your paper, and fold it in (on top of the rest of the paper) by about an inch or so.
The first fold.
Next, take both parts of your fold, and fold that part back the same amount.
Second Fold
After that, keep alternating. Fold in, then out, then in, then out…
You’ll eventually end up with something like these:
side view of folded paper
Each line (except the end ones) are fold lines.
Then you’ll want to gather the bottom of your fan closer together, for easier hold.
Front view of the (almost) finished fan.
After that, just start using your fan as you would any other! Stiffer paper fans can provide lots of air flow and are very useful. I hope you can stay cool!
Note: If this is your first time to TotalFluff, please visit this brief explanation. Thanks!
Hello, Fluffsters!
As I mentioned yesterday, where I am currently living is quite warm and muggy this time of year. As I really dislike over heating, I’ve found a few ways of cooling off.
1) Cold water on your wrists, the back of your neck, and inside of your arms. Then stand in front of a fan, or anywhere with moving air. It doesn’t keep you cool for very long, but it really helps to cool you off at least temporarily.
2) Drink LOTS of cold liquids. Water, of course, is the healthiest. My biggest problem is that after about a glass of water, the taste really starts to bug me. My solution, recently, has been to drop in about a sliced quarter of lemon. It adds enough flavor, and is refreshing, to make the water drinkable. Be sure to have as much ice as possible, too.
Needless to say, hot water doesn’t work very well for this.
It’s also best to use thinner liquids, at least from my experience. Unless you can get a smoothie. Then always get the smoothy.
3) Find a nice cool wall to lean against. I am really good at this one. A couple of years ago, my bed was right up against a cinderblock wall. It was lovely. The wall was always cold, and so if I got hot in the middle of the night I could just throw off the blankets and rest my back against the wall. That really helps cool you off.
4) Cold showers. They’re wonderful for cooling you down. You might start with warmer water, and then work your way down in temperature. Regardless, there are few things quite so refreshing as a cold shower!
But how about you, Fluffsters? Do you have any favorite ways of keeping cool?
Note: If this is your first time to TotalFluff, please visit this brief explanation. Thanks!
Gee, not thinking of any particular ideas for your Fluff Posts, Webmaster?
…Maybe.
But just tonight’s. Until inspiration hit. (Spoiler alert.) Because, you see, I realized what I could write abou- Oops. more spoilers. Sorry.
I should probably just start the post.
If it even qualifies as a post…
Hey! Of course it does! But that’s another digression. So, without further ado:
1) Look at the clock. Realize that it’s only 9:00pm on the 22nd. (12:00am on the 23rd Fluff Time.) You’ve got plenty of time to start spinning some yarn/thread/stuff before you need to start writing a fluff post! It’s a whole nine hours before it needs to be up and ready!
2) Lose track of time while wasting time. Look up at the clock again at about 11:00pm. Realize you’ve still got a bit of time before you were planning on going to bed.
3) Make some tea, and start thinking about the Fluff Topic. I would go with coffee, but that takes work. These days, for writing stuff, I’m going with Tea, Earl Grey, Hot. (I’ve always wanted to say that! Yay!)
You and your life goals…
Huh, yeah! I have just achieved a life goal! That’s fun!
But back to the list.
3b) “brainstorm”. Otherwise known as look around the internet, wander your current location aimlessly, and maybe read a book. All to get “inspired”, of course.
By this time, it’s a bit after midnight. You meant to go to bed about 15 minutes ago. Woops. Time to start thinking in earnest…
4) Focus. Fabric. Fabric is a good option- it’s fluffy, right?. Go to fabric.com to drool over all the fabrics available online that you can’t afford yet. Well, that you might be able to afford, but realize that you just bought about 5-10 yards of fabric recently that you haven’t started to use yet, and realize that you really shouldn’t get any more fabric. Even if it’s penguin printed fabric. More to the point, penguin printed fabric that would match your penguin socks perfectly.
I wonder if I could justify making a skirt out of this? Do I have any shirts that would work? Is it bad form to use flannels like that for adult(ish) apparel! Can I justify buying any of the fabric? Can I even afford how much it would take? ($13 a yard? No thanks!)
And I’m digressing again.
4b) Realize you can’t use fabric.com exclusively for your fluff post. Especially if you haven’t actually ordered anything from there (which I personally haven’t.) Besides, there’ve been enough posts on this blog about other websites already.
5) Stare at your messy counters. Realize that you’ve already written a post about how to messify any surface in just a few simple steps… there goes that stroke of inspiration.
6) Realize that you just passed your 175th blog post, so can’t even write about that. (Yay Fluff, though! Over 175 posts, and almost 6 months of daily blogging! Woohoo!)
7) Realize that what doesn’t kill you gives you stories. (Ooh, I should make a cafepress design out of that! I’ll let you know if I do.)
8) Enter Inspiration: Decide to write about writing a fluff post. The day is saved! And it’s only 12:30 am- still only about a half hour after “the latest I’m going to bed tonight, period.” (Hah!)
9) Get sidetracked by a conversation with Fluffy about what this post is going to be about. And give spoilers. You can’t forget the spoilers.
10) Start writing. Get up to point ten (Hey, look at that!) and wonder whether you should include pictures in your post.
11) Decide yes, and then decide to ignore that decision. And the sudden itch in your fingers to pick up a pen and try to figure out how to illustrate this post.
12) Realize that it’s almost 1:00am, and that you can always update the post later.
13) finish the post, have the final conversation with Fluffy (if it happens), double check everything, realize that you’re linking to this post in this post, yadda yadda, schedule for the post to go up at 9:00am on July 23rd, decide that you’ve gotten too little sleep and should therefore go to bed, follow through on that decision, and get ready for bed. And hopefully end up actually getting some sleep. (This hasn’t happened yet as I’m writing. It will hopefully have happened by the time you’re reading. Because time is weird like that, and so are blogs and stuff.)
So there you go, Fluffsters! That’s how to write today’s post in 13 circuitous steps. Happy Tuesday!
Wait, what about the final conversation with me? It didn’t happen!
You mean the one we’re having now?
…Oh. Yes.
I think it sort of slipped my mind.
Anyways, as I was saying, happy Tuesday! I hope you have a fantastic week!
bonus: 14) Waffles) Realize that somewhere in there you took a screencap of how this post is the 1337-est post yet. Insert that picture, and an ambiguous timeframe. Is this supposed to have happened before or after I go to bed?
The Leetest post yet!
blue) Change what had been 14 above to waffles. Ambiguous times in lists and instructions are even more confusing when you have numbered lists. So ignore the numbers, and change it to something nonsensical. Return to the rest of 14 as usual.
So, once again: Happy Tuesday!
**update** Disclaimer: Results may vary, based on word choice. Simply following these directions does not guarantee that an identical post might easily be written.