Use This Browser Extension to Decide If You Should Book Your Flight With Rewards or Cash

If you aren't up on airline award travel as a frequent flyer, or you're just not someone who likes to be in the weeds of rewards, deciding when to use your points or miles for a flight versus paying in cash can feel overwhelming. There are several tools out there to help you make this decision, one of which—Points Path—now integrates directly with Google Flights.

Points Path currently searches award prices through American AAdvantage, Delta Air Lines SkyMiles, and United Airlines MileagePlus and compares them with cash fares (the company says more loyalty programs are being added in the coming weeks).

Points Path isn't the only option for comparing rewards redemption to cash prices. We've written before about a similar tool, Roame.travel, which also searches for deals. At the moment, Roame is more robust in that it covers 16 airline loyalty programs and a handful of credit card reward systems (including Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards) as well as points transfer recommendations. However, it does have some limitations, such as only pulling one-way fares, and is a separate search engine from Google Flights.

How to use Points Path

To use Points Path, you'll first need to install the browser extension. The service is currently only available on Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge, though a Safari version is expected to launch in the future. Points Path requires you to provide your name and email address—and join their mailing list—through their website, after which they will send you a link to download the extension. (The extension does not come up in the Chrome Web Store search.) Click through the email to add the extension to your browser.

Next, navigate to Google Flights and search for your itinerary. The results will show the cash rate and then retrieve the award price for each flight, including miles and taxes/fees. You'll also get a recommendation arrow for booking with cash vs. miles. If the airline isn't covered by Points Path, or if an award seat isn't available, that'll be noted next to the specific flight.

Credit: Emily Long

From there, use Google Flights as normal, including filters. You can select the flights you want to build your itinerary, then click Continue under Booking options. Points Path's step-by-step guide indicates that you'll be redirected to their website first and then can click through to the airline, but when I searched, it took me straight to Delta (and American), auto-filled my specific search details, and returned the award ticket I'd selected for me to book.

Note that Points Path's recommendations are based on the estimated value of airline miles, which keeps it simple for price comparison but leaves out other considerations, such as cancellation/change fees, mileage earning and redeposit policies, and cabin and fare limitations. So while you may pay less upfront for an award ticket, it may cost you more if you have to make any changes down the line. Make sure you know what you're buying before you finalize your purchase.

Finally, while Points Path's limited airline coverage may make it less useful for some travelers for now, it's nice to have the integration with Google Flights versus a separate search engine.

from News https://ift.tt/mOV9l20
via IFTTT

Cozy Up With a Different Kind of Dumpling

Some of the greatest comfort foods involve carbs, cheese, and cream. I’d like to bring dumplings into the spotlight. While there are as many dumpling variations as there are people on this planet (only slightly exaggerating), lately I’ve been cozying up with Swiss capuns. If you’ve never heard of these leaf-enrobed, cream-bathed parcels, you’re in for a treat. 

These savory bundles had never before entered my universe until a couple months ago, and it took a layover in Zürich to make that happen. While there were a lot of things I enjoyed eating in my brief 14-hour stay (yes, a lot of chocolate happened), the capuns stuck with me.

Swiss capuns are from Graubünden in Switzerland, but they’re eaten widely, and recipes seem to vary from family to family. They’re composed of a simple flour dumpling paste that can include bits of dried meat, cheese, or herbs, and rolled up in a blanched leaf of Swiss chard. The verdant morsels are draped in a cream sauce and baked with a foil lid. The steam from the small pool of cream builds in the dish and gently cooks the dumpling.

They’re served with the cream sauce, topped with cheese, and eaten hot. 

The dumpling filling is savory and hearty, the cream sauce is rich and decadent, but my favorite part is the chard leaf. It tastes like spinach but less bitter, a bit earthier, and with more structural integrity. The leafy green brings a flavorful balance to the rich ingredients—a perfect match for the cheese and cream. In other words, eating four or six feels like a reasonable serving. Eat them alongside a roast chicken, a stew, or any main dish that’ll stick to your ribs.

How to make capuns

1. Blanch your chard

Bring about six cups of water to a boil in a wide pot. Cut the stems off about 10 medium-to-large chard leaves. I cut the stem just at the base of the leaf. When the water boils, add a heavy pinch of salt and drop in a few leaves. Blanch them for 45 seconds and move them to a tea towel or a few layers of paper towel to dry off. Repeat with all of the leaves. 

2. Make the dumpling mixture

Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann

In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients—flour, salt, pepper, nutmeg—with the parsley. Toss to combine. Add the eggs, oil, and milk, and mix until just combined. Don’t mix it until smooth or the dumpling can get tough. Finely chop and pan fry a shallot. Add it into the batter along with shredded cheese and chopped cured meat. In Switzerland they use salsiz, but you can use salami, or even chop up ham or bacon if that’s what you have. 

3. Shape the capuns

Cut a small notch out at the base of the stem to make rolling easier. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann

This is optional but I found it made rolling easier. At the base of each chard leaf, cut the widest part of the stem out in a small triangle. You can see the notch missing from the leaf in the picture. Add a tablespoon or so of the batter to the base of the leaf. Fold the sides up onto the filling first, then roll it up to the tip of the leaf. Place the capun in a buttered baking dish, seam-side down. Repeat this with all of the batter. Err on the side of thinner capuns; they will be more balanced and tender. I used too much dumpling dough in my capuns, which I realized later. They were still good but just a little too heavy. 

4. Add the cream sauce and bake

Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann

In a measuring cup, combine the broth (I used beef, but chicken or vegetable are great too), salt, and the cream. Pour this around the capuns into the dish. Top each roll with shavings of Emmentaler cheese, or any hard, melty cheese, like parmesan or gruyère. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 400°F for 15 minutes, or until the cream sauce is bubbling. Be careful of steam when unwrapping. Top the dish with more shredded cheese, and serve hot.

These capuns taste best when fresh but you can save leftovers covered in the fridge, and reheat them in the microwave for 20 seconds or so.

Capuns Recipe (Swiss chard wrapped dumplings)

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cup flour

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

• 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley

• 2 eggs

• ½ tablespoon oil

• ½ cup milk

• 1 shallot, minced

• ¼ cup chopped salami

• ¼ cup shredded parmesan

• 6 leaves of Swiss Chard, stem trimmed

For the sauce:

• ½ cup cream

• ½ cup broth

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• Shaved emmentaler cheese (for topping)

1. Blanch the chard for 45 seconds and blot them dry with a paper towel. Butter a casserole dish and preheat the oven to 400°F.

2. In a small frying pan, lightly oiled, fry the minced shallot until translucent. Set aside.

3. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and parsley until combined. Add the eggs, oil, milk, shallot, salami, and parmesan cheese. Mix until just combined (it will be lumpy.)

4. Lay out one leaf of chard. Add a shallow tablespoon of the batter at the base of the leaf. Fold the sides up on the batter and then begin rolling from the base to the end of the leaf. It will look like a little green package. Place it in the buttered baking dish. Repeat this with the remaining batter and chard leaves. 

5. In a measuring cup, combine the broth, salt, and heavy cream. Pour this into the casserole dish. Top each capun with shavings of emmentaler cheese. Cover the dish completely with foil and bake for 15 minutes. The cream sauce will be boiling and the dumplings will be perfectly steamed. Be careful when removing the foil, the steam is hot. Serve the capuns in a puddle of cream sauce.

from News https://ift.tt/vx5fCVB
via IFTTT

6 Best Prana Deals Right Now: Jackets, Leggings, and Other Great Apparel on Sale

Get fantastic, adventure-ready pants and cozy layers for a great price with these deals from Prana.

from Feed: All Latest https://ift.tt/UoF3p57
via IFTTT

Hulu Shows Jarring Anti-Hamas Ad Likely Generated With AI

The ad, which appears to be made using generative AI, shows how the technology can be used not just to mislead, but to more subtly influence.

from Feed: All Latest https://ift.tt/aGB0dMQ
via IFTTT

The Best Doorbell Cameras to Buy in 2024

Doorbell cameras allow you to see who's at the door without actually getting up (or even being home). Or you might consider a doorbell camera for security—to prevent porch theft, monitor parked cars, or even to check on pets moving around the property. The best doorbell cameras work well in various lighting conditions, allow you to keep an eye on visitors, and communicate clearly.

Before buying a doorbell camera

If you are considering buying a doorbell camera, you should keep an eye out for the following features:

• Wired vs wireless: In general, wired cameras are better for people who want lower maintenance. There's no hassle of recharging the battery with wired cameras.

• Storage: Ideally you want a doorbell camera that lets you store footage on the cloud so that you can access it easily wherever you go.

• Video quality: You should opt for a doorbell camera that has night vision and where the quality is good enough to discern faces in all lighting conditions.

• Field of view: A doorbell camera should capture a wide enough view for you to monitor your driveway, yard, or porch.

• Notification speed: Your doorbell camera should send alerts quickly—you don't want to miss out on visitors or package deliveries because the alert came too late.

• Audio quality: It's a good idea to check mic quality when you get a doorbell camera. You should be able to hear visitors clearly (and vice versa).

• Smart home platform: The doorbell you pick should be compatible with the smart home platform of your choice, such as Google Home, Alexa, or Apple's HomeKit. This will ensure better compatibility with your other smart home devices.

Sometimes the only way to test these features is by buying a product. You can test it out and return the product if it's not working as well as you hoped.

Privacy concerns with doorbell cameras

Before you spend on a doorbell camera, you should know that almost all of the companies making these devices tend to cooperate with law enforcement agencies. Footage recorded from your camera could be made available to police or other government agencies without your consent. Some of these doorbell camera companies require a subpoena or a warrant for this, but others cooperate even without that. You can stop this by purchasing a camera that supports end-to-end encryption and enabling that feature, but you can never totally be sure about your privacy. Some data ends up leaking on to the cloud in many cases, so it's best to be aware of what you're getting into before you make a purchase.

Best doorbell camera for a tight budget

Credit: Arlo

The Arlo Essential Video Doorbell has a lot of good features at a sub-$100 price. You get night vision, 180° field of view, and the ability to identify people or animals. Some features, such as longer video clips, cloud storage, and improved identification, are locked behind the Arlo Secure subscription. This starts at $7.99 per month for a single camera, which is a reasonable price.

Buy: Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (currently $72.83)

Best doorbell camera with quick alerts and face detection

Credit: Google

The Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) offers something that most competitors do not—up to three hours of free event video history stored on the cloud. Event video history is a term used for motion or other events detected by the smart doorbell. You can top it up by getting a Nest Aware subscription at either $8 or $15 per month, depending on the plan you select. With Nest Aware, you get longer video history and on the pricier plan, continuous video recording history too. The Nest Doorbell is great for sending quick alerts and detecting faces of people you know; its paid subscription supports unlimited devices.

Buy: Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) (currently $168)

Best premium doorbell camera

Credit: Ring

If you want to splurge on top-notch features, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is a good option. Its best feature is Bird's Eye View, which shows you an aerial view to track movements in certain zones around your home. This camera offers better quality video and audio than many of its competitors, which could help some people justify the additional cost. You can also set up the camera to take photos at regular intervals in case you want to monitor your yard for trespassing. To use alerts and cloud storage, you'll have to get a Ring Protect subscription, which starts at $3.99 per month for one camera.

Buy: Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 ($249.99)

Best doorbell camera for package tracking

Credit: Eufy

Eufy's Dual Camera Video Doorbell (S330) is great for people who dislike monthly subscription fees and want a doorbell camera that can track people and packages. It has two cameras, with the second one pointing toward the floor. This way you can always have an eye on packages delivered to your front door. 

Buy: Eufy Dual Camera Video Doorbell Wired (S330) (currently $129.99)

from News https://ift.tt/oAvR7NV
via IFTTT

The ‘Take Our Border Back’ Convoy Is Already a Complete Mess

Instead of immigrants, the group of extremists mostly battled each other, paranoia, and their GPS systems.

from Feed: All Latest https://ift.tt/JSBP78d
via IFTTT

US Lawmakers Tell DOJ to Quit Blindly Funding ‘Predictive’ Police Tools

Members of Congress say the DOJ is funding the use of AI tools that further discriminatory policing practices. They're demanding higher standards for federal grants.

from Feed: All Latest https://ift.tt/9WkVpbq
via IFTTT

The George Carlin ‘AI’ Standup Creators Now Say a Human Wrote the Jokes

A lawsuit filed by Carlin's manager will still move forward.

from Feed: All Latest https://ift.tt/3xfoUVl
via IFTTT

Best Hair Dryers and Diffusers (2024): Blow-Dryers, Brushers, and Diffusers

We tried blow-dryers, brushes, and a machine that sucks up your locks like a vacuum. These are our top tools to dry your do.

from Feed: All Latest https://ift.tt/N6BxmyJ
via IFTTT

10 Best TVs We've Tested (2024): Cheap, 4K, 8K, OLED, and Tips

From LCDs to fancy OLED models, these are our favorite televisions at every price.

from Feed: All Latest https://ift.tt/TDNQZzX
via IFTTT

Ecoflow Glacier Review: A Portable Refrigerator for Wherever You Go

Forget the ice chest. Bring the full power of a portable refrigerator on your next outing into the wilds.

from Feed: All Latest https://ift.tt/Ui2NP7g
via IFTTT

Black Twitter Remains Unbothered

Many Black users who stayed amid the chaos and change on the platform, now named X, have found a renewed sense in what originally fascinated them: the mundanity in connection.

from Feed: All Latest https://ift.tt/RCDe0s1
via IFTTT

You Can Get Microsoft Project Pro 2021 on Sale for $30 Right Now

You can get Microsoft Project Professional 2021 for PC on sale for $29.99 right now (reg. $249). It comes with built-in reports offering easy-to-read information that can help save project managers time and frustration--things like automatically populating begin/end dates, running what-if scenarios, and visually representing complex schedules. It can also sync up with Project Online and Project Server, and Microsoft Project also supports Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) and compatibility with Office LTSC and Office 2021. This offer is available to new users only, though.

You can get Microsoft Project Professional 2021 for PC on sale for $29.99 right now (reg. $249), though prices can change at any time.

from News https://ift.tt/ULZNhWC
via IFTTT

The Best New Movies to Stream This Week

If you're looking for a great movie to watch this weekend, I have you covered. There weren't a ton of original-to-streaming flicks released in the last week—reverberations from the writers and actors strikes—but every movie is new if you've never seen it before, right? Whether you're in the mood for a thoughtful political documentary, an inspirational movie about tennis, or a retro horror-comedy about clowns from outer space, there's sure to be something out there for you.

King Richard (2021)

In this sports biopic, Will Smith plays Richard Williams, father of tennis phenoms Venus and Serena Williams. Smith turns in one of the best performances of his career (and earned an Academy Award for Best Actor) as his daughters’ coach in this inspirational story that examines family, dedication, and the sacrifices that come from the pursuit of excellence.

Where to stream: Hulu

The Imitation Game (2014) 

In a role he was practically born for, Benedict Cumberbatch plays pioneering computer scientist Alan Turing in this historical thriller. Turing, along with a cadre of other cryptology nerds and outcasts, legit saved the world by cracking the Enigma Code during World War 2, and was rewarded with years of post-war persecution and abuse for being gay. The Imitation Game mostly sticks to the more exciting “we’ve gotta break the code!” part of Turing’s life story as opposed to his depressing later days.

Where to stream: Hulu

Astro Kid (2019)

Astro Kid proves that great CGI films can come from places other than Pixar or Illumination. This charming film comes from France, and its quieter style is nice contrast to over-amped American animation. The titular Astro Kid is Willy, a resourceful 10-year-old who is marooned on a distant planet with only a robot to keep him company. While it’s aimed at kids, parents will be delighted (or at least entertained) as well.

Where to stream: Prime (FreeVee)

The Other Zoey (2023)

A romantic comedy doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel, and The Other Zoey doesn’t try to. Instead, it focuses on hitting beats that have worked since Shakespeare did them (a meet-cute, mistaken identity, nothing-in-common-lovers, etc.) especially well. Genuinely witty dialogue, charismatic performances, and a breezy plot add up to a better-than-average rom-com.

Where to stream: Prime Video

Train to Busan (2016)

Train to Busan sets itself apart from the horde of zombie movies through its breakneck-pace, interesting setting—it takes place almost entirely on a train—and its surprisingly heartfelt emotional core. Busan uses the dead rising to explore capitalism, class, and the price of modernity, but you can ignore that if you want to simply enjoy a rip-roaring undead explosion instead.

Where to stream: Netflix

Shoplifters (2018)

Shoplifters examines the petty-criminal underworld of Japan through a family that survives via five-finger-discount, stealing what they need to get by in a cold world. Shoplifters’ life-on-the-margin characters are portrayed with rare compassion and humanity, leading to a conclusion that will stay with you long after the credits. 

Where to stream: Hulu

The Fight (2020)

The American Civil Liberties Union was busy during the Trump years. This documentary details some of the battles the ACLU fought during that time, following four overworked, idealistic attorneys on the forefront of protecting immigrants rights, trans rights, election integrity, and even the rights of white supremacists to hold rallies (the ACLU knife cuts both ways). It’s a fascinating look at the frontline of the fight for rights that you’ll find fascinating if you can deal with reliving those tumultuous days.

Where to stream: Hulu

Hail Satan? (2019)

If you're into documentaries about civil rights, why not make it a double feature and check out Hail Satan? This film explores the activities of The Satanic Temple, who use confrontational tactics to fight assaults on freedom of speech and the separation of Church and State. They also have a good time, because protecting our rights is way more fun with Satan.

Where to stream: Max

The King of Comedy (1983)

If you haven’t seen Martin Scorsese’s 1982 masterpiece The King of Comedy in a few years, revisit it tonight; it's even better on the second or twelfth viewing. An obvious inspiration for The Joker, The King of Comedy eviscerates celebrity culture and the American myth of “making it” through ingenuity and pluck. It’s not an uplifting movie, but it's unforgettable.

Where to stream: Hulu

Baby Driver (2017)

Baby Driver features car chases and heists that are twice as exciting as anything in any Fast and Furious movie and it’s smart and stylish, too. The Baby of the title is a savant at one thing: Driving. He works as the getaway driver for a gang of thieves, but Baby wants out. All that stands behind him and freedom is one last job. Spoiler: it doesn't go smoothly.

Where to stream: Prime (FreeVee)

Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)

Forget Stephen King's It; Killer Klowns from Outer Space is the best murderous clown movie ever made. This made-for-the-cult-section horror comedy still holds up after all these years thanks to its over-the-top production design, inventive effects, and nutty story. If you’re a fan of movies that don’t take themselves too seriously, check out Killer Klowns.

Where to stream: Prime

Return to Seoul (2023)

Cambodian-French director Davy Chou explores and explodes widespread myths about identity and culture through main character Frédérique Benoît’s journey to Korea. Freddie (as she’s called) was born in Korea and adopted by a French family, and now she’s a 25-year-old traveler who casually ends up in a “homeland” she has little connection to. If you’re hoping for a standard “finding cultural and personal identity” story, this isn’t it; it’s way more nuanced and complex than that. 

Where to stream: Prime

Last week's picks

The Kitchen (2024)

This British production combines social commentary and science fiction by setting its story in the gritty public housing estates of a-few-years-from-now England. In the "future," the British government has largely stopped providing state services to poor residents of The Kitchen, a sprawling project in London. The British government still provides police to oppress people, though. Izi sells funeral plans to his neighbors in The Kitchen, and has saved enough to finally move out of the slums, but his escape is complicated when he meets a teenage boy mourning his dead mother.

Where to stream: Netflix

Sixty Minutes (2024)

This German-made MMA action flick doesn’t have a complicated plot, but it doesn’t need one. Octavia, a mixed martial artist, has only 60 minutes to travel across Berlin to his daughter’s birthday party, but a large chunk of the criminal underworld is trying to stop him. Octavia, as you’d expect, has to fight basically everyone in the city if he hopes to arrive home on time. That’s enough story for me to be totally in on this pulse-pounding adrenaline-fest.

Where to stream: Netflix

Cats (2019)

A list of movies you might watch this weekend doesn’t necessarily mean good movies. Cats is definitely not a good movie. Cats, as Roger Ebert once described God Told Me To, “isn't the bottom of the barrel. This movie isn't below the bottom of the barrel. This movie doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence with barrels.” You should watch Cats anyway (and God Told me To), because it’s instructive and fascinating. Wondering how hundreds of talented professionals spent millions of dollars and ended up making this cynical piece of garbage is a fascinating mental exercise. Every scene in Cats will have you asking, "who thought this was a good idea? How is it possible?"

Where to stream: Netflix

Mr. Organ (2023)

This unsettling documentary has been kicking around Netflix for a couple months, but it’s the kind of oddball movie that can get lost in the streaming shuffle. Director/journalist David Farrier (Tickled) set out to investigate “clamping,” the only-in-New Zealand practice of shady businesses holding customers’ cars for ransom in their private parking lots. His lightweight story led to the title character, who is not only the king of clamping, but also a yacht thief, a lawyer, royalty, a Satanist, and a million other things, depending on who’s telling the story. Mr. Organ’s constant dissembling, conning, and conniving seems quirky at first, but peeling back the layers of his noxious personality ultimately reveals a person who seems willfully, consciously, and entirely evil. 

Where to stream: Netflix

Freaks (2018)

Not enough people saw 2018’s Freaks. Despite a Rotten Tomato score of 88%, the movie made less than a million dollars in its initial run. This science fiction/horror movie details a world going mad through the eyes of a seven-year-old child. Chloe's dad keeps her prisoner in their home, but not because he's a cruel man, but because there's something so special about Chloe that she needs to be protected from the world. Or maybe the world needs to be protected from her.

Where to stream: Netflix

Mi Soledad Tiene Alas (2023)

Mi Soledad Tiene Alas (“My Loneliness Has Wings” in English) is a made-in-Spain drama about a graffiti artist and petty criminal whose small crew screws up a robbery so badly they have to flee Barcelona. The directorial debut of Spanish heartthrob actor Mario Casas, critics called Mi Soledad an “organic, tumultuous and energetic film, intuitive in its essence.” And who am I to argue?

Where to stream: Netflix

Annie (1982)

If you're in the mood for an old-school musical, 1984’s Annie should be viewed at once. It wasn’t well-received by critics when it was released in 1982, but John Huston’s over-the-top production has grown in esteem, and deserves its new reputation. Annie is filled with great performances, and it doesn’t shy away from the depression-era misery of its setting, nor is it afraid to be too cheesy. Plus the music is amazing. “Hard Knock Life” is a banger forever.

Where to stream: Netflix

from News https://ift.tt/fQEZ4g1
via IFTTT

'Children of Dune' Is a Very Philosophical Book

The third book in the Dune series has far less action than the original novel.

from Feed: All Latest https://ift.tt/rhuPxDO
via IFTTT

Far-Right Extremists Are Organizing an Armed Convoy to the Texas Border

The Take Back Our Border channel on Telegram now has over 1,000 members, some of whom are invoking a new Civil War.

from Feed: All Latest https://ift.tt/wQS8Tq6
via IFTTT

If Taylor Swift Can't Defeat Deepfake Porn, No One Can

Deepfake porn is prolific. The explicit, AI-generated images of Taylor Swift that circulated on X this week are taking the issue to new heights.

from Feed: All Latest https://ift.tt/3ejiZAB
via IFTTT

The Best Things to Say to Your Kid When You Don’t Want to Play With Them

My daughter knows I use a pomodoro type system to concentrate on work for 30 minutes and then take a break for 5 to 10 minutes. If I say I’m too busy to play dolls with her, she will say “How about when you take your break?” Sometimes I say yes, but sometimes I need my breaks for folding laundry, reading, or staring out the window in silence. While our arrangement works, I’ve wondered if it strikes the right balance between play time and me time.

“Parents are often pulled in multiple directions and can’t stop what they are doing every time their kids want to play,” said Katie Dilzell, an educator with The Parenting Center. “This can be hard for young children to understand, and parents must choose their words carefully.”

What to say when you don’t want to play

I asked parenting experts Dilzell and Mariel Benjamin, a child development specialist at Cooper, for advice on how to say “no” to play. They suggested trying these phrases with your kids:

Offer an alternative time to play

• “I cannot play airplanes with you right now. I will be able to when I finish work.” 

•  “Right now, I need to finish preparing for tomorrow. Would you like to play that game after I'm done?”

Invite them to join in what you are doing 

• “I am reading right now so I cannot play dollhouse. Would you like to read with me?” 

• “I’m really busy with dinner right now, and I could use your help. Would you like to set the table or peel the carrots?”

Set a boundary

•  “I can play dress up for 10 minutes and then I need to fold laundry.”

•  “I don’t want to play dinosaurs now, but I would like to watch you play while I finish my work.” 

Why saying "no" is actually good for kids

Saying “no” sometimes can benefit kids by promoting self-regulation, cooperation, and other life skills by narrating your thought process, Benjamin said.

“For example say, ‘I wish I could play, but I have to go to work now. Playing can happen tonight when we are both home,’” she said. “Then if your child has a tantrum or gets upset, you can validate that emotion and hold the boundary: ‘I know that you’re disappointed, but we have places to go right now.’ Show your child that you can handle their distress and be sensitive to how they feel.”

Help them build up to more independent play, Dilzell said, by putting together a box of activities they can do alone (like Play-Doh, puzzles, blocks, or coloring). 

“If your child wants to play and it’s not a good time, direct them to the box", she said. “Alternatively, you could suggest one or two activities for your child to consider: ‘While you wait for me, why don’t you play with your trains or read a book?’ If your child is older, you might suggest an area of the house where your child can play: ‘Can you go play in your room or the backyard for 15 minutes?’ Be sure to check in at the agreed time.”

“Of course, the goal is for your child to engage in independent play without any prompting. This type of play leads to enhanced creativity and problem-solving skills. It allows your child to experiment and develop their own interests without outside interference. And, for many children, playing independently can be a calming activity. The benefits extend to both the child and the parent by freeing up some much-needed time,” Dilzell said.

Make sure you're still connecting

Saying “no” to play gives your kids a good example of setting healthy boundaries.

“Explaining to them what we need to prioritize, what we need and choose to spend our time doing, can help them learn to take better care of themselves as they grow,” Benjamin said. 

But if you're worried you're saying "no" too often, take into account how many moments of connection you are having with your child.

“This is for every parent and child to balance for themselves,” Benjamin said. “Some children need or want more of our involvement, and some parents/children are more or less attuned to one another. The most important thing is to make sure there are plenty of moments of shared engagement between you and your child. These don’t need to be around play, but they certainly can be.”

Kilzell advises aiming for 15 minutes of focused (device-free) “special” time with your younger child every day.

“If possible, let your child decide how to spend that special 15 minutes. You might try a walk around the neighborhood or an afternoon dance party. For older children, make special time at least once a week. Plan an outing that both of you will enjoy such as a trip to the park or ice cream shop,” she said. “When you make special time a part of your routine, it makes it easier to say ‘no’ at other times.”

from News https://ift.tt/5rcoPND
via IFTTT

Etching AI Controls Into Silicon Could Keep Doomsday at Bay

As the US and other countries ponder how to prevent dangerous uses of AI, some researchers suggest building limitations into crucial chips like GPUs to cap the power of algorithms.

from Feed: All Latest https://ift.tt/FXGUz1R
via IFTTT

What's New on Max in February 2024

February brings the return of several of Max's (and HBO's) most acclaimed series, starting with the twelfth and final season of Curb Your Enthusiasm (Feb. 4), the unscripted comedy starring Larry David as a fictionalized version of himself. On the drama side, there's season two of the crime drama Tokyo Vice (Feb. 8), in which Golden Globe nominee Ansel Elgort stars—alongside a handful of other award nominees—as an American journalist deep in the world of organized crime in Japan.

Speaking of awards, the eleventh season of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver premieres on Feb. 18. The satirical news series recently won Emmys for Outstanding Scripted Variety Series and Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series.

Other highlights at the beginning of the month include the Max Original series Chasing Flavor (Feb. 1) starring chef and author Carla Hall as she explores the history of American food culture and Dicks: The Musical (Feb. 2), a musical comedy film about the adventures of two long-lost twins on a mission to reunite their divorced parents.

Here’s everything else coming to and leaving from Max in February.

What’s coming to Max in February 2024

Arriving February 1

• Bad Education (2004)

• Batman vs. Robin (2015)

• Batman: Bad Blood (2016)

• The Bling Ring (2013)

• Brooklyn (2015)

• Chasing Flavor (Max Original)

• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)

• Citizen Kane (1941)

• A Clockwork Orange (1971)

• Clone High, Season 2 (Max Original)

• Dying of the Light (2014)

• Everest (2015)

• The Family (2013)

• Friday the 13th (2009)

• Full Metal Jacket (1987)

• A Ghost Story (2017)

• Godzilla (1998)

• Godzilla 2000 (1999)

• Gorky Park (1983)

• The Lego Movie (2014)

• Leviathan (1989)

• Life as We Know It (2010)

• Menashe (2017)

• Midsommar (2019)

• Miss Sharon Jones! (2016)

• Mona Lisa Smile (2003)

• Music From Another Room (1998)

• My Sister's Keeper (2009)

• The Notebook (2004)

• Only The Strong (1993)

• The Peanuts Movie (2015)

• Rolling Along: Bill Bradley (2024)

• Save Yourselves! (2020)

• Se7en (1995)

• Sex and the City (Movie) (2008)

• Shorts (2009)

• Son of Batman (2014)

• Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine (2015)

• Stone (2010)

• The Trust (2016)

• Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns (2008)

• Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys (2008)

• Up In the Air (2009)

• The Visit (2015)

• Wedding Crashers (2005)

Arriving February 2

• Care Bears: The Quest for the Rainbow Stone

• Dicks: The Musical (2023) (A24)

• Serving the Hamptons, Season 2

Arriving February 3

• Puppy Bowl Presents: 20 Years of Puppies (Animal Planet)

• The Redemption Project (8pm ET/PT on CNN Max)

Arriving February 4

• Curb Your Enthusiasm, Season 12 (HBO Original)

• The Redemption Project (8pm ET/PT on CNN Max)

Arriving February 5

• Homestead Rescue, Season 11 (Discovery Channel)

Arriving February 6

• The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper: Miracle on the Hudson (CNN Original)

Arriving February 7

• The Deep Three

• Tournament of Champions: The Qualifiers (Food Network)

Arriving February 8

• They Called Him Mostly Harmless (Max Original)

• Tokyo Vice, Season 2 (Max Original)

Arriving February 10

• The Accidental Influencer (Max Original)

• Artfully Designed, Season 2 (Magnolia Network)

• Race for the White House (8pm ET/PT on CNN Max)

Arriving February 11

• Ninja Kamui (Adult Swim)

• Puppy Bowl XX Pregame Show (Animal Planet)

• Puppy Bowl XX (Animal Planet)

• Watergate: Blueprint for a Scandal (8pm ET/PT on CNN Max)

Arriving February 12

• Lil Jon Wants to Do What?, Season 2B (HGTV)

Arriving February 13

• Trial By Fire

Arriving February 14

• Big Little Brawlers (Discovery Channel)

Arriving February 15

• Bea's Block (Max Original)

• Bleed For This (2016)

• The Truth About Jim (Max Original)

Arriving February 16

• Underdogs United, Season 1

Arriving February 17

• Outback Opal Hunters, Season 7 (Discovery Channel)

Arriving February 18

• Evil Lives Here, Season 8B (ID)

• Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Season 11 (HBO Original)

• Naked and Afraid, Season 17 (Discovery Channel)

• Tournament of Champions, Season 5 (Food Network)

Arriving February 20

• Little People Big World, Season 16 (TLC)

• Renovation Aloha (HGTV)

Arriving February 22

• Jellystone, Season 3A (Max Original)

• San Andreas (2015)

Arriving February 23

• Machete Kills (2014)

Arriving February 26

• The Man Who Played with Fire

Arriving February 27

• God Save Texas: Hometown Prison (HBO Original)

• God Save Texas: The Price of Oil (HBO Original)

• God Save Texas: La Frontera (HBO Original)

• The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper: Yachts and the Super Rich (CNN Original)

Arriving February 29

• Murder Under the Friday Night Lights, Season 3 (ID)

• Vlad & Niki, Season 2D

Everything leaving Max in February 2024

Leaving February 1

• Tacoma FD, Seasons 1-3

Leaving February 6

• Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

• We Bare Bears: The Movie (2020)

Leaving February 7

• The Many Lives of Nick Buoniconti (2019) (HBO Original)

Leaving February 10

• Central Intelligence (2016)

Leaving February 15

• Bullet To The Head (2013)

Leaving February 17

• Ben 10 (2017), Season 4B

Leaving February 18

• Chasing Greatness: Coach K X Lebron (2023)

• It’s A Hard Truth, Ain’t It (HBO Original) (2018)

Leaving February 22

• Paris Can Wait (2017)

Leaving February 25

• A Tiny Audience (HBO Original)

Leaving February 29

• 42 (2013)

• Act of Valor (2012)

• Batman & Mr. Freeze: Subzero (1998)

• Batman: Gotham Knight (2008)

• Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003)

• Be Kind, Rewind (2008)

• Blindspotting (2018)

• The Blue Lagoon (1980)

• Bulletproof Monk (2003)

• DC Showcase: Superman/Shazam!: The Return Of Black Adam

• Drive My Car (2021)

• Exodus: Gods And Kings (2014)

• The Exorcist (1973)

• Fire In The Sky (1993)

• Freedom Fighters: The Ray (2018)

• Georgia Rule (2007)

• The Ghost And The Darkness (1996)

• Green Lantern: Emerald Knights (2011)

• Green Lantern: First Flight (2009)

• Heartburn (1986)

• I Love You, Man (2009)

• JLA Adventures: Trapped In Time (2014)

• Juice (1992)

• Just Like Heaven (2005)

• Knocked Up (2007)

• Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: The Flash (2018)

• Little Black Book (2004)

• Lucy (2014)

• Milk (2008)

• The Missing (2003)

• Mommie Dearest (1981)

• Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997)

• Natural Born Killers (1994)

• Night at the Museum: Secret Of The Tomb (2014)

• Out of the Furnace (2013)

• Sabrina (1995)

• Speed Racer (2008)

• Superman vs. The Elite (2012)

• Superman: Brainiac Attacks (2006)

• Superman: Doomsday (2007)

• Superman: Man of Tomorrow (2020)

• Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)

• Wonder Woman (Animated) (2009)

from News https://ift.tt/WG39n8d
via IFTTT

Use 'Direct Admissions' to Make Applying for College Easier

Getting through high school is stressful enough—and then there's the anxiety of preparing college applications. Students have to keep track of deadlines, fill out a seemingly endless amount of forms, ask for letters of recommendation, write multiple essays to help them stand out from other applicants, and take the requisite standardized tests.

These days, however, more and more institutions of higher learning are shifting away from this challenging process toward something called "direct admissions." If students meet certain academic or, in some cases, demographic criteria, a college will offer to admit them before they've even applied.

The concept of direct admissions has been around for decades. It's become more accepted since last year's Supreme Court ruling stating that factoring race into the admissions process is unconstitutional, leaving colleges concerned their enrollment will take a dive.

How does direct admissions work?

Think of direct admissions as being pre-approved for a credit card. Instead of sending applications to multiple colleges, potential students create a profile containing their relevant information, such as their grades, place of residence, and ACT or SAT scores.

Colleges participating in direct admissions review these profiles and send a letter of intent to the prospective student. In most cases, the process eliminates the need for letters of recommendation, and students don't have to worry about multiple application fees. This simplicity makes direct admissions an attractive option for students, especially those who have never considered college or don't have access to a counselor to assist them with the process.

What are the drawbacks to direct admissions?

Students who receive an offer from a college through a direct admissions program could see an offer rescinded if the school later finds something in the student’s transcripts or permanent record that disqualifies them. Jenny Rickard, president and CEO of the Common App, told U.S. News and World Report that the company tried to avoid these situations as much as possible. Still, as this program grows in popularity, it's likely to happen more often.

Some schools might have additional admission requirements that could impact a student's eligibility for a specific program or field. The process can get even more complicated if the student is accepted into multiple schools.   

Other students may see participating schools' acceptance, especially one they didn't apply for, as a privacy violation or a financial grab from an aggressive institution. Participants should be careful and look for potential scams or anyone asking for personal information.  

Why don't more prominent schools do this?

Direct admissions help students, but smaller colleges looking to increase and diversify their enrollment also benefit. However, with Ivy League schools and other larger institutions needing to be more selective in their admission process, they are unlikely to participate in the direct admissions program. For a list of many participating colleges, check out this Forbes article.

Is there an app for direct admissions?

Several services allow students to submit a direct admissions application online. Common App is the most well-known, with over 900 institutions using its form, and its online dashboard can even track documents and deadlines. 

The platform is free to use, and it includes a feature where users can keep track of the schools that interest them, much like a Netflix queue, under its My Colleges list. There is an application fee, but students can apply for a fee waiver if needed. 

Niche also has a direct admissions program that works similarly to Common App. Creating an account is free. Participating students can see which institutions have accepted them in real time. Niche also claims to provide merit scholarships to those who qualify without applying for one.

It's worth mentioning that these services aren't a one-stop shop for college forms. If your student needs to apply for financial aid, they must begin that process under a different system. The same goes for colleges that don't accept Niche or Common App. For example, Texas colleges use a different application system. Finally, both services have deadlines for eligibility, so students (and parents) need to keep track of when forms are due.

from News https://ift.tt/3xhq01y
via IFTTT

Inside an Election Denial Facebook Group on Primary Day

New Hampshire’s Voter Integrity Group on Facebook has almost 7,000 followers. On Tuesday, it was filled with conspiracies, confusion, and outrage.

from Feed: All Latest https://ift.tt/lZEdiNx
via IFTTT

The World’s Essential Aquifers Are in Deep Trouble

New research finds that the groundwater systems that hydrate your life are in rapid, sometimes accelerating decline around the globe. Here’s how to stop the retreat.

from Feed: All Latest https://ift.tt/QVlKHNa
via IFTTT

What's New on Hulu in February 2024

Hulu's February slate brings two anticipated FX dramas, new seasons of highly acclaimed comedy series, and a handful of library films fitting for Valentine's Day.

First up is FX's Feud: Capote vs. The Swans (Feb. 1), an eight-episode limited series based on Laurence Leamer's book, Capote’s Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era. Tom Hollander plays Truman Capote, upon whom a group of New York socialites (played by Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, Chloë Sevigny, and Calista Flockhart) seek revenge after he writes about their lives.

At the end of the month, catch FX's Shōgun, an adaptation of James Clavell's novel of the same name. The 10-episode historical drama is set in Japan in 1600 at the start of a civil war and features a stacked Japanese cast, including Hiroyuki Sanada Tadanobu Asano, and Fumi Nikaido.

Viewers can also look forward to the return of several popular series, beginning with Abbott Elementary on Feb. 8. The season 3 premiere comes hot off a handful of award show wins, including Best TV Series—Musical or Comedy as well as Best Actress in a TV Series (Quintana Brunson) and Best Supporting Actor in a TV Series (Tyler James Williams) at the Golden Globes and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Sheryl Lee Ralph) and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series at the Emmys. On Feb. 16, catch season 2 of Life + Beth, the comedy-drama starring Amy Schumer and Michael Cera as a couple navigating their relationship.

On the documentary side, there's the premiere of National Geographic's The Space Race (Feb. 13), which chronicles the effort to send the first Black man into space amid the Cold War and the Civil Rights movement.

Here’s everything else coming to (and leaving) Hulu in February, including rom-coms like 10 Things I Hate About You, Hitch, and Valentine's Day.

What’s coming to Hulu in February 2024

Arriving February 1

• FX's Feud: Capote vs. the Swans: Limited Series Premiere

• Naruto Shippuden: Season 8, Episodes 426-437 (Dubbed)

• Save It or Sell It: Complete Season 1

• Tiny House Hunting: Complete Season 3

• Addicted, 2014

• America's Sweethearts, 2001

• Baby Boy, 2001

• Big Momma's House, 2000

• Black Knight, 2001

• The Cabin in the Woods, 2012

• Call Me By Your Name, 2017

• Client 9, 2010

• Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2, 2013

• Date Movie, 2006

• Dear John, 2010

• The Descent, 2005

• Eat Pray Love, 2010

• The Eye, 2008

• First Daughter, 2004

• Force Majeure, 2014

• Gnomeo & Juliet, 2011

• Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S., 2004

• Hitch, 2005

• How Stella Got Her Groove Back, 1998

• Jason Bourne, 2016

• Jack And Jill, 2011

• Judas and the Black Messiah, 2021

• Jumanji, 1995

• Just My Luck, 2006

• Jumping the Broom, 2011

• Knight And Day, 2010

• Life or Something Like It, 2002

• Love is Strange, 2014

• Man on Fire, 1987

• Men Of Honor, 2000

• Monster In-Law, 2005

• Mr. & Mrs. Smith, 2005

• My Super Ex-Girlfriend, 2006

• Night Catches Us, 2007

• Notorious, 2009

• Obsessed, 2009

• Pretty Woman, 1990

• Secrets of Eden, 2012

• The Secret Life Of Bees, 2008

• Sisters, 2006

• Soul Food, 1997

• Twilight, 2008

• The Twilight Saga: New Moon, 2009

• The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, 2010

• Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 1, 2012

• The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2, 2012

• Valentine's Day, 2010

• Warm Bodies, 2013

• The Watch, 2012

• What's Your Number?, 2011

• 12 Years A Slave, 2013

• The 40 Year-Old Virgin, 2005

• 500 Days Of Summer, 2009

Arriving February 2

• Love & WWE: Bianca & Montez: Complete Season 1

• Genius: MLK/X: Limited Series Premiere

• Farmer Wants a Wife: Season 2 Premiere

• Freelance, 2022

Arriving February 4

• Alien Vs. Predator, 2004

• Beloved, 1998

• Hope Floats, 1998

• Predator, 1987

• Predator 2, 1990

Arriving February 5

• Arctic Ascent with Alex Honnold: Special Premiere

• Antebellum, 2020

Arriving February 6

• Camp Hideout, 2023

Arriving February 7

• Johnson: Complete Seasons 1-3

• 50/50 Flip: Complete Season 2

Arriving February 8

• Abbott Elementary: Season 3 Premiere

• The Conners: Season 6 Premiere

• Not Dead Yet: Season 2 Premiere

• 10 Things I Hate About You, 1999

• True Crime NYC: Complete Season 1

• After The First 48: Complete Season 8

• Prison Wives Club: Complete Season 1

• Man vs. Child: Chef Showdown: Complete Season 2

• The Last Song, 2010

• Love & Other Drugs, 2010

• Romeo + Juliet, 1996

Arriving February 9

• Suncoast: Film Premiere

• The Abyss, 1989

• Cat Person, 2023

• The Lost King, 2022

Arriving February 10

• The Lost City, 2022

Arriving February 11

• Father Stu, 2022

Arriving February 12

• Blended, 2014

Arriving February 13

• The Space Race: Documentary Premiere

• Cleaning Up: Complete Season 1 (Subbed)

Arriving February 14

• Life Below Zero: Next Generation: Season 6 Premiere

Arriving February 15

• Bakers vs. Fakers: Complete Season 2

• Beach Hunters: Complete Seasons 7 and 8

• Cake Boss: Complete Season 15

• Cutthroat Kitchen: Complete Season 1

• Dr. Pimple Popper: Complete Season 5

• Extreme Homes: Complete Seasons 2 and 3

• Flea Market Flip Complete Season 13

• Hidden Potential: Complete Season 1

• Insane Pools: Off The Deep End: Complete Season 3

• Man vs. Wild: Complete Season 4

• My Strange Addiction: Complete Season 5

• My 600-lb Life: Complete Season 5

• Naked and Afraid: Complete Season 6

• Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta: Complete Season 7

• Supermarket Stakeout: Complete Season 2 and 4

• Worst Cooks in America: Complete Seasons 10 and 23

• 1,000-lb Sisters: Complete Season 3

• Infinite Storm, 2022

• Joan Baez: I Am A Noise, 2023

• Next Goal Wins, 2022

• Prometheus, 2012

• 2:22, 2017

Arriving February 16

• Life + Beth: Complete Season 2

• Pod Generation, 2023

Arriving February 17

• Amulet, 2020

Arriving February 19

• American Idol: Season 22 Premiere

• Nomadland, 2021

Arriving February 20

• Operation Arctic Cure: Special Premiere

Arriving February 21

• The Good Doctor: Season 7 Premiere

• The Rookie: Season 6 Premiere

• Will Trent: Season 2 Premiere

• Blue Birthday: Complete Season 1 (Subbed)

Arriving February 22

• Death in the Dorms: Complete Season 2

Arriving February 23

• Mercy Road, 2021

Arriving February 24

• Dragonkeeper, 2022

• Inspector Sun and the Curse of the Black Widow, 2022

Arriving February 25

• Monica, 2023

Arriving February 27

• FX's Shōgun: Limited Series Premiere

Arriving February 28

• Everything is Fine: Complete Season 1

• Those Who Wish Me Dead, 2021

Arriving February 29

• Me, Hereafter: Complete Docuseries

• St. Vincent, 2014

• The Shack, 2017

What’s leaving Hulu in February 2024

Leaving February 1

• Lucky, 2017

Leaving February 2

• Burn, 2019

• Haunt, 2019

• Jungle, 2017

Leaving February 5

• Season of the Witch, 2011

Leaving February 6

• Edge of Tomorrow, 2014

Leaving February 7

• A Piece of Cake, 2021

Leaving February 9

• Brimstone, 2016

• Jesus Henry Christ, 2011

• Pound of Flesh, 2015

• The Perfect Weapon, 2016

• The Matrix Resurrections, 2021

Leaving February 11

• Rise of the Footsoldier, 2021

Leaving February 14

• Babylon A.D., 2008

• District B13, 2004

• Hammer Of The Gods, 2013

• The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, 2005

• I, Robot, 2004

• Solaris, 2002

Leaving February 16

• All Roads Lead to Rome, 2015

• Black November, 2012

• Forsaken, 2015

• Intruders, 2015

• La Boda De Valentina, 2018

Leaving February 23

• Life of the Party, 2018

• A Million Little Pieces, 2018

• Prisoners of the Sun, 2013

• 211, 2018

Leaving February 26

• Paddington 2, 2018

Leaving February 27

• The Fault In Our Stars, 2014

Leaving February 28

• Ceremony, 2010

• The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, 2005

• The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian, 2008

• The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader, 2010

• The Double, 2013

• The Extra Man, 2010

• The First Monday In May, 2016

• Food Inc, 2008

• Good Day To Be Black And Sexy, 2008

• Lupin III: The First, 2019

• Nobody Walks, 2012

• Ondine, 2009

• Outrage: Way of the Yakuza, 2010

• National Treasure, 2004

• National Treasure: Book Of Secrets, 2007

• The Nightmare Before Christmas, 1993

• Pusher II: With Blood on My Hands, 2004

• Pusher III: I'm the Angel of Death, 2005

• Pusher I, 1996

• The Sacrament, 2013

• The Shack, 2017

• Snowpiercer, 2014

• Synchronicity, 2015

• Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, 2014

• Paddington, 2015

Leaving February 29

• A Good Day to Die Hard, 2013

• A Knight's Tale, 2001

• Airheads, 1994

• Apartment Troubles, 2014

• Beasts Of The Southern Wild, 2012

• Die Hard With a Vengeance, 1995

• District 9, 2009

• Epic Movie, 2007

• Flatliners, 1990

• Friends With Money, 2006

• Frozen River, 2008

• Get Low, 2010

• Girl, Interrupted, 1999

• Godzilla: King of the Monsters, 2019

• Godzilla vs Kong, 2021

• Hansel And Gretel: Witch Hunters, 2013

• The Hustler, 1961

• Ice Age: Continental Drift, 2010

• Magic Mike, 2012

• Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, 2009

• Planet of the Apes (2000), 2001

• Pineapple Express, 2008

• Shutter, 2008

• Sommersby, 1993

• Splash, 1984

• Straight Outta Compton, 2015

• War of the Worlds, 2005

• 21 Jump Street, 2012

• 22 Jump Street, 2014

• 27 Dresses

from News https://ift.tt/Oq2g71w
via IFTTT

The Most Common Windshield Wiper Problems (and How to Fix Them)

Windshield wipers often go unnoticed on your vehicle—until it’s raining and they aren’t working. While there are times when having a professional do the work is the way to go, there are several simple issues to check for before you shell out money for a mechanic. After you’ve turned your vehicle completely off to make sure there’s no power going to your wipers, here’s what to look for to identify and address your wiper issue.

Damaged wiper blade

Your wiper blades are made from rubber that can wear out and become brittle over time. Also, ice and friction can tear wiper blades away from the base that attaches them to the wiper motor. If this kind of damage happens, your windshield wipers will likely still be moving, but they won’t be moving much water. You might see a piece of rubber flopping around. In this scenario, you'll need to replace your wiper blades. You can find the correct-sized blades for your vehicle by searching for the make and model and then noting the size blades recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer. You can find the proper length at most automotive stores or online by searching for your desired wiper length. The new blades will come with installation instructions; usually you can swap them out without tools, as they snap together. Make sure to test out your blades before heading out on the road with them.

Obstructed blades

Your windshield wipers can stop working because of an object in their path. Usually the offending object is ice, snow, or leaf debris. Your wipers can’t move thick ice, heavy snow, or leaf build-up—these are too heavy for the motor and blades—and using them to try and remove frozen or heavy debris can damage your blades and/or burn out the motor. Use a snow brush or ice scraper to clear out any obstructions before using your wipers to keep them working and avoid damage. In icy conditions, make sure to check the area around the motor and the base of the wiper arms near the bottom of the windshield for broken bits of ice that can get jammed in there.

Motor failure

If you try to use your wipers and nothing happens, chances are that the motor has failed. This can happen because of the age of the motor, because of overuse, like using your wipers to move heavy snow, or from an electrical short. Replacing your motor requires tools: a ratchet, screwdriver, and some pliers. You’ll need to disconnect the wiper arms and then remove the cowl that covers the wiper motor if necessary on your vehicle. Then, you can disconnect the motor and install a replacement that’s compatible with your vehicle. You may also need to replace the wiper arm or other components, if they're damaged. This project is an intermediate-skill-level task, so if you’re not comfortable with tools and components, get a pro to do your motor swap for you.

Bad fuse

If the fuse on your windshield wipers is bad, it likely has gone bad for a reason. To prevent your motor from being overloaded, the fuse will blow, so if it’s blown, you should look for any underlying problems with the motor before replacing the fuse and turning the wipers on. Check for loose wiring and signs of electrical short like burnt color or odor, and make sure the area around the wiper motor is clear of debris before replacing the fuse. To swap the fuse, there will be a circuit map of what each fuse in your vehicle controls. Look for the one that controls the wipers and switch that one for a new one.

Loose or broken pivot joint

The pivot joint is the part of the wiper that turns the rotational motion of the wiper motor into the back and forth motion of the wiper arms. If this joint is loose or damaged, it can cause the wipers to move erratically, move partially, or thump against the cowl that covers the motor without ever wiping the glass of the windshield. Opening up the cowl and taking a look at the pivot joints should give you an idea of what’s going on with your wipers if they’re acting strangely. You might be able to tighten up the screws or bolts that hold the joints together if they’re loose, but make sure the wipers are off before you try so you don’t get pinched or whacked. A broken pivot joint will likely require a whole new linkage assembly, so if you’re not comfortable taking your whole windshield assembly apart, this is a job for a mechanic.

from News https://ift.tt/o7LYynr
via IFTTT

Kia EV9 2024 Review: Price, Specs, Release Date

This cavernous and quick all-electric seven-seater is the Korean car brand’s play to beat luxury SUVs that are twice the price. And it could well succeed because this is Kia’s best car yet.

from Feed: All Latest https://ift.tt/EXa8tep
via IFTTT

The Best Ways to Set Up a Seed-Starting Station in Your Home

Seed starting certainly seems like it should be as simple as throwing seeds into soil, parking them near a window, and waiting for your new green friends to join the party. There are a slate of reasons to really consider whether you’re ready to even get into seed starting (hint: don’t do it in the first year or two of your garden). But once you decide you’re ready, you can set yourself up for success by getting the right gear to ensure you have enough heat, moisture, light, and space. 

There are many ways to grow seeds, and if you have a method that works for you, don’t let me dissuade you from continuing to do so. But I’ve constructed the least time and physically consuming way to do with the least waste and most success. My methods are cobbled together from many great gardeners I’ve had the privilege of learning from over the years. 

Find the right space

You will most likely grow your seeds in 1020 trays, which is a standardized size (10” x 20”), but can come in many different cell formats. The important thing here is to plan for the right depth of space and width of space to accommodate those trays. Whether you purchase commercial shelving or build your own, a shelf depth of at least 11 inches means you can only fit the trays the long way, and a depth of at least 21 inches means you can fit the trays side by side the short way.  One of the only commercial shelves I’ve found that have the needed depth are Husky Heavy or Industrial Duty shelves, but the design of them means you’ll always have a shelf at the midpoint of the unit height, so you don’t have total control of the vertical spacing of all the shelves. You can also build a basic similar unit for far less money, if you have the skills. 

---

Shelves that work as seed-starting stations:

• Accommodate eight 1020 trays with a 39 inch shelf height: 5-Tier Heavy Duty Boltless Steel Garage Storage Shelving Unit (48 in. W x 78 in. H x 24 in. D)  

• Accommodate fourteen 1020 trays with a 39 inch shelf height: 4-Tier Industrial Duty Steel Freestanding Garage Storage Shelving Unit in Black (77 in. W x 78 in. H x 24 in. D)

• Accommodate thirty two 1020 trays with a 22 inch shelf height: 5-Tier Industrial Duty Steel Freestanding Garage Storage Shelving Unit in Black (90 in. W x 90 in. H x 24 in. D)

---

Spacing between shelves is just as important because it must accommodate grow lights hanging from the shelf above, and allow room for the plants to grow, keeping the lights far enough away to not give the plants sunburn. As you continue growing seeds over the years, you’ll notice that different plants grow inside to different heights before they go outside. For instance, you plant herbs long before they get too tall, but your tomatoes might need a lot of vertical space. For that reason, you can space the shelves at different heights, but I have spaced my shelves at 25 inches, 25 inches and 22 inches height.  

This is my seed station that I built to accommodate 24 seed trays and more starts. Credit: Amanda Blum

Prepare the lights

The biggest faux pas I see in amateur seed starting is inadequate light. The reality is that you need to imitate the sun, and a small directional plant light isn’t going to cut it. Without enough light, seedlings stretch to find it and become leggy and weak. You want those watts as close as you can get to the plants without burning them, and lots of them. Traditionally, growers I follow have stuck with incandescent fluorescent bulbs because they have tremendous wattage and some heat. They also suck energy and are hard to dispose of, so like a lot of people, I've moved to LEDs. In the setup described above, you’ll be running lights along the length of the shelves. If you’ve got the trays running the long way as well, you’ll only need two (but three wouldn’t hurt) lights along the length. If you’re running trays the short way, use four lights.

These lights will “throw” a beam  that is wider than the light itself, but you should ensure that all the trays are covered end to end. Lights come in different lengths, so you can pull the lengths you need for your specific space to cover everything. Since I started, I’ve been using Barrina lights, and haven’t had any burnouts with any over the last six years. There are certainly other brands, I just haven’t personally tested them. LED lights can usually be linked together, and though the lights come with tons of linking extensions, you can easily buy more cheaply to fit your situation. I reconfigure how they’re linked a few times a year based on how many lights I need on.

You need to suspend the lights from the shelf above, and you will need to be able to adjust them up and down over the season. They’ll start very low, just over the seed trays, and will get raised as plants grow. You want six to eight inches of clearance for the lights so they don’t burn the plants, which LED lights are prone to do in a way incandescent bulbs aren’t. You can set up a single eye hook and chain to the end of each light, but I would recommend creating a system where all the lights for a shelf raise and lower together, otherwise it’s just a lot more work. I created such a frame using 1" x 2” wood, attached the lights to the bottom of the frame, and then hung the frame using the eye and chain method described above. I’m sure there’s an even more efficient way using pulleys. 

the seeds have just germinated, so the domes are still on, but the lights are lowered to be very close to the seedlings. Credit: Amanda Blum

---

Grow lights to help plants get enough “sunlight”:

• Set of eight 4-foot Barrina grow lights

• Set of six 3-foot Barrina grow lights 

• Set of six 2-foot Barrina grow lights

---

Get enough light involved

It’s really simple: Seeds wait for the sun to warm the Earth enough before they’ll sprout. To trick seeds into sprouting inside, you need to heat them without cooking them. To do this, you use heat mats specifically for this purpose, and a temperature controller. Choose heat mats that will cover the size shelf you need, and you don’t want to overlap them. If you’re only growing one 1020 tray, they make mats exactly that size. If you’re growing four next to each other, they come in that size, as well.

Once you have the mats in place with the seed trays on top of them, you’ll want a meter that ensures the soil doesn’t get too hot or cold, otherwise you just cook the seeds. Since having a thermostat for each mat would be expensive, I get one that will allow you to connect multiple mats to it. Each mat has a probe you put into the soil, and you plug the mat into the thermostat. When the soil is too cold, it turns the mat on, and when it's too hot, it turns it off. 

---

Heat mats and thermostats:

• Inkbird wifi heat mat thermostat with twopProbes and two outlets

• Vivosun heat mats in various sizes and shapes

---

Set up the grow trays

This is, you might argue, the exciting part. The first thing to note is that different seeds need different size cells. So the 1020 trays come with different cell sizes. Generally, you’ll be looking at 50 cells, 72 cells, or 128 cells. Tomatoes and most nightshades benefit from the larger cells in a 50, while many flowers do just fine in a 128. Over time, you’ll figure out what you need. Many companies produce these plastic 1020 seed trays, and you’ve likely encountered many at the nursery. Generally, those are single-use plastic that disintegrate in the sun and create a lot of waste. To avoid this, some people have changed to a method called soil-blocking, which doesn’t use a tray at all, but uses a tool to create small blocks of soil that can stand on their own, and you transplant directly into the garden. It has a lot less waste. For years, I blocked. However, it is a lot of physical work to create the blocks and in an effort to reduce that workload, I have switched to a new breed of hefty, reusable molded plastic seed trays that have aeration built in, so they perform as well as seed blocks (without all the work). I’ve been using Neversink Tools Winstrip trays for the last three years, and I just keep buying more of them; I think they’re amazing. They require less seed-starting mix than seed blocking, too. When it’s time to pull these out of the seed tray, you just stick your finger in the bottom and they pop right out, with a fantastically developed root system. 

Since I grow inside, I use a system called bottom watering, which means the seed trays don’t get watered from above, which is messy and needs a lot of tending. The seed trays sit in a bottom tray that has no holes, and that tray has water in it. This way, the seedlings can wick up only the water they need. Although I have many of these, I am slowly replacing them with the Neversink version, because it’s much sturdier, which will become important when you want to use these year after year.

Finally, you need a dome on the trays during the germination stage. This keeps humidity on the seed and actually reduces how much you need to water since there’s almost no surface evaporation. You remove these once the tray has germinated. Neversink sells these as well, but you can buy them inexpensively; any will do fine. 

---

Seedling trays, bottom watering trays, and humidity domes:

• Winstrip starter set (Three 50 cell, two 72 cell and 128 cell, and seven bottom watering trays)

• Single Winstrip tray

• Neversink Humidity Domes

• Generic humidity domes

---

Use a fan to encourage strong stems

A mistake I made the first year I started seeds was thinking I wanted the most humid environment possible, but that’s not really accurate. You need humidity to get seeds germinating, but after that, too much humidity can help spread disease and lead to fungus and gnats. 

An addition I always have now is a small clip on fan at the end of each row to blow on my small seedlings once they’ve got enough leaves. The breeze helps strengthen the stems of these plants and moves air around. Any small clip-on fan will do. 

Start seeding

If all of this seems overwhelming, remember this: You can start with one tray on a small heat mat under a decent plant light, and see how you like it before really digging in. If you’ve tried seeding before without much success, you can try a new system to see if it's more efficient or higher-yielding. 

Early seed starting will start in February, so now is the time to get those seeds ordered and get your seed-starting materials cleaned and sterilized.

from News https://ift.tt/rLAYkyz
via IFTTT