Your tricks of the trade

[abcdefz]

Answer me this:

You do something with a certain flair because you have a system, like slicing the garlic so thin in melts in the pan.

(This doesn't have to be food-related: perhaps you really know how to re-fold maps or keep your adjustable office chair from suddenly "settling" while you're seated, etc.)

Please share.


Me: I make pretty good coffee. Obviously, it's good to get good beans and grind 'em for your coffee maker. But also:

1) Use cold, purified water for brewing (besides coffee being something like 99% water [and, therefore, water tasting), the cold water being heated does some aerating thing that opens up the coffee molecules or some such thing, bringing out more flavor.

2) Right after the coffee stops brewing, toss the used grounds and filter and shut the heating unit off: if those grounds keep dripping, they contribute to a bitter taste that spoils the pot; keeping the heat on gives the coffee a burned taste.

Pretty simple, hopefully helpful.

Et tu?

[zorra_chiflada]

fuck yes, i'm really good at photocopying
i'm good at vector drawings
i can sew quickly

and that's about it

[Freebasser]

I have a few Photoshop and Flash secrets, but that'd be telling ;)

[mickill]

I'm really good at Balderdash. I mean, reeaaally good.

Also, I'm often able to whip up a nice meal when there's seemingly nothing in the fridge or cupboards at all to make, which I'm routinely commended for.

[abcdefz]

That's great folks, but, you know... tips! Tips for us mere mortals!

[Tompz]

Noone beats me at snes NHL´95. Not even the japanese. No kidding either.

[skra75]

I'm really fast at unloading the dishwasher.

1) I open it up, then open all my cabinets.
2) I locate all the plastic cups, stack them and put them away
3) I then locate all the lid covers, and put them in a dish
4) Next, I find all the mugs, and stack them
5) I then put the glasses away

6) Now that the top is empty, I move to the bottom, locating the largest plates first and putting them away
7) Then I stack the bowls and put them away
8) I find the pots/pans and hang them up
9) Last is the silverware. I grab it all in a huge pile, then walk to the drawer and sort them right there as I put them away.

It takes me about 2 minutes. I don't understand how people bitch about it.

[abcdefz]

I'm really fast at unloading the dishwasher.

1) I open it up, then open all my cabinets.
2) I locate all the plastic cups, stack them and put them away
3) I then locate all the lid covers, and put them in a dish
4) Next, I find all the mugs, and stack them
5) I then put the glasses away

6) Now that the top is empty, I move to the bottom, locating the largest plates first and putting them away
7) Then I stack the bowls and put them away
8) I find the pots/pans and hang them up
9) Last is the silverware. I grab it all in a huge pile, then walk to the drawer and sort them right there as I put them away.

It takes me about 2 minutes. I don't understand how people bitch about it.



See, kids? Clip and save! (y)

[mickill]

Okay, well, see, the trick to Balderdash is to try and make up definitions that aren't overly refined. The great minds behind the game aren't exactly the most literate folks in the world, so a lot of the actual correct definitions sound like they were written by 12 year olds. Another thing is, you want to practice your poker face, which really comes in handy as the hours progress and people start to recognize your style. Which is why you want to change it up a little every now and then. Another thing I do is throw out a lot of false signals, like strategically "giggling" or rolling my eyes or whatever. I also like to create diversions and throw people off their game etc. It takes time to master these things.

[abcdefz]

Okay, well, see, the trick to Balderdash is to try and make up definitions that aren't overly refined. The great minds behind the game aren't exactly the most literate folks in the world, so a lot of the actual correct definitions sound like they were written by 12 year olds. Another thing is, you want to practice your poker face, which really comes in handy as the hours progress and people start to recognize your style. Which is why you want to change it up a little every now and then. Another thing I do is throw out a lot of false signals, like strategically "giggling" or rolling my eyes or whatever. I also like to create diversions and throw people off their game etc. It takes time to master these things.


Gracias! (y)

[camo]

when printing large areas of black, don't use 100% Key. Use the colour breakdown of 100% cyan, 100%magenta and 100% key.

Guaranteed a nice deep flat black

[abcdefz]

when printing large areas of black, don't use 100% Key. Use the colour breakdown of 100% cyan, 100%magenta and 100% key.

Guaranteed a nice deep flat black



Is this in printer settings or something? I don't know that I've seen this option before -- maybe just because I've never used all that great a printer.

[zorra_chiflada]

when printing large areas of black, don't use 100% Key. Use the colour breakdown of 100% cyan, 100%magenta and 100% key.

Guaranteed a nice deep flat black

oh man, this is so true.

[camo]

Is this in printer settings or something? I don't know that I've seen this option before -- maybe just because I've never used all that great a printer.

no it's the way you set up the colour in photoshop or illustrator or whatever you use! Ya follow?

[camo]

oh man, this is so true.

Hello fellow design head!

[zorra_chiflada]

Hello fellow design head!

hey there! we're cool :cool:

[mickill]

Another thing about Balderdash is, a lot of people don't really understand that it's more of a psychological game than a logical game. By attacking your opponents mentally, you can force them to reveal more and make it increasingly difficult for them to conceal their phrasing. They may even start repeating themselves. If you know the people well, it helps to bring up painful childhood memories or any recent suffering etc. A little trash talk doesn't hurt too. Pretty soon, their heads aren't in the game anymore; they start to get sloppy. And that's when I go in for the kill.

[trailerprincess]

1) Don't even try to mess with liquid eyeliner or kohl pencil. My trick is to use a slanted brush and black eyeshadow. It's much easier

2) Don't waste money on expensive face wipes. They don't work. Just use baby ones and they do exactly the same thing for about half the price

3) Remember that a traffic warden has to actually physically put the ticket on your car for it to be valid. If they are still writing it when you get to the car, turn your wipers on and watch them try to give it to you.

[abcdefz]

no it's the way you set up the colour in photoshop or illustrator or whatever you use! Ya follow?


Nope. Help me out.

I use Photoshop, but haven't set up color in any way other than the usual CMYK/RGB sort of choices.

[camo]

hey there! we're cool :cool:

I know, I saw your work in the sure shots section, and I've seen ya chatting about your vector work too. I'm a bit obsessive with all my vector stuff too

[abcdefz]

3) Remember that a traffic warden has to actually physically put the ticket on your car for it to be valid.




...what country/state/city ordinance is this?

[camo]

Nope. Help me out.

I use Photoshop, but haven't set up color in any way other than the usual CMYK/RGB sort of choices.

that is the usual way. See the two squares at the bottom of your main tool strip. Double click on one and it bring up the colour picker. In the cmyk bit type in those percentages and voila a lovely crisp black!

[Helvete]

3) Remember that a traffic warden has to actually physically put the ticket on your car for it to be valid. If they are still writing it when you get to the car, turn your wipers on and watch them try to give it to you.
Now there's a good one! Also, I think they have to be wearing their hat to issue you one. Not saying you should snatch it off the parking warden's head and throw is in a bush, but yeah, I am.

[abcdefz]

that is the usual way. See the two squares at the bottom of your main tool strip. Double click on one and it bring up the colour picker. In the cmyk bit type in those percentages and voila a lovely crisp black!



Ah ah ah ah ah ah -- I get it. I thought you were referring to... uh... more like n overall presetting for the image (like choosing CMYK or whatever) rather than how you would pick "black." Got it.

Nice tip!

[Bob]

you know the card game "war"? yeah i'm pretty much unbeatable at that

[camo]

Ah ah ah ah ah ah -- I get it. I thought you were referring to... uh... more like n overall presetting for the image (like choosing CMYK or whatever) rather than how you would pick black. Got it.

Nice tip!

sorry, I always assume peeps no as much photoshop as me when i'm explaining tips.

Hope it proves useful for ya (y)

[zorra_chiflada]

i can put my legs behind my head
oh, and also i can touch my nose to my outer ankle

but i have arthritis in my hipbone, so it's not that good.

[abcdefz]

you know the card game "war"? yeah i'm pretty much unbeatable at that



Yeah, Bob, but... war? What is it good for?

[Bob]

you didn't say they had to be USEFUL tricks

[Nivvie]

I've yet to meet a baby I can't make stop crying (albeit sometimes temporarily) by laying it on it's front on a big pillow on my lap, and doing a wax on-wax off style massage on it's back. Don't leave them to sleep like that though, cot death warnings and all.


Oh, and regular bowel movements are the key to human happiness.
Start the day with hot water with a twist of lemon in it.

[Ally Al]

you didn't say they had to be USEFUL tricks


see war by edwin starr for a-z's reference

[trailerprincess]

...what country/state/city ordinance is this?


I'm in London so couldn't comment on the laws elsewhere but it's worth checking out

[abcdefz]

you didn't say they had to be USEFUL tricks



you wasted a perfectly good setup, dude

[abcdefz]

see war by edwin starr for a-z's reference



(y)

[Bob]

see war by edwin starr for a-z's reference

yeah no, i have a pulse, i've heard that song, i was just responding

[beastieangel01]

anything I'm good at/have great tricks for I can't really explain. Not because I don't want to, I just don't have to think about it I just do it. And voila.

[abcdefz]

I'm in London so couldn't comment on the laws elsewhere but it's worth checking out


Ah.

See, this is California. Authorities beat you senseless for trying stuff like that.

[zorra_chiflada]

i'm good with music, like both popular music and playing instruments
i can usually work out a song by hearing it, and i can write pretty accurate tabs.

[mickill]

Another thing regarding Balderdash:

One weakness I really like to try and exploit is the element of fear. I find that sharpening a stick with a knife helps. I usually explain that I'm just doing it to pass the time, but really it's a device for intimidating my opponents. Also, not blinking for several minutes at a time works well. If you're really good, try staring at the person across from you without smiling. Remain expressionless and quiet for a good five minutes then blurt out something about painting cheerios with insect mucus and wearing it on your nipples or something equally inane. Pretty soon, people either start getting annoyed with you or plain creeped out and may even decide to sit the rest of the game out, thus conceding failure. Additionally, if you can get everybody to quit the game before it ends, you win by default.

[abcdefz]

...have you tried incorporating SARS into your strategy yet, mickill? Works wonders. (y)

[trailerprincess]

Ah.

See, this is California. Authorities beat you senseless for trying stuff like that.

yeah, might not be worth it then :) I don't drive much anymore but my brother had a running battle with several wardens in the central London area. He loves the drama

[mickill]

*strokes chin*

hmmmm.....SARS....

[Ally Al]

yeah no, i have a pulse, i've heard that song, i was just responding


just sharing the information in case you hadn't heard the song bob is all

[mickill]

He was suggesting that you're a retarded little gay whore, Bob. That's what he meant by it. Trust me.

[Ally Al]

I'm a retarded little gay boy whore.


dude, i knew that already

[mickill]

Okay, thanks Padster.^

[Ally Al]

Okay, thanks

you're welcome

[Lex Diamonds]

Okay, thanks Padster.^
Don't mention it, homie. :)(y)

[Bob]

He was suggesting that you're a retarded little gay whore, Bob. That's what he meant by it. Trust me.

dude what the fuck ally al?

thanks mickill, it's nice to know you've got my back

[Ally Al]

dude what the fuck ally al?

thanks mickill, it's nice to know you've got my back


just be sure he's got your back for the right reasons bob, and thats all i'm saying

[mickill]

Hey, don't worry, Bob knows what time it is. Rawr.

[Ally Al]

Hey, don't worry, Bob knows what time it is. Rawr.


oh yeah ? man you always use that line, until the next "bob" comes along. These are real people Mick you can keep using them like this

[Dr Deaf]

when you pull up to an event and there's a long line of cars all with tickets flapping under the wipers, find a spot, remove someones ticket and place it under you windshield. when parking enforcement comes back around, they'll re-ticket the person who's ticket you removed and you're in the clear for the duration of your stay.

when you return to your vehicle you can either re-attach the old ticket to your patsy's windshield or simply discard it.

[abcdefz]

when you pull up to an event and there's a long line of cars all with tickets flapping under the wipers, find a spot, remove someones ticket and place it under you windshield. when parking enforcement comes back around, they'll re-ticket the person who's ticket you removed and you're in the clear for the duration of your stay.

when you return to your vehicle you can either re-attach the old ticket to your patsy's windshield or simply discard it.



Wow, dude. Your mommy didn't wuv you? :(

[Dr Deaf]

Wow, dude. Your mommy didn't wuv you? :(

what you say?

i think i actually learned that in school.

[Waus]

Two words: firefox plugins.

[Dr Deaf]

i used to fish quarters outta paper boxes with slurpee straws and magnets.

oh yeah and magic dollar as mentioned by the beastie boys.

[wanton wench]

i have double jointed elbows-snot really a trick but i can scratch every itch i've ever had on my back.

i love to play pool and i'm pretty good-its all in the leave. (well it can be) thats the trick of it. plus i'm a girl so no one thinks i can play. the boys try to bet me and honestly i could win and take their money but i dont play for money. thats not my style. i like to shoot real bad at first then just when they think they are going to win.....i clear the table. :) when you play for money people get really mad when you do this. :D

and i'm still looking for someone that can bake chocolate chip cookies better than me. sorry cant give away my secret.

one more thing-i can roll a quarter off my nose bounce it on the table and make it into a shot glass. for a short time i was queen of the drinking game called quarters.

[Bob]

i can make a bomb out of a roll of toilet paper and a stick of dynamite





i was debating whether or not i should post that in case the NSA is watching or something but come on, that's obviously a joke...it's a quote from king of the hill, even

[zippo]

i always put in one teaspoon of vanilla essence in my coffee

when someone i have to relate with is intimidating i imagine being their boss

when i have to write an article: i create a list of key words and concepts from the information ive gotten and then write the article by grouping them into sections of the text

[b-grrrlie]

I just remembered when I was doing my laundry...:
When I travel I pack my clothes in a certain way ----
First I stack them on my bed, long sleeved shirts/dresses first, all open, skirts if any, then T-shirts, all on top of each other, non-folded. Then all the socks, folded in pairs and underwear, folded, stack them all over the shoulder area of the T-shirts, then fold all the sleeves over them and then roll everything into a big roll and put in my bag. No creases!!! :D

[cosmo105]

^that's the engineer way to pack.

i speedread. it's not difficult. i taught myself, actually. granted, it's not the best for a good novel, or for difficult material, but when it's pretty cut-and-dry textbook stuff (especially if it's nicely laid out), it makes life a lot easier. especially for tests. all it takes is practice:

take a book, any book, and think of how you would read it normally. a word at a time, right? no problem. now focus out a little bit. see if you can't see a few words at a time, a sentence. a whole line. if you're studying, you can use some techniques like scanning the sentences for key terms and their contexts/definitions, and eventually get good at tossing out all the fluff. like i said, it takes practice. it's helped me immeasurably on exams, especially the ones that i forget i have until 1 a.m. the night before.

[cosmo105]

random things:
don't ever use olive oil to cook over anything hotter than medium heat. it breaks down and becomes carcinogenic. try grapeseed instead. good for your good (LDL) cholesterol.

most people probably already know this one, but duh - if your stone fruits (peaches, apricots, nectarines, plums, avocados) or pears are underripe, store them in a closed paper bag on the counter for a day or two until they soften. check them frequently, of course.

i've said this one a million times - if you get dandruff of any sort, even really bad seborrhea like mine, mix 2 tablespoons each of extra virgin olive oil and raw (it has to be raw, unpasteurized - like Bragg's) apple cider vinegar in a bottle and rub it into your scalp. obviously this will stink and run, so do it in the nude, maybe with a towel around your shoulders. after 10-15 minutes, get in the bathtub and apply shampoo directly to the scalp. no water yet. when it's worked in well, theeennnn turn on the water and give it a good rinse. your hair will be yeast-free and silky smooth for weeks.

bentonite clay is also amazing with apple cider vinegar. mix about a teaspoon or two of each into a paste, then apply on your face for a lovely mask. after it dries and gets tight, wash it off. removes any impurities. you can also mix pure bentonite with water and drink it for a great internal detox without a laxative effect.

another thing i do, studying-wise, is when i have a ton of things to remember, i use some sort of device. either neumonic, or association-based. it seems simple, but it works so well. seriously, i kick ass on tests.

[chrisd]

I'm known to get my permanent ball marker tip flooded with ink pretty fast (tip: there's a little functional hole in the cap)

[icy manipulator]

no matter how drunk/stoned/whatever state i'm in, i can answer any 2 by 2 digit multiplication sum instantaneously. straight up

[abcdefz]

I just remembered when I was doing my laundry...:
When I travel I pack my clothes in a certain way ----
First I stack them on my bed, long sleeved shirts/dresses first, all open, skirts if any, then T-shirts, all on top of each other, non-folded. Then all the socks, folded in pairs and underwear, folded, stack them all over the shoulder area of the T-shirts, then fold all the sleeves over them and then roll everything into a big roll and put in my bag. No creases!!! :D



This is good stuff. I hope I remember it on my next trip (y)

[Helvete]

no matter how drunk/stoned/whatever state i'm in, i can answer any 2 by 2 digit multiplication sum instantaneously. straight up
68x37?

[abcdefz]

mix 2 tablespoons each of extra virgin olive oil and raw (it has to be raw, unpasteurized - like Bragg's) apple cider vinegar in a bottle and rub it into your scalp.




Olive oil, vinegar, and lemon juice are great for all kinds of skin stuffs.

[icy manipulator]

68x37?
2516 mofo

[na§tee]

always exfoliate your lips gently with an old toothbrush before applying a matte lipstick.

always shake the ink cartridges/toner in your printers/photocopiers before replacing them. it will extend their life and.. stuff. everyone probably knows this but hey.

[zorra_chiflada]

always shake the ink cartridges/toner in your printers/photocopiers before replacing them. it will extend their life and.. stuff. everyone probably knows this but hey.

if you never turn your printer off - leave it on constantly, you will use considerably less ink.

[zorra_chiflada]

apparently i'm a good dancer

[b i o n i c]

if you never turn your printer off - leave it on constantly, you will use considerably less ink.


that needs to be written on the face of every printer. ink is goddamn expensive, yo. the best printers are the older ones. we have this one from like 1997, a big b/w laser one like the ones we had in college libraries. the ink toner life is excellent

[zorra_chiflada]

that needs to be written on the face of every printer. ink is goddamn expensive, yo. the best printers are the older ones. we have this one from like 1997, a big b/w laser one like the ones we had in college libraries. the ink toner life is excellent

printer ink is the most expensive liquid on earth

[b i o n i c]

those toner replacement kits are shit too. you end up paying what you saved to the cleaners, fucking messy crap

[HAL 9000]

In an office based environment, becoming proficient in the use of Macros within Microsoft Excel generally allows one to automate mundane tasks and really impress the hell out of people that cant do it.

There are a number of levels to do this, they all help impress the boss to but the further you get the better.

1. Learn how to use the Record Macro feature. Tools-Macros-Record New Macro. It translates everything you do into a visual basic code which can then be repeated when the macro is run.

2. Attach the macro to a button in your spreadsheet (View-Toolbars-forms-button) to heighten the wow factor for your boss.

3. Try to think of imaginative and innovative ways that macros can help around the office and implement them.

4. Read the Visual Basic Code that is being produced (Alt + F11 in Excel to open VB editor). Realise how you can change it manually to make better macros.

5. Purchase book on VB programming and start to learn how to write your own macros and programs from scratch. Your programming now, and everyone in the office thinks you are the Excel guru.

That’s how far I got – it is amazing how much time you can save people in a typical office environment with the above. Its also good because it encourages innovative solutions to problems. I bet by doing the above anyone working in an office environment would be able to introduce numerous programs that have a genuine and significant impact on performance.

[Lyman Zerga]

eat marinated asparagus if you want your piss to be real smelly

[ericlee]

Overcoming artist's block.. It's very common with me. I'll try to create some new music and just get stumped. Either I can't think of anything or when I do think I have something new down, I realize that it sounds like the same riffs.

I'll put the guitar down for at least two weeks. To get ideas, I'll listen to the music from cartoons or music from commercials. Believe it or not, you can get some good ideas from those.

Driving in the rain even helps break my artist's block as well. I can make rythm out of the rain drop patterns. I'll remember them and pick up the guitar and follow along with the rythm. It's strange how I do it but I just do...

I really abstain from listening to other music during that period too because alot of times, I tried playing my guitar after listening to music and find myself playing like that band.

Anyway, after doing all of the above, my block is free and I regain my creativity.

[cosmo105]

always exfoliate your lips gently with an old toothbrush before applying a matte lipstick.
you can use a soft towel too, right after a shower.

lemon juice on the skin...i don't know, man. the acid's so strong. i'd be careful.

[abcdefz]

lemon juice on the skin...i don't know, man. the acid's so strong. i'd be careful.


...haven't you ever seen Atlantic City? :D

No. But anyway. It's for getting rid of dead skin and lightening spots.

[chrisd]

i taught my baby moosies to sniff out men with bebbes to join my gang