Author: Dennis Hickey

There are no limits to success to those who never stop learning. Learning will also nourish your personal growth. I hope you enjoy this website and visit often so you keep learning and growing too!

When to Change Your Guitar Strings

Yes, I dabble in guitar. I’m embarrassed to sometimes say that because dabbling is all that I can do. I am intimidated when listening to Eric Clapton play, I’m awe-struck when Jimmy Page does it and Jimi Hendrex, well he just blows me away.

I know one secret that every accomplished player knows, when to change their strings. So how often should a guitar player change strings? Browse thru this article that will shed light on this topic.

Those of us who’ve been playing guitar for at least a few years… we just know when it’s time to change our guitar strings. We can feel it and we can hear it, and it’s blatantly obvious to us.

However, the signs and symptoms that we experienced players recognize are not at all obvious to beginners, no matter how hard we might try to describe them.

So, if you’re a new guitar owner wondering how often you should change your guitar strings, I’m going to instead give you some basic timeframes to follow. That’ll serve you well until you gain the experience you’ll need to better judge, based on sound and feel, when it’s time to change your strings.

The Infrequent Player

If you play: Less than 15 minutes per week
Change your strings: Once a year

You really only pull the guitar out of its case a few times a year–maybe at a rare family holiday. Or, maybe you’re a collector of high-end/rare/vintage guitars that you rarely play. You might spend 5 – 10 minutes strumming some basic chords, and then the guitar goes back in its case (or display case) for a few more months.

Even if you’re one who rarely plays your guitar, strings naturally begin to oxidize over time–they don’t last forever.

The Occasional Dabbler or Learner

If you play: 1 – 3 hours per week
Change your strings: Every 6 – 8 months

You play your guitar a few days a week for only about 15 – 30 minutes at a time, and you’re not very consistent. Perhaps you enjoy playing, but it’s just not a big priority for you. Or maybe you’re a new guitarist still building your calluses and hand strength, so you can’t yet practice very often or for very long.

The Avid Hobbyist

If you play: 3 – 12 hours per week
Change your strings: Every 3 – 5 months

You’re fairly serious and play your guitar consistently 6 – 7 days a week for 30 minutes to 2 hours at a time. FYI, this is the category I fall into.

The Serious Player or Aspiring Pro

If you play: 12 – 25 hours per week
Change your strings: Every 1 – 2 months (more frequently, if needed)

You’re someone who’s playing 6 – 7 days a week for anywhere from 2 – 4 hours at a time. Maybe you’re a music student, or in a band that plays the odd gig here and there. Or, maybe you just really, really love playing guitar and make time to indulge your passion.

The Pro Musician

If you play: 30+ hours per week
Change your strings: Once a week, or possibly daily

You play guitar for a living, and your guitar is in your hands every day. At any given time, you might be rehearsing with your band, recording, giving guitar lessons, or playing a live show (sometimes all in the same day). You eat, sleep, and breathe guitar.

These Are Just Rough Guidelines

How long any given set of guitar strings will last before you need to change them isn’t an exact science. Your mileage may vary from the timeframes I gave above, but if you’re a beginner and aren’t sure when to change your strings, this’ll give you something to go by until you can judge for yourself just based on how the strings feel and sound.

How to Help Your Strings Last Longer

There are two things you can do to help your strings naturally last longer:

  • Wash your hands before you play
  • Wipe your strings every time you’ve finished playing

Washing your hands before you play may not always be feasible, but if you’re like me and play your guitar at home 99% of the time, definitely give your hands a quick wash before you play. When you’re done playing, give the guitar strings a quick wipe with a clean, soft cloth. Using a string cleaner or a little bit of mineral oil is optional.

Final Thoughts

Ask 10 different guitar players when you should change strings and you’ll get 10 slightly different answers. There’s a bit of personal preference involved in this, and as you gain experience you’ll start to recognize when your strings are wearing out and need to be changed.

Source: How often should I change guitar strings? A list of basic timeframes (guitaranswerguy.com)

How to be a Sigma Male?

Sigma males have several notable traits that make them good candidates for leadership in a social hierarchy. However, because of their self-sufficient and one nature, they are considered to be the more silent and mysterious version of an alpha male. This is why this personality type is the least common to find.

Despite their introverted nature, sigma males are still capable of friendships, relationships, and sometimes, even leadership if motivated by the right reasons and if done on their own terms.

Can I become a sigma male?

By now, you probably have more reason to decide whether you are a sigma male or not. If it’s the latter, the sigma male traits may have made some sort of appeal to you, and now you’re interested in if you can become one and how. It’s okay and totally understandable. Who doesn’t want to be a more attractive version of the alpha?

Do take note that becoming a sigma male can take years of experience, primarily because it isn’t exactly something that can be easily taught. But it’s not at all impossible to become a sigma male. You just have to awaken your inner sigma.

Practice the following ways to adapt the sigma personality.

  1. Be content with not being in the spotlight. Focus on getting your goals accomplished without needing everyone to know about your hard work.
  2. Do not seek other people’s validation. Free yourself of other people’s opinions and expectations of you. The only opinion that should matter is yours.
  3. When it comes to friends, choose quality over quantity. If a friendship doesn’t feel physically, emotionally, or mentally rewarding for you, then better not have it at all.
  4. Talk less and listen more. Spend more time in deep thinking and contemplation than wasting your energy in meaningless conversation that wouldn’t matter tomorrow.
  5. Depend only on yourself. Never expect someone else to come save you. Best equip yourself with essential skills, so you are capable of saving yourself.
  6. Be more self-aware. The key is to reflect and meditate more to get more in touch with your inner self.

Source: What is a Sigma Male: An Ultimate Guide to the Lone Wolf (msn.com)

Want more advice?

1. Be confident

Believe in yourself and be confident about everything. Whether it’s a good or bad thing about you, trust yourself and avoid feeling insecure.

Act how you do when you’re all alone in all areas of your life. No, don’t show your vulnerabilities but be comfortable with your personality.

Even if you currently have more beta male personality traits, acceptance is the first step to being a sigma male. If someone criticizes you for not having any filter, ignore them like they don’t exist.

2. Avoid being aggressive in whatsoever situation

During crises, most people can’t stay calm. They naturally react to it and show their emotions easily. However, that gives away your weaknesses easily. Any enemy around you will take advantage of you once they notice it.

So, learn to mask your emotions when things go out of hand. Keep a poker face and don’t let others know your thoughts. If you’re extremely anxious, take a moment away from everyone and control yourself. Remember, the lone wolf walks alone and never lets the enemies know his thoughts.

3. Be friendly with your team members

If you’re in a team in your professional or academic life, be kind to everyone whether you’re a team member or the leader. Share your knowledge by leading by example. Don’t expect others to know everything. Be understanding of your team member’s troubles.

Don’t try to dominate them and instead be one of them. Be a reliable person but don’t depend on them. Never snatch others’ credit and let them get recognized for their effort.

4. Talk less and listen more

One of the major signs of being a sigma male is his silence. He’s in love with silence and even spends long hours away from others. He doesn’t talk much and relishes the silence. In silence, he notices many details and can make more aware decisions.

So, try to talk less, listen to others more without interruption, and keep all distractions away from yourself. You’ll also become a good listener like a sigma male this way.

5. Work on self-awareness

Be more aware of your flaws and perfections like a sigma male. He knows what he owns and lacks which helps him correct himself and thrive more than others. He always aims to improve himself and never feels shy about being in the wrong.

So, try to identify where you went wrong and what you must work on. If you don’t know how to work on yourself, seek help from trustworthy people. Or, if you can’t identify your flaws, ask them.

What to do if you’re a Sigma Male?

Being a sigma male is a glorious thing from afar… but only you know your struggles. Your life is a battle every day and your temperament doesn’t truly help you. So, to get rid of some inconveniences in your life, listen to me out…

1. Don’t push others away

You don’t like to expand your social circles. You feel more comfortable in a small circle because you dislike drama and even people with ill intentions. You can’t accept anyone in your circle easily because you know that ill-wishers can easily enter your life this way.

However, give others a chance before you judge them. You have every reason to be wary of others, but that doesn’t mean everyone is suspicious. Instead, take your time to understand them.

2. Take more aware risks

Being a sigma male, you love risks and want to feel challenged at every point of your life. You do things differently to experience the possible risks. But, what if the risks are too bad to handle?

Well, you’ll probably adapt to a different lifestyle. But if someone depends on you, it’ll change their life for the worse. You might demand them to become independent and improve their lifestyle by themselves. But consider their situation before you demand that.

3. Express yourself in close bonds

You’re a silent person and don’t talk a lot until it’s something valuable. That’s alright in any formal area like work, school, or any business place. But don’t do the same in your personal life, especially not to your close ones.

If you don’t express yourself, communication troubles will spring up from everywhere. Your loved ones will misunderstand you and a lot of drama will kick in. So, add honest and clear communication to your life. If you want space or some silent time, tell your people that along with the reasons.

4. Never avoid your basic responsibilities

You don’t like to commit or take responsibility and expect everyone to be self-dependent. However, do this only with your acquaintances. Control the same urges around your loved ones.

Suppose your family depends on you financially and they supported you until you grew up. Don’t leave them when they need your support. Even if you don’t like them, they are your responsibility, so don’t ignore them.

Or, if your lover is in trouble and you asked them to try to solve their issues independently. However, they still want your help. That’s an emergency, don’t ignore them. They are out of options, so help!

5. Improve your social skills

Due to your poor social skills, people often misunderstand your intentions. Just because you’re bored and disinterested in shallow conversations, you don’t seem eager to talk to them. The lack of emotional responses offends others and hurts your social connections.

You don’t want to make connections, but it can be useful later on. So, even if you exchange pleasantries for a few minutes, act more warmly. This is only possible if you practice socializing instead of avoiding it.

Source: Sigma Male – Everything You Should Know About Him! (thepleasantpersonality.com)

Part 1 of this 2-part article, “What is a Sigma Male” can be found here: What is a Sigma Male – TUTORING YOU

What is a Sigma Male

You often encounter the word “alpha male”, but have you ever heard of the term “sigma male?”

Most popularly referred to as the “lone wolf”, sigma males are typically considered to be the more silent and mysterious version of your typical alpha male.

They are the kind of guys that prefer being in their own company rather than in a group. Moreover, they only do things on their own terms, and they refuse to conform to authority or the world’s demands.

What is a sigma male?

The sigma male is one of six generally accepted male personalities dubbed from the letters in the Greek alphabet. The sigma male is simplest known for being an introverted version of an Alpha. They are cunning, self-confident, likable, and prudent.

The legendary retired hitman John Wick played by our favorite actor Keannu Reeves is the best definition of sigma male personality.

thoughtnova.com

Among the other five personalities, the sigma male is considered the personality type with higher chances of challenging the dominance of an alpha male and actually winning. However, if not for the most righteous motivations, they’d usually just prefer to mind their own business away from the limelight.

Do these traits seem so familiar to you? Are you wondering if you possess the sigma male personality? Or know someone? Do you want to know if you can become a sigma male?

Sigma Male Notable Traits

1. Sigma males are mavericks.

2. Sigma males are self-sufficient.

3. Sigma males are practical.

4. Sigma males prefer blending in than being the center of attention.

5. Sigma males are deep and critical thinkers.

6. Sigma males are socially flexible.

7. Sigma males are effortlessly charismatic.

Is it rare to meet a sigma male?

Sigma males are considered the rarest of all six male personalities. Perhaps, the most logical explanation for this is because the sigma personality is full of contradictions. Given their goal-driven nature, they tend to focus more on spending time alone than in a social setting.

While sigma males bear the characteristics of an alpha male, their silent and mysterious nature keeps them away from the spotlight. This is why the existence of a sigma male personality can be known to only a few people.

Do sigma males fall in love?

Of course! They may be lone wolves, but they are very much capable of falling in love. It also helps that most of the characteristics of a sigma male (mysterious, independent) may seem so appealing to some women.

How do sigma males act in a relationship?

A sigma male preserves an old-fashioned perspective when it comes to romantic relationships. He also may not be too vocal about his feelings, be it love or lust. He prefers for things to naturally come to him.

Do sigma males have friends?

It may be rare, but sigma males can have a few friends like an omega male. However, if they did indeed have friends, it’s because they chose to be friends with them and not out of necessity.

What motivates a sigma male?

Thanks to their prudent and logical nature, a sigma male may end up challenging an alpha male’s dominance if he senses dishonest and fraudulent leadership. Regardless of his lone nature, he will be motivated to make a difference in the world, even if it means going against corruption at play.

Source: What is a Sigma Male: An Ultimate Guide to the Lone Wolf (msn.com)

Tomorrow: Can I become a sigma male?

Black Friday: Yeah, or Meh?

Black Friday is a consumer holiday that started in the United States, but it has since spread to other parts of the world. It’s characterized by long lines of shoppers (and sometimes even dangerous stampedes) trying to get the best deals on clothing, electronics and other items.

©Lawyers, Guns and Money

It wasn’t until the 1950’s that the term “Black Friday” got associated with the day after Thanksgiving. People realized if they called in sick on Friday, they could get a four day weekend. And with the stores open, this turned into a shopping extravaganza. Now, most company’s give the day after as a bonus off day or employees use as a vacation day.

The phrase “Black Friday” to signify a positive boost in retail sales didn’t grow nationwide until the late 1980s, when merchants started to spread the red-to-black profit narrative. Black Friday was described as the day stores began to turn a profit for the year and as the biggest shopping day in the United States. In truth, most stores saw their largest sales on the Saturday before Christmas.

In more recent years, Black Friday has been followed by other shopping holidays, including Small Business Saturday, which encourages shoppers to visit local retailers, and Cyber Monday, which promotes shopping online. Giving Tuesday has also emerged to spur charitable donations

Why aren’t people shopping on Black Friday?

One employee suggested the dearth of customers was due to the plethora of online sales merchandisers have been pushing for weeks now. “We’ve been having Black Friday sales for three weeks now,” the worker said. “We had doorbuster sales two weeks ago. Maybe that’s why more people are not shopping today.”

What are your shopping plans for Black Friday, or are you more of a Cyber Monday on-line shopper?

Why Is It Called Black Friday? | Britannica

9 Walking Mistakes You Didn’t Know You Were Making

If you’re looking for a way to excuse-proof your exercise routine, look no further: Walking is not only a simple and effective way to stay physically active, it’s also a safer way to improve your health during the Covid-19 pandemic because you can exercise outdoors.

“The biggest benefit of walking is that it’s really accessible to just about everybody,” says Christopher John Lundstrom, PhD, MEd, director of sport and exercise science at the University of Minnesota School of Kinesiology.

It’s no surprise that walking is the most popular aerobic physical activity in the U.S. In any given week, about six in 10 adults report walking for at least 10 minutes.

But what might be surprising is that there are a lot of common mistakes people make when walking for fitness. Some mistakes can lead to injuries. But even minor transgressions can make your walking less beneficial and less enjoyable—which can mess with your motivation and make it harder to develop a consistent routine.

Here are the most common walking mistakes and tips on how to fix them.

© AJ_Watt/Getty Images

Wearing the wrong footwear

When it comes to avoiding injury, it’s essential to wear the best walking shoes for your feet, says Steven Jasonowicz, DPM, a podiatric foot and ankle surgeon at the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute. Wearing the wrong footwear numbers among common walking mistakes.

He suggests wearing athletic sneakers that are supportive, feel good and fit correctly.

Swinging your arms too much—or too little

Use your arms to your advantage. When walking, your arms act as counterweights to your legs, says Lundstrom. And while it’s natural to move each arm with the motion of the opposite leg, “the movement should be just enough so your trunk isn’t moving back and forth and is nice and stable,” says Lundstrom. “The more vigorously you’re walking, the stronger your arm action is going to be. If you’re walking fairly leisurely, you don’t need very much arm motion.”

Try to relax your arms and let them move naturally to avoid this walking mistake.

Straining your neck and shoulders

It’s also important to avoid tensing up. “Your shoulders should be loose,” Lundstrom says. “Over a few minutes, it’s not a big deal. But if you’re carrying tension in the shoulders and arms over 20 to 30 minutes, it can be uncomfortable and make walking a less pleasant experience.”

Try this: Every 10 minutes or so, check in and make sure your shoulders are loose and your arms are moving freely to avoid making this walking mistake. It can also help to think about keeping your neck in a neutral position so that you’re not straining up or down. Think about relaxing your neck and keeping it in line with your spine, and set your gaze on the ground ahead of you, Lundstrom suggests. This will help your posture and reduce any discomfort. It will also help you scope out your footing.

That’s 3 tips. You’ll find 6 more by following the link below.

Source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/9-walking-mistakes-you-didn-t-know-you-were-making/ar-AA12NUev?cvid=9daa40a781914f0893c1921802365d8b

Thanksgiving Writing/Conversation Prompts

Below, you’ll find 3 questions that can be jumping-off points for writing or discussion in the classroom, or conversation starters for the dinner table, such as: What are your Turkey Day traditions? What are your favorite side dishes? Do you participate in Black Friday shopping?

What are your favorite side dishes?

Source: New York Times Upshot based on Google search data

What do people eat on Thanksgiving in your state? Take a look at the map above, which shows the most “distinct” Thanksgiving side dish by state as determined by the number of Google searches during the week of Thanksgiving from 2004 to 2013, relative to the number of searches in other states. Have you ever tried any of these foods?

What are your Turkey Day traditions?

Every family celebrates Thanksgiving differently. What are your holiday traditions?

How do you and your family or community celebrate Thanksgiving? What does the food you serve or the things you do that day say about where you are from?

Or, read about how the Turkey Trot became a Thanksgiving tradition and then use these questions as a guide to talk about the activities you do on Thanksgiving and in the days that follow.

Students, share a “snapshot” of your most memorable Thanksgiving. What makes that day stand out in your mind?

For 7 more prompts, click the link below, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Source and Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/21/learning/10-prompts-for-talking-and-writing-about-thanksgiving.html

Electrical Wire Color Codes – Wiring Colors Chart

Understanding electrical wire colors ensure the electrician’s, residents’, and appliances’ safety every time the electrical system is under maintenance or repair.

Different colors indicate the wire’s purpose in the circuit. Wiring a new ceiling fan poses a challenge if you don’t understand which wire is “hot” and which is neutral or ground. This chart will answer your questions.

Remember that all wires may carry an electric current at certain times so, they should all be treated with the same caution. It is crucial to understand the wires that may pose the biggest threat, the hot wires. Hotwires are the ones that carry live electrical current from the electric panel or breaker box to destinations like an outlet or light fixtures. They are also known as line wires.

Before handling electrical wire repair work, ensure no power is running in them by switching off the main electrical power supply. A multimeter can be used to help troubleshoot and check the home’s electrical wiring.

Remember: Assume it’s hot and act accordingly. Be safe!

Source: https://removeandreplace.com/2020/03/26/electrical-wire-color-codes-wiring-colors-chart/