Advice Section with Esseilte and Nexus
Question 1- "so seriously, how do you get rid of back hair economically? It's slowly but surely coming in."
Esseilte ~ The cheapest method, but definitely not the most effective, is shaving your back. You'll either need an extension for your razor (yes, they make these. Search the internet.) or a wonderful friend who will help you out. I really don't want to imagine what the regrowth would look and feel like.
Your second option is waxing. With this, you still have the regrowth and the necessity of assitance, but you have more time between. A drawback is that it does need to regrow at least 1/4 - 1/2 of an inch before you can wax again. If you do decide to wax, get a wax that is fairly firm at room temperature. It tends to cling to the hairs better.
Your third option is a depilatory cream, such as Nair or the like. It desolves the hair by breaking apart the protein bonds. A good number of people have skin reactions to these products, so be sure to spot test it on the inside of your arm before you do a large area. Chemical burns are not fun. The draw backs to this method are possible skin reactions, a foul smell, and the hair has to regrow between 1/4 and 1/2 an inch before you can dissolve it off.
Your fourth option is electrolysis. It ranges in prices, but is generally very expensive. With this in mind, it only takes a few treatments, and you're pretty much hair free forever. No more creams, waxes, or razors (not to mention no more pain, razor burn, and unsightly regrowth)
Nexus ~ Your answer is acid. You see, if you were to pour a liter of acid down your back everyday for a good two hours, that back hair would surly go away for good.
Seriously...well there are different products out there that help in reducing the growth of hair over the time of it's usage. I'm sure you've heard of Nair or NADS. There's also electrolysis (just save up some cash and you're good to go). But if you're looking for economical deals, go for what's going to last you the longest without needing to use a product again (surgery).
Question 2 - "I have a reputation in my social circle as being a hypercondriac, no one takes me seriously anymore. Over the past few months, however, this disturbingly large lump has appeared on my stomach. I dont know if i should go to the doctor for fear of embarassing myself again, but i can't shake off this feeling that it might be something significant and life altering.
What should I do?"
Esseilte ~Yes, I would definitely seek out medical attention. Any growths, abnormal drainage, discoloration of the skin, pain, swelling, dizziness, fever of more than 103 degrees, etc. all need medical attention. If you have any of the above symptoms at any time, don't be concerned what people will think. Please, go to a doctor. It is better to catch things as early as possible. Plus, the sooner you go to the doctor, and the sooner they figure out what is wrong, the sooner you'll start to get treatment and feel better.
Nexus ~ You do what's more important, in this case your health. Any exchange between the doctor and patient is confidential, so you won't have to worry about them laughing at you or anything. It's completely natural for you to feel embarassed. But most of all, trust your gut feeling in this. If you feel it's life altering, then follow that up with an appointment to your doctor.
Good luck
Question 3 - "I can't float in the water like I used to be able to do. What ever should I do?"
~Your body composition has probably changed the ratios around a bit since you were a kid. Firmer bones, more body fat (i assume), all change how well you float. Just take deep breaths (the air helps you float, not to mention keeping you conscious) and swim. If you're trying to float on your back, remember to tuck your butt under, and keep your tummy towards the sky!
Nexus ~ Well, have you considered taking swimming lessons again? Just point out your inability to float. :)
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Welcome to your first Ink Blot book review.
It was *supposed* to be on the book Rachel and Leah by Orson Scott Card, of the Women of the Genesis series. Unfortunately, (for me), that book has yet to arrive to my house... Stupid Amazon.com (er well maybe it hasn't come out yet. It feels better to blame Amazon than OSC though, because to blame OSC would be sacrilege)
And then I realized that was probably a good thing, as Rachel and Leah is actually the third book in that series. So I figure, I should probably start with the first book, so that is the one I am going to review.
So... NAME OF BOOK: Sarah.
Author of BOOK: Orson Scott Card (OSC for short)
First book in the Women of the Genesis series.
Now onto better details :) ... First off, this book is most definitely a novel. Though loosely based on the biblical character, much is the author's own interpretation about her life. After all, the bible does not provide enough information to write a 330 page book on any character, let alone a woman, even one as important as Sarah, wife of Abraham.
Which is rather sad when you think about, a potentially great woman, recognized only for the fact that she was married to Abraham, the so-called father of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. They seem to have done that a lot in the bible, though I wouldn't know as I belong to none of the religions that follow any of the testaments of the bible. But I’m under the impression that women weren’t typically given much credit.
Anyhow, back to the book. (This is a book review after all) It begins when Sarah (Then called Sarai) is ten years old, and Abraham (Abram) comes to her house to pick up her sister to marry his brother. During this short visit, Sarai and Abram, fell in love, despite the fact he was twice her age, and he promised to come back for her when she was of age to be married, despite the fact she was promised to be a priestess.
Anyhow, Sarai waited many many years for Abram to come back, and eventually he did. They did get married, and she moved to the desert with him.
The rest of the book basically follows the Genesis (At least to my minimal knowledge), but it is not the same, for it takes Sarai/Sarah’s emotions, and so it becomes a beautiful work of fiction. It describes the details of desert life, the misery of her being barren, how she commands Abraham to take Hagar and give her a child as Sarah can have none. It tells of how she grows to fear Hagar and her son Ishmael, and how she goes from thinking of them as an alley to a threat.
Though this book has been great for me to read on its own, I imagine an understanding of biblical stories would greatly increase the enjoyment found in this book. The few stories that I did know that were mentioned gave me a great feeling of intelligence. And well, feeling intelligent is always a good thing. But regardless of the fact that going into the book I knew little of the bible, let alone of Sarah Wife of Abraham, I enjoyed the book immensely. I would however recommend to anyone planning to read the book to have a bible by their side, so they could use it as a reference point. When I read it again, I plan to do exactly that.
In conclusion, I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars, but I might be slightly biased as I worship Orson Scott Card...
~Desu of the Night, the agent of YOUR confusion~
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Sleep Experiment by Temujin
As announced on the Community Board I recently altered my sleep patterns, (typically 6-8 hrs sleep from midnight onwards), in order to purposefully imitate Napoleon Bonaparte who, rather amazingly, slept from 12-2am, then worked from 2-5am, then slept from 5-7am. My intention was to keep to this regime for between three days and a week..however, I only managed to do this for one day.
During the three hours I was awake in the very early hours I decided to try and take some sort of measurement of whether or not I was taking in what I was reading. I'd recently (early June) had an exam, part of which was to do with sleep. So, knowing that I knew the topic fairly well, I decided to re-read the chapter in my textbook, then complete the multiple guess questions in the back, and see how well I did. I was anticipating perhaps 16/20, taking into account I knew much of the chapter fairly well already and had been examined on it only a few weeks ago. Quite surprisingly, I only got 65%, (13/20). Clearly revision at 3am is not advisable, for me at least.
Whilst I was completely knackered for almost the entire day following my Napoleonic sleeping, that was not the reason why I stopped after just the one attempt. My eating patterns were also skewed completely, (I only had a health bar and a yoghurt between 2-5am, so not exactly a seven course meal, but it was enough to alter my eating patterns). I was almost full before I'd even started my evening meal and did not want to become accustomed to a new eating pattern, which I feel would've been inevitable given the sleeping pattern.
Sleep is a strange thing. It is true to say no-one knows why we sleep. It is not to rest the brain, contrary to popular belief, indeed, certain parts of the brain become active only during sleep. It is also a highly individual behaviour. Einstein often slept over 10 hours a day, Mrs Thatcher required just four hours a night, and Napoleon had his own bizarre pattern, as detailed above. 2/3 people however sleep between six and a half and eight and a half hours a night.
Insomnia is a problem for many people (including myself, on and off). About half of all insomniacs have poor physical health, depression and anxiety. In 85% of cases, insomnia can be related to psychological problems. (Do not be mislead though, stress and depression are by far the most common causes of insomnia, these are psychological problems sometimes overlooked when people read that statistic.) Depressed people may also wake up early in the morning. Rather strangely, a treatment that sometimes works is purposefully depriving oneself of sleep, allowing the brain to rest and regenerate, and this can sometimes improve sleep. Obviously, cautious is required in not going overboard, and cutting sleeping time drastically is certainly not recommended. Alcohol usually causes sleepiness early on, and then wakefulness a little later, which I'm sure many here have experience of.
PM me with any questions you might have.
Temujin.
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Member Spotlight on Nexus, with Shyla
S) Hello and welcome to Sitting with Shyla. I'd like to introduce our member spotlighted for this issue, Miss Nexus. Take a bow Nexus.
(N) *Takes a bow* And heeello Shyla.
(S) Okay, let's get down to business. I know a lot of people are excited to hear from and about you, but let me ask you, how does it feel to be in the very first issue of Ye Olde Ink Blot?
(N) *Blushes* Hey! It's pretty interesting. I mean I work with Esseilte on the Advice column, so I guess I really wouldn't think about being starstruck much. But it's pretty cool really!
(S) Give it to me raw, Nexus. What's your a/s/l?
(N) 23/female/Buffalo
(S) Were you born and raised in Buffalo?
(N) Yep, born and raised in the boring, half dead city. *sighs* But the best thing about it is that my b-day is coming up on the 15th! WOO-HOO!!
(S) Well, happy almost birthday Nexus! You'll be turning 23, what do you plan to do to celebrate this blessed even?
(N) I'll be turning 24. Lol. I have no clue. I'll probably go to Canada to have fun or I'll go out with a couple of friends.
(S) Fabulous! If my sources are correct, you once worked in Hawaii?
(N) Yes, I did. I worked at a Bed and Breakfast in Honolulu, HI where I met Koresh. He's the one who introduced me to 4 Degreez in the first place. That was way back in 2000. Either late August or early September. But I'm not one for the tourist scene. So, I didn't enjoy Honolulu as much as people thought I should. But, North Shore is awesome!
(S) Do you have an scoops for us about you and Koresh's escapades while in Honolulu? *wink*
(N) Hahahaha, no. We're just friends. Nothing romantic. We just worked together.
(S) Speaking of romance...how're you doing in that area? Our readers are *dying* to know. Committed, single, swinging, or stalker status?
(N) How about the way beyond friendship status. Would you take that?
(S) I take anything I can get!
(N) Cool!
(S) Let's talk a bit about the 4thkingdom. As most of us know, our original site was named 4Degreez and we have only recently moved to 4K. By your calculations you've been a member of the site for 4 years in September. Tell me the best and worst things you find in our community.
(N) The Best: I would have to applaud Four on his constant tinkering at trying to perfect this site. It must be so hard trying to maintain this place when so many people are constantly requesting additional changes being made. He's a busy guy and when it comes to this site, he's the one who has to write the scripts so things can work properly. So I kind of feel for him and his work load.
The Worst: I don't know. How about people who don't respect another's privacy? I just find it completely rude. They just remind me of the nosy next door neighbour. The one who's wearing the old house coat, owns one too many cats, and constantly looks out their window or shuffles out the door every time they see you coming or going. That's the image I get of them.
(S) Readers beware and respect Nexus' privacy. Not to delve too deep, but how did you come up with your name? Is it the shampoo that you use?
(N) Hahaha, no. I have Herbal Essences. I came up with my name because I felt as thought I outgrew the Water-Mage personae. I like what a nexus represents, and so I named myself thus...with the help of one of Nolo's poem names. Sorry dude.
(S) I'll live, I guess. So much for the intrigue, lol. *grin*
(N) WELL...fine...see if I care. lol
(S) Who do you talk to most from 4k, outside of 4k?
(N) Rquethe.
(S) I like reading your posts. You make your point without all the added unneccessary complexities. Whose posts do you most look forward to reading for insight?
(N) Really? Gee, I'd never thought someone would actually like my posts. Thanks! Well, I like Samael's posts...but I mostly look forward to reading Aether's posts because the boy is always incorporating some humour into it.
(S) Is there anything else you'd care to to tell the readers, Nexus?
(N) Nexus never talks about herself in third person. She likes good conversation and people who make the effort in living a good life. Nexus respects Nexus.
Nexus: real name Nona Scott
Favorite Color: Green or Blue
Pets: Woobie
Favorite Food(s): Italian, Asian, or a mixture of anything. :P
Hates: Seafood and Pork.
(S) Well thank you and that is all.
(N) *Sniffles* You're going bye-bye?
(S) Let go of my arm please.
(N) *Grabs for her life* NO! What am I going to do with my life now!?!
(S) Remember folks, you heard it first (perhaps 2nd or 3rd) from Sitting With Shyla.
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Roger Federer wins Wimbledon
Roger Federer wins back to back Wimbledon single titles. Federer defeated Andy Roddick Roddick in four sets; which included two tie breaker sets. Roddick was the aggressor in this match. His aggressiveness gave me the temporary lead in four played sets including winning the first set. Federer looked calm as he came back and won every set; frustrating Roddick. Federer's serve was the backbreaker for Roddick. Federer had 12 aces. Roddick in receiving his second place trophy is quoted by saying, " I brought the kitchen sink; Roger brought the bath tub." Roger played effortlessly to dominate Roddick; although the scorecard painted a different picture. Roger Federer has won 24 consecutive games on grass; which has allowed him to maintain his #1 men player in the world status. Due to rain in the last two weeks; the center court was forced in to play during the tournament bracket. The worn out course caused difficulties for both players. On Saturday; Serena Williams slipped and fell on many occupations during the women's single title championship.
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