Any avid music player has been faced at times with the problem of not being able to access a music video on YouTube due to country bans. This can be very frustrating but surprisingly, a fast and permanent solution to this problem is free and just a few clicks away. This solution is represented by the multitude of VPNs providers (both paid and free).

The Functionality Of VPNs

VPNs are a fairly new cybersecurity technology on the market that comes with important side benefits. People normally use VPNs for staying safe or anonymous online. A good example would be those who visit OCG for NZ players and plan to stay anonymous throughout their online casino experience – starting with the registration process and payments to fill the balance and ending with retrieving the money from wins.

            However, there is an important side benefit offered by VPNs, namely, the ability to bypass region or country-specific bans. The explanation behind this is the following: given that all the Internet traffic of the user passes through a dedicated VPN server and that this server can be located anywhere in the world (the user can normally select manually the country of interest), it results that the user can appear online as a resident of any country where the given provider has servers.

            Of course, most of the users are interested primarily in the US or European servers, but only a combination of servers from different countries would enable a truly broad access (for instance, the user might be willing to watch certain Netflix shows available only in the US and certain anime series available only in Japan). VPNs can ensure access to:

• TV streaming services (Netflix, Sling TV);
• general video streaming platforms (YouTube, Vimeo);
• music streaming services (Pandora, Spotify, online radios);
• virtually any other website which does not explicitly ban VPNs.

Considerations For Registering For A Blocked Music Streaming Service

            As stated, one area in which VPNs would work flawlessly would be unblocking YouTube videos. This is however valid for many other streaming services with some considerations. Thus, many services nowadays involve a registration step in which a code containing message is sent to the mobile phone number of the user. In case this phone number has to be country-specific, there is little one can do to solve the problem. Nevertheless, such activation mechanisms are usually used for more “serious” platforms, like social networks (which might have policies of confirming user identity in order to ensure greater safety for other users on the network).

Most of the times, registering for a music streaming service with a VPN is very straightforward and takes just a few minutes. From here on, users can start listening to music and building their playlists, waiting for the day when these streaming services would officially expand their coverage to include their home countries.

4 Wise Tips to Start Blogging as a Career Successfully

Blogging has become one of the most popular forms of media these days. In case you have the passion and drive in writing, then it will be easier for you to create your own blog and curate content. There are tons of things to take into consideration before you can build your own blog.

Nowadays, blogging can be considered as a career. It is no longer just a hobby for those who love writing, rather a source of income, too. There is money in being a blogger and if you put your heart into it, you can succeed eventually. Simply follow these smart tips on how to effectively start blogging as a career:

Choose the right platform and domain

The first thing you need when blogging is to find where you are going to write. Choose a platform wisely and make sure that it is easy to manage and user-friendly. If you cannot decide yet, you might want to opt for one of the most common platforms, which is WordPress. It is free, simple, and efficient. Definitely, you are sure to blog conveniently through it. Additionally, you have to pick the right domain for your blog. Use a domain lookup first to ensure that your chosen domain name is unique and still available.

Know your blog wholeheartedly

It pays off to understand your blog well. Select a niche that interests you the most and you can create a strategic plan from there. Organize your content and keep a record of everything you put in your blog. This way, you can determine what areas you can improve your writing skills easily as well as have a control of all the things that is happening in your blog.

Get noticed

Blogging as a career won’t be successful if you don’t have readers. Exert extra effort to get your blog noticed to everyone on the Internet. This might be a tough job at first, but you will see its benefit in the long run. Focus on networking with other bloggers out there, engage with your readers, and attend events. This way, you can slowly let other people know about your blog and have an idea of what it is all about.

Diversify your skills

Blogging is more than just simply writing articles. In order to succeed in this field, you also have to diversify your skills. Think of other skills you can use to improve your blog, such as photography and design. Be sure to be as creative as possible when you begin blogging as a career. There is a greater possibility that you boost your career if you incorporate more skills into it.

Certainly, blogging as a career is not an easy feat. It might seem simple, but it takes a lot of patience, time, creativity, and perseverance to make it to the top. If you are serious about blogging, then consider these helpful tips mentioned above. You will surely see the fruits of your labor soon, just be patient and never give up.

5 Reasons Your Game Isn’t Loading on Your Computer

You (or your little one!) sit down at your computer, excited beyond measure to start playing. The new game you’ve been waiting for released and it’s finally finished downloading. You click on it. Boot it up. Eager to capture the first impression of the user interface. Seconds pass and nothing happens, perhaps you even encounter some sort of error. You click again only to experience the same outcome. For whatever reason, your game isn’t loading and even after rebooting your gaming system, nothing changes.

To a gamer, nothing is more frustrating. However, before you panic or dive headfirst into the depths of frustration, it’s important to note that there are a host of reasons this could be occurring and, for the most part, it’s an easy problem to rectify. The below are common reasons why your game isn’t loading on your computer.

Anti-Virus or Anti-Malware Programs

Current anti-virus and anti-malware software is complex, deeply integrated, and often overruling. Being that these programs work in the background, often their basic setup will debilitate other software from running. Mostly, this is because the anti-virus solution deems this new software (in this case the new game you’ve installed) as a possible threat. In other cases, it is simply a communication issue between the different types of software. It’s encouraged, if you’re running into this problem, to temporarily disable the anti-virus solution while you run your game. If this rights the problem, then reach out to the anti-virus solution’s support team, or do some research to understand why it’s inhibiting your game from running properly.

Graphics Driver

New, trendy video games tend to stay at the forefront of graphics hardware and software. This is to say that, when graphics cards improve, so too does the game—aiming to complement the new capabilities of current units. Sometimes, your hardware is sound but the game still won’t run. In which case it’s wise to look into your graphics driver and discern whether you’re up-to-date or not. Simply installing the latest driver can fix bugs, patch issues, and bring your software up to speed in order to run the game properly.

The GPU

Graphics cards are not necessarily jargon in the computer world, being that they’re commonly referenced regarding games, design, and digital aesthetics. This may have you asking: what is a graphics processing unit (GPU)? Think of GPU as a part of the computer responsible for ensuring that your content displays and renders properly on screen. This includes games, applications, and webpages. If your GPU is outdated and can’t process or render the game at hand, it simply won’t load. This could very well be indicative of a hardware issue and it just might be time to replace your GPU. This point is increasingly relevant if the game which errored is brand new.

The Operating System (OS)

Although these cases are less common than others (especially if it’s a desktop you’re playing on and not a mobile device), there are circumstances in which a game has been engineered for a certain operating system that succeeds your current gaming technology. This usually occurs with massive changes, not updates; think Windows XP or Vista versus Windows 10. While this perhaps has nothing to do with your current situation, before researching other issues it’s wise to see if the game at hand has been formatted for a specific operating system—Mac or Windows alike.

Storage

Lastly, although this should error in the download stage, it’s paramount that you identify whether or not you have enough space on your hard drive to download and run the game. Without the proper storage, the game may download improperly and run incorrectly or not at all. This is where upgrading RAM can be beneficial to your computer’s processing speed as a whole and allow your game, at last, to boot up and run.

It’s Often an Easy Fix

Computers are complex, multifaceted, and downright overwhelming to the novice user. With so many parts communicating simultaneously, identifying root problems that are causing issues can be a daunting task. Yet, when it comes to games not loading, the reasons are often common, easy to identify (especially through the process of elimination), and even easier to fix. Don’t let your current situation frustrate you and know that there is, most likely, a quick and easy solution to your problem.

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Now is the time to start the holiday shopping for the 2018 season! I always like to try and be done before Thanksgiving that way we van enjoy the holidays and get to relax. At Media Mikes, we try to find the newest and coolest items to help you get the best gifts during the holiday season. 2018 is shaping up to be one of our busiest years to date with product coverage. Check out below for just a few of the must-own  products this year!

One of this year’s top items to keep an eye out for would be the MIQRO vaporizer. Da Vinci has already delivered amazing products and the MIQRO has an all zirconium ceramic vapor path and mouthpiece which allows you to draw the purest vapor you’ll ever taste in a vaporizer. What makes Da Vinci stand out is that these vaporizers they stand behind their legacy on perfecting the purest flavor. This vaporizer is 33% smaller than its predecessor and with a fully functional adjustable oven, this small vaporizer is sleek and simple!

While you are using your amazing MIQRO, would better way to relax than to kick back with a screening of “The Big Lebowski”. Well, get ready for this holiday season because there is an amazing 20th Anniversary Limited Edition debuting for the first time ever on 4K Ultra Combo Pack that also includes Blu-ray™ and Digital via the digital movie app Movie Anywhere on October 16, 2018, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. The Big Lebowski 20th Anniversary Limited Edition is the perfect gift for any fan and the exclusive set includes a collectible bag, bowling ball pencil holder, polishing cloth and sweater packaging offering delivering the perfect gift for any fan.

Now if you want to win the holiday season, head over to Forever Collectibles (FOCO) because they  just released their first series of Bluetooth enabled ugly Christmas sweaters… That’s right I said, Bluetooth Ugly Christmas Sweater.Now if a sports fan, get ready to make that purchase because the time is now! The officially-licensed knitted NFL team light-up Bluetooth sweaters for the 2018 holiday season are a must have for all sports fans there are a ton of amazing professional and collegiate sports to choose from. I know the point of the “ugly sweaters” is to be ugly but these shirts look amazing as well as add a little extra cheese factor. The Bluetooth lighting is an amazing addition to the ugly sweater tradition. You are able to display blinking lights on front so you can light up the room and keep the party going all night!

Since the season is just starting off, this piece is only the beginning for us here at Media Mikes, we will have many more gift guides for you to check out this holiday season. Don’t get caught out of time and without a gift. Hopefully this gift guide allows you to get a jump on the shopping this year and makes your loved ones very happy in return!

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Positron CEO Jeffrey Travis

It’s safe to say I will try anything when it comes to new theatrical experiences. I’ve always loved Lincoln Square’s IMAX screenings, I’ve seen entire Broadway plays done in binaural audio (that’s “3D” sound) and even shelled out extra ticket money to see a favorite film in 4DX once or twice. So I was excited to try out Positron’s Voyager Chair, a VR experience which is being deployed to several theater celebrating the release of Universal’s First Man. Guests heading out to several AMC locations across the nation have not only the chance to just see the Damian Chazelle film, which is released on October 12th, but to take a small excursion to the moon themselves.

I got to try out the Voyager chair on Tuesday both with the First Man VR experience as well as a seasonally-appropriate horror short called “Night Night” and was really impressed with the level of immersion, from the spatial audio to truly being able to look in all directions within my headset. My First Man mission even had an animated co-pilot! Best of all, the Voyager chair itself, whose design looks straight out of Men In Black, was actually pretty comfortable and even after these two shorts I felt no sort of motion sickness, which I was wary of considering 3D films can give me a headache.

Positron’s CEO Jeffrey Travis was in New York this week with the Voyager to talk about the potential that this technology presents to cinematic VR experiences.

Lauren Damon: Was this pod created just for First Man?

Jeffrey Travis: No, we created this to be a platform for cinematic VR in general. So the first kind of wider public experience was we did The Mummy with Universal. So we’ve done three experiences with Universal–The Mummy, Jurassic World and First Man. It was all really cool. But there’s a lot of other studios and places that we use these with. The idea is to create ultimately VR cinemas.

LD: Is the goal here to get whole theaters of these?

JT: Yeah! So we can do theaters with this. Mini ones of twos or threes and we actually set that up here at Pod hotels here in Brooklyn. It’s open to the public. We have pairs of chairs at AMC theaters here in New York at Lincoln Square, San Francisco, DC, LA, but eventually we’re going to be putting this in permanent installations and creating VR theaters of 30-40 chairs and people could buy a ticket and come for an experience that’s either like something of what you’ve just experienced or longer. Somewhere from a half hour to an hour.

LD: Yeah because how long can you view it without feeling it too much?

JT: Yeah we talk about that. I think the ideal length is about half an hour for cinematic VR. I think longer than that, the headsets can get a little heavy on some people. But those are being made by companies like Facebook and Samsung and Microsoft and HP and they’re getting better all the time. So I think we will be able to have 90 minute VR experiences. But right now a half hour feels like a very full meal.

LD: What would the price point be in terms of ticketing?

JT: So probably around—it depends on experience—but probably averaging around $30.

LD: That price is actually similar to they have those “4D[x]” theaters here, what are your thoughts on those?

JT: We do get asked about that. I think it’s still fundamentally different. You know, to me the 4D movie theater, you’re adding some sensory effects that compliment the 2D screen experience. Which is fine and good, but what we’re trying to do here is really bring VR to where you forget about the screen, you even forget about the motion…So it’s almost like you don’t notice it’s happening. You should just feel like you’re actually in the story. That’s kind of the goal, not just a little enhancement but something that’s integrated.

LD: How much testing goes into something like this? How much time does it take to produce?

JT: It really depends on the piece but it goes through a lot of testing. Several months. This next piece that we’re working on is called “Shady Friend,” a VR comedy starring Weird Al Yankovic. It’s a psychedelic comedy that uses scent as well and it’s about a guy that accidentally takes this latest designer drug and goes on this crazy LSD trip. So we’re using motion, haptics and scent and it’s in post-production right now, we shot in July, and it will probably be ready by January. About six months.

LD: When did you start working on this particular First Man experience?

JT: First Man, so that was produced by Ryot and CreateVR and they started actually just two months ago. It was a very accelerated schedule. Which is a little more unusual.

LD: Was all that footage created for this VR?

JT: So obviously the stuff you’re seeing in Mission Control and on the screens is from the film, but then everything else for the VR experience had to be created from scratch. The films assets are mostly 2D and we needed to create these 3D volumetric environments like the moon.

LD: Are you going to get Ryan Gosling to try this out?

JT: I hope so! We had them at the premiere of First Man in the space there. So he was there, I didn’t get a word whether he did it or not. I know the producers of First Man got in there.

LD: There’s definitely a push to add more to theaters considering how much is available for home streaming, do you see this as adding to that?

JT: That’s the idea. I think that movies are certainly in the US and North America, struggling with people going to the box office because they’d often rather stay at home and stream on Netflix. So I think part if the appeal for this is that hey, this is an experience you really can’t get at home. At least not yet. And this brings people out to the movies or at least out to our locations and experiences.

LD: What other films will be having similar tie-in experiences like this?

JT: I mean there’s some coming we can’t really talk about, because they’re not really announced yet. But we’re working working with several other studios besides Universal on some titles and we’ll be announcing as we can.

Positron’s Voyager Chair is offering First Man experiences through October 14th at AMC Theaters in NY’s Lincoln Square, DC’s Georgetown 14, San Francisco’s Metreon 16 and LA’s Universal Citywalk locations

Heidi Schnappauf at Sword Class NYC

When Blindspot enters its fourth season this Friday on NBC, it will of course be bringing the action that has garnered the series multiple Emmy nominations for Outstanding Stunt Coordination. While last year burst onto the scene with, amongst other things, Jane Doe and Co in a tank, this year’s premiere has taken Jane (Jaimie Alexander) to Tokyo where she engages in some impressive swordplay with a new adversary. Behind Jane’s hardest hits is Alexander’s stunt double, Heidi Schnappauf, who has been with the show from the first season. Speaking with me at New York Comic Con*, Jaimie Alexander said of Heidi: “Just the hits she takes, the body slams…I don’t know how she’s OK. Half the time I’m terrified for her because she does a lot of the heavy lifting in the fights…And she’s just incredible, she’s an incredible lady.”

Besides Blindspot Schnappauf has an impressive credits list that includes Marvel’s Jessica Jones, Broad City and Orange is the New Black. I was lucky enough to speak with Heidi about her action-packed job this past weekend when Warner Brothers sent us along with her and Jaimie to, fittingly, a beginner Kendo sword lesson!

Lauren Damon: How long have you been with the show?

Heidi Schnappauf: I’ve been with the show all the four seasons, however, I came in toward the end of the first season. I think episode twenty. So right at the end kind of filling in for her old double [Ky Furneaux].

LD: What are your favorite types of stunts?

HS: I love to fight. My main background was fighting. This, sword fighting, was not something I grew up with, but definitely something I picked up on the way and trained a little bit. But fighting, which includes all the falling that we do—getting thrown around—I started at such a young age that I got thrown around a lot when I was in karate as a kid, moving into college years. But I really do love all the hard hits and driving. I’ve been doing stunts driving now for about eight years. So yeah, anything where I’m maybe flying through some glass or getting thrown out of a car, I totally dig it! Any of that.

LD: Have you ever had any major injuries?

HS: I’ve had a few. Biggest injury was not on Blindspot, actually it was right before I got on Blindspot. I was recovering from my biggest injury which was I was doing a high fall and there was faulty landing equipment, it was nobody’s fault, just a one in a billion chance I ended up injuring my neck pretty badly. I was out for about ten months from work, which was a really big bummer actually. And the doctor—I was in the ER from that injury and with you know, on morphine and valium and a neck brace and tears coming out of my eyes—the doctor’s like ‘Oh I guess this is gonna put a damper on your career’ and I’m like ‘Yeah, I really know what I’m going to do next time so I don’t hurt myself’ and he’s like ‘Next time?! Are you nuts?!’…I’m like ‘Well, yeah, I’m just bummed that it’s gonna be a while!’ So that was my most devastating injury. Everyone wanted to cut me open, everyone wanted to do surgery, they wanted to replace my disc, or fuse my spine and all this stuff…I kind of basically talked to doctors until I got the answer I wanted and then I found more doctors to support that.

LD: As a viewer, what are some of your favorite films or tv shows for stunts?

HS: Um…Blindspot? [laughs]…Oh, I really like Supergirl, is that WB? I do like Supergirl. I’m not gonna lie, I don’t watch a lot of TV because I work and I sleep and I try to watch Blindspot. But I do, actually, this new season of Iron Fist is probably my favorite bit of action on tv or Netflix…Blacklist, I love Blacklist. They just have such a variety of stunts on that show. And Game of Thrones. Come on, man, you can’t deny that setting like seventy five stunt people on fire is NOT cool. From a DRAGON. It’s insane.

LD: There’s a faction out there that is pushing for a Best Stunts category at the Academy Awards, how do you feel about that?

HS: I think that’s a good idea since like every other category is out there. I mean, I don’t know how you’d delegate that but I think that’s a good start to just recognizing it. I don’t do stunts, obviously, to be recognized. I love it because I get to kind of be the magician of the action world of film and tv. You don’t really want to give your tricks away, you want to make it an illusion…most, some people I know anyway, don’t do it for the glory. It’s not really about that. It’s about making good work. I would love to see it so it’s recognized as an art and as you know, that magical things that happens isn’t actually magic. It’s people that are putting their bodies and their lives on the line to bring everyone a cool product. CGI just doesn’t cut it for me, man!

Blindspot season 4 premieres Friday October 12th at 8pm on NBC.

*Check out our full chats with Blindspot stars Jaimie Alexander and Sullivan Stapleton!

The use of CBD has gained popularity in the past few years. This can be attributed to the many proven health benefits CBD oil packs for users. With this in mind, there has also arisen businessmen who are all about minting money and not providing a pure product. This is a comprehensive CBD review to help you understand what to look for when purchasing your precious oil.

Do Your Own Research

Don’t just look at the cheapest CBD oil and decide that’s what to buy. It’s wise to research about the particular CBD product you want to purchase as well as the store that’s stocking the product. Weigh the benefits against the side effects to determine if you should proceed with the purchase.

Quality

If a product sounds too good to be true, tread carefully. Settle on a product that’s been proven to be effective for your particular needs. Another thing you need to look at is the pricing. In this case, cheap is expensive. If a product is too cheap, chances are it’s substandard.

CBD concentration

This is the most important aspect you should examine. Look at the labeling in a product. You should opt for a product that contains a high level of CBD because it will be more effective.

Extraction process

Different manufacturers use different methods to get their final product-CBD oil. Companies that want to make a quick buck will go for the cheapest method which may be through use of harmful solvents. Before making any, purchase do research to find out whether the method of extraction as well as storage facilities are up to the set standards.

Check the source

Cannabis is grown in either organic or inorganic soil. The type of soil where the cannabis will be grown will determine the quality as well as safety of the CBD oil. Cannabis grown in organic soil will contain little or no health effects and vice versa.

Lab testing

A company that has followed all the laid down procedures of manufacturing and storage won’t be afraid to display their findings on their website on product label. As opposed to taking a blanket approach, each batch of oil should be tested independently.

Source of the oil

Depending on the type of oil you choose, they will have different origin. Some come from flowers and others marijuana. If you’re looking for a product with a higher percentage of CBD, go for one obtained from flowers.

Compare the products and pricing

Before making the final decision on purchase, visit different manufacturers or suppliers to compare what each has to offer. There are awesome brands with awesome deals. For example, CBDistillery coupon codes and reviews help you save on products that are high quality and 3^rd party lab tested.

Don’t believe in false claims or medical claims about CBD oil. These aren’t approved by the FDA and don’t follow guidelines. It can be a tedious process searching for quality brands but there’s great resources out there.

When it comes to anything inflatable, the company that is the leader is no question, Gemmy. They come out with literally the best airblown inflatable products for all the holidays. Christmas has always been the big go-to for inflatables but recently Halloween has been stealing some of the spotlight with Gemmy putting out some excellent products.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” and Gemmy has delivered four new products to celebrate. The one that we received from Gemmy to feature is a scene with Jack Skellington, Sally and even Zero. It is runs about 6 feet tall and is available at Walmart. There is also an inflatable with Jack and Oogie Boogie, that was a close second to this one.

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” Jack Skellington and Sally Airblown Inflatable Scene is easily one of our instant favorites and what is even cooler is that this scene could also work well for the Christmas season as well if you are a big fan of the film like our house is. The lights are really bright on these and I love how it has a base stand around it which makes it VERY easy to display in small areas since it stands up easily.

Gemmy also has great other Halloween products including a Minion Ghost (also a great purchase, I can see this side by side with the Jack & Sally scene) as well as a Bewitched Pumpkin Carriage with a Fire and Ice Projection. Easy year they are outdoing themselves with these products. I am very proud to display this product in front of my house and I see cars slow by as they pass just to get a good look at night cause honestly, it looks amazing from the street. Don’t wait head to Walmart now!

Who’s more difficult to find a gift for: your mother-in-law, or the guy who has everything? Okay, so both are pretty hard. But honestly, just get your mother-in-law a photo album and a subscription for a fresh bouquet every month, and you’re golden. As for the impossible guy, the whole gift-giving world is your oyster. That’s right—there’s actually a whole treasure trove of gifts out there you can choose from for that extra-picky man you want to impress.

A Donation

Sometimes, a graceful way to show someone you care about them is to make a charitable donation in their name. This is such a win-win because you both get those warm-fuzzies that come from selfless giving, and your guy doesn’t have to worry about accruing more stuff that he doesn’t want or need. Plus, if he’s already involved in charity work, you can donate to the organization that’s close to his heart. Even the guy who has everything can’t get enough of giving back to a cause he’s passionate about.

A Dedication

Similar to a donation, there are countless adoption/dedication programs to choose from. You can get your guy anything from a star in the sky, a tree in the Amazon, or a snow leopard on the endangered list. Many of these programs provide periodical updates or facts about the object or creature you’re helping support—plus they usually come with fun little goodie bags. This is a nice, wholesome way of showing how much you care and how well you know him without having to get him another gadget he’ll only use once.

A Timepiece

Is there anything classier than a well-dressed guy with a slick new watch? No, there is not. If you absolutely have to get your everything-man something wearable, please let it be a watch. Look no further than these classic men’s watches from MVMT—their elegance will certainly delight the high-class tastes of your man. A sophisticated watch will help him get to all his appointments on time, but the best part? He’ll always think of you when he checks the time so you’re never far from his thoughts.

Nostalgia

Perhaps the solution is right in front of you. There’s no one in the world who doesn’t appreciate a thoughtful gift from the heart meant to remind you of happy times. The possibilities are endless. Yes, a photo album is always a crowd pleaser, but who says it has to be cute? It can be all funny pictures, embarrassing moments, or selfies (it is 2018, after all). But, photos are not the only way to a sentimental man’s heart. You can find a vintage hoodie from his alma mater, a pair of sunglasses that look just like the ones his grandpa used to wear, or some old baseball cards from when he used to trade them around with friends. Get creative, and do some digging. You can find some real treasures when you make an effort to remind your impossible-guy of the good ole’ days.

A Vacation

Don’t worry, there’s no need to plan a luxury trip to the Maldives for two weeks. A weekend trip is a great gift to share together that will spark plenty of new memories. Maybe you could take a little road trip or even opt for a staycation in your own city. Splurge for a nice hotel, get a reservation at that restaurant you keep talking about, book massages, and check off those touristy things you’ve been meaning to do for years. A lot of times, the best gift is just good company and happy memories to be made.

A New Hobby

Guys that have everything usually love to try new things and expand their horizons– otherwise they wouldn’t have so much cool stuff. Ask him about his interests and his schedule, and then do some research on classes in your area. Maybe it’s a cooking class, or he can learn how to brew beer, or maybe even a dance or art class. Trying something new is always exciting and gives you an excuse to get out together.

The man who has everything can be hard to shop for, but with a little creativity and thoughtfulness, you’re bound to find a gift that he’ll cherish for years to come.

This week my daughter mentioned to me if she can get a headphones for her iPad for when we are in the car traveling. So, I said well maybe you can ask Santa Claus for it for Christmas. In my searching, I came across CozyPhones, which are a super cute and also multi-functional. These  super comfortable 3-In-1 Headphones within the headband with kid safe volume control. The headband also serves as a sleep mask. This is literally a must have for all kids.

As a parent yourself, who else has issues if their earbuds falling out or breaking and the ugly bulky over-the-ear headphones?! These headphones are a great gift for kids. It also mentioned that this product is a wonderful solution for children with sensory issues and special needs. Still need more reasons? Well, the speakers are able to be easily removed, which means that you can even watch the headband if it gets dirty! BOOM!

Lastly, I should mention all the different type of headband designs that you can get. There are featured original style favorites, including a Fox, Frog, Panda, Bunny and (sure to be every girl’s favorite) a Unicorn. CozyPhones also has aligned itself with some of the top shows and brands in children’s entertainment and have partnered with Nickelodeon’s Paw Patrol for Chase, Marshall & Skye designs available now also – with more favorites to come! So there is only great things to come from this company! Stay tuned and definitely consider this for your kids this holiday season!

All CozyPhones are compatible with Apple iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Samsung Galaxy, Blackberry, Nokia, LG, HTC, Google Nexus, Lenovo, Asus, Sony, Dell, Toshiba, HP, MP3, MP4 and other audio devices.  Ages 4+, SRP $19.99 on Amazon, click here to purchase.

AFL is one of Australia’s most loved and celebrated sports and it is happening very soon – if you and your buddies or special someone are looking forward to it as well, then you should book a room near the area in advance. DriveNow made a list of accommodations for AFL finals so you can easily secure the best seats while at the same time still have the chance to stroll the beautiful Melbourne before the grand finals.

Here are some awesome things to do in Melbourne as you look forward to AFL Grand Finals.

Federation Square

Just opened in 2002 and located in the centre of Melbourne, the Federation Square is an awesome place to meet-up as it is in the heart of the city. The square is where you’ll find the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) as well as the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), both of which are nice location to check out.

The big stage and screen are typically used for big events. Moreover, free Wi-Fi is offered for anyone who needs to go online. It’s a fantastic place to relax in the summer if you don’t enjoy the beach. Particularly since there a few bars and cafes close by!

Royal Botanic Gardens

While the place is not as famous as the Botanic Gardens in Adelaide, this version is still great place to check out! You can find a wide variety of flora and fauna here spanning 363 hectares or 897 acres!

The Botanic Gardens is a nice place to go and explore if you’re looking to get close to nature inside the city. There’s lots of space for relaxation and it rarely feels too crowded.

Old Melbourne Gaol

One of the famed and intriguing places in Melbourne, the Old Melbourne Gaol is seriously worth your visit if you love history. As its name suggests, the place was once a jail that’s now converted into a museum. It shows a lot about the early history of both Victoria and Melbourne.

One good reason to check out the gaol is because the infamous bushranger Ned Kelly was hung for murder here back in 1880. Kelly become a cult figure in recent years as well, and this is the best place to know about his past! It’s surely one of the top things to see in Melbourne!

Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

The MCG, or the G, as the locals refer is the biggest stadium in Australia and a haven for cricket fans. It is home to the National Sporting Museum. Even if you’re not much of a sports fan, it’s recommended to visit MCG.

It is an impressive stadium that can accommodate over a 100,000 people and is impressive when it’s full. If you have the time, don’t forget to check out an Aussie Rules or cricket match to experience this first-hand!

The Grand Finals

The AFL grand final stays in Victoria until 2057, so if you’re looking to catch the action year after year, then you need to have a solid grasp of where you should go for accommodation. DriveNow made a list of accommodations for AFL finals for your consideration. To make the most out of your stay, be sure to also book a car in advance to get places faster.

What are you waiting for? Time to invite your buddies or special someone and start creating your AFL Grand Finals itinerary!

LED lights have become extremely popular in the recent years. Grow lights consist of artificial light that is designed in a unique way to support plant photosynthesis. It’s normally used by farmers to grow a variety of crops because they offer a light spectrum just like the sun. LED lights usually provide much needed energy and heat to crops. However, if not taken care of, grow lights could get damaged and lose their value. That’s why it is crucial to offer proper care and maintenance of your LED grow lights to ensure they continue offering proper service to your crops.

If you’re wondering how to grow crops using grow lights, check out ledgrowlightshq.com to get a wide assortment of insightful information about this issue. Remember to keep the appropriate distance between your plants and the grow lights to ensure they thrive.

Here are three ways to take care of your LED grow lights:

• Clean the glass properly

A dirty glass will prevent light from penetrating and reaching your plants. Therefore, it would be a great idea to clean the glass regularly. It’s easy to forget about the dust and moisture that normally accumulates within the grow light. Ensure you clean the grow lights at least once every two months with an appropriate cleaner. This will guarantee that you get maximum light from the LED. Before you begin cleaning, unplug the light and use a soft cloth to remove dust and particles that might cause the glass to be scratched.

• Ensure the fans are dusted

Grow light fans usually collect a lot of fibers, dust and particles when operating to cool the lights. These little particles should be removed using an efficient air spray duster similar to that used for electronics. Avoid disassembling the grow light when dusting the internal fan. After all, assembling it back together might prove to be a complicated affair. If you can’t clean the fan by yourself, it’s best to contact a professional to do this for you. Therefore, ensure your fans are dusted as often as possible.

• Keep the grow lights away from water

Grow lights contain circuits that could short circuit when they come into contact with water. Therefore, it’s best to avoid water when operating them. In addition, it’s a terrible idea to place these lights in places that are filled with moisture. Power stabilizers help to reduce maintenance costs because they offer precise heat that enables your plants to grow. These stabilizers usually regulate voltage and wattage, thus reducing energy consumption and protecting your grow lights from damage that could result from power surges. Therefore, always ensure that your grow lights are kept far away from moisture.

A clean grow light will work very efficiently to ensure your crops grow well. Therefore, cleaning the glass regularly will ensure you don’t have to worry about stunted crop growth. Dusting your fans will keep your grow lights cool and functioning properly. Keep the LED light away from moisture.

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Alcohol and drug abuse remain a source of concern in the United States and the world at large. The American economy loses over $740 billion annually to alcohol and drug abuse. With an aim to control the drugs situation, the government and employers have come together to help fight the scourge by encouraging people to partake in drug testing.

Below are essential things you should know about drug testing.

1. Various methods of testing for drugs

There are multiple methods of drug testing including blood, saliva, hair, sweat and urine tests. Urine test ranks as the most common of the tests mentioned above, thanks to its convenience, effectiveness, and speed in giving results.

2. Drug testing calculators

Most of us feel dread at the mention of a drug test. A failed drugs test may taint your reputation permanently or lead to the loss of your job. To help you get by with the anxiety of an impending drug test, you may employ a drug test calculator to know your status.

The calculator is a quiz-based application that requires you key in information concerning your drug or alcohol use. Among the questions you must answer include; the last time you used a drug and frequency.

Upon answering all the questions, the calculator determines your chances of passing or failing a drug test beforehand.

3. Purpose

We undergo drug tests for various reasons including; a requisite to join school, random requirement for professional athletes, commercial driving among other careers. Anyone suspected of causing a severe or fatal accident while on the job is also likely to undergo a drug test. Some employers conduct random or scheduled drug tests to ascertain their personnel remains drug-free.

4. The period for outcomes varies with the type of test

Upon undergoing a test, you may receive results immediately, within a few hours or after a few days, hinging on the drug you’re being tested on and the method employed. For instance, workplace negative drug test results take 24 hours to obtain results. However, positive results take longer – a few days or a week – as further tests are done to ascertain accuracy.

5. Tests aren’t 100% accurate

It’s possible to obtain false drug test results – although it seldom happens. Inaccuracies mostly occur during the initial screening; however, confirmatory testing follows.

It does happen that people who abused drugs to test negative depending on; the drug in question, the frequency of drug use, quantity, and age, health, weight, metabolism, among other factors.

Over-the-counter or prescription medications are widely reported to give false positive drug test results owing to their cross-reactivity with other substances. We, therefore, recommend that you mention the use of OTC drugs before a drugs test.

The above five points rank as the most important things we deem a must-know for anyone keen on undergoing a drugs examination. Supposing you hold fears of failing a test whose results may taint your name, consider employing a drug test calculator to determine the possible outcome.

Travel is so important, and there are so many wonderful things to think about when it comes to having the perfect travel experience. You need to think about how you can enjoy the best possible journey you can, and this means planning. Any tops vacation experience is one that you have to make sure you get right as best you can. So think about what you can do to get the best travel adventure imaginable.

Consider what has to go into the process of having the perfect travel adventure. You need to think about the factors that matter before you actually do anything else. There are so many things you need to keep in mind when you make the decision to go traveling properly, and these are a few of the key things you must do to ensure you have the perfect trip.

• Stay Secure

Being safe and secure on vacation is so important, and this is something you need to make sure you take steps to consider. There are a lot of things that can affect this, and you will need to make sure you research where you’re staying thoroughly. Carry out a people search on tour guides, and make sure you travel with friends. These are some of the best things you can do to help you stay safe and secure during travel.

• Pack Properly

Packing ranks as one of the most important aspects of the world of travel, and it is imperative that you make sure you get your packing sorted out as quickly as you can. There are so many things you have to keep in mind when it comes time to improve and enhance your packing, and coming up with a list is perhaps one of the best things you can do to improve this.

• Make the Most of the Trip

You have to make sure you do what you can to make the most of your travel adventures. And this means seeing the sites and experiencing everything these places have to offer. There are so many wonderful things to see and do when you embark on your travel adventure, and you have to make the most of this. Research before you travel and make sure you enjoy as much as you can when it comes to your journey abroad.

• Take Enough Money With You

Taking plenty of money with you is really important for ensuring you get the most of the trip. You’d hate to run out of money halfway through and not be able to enjoy things as much. So try to do a bit of homework and find out what it costs to visit the town or city you’re going to, and try to come up with a daily budget to work with.

As you can see, these are some of the ideal things to keep in mind when you want to have the perfect travel experience. There are so many things you have to think about when it comes to exploring and seeing the world, and the best thing to do is to follow these ideas in order to ensure a better experience.