HowToDoThings.com Elite Author Articles

How To Tell if Someone Is Lying to You

ronkhare — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:03:40 -0500

How To Explain Santa Claus to Your Kids

ronkhare — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 13:13:46 -0600

Tradition is something of a double-edged sword. While some of our earliest childhood memories involve the happy mystery of the jolly old elf, learning the shocking truth can be one of the earliest scars.

Now the “Happiest Time of Year” has come 'round again, and you're faced with a difficult choice: Just how do you inspire holiday cheer without actively lying to your kids? Here are some suggestions to help you walk that narrow road:

How To Celebrate "Buy Nothing Day"

ronkhare — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 11:14:43 -0600

Do the holidays seem overly commercialized to you? Do you find yourself wondering how buying people things is the only way to show that you love them? Are you tired of being pressured into “buy, buy, buy!” for the sake of the holidays? Does the world seem just a tad too obsessed with the material and lacking the spiritual?

If you answered "yes" to the above questions, you're not alone. The trend of massive holiday buying continues to grow: Americans will spend over $457 billion dollars for the three main winter holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa) this year. At an average of over $800 per person, holiday shopping seems to be a national--if not worldwide--obsession.

How To Keep Your Legs Pain-Free When Standing Still for Many Hours

ronkhare — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 23:35:45 -0600

We've all been there: A long, long line that crawls along at a snail's pace, a job that requires standing up for long periods of time, and other situations that don't allow for the normal flexing and stretching that even regular walking provides.

The younger you are, the more important it is for you to pick up these habits now, as the older you get, the more you may notice that it is increasingly difficult to do them. Even if you can't do the full cycle, do as much as you can as often as you can, and you may notice you'll be improving in no time.

How To Destroy Most of Your Problems

ronkhare — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 12:58:04 -0500

Problems: The disliked and often-used spice in the spice rack of life. Before I can show you how to eliminate most, if not all of the problems in your life, I first have to define what I mean by “problem.”

A problem is something that causes you distress, or regular stress. It is usually associated with choices to situations and puzzles that naturally crop up in life. To explain the difference, here is an example: Your boss hands you a problem that needs to be figured out, and you're playing Free Cell. Both your work problem and the card game are situations that need resolution. Both may require the same amount of effort. However, one you solve and it causes you stress, the other you solve for fun.

How To Discover if You Are an Inventor

ronkhare — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 11:30:40 -0500

Say “inventor” and most people may conjure up an image of a mad scientist, locked away in his laboratory, cackling over his latest discovery as arcs of electricity fly through the air and a storm rages outside.

It is a sad and unfortunate fact that invention isn't quite that exciting. However, as both a career and a lifestyle, the path of an inventor can still be richly rewarding and fun. (Invention and innovation go hand-in-hand; most often the title is interchangeable.)

The following list will help you determine if you feel that invention is right for you.

Are you a problem solver? Most people are problem solvers, as life presents us with a never-ending stream of challenges and problems. The real question here is whether you enjoy it or not, if you seek out greater problems and practical challenges.

read more

How To Plan a Solo Backpacking Trip

ronkhare — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:48:22 -0500

First, a warning: Solo backpacking trips are extremely dangerous. Many national parks will not allow a person to travel alone, be it hiking, backpacking or any other outdoor sport. Before you decide to risk it, check with the rules and laws of the parks and wilderness areas beforehand.

That said, there are rewards along with the risks. Backpacking is a great way to escape the insanity of the modern world, and traveling alone allows one to soak in nature without the constant interaction and chatter a partner would provide. However, without the extra pair of hands, feet and eyes, the dangers of backpacking increase exponentially.

This is for experienced backpackers only. If you are a new backpacker, go on a few trips with experienced friends first.

How To Pack as Little as Possible

ronkhare — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 18:48:24 -0500

Tried of lugging hundreds of pounds of luggage? Too much stuff can ruin a trip, from holding up buses or airport security, even requiring hotel staff, friendly passers-by or anyone around to help lug your stuff from here to there.

Rid yourself of excessive stuff, and revel in the freedom and ease of traveling unburdened!

Pack normally. Go ahead, just cram in everything you think you might want to take with you.
Unpack and spread everything out. Now that you can see everything you wanted to bring, we can begin to prune.
What are you actually going to wear? Honestly, pick out the few, best clothes and items, the ones you know for certain you enjoy wearing, and will often. Set them aside for the moment.

read more

How To Start Writing a Novel

ronkhare — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 14:42:48 -0500

Writing a novel? The best possible advice I can give is this: Clarity. It is the choice weapon to have at your side during the process of writing.

Before you start typing, sit down and try the following. The more effort you put into the steps below, the better results you'll get.

Who are you writing about? You may have a vague idea of a story in your head, so ask yourself, what kinds of characters would act it out? Or perhaps you have an idea of a good character in your head...who is he or she friends and enemies with? Create a biography of each person, the more detailed the better, which not only lists physical characteristics, but also personal history, relationships with the other characters, what their hopes and dreams and quirks and pet peeves and morals and religion... and so on.

read more

How To Beat Computer and Video Game Addiction

ronkhare — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 17:43:34 -0500

With the overwhelming popularity of MMOs like World of Warcraft, game addiction has become increasingly prevalent across many demographics. While the medical community continues to debate if it is a real condition, video and computer game addiction continues, if left unchecked, to destroy lives.

Here are some symptoms to look for: