Have you Seen your Doppelganger?

Source: Have you Seen your Doppelganger?

Have you Seen your Doppelganger?

Dopplegangers, simply put, are doubles.  Often called a ghost or physical apparition, are ususally a source of phychological anxiety fro the person who sees it.  there are many types of doppleganger in cultures around the world, some even call them your “evil twin”, because they cause michief by confusing friends and relatives. Most likely it is mearly a look-alike, a second individual who shares a strong likeness visually to another person.

 

According to wisegeek.org, in folklore, the doppelganger is sometimes said to have no shadow or reflection, much like vampires in some traditions. These doubles are often malicious, and they can haunt their more innocent counterparts. They may give bad advice or put thoughts in their victim’s heads. Seeing one’s own doppelganger or that of a friend or relative is usually considered very bad luck, often heralding death or serious illness. In some traditions, a doppelganger is considered a personification of death.

In Freudian psychoanalysis, the doppelganger is often viewed as an aspect of an individual’s self that he or she is struggling to control. The double usually has both similar and opposing characteristics to the original. In other words, the double will be recognizable as the individual but will act differently, often in an extreme manner. Often, the repressed aspect of the psyche that the double represents must be confronted and ultimately defeated in order for it to go away.

Doppelgangers appear often in various forms of fiction, from stories of mistaken identity to more supernatural phenomena in works of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a famous example of the doppelganger in literature. Alfred Hitchcock’s movie Psycho features Norman Bates, whose image often appears in mirrors and windows, suggesting there is more to him than just a mild-mannered hotel manager.

There are many famous accounts of doppelgangers in history. Guy de Maupassant’s short story “Lui?” (called “The Terror” in English) tells of the writer’s own experience with a double. English poet John Donne claimed to have met his wife’s look-alike in Paris shortly before his daughter was stillborn. Poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and American president Abraham Lincoln both reportedly saw doppelgangers shortly before their deaths; Shelley saw his in a dream and Lincoln as a second face in his mirror.

Well, now there is a way to find yours..(kinda) with the help of an organization called Twin Strangers. Who claim to help you find your lookalike from anywhere in the world.  The process is actually quite simple and it’s FREE:

Twin Strangers has the latest AI face recognition software. It can compare your face to every face in TwinStrangers and show you who is the most similar. There is a charge for using the AI Search Service but you can choose how many profiles you want to compare your face with and decide how much you want to spend.

I couldn’t resist, so I went ahead with the process, I got 11 “matches” on my first try and to be honest none are really all that close BUT, I can return daily to check out new matches in the hopes of finding my Twin Stranger.  Here’s a few:

 

The site gives you the option to save “twins”, “strangers” and even do the advances AI search and save them as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With all the buzz about finding your heritage on sites like ancestory.com, this is another fun way to see if there is a twin out there.  I will say that when I was in my 20’s there was another woman who I am told was my doppleganger, living in my city.  Her name was Stephanie, I know this because I was approached numerous times by strangers thinking I was her.  We actually met one day at the mall by accident, and it was wierd!  We knew eachothers names immediately and got a good laugh.  Unfourtunatley this was before cell phones with cameras were around(yes I am showing my age), so we were unable to grab a photo.

My suggestion is to give Twin Strangers a try, it’s free after all, and who knows you might just find yours!  Already found them? We’d love to hear your story and see some pics!

HOW TO PACK A HAT IN YOUR SUITCASE

Ever try traveling with a hat?  Where do you carry it?  Like most, the answer is likely on your head, lap, or maybe just leave it behind before you end up losing it en route.  BUT, the hat is an essential item for summer travelers, so here’s a great way to bring that accessory without hassle or worry. 

Gather all the items you want to pack; The place the heavy items on the bottom including things like shoes, purses, and jeans, creating a flat surface. 

 

Save one heavy item and roll it up. 

 

Grab your hat and gently fill the space where your head goes with the rolled item, leaving no space.  

 

Next, flip your hat over and place it on the heavier clothes already packed.  Then you’re going to start adding the remaining items to be packed, all around the hat creating a barrier around it.

 

Continue to pack the remaining items around the hat, snugly so the hat can’t flop around.  Once this is done, place any additional item on top so there is a nice flat surface, zip it and you’re off!

If you have a great packing tip, we’d love to hear from you!  Please comment below and share this post.

Source: apairandasparediy.com

 

15 Places to survive a Zombie Apocalypse

So it happens, the catastrophic event that launches the world as we know it into an apocalyptic arena. Fear, loss, and destruction everywhere,  and to make matters worse… we have new battle to fight…ZOMBIES! Pretty sure hiding in your closet with a baseball bat isn’t going to cut it for long term survival. So grab your bug out bag and head for one of these 15 spots to maximize your chances for a long-term new way of life!

If you are looking for the ultimate escape from the zombie carnage, you should be searching for a far civilization inhabited island. That is your best option since you would have food, water, and also a place to build your home. Some islands even offer you only one entrance and the best part is that there are still many islands not touched by the hand of man, so you have plenty to choose.

These man-made islands are far from coast and are nearly indestructible. If you are passionate about fishing, then this would be the best option. Live like a sailor in the middle of the sea and never worry again about the zombies, even if they learn how to swim there are few ways to enter into these constructions, some are only reachable by air and are suspended above the water level.

Jails are supposed to be safe, so you should give them a try. Many people can be staying there, and if they are big enough you won’t be worrying about privacy. The real problem during the outbreak is to make the prisoners vacate. Who’s going to enter first and let the inmates out? Albeit if you look for the minimal security complex in Norway you’ll be staying in a luxury hotel but that would be no help containing the undead. 

History is always wise, if castles served their purpose to let people protect themselves from hordes of enemies thirsting for blood, these places would do the same even if the threat is now of an undead kind. Some castles are just like big fortified farms, so you would be saving time in building the walls and using it planting some food instead.

Similar to the missile silo, the military bases are good hiding places (if you love to eat canned foods). You would have lots of ammo and guns to protect the perimeter, and hopefully you would be mostly out of range if the base is placed far from civilization. Anyway you should be aware that people don’t get crazy with the guns or you’ll be facing a bigger problem than zombies, enraged people with guns.

Build four walls to secure the perimeter and you got it, the safest place to be. Choose a farm with a source of water, a pit maybe. Farms are located far from the cities and that makes them excellent places to be during the outbreak. The eventual casualties would be considerably low and you won’t be worrying about going out for food.

Some modern houses are built with special features that make them true fortresses. Fully automated to be sealed with metal coverage for windows and doors, safe houses represent the new expression of being prepared for the worst possible situation. Although these might be expensive, you can take someone else’s safe house if he/she was not fortunate to reach it in time. 

Similar to a bunker, the missile silo provides the perfect place to hide, several floors on the underground and a secure perimeter. All silos are well fortified and placed in natural areas where little to no human beings are living. As some of them are packaged to serve as houses for scientists and militaries, these may have beds and food. Just make sure that missiles are in optimum conditions or search for an abandoned missile silo instead.

Think about it: a huge bridge with both entrances blown to make it completely isolated. It would be still near to food sources like malls or supermarkets, because you still would have to scavenge for food in the nearest town. But it should provide you with a safe, nearly unreachable place to live. If it has plenty of space maybe you would be a pioneer, managing to cover a portion of it with earth and plant some food.

This is one of the best alternatives to scape-hide during a zombie outbreak. You will be out of reach from all the flesh eaters in ground Some ships have water desalinization devices. You would only have to descend to earth from time to time in order to collect food. Alternatively, you will be able to search for safe inhabited places. But be aware you are not travelling with infected passengers.

A lighthouse indeed is a safe place, surrounded by water and with a high point that gives you a panoramic view. It still has the limitation of space, so you better choose friendly companions to hide there with you. However it can be a good alternative during the nights, unless zombies learn how to swim (I hope they don’t), you won’t be worrying too much about security.

Low temperatures might be helpful to disable the undead, but also are places where the shortage of food would represent a problem. In any case, high mountains are mostly uninhabited so that would mean the possibility to live while the zombie problem spreads in different areas.

Similar to mountain mines, these would provide safe places to hide, especially if they are fully explored. However like in the previous case, entrances will have to be fortified, and most important, you will have to watch out that the cave you choose is not the actual household of an enraged bear.

A mine could be a good place to hide during the outbreak. You should have control over all the entrances to make it safe. Abandoned mines can bring additional dangers. Some mines actually have air filters and water purifiers, so you won’t have to worry about that. A strategic mine should be located in a low-dense populated area, far from urbanistic complexes and near to self-sustainable food sources like farms. You would have to go out during the days to collect food, but anyhow if you are near the fields you can plant food by your own means.

A bank could be a good temporary place to hide for a few days. Most of the banks have one strong entrance and can be electronically sealed. Banks used to be fully monitored by cameras and for extreme safety you can sleep in the main vault. However, this should be only an immediate option before leaving town. All banks are placed on populated areas and you would have to go out searching for food from time to time, since we haven’t figured out any receipt with money as its main ingredient.

We are not going to discuss if zombies are real or not, but only to share some good choices for survival in an apocalypse of any kind.  Take note, comment and add your two cents…love to hear from you!

Source: zombiegeardude.com

 

Raspberry Lemonade Fizz

Great for the coming summer!

Wish to Dish

Hello again! Welcome to my first ever sip-able recipe.

Raspberries are one of my favourite ingredients to add both to desserts and drinks. I think that the sweet and light flavour works particularly well when married together with the tangy freshness of lemon, which is exactly what I have done with this raspberry lemonade fizz! I doubt that this recipe will need much of a sales pitch from me: it is crazy simple to make, refreshingly delicious and it only requires 4 ingredients (plus garnish). Sold? If not may I suggest topping this with prosecco for the perfect summer time cocktail.

One note to bear in mind with this recipe: lemonade tends to fall into two categories – it is either sweet or sharp and I am sure that everyone has their personal preference. I have tried to create a recipe that balances the two and is therefore not too saccharine…

View original post 296 more words

New Digs(part 3) How to pick a Mover

The Better Business Bureau said it received 8,486 complaints about movers in North America last year. Common complaints included final prices greater than original estimates, damaged or lost goods and, in the worst scenarios, movers who held belongings hostage until customers paid thousands of dollars.  But consumers can avoid the same fate by following some simple guidelines for finding a mover. What to look for when researching potential movers: For interstate moves, make sure the mover is licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (you can double-check a mover’s license at www.protectyourmove.gov). You can also search for interstate movers and complaints about them here. For moves within states, check for similar resources in your state. In addition, regardless of the type of move, check to make sure the company has at least a satisfactory rating with the Better Business Bureau. According to the American Moving and Storage Association, the trade association for moving and storage companies, interstate movers must be rated at least satisfactory to display the association’s ProMover logo and be considered “a quality, professional” mover.

Get a written estimate from several movers: According to guidelines recently released from the Better Business Bureau and American Moving and Storage Association, “no legitimate mover will offer to give a firm estimate online or over the phone.” Instead, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s guidelines for “choosing a reputable mover,” the estimate should be based on actually looking at your belongings. In addition, remember that the lowest estimate you receive may be an unrealistically low offer just to rope you in and you’ll end up having to pay more in the end, warned the Better Business Bureau and American Moving and Storage Association. Also, keep in mind that movers are required by law to deliver your goods for no more than 10 percent above a “nonbinding estimate” of what your mover believes the cost will be.

Watch for other red flags: Other signs of a rogue mover to watch out for, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, include the requirement of a cash or a large deposit before the move; a rental truck arrives on moving day; the mover’s telephone line isn’t answered with the company’s name; the mover claims all goods are covered by its insurance and the company’s Web site has no local address nor information about licensing and insurance.

 

 

 

 

In addition, for an interstate move, movers are required by law to give you a copy of a booklet called “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” as you are planning the move (a book you should read before an interstate move to familiarize yourself with your rights).

 

What guidelines did we miss?

Share what you learned from your experiences with rogue movers in the comments below.

15 minutes to a happier week!

Over the last few months, I’ve got into the habit of spending a little bit of time on a Sunday night getting organized for the week ahead and it’s really helped me so I thought I’d share my Sunday night planning session with you all.

First of all, I print out a copy of my weekly planner and sit down and write down who needs to be where and when – this includes working hours, early finishes at school, after-school clubs and parties. Just doing this helped me massively as my guy works shifts and my hours at work can vary a little bit too so knowing in advance where there’s a clash is vital. Before I just used to try and remember in my head but I often forgot to make arrangements for the kids to be picked up from somewhere if neither of us could do it.

Once I’ve sorted that, I’ll have a look at what food we have in and plan our meals for the following week. I write myself a shopping list for the following day and also scribble down on the shopping list what meals I’m planning. I often change things about a bit when I’m shopping if I find a deal so having the meals written on there as well as what I need means that I can quickly cross things off my list that I don’t need if we’re not having a particular meal anymore. I don’t write the meals on the weekly planner until after I’ve been shopping on Monday.

Saturday is my laundry day (yes, I do it all on one day rather than throughout the week) so while I’m doing this, I usually persuade my guy into sorting the kid’s clothes for the week so I don’t need to worry about doing that either. He then hangs them up in their closets so they’re out of the way and ready to go.

With a 15-year-old and an 8-year-old, homework is a very regular thing in our house and I encourage them to do it as soon as possible so it’s done and out of the way. Any homework for the coming week needs to be done by the Sunday night though so if it’s not done by then, they sit with me at the Dining room table while I write the planner and they get it done. We’ve had the last minute homework rush in the past and it’s not good so this way I’m giving them a chance to do it in their own time but giving them a deadline to make sure we don’t have the stress that doing it at the last minute inevitably causes.

Once all of that’s done, I usually have a quick fridge clean out and make either a frittata or a quiche with anything that’s seen better days. This is a great way to use up food before I go shopping the next day and usually does me for Monday’s lunch too.

You’re more than welcome to use my weekly planner, just print out and use.

Image credit: Shutterstoock, crealova09 and eulebie

Fifty before 50

Inspired by great blogger I discovered on WP, Suzy over at  From the Fringe, who created a list of thirty things she wanted to do before turning 30…I decided to create a list that reflects some things I have always wanted to accomplish and well, 50 is a BIG milestone birthday, so why not give it a go!

I decided to look around and peek at some other “lists” to see if I might borrow some ideas and I can across a really neat tool called bucket list.org, that not only allows you to create your own list, but also has thousands of ideas and categories to set up goals for your list as well as earn a following and ranking from othere participants.

I have to say it reminded me of the first time I jumped on Pinterest…so much to see!  I ended up with a list of about 75 items after an hour of exploring…I had to stop myself! Some of the items are “normal” everyday things like to “be more patient” or learn another language, but I also found some really clever and interesting ideas as well, such as:

Write myself a letter seal it and read it 10 years later

Drive Route 66

Take a photo every day for a month

Swim in The Mediterranean Sea

This was fun and I can’t wait to add to my list as well as start “checking off” some items as I get adventurous! I encourage you to give it a try! Obviously this list is something very personal and reflects my personality, but I was suprised at some of the items I placed on my list despite my fear of them. I am terrified of sharks but in the Mediterranean Sea, they might now seem as bad…well maybe!  the point is to get out of your daily routines and comfort zones and start living! Here is a link to my list!

I turn 47 in July, so I have three years to get out there and make something happen! It will also provide an ongoing topic for future blogs…stayed tuned!

Dimple Be Gone

Greatread!

I.Am.Her

FitnEss or FitnAss? Goals baby, we’re talking bout goals today.

I was so kerfuffled about this situation, that I felt compelled to write about it. Maybe there is something here.

I’ve been consistent. Lawwwwd, I’ve been consistent lately. And my booty game is getting stronger, better, and bad-asser. But something has happened. My booty got rounder, and it plumped. I wasn’t prepared for this, but… my favorite dimple on my big ole booty just…. went away. I’m talking vanished. Here today, gone tomorrow. You know how a pregnant woman gets to the end of term and she’s so full of baby that her belly button becomes an outie? That. Happened. To my dimple.

I want to talk to you about the reality of being a “big girl” my whole life, or at least this has been my view of myself. Along with that, the fear that ensued when I started…

View original post 1,162 more words

How to build a Capsule Wardrobe

Oh to have a complete, organized wardrobe. I’m definitely still working on mine, there are so many essential items I’m missing. So in figuring out what I need to get for myself, I want to share with you how to build a capsule wardrobe!

I’ve created the guide below so you can start from scratch, pull everything off the rack or out of the cupboard and begin with a fresh space. When building a capsule wardrobe, you’re ultimately trying to create a selection of clothing, shoes, and accessories that can be mixed and matched on a daily basis. Every item should be something you wear often, with nothing that’s a ‘just in case’ type of item. In doing this, getting dressed will be so much easier, and it will be easier to switch up your style or add in trend pieces when you already have the basics in place. Following are my steps to get started on your capsule wardrobe:

1. What’s Your Style?

Your style is the essence of the clothing and accessories you wear. Discovering exactly what your style is can be a challenge in itself, however, you should have some idea of how you’d describe the way you dress. Do you lean towards more casual clothing, or do you love dressing up? If both, what do you wear during the day? Classic stripes and denim, earthy tones and prints, or maybe lace and softer fabrics? If you’re really struggling, think of a character from a movie or tv show, whose style your admire. Think how you’d describe their style and run with that!

2. Choose A Colour Palette

Choosing a color palette should be easy. You would have your go-to colors that you love wearing. It also helps to have a search for colors that suit your hair color and/or skin tone – you can find charts online that suggest different color palettes. The more you reduce your color palette, the better your capsule wardrobe will be. You should always have neutrals, such as black, white, nude/tan and grey. I then suggest choosing no more than three colors to mix in. I like to stick to different shades of pink.

3. Add Texture + Print

Besides your color palette, you need items in textured and printed fabric to add interest. Denim is a given, always make sure you have comfortable jeans in black and blue. I highly suggest owning something stripey as well. Then add in textures and prints that fit in with your style. If you lean towards more feminine styling, you might like to add lace and sequins. If you love boho, maybe fringing and Aztec prints might be more your thing.

4. Shop The Basics

The basic items necessary in your wardrobe are those everyday staples that can’t go wrong. Tees, denim, leather jacket, beige coat, skirts, jumper and an LBD. These should all be investment pieces, as they’re items that tend to never go out of style. Find good quality basics that won’t fall apart after a few wears.

5. Add The Extras

Here’s where your personality comes in. Find items in your chosen textures and prints that can be paired with your basics. It helps to try and avoid ‘trend’ pieces, but sometimes that can be hard to do! If you find a trendy piece you love, picture yourself wearing it a year from now. If you’re only going to wear it a handful of times and it most likely won’t be in next year, I suggest not adding it to your wardrobe. Instead, spend your money on pieces that you absolutely adore.

6. Select The Shoes

The selection of shoes I’ve chosen are, in my opinion, the staples you need. These include a pair of casual white sneakers, black ballet flats, nude heels, tan sandals, black sandals and black heeled boots. You’ll never be stuck for shoes if you have these in your wardrobe!

7. Accessorize

And lastly onto the accessories. Choose ones that fit in with your style and personality. I always think you can’t go wrong with a classic black handbag and sunglasses. Having a smaller sling bag as well is really handy for nights out and for when you don’t want to carry as much. Investing in a nice wallet or coin/card case is also a great idea.

Once you have complete all these steps, you should now have your very own capsule wardrobe. Hope this helps you out!