Switching to a Hobby

Who'd have thought that a Marine would learn knitting while on active duty? This odd pastime reveals much more about the benefits of a hobby.

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Switching to a Hobby
The United States Marine Corps is known for their tough attitude and warrior ethos. Marines are trained to fight and to endure the toughest of conditions. Imagine my surprise when a friend of mine, while an active-duty Marine, detailed that it was here, amid the most ardent defenders of our Nation, that he learned to knit. Knitting? I was much younger at the time and very ignorant, so I laughed. He smiled back and told me it was therapeutic. Even ten years later he’s still knitting as a pastime. Part of the reason, as it was explained to me, was because the action of knitting put his mind at ease and kept his hands busy, causing his body to relax. It’s still unclear to me if this was part of his boot camp training or he’d learned it from another Marine. What is clear is the concept of a hobby that provides respite and comfort.

Good for the Body

When the nerves are jangling, or something is keeping your mind occupied, a hobby is a good way to distract yourself. There is the argument that taking your focus off the problem won’t help you find an answer, this isn’t true. By keeping our mind locked in on a problem that we’re trying to fix, we’re using up all our brain power, and not allowing our mind to process what’s going on. Taking our focus off an issue, even for a short time, allows the creative side of our minds to handle it while the front of our brains can handle something else. Therefore, the advice to “sleep on it” is so helpful. Our minds will bounce the issue around our subconscious while our bodies get some rest. Upon waking the creative side has had a chance to come up with possible solutions. The downside is sometimes our problems crop up in our dreams. For the Marine mentioned above, knitting distracted him from issues he was facing and allowed him to keep a cool head. Hobbies, by and large, have this effect on us. This distraction is helpful as we’re able to distance ourselves from problems in our lives, our jobs, and with our families. But there are more benefits to hobbies, for now, let’s focus on implementing one.

Switching to a Hobby

The Switch Framework is helpful when it comes to implementing a new hobby into your life. First, find a hobby you enjoy. This is how you’ll motivate the elephant. Once you’ve figured out a pastime that you look forward to, head to the internet to find resources. With its ability to connect people all over the world, the internet is a great place to find fellow enthusiasts. These hobbyists are always eager to lend a helping hand, give advice, or share ideas with their passions. This is how you’re direct the rider and shape the path. There’s a hidden benefit to all this. As the internet of today seems to be a swamp filled with angry people all eager to scream their opinions, as well as blast those of others, hobbyists are the opposite. Instead of trying to scare or berate, hobbyists instead are eager to “talk shop.” It’s not about winning a political debate for them, it’s about helping a fellow enthusiast enjoy the craft.

Which Hobby to Pick?

Much like my marine friend, there are hobbies that occupy the hands; knitting, crochet, basket weaving, etc. There’s also hobbies for history buffs, kids, crafty people, outdoor adventure seekers, sports junkies, music lovers, nature lovers, families, hobbies to sharpen your mind, and also, hobbies that can earn you money. The key here is to find something that you like to do, is relatively easy to get started, and can fit into your schedule. The scheduling part will be hard at first, as you’re going to be figuring out the nuances of the hobby, as well as how it fits into the nuances of your life. Refer back to the Switch Framework, as well as relying on your fellow enthusiasts to keep you going. Getting started is the most exciting part of a hobby and can also be the hardest. Once the newness wears off, sticking with it can get difficult. This may also be a sign that this hobby isn’t for you. That’s okay. Just as it’s important to find what you like, it’s also important to find out what you don’t like.

Connect to a Bigger Network

Finding a network of fellow hobbyists can make all the difference between discovering, and sticking, with a new hobby. New worlds await you as you begin your search for your new hobby. Before you do, check out the best Spectrum internet bundles. By bundling your internet you can secure a better connection as well as save some cash for that new hobby!

6 Parts of Comic Book Prestige

If you’ve heard of comic books,then you were meant to buy one. Finding a legitimate print comic book is hard... and carries so much prestige.

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6 Parts of Comic Book Prestige
If you’ve heard of comic books, then you were meant to buy one. Long before Paul Rudd donned the Ant-Man suit, Robert Downy Jr. the Iron Man armor, Brie Larson the Captain Marvel suit, and Chadwick Boseman the Vibranium suit of Black Panther, there were comic books. These simple collections of panels and word bubbles were the precursors to some of the greatest movies ever made. More importantly, they would have never existed had it not been for some of the greatest storytellers to ever live. Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, and many more got their start in comic books. Their imagination and ideas gave voice and body to what we consider “heroes.” Thanks to the rise of digital readers, movies, and video games, it’s hard to find a legitimate print comic book. Which is why owning a print comic book carries with it a certain amount of prestige. You don’t get this type of prestige from playing a game or watching a movie and television. It comes from the experience of reading a comic book itself.

Legacy

A comic book is more than a comic book the same way a car is more than just a means of getting from point A to point B. Cars say something about the person who drives them. Comic books say something about the person reading them. Unlike video games and movies, which you play and can only talk about or watch clips of, comic books can be shared with others. The stories on the page can speak to people in different ways and this can open the door for a much wider range of conversation. And you’ll still have time to catch the latest movie or game.

The Look

You’ve heard of a pair of shoes that make an outfit? The same is true of a comic book. They set the newbies apart from the true enthusiasts. Be careful here. Don’t go out and buy one comic book and carry it around thinking this will set you apart. It may work for a little while, but soon everyone will catch on. Not to mention other true enthusiasts will figure it out and you’ll be called out as a fake. So fair warning.

Lifestyle

The average price of a comic book ranges between $4-$6, and graphic novels running about $20 per collection. Thanks to their cost-effective nature they provide more entertainment than movies and video games.

Label

There are Marvel and DC, the two biggest names in comic books right now. It’s easy to attach yourself to one over the other, as there are those who read only one comic publisher and nothing else. But don’t limit yourself too early. There are other titles out there that are just as entertaining as the latest Captain America. Try out Image Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Antarctic Press, Top Cow Productions, and Aspen Comics, to name a few. These provide rich stories and high-quality art that too many in the mainstream ignore.

Livelihood

Just like your smartphone, you need to take care of your comic books. Unlike your smartphone, they’re easier to take care of. Just don’t get them wet and store them on a shelf when you’re not using them. No Charge cords needed.

Luxury

Of the many status symbols out there, few match comic books. By purchasing the latest issue of The X-Men, Superman, even Fathom, you’re signaling to the wider world, without shouting, that you’re part of an elite club. The club that reads the newest stories before they become movies.

How Do You Join this Elite Club?

The good news is that joining this club is easy. There may not be a comic book store conveniently located nearby, but you can go online to find honest and friendly comic book resellers. Mycomicshop.com, Mile High Comics, Midtown Comics, and Things From Another World are online comic shops that will take care of you. Simply visit their home pages to check out the newest issues and any deals they have going on. Every comic shop will have the newest issues available, but the good ones will have a wide selection of back issues, issues that were published already. Any extra issues that don’t sell end up here and a large amount of them will sell for decent prices. If you’re looking for that specific issue you missed, then you’re in luck with an online comic shop. You’ll have to do a little research to find which issue you’re looking for, but you’ll most likely find it. If it’s a rare issue, be prepared to pay extra. Thanks to back issues, if you miss the latest issue, you’ll be able to catch up or get up to speed on the backstory of what’s happening with your favorite titles.

Prestige Awaits You

It takes time to build up knowledge, and by extension, prestige. Therefore, the sooner you start, the better. You can even stream newest issues of titles from the major comic book publishers. Before you do, make sure you have the best connections at the best prices by checking out the best Spectrum internet packages. In no time at all, you’ll be reading up on the newest and greatest superheroes from the comfort of your own smartphone. Better yet, have them delivered to your door! Those around you will be envious of your prestige!

3 Things to Know about the Peak TV Era

The Era of Peak TV is still going strong. Take full advantage of the deluge of prime entertainment with this knowledge and a hidden tip!

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3 Things to Know about the Peak TV Era
The Era of Peak TV is still going strong. First, it was broadcast channels, and it was not enough. Then came cable television, and it was better, but not still not enough. Now we have streaming networks, internet TV, and more ways to get new and scripted shows. In 2015, the head of FX, John Landgraf, dubbed this the Era of “Peak TV.” Not just TV, but the abundance of scripted shows. And Landgraf warned that if there were more than 500 that would be “the peak.” After that, there would be too many scripted TV shows to go around. Too many options of what to watch. As a result, the bubble would burst and we’d see a sharp decline in scripted television. By some counts, there are more than 500 scripted shows on television right now. We’ve passed Landgraf’s limit. So…what happens now? While some networks, like Freeform and MTV, have switched from scripted programs to reality, the trend hasn’t quite caught on. Networks and streaming services, the most obvious being Netflix, are still churning out new shows. And while viewers can take advantage of this with Spectrum internet bundle deals to make the most of cable and internet, the bubble still appears intact. With no end in sight, the Era of Peak TV marches on. But what does that really mean?

The Good

As stated previously, there is an abundance, a plethora, a deluge of scripted television to watch. Either broadcast, cable, or streaming, there is something that is bound to catch your attention and draw you in. Gone are the days when you had to wait for the show to air on it’s selected channel and night. And worse than that, if you couldn’t watch it, you had to set the timer on your VCR to record it and hope that a power outage wouldn’t screw that up. Now we are blessed with DVR, on-demand, and best of all, streaming. Thanks to these services, creators have produced more shows to fill the demand. Or was it the other way around? Whichever came first, the point is that the ability to watch a show when you want necessitates an excess of television. To meet that need, big names like Judd Apatow and Shonda Rhimes have been wooed to subscriber-based television to produce shows that a dedicated audience will pay for. If they watch everyone single one of them or not at all, it doesn’t matter. These services have provided a better outlet for producers and writers to create the shows they want to create.

The Bad

The downside of this abundance is the quality of the shows being produced. With any group, no matter how big or small, there will be top performers and bottom performers. When there were few shows, the bad ones were easily weeded out and replaced with ones that might do better. Now, with the 500+ shows available, that means there will be a lot of bad ones out there. Since those shows are already paid for, you might end up wasting your money on them. Another facet of this is that the scriptwriters are the ones who are apparently suffering. Since more shows are being created, they tend to come in smaller packages. The old 22-episode seasons of a sitcom or drama is not the typical format you’d find these days. Instead, we’re seeing eight, ten, thirteen-episode seasons. A writer will usually be paid by the show or for a set number of episodes. If there are fewer episodes, that means a smaller paycheck. The simple answer would be to just write for more shows, but that will lead to burn out and a decrease in quality. This ties back to the previous item of bad shows being produced. One last thing- option overload. With so many shows available it’s hard to decide on which show to watch. Some nights you might find yourself debating which show to watch and end up not watching anything.

When Will It End?

We may have passed Landgraf’s omen of 500 shows, but there’s no telling how long it will last. 500 shows this year could mean little. Next year there might be 550, and the year after that 600. Maybe then we’ll find out if the bubble will pop. Another possibility is that we may hover around 500 for a few years and then see the bubble pop. There’s no way of telling. Having access to nearly 500 shows isn’t a bad thing. We get to see a wealth of stories and expand our creativity more. Another downside is the price that all this entails: To get access to this wealth of engaging stories means having to pay for more than one subscription. This is on top of already paying for cable and internet. So then why not pay less for both? Save yourself some money while you download the latest episode by checking out internet bundle deals. Switch your provider or plan, and you’ll be in the best spot to enjoy all the Era of Peak TV has to offer.

The 8 Biggest Anti-Amazon Prime Day Contenders

Today is Amazon Prime Day if you haven’t noticed. If you don’t have a Prime Membership,there are plenty of other retailers with deals today. Who are they?

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The 8 Biggest Anti-Amazon Prime Day Contenders
Today is Amazon Prime Day if you haven’t noticed. What is Amazon Prime Day? It’s the day that Amazon opens its doors to all its Prime members to get deep discounts on select products, deals, and services. If you’re not a Prime member, you don’t get to enjoy Amazon’s version of “Black Friday in July.” Check out our previous post, 6 Steps to Finding the Best Deals for Amazon Prime Day to find out how you can get the most out of what’s left of this thirty-six hour day of sales. And even if you don’t have a Prime Membership, there are plenty of other retailers looking to take the wind out of Amazon’s sales by offering their own special deals on Amazon’s special day. Who are they? More importantly, how do you take advantage of these deals?

Massdrop

Massdrop is the online home for hobbyists and enthusiasts. From quilting to cooking to technology, Massdrop is geared towards finding and producing top quality products to help you get the most out of your hobby. It’s an online store that’s even more exclusive than Amazon. The good news is that you can join for free to get in on their Anti-Prime Day deals.

eBay

Unlike Amazon, an online retailer, eBay is an online marketplace for people to sell their goods and wares. It may be semantics, but everyone on eBay is a reseller. A very large community of indie stores has set up shop on eBay, more so that Amazon. eBay is free to shop, no special membership required to take advantage of their deals. Right on eBay’s homepage is the Daily Deals button to let you know who’s got sales going on and for how long. Don’t miss it!

Gamestop

Either in their physical stores or online, Gamestop has deals running throughout today and tomorrow. Check their weekly ad and the Deal’s section of their website to find out where the deals are and how to get the most out of them.

B&H Photo

This online retailer focuses on photography and video. This also means they branch out to computers, TVs, camcorders, lighting, and more. Click on their Specials tab to check out B&H’s deals and sales for today.

Google Store

Google, not wanting to be outdone by one of their biggest competitors in the virtual assistant market, has offered for this day as well. Check out their personal store to find their deals. They don’t have a centralized listing of them though, meaning you might have to guess which ones are discounted. It’s not very time efficient. Their products are also discounted in stores as well. To do this you’ll have to search each page individually, on your own internet browser. If you’ve managed to land one of the best internet deals, this shouldn’t be much of a problem.

Razer Game Store

This online game retailer allows you to buy physical copies of your favorite game or download it directly to your platform of choice. Razer has conveniently compiled all their deals and sales on their homepage for you. There’s more available, but the top ones are put on the homepage. There’s no need for a centralized list here!

Target

Some of the deals you’ll find with Target are at their physical stores, and some are online only. Simply visit Target’s homepage, click on the Weekly Ad tab and type in your zip code to find the deals available at your nearest Target store.

Microsoft

Similar to Google, Microsoft hasn’t put together a centralized list of their sales and deals for Amazon Prime Day. Again, you’ll have to search product by product to find out if there’s a deal going on or not.

Some Help

Thanks to sites like The Verge, CNET, PC Mag, and others, there are ongoing lists of deals both on and off Amazon that will help you find the best deals for this day. There are also a host of third-party sites that notify you of deals going on. Simply pick the one you feel most comfortable with and set up which products, or sellers, you want to watch for deals and sales. There’s Tech Bargains, Offers.com, Slickdeals, and much more!

Get a jump on Christmas

It may seem as though Amazon is trying to set up their own special shopping day in the middle of summer, but there are some positives to this whole thing too. For one, Amazon is simply clearing out merchandise for the coming holiday season. As more and more stores are trying to milk Christmas, you’ll start to see holiday selling season start earlier and earlier. Two, you’ll be able to take care of some holiday shopping. It’s a little absurd to be shopping for Christmas now, that’s understandable. Look at it another way, you’re able to take a little stress out of your holidays now by getting a few gifts or items purchased now. Lastly, with Amazon creating this artificial holiday in the middle of summer vacation, other stores are responding to it. This means they’re going to be offering deep discounts and deals to compete with Amazon. And with sellers compete on price, be Amazon, Google, or anyone else, you end up winning!

Bitcoin Getting Blocked

Columbia University Professor Joseph Stiglitz has expressed his opinion that regulations on cryptocurrency will end up making it worthless.

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Bitcoin Getting Blocked
If you were hoping that bitcoin would be on the uptake again, there’s bad news on the horizon. Nobel Laureate and Columbia University Professor Joseph Stiglitz has expressed his opinion that regulations on cryptocurrency will end up making it worthless. These opinions are not why he earned his Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Studies. He’d earned that way back in 2000 before cryptocurrency and blockchain came onto the scene. The Nobel Prize, on top of other honors and awards he’s earned, does give him street cred when it comes to talking about financial regulations, money, and important things related to all that stuff. He is an authority in the field of economics, so his opinions at least carry some weight. More important than his opinions is the fact that blockchain and cryptocurrencies are still unreliable. Stiglitz is simply pointing this out.

A Quick Lesson on Blockchain and Cryptocurrency

Blockchain, at its core, is a different way to track money and exchanges. Instead of a government watching who gives money to who and determining the value of the legal tender in use, Blockchain instead uses digital code to do that. There’s no government backing it. This is a good and a bad thing. Good in that no government has control over the value of the currencies on the blockchain. This means cryptocurrencies are less affected by politics. The bad news is that cryptocurrency is still based on faith in a system. That system may not be a government, but a system of numbers and mathematical equations. This feels appealing when you look at countries that are in dire financial straits because their own governments made a bad choice or were corrupt. When this happens the legal tender, currency, of that country goes down in value. It may not mean much to us, but to those within that nation, it’s a bad thing. For example, after World War I Germany was bankrupt, and no one would trade with them. One solution was to print more Deutschmarks. Instead of fixing the economy, it got worse. Deutschmarks became worthless because they were so plentiful. Rather than buying bread with them, some German citizens instead used them to fuel their woodstoves. Remembering this makes blockchain look good. Besides, if a government is determining the worth of their own money, and can make that money worthless on a whim, why not create a system that removes that option? Enter blockchain. The Blockchain is based on earning money by solving complex mathematical equations. But who writes the equations? As of this writing, the author of this post has yet to figure that out. It’s also worth mentioning that he was, and still is, not very good at math.

Who Would Trust Blockchain Then?

The future is uncertain. Blockchain, like all new technology, is a gamble then. The Philippines, on the other hand, are willing to take that bet. Yesterday, provisional licenses were issued to three exchanges outside The Philippines to allow them to trade Cryptocurrencies on their domestic exchanges. By building a presence there, these crypto-exchanges are looking to leverage access to Trans-Pacific sea lanes and remain open to international markets. The crypto community is happy to hear this, feeling it gives them more credibility. It’s not a lot, as the licenses are provisional and heavily restricted. But it is a step in the right direction. Keep in mind, however, this does not mean all The Philippines are open to using cryptocurrency, nor does it mean Bitcoin will be in use there as a legitimate form of currency. This is a trial run. A baby step. For Blockchain and Cryptocurrency to be accepted on a global scale, a much larger nation needs to accept it as its legal tender. This isn’t to say The Philippines aren’t to be taken seriously as they explore this new form of currency. Far from it. The situation can be viewed one of two ways; The Philippines are an early adopter or a gambler stepping up to a new table. With a smaller economy, it’ll be interesting to see how cryptocurrencies fare there and if there is any success.

Is Stiglitz Right?

Stiglitz, though he has a Noble Prize among other awards, is still human. He could still be wrong. He could also be right. Blockchain and its plethora of cryptocurrencies are still a risky bet right now. To break into this new field requires a lot of money (not bitcoin) to purchase the computers and programs to mine for coins and be profitable. It’s not as simple as clicking a button for a stock trade. Before committing to it, take the time to assess your situation. Talk to trusted friends. Seek out advice from both supporters and critics of Blockchain. Joseph Stiglitz is one of the critics. These two resources will get you started. With any luck, you’ll make a sound financial decision.
Looking for more than Bitcoin? Check out the best Spectrum internet packages to improve your search!