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Month: December 2022

5 Ways To Improve Your Virtual Presenting Skills

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One of the most nerve-wracking things that you can do in a business environment is to give a presentation. As we move into a more virtual world, it might seem easier on paper to deliver a presentation since you’re on a screen instead of standing in front of a large group of people, it can actually be even more difficult.

Since you can’t see the people that you’re speaking to in most cases, there may be some that are completely tuned out with their cameras off and their microphones on mute. If you have to give a presentation at work using Zoom or one of the many other networking sites or apps, we have some pointers to help you get through it. Here are five ways to improve your virtual presenting skills.

Keep Your Background Area Free of Clutter

As it has been demonstrated by countless humorous news stories about Zoom faux pas, it’s important to keep your background area free of clutter, embarrassing items, and unwanted people. Clean up the room you’re presenting from, or try presenting in a room with little to no visibility of personal items. It also helps to inform members of your household when and where you plan to do your presentation, so there’s no chance of accidental walk-ins, or worse.

Practice

Practice makes perfect. After you’ve created and fine-tuned your presentation, practice speaking without your slides, practice speaking while presenting your slides and ask loved ones to act as your audience so you can practice in front of others.

That way you become far more comfortable with the material, you’ll memorize it, and your practice audience can give you feedback on your work, or provide mock situations for your to work through that may arise during your actual presentation. It’ll improve your confidence tenfold and keep you from stumbling when it’s your turn to present your piece.

Don’t Overcomplicate Your Slides and Spoken Parts

Creating a presentation itself is not the easiest task, but you can make it easier for yourself and others if you keep it simple, only include vital information, and maintain an easily digestible piece of work. It may take some time to fine-tune and get to a point of satisfaction when creating your presentation.

Try breaking it up into smaller bits of work before working on it as a whole. Once it’s put together, see what might need editing and simplification. Go over it with a friend, or family member to get a second opinion.

Practice Proper Posture and Speaking

There’s no doubt that presenting a piece over Zoom is a more daunting task than it already was in a physical social setting. Presentations require charm, engaging your audience, and the use of mannerisms that aren’t exactly the easiest to portray over a webcam. Although it’s not as easy, it’s still doable.

If you’re presenting on camera, do what you can in the space you’re given to be seen. Practice good posture so your audience can see you’re attentive and professional. Your body language may be hard to read, but you still have use of your upper body. So use that to your advantage and work on that body language. No matter if you’re presenting on camera, or not, an engaging and friendly tone of voice can make all the difference. Combine all of those tips together to make for a more positive reception

Make Sure Your Audience is Engaged

You can do everything right and it might still not be enough to pull in your audience. You can improve this by taking breaks throughout your presentation to see if anyone has questions, or if you need to explain a point more in-depth. Crack funny jokes every now and then to keep the mood light. Overall, maintain good energy that simmers til the end and doesn’t boil over, or lose its flame.

5 Things To Think About Before Starting Urban Exploration

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While some people want to get in touch with nature and go hiking through the wilderness, there are plenty of us that appreciate manmade structures just as much and want to go urban exploring. From abandoned sports stadiums to underground tunnels, urban exploration offers a lot of great opportunities to see the history of humanity by visiting once-great structures that are no longer in use.

Many would think that you can simply grab a backpack and a bottle of water and start exploring, but there’s a lot more to it than that. You have to make sure that your trip is a safe one before going on your adventure. Whether you’re new to urban exploration or have made dozens of trips, here are five things that you need to know before you go on your next expedition. 

Tell People Where You’re Going

As seen in the popular movie 127 Hours, based on real-life events, it’s crucial to inform others where you’re headed before you begin any sort of exploration. You can contact family, friends, or anyone who cares about your well-being, and let them know the exact or general area you’ll be exploring. Give them instructions to check in with you every so often and have a plan of what to do if they don’t hear from you after a certain period of time.

Bring Adequate Supplies

No matter where you’re going, having access to the proper supplies matters. It’s vital to survival, especially in the case of an emergency. Whether it’s medical supplies, filming equipment, food, water, toiletries, or backup energy batteries and communication devices, supplies are something you’ll regret not having. It’s better to bring too much than too little. If you must travel light, bring the necessities and be sure to go back to replenish supplies as needed. It will benefit you and those around you if you pack smart. 

Know The Area

Whether you’re going somewhere local, or somewhere completely foreign to you and those with you, it’s a good idea to have a map of the area. Even if you think you know the area like the back of your hand, you may not know all there is to know about an area. Bring an updated and recent map of the area you’re exploring so you don’t run into any confusion, or get lost. Getting lost in an unknown area can be incredibly dangerous. If you do get lost, a map can help you regain your heading, or at least give you an idea of where you are if you need to call for help and describe your location. 

Bring a Translator Device or Know the Language

If you’re taking your exploration to land that’s foreign to you, bringing a translation device will make your trip so much easier. It’s good to learn how to speak and understand at least the basics of a language foreign to you. If you aren’t confident in your abilities and want to make sure nothing gets lost in translation, a translation device will come in handy. Plenty of online retailers sell relatively inexpensive translator devices similar to a cell phone, or in earbud form that help translate spoken conversations back and forth. There are apps that can translate typed messages as well. 

Do NOT Trespass

It should be obvious, but trespassing is illegal and not very safe. Urban exploration is exciting and it’s hard not to get carried away and delve deeper into areas that are off-limits, usually for good reason. If you’re told to stay away from a specific area, it’s taped off, or even if an accessible area simply seems unsafe to you, don’t venture further and don’t take the risk. It won’t be worth it and you could end up getting injured, or disrupting the structure. Be smart and explore safely. 

10 Fad Toys That Caused Black Friday Riots

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Every Black Friday, there seems to be one item in particular that has people busting down the doors as soon as they unlock. While more of the focus has been online for retailers and selling televisions in-store on Black Friday, there are still some toys that a lot of people want. Over the history of Black Friday, these 10 toys in particular, though, drove people to near madness and caused a lot of fighting in the aisles.

1. Tickle Me Elmo

Who can forget the Tickle Me Elmo craze in 1996 when people were piling on top of each other to grab the “Sesame Street” character plush doll that giggled and vibrated? Scalpers that could grab one were selling them online for over $1,000 as there was a shortage of supplies in the stores.

2. Furby

Two years after the Tickle Me Elmo craze, a similar toy came around that was smaller and more intuitive called the Furby. Furby would talk to you, answering questions and speaking in its own cute little language. Furby sold hand over fist upon its release in 1998, with new editions being made in the following years.

3. Nintendo Wii

Nintendo products are always hot commodities around the holiday time, but the Nintendo Wii was on another level. Released just in time for Christmas in 2006, the Nintendo Wii was the first motion control console to be available, and everybody wanted one. Another aspect that made it so popular was the price, as it was only $249.99 upon release.

4. Beanie Babies

Anybody that was around in the 1990s remembers just how popular Beanie Babies were throughout a chunk of the decade. The small little plushies were collector’s items that we all thought were going to be worth something in the future. However, Beanie Babies proved to ultimately be worth next to nothing just a few years after their debut.

5. Tamagotchi

Every child in the 1990s wanted a handheld device where you took care of a little creature called a Tamagotchi. Essentially a virtual pet on a keychain, the Tamagotchi was a great gift for parents since it was affordable, but they were extremely hard to find at the height of their popularity in 1997.

6. Razor Scooters

In the early 2000s, just about everyone between the ages of 8 and 15 years old wanted a scooter because of how cool the commercials made them look. The top brand was Razor, a company that started in California in 2000. Razor scooters were in almost every household, and were known to bruise a lot of ankles.

7. PlayStation 2

Just like the Nintendo Wii, there was another level of hype for this video game console that was released in the 2000 holiday season. The Sony PlayStation was successful, but the buildup to the follow-up console was unparalleled at the time. The console would also end up being the longest-lasting, was affordable for its time, and was the first console to have a DVD player.

8. Teddy Ruxpin

Before Tickle Me Elmo and Furby came around, Teddy Ruxpin was the toy that every child wanted that could talk back to its owner. Teddy Ruxpin was the best-selling toy for two years in a row in the mid-1980s, featuring a cassette tape slot so that the cute little bear could read stories to children.

9. ZhuZhu Pets

It’s hard to really tell why ZhuZhu pets were so popular in 2009 when they were first released. After all, they seemed to be standard plush toys that didn’t really do anything. They were also cheap at under $10, which made demand far outweigh the supply. ZhuZhu Pets went on the secondary market, selling for $100 each in some circles.

10. iPod

Apple products seem to be a little watered down now since they’re so numerous and come out every year, but who can forget the craze of the first iPod when it was released just before Black Friday in 2001? The music player was the top of the line, selling millions of units in its first holiday season and becoming a staple of MP3 players before the iPhone came around.

5 Most Important Things Home Appraisers Look For

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There are many reasons to get a home appraisal. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell your home, receive a loan from the bank, or even filing for divorce or bankruptcy, there will be a time when an appraiser comes out to take a look at your house. 

To make sure that you’re preparing your house to get the maximum amount appraised, here are the five key things that appraisers are looking for. Some, unfortunately, cannot be changed while others can be handled with some time and money.

5. Number of Rooms

You could have one of the largest houses in the world, but it won’t matter all that much if there aren’t many individual rooms. Homes that have more bathrooms and bedrooms are desirable for appraisers, especially if they’re full bathrooms.

Of course, most houses only have one kitchen, but adding a second one in a home that’s large enough to fit one will increase the value. Just remember that the more bedrooms, the better, but having more bathrooms is the best.

4. Size

One of the reasons that any of us are looking to move into a new place is to have more room. When it comes to appraisals, the size of a home plays a big role in the value. This includes the square footage and acreage, as a lot of space both inside and out are coveted by a lot of people.

It’s not just about the sheer amount of space in the house, too, but rather the amount of usable space. Having an unfinished basement that can’t be converted isn’t all that desirable and won’t increase the home’s value much. A garage that’s large enough to double as a barn, though? That’s an increase.

3. Age

It should probably go without saying that newer houses tend to be better for a home’s value (unless it’s a historic castle or something similar). It’s not the age of the house itself that appraisers are really looking for, though, but rather the age of some of the main components. A house that was built in 1910 can have a brand new foundation, roof, and HVAC units that bring its value up.

If those components are older, though, then they’re getting close to needing to be replaced. Some of these can cost tens of thousands at minimum to replace, too, hurting the overall home value. A brand new house will have brand new everything, increasing the appraisal.

2. Water Damage

You could have wallpaper tearing off and an incredibly dirty carpet, but appraisers likely won’t care about that one bit as they can be easily fixed in a matter of hours and not much money. However, if there is any sign of water damage on the inside or outside of the house, it can tank the appraisal value quickly.

Water damage is a much more costly and time-consuming fix, so appraisers suggest that anyone that may have damage get that issue taken care of before getting a valuation of their home. Pipes, ceilings, windows, you name it, if there’s water damage to any of those, they need to be taken care of right away.

1. Location

You’ve probably heard the old adage “location, location, location,” and there’s a good reason for that. Above anything else, the value of your home is tied to the surrounding area. Homes that receive a higher appraisal will be in areas where there are other houses that are spread further apart and feature low crime rates and great school options in the area.

If there are a lot of tall buildings and apartment complexes in the area, the home’s price will drop. Appraisers also give a bump to homes that aren’t near any major busy roads as the area will be much quieter and family-friendly. If there are bodies of water nearby like lakes or an ocean, you can count on the home’s value skyrocketing, as well. There’s a combination of accessibility and family neighborhood appeal that appraisers consider when coming up with a final number.

5 Best Anime Video Games of All Time

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Video game adaptations happen for just about every form of media, from motion pictures to comic books and everything in between. Anime is no exception to getting the video game treatment, and just like with all other forms of video games, there’s a mixed bag in terms of quality. There’s a long list of anime video games, with many of them being forgettable, but plenty that is good to great.

In terms of the ones that are great, there are a few that really stand out due to replayability, storytelling, and overall quality of gameplay. These are the five best video games of all time that are based on anime. If you haven’t tried any of these out, it might be time to get a console or PC to try them.

5. Dragon Ball FighterZ

Based on the popular Dragon Ball series, Dragon Ball FighterZ is one of many Dragon Ball video games as well as one most loved by fans. The game was developed by Arc System Works and initially released for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. It sold over 8 million copies as of 2021.

The action-packed fighting game allows you to form a team of three Dragon Ball characters, with one assist for each character, then placing you against an AI or online player. You fight it out, using combo moves and special attacks until all members of one team are depleted.  

4. Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 4

Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is the sixth and final game to come from the Naruto Ultimate Storm series. It was developed by CyberConnect2 and released for the Playstation 4, Xbox One, and PC in 2016. Later being released for the Nintendo Switch in 2020. 

The game follows the journey of Naruto and Sasuke during the Fourth Shinobi World War. The game gives you three teams of fighters that can assist each other through boss fights, quick events, and hidden scenes. 

3. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R was developed by CyberConnect2 and released for multiple PlayStation and Xbox consoles in 2014 and PC in 2022. The popular anime fighting game can be played as single-player, or multiplayer. 

Players can pick from characters from the fan-favorite anime and fight against other players, or AI in different locations taken from the series. Use your fighting skills to deplete the other player’s stamina, or possess more stamina than your opponent(s) when the time runs out.

2. One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4

One Piece- Pirate Warriors 4 was developed by Omega Force and released for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC in 2020. The game follows a similar storyline to the previous One Piece games, with new variations and modifications that take the game down an exciting path. 

It features characters Cavendish and Bartolomeo who are out to free the Straw Hat crew. New enemies like Blackbeard and crew are introduced, who you must defeat along with Big Mom, and Kaido’s minions. Afterward, you’ll be challenged with the biggest fight of all, the boss fight against a morphed version of Kaido himself. 

1. Persona 5 Royal

Persona 5 Royal is the most popular Persona 5 video game among fans of the anime series, rated 10/10 on multiple platforms. It was released in 2020 for the PlayStation 4, then released in 2022 for the PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and PC. 

It’s the fifth addition to the Persona 5 series, with Persona 5 Royal being a more enhanced version with more content, gameplay, and an added Phantom Thief character, Kasumi Yoshizawa. The game follows a crew of vigilante students from a Tokyo High School with supernatural powers, who steal ill intentions from the hearts of nefarious people. 

5 Most Valuable Websites on the Internet

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Websites are essentially real estate in this virtual age, with some domains being worth thousands of dollars just for having the right name. Then, there are those that are worth millions and even billions. There are only a handful of domains that find themselves in the billion-dollar and up category, with these five being the most valuable on the internet.

5. Bilibili

Video sharing is one of the best aspects of the internet, and has changed the way that people consume media. In China, Bilibili is the king of video sharing, with the service also offering mobile games in six different languages. It was founded in 2009 by Xu Yi, who took on the role of director and president while Chen Rui became the CEO.

Bilibili became the fifth website to be valued at over $2 billion, which also made it the second Chinese website to reach that total. There has been steady growth throughout Bilibili’s history, too, with its ability to appeal to the younger generation being a huge reason for its growth and value. Unlike another certain video-sharing website that we’ll get to later, there is no parent company for Bilibili.

4. Baidu

Baidu was founded on New Year’s Day in 2000 and became China’s go-to search engine as the country’s answer to Yahoo and Google. Robin Li and Eric Xu founded the company and hold a share of more than three-quarters of all of the searches in China and employ over 45,000 people. Along the way, Baidu has acquired several websites to grow the empire.

Baidu is the most valuable website in China with a valuation of over $2.2 billion, and it’s easy to see why as there are so many services that Baidu offers. The company has billions in assets and continues to grow as the years go on, putting a stranglehold on the top of the Chinese website list.

3. Facebook

While social media started in earnest with MySpace, it was Facebook that truly helped it to take off. At first, the Mark Zuckerberg-founded website was exclusive to those with a collegiate email address but soon branched out to being fully public on a global scale and eventually publicly traded. Facebook made Zuckerberg a billionaire, which makes sense with around 3 billion active users per month.

Due to the global outreach and massive revenue that comes in from advertising, Facebook was valued to be $2.6 billion. Sure, there have been plenty of controversies regarding Facebook over the years, but there’s no doubt that the website has been extremely influential during its lifetime and has changed the way we use the internet.

2. YouTube

While Bilibili is the top video-sharing website in China, nobody comes close to the type of success as YouTube. The website was founded by Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim in 2005, launching on Valentine’s Day. Since the first video was uploaded by one of the founder’s day at the zoo, YouTube has exploded into basically being a utility for households around the world.

YouTube makes an insane amount of money from advertising, which has perturbed some people, but no alternative without advertising has proven to be a threat. Because of this, YouTube is valued to be over $3 billion and in 2006 was purchased by Google’s parent company Alphabet, Inc., and became its biggest source of income.

1. Google

Speaking of Google, the search engine that also serves as a verb is the most valuable website on the planet. The simplicity of Google helped to make it the top dog, and the search results algorithm makes it the top of its class. Though there have been many competitors, Google still reigns supreme for much of the same reason as YouTube, with people not really wanting to explore other options.

Because it’s the homepage for countless people, Google is the most valuable website in the world with a valuation of $4.8 billion. Google is unlikely to ever lose its place at the top, either, as there’s a massive gap and has been far and away number one for a very long time.

5 Strategies Used By Social Media Sites To Keep You Coming Back

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Social media is something that has become so ingrained in the lives of people all around the world that we tend to open our social apps without even thinking twice about it. We feel the need to keep up on the latest posts from our friends and find breaking news before the mainstream media can even type up a report on it.

As a result, there are over 4.7 billion active social media users around the world, or in other words, around two-thirds of the entire global population. Social media apps are competing with each other for one thing, and it’s not money, it’s your attention. To do this, apps like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more come up with ways to have you open the app time and time again. Social media apps use these five strategies to keep you coming back for more every day to the point where the average internet user is on social media for 2.5 hours per day.

Autoplay Videos

The Auto Play feature now available across many apps is a relatively recent way social media is further designed to keep you hooked. It can be hard to put your phone down once you get sucked into the seemingly endless amount of videos at your disposal on apps like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. They’re designed to gain, and more importantly, keep your attention on the content provided by the app. The longer you’re hooked, the more the app benefits.

Endless Content Scrolling

Like the Auto Play videos on many apps, there’s also a load of other, seemingly endless, content. From pictures, advertisements, games, events, news articles, celebrity gossip, and offers for deals on purchases. There’s a multitude of ways social media is designed to hone in on your interests and capture your attention. 

Social media offers so many different features, ways to share content, and ways to absorb content to keep the user from getting bored of the app. This pretty much causes most users generally looking to hop on social media as a distraction from their boredom. 

Notifications

Notifications are social media’s way of pulling you back in for more. Once you’re on your device and checking notifications, it’s not hard to stick around and take a look, ultimately spending more time on social media apps. Whether it’s a message notification, a notification a friend is posting, a tempting offer, or the sought-after “like” on a post/picture you posted, social media leaves us wanting the excitement of those notifications more and more. 

It can become a distraction during work, driving, or enjoying time with loved ones. Of course, there are settings you can change on your devices so you don’t receive notifications at all, or receive silent ones if you prefer to keep up to date without as much of a distraction. Though, social media tends to bug you relentlessly about turning on notifications after you turn them off. 

Algorithm

The algorithm on any social media or entertainment app is designed to keep you satisfied by providing suggestions for content from users and channels you seem to pay more attention to, or suggestions for content similar to what you enjoy. It’s a sneaky way to pique your interest, making it harder to put your phone down after you find yourself going down the rabbit hole of new content. 

Yearning for Others’ Approval 

Social media is a great way to connect with others and put yourself out there. With the growing number of social media “influencers” out there, social media has turned into a sort of toxic environment where likes and popularity are all that matters. 

The immense pressure from others to look flawless at an unattainable level, or to seem adventurous and fun, is unhealthy. A lot of people end up faking it to gain popularity and likes. What you see on social media is typically very different than real life, so take everything with a grain of salt and don’t try to reach standards so far overshot. 

5 Anime Series That Received a Live Action Adaptation

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When it comes to anything, you can almost bank on a live-action movie adaptation if that particular thing happens to be famous enough. From video games and books to toy characters and more, live-action films are almost always the end result of something gaining fame worldwide. Anime is no exception, and while it deviates away from the medium, there have been some live-action anime films that ended up being good.

Let’s take a look at some of the anime series that got the live-action treatment over the years. Some have had massive budgets or received rave reviews while others have had shoestring budgets and didn’t hit with critics. Here are five anime series that received a live-action adaptation.

Cowboy Bepop

Cowboy Bepop is a largely popular anime series that originally aired for a short period of time in the late 1990s. Years later in 2021, the live-action adaptation aired on Netflix. The series is set over 100 years into the future and follows the space bounty hunter crew on the spacecraft, the Bepop, as they go around capturing criminals throughout the endless realm of space. Viewers had mixed reviews and felt the series didn’t live up to and provide the depth of the original anime series. 

Death Note

Death Note started out as a Manga created by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. It was first released in 2003, later getting its own anime television series in 2006, and a live-action film in 2017. The film follows a student, Light Turner, who discovers a notebook that brings death to whoever’s name ends up in its pages. The owner of the book, the death god Ryuk, is the stunning creature most associated with the series and film. The film got mixed reviews, with critics complaining the film felt rushed. 

Bleach

Bleach got its start in the 2001 manga written and illustrated by Tite Kubo, later getting its own live-action adaptation with the release of the 2018 film. It follows the story of Ichigo Kurosaki, a high schooler in the town of Karakura who can see ghostly entities that others can’t. SoulReaper Rukia Kuchiki is led to Kurosaki while hunting an evil spirit, referred to as Hollows, that attacks the family. Kuchiki transfers her powers to Kurosaki after being wounded by the demonic entity, giving them all the responsibility of a SoulReaper overnight. The film had a positive rating overall and was well-received by viewers. 

Fullmetal Alchemist 

Starting in 2001, Fullmetal Alchemist was a manga that was published by the Enix company that’s more known in North America for its video games and merger with Square. The original manga had a decade-long run and had multiple animated series during its run, with the most recent being Brotherhood in 2009-10. A trio of live-action films has been made, with the first release in 2017 in Japanese theaters and on Netflix on a global level. Reviews were far from positive, though, and the budget was incredibly low considering the size of the fanbase.

Ghost in the Shell

Ghost in the Shell started as a manga in 1989 and received several animated series and films throughout the 1990s and 2000s. A live-action version was announced for 2017 with Scarlett Johansson landing the lead role of Major Motoko Kusanagi. The casting was met with some controversy due to ethnicity mismatches, though it still performed well in theaters with $170 million worldwide. The film was produced by Avi Arad, who was known for producing each of the Spider-Man films to hit the big screen since the original in 2001. While Ghost in the Shell received lukewarm ratings, it still became a must-see for fans of the anime.

5 Ways to Make Train Journeys More Fun

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For most people, the idea of fun doesn’t typically involve sitting in a train car for hours on end and staring at the wall or ceiling. Some train rides are quick and easy, but even then, you’ll want to find something to occupy your time because it can be uncomfortable if you don’t. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to make a train journey more fun whether your trip is 30 minutes or over the course of several days.

From gathering the sights and sounds that surround each stop of your trip to simple time-wasters, there are plenty of ways to inject a train ride with a lot of fun. Here are our favorite ways to do just that, making sure that your next train journey is a memorable one.

Music, Podcasts, Shows

Long trips can be exciting, but sometimes there might be a lull in the feeling of adventure and you’ll want to relax or do something fun to pass the time. Listen to music, podcasts, and comedy shows. You can watch an entertaining television series or a movie you’ve been dying to make time to watch. 

It makes for a great escape for the times traveling might get exhausting, or you need some time to yourself on a crowded train. Download the media beforehand so you’ll have nothing in your way of watching it like relying on an internet connection. 

Socialize

When traveling, getting to know the people around you can make for a great way to pass the time until you get to your destination. The people around you are full of stories and unique life experiences. Some people are more than happy to share and engage in conversations during trips, but some aren’t. 

So make sure to ask beforehand if they’re up for a friendly conversation. If you have friends, or family with you on the trip it’s a great opportunity to talk about interesting subjects you might not typically have time for. 

Take Pictures and Videos

Taking pictures and videos of your trip, even while you’re on the train to your destination, is a great way to pass time and focus on something fun you can look at later on to remind you of your trip. 

There are a lot of cool settings you can take advantage of on your phone’s camera or a professional camera that will enhance your photos and videos and make them more interesting to create. Try taking slow motion videos, and photos with different filters, or even create a vlog to share online with friends and family. 

Play Games and Brain Teasers 

If you want to pass the time in a fun way that can also sharpen your mind, try playing a variety of games. There’s a ton of free and paid games you have access to on your phone, tablet, handheld gaming system, or even a booklet. There are fun games that require little to no effort that pass the time mindlessly. 

If you’re looking for a challenge, try brain teasers, word games, sudoku, or video games that require more effort and brain power. It’ll keep you entertained and sharpen your focus, so you’ll be at your best when you get to your destination. 

Snacks 

Yummy snacks and meals are a wonderful addition to a long trip. If the train you’re on doesn’t offer meal services, or maybe doesn’t offer the best options, prepare and bring homemade meals, or a tasty snack from a restaurant nearby the station. 

Packing fun drinks and snacks is a comforting way to nourish yourself throughout the duration of your train ride. Be mindful of what you bring. Try to stay away from stinky foods, or ones that make a huge and inconvenient mess. Bring plenty to share with fellow riders, or friends if you’re feeling generous. 

5 Best Things About Living In Havre

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Havre is one of the hidden jewels in all of Montana with a population of just around 10,000 and is located in the eastern part of the state. Havre was incorporated in the final years of the 19th century, and since the late 1950s has remained just around the same size in terms of population. Havre has a lot of history, and while there might not be a lot of people that live in the city, there are plenty of reasons to live there.

Here are the five best things about living in Havre that will make you either want to stay for good or move from out of your current town to see what Havre is all about.

1. The Mountain Scenery

You’ll notice the surrounding scenery right away when in Havre, showing that it’s truly Big Sky Country in Montana. Havre is just north of the Bears Paw Mountains, with a quick 10-mile trip to see them. Of course, you can see the mountains from the city, including the peak of Baldy Mountain which is nearly 7,000 feet above sea level.

No matter what season, the scenery is beautiful in Havre. In the summer, you can hike around Beaver Creek Park and in the winter check out the snow-capped mountains from the comfort of your own home. Havre is especially scenic in Autumn when the leaves are changing colors, making the town a landscape of a wide range of colors.

2. The Small-Town Feel

Anyone that’s lived in a big city knows just how rushed everything can feel. From unexpected traffic to skyscrapers and the constant honking, city life can get to a person’s psyche. That’s not the case in Havre where things are laidback and everyone moves at a nice slow pace and just enjoys life as it comes.

That doesn’t mean that Havre has nothing to do, though. The downtown area of Havre has plenty to offer, meaning that you get the best of both worlds. Nothing’s too far away, but Havre isn’t so busy that you feel stressed out just from driving to work. Plus the air quality is much better than in the city, so don’t be afraid to take a deep breath and enjoy life.

3. The Food and Drinks

No matter what your tastes are, Havre has plenty of dining options that will make any local or visitor happy. Nalivka’s Original Pizza Kitchen comes to mind, and it’s consistently given perfect ratings by out-of-towners all the way from New York to Chicago to Los Angeles. There’s also great Mexican food at restaurants like Guadalajara and classic American fare at Wolfer’s Diner.

If you’re looking to grab a drink, there are plenty of watering holes to whet your whistle. This includes Murphy’s Pub, Palace Bar, and the Oxford Sports Bar. For any craving that you have, Havre has got exactly what you need.

4. The Archaeological Site

Even if you’ve lived in Havre your entire life, it’s still a great time to visit the Wahkpa Chu’gn site, which is also called the Too Close for Comfort Site. The archaeological site right off of the Milk River was settled centuries ago by different Native American groups and was then re-discovered in the 1960s by archaeologist John Brumley.

The site has been excavated multiple times and is now open to the public, and has had some memorable moments over the years. It costs about $10 to $15 depending on your age to go through the site, and tours are available for large groups. If it’s your first time or the 100th time, it’s still a blast.

5. The Havre Underground

Back in the early days of Havre, many of the local businesses operated underground. While these businesses are no longer operating, the underground still serves as a mall of sorts to help remember the past when cowboys were gambling and drinking without worrying about the law coming to get them.

Now open to the public, the Havre Underground is about $10 for children and $20 for adults to visit, becoming a local favorite. Some of the spots in the underground have been repurposed to be stores for selling souvenirs and general goods.