Saturday, November 16, 2013

How to Kiss

So you finally got "the look" and you're moving in for that killer kiss when it dawns on you that you need help—and fast. We're going to teach you everything we know about who, what, when, where, why, and how to kiss. Pucker up and let's have some fun!

Part 1 of 5: Initiating a Kiss
1
Drop hints that you're interested. You can put out some subtle signals that you're angling for a kiss without coming right out and saying it. Here's how to communicate it romantically:
  • Get caught looking (briefly) at the other person's lips.
  • Don't purse your lips. Keep them softly parted — not so much that you could breathe comfortably through the opening, but enough that you could bite your bottom lip easily.
  • Make your mouth appealing. Use chapstick or lipgloss to smooth over flaky lips, and keep your breath fresh with mints or spray. Avoid gum, which you might have to spit out awkwardly if the other person goes in for a kiss.
2
Break the kiss barrier (optional). If you're feeling brave, test the waters with a small kiss on the hand or the cheek. If the other person seems interested, it's probably safe to proceed with a kiss on the mouth.
  • If you're kissing a girl: Take her hand and slowly lift it to your mouth. Gently press your lips into the back of your hand for 2 or 3 seconds before breaking away.
  • If you're kissing a guy: Lean in and plant a 2- or 3-second kiss on his cheek. Keep your lips soft, and avoid puckering like you would if you were kissing a family member. If you want your intentions to be extra clear, aim for the part of his cheek just to the side of his lips.
3
Set the mood with a romantic compliment. Go big and pay the other person the sincerest compliment you can think of. If you get it right, the other person might take the lead and lean in to kiss you.
  • Say it in an intimate way. Lower the volume and tone of your voice slightly, and lock eyes. Not only does this communicate that you have deep feelings for this person, it entices him or her to come closer to hear you.
  • Focus on an alluring quality. Even if you truly think that your date is an amazing basketball player, now might not be the best time to bring it up. Instead, base your compliment on how you see your date as a romantic partner. Here are some possibilities you can try:
    • "You are SO beautiful."
    • "Your eyes drive me crazy."
    • "I love to see you smile."
    • "I can't even believe I'm lucky enough to be with you right now."
  1. 4
    If all else fails, go for broke and state your intentions. If your date hasn't picked up on any of your hints and you're dying to lock lips, you might as well be straightforward and just ask if you can kiss him or her. Don't worry, though — you can be direct while still being romantic and compelling. Try these phrases if you're at a loss for words:
    • "I'd love nothing more than to kiss you right now."
    • "I'm sorry if this is too forward, but I'd really like to kiss you."
    • "I want to kiss you so much that it is just about killing me."
5
Go in for the kiss. Don't waste any time once you have the go-ahead — close your eyes, lean in and smooch! The next sections will discuss some kissing techniques, as well as how to handle kissing in different dating situations such as a first kiss or kissing after a date.

Part 2 of 5: Kissing Techniques
1
Keep your lips soft. Tense puckers are for family members or people you're obligated to kiss, but keeping your mouth slightly parted and soft communicates a sense of openness.

2
Do a few soft kisses. Start slow with soft, gentle kisses and skip the tongue and the teeth — for now. If your partner seems receptive, you can move forward to French kissing.
  • Try to avoid letting your lips smack. The noise can be distracting, and might break your immersion in the moment. If you do find yourself smacking, slow down and part your lips a bit more.
  • Stay light at first. Avoid smashing your lips against your date's mouth — for now. Kissing softly and gently gives the other person the chance to stop if it's uncomfortable, as well as allowing you to gauge his or her interest.
  1. 3
    Stay at a manageable level of saliva. Slobbery puppies are the last thing you want your date thinking of while you kiss him or her. Avoid this fate by swallowing excess saliva occasionally. If you notice that your lips are a bit too wet, pull away and discreetly purse them to bring the extra spit back into your mouth.

4
"Lock" lips. If your initial kisses have gone well, try a lip lock, which can lead to closer kisses (and is a nice gateway for French kissing). Basically, you'll "stack" your lips so that (for instance) it looks like this:
  • Your lower lip
  • Your partner's lower lip
  • Your upper lip
  • Your partner's upper lip
  • At first, putting your date's lower lip between yours is the safest bet. Most people have larger lower lips, making them easier to grab gently with your lips.
  1. 5
    Make sure to breathe. Ideally, you'll be able to breathe softly through your nose while you're kissing. If that's not possible, though, break away for a second to take a breath.
    • Don't feel self-conscious about being out of breath or needing to take a break for a second. Breathing hard is an indication that you're nervous and excited, which your partner will probably find flattering.
  2. 6
    Use your hands. Don't just let your hands hang at your sides like two limp fettucini noodles — put them to good use!
    • Place your hands lightly on your partner's shoulders or around his or her waist. (In Western culture, girls generally put their hands on a boys shoulders while he puts his hands around her waist.)
    • Take the intimacy up a notch by pulling your partner in closer.
    • Put your hands on the sides of his or her face, using your thumb to sweep across the cheekbone, or put one hand under his or her chin and tilt it upward.
    • Another seriously sensual move is to put both hands around the back of your partner's head and tangle them in his or her hair, gently pulling.
  3. 7
    Test using tongue. Once you're in a lip lock with your partner's lower lip between both of yours, lightly run the tip of your tongue over it. If you can move it slowly, even better.
    • See how your partner responds. If he or she presses in closer or returns the gesture, you're probably clear to keep increasing the intensity of the kiss. If your date pulls away, maybe it's best to pull back the tongue for now and stick to lips-only kisses.
  4. 8
    Try French kissing (optional). Using your tongue during a kiss is, in Western culture, referred to as a French kiss. Why do the French get the credit? Who knows! Here's how to get started:
    • Sweep your tongue along the inside of your partner's lower lip. Try to move slowly and lightly at first, increasing speed and pressure only if your partner seems to respond well.
    • Slide the tip of your tongue inside your partner's mouth and gently move it against the tip of his or her tongue. Use light, darting motions and keep your tongue moving — letting it sit limply in your partner's mouth isn't appealing and will bring a quick end to the kissing.
    • Try deeper and harder strokes if your partner seems responsive.
  5. 9
    Mix it up. Don't feel obligated to keep the intensive tongue activity going forever. Alternate soft and hard, slow and fast, deep and shallow. You can even go back to using only your lips for a few minutes.
    • Alternating your technique will keep your partner from being able to predict what's coming next. Maintaining this sense of surprise and spontaneity helps your kisses avoid becoming stale.
  6. 10
    Gently nibble your partner's lips (optional). Teeth aren't a necessary element of kissing, but a grazing them over your partner's lip can introduce another unexpected element. Here are some quick pointers:
    • Keep the pressure as light as possible. Remember that you're aiming to nibble, not bite.
    • Move slowly. Again, keeping your pace gentle will help prevent accidentally chomping on your partner's lip.
    • When your lips are locked, place your teeth over your partner's lower lip and slowly pull back until your teeth are almost at the end of the lip. Pause for a moment, then resume kissing as usual.
    • Don't break out the biters too much. They should be an occasional perk, not the main attraction.
    • Be prepared for rejection. Not everyone likes a side of teeth with their kisses. If your partner doesn't respond well, try not to be too offended — it's probably a matter of personal taste, not a lapse in your technique.

How to Make Out

While kissing someone you like for even a few seconds can be electrifying or intense enough on its own, making out takes kissing to a new level. If you want to make out the right way, then you have to know how to sustain your passion, mix things up, and make your kissing partner feel appreciated. Whether you've been with the same person for a while or you're kissing someone new, read on to find out how to make out like a pro.

Part 1 of 3: Initiating the Make Out Session
1
Make eye contact. Meet your kissing partner's eyes and give him or her a little smile to show that you're ready for some action. You can also gently lean your forehead against your kissing partner's, put your hand on his face, or even give him or her a quick peck on the lips before you really start kissing. This helps start a connection and gets your partner more ready to kiss you; if you swoop in without any warning, the kissing session may be unexpected -- and not in a good way.
  • Your eye contact doesn't have to be super intense, especially if you're just starting out with this person. Just a few seconds of eye contact should get the message across.
  • 2
    Move slowly and gently. This is very important. The best way to prevent head-butting, elbowing, and clanking teeth is to do everything slowly, especially in the beginning and when you're changing positions. As time progresses, you can introduce more passionate kissing techniques, but they can only be sustained for so long. Always return to a slow, comfortable pace. Start with a kiss on the lips, then, if you want to French kiss, slowly move your tongue into your partner's mouth as he or she does the same.
    • Once your tongues are in each other's mouths, you can move them slowly in a circular motion, move them on top of each other, or do whatever feels good without moving too fast or getting sloppy.
    • Remember that if you're making out for the first time, you have to be extra cautious before you begin. The first time is about figuring out the person's comfort level, boundaries, and favorite maneuvers.
  • 3
    Keep your hands busy. This doesn't mean that you should frantically paw your kissing partner every chance you get. However, you'll be more comfortable kissing if you don't keep your hands neatly planted on your lap. Once you're comfortable, and especially if you're sitting down, try to explore your kissing partner's body -- as long as you're both okay with it. Basically, just keep your hands moving from time to time, so you don't get stuck in the same old boring position.
    • If you're kissing a man, put your arms around his neck or touch his arms, neck, back of his head, or even his chest.
    • If you're kissing a girl, touch her shoulders and her waist, and wait for the signal that she's ready for more.
4
Tease your kissing partner. You can still play hard to get in the middle of a make out session. When it's going great, just pull back for a second and look into your kissing partner's eyes. Locking eyes will be sexy and will make your kissing partner want to kiss you even more badly. Though you shouldn't try this move all the time, once or twice per make out session will do the trick.
  • This is also a great move if you need a little break from so much kissing.
5
Remember to come up for air. Taking a little break from kissing is perfectly fine and can even help get you back into the kissing mindset. If you're tired but don't want to stop yet, just come up for air, slow down your kissing pace, or don't be afraid to take a quick bathroom break or ask for a glass of water. If you're not feeling comfortable with so much kissing, then you won't be able to enjoy yourself or give your best effort.
  • It's okay. Taking a break from time to time will actually make you a better kisser.
Part 2 of 3: Keeping Things Interesting
1
Talk a little. A little verbal communication will keep things interesting. It's not a good time to start a deep conversation. Just a small phrase in a soft voice will work (especially when accompanied by eye contact and a reassuring smile can help you communicate and enjoy the make out without saying much. You don't have to be silent to be sexy, and if you want to say something, even if it's a compliment or a comment that won't ruin the mood, go for it.
  • Obviously, you shouldn't switch the subject from anything romantic completely. Now's not the time to ask about the math homework.
2
Keep things light. This isn't the movies, where it's all perfect and passionate! You're both human and there will be awkward moments here and there, no matter how many instructions you read. If anything awkward does happen, be quick to mend it with some light laughter or a gentle push. Making out is just as much about having fun as it is about being turned on.
  • If you're fumbling awkwardly, really, it's better to make a joke about it than to pretend you're Mr. Smooth.
3
Kiss your special someone's face and neck. Vary the kissing routine by moving away from their lips occasionally. Again, move slowly. If you move too quickly, they might not know what you're doing and next thing you know, your lips are crashing into their nose. Kiss the corner of their mouth gently, making your way along their jawline. You can move up to your partner's temple and forehead, or down to his or her neck.
  • Try giving your kissing partner a slightly wet kiss on the neck and then blow on it so they feel a shiver.
4
Stroke your kissing partner's hair. If your partner is a man, run your fingers through his hair along the scalp from front to back, all the way down to his neck. If your partner is a lady, you can run your fingers down her hair, letting the strands run through your fingers. The head is one of the most sensitive parts of the human body. Don't underestimate the hair as an important place to touch during a make out session.
  • Keep in mind, however, that some hairstyles are not conducive to this. If she has her hair tied up or it's quite curly, your fingers might get trapped. Instead, run the tips of your fingers slowly along the top and around her ear, as if you're tucking a stray strand behind her ear.
5
Give a few gentle bites. Hey, biting your partner's neck, ears, or even his or her bottom lip can do wonders for your make out session. Don't be afraid to try it once you're comfortable enough with your partner to experiment. Take a very gentle bite of his bottom lip, and then work your way over to nibble on his or her earlobe or neck and see how your love responds. If administered correctly, the tiny bite can make your partner go crazy with pleasure.
  • Be forewarned: the gentle -- or not so gentle -- bite is not for all tastes, but if your special someone likes it, he will really like it.
  • If you're nervous about this move, practice on your hand first.
6
Whisper in your kissing partner's ear. Whispering in your partner's ear is a great way to keep the passion going when you take a break from kissing. Just take a break, lean in to your special someone's ear, and whisper something short and sweet that lets him or her know how much you like kissing. Just say, "You're so sexy," or, "I've been wanting to kiss you all day," and your boyfriend or girlfriend will love it.
  • As you're talking, you can breathe on your boyfriend's neck to make him shiver.
7
Keep mixing things up. The most important thing to keep in mind as you make out is to keep things interesting by trying something new every once in a while. Just sitting there with your hands in the same position, kissing in the same way, will get old fast. So, mix things up between pecks on the lips, gentle love bites, passionate French kissing, and doing whatever else you need to do to keep things interesting.
  • You don't have to try 10,000 new moves in the middle of a make out session. But trying at least two or three different things can help spice things up.
Part 3 of 3: Winding Down
1
Let your kissing partner know when you need a break. There are two post-make out options: either you move on to something more and get even more hot and heavy, or you realize that you want to take a break. Assuming you want to take a break or stop kissing, slowly move away from your partner, giving him one last, passionate kiss. You don't have to end things abruptly. When you feel like you're getting tired, or know that you have to leave soon, then you should slowly start removing yourself from the situation, limb by limb.
  • Don't apologize about it. Everyone needs a break from time to time.
2
Let your kissing partner know how much you liked it. Give your significant other some validation by giving him a big hug, one last kiss, or a big smile -- or even by saying, "That was amazing," or "I love kissing you." Even "I can't get enough of you" will do the trick if you mean it. Your special someone should feel confident and good about what just happened so it can happen again.
  • Don't be shy. You don't have to blurt out "I love you!" but hey, if you had a hot time, let it be known.
3
Leave your kissing partner wanting more. As you finish up the make out session, you should make sure that there's a repeat on the horizon. When you're done kissing, you should still stay sexy, be affectionate, and leave your kissing partner wanting more. You can say you can't wait to hang out again when you say goodbye, or even send a cute text saying what a great time you had later.
  • Though it may be hard to stay in the mood forever, try to keep things sexy for as long as you can after the make out session. That will make your kissing partner even more eager to see you again.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

How to Kill Ants Without Pesticides

Pesticides smell bad and are dangerous to humans, getting into ground water and contaminating wells. Here are some relatively benign way to kill ants using biodegradable materials.

Method 1 of 3: Making a Natural Ant Killer

1
Create an ant killer or deterrent using a common household item. The following are great options:
  • Salt
  • Chalk
  • Lemon juice
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Equal parts white vinegar and water
  • Orange peels pureed with water
  • Petroleum jelly
  • Sticky Tape
  • Corn meal
  • Boiling water
  • Baking soda and vinegar
  • Nicotine water
    • This can be made by soaking pipe tobacco in water overnight and then straining it; the leftover nicotine in the water is poisonous. Be sure to use gloves for this process. (See health warning below!)
  • Method 2 of 3: Using Direct Application Methods
  • 1
    Spray ants with vinegar water. The low pH kills them without damaging most furniture. This is a great way to clean surfaces while you’re at it.
  • 2
    Arm yourself with sticky tape. When you see an ant, place the sticky tape over it and use your fingers to squash it beneath the tape. The ant's carcass will be stuck on the sticky tape, so it will 
  • be clean. Repeat until tape is no longer sticky.
3
Feed them corn meal. They take it back to their nest and feast on it, but since they can't digest it, it eventually kills them. Corn meal won't harm children or pets.
  • Wheat flour and dried rice (any kind) also work. Like corn meal, it expands in their stomach and bursts them, resulting in a death slightly less nasty than being boiled alive.
  • 4
    Follow the ant trails back to their source. This might lead you through some unexpected places, but once you find the anthill(s), you can attack the root of the problem.
    • Pour a liquid directly into the anthill. Nicotine water or boiling water will work well here. Powders won't be as effective, since they can’t navigate around the turns in an ant colony.
    • Alternatively, take a stake and stab it down into their nest. Wiggle it around until you have a fair sized crater. Fill the crater with baking soda about half way up and pour vinegar over it. It is all-natural and will totally destroy the nest. Don't worry about it leaving a crater in the ground, it mostly fills itself in and if it doesn't, just kick some dirt over it, plant grass, and you'll never be able to tell the difference.
    • If you’d prefer not to hurt the ants, spread pureed orange peels in and around the anthills. They dislike citrus and might relocate on their own.
    • 5
      Squash ants with your fingers. Be sure to wash your hands afterwards, especially since many ants stink.
    • Method 3 of 3: Using Prevention Methods
    • 1
      Look for areas of your house that might serve as entrances for ants. These include cracks, holes, windows, and pet doors. These are often good locations to use one of the prevention techniques described below.
    • 2
      Sprinkle salt on flat surfaces. This is a great way to keep ants off of windowsills.
    • 3
      Draw barriers using chalk. The chalk will stick to vertical surfaces like walls and doorjambs. Ants don’t like the calcium carbonate in chalk and will steer clear of it.
    • 4
      Squirt lemon juice along outdoor edges. This will keep the inside of your house from getting sticky but deter ants with a strong citrus smell.
    • 5
      Sprinkle cayenne pepper out of the reach of animals. Spreading pepper along cracks and crevices will keep ants at bay, but be sure your pets won’t be able to lick or sniff it.
    • 6
      Spray vinegar water over larger surfaces. This will handy in places where using lots of powder won’t be efficient.
    • 7
      Spread pureed orange peels around the foundation of your home. Again, ants aren’t fond of the smell of citrus.
    • 8
      Smear petroleum jelly along edges. This is a great way to keep ants out of pet bowls.