INPUT ARTICLE: Article: The most simple method for a reusable rice-filled heating pad. It just requires and old sock, some rice, a microwave and something to tie or sew the sock shut. First of all get hold a a good sized clean cotton sock that you won't miss, and then pour in the rice.  There is no fixed amount of rice to use, but it is recommended that the sock be at least half or three quarters full.  Don't overfill it though. There should be a bit of flexibility so that the pad can rest comfortably on your skin. You want it to be able to mold itself to the shape of your body a little.  Some alternative fillings to rice include corn, barley, oatmeal and beans. If you are making a heating pad to try to soothe your headaches, you can add some herbal ingredients to help. The most commonly cited extra ingredient is lavender oil. Simply mix in a few drops, 4-6, of essential 100% lavender oil in with your rice.  It's best to mix this in before you put the rice in the sock. Other suggestions for herbal additions include marjoram, rose petals, and rosemary.  You can use dried herbs. Now you have made your rice sock all you need to do is heat it up in the microwave. Simply put your secured sock in the microwave and heat it up. The length of time you will need to put it in for will depend on the size of sock and amount of rice you have used.  One and a half to two minutes should be long enough. Keep an eye on it and don't leave it unattended. As a safety precaution you can put a cup of water in alongside the sock. If you have added dried herbs, this is a good idea.

SUMMARY: Fill an old sock with uncooked rice. Consider adding lavender oil. Heat it up in the microwave.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Use your extra time to treat yourself to a luxurious DIY bubble bath. If you don’t have bubble bath soap or crystals, just make it a regular bath, setting up candles and snacks to make it feel special. What better time to curl up with some tea, coffee or hot chocolate than a rainy day? If you’re with friends or kids, you could even host a “tea party.” Wear fancy clothes, set out some nice china and appetizers and use your best manners. Pinkies up, everyone! Put on some relaxing songs, light a few candles and use your rainy day as a chance to unwind. Maybe your life has been so hectic lately that you’ve been missing out on sleep, or you just need a quick power nap to get back up to speed. The sound of rain on the roof and in the streets can be very soothing. Let it lull you right to sleep.

SUMMARY: Have a bubble bath. Mix up some hot drinks. Listen to music, the radio or a podcast. Take a nap.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Jimi used studio tools to great effect. He was constantly innovating because, as he put it, the "sounds in his head" could not be reproduced until he or his friends came up with a new technique. Many now standard electric guitar effects can be traced back to Jimi: e.g. wah-wah (foot pedal allowing rapid extreme alterations in tone). The famous slide guitar with heavy echo/reverb solo from 'All Along the Watchtower' was created by Jimi using a Zippo cigarette lighter on its side. He also experimented and tried new techniques with different models of guitars as well. Firstly, he was left-handed but he took a right-handed guitar and turned it upside down after re-stringing the guitar from the low to high E-string.  Right-handed guitarist can do this by getting a voodoo Stratocaster or re-stringing like Hendrix. Also, play around with the setting on your amp. Look around for  other effects he used on his guitar. Finally, Hendrix usually thumbs his bass note whilst using his other fingers for the rhythm, slides his thumb along the string and heavily uses his whammy bar. He started out learning his licks from the players that he admired, then strived to reach into his soul and apply these lessons to create a sound that was Jimi.  Jimi Hendrix never used to play that cleanly, he would just kinda "Get it done" quite a lazy, but very very talented and unique player. Also, he used a lot of finger picking/ physical picking combination. As in he would pick some strings with his pick, while fingerpicking some other strings to get more noise at once that he liked. Technically: To learn his licks, there are a number of playback devices available that allow you to slow down any particular musical passage, making it easier to find the individual notes that were played. Please note that Hendrix oftentimes would "slurry" a number of notes together, making it difficult to identify individual notes, but not impossible. Aesthetically: Once you've found the notes and chords, play along with some of his tunes, to get the feel of them.....then play the tunes on your own. In my opinion, if you can play a smooth, soulful rendition of "Little Wing", you are well on your way. Who knows you might learn to play the exact songs as Hendrix with the same notes but in a different technique that better suits your individual circumstances. Aerosmith and Van Halen tune their guitars down 1/2 step. This makes the strings looser and changes the sound. Also, a capo bar changes the tuning by raising all the strings the same step but doesn't make the strings tighter.  Mark Knopfler (formerly of Dire Straits) likes to cap up on the 2nd fret, it raises the bass line and changes the vocals. Dolly Parton has massive fingernails but still plays guitar -- her guitar is tuned to a G chord so all she has to do is play bar-chords up and down the neck to make a song.

SUMMARY: Innovate. Hendrix was a "stylist" in every sense of the word. Examine how other artist like Jimi Hendrix use innovation to overcome obstacles.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: "Extra virgin" coconut oil is best, but any oil without added fragrances, flavorings, or colorings will do. Coconut oil is especially good for damaged hair because its fatty acid composition penetrates the hair shaft much more efficiently than most other oils. It's also an excellent treatment for dandruff and dry, itchy scalp and is a natural anti-fungal agent.  If you can afford it, raw organic coconut oil is the most effective oil to use on hair. Like raw honey, raw coconut oil may solidify in the jar; if so, microwave it for 10-20 seconds until liquified.  Because this mask is so lightweight, it's perfect for fine or thin hair. Stir these oils together in a resealable glass jar. If you have short hair, 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and 1 tablespoon of olive oil should be plenty, but adjust the quantities as necessary according to your hair's length and thickness. Using your hands, massage the oil through your hair. Focus on the ends, as these tend to be the driest and most damaged. Comb through with a wide-tooth comb or your fingers. If you have long hair, put it in a ponytail or loose bun, then wrap with a shower cap, plastic wrap, or grocery bag. Leaving the coconut oil mixture in your hair overnight gives it plenty of time to penetrate even the most damaged hair shafts. In the morning, rinse out with warm water. Follow with a gentle shampoo and conditioner.

SUMMARY:
Select a good quality coconut oil for your base. Mix 2 parts coconut oil with 1 part extra virgin olive oil. Apply oil mixture to your hair. Wrap your hair. Leave in overnight.