Think about what you want to do with your bike, and how you want to ride it. If you're a new rider, you should consider the weight of the bike, as well as how tall it is. You want to be able to put both feet down on the ground when you come to a stop.  Bikes come in all shapes and sizes. When shopping for your bike, think about how you want to ride it. Do you want something you can cruise around on, or do you want something a little more extreme? If you're looking to tour around on a bike, opt for a traditional motorcycle. If you want something with speed, consider a sportbike.  Start looking at various manufacturers' websites to find the specifications of bikes. Select a few you're interested in and compare them to find one that suits your needs. Motorcycles can range from under $5,000 to $25,000. Before you drop thousands of dollars on a motorcycle, do some research on the going rate for the bike in question. You may find a cheaper alternative.  Consider buying a used bike if this is your first time buying a motorcycle. When you're learning to ride, you run the risk of laying your bike down at some point. If you buy a used bike, you won't feel so bad if it gets a little dinged up. Once you get the hang of riding, you can swap your bike for something nicer.  Keep in mind that you will have to pay a few other fees for owning a motorcycle aside from the cost of the bike. There are title and registration fees, sales tax, and in some cases, a delivery fee. If you buy used, you may have to pay for some maintenance if the bike needs any work done. After you buy your bike, you'll need to invest in a helmet. While there are plenty of other riding accessories available, a helmet is essential.  When shopping for a helmet make sure you buy one that has a good fit. You want your helmet to be snug around your cheeks and jaw, as well as the top and sides of your head. Be wary of used helmets, as they may not offer as much protection due to wear and tear.  Other riding accessories include riding jackets, boots, and gloves. The more you can protect yourself on a bike, the better off you will be. Shop for jackets and gloves that have armor sewn into them. Armored gear offers the most protection if you do end up in a crash. Depending on which state you live in, the rules for getting your motorcycle license may vary. Some states require a motorcycle safety course before giving potential riders their license. Check with the Department of Motor Vehicles to find out what the requirements are in your state.

Summary: Get the bike that suits you best. Set a budget. Buy protective gear. Remember to get a license for your bike.


You can apply Command Strips to metal, tile, glass, painted drywall, and painted or varnished wood. Do not apply them to wallpaper, antiques, or valuable/irreplaceable items. Don’t use the strips to hang anything over a bed.  Avoid using Command Strips on vinyl, since they may not stay adhered. If you’re using hooks with clear strips, choose a smooth surface. To maintain adhesion, apply Command Strips to surfaces that stay between 50°F (10°C) and 105°F (40°C). Check the package of your product to find its exact weight limit. If your items exceed the weight limit, consider other options such as screws and studs or a picture string.  Command Strips come in a variety of sizes with different weight-bearing capacities. Depending on the product, 3M may advise that you use only one hook per item you’re hanging. Ask someone to hold up the item, if possible, so you can stand back and decide if the placement is satisfactory. Use a level to align a picture; if it’s a group of pictures, use a laser level. Place a sticky note sideways – like a kite shape – at the top center, above where your item will hang.  You may want to hang a picture 60 inches (152 cm) above the floor, or with its bottom edge six to eight inches (15 to 20 cm) up from a piece of furniture. For a group of items, cut paper patterns of their shapes. Use low-adhesive tape to place the papers on the wall and decide where you want the items to hang. Then place the corner of a sticky note at the top center of each paper, so that the bottom corner is your reference point. Dampen a cloth with isopropyl rubbing alcohol. Gently wipe the surface where you plan to adhere the strips. Allow the area to dry. Don’t clean the surface with household cleaning sprays or wipes. These leave a residue that can make the strip’s adhesion unsteady.

Summary: Ensure the surface is suitable for the strips. Ensure the weight of items you’re hanging is acceptable. Measure and mark the surface. Clean the surface.


Cutting your flowers earlier in the day when it's cool will ensure that the flower has stored carbohydrates, which are required to keep them alive.  Keep a bucket of water with you and make sure to transfer them immediately after cutting them. Flowers need a constant stream of food to flourish, and being left out of the water causes them to dry up.  Flowers should be cut at varying maturity levels depending on the type of flower. Daffodils, roses, irises and gladiolas should be cut in the bud stage, while delphiniums, marigolds, dianthus flowers should be open before cutting.  Use a plastic bucket or pail. Metal can throw the flower's pH balance and reduce its lifespan. Refrigeration at 35°F (1.5°C) can triple the lifespan of freshly cut flowers in your house. Doing this before you transfer them to a vase with water slows down water loss, respiration, and development. Your flowers will require less water and die slower if you put them in the fridge.  Slowing down the flower's development will allow it to remain in the flowering stage for a longer period of time before wilting and dying. You can also pop your flowers in the refrigerator when you are going to sleep to help preserve them for a longer time. Trim one inch from the bottom of the stem at a 45-degree angle using durable gardening tools like shears or clippers. Water bubbles can get trapped on the end of a flower's stem which will prevent it from absorbing water. Keeping your flowers recut will ensure that their water absorption levels remain steady.  Flowers like the sunflower develop sap on the end of their stems after some time. You can remedy this by pouring boiling water on the end of the stems for 20 seconds.  Do not crush the stem, as this can damage the flower internally and inhibit water absorption.
Summary: Cut your flowers in the morning. Place freshly cut flowers in your refrigerator for six hours. Recut the stems on your flowers every three days.