You’ll be touching the trigger, so it’s imperative that your rifle is unloaded for these tests. Remove all ammunition and clear the chamber before beginning. Use a tape measure to find the distance between the center of the trigger and the center of the back of the butt plate or recoil pad. This is the LOP of the rifle. In case the LOP turns out to be too long or short, you’ll need to know the measurement to determine if your stock should be trimmed or replaced. Most factory rifles have an LOP between 13.00 and 13.75 inches (33.0 and 34.9 cm).

Summary: Begin with an unloaded firearm. Measure the distance between the trigger and the butt plate or recoil pad. Write down the measurement.


The poet William Stafford once wrote that “there is no such thing as writer’s block for writers whose standards are low enough.” While this might sound awful, the idea that you should be able to sit down as a 5th grader and compose the great American novel is unrealistic. But it is exactly this sort of expectation that leaves people so dissatisfied with their wring that they give up.  Great writers compose multiple drafts of their work and have the text reviewed by professional editors. No one expects a first draft to be good. But sitting down and finishing it will give you the chance to see what fits and what does not. From there it will be much easier to improve your ideas. Writing also takes practice. It might take a few failed manuscripts to get it right. To make writing a natural habit, try to sit down at the beginning of every day to write a few pages. If you don't know what to write, start a dream journal. Write about what you dreamed the prior night. This will help you keep in touch with your creative side. People who exercise regularly have been shown to exhibit more creative thinking. If you are struck by writer’s block, a little bit of exercise can distract you from any anxieties that you might have and get your ideas flowing again.  Consider going on a walk to clear your head.  For more energy, try a short jog. Alternatively, stretch for a couple of minutes to relax yourself. Caffeine increases the effect of chemicals in your brain that naturally produce energy. Consuming caffeine will give you energy and increase your concentration. Thus, it will help you overcome several of the psychological conditions that create writers block, including self-doubt and lack of commitment.  Caffeine has other properties that can improve your writing, like increased short term memory and cognitive abilities. The positive effects of caffeine, however, can be negated if it impairs your sleep. Moderate your consumption and drink it early in the day Music can increase concentration. It can also inspire emotions that you can spill back onto the page. Depending upon your tastes, loud music might be a distraction. In that case, consider ambient music, possibly without any lyrics. Jazz and classical music are often good ambient music choices for writing. If you are having trouble focusing in your environment or find it uninspiring, try some place new. A university library has a lot of resources that you can turn to for information. Cafes have coffee and a vibrant atmosphere that can make you feel more comfortable than your own cramped space. Doing a quick read of some inspirational writing can get you in the mood to do your own. Anyway, a good writer should be reading all the time. It is important to use other writers as point of inspiration and as models for how to write. You also need to read to get a sense for how you can fit your work into existing literature or innovate within a genre of writing. If TV distracts you, be sure to turn it off. If you live with a bunch of people or along a busy street, do your best to find a place that is less noisy. Consider downloading programs that will remove distractions from your computer. One of the difficulties with writing today is that the best media for composition—your computer—is also rife with distractions of its own. There is, however, specialized software that can change this. Some programs will ration the time you can spend on social media. Writing programs can limit your access to other functions of the computer, so that you can focus exclusively on writing. Great writers have very different routines. One thing that is almost always true, however, is that they have some sort of routine. You will want to pick a routine that fits your energy level and schedule throughout the day. Once you have a routine, your mind will naturally turn to writing when it is time to sit down and work.  For example, Simone de Beauvoir would always begin her days with a cup of tea, review what she had written the previous day, write for several hours, take some time off, and then return to work after dinner.  Try to have a designated place and time to work. This sort of routine can create a cue for your brain when it is time to begin work. Perhaps you should always have a cup of coffee or tea before work. Maybe you should always have music on. Perhaps you could eat breakfast directly before writing. Create as many atmospheric cues as possible to tell your brain to get to work.

Summary: Lower your standards. Write every day. Do some light exercise. Drink some coffee. Turn on music. Find a new location. Read. Eliminate distractions. Start a routine.


Your forearms should be flat against the ground and your shins should be nearly flat against the ground, as well. Keep your head, neck, and back in a natural position. They should be straight without being rigid, and your back should angle down slightly toward your front half. You should try to raise the thigh to about 45 degrees. Your knee should be bent, and your heel should face upward.  Keep your back straight as you lift you leg. Hold yourself in this position for five seconds. Slowly lower your left leg to your starting position. Once lowered, lift the left leg again in the same manner. This exercise should be repeated at least five times during a routine with one leg. When you have finished exercising your left leg, repeat the same steps using your right leg. You should lift your right leg the same number of times you lifted your left leg.

Summary: Rest on your elbows and knees. Raise your left thigh slowly. Lower the leg and repeat. Repeat, switching legs.


When you first get your cookware, treat it like you would any other cookware. Wash it in warm water with a mild dish soap. Rinse it thoroughly and dry it completely. Season your cookware with oil to help prevent food from sticking to it. Never immerse hot cookware in cold water. Rather, allow your pans to cool completely before washing. Cold water can warp a hot pan. This is only relevant for hot pans and cold water. Putting hot pans in hot water or cold pans in hot water will not warp your cookware. Wash your cookware by hand. Use a mild dish washing liquid and hot or warm water. Clean your cookware as soon as possible after using it. This will help maintain it and make washing it easier.
Summary: Wash your cookware before you use it. Prevent warping while washing your pans. Wash with soap and hot water.