Summarize the following:
Anytime you're connecting or disconnecting an effects pedal, you need to cut the power to everything in the chain. While the power cables can and should be plugged in to each separate unit, the units themselves should be switched off. Make sure the amp and each pedal are switched off when you connect them.  There is one exception to this rule though - if you are using a tube or valve amp.  In this case, you want to keep the amp turned on but put the amp in standby mode using the standby switch.  Trying to connect live circuits can result in shorts, as well as loud pops and feedback bursts that will come through the amp. It'll shorten the life of all the components in your rig. Don't do it. The biggest thing to avoid is powering on a pedal, connecting it, then powering on the amplifier. This is a fast-track to a short. To make sure the pedals and the amp are off before you connect them, you'll need to have them plugged in. Connect both your pedal and your amp to power and switch them on and off to make sure. Some guitar pedals will come with 9-volt A/C adapters, while others will be battery-operated, though most feature both options. For most guitar players, batteries are nice because it's one less thing to plug in, but are a hassle because batteries die and are expensive. Most pedals will have only two jacks, one labeled "Input," and another labeled "Output." These jacks are usually located on opposite sides of the pedal's body, depending on the unit, and are built to accept a standard quarter-inch (6 mm) audio cable. Locate the input and output jacks on the guitar pedal, then connect your guitar to the jack labeled "input." All the inputs and outputs can get confusing for the beginner. Remember: the audio signal is generated by your guitar's pickups, from where it travels to the amp through the cable. So, the guitar should always be connected to the input jack of the pedal, because this reflects the direction in which the signal travels. You play a sound on the guitar, then it travels “in” to the pedal, where it comes "out" and goes back “in” to the amp. Run another length of quarter-inch cable from your pedal to your amplifier. The cable connecting the pedal to the amp should go into the same input you would normally plug your guitar into directly. To connect a pedal, you'll need at the very least, two quarter-inch cables. If you're chaining together pedals, you'll likely need more patch cables to fit everything together without much hassle, but if you're just plugging in one, two regular cables will work fine. After you've got all your cables plugged in, switch your amplifier on and set everything like you like it. In general, it's best to keep your amp relatively unaffected when you're trying out a pedal for the first time, to get a feel for how it sounds, but feel free to experiment. If you always play with the amp on the same settings, leave it how you like it. Especially if you're plugging in a super-fuzz distortion pedal or some kind of space-echo, you want to make sure you're not going to blow out your eardrums when you stomp on the pedal for the first time. Turn all the settings down low before you activate the pedal. You can adjust them as you play. To activate most pedals, you can step on a button or a lever below the control knobs on the pedal to activate it. Most of the time, a red or green light will turn on, letting you know the pedal is activated. Gently explore the features of the pedal, turning the different effect knobs up while you're playing to get a feel for the sound. Play around with different effect volumes and orientations. Have fun. To turn most pedals off, you'll step on the button or lever again, cutting the signal to the pedal and going straight through the amp. Play around with activating and deactivating the pedal to get the kind of sound you want. If you leave pedals connected, the power will be drained, making this especially important if you're using batteries to power your guitar pedals. Any time you've got cables connected to the input and output jacks, the power will be drained from the pedal. If you're not actively playing, make sure all your pedals are disconnected and switched off. They'll last a lot longer.

summary: Turn everything off. Hook your amplifier and pedal up to power. Connect your guitar to the input jack. Connect the output jack on the pedal to the input of the amplifier. Turn the amplifier on first and set your levels. Turn down the effect knobs before switching it on. Experiment with the pedal. Always unplug cables when you're finished playing.


Summarize the following:
Even though this technique seems oddly obvious, it does wonders. When you start craving something, your mind’s automatic response is to close in on the thought, making it stronger and more painful by the second. That is why it is usually incredibly helpful to force yourself to think about something else.  When concentrating on something else, you distract your brain, so to speak, and so the thought of alcohol is pushed to the back of your mind, in order to give way to the topic at hand. Of course, do not tell yourself, “I want to drink but I am not going to think about it” – this is almost impossible to do; by trying not to think of something you just end up thinking about it more. Instead of focusing on your cravings, try starting a conversation with somebody (if you're home alone you can phone a friend), or look around and try to describe to yourself every single detail of your surroundings– don’t miss any color, texture, shape or position.  Try grounding techniques to distract yourself from emotional pain. Try running your hands in cold or warm water, or counting and naming the colors you see around you. There are hundreds of different grounding techniques you can find online and try today!  Another thing you can do is play a game of your choosing. Chess, board games or video games will all do the trick of occupying your mind. If you have a pet, like a dog, you can play with him, try to teach him new tricks or take him out for a walk. Cleaning can also be very distracting in such situations, especially if you try to concentrate on those especially difficult to reach spots of the house. One of the worst things about alcohol is that it slowly but surely deprives you of any hobbies and activities that you might have enjoyed prior to drinking. In fact, if you have been drinking heavily for a while, this has probably become your biggest source of entertainment. Therefore quitting can cause a serious problem – boredom, which can make you want a drink even more. Changing your lifestyle by engaging in new activities is a great way to reduce the risks of boredom.  If you want to get yourself out of this vicious circle, it is a good idea to look at some activities that might interest you. It can be virtually anything, as long as it does not remind you of alcohol. For instance, you can sign up for a sport, an arts and crafts class or learn a new language. You can also take short trips to nearby towns or make a habit of taking part in cultural events. It's best if you can schedule these activities in advance. This way, when you get a craving, you will have something to look forward to and think about. In addition, new activities will build your confidence and the increased confidence will help with cravings. Increased confidence will also help keep you away from alcohol, because you will no longer need it to feel good.
summary: Try your best to think about something other than the craving. Experiment with different distraction techniques. Find some new activities.