Curious.com

Thai's Teaser #42: Hidden Politics

The air is filled with stump speeches, debates, personal attacks, and convenient pandering. It must be election season! Now, politics has never been known for clarity and transparency; actually, it's quite the opposite. There be secrets in them there elections.

It's now your turn to help figure things out. What political or election-related words have these shorter words secretly stashed inside them?

• B A L L _ _
• _ R I M _ _ _
• _ _ L E G _ _ _
• _ _ P O I N T _ _ _ _
• _ _ _ P O R T _ _
• _ _ R A T _ _ _
• _ _ _ _ _ O V E R _ _

 

Ready for the answers?

Five Fun Flowery Friday Lessons

Spring means flowers, and flowers mean allergies, but we're not going to hold that against them. Take a detour from your regular recommendations to smell the flowers! How to Build a Flower Tower by Wet & Forget You don’t need to be a gardening expert to have a beautiful vertical garden. This lesson shows you how to build a flower tower just in time for summer. Easy Silk Flower Arrangements by uBloom Arranging silk flowers is fun and cost effective way to decorate. Discover how to cut & shape flowers, use floral foam, make an arrangement, create floating flower centerpieces, and more! Zucchini Flower Fritters Recipe by Pina Cucina Zucchini flowers are not just beautiful - they're delicious! Learn to make zucchini flower fritters with only a few basic ingredients. How to Make Flower Side Buns by Dilaloo Style Harness your inner flower power with this lesson on how to make flower side buns! In Spin Poi Flowers by DrexFactor Poi Poi spinning is an ancient Maori movement art. Add elegance to your flow arts repertoire with flowers and discover freedom of movement.

Thai's Teaser #41: Doubling Up

Happy April 2nd! Today, we mark the passing of April Fool's Day with a celebration of today's day of the month, the mighty 2. It's the atomic number of helium, the only even prime number, the base of binary numbers which make computers possible, and the number of ingredients you need for 7-layer dip if one of the ingredients is 6-layer dip.

And so we celebrate the 2 with this math brain teaser:

How can you use five 2s to make 100? You can use any common mathematical operations but no other numbers (not even 0).

 

Ready for the answer?

Top 7 Gardening Tips

Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? With a hoe to rake and lessons to take for all I need to know! Starting an Organic Garden by GrowOrganic.com Whether you live in the city or the country, all you need is sunlit ground and basic gardening supplies to cultivate healthy produce! Vegetable Gardening Tips for Beginners by Growing Wisdom Learn how to grow fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, lettuce, kale, cabbage, and more. Get tips for preventing weeds, and growing veggies in containers and raised beds. Caring for & Pruning Trees & Shrubs by Cass Turnbull Shaped your plants to beautifully complement your landscaping! Learn about pruning, bloom seasons, growth, and more when working with evergreen azaleas, camellia plants, lilacs, and other easy-to-prune varieties. Easy Way to Fill Raised Garden Beds by Garden Frugal Gardening is hard work, especially when it comes to filling raised beds with soil! Learn the best way to fill raised beds, along with some irrigation tips. Sunset's Guide to Container Gardens by Sunset Seminars Transform any patio into a productive, beautiful container garden. Discover how to navigate the nursery, purchase containers, grow and maintain plants, and harvest edibles! Composting for Gardeners by Soil to Supper Learn how to create garden-worthy compost using two effective methods: hot composting and vermiculture composting. How to Build a Flower Tower by Wet & Forget You don’t need to be a gardening expert to have a beautiful vertical garden. This lesson shows you how to build a flower tower just in time for spring.

Thai's Teaser #40: Mr. Sham Dances

So my Michigan State pick was... unfortunate. That's OK. Even if I won't win anything with my March Madness bracket, I can still use the bracket to make a new puzzle this week. And that's what I'm going to do.

I'm going to drown my sorrows in making puzzles. My nerdiness is a problem.

Unscramble these phrases to find team names in the NCAA tournament this year. And just like in the real bracket, Michigan State doesn't show up!

• I SWEAT OAT
• OVAL ANVIL
• I CHEAT AT WITS
• HOGAN AT TACO
• NOT A SHELL

 

Ready for the answers?

Top 10 Ways to Get Outdoors

The weather's great (at least it is here in California), so get outside! To get you moving, here are some of our favorite al fresco lessons. Essential Bike Riding Tips by Art's Cyclery Whether you're riding a road bike or a mountain bike, these tips can help you be safer and have more fun! Complete Guide to Camping for Beginners by Tom McElroy Itching to explore the great outdoors on a camping adventure? Learn everything that you need to do before you hit the road! Running Tips for Speed and Endurance by Coach Tief Looking for ways to boost your speed, increase endurance, and conquer that route? Learn running strategies to help you reach the next level. Pro Tips for Beginning Golfers by Casey Bourque Ready to get out on the green? PGA professional Casey Bourque covers golf basics to elevate any golfer’s game. Surfing 101 by Canggu Surf School Surf’s up, dude! This course runs through all an amateur surfer needs to know about beginning surfing. Navigation Skills for Hikers by Just Trails Hone your outdoor navigation abilities and never get lost while hiking again! Rock Climbing Essentials by Rock Climb Tips Become a rock superstar with this thorough course covering proper equipment, warm up exercises, and basic to advanced techniques. Beginner's Guide to Sailing by Tim Hore Sailaboat.tv Learn everything you need to know to start sailing and enjoying the open water! Parkour Moves for Beginners by Alexandr Zhurkov Parkour and freerunning allow practitioners to move seamlessly between obstacles in the environment. Discover and master all the right moves in this fun course! Basic Horsemanship Skills & Safety by CHA Instructors Knowing how to take care of your horse is important for any beginning horseback rider or new horse owner.

Thai's Teaser #39: March Madness

March Madness has taken over the Curious offices. We've printed out our brackets and taped them to the wall, circling the correct picks, and slashing in red ink the incorrect ones. I picked Michigan State to win the whole tournament, so I'm feeling pretty good about mine. Great pick, right?

In the spirit of the madness, break out your bracket try this brain teaser.

Jody had to go out of town for the first weekend of the NCAA tournament so missed all the games. Not wanting to miss out on the action, she asked if there were any great upsets she missed. Katrina told her:

• #15 University of Work beat #2 Aesthetic State University, 78-75
• #10 College of Music beat #2 Play University, 65-56
• #11 Humanities State beat #4 Institute of STEM, 66-64
• #9 Mind&Body Polytechnic beat #1 Relationships A&M, 83-82

Of course, Jody was having none of it and she knew Katrina was lying. How did she know?

Wanna know the answer?

8 Tips to Jump Start Your Spring Cleaning

Spring is here! Birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, seasonal allergies are in a full rhino-ravaging rampage, and it's time to clean. These lessons can help get it done! How to Clean Your Washing Machine by Savoring The Good Get your clothes and your washing machine super clean! Learn how to clean your washing machine (and save money too) in this lesson. How to Clean Shoes in a Dishwasher by Dress Jess XO Are your shoes stinky and embarrassing? Learn to transform dirty, smelly shoes into a perfectly fresh pair without leaving home. How to Clean Grout with a Power Drill by Home Repair Tutor The days of hand-scrubbing grout are over. This lesson shows you how to build a high-powered grout cleaner from palm brush refills and a power drill. How to Clean Handmade Glass Artwork by Bernard Katz Glass Are you a glass art collector or looking to learn glass blowing? This lesson will teach you how to care for your purchased or created glass art pieces. How to Burn Calories While Cleaning by The Caregiver Space Too little time in your schedule for a workout routine? Learn stretching, weight lifting, and cardiovascular exercises you can do while doing chores! How to Clean a Stencil by Cutting Edge Stencils Great art is worthwhile but messy. Cope with that mess by learning how to properly clean, dry, and store stencils and paint brushes. Disassembling & Cleaning Shower Heads by Al, the Plumbing and Heating Engineer In this lesson, learn how to take apart different style shower heads, as well as the easiest ways to clean them out. The Pros & Cons of PC Cleaners by CPU Modder Using a PC Cleaner? In this lesson, get educated on PC cleaners, what they claim to do, and what they actually do when it comes to cleaning up your computer.

Thai's Teaser #38: Puzzles All Around You

Every week, I come up with a Thai's Teaser. Sometimes, it comes easily because something is going on in the news that just screams "Puzzle!", like Leap Day or primary election season. (What? That doesn't scream "Puzzle" to you?)

 

Other times... well... I get a wicked case of puzzlers' block, and no amount of caffeine will help. But in reality, there are puzzles all around you. You just have to look. And occasionally think outside the box.

 

So are you ready? Here we go. What's the next number in this sequence?

 

            17, 23, 5, 18, 20, 25, 21, 9, 15...

 

The answer's after the break...

 

 

Top 8 Apple Lessons

Did you know today is one of two possible Johnny Appleseed Days? (The other is in September.) We love the magical fruit that keeps the the doctor away, so here are some of our favorite apple-related lessons! Apple Bundt Cake Recipe by The Mobile Home Gourmet Thrill your eyes and taste buds with this delicious apple Bundt cake with caramel glaze and orange-flavored swirl inside! Yum! Painting an Apple with Watercolors by Fantasvale Need a little practice painting with watercolors? Perfect for beginners or seasoned artists, this lesson will show you how to paint an apple with watercolors. Apple Cider Vinegar Recipe by Homestead Productions Turn a big bushel of apples into a daily health tonic of apple cider vinegar, full of vitamins and great for overall health. Apple TV Basics by The Streaming Advisor Make the most of your Apple TV experience. Learn how to navigate the interface, explore popular apps and stream content! How to Make Carrot Apple Juice by Evita Ochel Want to improve your health in a quick and easy way? Learn how to make delicious carrot apple juice using nothing but organic produce and a juicer! Polymer Clay Apple Cider & Donuts by Thumbprint Miniatures Learn to use polymer clay to make a miniature set of yummy looking donuts with a jug of fresh apple cider. Apple Motion 5 for Beginners by Modern Life Skills Apple's Motion 5 graphics editor offers many different options for editing and adding special effects. Learn basic capabilities to turn footage into something unexpected! How to Make Black Candy Apples by Todd's Kitchen If your like ghouls and creepy crawlies, then this freaky candy making lesson is surely up your alley! Learn to craft black candy apples that are both fun and delicious.

Thai's Teaser #37: Never-ending Oscars

The Academy Awards were last week, but we spent last week noodling over leap years and leap day birthday parties. That's OK; a late Oscar-themed puzzle is better than no puzzle at all! And who knows? Maybe the Oscars are still going; I fell asleep so I'm not sure.

Below are three Best Picture winners, their names scrambled to phrases that have pretty much nothing to do with the movie (well, maybe if you stretch it a bit). All movies are recent (since 2000). After each scrambled title is the number of letters in each word of the real title. Can you figure out the best movie winners?

• GOLD TIARA (9; i.e., one 9-letter word)
• LAMB LADY OR BILLION (7,6,4)
• HATED RED PET (3,8)

And the Oscar goes to... (the answer after the break) 

8 Tips on Making and Enjoying Art

Sometime between potty training and adulthood, many of us lost the joy of the creative arts. To wake up your inner Picasso, we're bringing you these great art lessons. Enjoy! How to Paint Flowers with Oils by Darrell Crow Studios Even if you’ve never picked up a paintbrush before, you can still paint beautiful paint flowers. Learn to set up a palette, prepare canvas, mix paints, and create delicate poppies and rosebuds! Color Theory for Beginning Artists by Little Art Talks Get acquainted to color theory basics. Learn about color temperature and saturation, how to use a color wheel, and the best way to build color mixing skills. Photo-on-Fiber Mixed Media Art Quilt by Fiber Designs By Ann Some photographs deserve more than just a frame. Master the unique medium of photo-on-fiber. Accentuate a photo by creating fibrous and 3D piece of artwork around it! Polymer Clay Mixed Media Projects by Polymer Claydate with Pandora Polymer clay is a versatile and creative crafting hobby. Get a glimpse of all the beautiful and unique projects you can make as gifts or home decor items. Interior Design on a Budget by Engineer Your Space with Isabelle LaRue If you are looking to artfully spruce up your home on a budget, creating DIY furniture and decorations is a must. Learn to engineer your space like a pro with simple tools and basic materials! Tweety Bird Balloon Animal Art by QT Entertainment Balloon art design is a fun and creative skill that everyone will love. Dazzle a crowd and put a smile on someone’s face by twisting this Tweety Bird balloon animal. Art History from Raphael to Picasso by Amor Sciendi The old masters created some of the most beloved works of art in the world. Take a journey of art appreciation through from the High Renaissance up and through the twentieth century! Making a Poster in Photoshop by Augustine Mak Make your own movie poster with the magic of Photoshop! Unlock the tips and tricks of Adobe Photoshop Elements and unleash your creative side.

Thai's Teaser #36: Hoppy Birthday!

This Monday is Leap Day, a day celebrated every four years by leaping up and down in an attempt to cause earthquakes. Like Mothers' Day, it was a holiday invented by the powerful greeting card lobby in collaboration with the USGS who likes to watch people jump up and down trying to cause earthquakes.

 

OK, none of that is true. Well, the only thing that is true is that Monday is Leap Day. Ready for your Leap Day themed puzzle? Hop to it!

 

This coming Leap Day, on February 29, 2016, a bouncing baby boy named Damon will be born. Because Damon will find it amusing, he will decide to celebrate his birthday only on Leap Days, so his 1st birthday will be February 29, 2020, his 2nd birthday will be February 29, 2024. Which birthday will Damon celebrate 100 years from his birth on February 29, 2116?

 

Note: It's a bit trickier than you might think :)

 

Ready for the answer?

 

 

6 Tips to Be More Mindful and Cheerful

Happiness isn't found at the bottom of a pint of double chocolate chocolate chip chocolate ice cream, so today, we're bringing you lessons on finding your own happiness. We highly recommend watching them while eating salted caramel ice cream. Cultivating Cheerfulness by Dr. Christina Hibbert Cheerfulness doesn't always come easy, so learn techniques to cultivate more joy in your life. Creating Positive Change Through Habits by Braco Pobric Habits effect your happiness. Learn how easy it can be to make impactful changes to increase your happiness and help others. Mindful Eating Skills for Total Wellness by Suzanne Matthiessen We make hundreds of food-related decisions every day, often with little thought. Discover how mindful eating can lead to increased energy, reduced stress, and whole-person wellness. Self-Mastery with Meditation by Madeline Rinehart Learn to use meditation to gain complete self-mastery over your thoughts, feelings, and even your future. Unlocking Your Happiness by Ignite Life with Joeel & Natalie With newfound awareness, develop better skills for day-to-day stressors and make decisions that bring happiness and success. Practicing Mindfulness for Parents by MommyZen Learn ways to stay balanced and centered while dealing with the stresses of raising a special needs child.

Thai's Teaser #35: Counting Votes

It's primary season which means that counting votes has surpassed stalking Kardashians as the national pastime. Not that there's anything wrong with stalking the Kardashians, but... I can't do it. Yes, there is something wrong with stalking them.

This vote-themed puzzle is for recovering Kardashian-philes and for the Kardashians themselves. Good luck!

Jody ran for president in a particular primary election, in a particular state, for a particular party, and she did quite well. Always the number nerd, she discovered something cool. The number of votes she received was the largest number you could make if you separated the digits 1-6 into two 3-digit numbers and multiplied them. For example, 123 x 456 = 56,088; she received a lot more votes than that.

How many votes did she get?

Ready for the answer?

7 Tips to Stay Motivated

Sometimes it's hard to do what you know you should do. Frankly, it's easier to eat donuts and binge watch Gilligan's Island. So here are some lessons that come with the motivation to help you make it all happen! How to Eat a Healthy Diet by Anne Ricci Eating healthy with whole foods and a balanced diet can be easy, nutritious and delicious. Follow these principles to stay motivated and on track! How to Set SMART Goals by Alanis Business Academy Do you often have difficulty establishing goals? Learn how to establish effective goals using the SMART model. Developing a Social Media Strategy by Sara Nguyen | Social Media Rocketeer Motivated and eager to usher your business into the digital age? Learn basic strategies used in digital marketing. Choosing a Crowdfunding Platform by Digital Fundraising School Get your ideas funded this year! Learn the basics of crowdfunding, including how to leverage your audience and choose a campaign platform. How to Have Better Relationships by Dr. John Schinnerer Elevate your relationships by learning how to respond to your partners in a more genuine, excited, and constructive way. Exercises to Connect Mind & Body by Cardio Fitness Workouts Whether you’re a music aficionado or an audiophile, gaining a solid understanding of basic music theory is beneficial on many levels. Basic Music Theory by Ethan Winer Whether you’re a music aficionado or an audiophile, gaining a solid understanding of basic music theory is beneficial on many levels.

Thai's Teaser #34: Puzzling Love

Happy Valentine's Day! On this most romantic of holidays, we tend to think of the most romantic things, like candle-lit dinners, long-stemmed roses, and brain-tickling puzzles. Because there really is nothing that brings you and your special someone together like logic puzzles.

I know what you're thinking: "Bring it on."

Marie and Pierre are nerds. Nerds in love. This Valentine's Day, Marie made Pierre a special gift but hid it in one of three labeled boxes. The red box had a label: "It's not in the green box." The green box had a label: "It's not in this box." And the blue box had a label: "It's in this box." Then, she added a twist; she told Pierre that at least one of the labels is true and at least one of the labels is false.

Where is Pierre's gift? 

Ready for the answer?

8 Tips for a Romantic Dinner

Valentine's Day is Sunday, so we're interrupting your personalized recommendations with lessons that will help you impress that special someone. We think learning Excel is pretty impressive, too, but maybe we're a bit too nerdy. Romantic Date Night Dinner by The Pescetarian and the Pig A stress-free, romantic dinner is all about timing. Learn to create a four-course meal, perfect for Valentine's Day. How to Make a Crystallized Pillar Candle by The O'Neil Sisters Set the mood with beautiful, homemade crystallized pillar candles. Learn everything from setting up molds to melting wax. Maple Jalapeño Chipotle Skirt Steak by John at Big Meat Sunday Fire up the grill for this delicious skirt steak with maple, jalapeño, and chipotle marinade recipe. Triple Chocolate Truffle Torte Recipe by Five Euro Food This triple chocolate truffle torte is delectably decadent and will surely impress your date. Choosing a Great Bottle of Wine by Sunset Seminars Overwhelmed by the wine section of your local grocery store? Learn to choose the right bottle of wine for any occasion. How to Make Homemade Bread by Crafty Gemini There is nothing better than homemade bread, fresh out of the oven to accompany your meal. East Coast Swing Dancing for Beginners by Learn to Dance Shake off any post-meal slump with high energy East Coast swing. Grab your partner and follow along! Saying I Love You in French by Caroline Rowland French is the language of love and what your date will be speaking after your fun-filled, romantic evening.

Thai's Teaser #33: Happy New Year!

Is it too late to wish you a happy new year? It actually might be a bit early. Monday February 8 is the Lunar New Year and billions around the world are going to celebrate it. Ready for your New Year themed puzzle?

Every year, Sophie gets lucky money (or lì xì in Vietnamese) in beautifully decorated red envelopes from her relatives. It was quite the haul this year! She even discovered something interesting about the amount she received: she collected less than $100, and if she reversed the digits, she would have 20% more.

How much lucky money did she get?

Ready for the answer?

5 Tips to Spread the Love this Valentine's Day

Nothing says "I forgot" better than gas station chocolates, so we're bringing you Valentine's lessons nine days early. Now you can take the time to really impress the love of your life! DIY 3D Valentine's Day Card by ArtDaniela This 3D Valentine's Day card will surely melt your Valentine's heart and show your love! How to Draw and Ink a Rose by Drawing with Shoo Rayner Learn to draw a rose for your special someone this Valentine’s Day. Gluten-Free Linzer Cookies Recipe by Curry Girls Kitchen Spread the love by making delicious jam-filled Linzer cookies. Gluten-free for all to enjoy! How to Make Ravioli in a Food Processor by The Pescetarian and the Pig Transform regular ravioli into a special meal filled with love! Valentine's Day Heart Braid Hairstyle by Maria What has romance, volume, and length? This beautiful heart-shaped hairstyle!

Thai's Teaser #32: Letter Imperfect

First, a couple facts. A cryptogram is a phrase where each letter is replaced with another letter, encrypting a message. A tortoise lives on land while a turtle generally lives in water. Only one of these facts is useful to you in solving my latest teaser!

So, are you ready? Try this one on: What is this inspirational quote?

VECXEH KMX GRXOG FHVZEWEQ WG XFB, KMHRMHZ VR RKHERC XZ HWQMRC. VECXEH KMX AHHOG FHVZEWEQ GRVCG CXIEQ. — MHEZC JXZB

Ready to for the answer?

8 Tips for Taking Stunning Photos

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but that's only the average. Take these Curious photography lessons, and soon your photographs will be worth at least 1,500 words. Basic Photography with a DSLR by Andrew Newlun All great photos start with the exposure triangle: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Landscape Photography Process by Belinda Shi Take landscape pictures that capture the beauty of natural wonders using only a wide-angle lens. How to Take Great Photos in the Snow by Bernie Raffe AMPA Tired of dull and dreary winter photos? Learn exposure compensation for snowy scenes. Portrait Photography for Beginners by Ken at EasyDSLR Learn the art of portrait photography using nothing but a DSLR camera and external flash. Cityscape Photo Case Study by Neil Creek Whether you’re using a DSLR or smartphone, learn how to capture a dazzling cityscape. Product & Still Life Photography by Phillip McCordall Ever tried to take a picture in which you need everything in focus? Learn to focus stack for universal crispness. Working with Photos on the iPhone by Todd Olthoff The iPhone has one of the best mobile cameras. Learn how to use it and Photos Apps in iOS. Posing Family Photos & Group Portraits by Valerie Goettsch Capture memories that last a lifetime! Learn tips for posing people in group portraits and family photos.

Thai's Teaser #31: Powerball Special

Powerball fever hit the Curious office last week like a tornado. I don't think anyone actually bought any tickets, but we debated whether to take the lump sum or the annuity payment with passion best described as "grossly unnecessary".

As we all know, winning Powerball requires picking some special numbers. And Henry loves a particular special two-digit number where when you add the sum of the digits to the product of the digits, you get the original number. His special number is the smallest two-digit number that has this cool (and nerdy) property.

What's Henry's special number?

Ready for the answer?

10 Killer Leg Workouts

You don't need a gym membership or fancy equipment to hit your fitness goals. These 10 workouts will whip you into shape in no time. Leg Day Workout Routine by Cardio Fitness Workouts Personal trainer Courtney Bentley will help you build strength and muscle definition with her routine. Interval Workout for the Legs and Glutes by Passion Fit Feel the burn with intervals for your legs, glutes, and thighs. Leg Strength by Kacie Fischer We won’t judge if the thrusters and squat jumps make you cry. 15-Minute HIIT Leg Workout by This is Fit This fun HIIT workout is designed to increase your strength and endurance while burning fat. 20-Minute Glute Workout by Moon Are you looking for a challenging, yet fun, glute-sculpting home workout? This quick session is just for you. 10 Minute Glute & Thigh Workout by Psyche Truth No equipment or gym necessary. You can knock out this workout at home or on your lunch break. Medial Glute Exercises by Nate Bower Fitness Get your hips strong and ready to run with these key exercises. 10 Minute Butt & Leg Workout by Sean Vigue Fitness No excuses! You can do these pilates-inspired bodyweight exercises anywhere. Speed Drills for Track and Field by Pro Tips4U Hit the track for a fun, fast workout. Yoga Routine for Lower Body Relief by Yoga By Candace Wring out your hard work and hours spent at a desk with this soothing yoga routine.

Thai's Teaser #30: Teasing State of Mind

With presidential candidates competing to make the most sensational soundbite to try to get your vote, my mind turns to... well, honestly, what I'm going to have for lunch. But after that, it turns to what campaigns obsess over during primary season: states.

And so I submit for your consideration this state-themed teaser:

What do these (and no other) states have in common?

• Connecticut
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• New York
• North Carolina
• Pennsylvania
• Tennessee
• Vermont
• Virginia

Ready for the answer?