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Month: August 2019

CSR Classics – Fun, Addictive, and (Mostly) Free

NaturalMotion’s CSR Classics (iOS and Android) is a surprisingly addictive drag racing game brought to you by the same folks who made great strides with CSR Racing years before. I tried the original CSR Racing game many moons ago, but never stuck with it, mainly because, I think, collecting and racing the cars offered to the user did not interest me.

This problem is well solved in CSR Classics, where drag racing is put on a fictitious “strip” (think Las Vegas). Players buy, upgrade, and race cars from a vast catalog of classic cars, from traditional muscle (Ford Mustang, Chevy’s Corvair, and Nova, and the incredible Dodge Challenger, to name a few) to high-end classics like Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin. , and BMW, with a ton in between. Cars can be purchased in “loved” or “unloved” condition. Beloved cars look and perform much better than their unloved counterparts. As for me (and many people who have been involved with CSR Classics), I prefer to buy rusty, sweaty, hit and run relics to earn money to upgrade them, which makes CSR Classics much more than just a racing game, but rather one for collecting and building too.

The racing dynamics at CSR Classics are deceptively simple. To start a race, the driver (that’s you!) Hits the gas pedal to bring the needle into the “green zone” of the tachometer, trying to hold it there while the timer runs out and the race begins. Starting a career in the green zone provides a “perfect start”, which makes life that much easier. If the needle is too low in RPM, your car struggles to get up to speed, while overrunning the engine before start-up causes the wheels to spin, wasting valuable time until the wheels find their grip on the pavement.

Once the race starts, everything is time-based, as you must try to achieve a “perfect shift” through the gears. A fraction of a second sooner or later can cost a race, especially when competing with tougher opponents. The difficulty of the race varies between Easy (you can make a lot of mistakes and still come out on top), Challenging (a mistake here or there is surmountable, but don’t make it a habit), Hard (being at the top of your game or you you’ll go home a loser) and Extreme (I’ve never beat one of these and don’t even bother trying anymore.

As I said, timing is everything in CSR Classics while on the brake, as there is no need to worry about steering, braking, or acceleration (except when starting). However, the variety of career difficulties helps keep your interest, as do the different types of careers available.

In “career” mode, you try to rank up in better and stronger cars, spending your cash to upgrade what you have and buy new vehicles. Within each level are a variety of races, including ladder races, restriction races, crew races, and manufacturer or car specific events. CSR Racing also offers an “online” mode in which the developers say that you can compete against real life opponents. This is somewhat untrue, as you actually compete against other real-life players in ladder events for money, reputation, and prizes. However, what you can’t do is participate in a real-time endurance race against real-life opponents, which is a bit tricky (pun intended).

Like all games, CSR Classics has some problems. The two most obvious are the replay factor, which I’ve run into every now and then if I’ve played a lot recently, but I keep coming back. Let’s face it, there is only one time limit and tapping a guy can do before things get a little boring. But, for me, a bit of free time and the appeal of new cars (which NaturalMotion regularly adds) brings me back.

The other big drawback is a common one in all the “free” games I have played, namely that at some point the developers make it very frustrating NOT to invest money in the game. CSR Racing does this by using “gold”, which CAN be earned in races or by completing free offers, but that is an extremely time consuming and tedious process, especially since there are some really amazing cars that can only be bought with large amounts of gold. .

Overall though, CSR Classics gets a big “thumbs up” from this gaming gourmand as it has provided me, and I believe it will continue to, hours of good play.

5 ideas to build a spectacular outdoor kitchen

An outdoor kitchen is the ultimate dream for many people who enjoy backyard entertaining. Imagine gathering your friends or family for a summer barbecue or a cozy winter cocktail in the comfort of your own garden. Here are some great tips for designing your spectacular outdoor kitchen.

1. Design ideas

Pinterest is a great resource for finding design inspiration and compiling your plans. Just go to pinterest.com, register an account, and type in “outdoor kitchen ideas.” There are a multitude of design options. Take a look at some of these tips!

  • Moern and elegant

Richly colored concrete or woods are a great way to create a modern design aesthetic. Most classic or traditional kitchens use bleached or light-colored wood to create the look, so go modern! Minimal furniture and features also help create a modern feel. This also helps with maintenance and cleaning. Look at these pictures for inspiration.

  • Classic or Country

White wood, blue accents, and exposed stone are a great way to give your outdoor kitchen a rustic, classic appeal. Flowers and plants that grow along the sides of walls or pergolas are great for creating softness as well as traditional appeal. Think whitewashed cabinets, light wood benches, and large rustic dining room tables.

2. Grills

So many options for grilling! There are 6 main types of grills to consider for your outdoor kitchen. Think about what you like to cook the most and what you can get the most out of before choosing your grill.

  • Open grills

This is the simplest configuration of all the grills. It consists of a metal or stone box with a heating element (wood, charcoal, gas) and a metal grill on top of the box directly over the fire. Open grills are best for direct grilling over high heat and are best suited for quick-cook foods such as skewers, thin steaks and chops, and fish.

  • Covered grills

Add a lid to the open grill and it will allow you to add indirect grilling and smoking features to your outdoor grill. Covered racks are best for thicker steaks, ribs, or whole chickens and ducks. You can also add different types of wood to your grill, close the lid, and let the meat slowly absorb the aroma of the wood.

  • Ceramic grills

Ceramic grills are made of thick walls that allow heat to radiate down the sides of the walls for even cooking. Ceramic grills are usually much deeper than typical grills and are generally used to cook bread (such as flatbreads or Indian naan) directly on the side walls. The grill portion of ceramic grills is best suited for thinly sliced ​​meat, skewers, fish, or vegetables.

  • Grills for roasting

A roasting rack adds a rotisserie to the grill to allow even cooking of thick slabs of meat or whole animals. Food cooks slowly over several hours, resulting in crispy skin on the outside and tender, moist meat on the inside. Grilling racks are best suited for thick steaks, fatty meats, or whole animals like chickens, ducks, or even whole pigs (if your grill is big enough).

  • Smoking grills

A smoker grill cooks the meat over low heat for several hours over aromatic wood shavings for a tender and flavorful meat. The most common woods used by smokers include maple, hickory, mesquite, oak, and walnut. Smokers are best suited for tough cuts of meat that slowly soften while in the smoker. Meats like breasts and ribs are perfect for this.

  • Campfire grills

A firepit grill lets your whole family feel like camping in your backyard! Campfire grills are like campfires but with a metal grate placed over the fire to cook food. The grill racks are adjustable in height so that the food rises or falls to be closer or further away from the fire. This makes campfire grills extremely versatile and can handle delicate foods like fish, vegetables, and S’mores to thick cuts of beef and whole animals.

3. Household appliances

Take a look at these links for some ideas for buying your appliances.

  • Pizza ovens

Here’s an affordable and mobile outdoor pizza oven.

  • Roasting space

This is a complete and versatile grill specially designed for outdoor use.

  • Beverage center

This is a great option for those who really want to entertain! Store your drinks and beverage accessories in a stylish design.

4. Decorating ideas

There are so many options to consider when it comes to furnishing. Will you choose a table and chair configuration, or a bench and stool configuration? Consider what types of gatherings you will be using your kitchen for to help you decide which one is best.

  • Colour: Try to think about what color scheme you will like and enjoy throughout the years. You don’t want to go for a bold and crazy color palette that you end up getting tired of after a season. For a bold and bright touch, use interchangeable pillows, cushions, and blankets. You can choose bright appliances or flowers to add color as well. That way, your base palette stays neutral while adding pops of color that are easy to switch up.

  • Cloth: Obviously, you should choose a weather resistant fabric for your outdoor furniture, especially if there is a minimal top cover. Treated canvas and olefin fiber are good options for outdoor furniture.

  • Shade sails and covers: It is important to protect your appliances and furniture from the elements and potentially aggressive elements. If you live in an extreme climate, consider the type of protection you want to use for your outdoor kitchen. You can build canopies to shade the patio area, or you can build a structure, such as a gazebo or pergola. It basically has a sturdy roof and side pillars. You can also install weather resistant curtains on the side posts that you can close to act as walls if you want some privacy on your patio.

  • Finishing keys: With heavy appliances and furniture installed, take a step back and think about what else you need the space for. Here are some ideas for the finishing touches:

– ornaments

– Lamps

– Small side tables

– Decorative trays and bowls

– Vases and artificial flowers of good quality.

– Water resistant blankets and blankets for the winter months

5. DIY options to save money

You don’t need to rely on the expertise of others for every aspect of your outdoor kitchen needs. You can handle something yourself if you measure up!

  • Use recycled wood and old furniture / benches from thrift stores or yard sales. Recycle it yourself and get to work making your chairs, benches or shade sails.

  • Get out there and look for weather resistant fabrics at fabric stores or furniture dealers. You can reupholster your outdoor furniture to suit your own personal aesthetic.