Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Shadow a wedding DJ before taking the plunge. Take classes on audio mixing. Make a business plan. Buy or borrow gear. Set your rates. Write up a contract.

Answer: Audio equipment is expensive, so ask to observe a wedding DJ in action (with approval from the bride and groom, of course) before investing time and money in equipment and classes. Make sure that the high-pressure culture of weddings is appealing to you, since you only get one shot to help make that couple’s day perfect! Expert-level DJ skills are a must for any successful wedding DJ. Take classes online or at your local community college so that you know how to mix, edit, and match songs flawlessly. DJing a wedding is not for amateurs, since you don’t get a do-over. If you plan on making wedding DJing a large part of your income, writing out a business plan is essential. If you plan on being more of a hobbyist, you won’t necessarily need an official business plan - but make sure wedding DJing is right for you, since it can be a stressful job. You will need a laptop with good mixing software, an outside controller, headphones, and a speaker system. Have backups of cables, speakers, laptop batteries, and other essential parts.  Feel free to buy used gear as it is cheaper, but make sure it works well before using it for a wedding. You can find used gear on Craigslist and going-out-of-business sales for clubs and restaurants. Some venues have their own PA systems. Verify with the venue what equipment you will need to bring to hook up your DJ software to their speakers. A wedding DJ is usually hired for four hours. Beginner or part-time DJs typically charge $200-300 per four hours, and intermediate DJs with at least a handful of weddings under their belt can charge $400-600. Professional and full-time DJs can charge $1,000-2,000 or more. Increase your rates slowly as you gain more experience. You can download one from the internet, but make sure you are covered in case of cancellation of the wedding or loss of equipment. Put the contract (with personal details redacted) on your website so couples can see what their obligations are to you before they book with you.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Provide short, direct answers to speed up the encounter. Find an excuse to leave. Avoid the person, if possible. Get support.

Answer: In some cases, you cannot avoid interacting with the person, but you can keep the time you spend with him or her to a minimum. Keeping your interaction short and sweet is key.  If they have a snappy attitude each time you talk to them in person, consider communicating via email. For face-to-face encounters, prepare your statement ahead of time so that the conversation can end quickly: "Hey, I'm headed to a meeting, but I wanted to check in to see how the report was progressing." This is a big part of having an exit plan. If you have to ask for his or her help, do it on the way out to lunch, so you do not have time to stay for any negative feedback.  Make your exit obvious, like having your coat on and walking out the door. This will allow you to leave quickly in a convincing manner. They won't have time to be mean. You can say something like "Oh, well. I'm running late for my lunch break. I'll catch you later." You may have a choice in some cases like avoiding a mean cashier at the local grocery store but in other cases like the mean person being your boss you may not be able to avoid him or her altogether. Mean people can spread their negative energy, so keeping your distance allows you to preserve a positive outlook. If you can't avoid them, consider each encounter as a challenge for you to show compassion and practice patience. Just as mean people can spread negative energy, you can spread the positive. Being around mean people can be draining. Just as you should try to avoid a person who is mean to you, you should also make an effort to be around people who are nice and supportive. Doing so can provide you with much-needed nurturing and counteract the negative energy a mean person gives off.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Boil the tamarind. Mash the fruit. Separate the juice.

Answer: Place the fresh tamarind in a medium saucepan and combine it with 2 cups (500 ml) of water. Bring the liquid to a boil and cook the tamarind until it softens.  You should continue cooking the tamarind until the outer skins begin to burst. This should take 10 to 15 minutes. Note that the inner fruit should also become very soft. If using prepared tamarind pulp, place the pulp in a heatproof bowl set above 3 inches (7.6 cm) of simmering water. Allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the pulp is soft enough to mash.  When using tamarind powder, you do not need to complete any special preparation. The powder can be added directly to the soup at the appropriate time. Drain the cooking water, then mash the softened tamarind fruits with the back of a fork, creating a thick pulp. Transfer the tamarind pulp into a fine mesh strainer. Press the pulp with the back of your fork until juice comes out, and collect the juice in a bowl placed beneath the strainer.  Press the seeds, too, since they should also produce some juice. When finished, discard the solids (seeds, skins, and pulp). Save the tamarind juice for the sinigang.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Create a small loop with the lace on the left side of your boot. Wrap the lace around the base of the loop. Keep wrapping the lace around the loop until you’re near the end of the loop. Push the end of the lace through the end of the loop. Adjust the knot by scrunching or loosening the wrapped lace.

Answer:
The base of the loop should be right up against the eyelet the lace is coming out of. Make the loop about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long. If it’s any longer or shorter, you may not be able to tie the knot later on. Pinch the base of the loop between your index finger and thumb so it stays in place. Grab the end of the lace and bring it over and under the loop until it’s back where it started. Part of the lace should now be wrapped around the base of the loop, holding it in place. Each wrap around should be right up against the previous one. Stop wrapping the lace around the loop when you’re about .25 inches (0.64 cm) away from the end of the loop. When you stop, there should still be a tiny bit of the loop peeking out from the wrapped lace. Wrap the end of the lace over and under one side of the loop so that the end goes through the center of the loop. Once the end is through the center, pull it tight with your fingers. Once you pull it tight, the knot is finished on that side of the boot. Tie the same knot on the other side of your boot using the other end of the lace. To tighten the knot on your boot, scrunch the lace wrapped around the loop down toward the end of the lace until it's fully compacted. To loosen your boot, pull the wrapped lace up away from the end of the lace so that it's loosely wrapped around the lace coming out of the eyelet. To easily slip your boot on and off, loosen the knots on each side of the boot. Then, once the boot is on your foot, tighten the knots again.