Arrange a time to chat over text, or wait to call until you think she will be free. Don’t inconvenience her or make her choose between you and her friends or family. Call after drama club, soccer practice, her shift at the coffee shop, or family dinner. Text her a few hours before you want to talk: Hey, will you be free to chat tonight? or Can I call you at 7? Be flexible and work out a mutually convenient time. If she's busy:Don't: get irritated or sullen.Do: say How about tomorrow night? or Good luck on your midterm! Talk this weekend? Girls will be more open and honest with you if they know no one can overhear your conversation. Don’t call when you are hanging out with other people, and don’t put her on speaker phone without her permission. She is giving you the gift of her time, and you should do the same. Most young people believe that multitasking takes away from conversation. Let her know that her conversation is the most important thing in the world. Don’t text, chat online, watch TV, or talk to other people while you are talking with your girlfriend.
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One-sentence summary -- Work around her schedule. Call from a quiet, private place. Give her your undivided attention.


Before you can style a beard, you have to give it time to grow. Leave it alone. Seriously, no trimming or shaving for at least a couple of weeks. It’ll look messy, but remember that your beard won’t look the same when it reaches full length. When starting clean-shaven, it takes at least two weeks to achieve short beard status. You can then begin trimming unless you want your beard to be longer. Every beard grows at a different rate and to different lengths. For some men, a full-length, natural beard can take up to a year to grow. Let the beard grow for about a month before you try trimming it. Pick up a beard trimmer to refine the edges but be careful! Remember that you’re removing very little hair here. Too much means a look you’d rather hide from friends. Even out the neckline at your Adam’s apple. Cut hairs above the natural line of your cheeks until your beard line forms a curve from ear to ear. Trimmers with adjustable guards are needed to accomplish the fade. Start from your Adam’s apple with a low-number guard such as a two or three. Trim all the way up to where your neck meets your jaw. Switch to a one or two guard and shave up an inch (2.5 cm) from your Adam’s apple.  The lower the guard number, the closer it cuts your hair. A one guard leaves behind less hair than a two guard, but using them next to one another creates a gradual fade. Anything below your Adam’s apple should be shaved. Carefully use a razor or remove the guard from your trimmer. Once you’ve established your look, all that’s left is maintaining it. Over time, it’ll grow and lose shape. When you notice this, trim the edges again and renew the fade. Trimmer guards make length maintenance simple. Find a guard that leaves you with the hair length you desire and stroke it downwards through your beard. Scissors are another option for shortening overgrown hairs. Establish a routine of washing, oiling, and brushing your beard if you haven’t already. Your beard will thank you by being plush and pliable. Getting the opinion of a professional never hurts in matters of the beard. In addition to giving you advice on what style works best for you, they’ll keep your beard in tip-top shape. Ask for a beard trimming every three to four weeks. If you ever doubt what you’re doing at home, your barber will also be happy to give you advice.
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One-sentence summary -- Let your beard grow to the desired size. Trim the edges until your beard is tidy. Fade the hairs along your neck. Trim the beard to maintain its shape. Visit a barber for advice and maintenance.


Find a spot that is unobstructed, dark, and on level, solid ground to set up your telescope. Leave your telescope outdoors for an hour or two before using it to allow the equipment to adjust to the climate; the shift from indoor to outdoor temperatures could cause the telescope’s optics to fog up, affecting the view.  To make your viewing more efficient later, align your finderscope (i.e. the aiming device in your telescope) ahead of time; focus on a distant object and adjust the settings to fix the view. Bring a flashlight with you to set up and later pack up your telescope in the dark. A lot of the excitement about viewing Mars is due to the notable features of the planet's surface; these features are more distinguishable than Earth's due to Mars' smaller size, thin atmosphere, and lack of erosion. Some key features that observers look for are:  Mars’ polar ice caps the pale haze that forms over polar regions albedo markings (i.e. variations of light and dark on the surface of the planet, marking an alternation of bedrock and desert sands) clouds in the planet's atmosphere Sketching Mars during your observations is an excellent way of making yourself think about what you are seeing; experienced observers spend years sketching the planet to note any intriguing details on its surface or in its orbit. Be patient in order to capture fine details accurately; draw the foremost features first (e.g. the polar ice caps) and then add finer details (e.g. clouds, haze). Be sure to note the date, time, and filters used (if any) to establish the full context of your observation. While using a telescope is the ideal way to view Mars in great detail, the planet can also be an impressive sight for the naked eye. The weeks surrounding Mars’ opposition with the Sun and its closest approach to earth are the best times to view the planet without equipment. Track the dates with a sky map; Mars should be viewable throughout the evening during this time period. Use an app like Sky Map to track where the planet is. If your interest in viewing Mars is keen enough, consider joining a local astrology club to meet others with the same passion. This is a great way to interact with experienced group members who can offer advice about equipment and other important aspects of astronomy. Group meetings may involve learning new techniques and trying new equipment, which will enhance your astronomy skills and make your observations of Mars even better. Your local planetarium may also offer resources for advancing your astronomy skills, including lessons on how to use a telescope and relevant shows about Mars.
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One-sentence summary --
Set up your equipment. Focus on different elements of the planet. Sketch what you see. View Mars with your naked eye. Join an astronomy club.