Q: Pastels come in several forms, oil pastels, hard pastels, soft pastels, and pastel pencils, and each has distinctive properties. Oil pastels are pastels with wax and inert oil as added ingredients. Pastel paper comes in a variety of different textures and weights but is usually rougher than the paper used for acrylic or watercolor painting. This is because pastel does not like to stick to a completely smooth surface.  Pastel paper also comes in different colors, as pastels are great for working on colored paper because of the density and saturation of their color. Pastel paper is sometimes manufactured with a "laid" effect, meaning the grain on one side is made of closely spaced lines and the opposite side has a slightly mottled surface. Yet another type of pastel painting paper is very close to a carborundum (wet 'n dry) or a coarse sandpaper. These can be fun types of paper to experiment with. If you are unsure which type you would like to use, try purchasing a few pieces of each type of pastel and paper, then figure out what you like, and don't like, about each through experimentation. While not used interchangeably, soft pastels, hard pastels, and pastel pencils can be used in combination with each other in the same painting. Oil pastels, on the other hand, can be difficult to blend with the other types of pastels. Keep this in mind when purchasing your pastels.
A: Decide which type of pastels you would like to use. Learn about the types of paper you use for pastel painting. Purchase pastels and pastel paper at your local art supply store.

Article: This will allow you to access the Settings menu.   If you want to format your memory stick too, select "Format Memory" from the System Settings menu. When the Sony logo appears, you will be asked to setup the PSP as if it was new.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Open the XMB menu. Scroll left to open the Settings menu. Scroll down and select System Settings. Select "Restore Default Settings". Follow the prompts to reset your system.

Problem: Article: Parakeets can develop their ability to make noises by talking to other birds, so having a few birds can help both of them develop the variety of their chirping. However, having too many birds will focus all their communication on other birds, instead of on communicating with you.  Having a few birds will usually not limit your ability to train them to talk but more than a few could hinder your progress. If you only have one parakeet, trick it into thinking it has a friend by placing a mirror in its cage. This will help it develop and practice chirping. However, you should take the mirror out of its cage before you start teaching it how to talk, so that your bird focuses its attention on you. Make friends with your bird by spending time with it, speaking to it, and keeping it nice and comfy in your home. Basically, treat your parakeet like it is a part of your family, because it is. The goal should be to build up trust between you and your parakeet. Don't force the bird to interact with you if it doesn't want to. If the bird is scared of you or ignoring you it is just a sign that the time is not right or that you are moving too quickly. It is not a sign that your bird will never bond with you. Make sure that the bird is calm and ready to focus its attention on you. If the bird is tired or distracted, it won't be as easy to train. A good time to train your bird is first thing in the morning. You can even start repeating words for your bird before uncovering its cage at the start of the day.
Summary: Have a limited number of parakeets. Make your parakeet comfortable with you. Pick the right time to train your parakeet.

Q: Some cooks have a bad habit of turning the burner up all the way anytime they need to heat something. Instead, try to only use as much heat as necessary to reheat or cook your food through. Anything beyond the minimal required temperature will be a waste.  Water, for example, boils at 212 °F (100 °C). Once it’s boiling, leaving the cooktop on full blast won’t make it any hotter—it will only use up more gas. When cooking from a recipe, always follow the instructions to a T. Most recipes specify what level of heat to use (“low,” “medium,” “medium-high,” “high,” etc.). If you can see the flames licking the sides of the pan, it means the stove is turned up too high. Lower the temperature until the flames are confined to the bottom surface of the pan. Otherwise, their heat will escape into the surrounding environment.  For best results, only use flat-bottomed cookware. With these pieces, the entire heating surface will remain in contact with the flames at all times.  If your stove has multiple burners of different sizes, choose a burner that’s smaller than the pot or pan you’re using to ensure that it’s not putting off excess heat. To clean your burners, first make sure they’re off and cool to the touch. Then, remove the protective grates and wipe away any lingering debris with a damp paper towel. Finally, scrub the area around the burners with soapy water until they’re completely free of residue.  The flames emitted by your gas stove should burn a bright blue color. Yellow or orange flames could be a sign of incomplete combustion, which means that the gas in the lines isn’t being used to its full potential.  If cleaning the burners doesn’t solve the problem, call a repairman to come take a look at it and replace it if necessary. A weak burner isn’t just irritating, it’s actually dangerous—incomplete combustion can result in the release of hazardous carbon monoxide gas. Pay close attention to strange smells or faint hissing sounds originating from around your stove. These symptoms could indicate a leak. If your stove has a faulty gas line, you’ll be losing gas even when you’re not cooking.  The simplest way to test for a leak yourself is to pull out the stove enough to access to the gas line and brush the fittings with soapy water using a cotton swab. If one of them begins to bubble, you’ve got a leak on your hands.  Leaks should be dealt with immediately, as they can pose a serious safety risk.
A:
Reduce the heat as much as possible. Make sure the pot or pan is covering the flames completely. Keep your stove’s burners clean to ensure that they’re working properly. Check for potential leaks.