Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Pick your stage. Find a karaoke box. Partner up. Ham it up. Be a good audience member. Have fun!

Answer: Visit a few different karaoke bars and clubs and look for the following:  Is there a supportive crowd? Some karaoke venues have regulars who are friendly and who cheer each other on. That's what you're looking for--not a place with high "turnover" and bad sports who complain about bad singers. Does the singer have to face the audience? Check how the screens are arranged. You might want to have the option of facing away from the audience so that if you get too nervous, you can look at a screen that doesn't force you to look at the audience. In East Asia, karaoke is often enjoyed in a more private setting, rather than in bars or clubs. You can rent a karaoke-equipped room by the hour or half-hour and share the costs with a few friends. This is an excellent way to ease into karaoke because you can hand-pick your audience. Karaoke boxes aren't as common in other parts of the world as they are in East Asia, but it's definitely worth looking into. They're very popular in New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area, and they might be found wherever there's a strong Asian community. You can also investigate how much it costs to privately rent an actual karaoke-equipped venue; if you get enough people together to chip in, it could work. Before you take the plunge and sing by yourself, find a decent singer to do karaoke with. It should be someone who's already comfortable singing in public, and who can garner a little bit of cheering and clapping. You might be nervous the whole time, but in the end, when it's over and done with, you'll feel good about having performed, and the next time won't be as intimidating. Getting up to sing is a chance to act out your "star" fantasies. Go all the way. Find the "ham" in you. Wear some glam clothing, do some rock and roll moves, sing your heart out. In truth, most people would rather see you succeed than fail, and giving a full-out performance will always go over better than hanging back. Trust me. Things don't improve when you sound as if you're apologizing  for giving such a rotten, worthless performance. Once you've picked a venue, go regularly, and be a good sport. Cheer everyone on. Clap after every song. Avoid wincing when someone's voice cracks. It's good karaoke karma, because eventually when you get up to sing, they'll recognize you and they'll cheer you on. Also, you'll recognize them, and they won't feel like strangers anymore. This, of course, is the most important part. Smile, move to the music, and enjoy your time in the spotlight. You're not there to impress people--you're there to have a good time, and the audience wants to have a good time with you, so be bold and sing your heart out.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Gather your painting supplies. Choose the right paint. Tape and cover adjacent surfaces. Ventilate the room. Apply two coats of primer. Apply the paint. Remove the tape. Replace the sink when the paint is dry.

Answer: To paint the countertop, you will need primer, paint, and a few tools to help you apply the paint and protect surrounding surfaces. The tools you'll need include:  Paint tray Paint roller Medium paint brush Two foam roller brushes Painter's tape Painting a Formica countertop isn't like painting other surfaces. The main problem is that countertops get a lot of use and endure tons of abuse. Because of this, you need an incredibly durable paint. You can choose any color or style that you like, but look for a durable paint that's suitable for Formica, such as:  Two-part epoxy paints that are water-based  Laminate paint kits Interior acrylic paint Interior oil-based alkyd paints To protect nearby surfaces from paint and splatter, tape off anything touching the surface you'll be painting. This could include walls, cabinets, and the backsplash. Good painting tapes include green tape, blue tape, and masking tape. Before you start priming or painting, open a window and set up a fan to blow air around the room. The fumes from the primer and paint can be dangerous, so keep the room well-ventilated throughout the entire painting project. If you're not using a two-part paint with a built-in primer, it's important to prime the surface of the counter top before painting. The best kind of primer for your counter is an oil-paint. Try to match the color of the primer with the color you've chosen for the countertop.  Pour your primer into the paint tray. Fit a roller with a clean roller brush and roll it in the primer. Wipe off excess primer on the tray. Cover the entire surface of the counter with a thin layer of primer. Use the brush to get into cracks and to manoeuvre  around edges. Wait about three hours for the paint to dry, then repeat. Check the manufacturer's instructions on the paint can for precise drying times. When the primer has fully dried, you can apply the paint. Pour the paint into a clean paint tray. Fit a roller with a clean, dry roller brush. Dip the brush into the paint and saturate it completely. Roll off excess paint onto the tray.  Go over the entire surface of the counter with a thin layer of paint. Use the brush to paint around edges, in cracks, and in hard-to-reach areas. Allow the paint to dry, according to the manufacturer's instructions. This is usually about three hours. Once the first layer is dry, apply a second and third coat if necessary. As soon as you've painted the final coat, remove the painter's tape. By removing the tape when the paint is still wet, you'll prevent paint from drying onto the tape and peeling off with the tape. To remove the tape, gently pull it toward yourself at a 45-degree angle. Once the paint has dried, after 24 to 72 hours (check the manufacturer's instructions), replace the sink. Fit the sink back into it's basin, reconnect the plumbing, screw the clamp screws back in place, and reconnect the faucet.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Be wary of nerve malfunctions. Watch out for muscle strain. Avoid dehydration. Pay attention to any blood conditions. Be careful about leaning at the waist. Be conscientious about proper hip extension.

Answer: Medical problems such as spinal cord injury or a pinched nerve in the back or neck could cause malfunctioning of the affected nerves and lead to the development of muscle cramps. Overworking certain muscles can result in a loss of energy in the muscles. When this happens, the overworked muscle suddenly contracts, leading to a muscle cramp. This frequently happens in sports like running, where the same muscles are used repeatedly. A lack of adequate hydration can result in a fluid and electrolyte imbalance that is more likely to provoke muscle cramping. Muscles require an adequate blood supply in order to function properly. Therefore, any underlying blood conditions that interfere with the supply of blood to the muscles can lead to muscle cramping. When a person gets tired, the normal response is to lean to the side, with a hand on your waist. Holding this position for prolonged periods can strain the core muscles. It puts the abdominal muscles in a vulnerable position which can lead to muscle cramps. Proper hip extension while running involves placing the upper thigh and leg backwards when the foot hits the ground. This gives more power and speed to your running. However, if the hips are not extended properly, it puts strain on the calf and quad muscles, leading to cramps.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Look at the past. Use this as an opportunity to re-examine your direction. Choose an anniversary theme.

Answer:
Big anniversaries are a great time to reflect on how your organization got started and how it has since developed. Think of it as an exercise in strategic thinking. Think about the big questions about your company's past: Who founded it, and why? What was the original vision of the company? Reaffirm the values that are the hallmark of what you stand for as a company, but be willing to reassess those that have not served you well. A major corporate anniversary is a great time to issue new vision plans or mission statements for the coming years. Try filling in the blanks to complete this statement: "Our company was founded with a vision for _____.  Our goals were ____, _____, and _____." Then think about whether your company met those goals, and whether it might be time to set new ones. Particularly if this is your company's centennial or other huge milestone, consider choosing an appropriate theme that builds on your company's past and current values to mark the anniversary year.  For example, the year might be spent in "Innovation," "Service," "Diversity," or other value that will help to strategically situate your company for success in the coming years. Consider launching a company-wide initiative to give form to the year's theme.  For example, your departments might set benchmarks or goals to measure innovation or service projects.