INPUT ARTICLE: Article: While you may not be able to afford to shop at Prada or Louis Vuitton, you can still visit other places that celebrities also frequent. In L.A., locales like the Brentwood Farmers Market and Whole Foods are often frequented by celebrities doing their shopping. Stores usually don’t look kindly on people who loiter without making purchases. Buying something from the store, even if it’s small or inexpensive, will help ensure that you don’t make yourself unwelcome. Press conferences and premiers often run late, so if you arrive in the morning, you may see the celebrity leaving for work.  Lingering in the hotel lobby may get you in trouble, so consider having a drink in the hotel bar. Sit so that you can see who comes in and out of the hotel. Don't be disappointed if you don't see the person coming into or leaving the hotel. Many large hotels with a celebrity clientele have back entrances to protect their privacy. If you have attended a concert, ask where the tour vans are located, and try to get in that area. Many bands pack up quickly after the show, but some people may be hanging around and could introduce you. Become a waiter at their favorite restaurant, a bartender at their regular bar, or a personal trainer at their gym. Working an eight hour shift greatly increases the odds you will be there when they are there.  Make sure to get a job that lets you interact with the patrons. Jobs like valet parking and coat check, while not particularly exciting, are likely to put you in contact with celebrities dining out or staying in hotels.  Always be professional. Most employers at places that celebrities frequent will not look kindly at potential harassment of their famous clientele. It’s fine to start up a chat or even ask for a photograph under the right circumstances, but if you become a nuisance you’re not likely to keep your job.

SUMMARY: Visit places that celebrities also visit. Wait outside the hotel where you know they are staying. Wait near the tour vans for musicians. Get a job near where celebrities spend their time.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Before you start looking for an independent contractor, take some time to figure out exactly what skills they'll need to complete the work you have for them.  Hiring an independent contractor can be different from hiring a contractor for a construction job or other labor position. Your methods for evaluating their skills and experience will be different as well. For example, if you want someone to write content for your business's website, you could ask for a writing sample to evaluate. If you also want them to design your content pages, on the other hand, you might look for web design education or certifications. If someone you know and trust has recently hired an independent contractor for similar reasons, ask who they used. A referral can save you a lot of time and money checking someone's background.  Find out what kind of work the independent contractor generally does, and how much your friend or colleague paid them. Ask specifically if your friend or colleague has any reservations in recommending the independent contractor, or if they had any issues. An issue that wasn't a problem for them may be a deal-breaker for you. Even if an independent contractor has been recommended to you, check reviews of the contractor and find out all you can about their reputation in the industry. Search online to find their website. If they have a portfolio of recent projects, it can give you an idea whether they would work well for you.  If they have any licenses or certifications, check with the agency that issued the license or certification and make sure it's valid and in good standing. There are a number of websites, such as Upwork and Guru, where you can advertise work for independent contractors and freelancers. Typically independent contractors then bid on your project and you can select the one you want to use. Talking to several people not only helps you find the best qualified independent contractor to handle your project, it also allows you to get the work done at the right price. Have an amount in mind that you are willing to pay for the work, and allow contractors to submit bids on the project.  Ask questions about their past experience and subject matter expertise. Find out whether they've completed projects similar to yours. Get the names of previous clients with projects similar to yours who you can contact about the contractor. Your independent contractor should have a good idea up front of exactly what work you want them to complete, what aspects of the work they'll be responsible for, and how long the job is expected to last.  Particularly if they are working for other clients, get a good idea of how many hours a day (or week) they can devote to your project. If you need them to be available during specific hours, let them know. Be clear about your expectations for the project and your goals for completion. If they will be required to bring their own tools or resources to complete the project, let them know this up front.

SUMMARY: Identify what you need from your independent contractor. Ask friends or colleagues for referrals. Do a thorough background check. Interview at least 3 independent contractors. Discuss the project in detail.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Get a good grip on the card so you can hold it in place when it comes time to use the sleight of hand that makes it appear to vanish. Use your thumb and middle finger to grip about 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) from the bottom edge of the card. Hold the card firmly, but not so tight that it looks rigid and doesn’t move.

SUMMARY: Hold the card between your thumb and middle finger.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Starting with shrimp that have already been peeled and deveined will help you cut down on your prep time. If you prefer, you can also buy whole shrimp and peel them yourself later. Either way, all you’ll have to do to get them ready for the pot, oven, or skillet is thaw them out.  While shopping for frozen shrimp, check each package for a symbol reading “IQF,” which stands for “Individually Quick Frozen.” This means each shrimp has been frozen separately, which reduces clumping and improves flavor and texture. It’s important that your shrimp be deveined. It’s practically impossible to devein shrimp while they’re still frozen or after they’ve been cooked, and it will take much longer if you wait until after they’ve thawed. Snip open the bag and shake out the frozen shrimp into your colander or strainer. To ensure that your shrimp defrost as quickly as possible, be sure to break up any large chunks that have frozen together.  If you don’t have a colander or strainer, try leaving the bag sealed and running some cool water over it in the sink to thaw it. It’s time-consuming, but it will get the job done. You can also place the exact amount of shrimp you want to cook in a separate resealable plastic bag before continuing if you don't want to prepare the entire bag at once. Lower the colander into the bowl, making sure it fits comfortably and the water covers the shrimp entirely. Allow the shrimp to sit for 10-15 minutes, or until the last of the ice has melted. To speed up the thawing process, leave a small stream of fresh water trickling into the bowl to continually replace the water that’s grown cold. Remove the colander or strainer and shake it a few times to get rid of excess water, then pour the shrimp out on top of the paper towels. Fold one half of the absorbent pad over or use a separate towel to gently blot the shrimp and soak up any remaining moisture. There should be no visible ice crystals or standing water on the surface of the shrimp when you’re done. Add your thawed shrimp to a dry nonstick pan or pot of boiling water over high heat and cook them for roughly 2-3 minutes, or until they just turn opaque. The heat will cause the shrimp to shrink slightly, essentially wringing every last bit of unwanted moisture out of them. While it’s not necessary to give your shrimp a preliminary warmup, it can be a useful step if you want to make sure they don’t make the dish you’re preparing soggy.

SUMMARY:
Pick up a bag of peeled, deveined shrimp. Place the shrimp in a colander or wire strainer. Submerge the colander or strainer in a bowl of cool water. Transfer the thawed shrimp to a layer of folded paper towels. Heat the shrimp briefly to release any remaining liquid (optional).