If you feel like you're not the most attractive, you may not have the confidence to ask a girl out directly. In that case, you can go about it in a more roundabout way, such as making an indirect suggestion that she go out with you. For example, you can ask her what she's doing over the weekend. When she responds, you can say, "That sounds fun. I'm going to see this new art exhibit that's supposed to be really cool. Maybe you'd like to see it, too?" One way to make it seem like you're not asking is to first ask for a recommendation of a restaurant or some other fun thing in the area. Once she responds, you can suggest that you go together, which makes it seem like her idea. For example, you could say, "Do you know this area well? I don't get over here much. Know any good Mexican restaurants over here?" When she responds with a name, say, "Oh, that sounds good. Want to show me the ropes there?" You can also try the opposite approach, where you talk about a fun or great place in the area. She may respond that it sounds interesting, and then you can suggest that you try it out together. You might say, "I've heard that place across the street has the best burgers." If she says, "Really? I love a good burger." You could say, "Want to try it out with me?" Another option is to just be direct. You may think you need to hide behind flirtatious questions, but really, most women appreciate when you're at least somewhat direct with what you want. Therefore, it never hurts to just ask, as the worst she can say is "no." For instance, if you've been talking for awhile, you could say, "You know, you're fun to talk to. How would you like to continue this conversation over dinner?"

Summary: Make a suggestion. Make it seem like her idea. Try your own suggestion. Just be yourself.


After your parakeet masters stepping up, you can begin doing more advanced training. To begin ladder training, start by asking your parakeet to “step up” as you usually do. Laddering involves having your bird step up from one perch to another repeatedly, as if it were climbing the rungs of a ladder. Once your parakeet steps up, put the index finger of your other hand in front of it. Alternatively, you could use a stick or a dowel. Position the second finger or perch exactly as you would during a regular “step up” command. Ask your parakeet to step up onto the new perch. Once it has done so, put your other finger or the original perch in front of your parakeet and ask it to step up again. Repeat this cycle several times.  Practice this technique daily until your parakeet ladders smoothly. After some practice, your parakeet may begin laddering without the verbal “step up” command as soon as you put your finger or a perch in front of it. Don’t forget to praise and treat your parakeet when it successfully performs the ladder trick!

Summary: Give your parakeet the “step up” command. Place another finger or perch in front of the parakeet. Repeat the “step up” command.


The saddle is the part of your guitar that's below the pickups, on the opposite side of your headstock. If you've never adjusted the guitar's intonation, your saddle might be more difficult to move. Before you adjust the position of the saddle, loosen the strings so that you don't create unnecessary tension on the strings which could cause them to snap. If the saddle is being difficult, you can wiggle it back and forth with your fingers until it moves. If your note is flat, you'll want to move the saddle up towards the headstock. Loosen the screw a quarter turn to sharpen your note. You may have to do this several times before the string on the 12th fret is correct. Use a screwdriver to tighten the screw on the saddle if the string that you're playing is sharp. This will move the saddle away from the headstock and will flatten the note on the 12th fret. Once you've made adjustments with your screwdriver, you can re-tune your strings. Test the note on the 12th fret and take note of whether you corrected the problem. If you turned the screw too far, your string might be off the correct tuning. If this is the case, then loosen the string again and adjust the screw more until the string plays in tune, on the 12th fret.

Summary: Loosen the strings to give the saddle freedom of movement. Loosen the screw on the saddle if your string is flat. Tighten the saddle screw if the note is sharp. Retune your strings.


Children thrive when they feel secure in their environment and understand what is expected of them. Develop a consistent household structure, clear expectations, and logical consequences if these expectations are not met. Avoid responding to your child's poor attitude with anger.  Instead, calmly deliver your request and then disengage.  If your child is younger or may place him or herself in a dangerous situation, disengaging may mean selectively ignoring your child's poor behavior while continuing to actively supervise.  If your child is older or in safe circumstances, leave the room (always remain within earshot of a young child). While counting to three, five, or ten is often recommended as a tool to redirect a child's behavior, it may provide even greater benefit for a beleaguered parent.  Count in your head before responding to your child's frustrating behavior.  Doing so gives you a few seconds to regroup and calm your own frayed emotions. Let reality be your child's teacher.  Follow through on the consequences you've set for poor behavior.  If your child has been told, for example, that if she responds to your requests with sarcasm she cannot attend Friday's football game, hold firm in your resolve.  She'll learn that poor behavior has real consequences.  Issue reminders -- but hold your child responsible for following through.  Developing brains do sometimes forget what they've been asked to do, so plan on allowing some leeway for a reminder or two.  You might even try a written reminder.  Consider developing a system of "warnings," but follow through with consequences if those warnings aren't heeded.  Remember that to attain the long-term goal of a well-behaved child you may have to deal with short-term personal discomfort.  You may have heard the adage, "punishing the child punishes the parent," and while you're listening to a temper tantrum or dealing with an angry teenager you'll recognize the truth of this saying.  In the end, though, your job as a parent is to struggle through the immediate discomfort of a situation, recognizing the long-term benefits at stake. Children often display poor attitudes and other bad behavior because they feel out of control.  Employing a time-out interrupts the cycle of this behavior, giving the child a moment to regroup and reflect.  Consider targeting the length of a time-out to the age of your child (for a 2-year-old, for example, set a timer for two minutes). Ensure the privilege withdrawn relates in some way to the poor behavior you're trying to correct.  A child who refuses to put down his video game console, for example, may lose the use of this toy for a day. This technique works best as part of a pre-arranged behavior management strategy.  Sit down with your children and decide upon behaviors you expect -- and privileges they'll receive in return.  For example, you might agree that your child will receive the privilege of watching a favorite television program if she completes her homework without fussing.  Creating a system helps children learn that with increased privileges come increased responsibilities.
Summary: Set clear boundaries. Remain calm. Allow your child to reap what he or she sows. Use time-outs as a consequence. Withdraw privileges.