Problem: Article: One of the reasons most conversations fall short is both people are filtering what they should or shouldn't say. You start to think you've run out of topics and you can't tell if something that comes to mind is appropriate or impressive enough. During these times, follow the strategy of just blurting out whatever you're thinking without censoring it. For example, there's a long silence and you think how uncomfortable your feet are in your heels. Blurting out "Geez, these heels are killing my feet!" may seem weird. But that honest statement could lead to a conversation about a feminist viewpoint of not wearing high heels or a discussion about a time when someone fell because they were wearing ridiculously high heels. Even the best conversations run into roadblocks that threaten to throw things off course. The most effective solution for that is naming it and moving forward. Pretending the discomfort isn't there may actually push the other person away. For instance, if you misspoke and said something offensive, immediately back-track and apologize. Don't act like it didn't happen. Humor is a great way to keep the conversation going. It also helps you forge a bond with the other person. We're more likely to laugh with our friends, so making the other person laugh forms a kinship with them. You don't have to bust out with a joke to make someone laugh. Well-timed sarcasm and wit can do the job just as effectively. For example, you keep mentioning your interest in anime to the other person. After the third mention, you might say, "So, I guess I need to stop mentioning anime before you think I'm a freak... I am. I'm an anime freak. I carry a costume around with me of my favorite character. Just kidding!" After you've gotten the formalities out of the way, take the conversation to a deeper level. Think of a conversation like a meal: you eat the appetizers before you dig into the main course and then dessert. Once you and the other person have gone a couple rounds with superficial topics, go further. For example, you asked "What do you do for a living?" After some time, you might dig deeper by asking, "Why did you choose that career?" Generally, "why" questions help you dig deeper into information that has already been shared. As you're asking more intimate questions, pay close attention to cues about the other person's comfort level. If they start to seem uncomfortable, back up and ask less intimate questions. Try to stay on top of current events so you always have something to contribute to a conversation. You can ask someone their opinion on a current political issue or development in the world, for example. Silence is useful in communication and shouldn't be avoided like the plague. It helps you catch your breath and process your thoughts. It can also signal a much-need change of topic if things become dull or too intense. A few seconds of silence are completely normal. Don't feel the need to rush in and fill it. However, if silence becomes too protracted, pivot to a new topic by saying, "I'm interested in hearing more about what you were saying earlier about"
Summary: Don't filter. Call out awkwardness. Make them laugh. Go deeper with your questions. Don't fear silence.

Problem: Article: If you are shooting on "stripes," and you make the striped 12 ball, then it is still your turn. Try to pocket another striped ball. If you successfully pocket another striped ball on your next shot, then you can shoot again. As soon as you scratch or miss the pocket, however, it immediately becomes your opponent's turn. There is no rule against combination shots, in which you sink two numbered balls from your group with one shot. However, the 8-ball can not be used as a first ball in the combination unless it is the shooter's only remaining legal object ball on the table. Otherwise, it is a foul. If you are shooting "solids," then try to make all of the balls numbered 1-7 so that you can pocket the 8-ball. If you are shooting "stripes," then make all of the balls numbered 9-15. If you make your opponent's ball, then your turn ends in a scratch. In many official pool games, players must call each shot they take in order for that shot to be legal. This means: before each shot, announce which ball you are going to knock into which pocket. You might say, "4-ball, corner pocket," and indicate with your pool cue to make it clear which pocket you mean. If you are playing a casual game of pool with friends, then there is no need to call your shots. You can only legally shoot at the 8-ball once you have made all of the other numbered balls in your group (stripes or solids). Make sure to call your pocket! Look over the table and decide which pocket will be the easiest place to sink the 8-ball. Then, announce where you are going to pocket the 8-ball before you shoot. If you are the first to legally pocket the 8-ball, then you win the game! For instance: say, "8-ball, corner pocket," and indicate which corner pocket you mean. If you call your shot, but you do not make the 8-ball into a pocket: it is now your opponent's turn to shoot. You have neither won nor lost unless you make the 8-ball or scratch while trying to make the 8-ball. A game of 8-ball pool ends when a player legally sinks the 8-ball after pocketing all of the numbered balls in his or her group. However, a player can also lose the game by committing certain infractions. A player loses when he or she: pockets the 8-ball at any point after the break; pockets the 8-ball on the same stroke as the last of his/her group of balls; jumps the 8-ball off the table at any time after the break; pockets the 8-ball in a pocket other than the one he/she has called; or pockets the 8-ball when it is not the legal "object ball."
Summary: Keep shooting until you fail to pocket a ball. Pocket all of the balls in your group. Call your shots. Pocket the 8-ball. Finish the game.

Problem: Article: Put enough absinthe into a chilled glass to rinse the glass, then pour out the absinthe. Put ice cubes into your cocktail mixer, then pour 1 fluid ounce (30mL) rye whiskey, 1 fluid ounce (30mL) cognac, 3 dashes of Peychaud's bitters, 1 dash Angostura bitters, .25 fluid ounces (7.4mL) simple syrup, and .25 fluid ounces (7.4mL) chilled water over the ice. Shake the cocktail mixer hard for 10 to 15 seconds, then strain the cocktail into the glass you rinsed with absinthe. Add a twisted lemon peel to the glass as a garnish.Discard the lemon peel after you finish your drink. Combine all the ingredients in a martini shaker. Fill the shaker the rest of the way with ice, put on the lid, and shake the mixture vigorously. Strain the mixture into a martini or cocktail glass filled with crushed ice. Serve the cocktail with a wedge of grapefruit on the rim of the glass. Transfer the absinthe to a champagne glass. Hold the glass on a 45-degree angle and slowly pour in the sparkling wine. Holding the glass like this and pouring slowly minimizes bubbling. Add ice to chill the drink before serving if you like.
Summary:
Mix up a Sazerac cocktail. Shake up a Sun Also Rises cocktail. Make a Death in the Afternoon.