Problem: Article: You can use a variety of materials to create the shape of your rock. There are several common items you can choose from: Styrofoam Cardboard Crumpled newspaper Cut the cardboard or styrofoam to the shape you want your rock to be. Combine different materials with glue to create oddly shaped rocks. Use a plain cardboard box for a roughly square shaped rock. A hot wire foam cutter works well to shape styrofoam. Use a metal mesh to wrap the rock shape. The metal gives strength to your artificial rock and provides a structure for the cement mortar mix to adhere to. Use wire twist ties to secure the wire frame to your rock base. To make the most natural looking rock, bend and shape the wire form around your rock shape. Natural rocks have dips and creases; simulate these shapes by pushing your wire form in various places to create uneven surfaces.
Summary: Choose a material as a base for your rock's shape. Create the rough shape of your rock. Cover your rock shape in chicken wire or hardware cloth for a better look. Refine the curves of your rock.

Problem: Article: Retin-A is a vitamin A derivative which has been prescribed by dermatologists to combat aging for over 20 years. It started out as a treatment for acne, but patients using Retin-A for this purpose soon discovered that their skin became firmer, smoother and younger-looking as a result of the treatment. Dermatologists then began researching the benefits of Retin-A as an anti-aging treatment. Retin-A works by increasing cell turnover within the skin, stimulating collagen production, and exfoliating the top layers of skin to reveal, fresher younger-looking skin underneath. In addition to decreasing the appearance of wrinkles, it can prevent new ones from forming, fade discoloration and sun damage, reduce the risks of developing skin cancer and improve the skin's texture and elasticity. Currently, Retin-A is the only topical treatment for wrinkles that is FDA approved. It is extremely effective, and doctors and patients alike swear by the results. Retin-A is the brand name version of the generic drug known as tretinoin. It is available only with a doctor's prescription, so you will need to make an appointment with a dermatologist if you are interested in trying this treatment. The dermatologist will assess your skin and determine whether Retin-A is a good option for you. If used correctly, it can work effectively on most skin types. However, due to it's drying, irritating qualities, it may not be suitable for people who suffer from skin conditions such as eczema or rosacea. Retin-A is applied topically and comes in both cream and gel forms. It also comes in a variety of strengths: the 0.025% cream is for general skin improvement, the 0.05% cream is designed for reducing wrinkles and fine lines, while the 0.1% used widely for the treatment of acne and blackheads. Your doctor will usually start you off with a weaker strength cream until your skin adjusts to the treatment. Then you can progress on to a stronger cream, if necessary. Retinol is another vitamin-A derivative which is found in many over-the-counter products and big brand beauty creams. It produces similar results to Retin-A treatments, but due to its weaker formula it is not as effective (but will cause less irritation.) Retin-A is such an effective treatment, that you will notice a visible improvement in the appearance of wrinkles no matter what age you are when you begin using it. Starting Retin-A treatments in your forties, fifties and above can have the effect of turning back the clock by plumping out the skin, fading age spots and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. It is never too late to start! However, women in their twenties and thirties can also benefit from using Retin-A, as it boosts collagen production beneath the skin, making it thicker and firmer. As a result, starting Retin-A treatment early in life can prevent deep wrinkles from forming in the first place. One downside to Retin-A treatments is that the creams themselves can be quite pricey.The cost of Retin-A can vary from $80 to $150 for a month supply. The cost will depend on the strength of the cream, which ranges from 0.025 to 0.1 percent, and whether you want to go for the brand name Retin-A (amongst others) or for the generic form of the drug, tretinoin. The advantage of going for the brand name version is that these companies have added an emollient moisturizer to the creams, making them less irritating than their generic counterparts. In addition, Retin-A and other brand name versions have more advanced delivery systems, meaning that the active ingredients get absorbed by the skin more efficiently. The use of Retin-A for acne treatment is usually covered under insurance plans. However, many insurance companies will not cover the cost of Retin-A treatment if it is prescribed for cosmetic reasons, such as anti-aging treatment. Despite the high cost, it is important to remember than many commercially available skin care products from high-end brands will cost at least as much, if not more, than the Retin-A creams, and, according to dermatologists, Retin-A cream is more effective at reversing the signs of aging than any commercially available cream on the market.
Summary: Understand the anti-aging benefits of Retin-A. Get a prescription for Retin-A. Begin using Retin-A at any age. Be aware of the costs.

Problem: Article: Asking a girl out on a date can be frightening, but if you make a plan it might not be as scary. Think about when, where, and how you plan to ask her out. Try to work out what you want the moment to look like and spend some time visualizing a positive response. You want to look your best when you ask her out for the first time. If you are wearing your grubbiest shirt and haven't showered in a couple of days, she will not have a good impression of you. But you don't need to wear a tuxedo or get a makeover before you ask her out either. Just make sure that you are clean, wearing some flattering clothes, and that your hair and facial hair are groomed. Confidence is sexy, and one of the most confident things you can do is look her in the eyes when you ask her out. While it may feel more comfortable to look at the floor and mumble your question to her, this will not impress her. Look her straight in the eyes and hold your head up high to show her that you are confident. The way that you stand can also indicate how confident you are. If you are slumping or crossing your arms, she might interpret this as fear or nervousness. Instead, stand up tall with your arms hanging loosely at your sides. Keep your shoulders back and your chest puffed out a bit. This will show her your full height and breadth, which will be much more impressive than if you approach her in a hunched over position. There's no need to talk to her for an hour before you ask her out. In fact, if you take too long to ask, you might lose your nerve. Instead, walk right up to her, give her a quick compliment, and then tell her that you'd like to spend some time with her. If you'd rather call her, that's fine too, just don't ask her out via Facebook or text message or she may think that you are too nervous to talk to her. Try saying something like, "Hi. You seem really cool! Listen, I am in a bit of a hurry, but I thought I'd see if you would be interested in going out with me sometime. Can I get your number?" Sometimes, despite your best efforts, a girl will say no when you try to ask her out. The occasional "No" is something that you will have to deal with when you ask a girl out on a date. If she says no, don't get upset. Just shrug it off, and try not to act like too disappointed. Try saying something like, "It's cool. You just seem like a fun person to chill with so I thought I'd ask. But no worries! Have a good day!"
Summary:
Plan your approach. Be well dressed and groomed. Meet her gaze. Stand up straight and tall. Keep it short and direct. Shrug it off if she says no.