Problem: Article: Choose a time when your parents are not busy or distracted. They should not have anywhere they need to be. For example, try talking on a Saturday afternoon when your parents are relaxing in the living room. Pay attention to the timing. For example, if you know that your parents are having a difficult time paying the bills, now might not be a good idea to ask for a cat. Alternatively, choose a time when a big occasion is coming up, such as your birthday or junior high graduation. When you're ready to talk, it's important to be direct. Instead of dropping hints, calmly and maturely raise the issue of getting a cat. If you try to worm your way around the topic, your parents may get frustrated and lose their patience. For example, say, "Guys, I wanted to talk to you about something. I've been thinking it over for awhile, and I would really like my own cat." Your parents' reaction may be an outright "No." If this happens, try: "I did a lot of research. I don't expect to change your mind, but please hear me out." A little flattery goes a long way. You don't want to come off as entitled or spoiled, so show your parents you appreciate them when asking. This will show that you are considerate of all that you do for them, and that you don't expect anything or take anything for granted. For example, say, "I know how hard you guys work, and I really appreciate everything you do. If I had my own cat, I would make sure to take care of it so you don't have to." Don't suck up to your parents with too much flattery, however, or you will come off as insincere. Remember the list of concerns and solutions you made? Before your parents can raise objections, let them know you've thought ahead. Tell them how a cat can safely fit into your household. Say something like: "I know we have a lot of expensive furniture, but I found this product called Soft Paws. They're plastic caps you put over a cat's claws. My friend's cat has them, and it never damages the furniture." "I understand that a cat will need food, toys, and other supplies. I have thought of ways to earn money for this, and have even looked for jobs!" "Cats are not like dogs, so they can be left alone all day. I will still take care of the cat each day by feeding it and playing with it, and I will clean the litter box." "I know that you are allergic to cats, but I found a few hypoallergenic cats, such as the Siberian. Maybe we could meet some of these breeds at a shelter and see how you react?" Once you've stated your case, you need to give your parents a chance to respond. Try to genuinely understand their perspective and avoid interrupting or complaining, as this can cause your parents to become angry. Simply be quiet and listen to show your parents you're mature. Your parents may not agree at first, which is fine. Give them time to think over this subject, especially if they say something like "Let me think about it." Pressing your parents for an immediate answer will more likely earn you a rejection. Be patient. Give them at least a few days to a week before asking again.
Summary: Talk to your parents when they're not stressed. Introduce the topic directly. Show gratitude when asking. Bring up the ideas you thought of earlier. Let your parents talk.

Problem: Article: If you are concerned that your testosterone levels are too low, then you may want to see your doctor. Your doctor can perform a simple blood test to determine your testosterone levels. In some cases, slightly low testosterone levels may not cause any symptoms and it treatment may not be necessary. If your levels are low enough to cause symptoms, such as a lack of facial hair, then your doctor may recommend medication to bring up your levels. Your doctor may also recommend some lifestyle changes to boost your testosterone, such as losing weight or quitting smoking. If waiting for your facial hair to grow and making lifestyle changes does not seem to make a difference, then you might want to talk to your doctor about using a hair growth product such as minoxidil. This product is most often recommended for use on your head, but some people have had success growing facial hair after using minoxidil on their faces. Keep in mind that minoxidil has some side effects and you have to use it for a long time to make it work. It can take months before you see any results. Talk with your doctor before you decide to try minoxidil for growing facial hair. Do not try to use minoxidil to grow facial hair if you have not yet started to get facial hair, such as if you are a teenager or in your twenties. Talk with your doctor if you are concerned about a lack of facial hair. For those with severely low testosterone, or for men who are making the transition from female to male, testosterone therapy may be the only way to grow facial hair. If you suspect that you have low testosterone or you know that you cannot grow facial hair, then talk with your doctor and ask about testosterone therapy. Another option for those who cannot grow facial hair is to have some hair transplanted from your head to your face. Getting a facial hair transplant can transform your face and allow you to grow sideburns or even a full beard. However, keep in mind that this option is quite expensive. It is also a surgical procedure, so it should be a last resort option. Talk to your doctor if you are considering a facial hair transplant.
Summary: See your doctor. Ask your doctor about minoxidil. Look into testosterone therapy. Consider a facial hair transplant.

Problem: Article: As noted in the intro, there are hundreds of ways to make a BLT. This variation adds a little west coast flair to the standard BLT by adding some of the key ingredients in a California club sandwich. To start, you'll want to build a BLT as directed above until the point just before you'd normally be finished. In other words, cook some bacon, then spread a little mustard and mayonnaise on your bread, and finally add tomato, lettuce, and your cooked bacon to your sandwich. From here, we'll be adding a few extra touches to make our sandwich unique. For a true west coast classic, you may want to consider using sourdough, San Francisco's signature bread. Peel and cut a ripe Hass avocado into several thick french-fry sized slices. Lay these slices down above your final layer of bacon. The avocado gives the sandwich a creamy, satisfying quality not present in an ordinary BLT. The smooth texture of the avocado contrasts especially well with crunchy toast. Avocados are best when they're ripe. Ripe Hass avocados (the most common variety on the west coast) have dark green-to-black skin and a firm, yet yielding texture. The fruit should feel somewhat weighty and should have no obviously flattened or "smooshed" patches. If you're unsure whether an avocado is ripe, check under the brown stem remnant at the bottom of the avocado. If the skin underneath is bright yellow-green, you've picked a ripe avocado. If it's brown, your avocado may be bruised or overripe. After adding your avocado, you may want to squeeze a thin slice of lemon over your sandwich to produce a few drops of lemon juice. If you do so, be conservative you want just a hint of lemony zest, not a BLT that makes you pucker. If done correctly, the BLT will have a slight tangy flavor which, for some, is absolutely mouthwatering when paired with the meatiness of the bacon and the smoothness of the avocado. Congratulations! Your California BLT is ready to eat. If you desire, you can add another layer of ingredients and an additional piece of bread to create a double-decker. If you're looking for a truly Californian experience, you may want to opt for this California clubs, the state's signature sandwich, are customarily served as double-deckers.
Summary:
Assemble a classic BLT, minus the final piece of bread. Add a few avocado slices. Optionally, add a spritz of lemon juice. Add your final piece of bread.