INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Avoid speaking in an accusatory tone. This is especially important if they're already angry. If you're confrontational, you might make your relationship worse. Often it's not what is said but the tone in which it's said that sours friendships. Ask them why they're avoiding your calls. Ask them if there's something you've done or something that they would like to talk about. Mention specific examples of times you've called them. Listen to their explanation patiently and without interrupting. Explain your point of view of the situation. Avoid pointing fingers or laying blame on anyone: you're trying to solve a problem, not blame someone for the problem.. Avoid calling them names and be polite: this will show them that you're frustrated because you care. Discuss solutions to any points they raise. This will show them that you want to make things better between you. Try to think of things from their point of view and empathize. Follow through on anything that you think you can do to make things between you better. Agree to bring up any issues in the future instead of avoiding each other. Avoiding problems doesn't solve them and often exacerbates them. Accept that some times life becomes busier than usual or that friends grow apart over time. Try to find other ways of staying in touch if it's difficult for your friend to talk on the phone as often as you used to.

SUMMARY: Speak in a calm and friendly voice. Be direct. Address any problems they bring up. Move on.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Once you earn 300 stars, log in to your Starbucks account at http://www.starbucks.com/account. You'll receive your Gold card in the mail about 4-6 weeks after updating this information. Before you receive your Gold card, you will continue to earn all the rewards associated with Gold status including a free drink or snack every time you earn an additional 125 Stars by using your regular, non-Gold registered Starbucks card. Contrary to popular belief, your Gold card will not arrive in the mail pre-loaded with cash. Once you receive your card, put money on it in the same manner that you would add money to any registered Starbucks card by using your app, or logging into your account and adding cash online. Then, you'll be able to use your Gold card to continue accumulating Stars. You can easily transfer the balance of your old registered card to your new gold card by logging into your Starbucks account, selecting "Manage", then following the transfer prompts. You can also transfer money to your new card by selecting "Pay" and then "Manage" while using your Starbucks app, or by asking a cashier at any Starbucks store to perform the transfer for you. To keep your Gold status, you must earn 300 more stars every twelve months following the day you first earned your Gold card. To accomplish this, continue buying drinks and snacks as often as possible at Starbucks locations using your Gold card, or any other registered card. To earn stars for other Starbucks products you purchase outside of stores, upload your receipts or enter Star codes from the products online. This is an especially good idea if you have only been earning Stars at Starbucks locations, but are now struggling to collect enough Stars to maintain your Gold membership. Monitor your Star balance on your mobile app or by visiting http://www.starbucks.com/account to make sure you're on track to reclaim your Gold status next year.

SUMMARY: Enter your mailing address online so your gold card can be sent to you. Load money onto your Gold card. Continue earning Stars at the same rate.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you want to gain exposure to the Japanese market, your best options are ETFs, ADRs, or domestic-issued investment funds. Buying and managing stock directly through the Tokyo Stock Exchange is impractical if you're not fluent in Japanese, knowledgeable about Japanese brokers, and well-versed in the tax systems of both Japan and your nation. Unless you're an experienced trader, purchasing foreign equities directly could result in high costs and tax implications. , if you haven't already. You'll need a brokerage account to purchase shares in investment funds that trade stock in Japanese companies. You have a choice between full-service and discount brokers. Full-service firms offer extensive investment advice, but charge higher fees. Discount firms are cheaper, but they offer fewer services. Use resources such as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (http://www.finra.org/) and Morningstar (http://www.morningstar.com/) to evaluate brokerage firms and investment funds. ETRs, mutual funds, and investment trusts are, generally speaking, diversified investment options. They're funds that hold shares of a broad range of companies, which spreads out risk. If you purchase an American Depositary Receipt, or ADR, you're only purchasing stock in a single company, so your gains are all dependent on that company's success. A diversified investment vehicle lowers risk, but purchasing ADRs could be a single component of a larger diversified portfolio. You just don't want to put all of your eggs in one basket. Typically, having a financial manager handpick which companies to invest in, which is the case with mutual funds and investment trusts, further lowers your risk. Investing in foreign stock can result in complex tax liabilities. In many cases, ETFs are your most tax-efficient option. Earnings are typically taxed as capital gains at a lower percentage than income tax. Your broker or accountant can let you know if an investment could incur a high tax bill. For example, if you live in the UK, you need to invest in an ETF that has either reporting or distributor status. Around 75% of UK-issued ETFs bear one of these classifications. However, most US and Eurozone ETFs do not have reporting or distributor status. Earnings from these ETFs could be charged as regular income and taxed at rates up to 50%.

SUMMARY: Use a domestic option instead of buying stock directly. Choose an online broker Opt for a diversified investment vehicle. Discuss your incurred tax liability with your broker or accountant.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Touch each piece and each part of each piece; if anything feels tacky, then it isn't thoroughly dry. You can also use a large, flat piece of cardboard or a sheet. This is a preventative step that will help prevent scratches to the wood while you are reassembling the piano. Consult your photographs and your notes.

SUMMARY:
Make absolutely sure all the parts are dry before you begin to reassemble the piano. Put a piece of carpet on the floor before you begin. Reassemble the pieces in reverse order.