INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you want to make a habit of coming out of your shell, then it's not just about mastering your social game in the moment. It's about making a habit of hanging out with people, attending new events, and keeping your social life active. You may say no to things because you're afraid of social situations, don't want to feel awkward if you don't know enough people at the event, or because you'd just rather hang out by yourself than with other people. Well, the excuses stop today. The next time someone asks you to do something, ask yourself if you're just saying no out of fear or laziness, and not for a legitimate reason. If it's fear keeping you in, say "no" to the fear and go out! You don't have to say yes to going to the "bug lover's" club of the random girl in your homeroom or to absolutely everything you're asked to do. Just make a goal of saying yes more often. You can do that. Part of coming out of your shell isn't just accepting to do what others want to do, but to start planning your own stuff, too. If you want to be known as a more social person, and one who is willing to put him or herself out there, then you should be the one to take the initiative some of the time. Even if you're just inviting people over to order pizza and watch Scandal, or asking a friend from class to go grab a cup of coffee, you'll be known as a person who has stuff going on. Sure, that 'ol fear of rejection may be creeping up again. People may say no, but that'll be because they're busy, most likely. Plus, if you invite people to stuff, then they'll be more likely to invite you to do stuff. If you're an incredibly shy, introverted person, then yeah, it's unlikely that you'll be a big chatterbox after a month. Introverted people can't really become true extroverts, especially overnight, but they can certainly modify their behavior and attitude. Besides, you don't have to be a complete extrovert or to be the most outgoing person in the room to come out of your shell and emphasize your best qualities. That is, don't be frustrated if you can't get yourself to start dancing on tables and charming everyone in sight. You may not want that anyway. If you're the type who is a definite introvert, then you'll need time to recharge your batteries after a social interaction or just because. Classic extroverts gain their energy from other people, while introverts actually get drained from being around other people. And if your battery gets drained, then you need to refuel by giving yourself a few hours to be alone. Though you may be set on making your social calendar more packed, always remember to plug in some "me time," even if it feels inconvenient. Let's face it. At the end of the day, you may never be able to come out of your shell to a perfect stranger. However, as you get more comfortable with coming out of your shell, you can find the people who really get you and who really make you comfortable. Maybe it's just a group of your five close friends who really let you let loose, sing like an idiot, and dance to "The Macarena." But this core group can help you put yourself out there when it comes to the general public. Finding your people will help you feel more comfortable with yourself, gain confidence, and to come out of your shell in the long run. What could be better than that? If you have trouble coming out of your shell, then it may be because you tend to leave the room whenever you get uncomfortable. If you find yourself in a social situation where you don't know many people, don't have much to contribute to a situation, or just feel out of your element, then you may tend to leave, make an excuse for going home early, or just quietly back away from the scene. Well, no more walking away when the going gets tough -- instead, revel in your discomfort and you'll see that it's not as bad as you think. The more you make being out of your element a habit, the less you'll worry the next time it happens. Just take a deep breath, tell yourself it's not the end of the world, and find a way to make conversation -- or just to look like you're having a good time.

SUMMARY: Start saying "yes" and stop with the excuses. Extend more invitations. Know that you can't change completely. Remember to recharge your batteries. Find your people. Grow from discomfort.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Wear a pair of latex or nitrile gloves to keep your hands clean while handling the salt cell and PVC pipes. Also put on protective eye goggles to shield your eyes when cutting PVC pipe. Use the electronic controls attached to the pool's plumbing system. Press the "off" button to stop the pump. The salt cell is a cylinder, usually colored white, on a pipe near the control panel. It attaches to the pipe through a pair of plastic PVC rings called unions. Turn the unions counterclockwise by hand until you can pull them off the salt cell. Then, lift the cell off of the pipes. You will need to replace the salt cell with new pipe before you can activate the pump again. Measure the space between existing pipes where the salt cell used to be. Also note the diameter of the existing pipes by measuring across their openings. Get a new pipe that is the same diameter as the existing pipes. It will fit into any fittings already attached to the old pipes. You will also need 2 straight fittings to connect the new PVC pipe to the old ones. Dry-fit the pipe and the connectors where your salt cell used to be. If the pipe is too long, place it in a vise set on a flat workbench. Use a hacksaw to cut the pipe to size. Some stores may cut the pipe for you if you give them your measurements. Wipe down the pipe ends with a clean cloth. Use the brush included with the purple primer to paint about 3in (7.6cm) along the ends of each fitting. Coat the inner end of each fitting as well as the outer portions both the new and existing pipes. Then, wait about 10 seconds for the primer to dry. Take the cap off the PVC cement bottle to uncover the brush. Spread a thin, even layer of cement over the outer ends of the fittings. Also coat the inside portion of the pipes. Spread the cement about 3in (7.6cm) as well, covering all of the primer. Set a fitting in each existing pipe. Push the fittings as far as you can to ensure they glue in place. Situate them so the other opening points outwards towards the opposite pipe. Move the pipe to the open space in the plumbing system. Slide the new pipe into the fitting of the lower pipe. Give the pipe a quarter twist to the right to lock it in place. Then, pull the uppermost pipe back and slide the new pipe into its fitting. Avoid activating the pump again until the glue has settled. After about 2 hours, you can drain the pool and add chemicals to convert it to chlorine.

SUMMARY:
Wear gloves and goggles for safety. Turn off the pool pump. Unscrew the salt cell to remove it. Use a tape measure to determine what size PVC pipe you need. Cut a new PVC pipe to size. Brush primer onto the new and existing pipes. Spread PVC cement over the primed areas on the pipes. Place the fittings on the existing pipes. Set the new pipe in place. Wait 2 hours for the glue to dry.