Q: The planks for an official dog agility seesaw are usually 12 feet (3.7m) in length. Purchase a long 2 by 12in (5.1 by 30.5cm) plank of wood online or from your local hardware store. If the plank isn't the right length, measure it and trim it to size with a handsaw or jigsaw. In some longer planks, the wood will begin to crack towards the end. To prevent this from happening with your seesaw plank, purchase a piece of wood that is 14 feet (4.3m) long and trim 1 foot (0.30m) off of each end to remove and halt any cracking. Avoid using pressure-treated wood for your plank, as it will be too heavy. If you need to waterproof the plank, paint it with waterproof paint or sealant. The seesaw is a one-way obstacle on an agility course, meaning one end should always be lower than the other when not in use. Use a measuring tape to find the mid-point of the plank. Move 2 inches (5.1cm) towards one end of the plank and draw a line to mark the fulcrum. Moving the fulcrum of the plank closer to one end will make sure that the longer side always sits on the ground when the seesaw isn't in use. If you move too far away from the mid-point, the plank may fall too slowly as your dog walks over it, or it may begin to lift up while your dog is still on it. Don't make the mark more than 2 inches (5.1cm) from the center of the plank. Measure along the marked line of your plank to find the middle. Place a 34 inch (1.9cm) pipe strap on the mid-point and screw it into place with 2 1in (2.5cm) wood screws. Attach 2 more pipe straps along the same line, roughly 4 inches (10cm) away from the first strap. The pipe straps will be used to hold the pipe that works as a fulcrum for your seesaw. Pipe straps should be available online or from your local hardware store. If you can't find 34 inch (1.9cm) pipe straps, you could also use 12 inch (1.3cm) straps that aren't screwed into the plank as tightly. To make sure the pipe fits in the pipe straps properly, place it on the line you have marked across the plank and screw in the pipe straps over the top of it. They should be loose enough that the pipe can still turn freely in the straps. By changing the height of the fulcrum in your seesaw, you change how difficult it is to get over. Use a measuring tape to mark 4 points along one of your uprights, noting the measurements as you go. Repeat the same process on the other side, making sure the marks are identical. The standard heights for a dog agility seesaw are 8 inches (20cm), 12 inches (30cm), 18 inches (46cm), and 24 inches (61cm) from the ground. The lower heights can be used to train your dog, building its confidence towards the 24in (61cm) standard for most dog agility competitions. If you want to use different measurements or mark a different number of points, you can easily do so. Make sure that the space between your marks remains at least 3 inches (7.6cm) thick, and that the height of the holes is identical between the 2 sides of your base. By moving the pipe on your plank between these points, you can change the height of your seesaw. Making the fulcrum of your seesaw higher will also make the plank steeper to walk on. Attach a 1in (2.5cm) paddle or spade bit to your electric drill. Place the point of the bit against the first point you marked and begin drilling through it to make a 1in (2.5cm) hole. Repeat the same process for each of the marks you made on both of the uprights. Purchase a piece of 12 inch (1.3cm) galvanized pipe that is roughly 18 inches (46cm) in length. Use 1 hand to hold the plank so the pipe straps line up with 1 set of holes in your uprights. Thread the pipe into one hole, through the pipe straps, and out the opposing hole. Once the pipe is in place, you should have a fully assembled and functional dog agility seesaw! At this point, you can leave the seesaw as it is and it will still work. However, it will be better protected and easier to use if you paint it properly and make the plank less slippery. If your plank is too heavy, it may be difficult to adjust the height of the seesaw. Ask a friend or someone nearby to help hold the plank while you thread the pipe through. Make sure you use a galvanized pipe, as other piping may not be strong enough to hold the weight of the plank and your dog.
A: Cut a piece of 2 by 12in (5.1 by 30.5cm) wood to make the seesaw plank. Mark a line 2 inches (5.1cm) from the mid-point of the plank. Screw 3 34in (1.9cm) pipe straps along the marked line on the plank. Mark 4 points along each upright to change the height of your seesaw. Drill a 1 inch (2.5cm) hole through the center of each mark. Thread a 12 inch (1.3cm) galvanized pipe through the holes and pipe straps.

Q: Sign up for the public speaking class that intimidates you, or apply for the internship you think you'll never get. An unexpected opportunity could lead you straight to your dream job. The worst thing you can do is to let fear or intimidation stop you from taking the first step. When you're young, you have much more freedom with how you spend your time. Use it trying everything you can and learning all about the things that interest you. Lea Michelle, the world-famous star of Glee, got her start on Broadway by accident. She accompanied her friend to an audition and then auditioned herself as a joke. It's easy to get wrapped up in the opinions of other people, or follow the plan that others have mapped out for you. There will always be people judging your choices, and there will always be family members, teachers, friends, and even strangers telling you what you should do. However, only you know which career path is right for you. Don't disregard the advice you get from those who care about you. They usually want the best for you and may have more life experience than you. At the same time, don't give up on a dream or shy away from a goal just because others may not believe in it. You should do this whether it is something you love but aren't great at, or something you are naturally good at. It doesn't even have to be a clear-cut skill, like a sport or a subject in school. Ask yourself: Are you the person all your friends come to when they need advice? Do you have a soft spot for all animals? Do you love being a project leader in school? Once you find something you're good at or enjoy, take the time to perfect it. For example, if you are good at giving advice, consider taking psychology classes. Dream big and stay optimistic about your future, but remember that only hard work and patience will get you where you want to be. Many people who love their career now may not have loved it when they started out. While it would be great to obtain your dream job on your first try, you often have to figure out which industry you want to be in first, and then work your way up the ladder.
A: Don't be afraid to leave your comfort zone. Listen to your gut. Practice, practice, practice. Be realistic and be patient.

Q: The nature of the program will determine the assets you will need. Do you need custom sounds? Artwork? Content? All of these questions should be answered before you release your program. If you need a lot of assets, but don't have the manpower or talent to create them yourself, you can consider outsourcing asset creation. There are countless freelancers out there that may be willing to work on your project. Make sure that they do not interfere with the functionality of your program, and that there is nothing superfluous. Adding assets usually occurs int eh final stages of the programming cycle, unless the assets are integral to the program itself. This is most often the case in video game programming.
A:
Determine what you'll need. Consider outsourcing. Implement your assets.