INPUT ARTICLE: Article: The most common situations in which people might brag are in forming new acquaintances, especially during job interviews or first dates. In both of these scenarios you are trying to demonstrate your worth to another person who has little to base their opinion on besides what you say. If you are on a first date, you want the person to be impressed with you and get to know more about you, but you don't want them to think that you are conceited or arrogant. One approach is to wait for your date to ask you about yourself before you volunteer information. For example, if your date has asked you if you have any hobbies, you might say, "I really like running. I got started just going for jogs around my neighborhood and kept increasing the distance little by little. I just ran my first marathon last month. Do you ever run? I would love a new running partner." This sounds more personal and less bragging than just sitting down to dinner and saying, "I am a great runner. I just ran a marathon and came in second in my age group. I am going to run 3 more marathons this year." Bragging often has a competitive and self-centered edge to it, but sharing credit for your accomplishments can minimize the potential for seeming arrogant. Research has shown that listeners feel more positively about people who use inclusive language (such as "we" and "team,"). For example, if you work at an architectural firm and your team just got a contract for a new building, be sure to use "we" instead of "I" when talking about the accomplishment. "After several months of hard work, we just signed a contract to design and build a new public library. It is a great opportunity for the team" sounds better than "I just scored an awesome contract to build a new building. It is going to cement the rest of my career." " You clearly need to use first-person language in scenarios where you have to promote yourself, but you should focus on emphasizing accomplishments. Also try to avoid superlative language like, "I was the best employee my previous employer ever had," or "I always worked harder than everyone else there." Extreme statements like these are unlikely to be true, even for the most accomplished of people and instead sound like exaggeration. Superlative statements wherein the speaker claims to be the "best" or the "greatest" (even if they might be true) tend to be identified as bragging rather than true accomplishment. For example "It was my idea to create a space where employees could speak freely about their concerns," sounds more like bragging than, "I created a space where employees could speak freely." Instead, try statements like, "While I worked for my previous employer, I tried my best to be dedicated and hard-working." By using team-oriented language and mentioning your accomplishments but spinning them in a more modest way, you can sound positive and talk yourself up without bragging. One example of a statement worded as either bragging or as a simple positive statement is as follows: The positive version: "My softball team had its awards dinner last night. We had a good season and so everyone was in a great mood. I even got the most valuable player award. Boy, was I surprised. I played really hard this summer, but I did it for the fun and the exercise. So I was really pleased to get the award and the recognition. I was glad to help my team finish the season so well." The bragging version: "My softball team had its awards dinner last night. I had my best season yet, so I was in a great mood. They gave me the most valuable player award. But that was no surprise since I was the leading player all summer. Actually, I'm the best all-round player this league has ever seen. I could have my choice to play on any team I want next year, so I may be changing to a better team." A good trick if you're still hesitant about bragging is to observe your own reactions to other peoples' behavior: when you hear someone else bragging, think about why it's bragging, and how they could rephrase what they said to no longer sound like bragging. When you find yourself concerned about bragging, ask yourself, "Is it true? How do I know it's true?"

SUMMARY: Know when to use self-promotion. Discuss your achievements in a team-centered way. Use caution when saying "I" and "me. Turn a bragging statement into a positive statement. Observe your reaction to hearing others promote themselves.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: You must be at least 18 years old to buy a pistol from a private seller. You can not buy a pistol from a dealer, however. You must be 21 years old or older to buy a pistol from a federal firearms licensed dealer. Only Michigan residents may purchase a pistol in Michigan. That's a Federal Firearm Licensed dealer. If you are purchasing from anyone else, you will need the permit unless you have a concealed pistol license(CPL).If you are a CPL holder and are purchasing from another person all you need is a RI-60. This is also called a license to purchase a pistol, or an LTP. It is valid for 30 days as of December 18th, 2012. Complete the application for a pistol purchase permit at your local police agency. If you reside within municipal limits, go to your city police department. If you live in a rural area or outside municipal limits, go to your county sheriff's department. Bring valid identification with you. You must present police with a current ID that shows your photograph. It's not super invasive -- they're mainly checking to see if you're mentally stable or if you have any restraining orders to your name. This generally takes 24 hours. Take an oath before a notary public. You must swear that you comply with applicable federal laws and Michigan state laws for owning a pistol in Michigan. The laws stipulate numerous circumstances that prohibit applicants from receiving a purchase permit. You can see the complete list at the Michigan State Police website at www.michigan.gov/msp. As of last year, the Basic Pistol Safety Questionnaire is no longer given. Just for the record. You can usually get the permit the day after you apply. The police can only deny the permit if you've been convicted of a felony or have displayed a history of violent or mentally unstable behavior. You'll also receive a PSR -- Pistol Sales Record in triplicate. One will be for you, one will be for the police, and one will be for your seller. Don't lose these! The dealer's identification number must be on the PSR in addition to information on you and your pistol. You must send the completed police copy of the PSR to the nearest police agency. This goes for both those who are purchasing from private sellers and those purchasing from FFL's. The only difference is that if you are purchasing from a private seller and do not have a permit, the PSR will be given to you then. Otherwise, go to your local police station and request a PSR form in triplicate. The permit is valid for 30 days, but you need to fill it out within 10 days of purchase. When you are buying your pistol, have the forms with you to fill out. Make sure that you and your gun dealer sign the permit and PSR. This will be done when you buy the pistol. The dealer will retain a copy of each. Keep a copy of the signed purchase permit and PSR for your records. They will then enter your information into their database. Their copy then gets forwarded to the following address (and then you're finished!): Firearms Records UnitMichigan State PolicePO Box 30634Lansing, MI48909-0634

SUMMARY:
Meet the age requirements. Obtain a purchase permit if you are not purchasing from an FFL dealer. Pass the background check. Collect your approved purchase permit at the police station. If you are purchasing from an FFL, obtain a PSR. Use the purchase permit and PSR to buy a pistol in Michigan. Return one copy of the PSR (and permit, if applicable) to your local police agency.