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I think that one of the most interesting things about being an actor is that you get to do a lot of interesting things. Sure, there’s the excitement of meeting other celebrities and gaining your own fan base. But I think that the things that you get to do as part of your various roles are the things that really make it worth it to try to get good at acting.

The really great actors get so into their characters that they become them for awhile. An actor who has to play a role as a Fiji scuba diver doesn’t just pretend to know how to do this. He’ll take lessons in Fiji diving. He’ll become that character. This is how he plays the character well because by going to dive in Fiji he’ll have a true understanding of what it’s like to live the life that he’s pretending to live.

Not all actors will do these cool things but the good ones do. They’re the ones that probably have the most fun with their jobs. At the end of the day, they may not be famous or remembered but they have a collection of awesome experiences to share with the people who love them.

Technorati Tags: dive fiji, Fiji diving

Back in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s I was very involved with the printed ‘zine scene. For those who aren’t familiar with this scene, ‘zines were small independently-produced magazines that were put together by people all around the nation and mailed out to their friends and fans.

The people who produced ‘zines were all ages but most of them were around college age. They were using ‘zines as a way to express the thoughts that were concerning them during this difficult period of life. Some of these ‘zines were about personal issues like childhood abuse or dealing with being fat. Others were about social issues and political issues such as veganism or the green movement.

These ‘zines played an important role in my life at the time. The ones I made were often the only way that I felt that I could really express myself. I remember the excitement that I would feel every time I’d go to the copy shop to run off another black and white copy of my text for someone who actually wanted to read what I had to say.

I don’t write ‘zines anymore and I only occasionally get the chance to read them but they remain a really important part of my history as a writer. Without the space that they gave me to express myself, I may never have gained the confidence necessary to start really showing my words to others.

Technorati Tags: black and white copy, copy shop

Using airsoft guns have risks.  These risks have not gone unnoticed.  Airsoft guns are illegal in Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, and Thailand.  Canada has strict import laws regarding airsoft guns.  In the U.S. federal laws require that airsoft guns that are imported into the country must have a bright orange tip on the barrel.  This also applies to airsoft guns transported with in the U.S.  This is to differentiate airsoft guns from real firearms.  Airsoft guns, like the Echo1 airsoft guns, are incredibly realistic looking.  Many airsoft gun dealers sell their guns with orange tips and they let buyers know that removing the tip is illegal.

In the United States, you must be at least 18 years old to buy an airsoft gun.  However, airsoft guns are not considered to be firearms and, therefore, are legal for anyone to use regardless of age.  Be aware that some states and counties do have restrictions on air gun usage.  Chicago, New York City, D.C. and San Francisco have actually banned airsoft guns completely.

Some countries have very specific laws and regulations when it comes to airsoft guns.  There are some places that have maximum velocity requirements.  Other restrictions include having to paint the gun an unusual color to help differentiate it from real guns.  California has laws that make it illegal to show realistic looking firearm replicas is public. 

The bottom line is that it is safest to treat airsoft guns like real guns when handling and transporting them.  Irresponsible use of airsoft guns can lead to injury or even death.  Minors should always be carefully supervised when they use airsoft guns.  Before purchasing an airsoft gun, look into any local laws or regulations surrounding their use.

Technorati Tags: airsoft gun, Echo1 airsoft

Did you know that you can create a custom screen saver on your computer very easily in the Windows operating system environment? It is really as simple as clicking the mouse a few times. After all, who wants one of the cheesy screen savers that come preloaded on your computer?

The first step is to click the button on the right side of your mouse while hovering over the desktop screen. A little box will pop up and on the bottom is a tab labeled properties. Click the left button on your mouse on this tab and you will get the next pop up screen. On the top of this next box there are tabs for such things as your desktop and, of course, your screen savers.

Click the screen savers one and pick the one that says “my pictures” then go to settings from where you will then browse to the folder you want the pictures to come from. I picked a folder that I downloaded hot celebrity pictures to. So now my screensaver has Sarah Shahi, AnnaLynn McCord, Bar Refaeli and Jennifer Aniston. Those are my favorites, but you could do pictures of whatever. Just hit save and then exit, and you are good to go with your custom screen saver.

Technorati Tags: AnnaLynn McCord, Bar Refaeli, Jennifer Aniston, Sarah Shahi

Let’s see now-my boys were 15 and 18 when I suddenly discovered a little surprise bun in the oven.  My husband and I were pretty thrilled, but realistic as to the time and expense involved.  We were more worried that our new little boy might be damaged because I’d be 43 when he was born.  But he was perfect at 7 lbs 6 oz.

Poor kid, though.  I’m afraid we haven’t gone in for the tons of toys and stuff with this one.  Funny but we were pretty strapped when my oldest was born, and if it wasn’t for my sister, I don’t think I’d have had nice custom crib bedding.  Now that I have more money, though, this kid definitely didn’t get it.  We’re much more into the wooden spoons and Tupperware rather than Baby Einstein.  I did indulge myself a little, though:  instead of using cloth baby diapers like I did in the eighties, I went the disposable diaper route.  I felt kind of bad, but I’m just not as ambitious as I used to be.

Still, this little boy is going to have the benefit of our not being worried to the point of psychosis.  We’re going to relax a little.  And we don’t mind so much not being able to go out and do stuff.  We have yet to hire a babysitter at night because we never go out-we’re too tired!  Besides, he’s in daycare all day so we really enjoy our time together with him in the evening.

Technorati Tags: Baby Einstein, cloth baby diapers, custom crib bedding