America's Next Top Model Copies No Match for Tyra's original

The success of the reality show America’s Next Top Model has sprouted more than twenty adaptations all over the world. With nearly the same show structure, format and substance, generally all Top Model shows bring forth a variety of attractive model wannabes and showcases their journey week by week as they hone their skills in preparation to become a Top Model. But until this day, as far as ratings are concerned, no progeny of Top Model can surpass or even compare to the original show established by Tyra Banks.Banks, a 33-year old television personality, has established herself as aprominent icon in the fashion industry. This former supermodel has graced the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and is one of the original Victoria’s Secret Angels. This Californian native has done many runway shows and has won numerous awards and recognition including "Super Model of the Year" in 1997. Her modeling credits included brands like Cover Girl, Pepsi, Ralph Lauren, Escada, Michael Kors, Liz Claiborne, and Nike to name a few.So what sets apart Banks’ show from other versions? The worldwide fame and popularity of America’s Next Top Model appears to be adjacent to Bank’s fame and stardom as well. Aside from her unique hosting abilities, she also had firsthand experience on the struggles and challenges in the modeling word being a former supermodel, which inspires and convincingly attracts viewers allover. Furthermore, America’s Next Top Model has consistently showcased one host, Banks, since its initial launch, unlike versions of other countries like Britain, Canada and Australia that has frequently replaced its host almost every cycle.Banks seems to have that "magic touch" and charisma that makes her shows standout from the rest. Just like America’s Next Top Model, her other program The Tyra Banks Show has been escalating with popularity and recognition. And apart from establishing herself as a model and a great host, she has also successfully accomplished other ventures as an executive producer, an author, a singer and an actress.

By groshan fabiola [ 18/03/2007 ][ viewed 110 times ]

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Kevin Smith Plus Smallville Equals…

Finally, the much-awaited release of the complete sixth season DVD of Smallville is just around the corner! It’s been a chockfull of adventure since the premier of season 6 and now the fans of Smallville will soon get the chance to relive the roller coaster escapades of the young Clark Kent.There are no definite release dates yet but one thing’s for sure, Smallville supporters can get a hold of their very own set before the year ends. Aside from the satisfaction of reliving the Smallville experience again, another interesting feature of the DVD is the inclusion of commentaries from a variety of people from DC comics. Remarks from writers such as Judd Winick, Brad Meltzer, and Denny O’Neil, will make this DVD set a distinct collection. And to make it even more a blast, the producers of this DVD have thrown in Kevin Smith.Kevin Smith, a 36-year old New Jersey native, is popularly known as a screenwriter, film director, producer, actor, comic book writer and the founder of View Askew Productions. This film major dropout have worked in countless movies like Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Coyote Ugly, SupermanLives, Dogma, The Flying Car, A Better Place, Scream 3, and Jersey Girl just to name a few. In addition, he has garnered numerous awards from a variety of award giving bodies. A life-long comic book fan, he has transformed his fervor for fictional heroes and villains to a lucrative career. Having tons of comic material, his association and work with Marvel and DC comics, particularly his works on Daredevil, Green Arrow and Spider-Man, has ultimately made him renowned in the comic world.Smith’s commentary, as well as the other writers’, is an unexpected and rare add-on, which intermingles the artistically crafted ideas behind Smallville and the authentic DC comics. Of course, the DVD will also contain a number of behind the scene footages, deleted scenes, as well as commentaries from the cast.

By groshan fabiola [ 18/03/2007 ][ viewed 93 times ]

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American Idol: Top 16 Power Rankings

American Idol is having a pretty weird sixth season. The talent seems to be lacking a little, but that may not be the entire story. The top of the ladder is full of great singers. And when I say great, I mean great. Not just good, but great. Melinda Doolittle may just be the best singer/performer that American Idol has ever seen. It is because of this that this season is bizarre.The male side of the spectrum is full of diverse performers with some mediocre singers sprinkled in. A few of the guys have some good style, their own personal trademarks. The only problem is, they aren't great singers and they don;t have great voices. The one male singer with a great voice, Sundance Head, is hit or miss and is not a very good performer at all. The thing about it is, I'm not sure if it even matters. The girls have this season locked up. It's true, there is no chance for any of the guys to win.And this is not a rash statement. Lakisha Jones and Melinda Doolittle are far and away the two best singers in the competition. NO one else should even try to win. That's how big of a landslide it should be. Of course, one or two of the guys could step up and show us something, but that sure doesn't seem likely with the way things have been going. All in all, it has been an entertaining season, with some very good performances.

By groshan fabiola [ 18/03/2007 ][ viewed 105 times ]

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Grey’s Anatomy – The Rise of a Franchise

When the Grey's Anatomy Cast: Entertainers of the Year issue of entertainment weekly came out a lot of casual viewers were mildly bemused. How could Grey’s Anatomy have captured such an esteemed honor barely into its second season? Sure Grey’s Anatomy was good, but under the surface it was just another medical drama, right? Doctors running around saving peoples lives, getting into each others pants, looking nothing like tired, overworked and under-rested real life companions from your neighborhood hack shop. Just another medical drama… apparently not!What seems to propel Grey’s Anatomy above the competition is the cinematic quality of the show, a signature of its network ABC. While arguably it was CBS who piloted this approach with CSI, ABC has successfully brought the big screen look to many of its small screen shows, including Grey’s Anatomy and LOST. Another factor which seems to play heavily in Grey’s factor is, of course, its lovely and talented cast.We’d like to think the networks don’t think we are so stupid as to merely throw a cast of pretty faces in front of us and expect us to plant our behinds faithfully every week to watch they do their thing, and we’d be right, in ABC’s case at least. Somebody at ABC is talented beyond belief when it comes to balancing the fine line between good looks and talent. Like LOST, Grey’s Anatomy not only looks good, they move well within a story as well and provide meaningful renditions of characters the public won’t easily put down.Of course, it isn’t all visual. The stories behind Grey’s Anatomy are what truly cement its success and earn it such high praise. The writing and Dirctorial staff behind Grey’s Anatomy is the cream of the crop, veterans of the television drama wars who have earned their reputations as the very best.In the end, I suppose you could attribute Grey’s Success to the patience and deep wallet of ABC.

By groshan fabiola [ 10/03/2007 ][ viewed 154 times ]

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Michael Rosenbaum is Soon Leaving Smallville

The unfortunate news is confirmed! After six amazing seasons, Michael Rosenbaum is planning to leave Smallville. His departure from the said show will transpire after his completion of the much-awaited seventh season.Rosenbaum is popularly known for his portrayal of the infamous Lex Luthor on the series Smallville. His portrayal of the wealthy and notorious character revolutionized its antagonistic persona, adding artistic profoundness in his role. He depicted Luthor to be a very dark and wicked man and yet he is perceived as one of the most favored villain to ever appear on television.In turn, Rosenbaum’s distinct representation of the villain has escalated his exposure to much fame and stardom.The actor has been with Smallville since it’s first year and has been a noteworthy contributor to the show’s upbeat ratings and success. In the past, Rosenbaum has appeared in numerous television shows, starred in countless films and have done voice work in several animated shows.Recently, he made his first directorial project with Smallville in an episode entitled "Freak" which earned him positive reviews. After the success of his direction, it might appear as though he would be pursuing directing for good. Well, there are no reports on the reason why Rosenbaum decided to leave, as well as where he is headed next. The main question that surrounds this issue – Is this the end for Smallville?With his topnotch performance, it’s hard for fans to imagine another actor that could possibly fill in Rosenbaum’s shoes. And it will certainly be difficult to envision Smallville without him. His separations will most certainly upshot a steer on the story line to another course. Can the show survive without his fierce presence? Ultimately, avid fans of Rosenbaum will just have to savor what’s left of season six and the entire season seven.Smallville airs Thursdays at 8:00 PM on the CW.

By groshan fabiola [ 10/03/2007 ][ viewed 160 times ]

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Vincent Pastore Quits Dancing with the Stars

After announcing his participation on the fourth season of Dancing with the Stars, a distinct reality dance series that showcases paired celebrities with professional dance partners in a live competition, in front of a studio audience and the entire nation, Vincent Pastore relinquishes from the popular celebrity reality series. Not getting any younger, he easily becomes weary of the rigorous dance training, which appears to be risky for his 60-year old physique.Pastore, an Italian American actor, was most popularly known for his portrayal of mobster characters just like his role on The Sopranos as Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero. Born in Bronx, New York on July 14, 1946, he studied at Pace University for three years prior to his pursuit of acting professionally. His other credits included Goodfellas, Shark Tale. Celebrity Fit Club, and The Adventures of Pete & Pete. In addition, he is a host on the radio show The Wiseguy Show.Last February 20, 2007, the ABC television network made public that Pastore would be joining the competition but after only a week, the notable actor withdrew from the reality dance contest, after realizing the required training and groundwork was far too taxing. Though the news is quite unfortunate for fans of "whimsical personalities" who are novices when it comes to dancing, Pastore’s withdrawal is commendable, giving the show enough time to look for a suitable substitute. With this said, avid viewers of Dancing with the Stars are on the lookout for Pastore’s replacement. But whoever will replace Pastore will have to work extra efforts to capture the hearts of the crowd, who have already favored other great dancers like 90’s hit actor Ian Ziering.The much-awaited replacement will most likely surface by the end of the week. Dancing with the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8:00 PM on ABC.

By groshan fabiola [ 10/03/2007 ][ viewed 167 times ]

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Taye Digg's Headed To Grey's Spinoff

Taye Diggs is on his way to join Grey's Anatomy in a bizarre trial run in anticipation of a Grey's Anatomy spin-off. You caught up, yet? That's a lot of info to take in, and ABC is certainly doing their best to confuse everyone with this whole spin-off business. Let me catch you up in the most clear and concise way possible.So, ABC has announced that there will be a Grey's Anatomy spin-off, featuring Dr. Addison Montgomery, Kate Walsh's character from the show. Although the first mention of this project came within the last two weeks, the first episode is supposedly set to air in the summer. This means that the wheels have been turning for quite some time on the project, that they've probably been filming concurrently with the original Grey's. This doesn't seem too likely, or even possible, but it appears to be so.The Taye Diggs information makes everything more interesting, because he has (supposedly) been cast as a main character on the spin-off, but will be appearing in upcoming episodes of Grey's Anatomy. This could mean a number of things. That Grey's Anatomy liked Diggs so much that they expanded his character into the spin-off after filming his episodes. It could also mean that Grey's needed a catalyst for Addison's departure from the show, that would allow her character to plausibly begin a spin-off. I'm guessing it's the latter (it sounds more convenient), but you never know. This whole thing is a little confusing.

By groshan fabiola [ 10/03/2007 ][ viewed 170 times ]

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Smallville Promise Recap

Smallville’s episode entitled "The Promise" dismissed all the noise of whether a wedding will push through or not. Certainly one of Smallville’s most exciting episodes, "The Promise" gave a lot of clarity and revelation.Finally, wedding bells rang for Lana and Lex!A dash of betrayal, a secret revealed, and a love confession all made up Smallville’s much-awaited episode. Structured in three angles, Clark’s, Lex’s and Lana’s, "The Promise" started off with all the wedding preparations and setups.Clark’s plot was filled with puzzlement and odd dreams of him stabbing Lex to save Lana and Lana stabbing Clark in turn. In addition, there was much contemplation on his feelings for Lana, exploring the relationship of Jonathan and Martha. Later, he saves Chloe who is trapped in the wine cellar. Not knowing that Lana is hiding in the shadows, Clark uses his powers to free Chloe who argues with Clark over his feeling for Lana.As for Lex, he also had his share of dreams about Lana and the baby. After some doubts and suspicions, he meets with Lionel who assures him that Lana will be there at the wedding. Later, Lex meets with Dr. Langston, who blackmails Lex with the information about Lana’s pregnancy. Consequently, Lex beats him to death and hides his body.Lana also starts her plot with a dream about Clark rescuing her. Later, she meets up with Chloe and asks her to go down the wine cellar. Chloe gets trapped and secretly calls Clark for help. Afterwards, Lana discovers Clark’s secret.Eventually, Clark tells Lana his secret and Lana tells him that she’s not going to marry Lex. She arranges to meet up with him later. Shortly, Lionel Luthor confronts Lana and threatens to destroy Clark if she does not go through with the wedding. Clark, who is about to propose to Lana, realizes that Lana is not coming. He arrives at the church and witnesses Lex and Lana ’s wedding.

By groshan fabiola [ 18/03/2007 ][ viewed 77 times ]

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Exclusive Interview: Uchenna and Joyce Agu, 7th Team Eliminated from The Amazing Race All-Stars

Although there will be no second win for couple Uchenna and Joyce Agu on the hit reality series, The Amazing Race: All-Stars, many can still keep themselves updated on the couple’s progress, may it be about their baby plans or relationship struggles and milestones, by logging on to their personal website, UchennaAndJoyce.com. The couple does not possess any bitterness with regards to leaving the show, but they did think that the short video documenting their performance on the show was a bit underdone.Because of their participation in the competition, Uchenna and Joyce have had the opportunity to travel around the world. Joyce greatly enjoyed going to Botswana and Punta Arenas in Pantagonia, while Uchenna cited the trip from Tanzania to Zanzibar as one of his favorite experiences from the show.Uchenna and Joyce first joined the series on its’ seventh season, The Amazing Race 7. They were able to beat the other couple, Rob Mariano and Amber Brkich, by 45 minutes, even when Mariano and Brkich started the final leg of the race 7 minutes ahead of Uchenna and Joyce. The Agus had planned to use the one-million dollar prize money to fund their attempt to get pregnant through in-vitro fertilization.Being part of The Amazing Race: All-Stars, Uchenna and Joyce came close to taking home another one million dollars, but because they missed their connecting flight going to Malaysia, they were forced trail behind the other groups, and ultimately were the ones eliminated at the ninth leg of the race.According to the couple, they went into the competition hoping to use their game plan from the previous season. Unfortunately, it did not work out so well in this season of the show, but despite losing the competition, Uchenna and Joyce have no harsh words for the remaining couples. Joyce said that they were pleasantly surprised and quite impressed by the tandem of Dustin Leigh-Seltzer and Kandice Pelletier, both of whom are former beauty queens.

By groshan fabiola [ 14/04/2007 ][ viewed 101 times ]

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Dancing with the Stars - An Alternate Version

Dancing with the Stars is heading into a crucial time in its existence. Will it continue the trend of gimmicky reality shows that flame out quickly after initial, massive success? Or will it follow in the way of a show like Survivor, who survived the initial hype and has become a stalwart on prime time TV for almost a decade. Dancing with the Stars enjoyed its highest rated season this past Fall in its short lived existence, but I would argue that the direction it takes moving forward from the Fall is as important for its future as any other move the show has ever made.With its increased clout and visibility in the media, the producers have to be licking their chops. What big names can they get to appear on the show? If the show wants to make the leap to a truly elite, long-standing program, now is the time to steal away some bigger names to compete on the national stage. They’ve already asked Jennifer Aniston and Reggie Miller, who both turned them down, but this shows the kind of scope the Dancing with the Stars producers are aiming for.I wouldn’t be surprised if there were some major casting coups going into the Spring season. They've surprised before and, just like the BuddyTV articles says, it may be decision time for the producers. Do they stick with a working formula and type cast B and C-listers in roles inhabited by previous contestants? Or, do they grow and evolve, unafraid of changing the show’s dynamic. We’ll see next month.

By groshan fabiola [ 31/01/2007 ][ viewed 189 times ]

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Who Wouldn't Jack Bauer Torture?

24 has become a phenomenon among fans. This is no understatement. In all of my years of watching TV, I have never come across a more rabid and crazy fan base than those who watch 24. Jack Bauer has become this insane folk hero, who somehow remains a moral figure, even after he rips peoples necks off with his teeth. The Bauer cult is not only created in an ironic manner, but is also born out of legitimate enjoyment. No one could argue, really, that 24 is a bad show. There are those who aren’t fans, and this is understandable. However, at the very, very least, you have to admit that the production values and the show’s ability to continually keep up suspense is incredible. The sheer pacing of each and every episode is breathless art. Each episode feels like the climax of a great action movie; most are even better than that.The downside for the producers of 24 is that they have to keep pushing further and further every season. You would think that the scope couldn’t get any bigger, the threat more dangerous, but the show does this year in and year out. Maybe it’s only sustainable through this season, but I’m guessing not. This is the kind of faith that the producers have earned. Whenever, as a viewer, you expect greatness, then you know you;re watching something special.Jack Bauer is now getting involved with his family. This was going to happen eventually; we all had to realize it. Some are saying that this plot line may end up pushing the show into irrelevance, but I disagree. This is simply another frontier, another venue for which 24 has chosen to succeed within.

By groshan fabiola [ 31/01/2007 ][ viewed 195 times ]

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Great way to learn magic tricks

Magic it’s not what it used to be. 10 years ago you couldn’t find any revealed magic tricks on the internet or the ones you could find where very bad tricks , tricks that really don’t impress(not magical)Now you can find magic tricks all over the internet. The great thing about this is that most of them are revealed and you can actually learn how to perform these tricks.By learning and performing those in front of your family or friends you will get far more attention and you will be more popular. Nowadays you can find magic tricks everywhere, google.com youtube.com metacafe.com and many other sites where you can upload videos and not only. Magicians and wannabe magicians upload there videos there because they want other people to see it and check if they are doing the tricks correctly.While browsing on the internet the other day a nice website came in my attention. It was a website about magic as well but very well done and it compiled some great videos from youtube and some other related sites. This site is: http://www.learnmagics.com and it definitely gets my vote as one of the best learn magic sites .You can check it out and if you’re not impressed by the graphics and the well made explanations about magic tricks you must not live in the real world.It’s a great site and I congratulate the webmaster for doing a great environment for us to learn magic.So as a conclusion: Go ahead and learn magic! Be cool...being a magician

By Tarcomnicu Robert [ 02/02/2007 ][ viewed 50 times ]

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Art Painting from photo by photo2all

There are different mediums to choose from when deciding to create painting. You can choose from the acrylic, pastel, watercolors and oils. If you are having a hard time trying to figure out what kind of medium to use, these article aims to compare the mediums. This will help you out in deciding what kind of medium will suit your style. There are different mediums to choose from when deciding to create painting. You can choose from the acrylic, pastel, watercolors and oils. If you are having a hard time trying to figure out what kind of medium to use, these article aims to compare the mediums. This will help you out in deciding what kind of medium will suit your style.Acrylic, oils and watercolors are not the only medium available for use, but they are however the most common one. Acrylics are paints that are made with synthetic resin to bind the pigments. Oils on the other hand use more natural materials such as poppy, linseed or walnut to bind the pigments. Watercolors on the other hand only use water soluble binding agents such as Arabic gum for pigmentations. Pastels are chalk sticks made of chalk and gum or oil. Painterly results can be achieved by using pastels and watercolors when they are crossed over.Other painting mediums that are used are tempera, gouache and encaustic. Gouache is a water soluble paint that uses glue to bind the pigments. The lighter tones in gouache are opaque not transparent because of the white pigment. Temperas are usually paints that have a binding agent that hardens, usual temperas contain egg yolk. Temperas became obsolete during the renaissance period but were used way back during the Egyptian period. Now, the temperas are popular mediums again. Encaustics are mediums that are made of wax that is melted and then is fused or fixed to the surface with heat. Advantages:Acrylics – dries fast. The underlying layers can not be disturbed when painted over and dried. It is also water resistant (good for murals) and also as glue (good for collage). Acrylics can be mixed with water or mediums and gels. The brushes used with acrylic paint can be cleaned using water only.Oils – dries slow. Because it dries slowly the painter can have lots of time to blend and mix the colors. It has rich and deep colors which can maintain the intensity even when dried already. Watercolors – paints can be lifted of by rewetting it. Adding water to paint dried in a tube can still be reusable. Pastels – since they are like crayons, they would no longer be needed to dry. They are blended and mixed on paper. They have lots of colors to choose from, no brushes needed to clean, and easy to use. When thinned and blended with turpentine, underneath colors called sgraffito are revealed. Disadvantages:Acrylics- once the paint has been dried it can no longer be removed by rewetting the paint. Since it dries very fast, one would need to speed up his work. It is also difficult to clean of the brush once dried completely.Oils – must be able o find a well ventilated area because it is always used with solvents. It dries very slowly so it would be a disadvantage for impatient people unless they can work on various paintings at the same time. Several months would be needed before varnish is applied. The brushes would also need to be cleaned by solvents.Watercolors – it will be hard to hide the mistakes or correct the mistakes. No white paint in watercolor. Pastels – requires great range of colors to create a picture. The softness and pigments vary depending on the brand. Smudging and pastels come off when soft pastels are used to work with. Prevent this by using a spray-on fixative, frame it with a mount that keeps it away from the glass or tape a piece of tracing paper.To make sure that you are finally choosing the right medium, try them all out. What medium makes you excel or your painting looks better will ultimately be the deciding factor that you use.

By jack wu [ 02/02/2007 ][ viewed 70 times ]

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Oil Painting Brushes

The brushes you use for painting should be considered investments. So it would be very important if you would learn to take care of the brushes properly. The care of the brushes will be a fairly easy task and will not take up much of your time anyway. In the long run it will be you who will benefit anyway by being able to save enough money. Here are the following ways in which you can be able to clean your brushes:1. Get a soft cloth or tissue to wipe of any excess paint that will surely be there.2. Use turpentine to wash off oils in brushes and lukewarm water if the brush has been used to paint with water based mediums. Never use hot water because the hairs will fall out because the ferrules will expand. 3. Wipe the cloth again to wash out the excess remaining paints.4. Use mild soap rather than dishwashing liquid and wash gently and mildly. Dab the brush with the soap and work up the lather in the palm of your hand. 5. Continuously repeat rinsing and dabbing with soap until there will no longer be any color that comes out. 6. Some brushes become stained when they become older, but you must still keep rinsing to remove all paints left behind.7. Once again rinse the brush with lukewarm water to remove traces of soaps. Then dry the brush by shaking it all off.8. Then use your fingers to restore the shape of the brush head into its proper shape.9. Another way to help the brush remain in shape after cleaning it is by putting or wrapping the brush head around a toilet paper. The paper will dry up and contract and then put the bristles into its proper shape or form.10. Dry the brush at room temperature. Also remember not to dry the brush resting on its head because it will misshape. The proper position would be to stand it on its back handle.11. Wear gloves to protect yourself from the toxicity of the paint when cleaning your brushes. Some signs that may be present will be the drying, cracking and staining of your skin.12. Separate the brushes you will use for oil painting and water based mediums. Also use other brushes for gesso, masking fluids and varnish.13. Don’t let acrylic paint dry on your brush because it will be irremovable and also don’t leave the brush head standing on water.14. Don’t force the paint out of the brush by pressuring it. Rinse it very well instead.15. Use hair conditioner or baby oil to rinse brushes made out of natural bristles.16. Misshaped synthetic brushes can return to shape by putting them in hot water.17.the more information you will know ,visit the oil painting

By jack wu [ 05/02/2007 ][ viewed 88 times ]

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Oil Painting Tips

The use of oil painting by famous renaissance artists has produced the best and immaculate pictures we still love and adore today. Those paintings include the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci. The Mona Lisa used mediums of Oil painting on wood. Another famous painting using oil mediums is the La Donna Velata by Raphael. Because of the great paintings during the renaissance period using oil, many others have been inspired to paint using oil as a medium too. you can visit our site: http://www.photo2all.comThe use of oil painting by famous renaissance artists has produced the best and immaculate pictures we still love and adore today. Those paintings include the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci. The Mona Lisa used mediums of Oil painting on wood. Another famous painting using oil mediums is the La Donna Velata by Raphael. Because of the great paintings during the renaissance period using oil, many others have been inspired to paint using oil as a medium too. If you are one of those persons, here are some tips that you might consider especially if you are just starting. Consider following these advices that may make amateur oil painters have professional results.1. When laying your paint in the palette, always put them in the same order. It will help because in time, you will now be picking up the color instinctively.2. Try to follow the fat over lean principle. It helps in preventing cracks and drying too slow. Fat oil paint is paint mixed with paint, mixing this will prolong the drying process. Lean is mixing the paint with turpentine or other fast drying oils.3. The layer is vulnerable to contraction and cracking when the fat layers dries underneath the lean paint first. 4. Lean paint absorbs oil from the layer above, so each layer should become a little fatter or have more proportion of oil.5. You might have added too much oil when your pain wrinkles.6. The quality of oil is bad if it yellows or darkens after it dries.7. Ivory black for an under painting should be avoided because it dries slower.8. There are elements that can be used to accelerate drying. These elements are pigments that contain cobalt, lead and manganese. These can be ideal for under layers. There are cheaper alternatives for students labeled hues.9. Linseed oil is the best medium for under paintings as it dries faster compared to all the other mediums.10. Linseed oils should be avoided to be used on as a medium on white and blues because it tends to become yellowish. Poppy oil, although dries slower, is best to use on lighter colors because it has the least tendency to turn yellow. 11. Dry your oil paintings in broad daylight to remove the thin film of oil that has become yellow due to drying in the dark.12. Too much oil or medium has been added to your palette when it wrinkles.13. Alcohol is a power solvent that is used to clean layers of oil paint or varnish.Don’t be dismayed if your painting doesn’t immediately turn out the way you would want it to be. What should be important for you is to continue practicing and maybe one day you can now be able to create your own masterpiece.

By jack wu [ 06/02/2007 ][ viewed 71 times ]

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The Chinese New Year Spectacular Will not Fail to Impress

As far as Chinese New Year’s entertainment goes, New Tang Dynasty Television’s Chinese New Year Spectacular is a relatively new kid on the block, having made its debut only three years ago. It can’t be described as a variety show, and it’s not really a Broadway musical, but it is different to anything else out there.Before I attended the Spectacular’s Canadian debut in Vancouver last month, I had some idea of what to expect, because my Chinese friends were raving about it, plus I had read some promotional materials put out by NTDTV. What they’re attempting to do with this traveling show is revive the true Chinese culture which was destroyed by Chairman Mao and his communist successors. Good old Mao razed temples, burned ancient manuscripts, tortured and killed intellectuals, monks, and anyone else he didn’t like. To add insult to injury, he made everyone wear black pyjamas. During his reign, counting famines and everything else, Mao directly or indirectly managed to slaughter more people than the two world wars put together.Nowadays, the communist party of China uses the Chinese New Year, the biggest celebration of the year for the Chinese, as a way to glorify itself and promote the communist philosophy of fight and class struggle. But Chinese Central TV’s four-hour Spring Festival Gala of acrobatics, conjuring acts and comedy skits pales in comparison the Spectacular’s elegant portrayal of the best of China’s ancient culture. In other words, it is traditional Chinese culture without the communist rhetoric, which must be a refreshing change for the Chinese—many of whom are no longer aware of what their true culture is, especially those born after the Great Cultural Revolution.It was refreshing for me, too, but not for that reason. On the morning of the Spectacular, I woke up depressed—an unusual state for me. I didn’t even feel like going at all, but I talked myself into it. As I became absorbed in the unusual music, the myriad of colours, the graceful movements of the dancers, I started feeling uplifted. There was a purity about the show, something immaculate and flawless, that made a deep impression on me.If I have a complaint at all, it would be that there was only one number played by erhuist Xi Xiaochun. The piece she played was so haunting and beautiful that the audience was riveted for every second of it. The erhu is an ancient two-stringed instrument that can produce an amazingly wide range of notes. Apparently, Chinese music aligns with nature in that it is based on the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire and earth.The theme of the Spectacular is “Myths and Legends,” and some of the acts draw on ancient legends from the time of Buddha, Dao and Confucius—those wise beings from way back in China’s 5,000-year history who taught compassion, virtue and selflessness. China’s semi-divine culture comes through in the performances, leaving one with a wonderful feeling of… righteousness. So, go to the Spectacular, and treat yourself to a unique experience. If you’re unable attend the live show, just contact NTDTV and they’ll send you a video.

By Janet Quinn [ 06/02/2007 ][ viewed 54 times ]

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Architecture, the Timeless Gem

Unlike many other practical professions, architecture is an ancient discipline responsible for the design of structures and buildings whose roots can be traced back to thousands of years B.C.Architectural history can take you through the evolution of those structures that served as a landmark to remote civilizations, such as the Phoenicians and the legendary Tower of Babel, or the Egyptians and their incredible mortuary architecture, reflected in pyramids, tombs, and many other ancient buildings along the Nile River.In fact, the first big architectural design recorded in history was the work of Imhotep, Egyptian vizier, doctor, high priest, and scribe to King Djoser. Imhotep designed and built the complex that took the name of his king, between the years 2630 to 2611 BC.Vestiges of the most varied architecture speak for themselves about the most varied civilizations, traditions, and beliefs around the world. Without architecture, the history of mankind would be incomplete.Many surviving buildings of the ancient world are examples of the great things that architecture can do for the world. Among them, we can name the Great Pyramid of Giza, listed as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, and the Great Wall of China, built between the years 221 to 206 BC.Time evolved and all buildings and design began to take special characteristics, becoming symbols of different eras identified as architectural styles. In ancient Greece, where buildings seemed to always be the same, there were three types of columns to identified each period of time: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian.The Romans inherited from the Greeks most of their traditions, beliefs, and customs, including architecture, but they also developed their own: as an example the Via Appia in Rome, and other surviving structures running from Italy to Great Britain.Architectural history was influenced by artistic, economic, politic, and socio-cultural events throughout the centuries, and Europe became the cradle of many renowned architects in the years following the fall of the Roman Empire. From Baroque to Art Nouveau, passing through Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance, Churrigueresque, and many other architectural styles, we can enjoy today an eclectic blending of buildings, homes, and other structures that present to us their past.Curiously, other human disciplines have been also associated with architecture, such as metaphysics, by the hand of fraternal organizations such as the Freemasonry, established in London as a secret society in 1717.Naming themselves the Order of the Free and Accepted Masons, this fraternity encompasses nowadays a large number of international lodges under the symbol of a square and compasses with a letter "G" associated with the building of the Temple of King Solomon.As time passes, the actual architecture differs in shape, materials, construction methods, and designing goals, but the work of the architects will endure for generations to come.

By Ashley Daniels [ 12/02/2007 ][ viewed 80 times ]

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American Idol: Season 6, Episode 8 Recap

The American Idol auditions tend to be a polarizing enterprise. On one hand, they are enjoyable as all hell. Viewers eagerly await both the good and the bad of the auditions. They want to see the next great, unknown singers and they also want to watch all the delusional, terrible singers that regularly get belittled in the national spotlight.On the other hand, there are some who take offense to the biting nature of the criticism doled out by the judges. They offer up the opinion that they are far meaner than necessary and they make examples out of innocent people. Which side of the fence am I on? Well, let’s just say that I love the audition episodes. Who cares how mean the judges are, really?The targets fro the judges venom are not innocent, no matter how they look. They are typically deserving of the criticism. It’s refreshing to have a show where the untalented and crazy people aren’t coddled. Being too nice, and too much positive reinforcement is a real problem in today’s society. It’s sets up unreasonable expectations for many aspiring youngsters. Their expectations are too high of themselves. Our culture is obsessed with fame and kids are told over and over again that you can be famous. You are good enough.The plain fact of the matter is that most people aren’t good enough. To be fair, most people figure this out on their own. However, the ones we see on American Idol who suck, just haven’t heard the truth. Or, if they have, are too delusional to take it in stride. Simon Cowell brings them back to earth and, normally, this is a good thing for the contestant, sheerly on a personal level.

By groshan fabiola [ 14/02/2007 ][ viewed 171 times ]

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Why Survivor: Fiji is (and will continue to be) Good

Survivor is an institution. The Mark Burnett reality show began its career as a huge phenomenon, popping up out of nowhere to become a runaway hit from the first episode it aired. Since, Survivor has continued its success and, although it doesn’t hit the huge numbers it did in its first couple of seasons, it still is an extremely profitable franchise.Not many shows ever make it to 14 seasons and I guarantee not many people would’ve predicted this kind of longevity for Survivor during first season. Survivor (and reality TV in general) was regarded as a passing fad, a simple moment in time in TV history that would soon pass. As we have all found out, this is not the case. Oh, yes, there were a few seasons of reality show saturation, with all sorts of terrible knock-offs, but now, after the dust has settled, all the big name franchises remain, as strong as ever. If this isn’t an example of the staying power of reality TV, I don’t know what is. There are many self-righteous people out there to despise reality TV and its success, but their reasons are largely faulty. Why is reality drama less meaningful than scripted?It’s not. Yes, of course the producers and editors have manipulative power in their hands and reality shows will play up things that they think will make good stories, but scripted drama is based upon audience manipulation. What goes on in scripts is false, it is made-up, yet we are supposed to feel for the characters. This is not at all an indictment of scripted TV, but a knock on those who dismiss reality TV completely.Survivor has proven that reality TV can be great and is here to stay.

By groshan fabiola [ 14/02/2007 ][ viewed 195 times ]

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ONLINE WHEEL OF FORTUNE PART-3

There are several Online Wheel of Fortune game sites, which can be easily downloaded and played. Before logging on to a particular Online Wheel of Fortune game site one should always check out if playing in that Online Wheel of Fortune game site is safe and rewarding. In Online Wheel of Fortune game the computer turns the wheel and where ever pointer falls on the player wins that amount of money. In Online Wheel of Fortune game first of the player has to answer certain questions asked by the computer. The computer is the virtual dealer in the Online Wheel of Fortune game. If the player is able to answer all the questions properly then he gets the chance to move the wheel in the Online Wheel of Fortune game. For winning Online Wheel of Fortune game one need not have to have an experience as Online Wheel of Fortune game is all about luck. For playing the Online Wheel of Fortune game one has to create an Online Wheel of Fortune account. Some Online Wheel of Fortune sites give bonus to the players for downloading and playing. After finding the right Online site and making the Online Wheel Of Fortune account the next thing is to start playing the Online Wheel Of Fortune game. If the player wins the Online Wheel of Fortune game then the virtual dealer automatically transfers the winning amount to the player’s Online Wheel of Fortune game account. So if you are looking for a game filled with fun and frolic then play Online Wheel of Fortune game! Online Wheel of Fortune game is also a family game, so you can sit with your family in front of your PC and play Online Wheel of Fortune game!

By Deepak Bansal [ 14/02/2007 ][ viewed 132 times ]

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Unleash Your Creative Potential!

As you know the universe in which we live is an enigma. Consisting mostly of empty space it is in constant motion with atoms and particles bumping up against one another and swirling energy fields reaching to the far ends of the galaxy. Millions of planets busily occupy what we call the Milky Way. A miracle is occurring before your eyes. Far-off into the reaches of space is a beautiful blue planet we call earth. A creation to itself, but on a smaller scale. You see the rise and fall of ocean tides the cyclic patterns of nature to the sound of thunder when lightning smacks a shuttering bolt of electricity through the atmosphere. A gentle reminder that you are surrounded by the forces of nature, and deeply connected with them.Let us now take a closer look and focus on you, the artist. As co-creator you feel the need to express your artistic endeavors. This need rises inside you like a fountain spring. -Appearing in many ways, in the creative arts such as visual song and dance. If not directed and nurtured correctly and given the freedom to grow, your need for expression could turn into a torrent of pain frustration and anxiety - a curse. But it shouldn’t be, few realise their connectedness to the same power that is responsible for creating the stars in the heavens, that is lingering within you now. Without creativity there is no life or definite purpose no mystery or intrigue. You are the enigma. Your creativity fills the empty spaces on a gallery wall, the white pages of a book and defies gravity in dance on a stage. All the while feeding the void of emptiness in people’s hearts and minds to help ponder the great mysteries of the universe such as who am I? Where did I come from and where do I go?You see not with your physical senses but with inner vision an intuition few experience. You are able to do this because you trust yourself. When you are exposed to new information you are able to judge that this information is valuable, or that information is not. The mysteries announce themselves to you in a language of silence igniting a fire deep inside you. Eventually to rise to the surface and allow you to take up your divine right as co-creator in a universe of unlimited potential. Your art is your life and like the creator who is one with his creations, you are one with yours. And so here you are. An individual seeking to express your inner and most personal thoughts and wants through your Art. Your belief in a power that comes from within and how to tap that source of unlimited potential will decide your success as an artist in this world. This power you already have.

By Tiki OBrien [ 14/02/2007 ][ viewed 71 times ]

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ONLINE VIDEO POKER PART- 1

Online Video Poker is a type of card game that one can play at his home sitting on is computer. One needs to have luck as well as experience to win in Online Video Poker. One should know about the rules of Online Video Poker for playing it. There are several Online sites where one can play Online Video Poker, but one should only choose good sites, as they are safe!For playing Online Video Poker one needs to register himself and open an Online Video Poker account and deposit the betting money in order to play the game. In Online Video Poker the players have to bet before the dealing with cards. After the deal in Online Video Poker the betting rounds begin. In Online Video Poker the player has to bluff the most for winning the Online Video Poker game. In Online Video Poker the computer is the Virtual Dealer. The player who bluffs the most and gets away easily wins the Online Video Poker game. For winning Online Video Poker one has to be a complete pro! If the player wins the Online Poker then the money won is deposited to the player’s Online Poker account. No doubt one needs to have experience to win Online Video Poker but Online Video Poker is not at all complex to play! But that doesn’t make it a game for children. Online Poker is only meant for adults.

By Deepak Bansal [ 23/02/2007 ][ viewed 115 times ]

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Want a perfect party? Hire a DJ from Ireland!

Hiring Dublin DJs, Cork DJs, Limerick DJs or Galway DJs for your perfect party in Ireland is a recipe for great parties with lots of guests and lots of fun. Being young means having fun and enjoying your life without worrying about money or how it will be when you are old. Parties are a fact of life as there will always be weddings, anniversaries and birthdays to celebrate. We all want to have a great party when we get married and we all want our guests to feel happy at out party, to have fun not to think about leaving home as soon as possible. In order for that to happen, the food, the place and the party music must be great.The best way to have your friends feeling good at you party is to hire a DJ from Ireland to keep them dancing and enjoying the moment.Nothing compares with the DJs in Ireland no matter if they are Dublin DJs, Cork DJs, Limerick DJs or Galway DJs. Ireland has been one of the first countries in which this profession appeared and the DJ's in Ireland are some of the best around. DJs in Ireland began working in clubs but at time passed they adjusted and now they play music on stadiums and in large party places. They even go to private parties, weddings, birthdays, and office parties. There are a lot of DJs in Ireland and each one is specialized in one type of music, so before paying a DJ to come to your party you should first decide on what kind of music you want to hear. There are DJs who are good with rock; others with hip hop and others with dance maybe. All you have to do is know exactly what you and your friends want and then you will know what to search for. Organizing a party can take a lot of effort and turn into a nightmare. Therefore there are firms which are ready to organize the party respecting the wishes of the customer and will also hire a DJ from Ireland if you ask them to do that. They will also bring all that is needed for a party and will save you a lot of hassle. If you can not afford to hire such a firm and friends are willing to help you, the best thing to do is to talk with the Irish DJ yourself because you can check out his equipment and you can discuss with him about the music he will play at the party. In some cases the customers might have some preferences regarding music and the DJs in Ireland are trained to talk with the customer and decide what is best for the party and what might just make the guests leave because they get bored. DJs in Ireland have performed at so many parties and are a great investment .Of course there are DJs in Ireland who have not been working for a long time and they are not that good but you can ask them for references and find the best DJ for your party.It is not easy to hire a DJ from Ireland as they are booked with 6 month before an event. In some cases they can make an exception and come without providing long notice periods.So, if you want to have the party of the year and all your friends to talk about it for the rest of their lives you should hire a professional DJ from Ireland you will have a great time and it will worth every penny!

By groshan fabiola [ 24/02/2007 ][ viewed 178 times ]

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Hiring Wedding DJs and Party DJs

Whether you plan on getting married or just having a nice private party together with your friends, you should remember the importance of a good Dj in making your wedding reception the best and impressing your guests by creating a party play list to suit all. If you live in Ireland and wish to organize a successful wedding or a surprise party, Djs are available for you on the internet allowing you to choose the right style wedding DJ or Party DJ for your planned special occasion. If you are getting married, locating a reputable local entertainment disc jockey can be confusing, difficult and time consuming as you know, the wedding DJ can make or break the success of your event. Thousands of weddings take place every year and wedding Djs are the most commonly requested by clients. With the technology available today, many music services now use Mp3 players to house the entire music collection so you can make now be sure that the wedding dj or party dj in Ireland you hired has just about all the songs to cover any requests during your wedding. If your big day is coming, an Ireland wedding Dj will be there to help you make your wedding live up to your and your guest’s expectations. If you are planning an event, a wedding or an anniversary party for example, you must keep in mind not all Djs are the same and every one of them specializes in a certain music or occasion. Some Djs however cover different types of events and you must remember to book the Dj you feel most comfortable with. The requirements for the perfect Ireland Dj for your wedding or party are most simple ones but if not met your special event cannot succeed: the Dj must recognize that the event must run according to your wishes as a client, consider their job to play the exact music you request without discussing taste matters and should be able to respond in time to all special requests during the event. By hiring an experienced wedding DJ or party Dj, you can sit back and enjoy your event without worrying something would go wrong. The Djs will work closely together with caterers, banquet managers, photographers and video photographers to ensure your event runs smoothly from the start to the end. For a pleasant esthetical image, all Djs will wear formal attire unless another agreement is made from the beginning. They use a wireless microphone to make any toast an effortless and hassle-free moment. By looking up in the internet for Ireland Djs for different special occasions, you might find opportunities to save money, compare ratings and experience and also insurance and backup arrangements. You can also compare prices and discounts and choose the Dj most suiting your personal party requirements. Hiring a wedding or party Dj can be the key to your event’s success if you choose the right person for the job, but can also be the reason of your occasion’s failure if you hire a wrong Dj due to insufficient research on the matter.

By groshan fabiola [ 24/02/2007 ][ viewed 171 times ]

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Prison Break 2.17 Bad Blood – Review

The seventeenth episode of Prison Break’s season two called "Bad Blood" has garnered views that are "worlds apart." Having an "either you like it or you don’t" point of view has sparked much controversy over the said episode.Prison Break, an action-thriller drama series, follows a man who was sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit and his brother’s intricate schemes to help him escape. With an award for People’s Choice for favorite new TV drama in 2006 and numerous nominations, the stimulating suspense-filled plot remains to be an anticipated feature of the certified cliffhanger series.Prison Break’s "Bad Blood" is mostly centered on the surfacing of character revelations which entails changing of allegiances and eye-opening secrets.Moreover, the said episode makes the viewers question their beliefs and primary perception of the characters.For a good number of viewers, "Bad Blood" appears to be cleverly plotted and extremely satisfying, specifically pertaining to the kick-ass moves of Lincoln (played by Dominic Purcell) on Agent Kim (played by Reggie Lee), the cute conversations of Sarah (played by Sarah Wayne Callies) and Michael (played by Wenthworth Miller) and the huge twist on the plot of T-Bag (played by Robert Knepper), not to mention the emotion-stirring reunion of Michael and the former warden, Henry Hope (played by Stacy Keach), who was previously perceived as his father figure. And although the episode was quite long with a bit of conflicting segments, the plot was still considered as well written, having a lot of unexpected and dynamic moments.On the other hand, there are also a handful of viewers who deem the installment as just "safe" and a little dull compared to other episodes, which send viewers on the edge of their seats. A negative feature of the segment is the falling out of character of Mahone (William Fichtner), which for some caused the downfall of "Bad Blood," not to mention C-Note (Rockmond Dunbar) and his daughter DeeDee’s struggles.

By groshan fabiola [ 27/02/2007 ][ viewed 124 times ]

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America's Next Top Model: Tyra looks for Mr. Right

America’s Next Top Model’s Tyra Banks is in the quest to find her one true love, her soul mate! Despite having a number of failed relationships in the past, like with Chris Webber, John Signleton, Giancarlo Marcaccini, Seal, Craig Taylor and Tyler Perry, Banks’ perspective in the field of dating remains to be positive. Having a fiercely determined attitude towards finding Mr. Right also helps in framing her mind-set towards her love life goal.Banks, a 33-year old African American former super model, was previously known for being one of the original Victoria’s Secret Angels. She escalated to stardom when she graced the cover of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue.Also known as an author, an executive producer, and a movie actress, she now stars and is a judge on the reality television show America’s Next Top Model and is a host of her own talk show called The Tyra Banks Show.The successful celebrity also stands by her belief that her search for her ideal man is not someone she wants based on needs, stressing on the importance of being independent, a subject matter she often exemplifies on the show America’s Next Top Model. Moreover, she emphasizes her exploration for Mr. Right as something based on her want and desire.During America’s Next Top Model cycle 7, she went through such a hard time dealing with her heartbreak, painfully admitting her disappointment and emotional damage. But her past experiences, being through a string of unfortunate relationships, made her a stronger person and has given her much wisdom in dealing with the affairs of the heart. And after much drama, her grasp over her relationship dilemmas has become lucid and clear. She adds, "You look back at the person you were crying over and realize they were never meant to be the one."

By groshan fabiola [ 27/02/2007 ][ viewed 131 times ]

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