5 Simple Ways to Make Your Home Feel Bigger
Posted on
Monday, June 22, 2009
by DSLR MASTER
1. See it, use it: Often, rooms in American homes are located behind staircases or are otherwise hidden from main thoroughfares. "If you can't see a room, you tend not to use it," Susanka says. Leaving one or more rooms unused can make the house feel cramped, since activity is concentrated in a smaller area. "If you can open up the view from the kitchen or the family area to that underutilized space, you will start to use it merely because you can see it," she says. To open sight lines, Susanka recommends building a "framed opening," which is usually a foot or two wider than a doorway, into the wall that's obstructing the view. "If you can't open the wall completely, you can make an interior window instead," she says. "That little strategy by itself will make your house both feel and live bigger."
2. Diagonal view: Another secret to making a house feel larger is opening up what Susanka calls a "diagonal view," or a line of vision that extends from one corner of the house to another. To do this, homeowners may need to remove some segments of the wall that's blocking the line of vision. Once again, you might consider installing a framed opening or an interior window. "It can be a fairly narrow split that allows you to see from one corner to the other," Susanka says. "I've had a lot of people over the years tell me that that little trick has served them extremely well. Their house instantly feels larger because they are able to look along the longest vista that's available."
3. Double duty: Susanka believes that the floor plans of many of today's homes have failed to keep pace with changes in lifestyle. For example, many homes still have formal dining and living rooms. "As a residential architect, I learned from my clients that 85 percent of them literally never used their formal living room and only occasionally used their formal dining rooms," she says. When remodeling or building a home, Susanka suggests combining one living area and a dining area so that the new space can serve both formal and informal functions. "I call it doing double duty," she says. Consolidating will free up space that can be used for something else, such as a home office or a media room. If you are really attached to your formal dining room, consider lining it with bookshelves so it can also serve as a library. "Plenty of people have too many books and no place to put them," Susanka says. "Books are a type of interior décor that can't be beat." If you convert a rarely used room into one that's more suited to everyday use, the entire house will feel more spacious, she says.
4. Get comfortable: Along the same lines, Susanka says that many American homes are decorated with visually appealing but uncomfortable furniture, especially in formal dining or living rooms. "Nobody is going to sit on that furniture," she says. That's one reason rooms with such furnishings often remain empty, which in turn drives a greater share of household activity into a smaller area of the house. Simply find furniture that's both comfortable and functional, Susanka recommends. "If you don't like sitting in it, nobody else is going to like it either," she says.
Architect Sarah Susanka shares her secrets for making a house seem larger than it actually is.
With home values falling and job losses mounting, Americans are putting their spending habits under the microscope. For would-be home buyers, that might mean purchasing a smaller house that fits more comfortably into your budget. For homeowners, it could mean putting off plans for that family-room addition. But even if your home has limited space, it doesn't have to feel cramped, says Sarah Susanka. Instead of expanding the size of the property, Susanka, an architect and author of the best-selling book The Not So Big House, believes homeowners should make better use of interior space. In an interview with U.S. News, Susanka shared five simple ways that homeowners can make their houses feel bigger without expanding the size of the structure.
5. Vary ceiling heights: Many houses built in the past few decades include a great room, which Susanka describes as an open space that contains an informal living room, an informal dining room, and a kitchen. Although such spaces often are expansive, they don't have anything that distinguishes one activity area from another, so the whole space ends up feeling awkward and ill-fitting, she says: "If there is no contrast between spaces, we end up seeing it all as one large, amorphous nothing." In order to establish some contrast, Susanka recommends adjusting and varying the height of the ceilings. "Maybe a lower ceiling over the kitchen, a medium-height ceiling over the dining area, and the tall ceiling over the living space will give the contrast you need to make the area really begin to work together," she says. "It often comes as a surprise that by lowering some ceilings to create a hierarchy of activity places, the whole space actually ends up living larger." Raising a ceiling can be an expensive proposition because it requires changes to the support structure of the house, but "when you lower a ceiling, you are not affecting the structure," Susanka says, "so it is usually quite easy to do."
posted by DSLR MASTER @ 2:08 AM
0 Comments
Nokia phone recharges without wires
Posted on
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
by DSLR MASTER
Pardon the cliche, but it's one of the holiest of Holy Grails of technology: Wireless power. And while early lab experiments have been able to "beam" electricity a few feet to power a light bulb, the day when our laptops and cell phones can charge without having to plug them in to a wall socket still seems decades in the future.
Nokia, however, has taken another baby step in that direction with the invention of a cell phone that recharges itself using a unique system: It harvests ambient radio waves from the air, and turns that energy into usable power. Enough, at least, to keep a cell phone from running out of juice.
While "traditional" (if there is such a thing) wireless power systems are specifically designed with a transmitter and receiver in mind, Nokia's system isn't finicky about where it gets its wireless waves. TV, radio, other mobile phone systems -- all of this stuff just bounces around the air and most of it is wasted, absorbed into the environment or scattered into the ether. Nokia picks up all the bits and pieces of these waves and uses the collected electromagnetic energy to create electrical current, then uses that to recharge the phone's battery. A huge range of frequencies can be utilized by the system (there's no other way, really, as the energy in any given wave is infinitesimal). It's the same idea that Tesla was exploring 100 years ago, just on a tiny scale.
Mind you, harvesting ambient electromagnetic energy is never going to offer enough electricity to power your whole house or office, but it just might be enough to keep a cell phone alive and kicking. Currently Nokia is able to harvest all of 5 milliwatts from the air; the goal is to increase that to 20 milliwatts in the short term and 50 milliwatts down the line. That wouldn't be enough to keep the phone alive during an active call, but would be enough to slowly recharge the cell phone battery while it's in standby mode, theoretically offering infinite power -- provided you're not stuck deep underground where radio waves can't penetrate.
Nokia says it hopes to commercialize the technology in three to five years.
posted by DSLR MASTER @ 4:21 AM
0 Comments
AnotherTsunami on july 22nd 2009
Posted on
Sunday, June 14, 2009
by DSLR MASTER
There is a prediction that there will be another tsunami hitting on July 22nd. It is also when there will be sun eclipse. Predicted that it is going 2 be really bad and countries like Malaysia (Sabah & Sarawak), Singapore, Maldives, Australia, Mauritius, Si Lanka, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan and Certain Costal Parts of China are going 2 be badly hit. Please try and stay away from the beaches in July. Better 2 be safe than sorry.
posted by DSLR MASTER @ 12:41 PM
0 Comments
Record video from Canon EOS cameras
Posted on
Saturday, June 13, 2009
by DSLR MASTER
This personal page is devoted to virx program gives an opportunity to record short video clips directly to your computer using digital SLR cameras
A brief description of EOS Camera Movie Record
First you need to prepare the camera: to put the regime AV, P, Tv, or M, while in Tv and M modes, you can adjust the brightness of an image changing the extract.Further, if the memory card is filled with files, clean it, or pull out completely, otherwise the camera is initialized with a long connection and as a result of the program off on timeout.
If you think that would only interfere with Autofocus, put on the lens manual focus,
Connect your camera to your PC USB-cable, which was complete, then turn it on. Запустите программу, дождитесь пока в окне появиться изображение. Run the program, wait until the image appears in the window. Если вместо этого появилось сообщение "Can't initialize your camera! Check connection.", то проверьте соединение фотоаппарата с комьютером. If, instead, a message "Can't initialize your camera! Check connection.", Then check the connection to the camera computer. Если ошибка повторяется, проверьте поддерживает ли Ваш аппарат LiveView. If the problem persists, check whether your device supports LiveView.
Then hover the focus manually or use the autofocus, it is on the camera, click "Set", then "*". Также возможно пятикратное увеличение изображения, для этого необходимо нажать кнопку "+" (справа от "*"), но не нажимайте эту кнопку во время записи иначе файл будет испорчен. Если объектив оснащен стабилизатором, вы можете его использовать, наполовину нажав кнопку спуска. Also possibly fivefold increase in the image, so be sure to click "+" (right of "*"), but do not press this button while recording another file will be corrupted. If the lens is equipped with a stabilizer, you can use it, half-pressing the shutter release button.
You can choose the aperture directly in the program, but the effect is only after clicking on DOF (depth of field preview). При этом выдержка/ISO будет зафиксированна для данной диафрагмы, т.е. In this excerpt / ISO will zafiksirovanna of the diaphragm, ie, если навести камеру на другой объект съемки, то изображение будет либо темное либо засвеченное. if you put the camera on the other the subject, the image is either dark or zasvechennoe. При изменении диафрагмы яркость будет меняться. Changing the aperture will change the brightness. Еще одна особенность - невозможность использовать экран аппарата после нажатия этой кнопки. Another feature - the inability to use the device when you press this button. Т.е. Ie нельзя его включить, если включили заранее, то все равно ни одна кнопка работать не будет. can not include it, if included in advance, there is still no button will not work.
To start recording, click "Write!", To stop - then "Stop". Будет создан файл "out.avi" в текущем каталоге. This will create a file "out.avi" in the current directory.
Download this programe (10$)
posted by DSLR MASTER @ 2:26 PM
0 Comments
101 Tips For Pageant Success
Posted on
Thursday, June 11, 2009
by DSLR MASTER
1. Smile, smile, SMILE!
2. While on stage, hold your head high and pretend that crown’s already on your head.
3. Scan the judges, scan the audience, then once again scan the judges.
4. If you find it difficult to look the judges in the eyes, look at their foreheads.
5. Remember – it isn’t the most talented girl who wins the talent competition. It’s whoever has the best stage presence.
6. Don’t compare yourself to the other girls, because you’re only being judged on you.
7. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to get a pageant winning dress. Search ebay or your local mall for sales. If it is elegant, sparkles on stage, and it makes you feel like a queen, then it could be your winning gown.
8. Swimsuit isn’t about who is the hottest girl on the stage. It is about who has the most confidence walking out on a stage in what can feel like underwear.
9. If at first you don’t succeed, try again. Most pageant winners have competed before, often many times.
10. It is good to exercise and eat well before a pageant, but there is no need to starve yourself because no matter what your size, your confidence and poise is what will take you on to the next stage of competition.
11. DON’T LIE ON YOUR PAPERWORK OR IN THE INTERVIEW. If you get caught in a lie, or one of the judges is an excellent poker player, your bluff will cost you.
12. Be true to yourself. The judges want to see girls who are real, not girls who sound rehearsed.
13. On your fact sheet, don’t give it all away. Make statements somewhat vague so the judges have something to ask about!
14. Practice, practice, practice. The more you practice, the more prepared you are, the better you’ll do.
15. You don’t have to have perfect grades or have something super impressive on your fact sheet to impress the judges. What will make you stand out is something unique that not many people have done or can do. Play the accordion? Race go carts? Breed hamsters? Write it down.
16. Have someone proofread your paperwork before you turn it in.
17. Perform your talent for as many people as you can. The more advice you can get, the better your performance will be.
18. Choose a platform that really means something to you, not just something you think will impress the judges.
19. Know your current events and important issues that are being discussed in the news.
20. Even if you don’t get the crown, you’re a winner just for competing so if you don’t win, don’t feel like a loser.
21. If you want to begin to eat healthier before the pageant, do some reading on proper nutrition. Surviving on tiny salads and diet soda will only slow your metabolism and you won’t lose fat that way.
22. Diet pills do NOT work. Enough said.
23. Every girl has a little "junk in the trunk". If you jiggle, don’t worry about it. Even the skinniest girls have a little jiggle room back there.
24. Cover any and all tattoos and remove any piercings other than up to two holes in your ear. You aren’t supposed to be judged on such things but unfortunately some people will. Sure, those people are stupid but there’s nothing you can do about it.
25. You don’t need to hire some expensive pageant coach to win. Anyone can do the same job and with a little reading and some research you can learn all you need to know about pageants.
26. Read up on some famous titleholders, especially if you’re competing in the Miss America or Miss USA systems.
27. On stage question is not as tough as it might seem. Often times the stage lights are so bright you can’t see the audience anyway so just pretend they aren’t even there.
28. If you don’t feel confident on stage, try and get some friends and family to be your "cheering section". This will definitely give you a confidence boost while on stage!!
29. In order to create a natural smile rather than a "plastic look", think of something funny before you go on stage. I kept a picture of David Hasselhoff from his Baywatch days backstage. This struck me as funny and kept my smile from looking unnatural.
30. The interview isn’t an interrogation, but rather a conversation where the judges can get to know you better.
31. Know your platform inside and out. You never know what you’ll be asked.
32. Be sure you understand just what the responsibilities of the titleholder are. You don’t want to win and discover that you can’t handle the job.
33. Don’t be afraid to ask questions in the interview if you don’t understand. The judges will be glad to clarify for you.
34. Try and think of all of your positive traits first before you write your paperwork. It’ll help a lot!
35. Never portray yourself in a negative light in any part of the competition. You want to be confident, not self-depreciating.
36. Does this pageant charge you to compete? Then forget about it. It’s only a scam.
37. Make sure your talent is not too long. If you have to change it the day before competition you might not perform very well.
38. Form opinions on EVERYTHING, from your opinion on the death penalty to what your favorite color is.
39. Use the bathroom before the interview and before the show. Trust me, you’ll appreciate it.
40. Keep your clothes organized and hung up so you can find things and they remain unwrinkled. When you have to change fast you won’t be stressing out about where you put your strapless bra or that your suit is wrinkled.
41. Don’t drink any carbonated drinks on competition day to prevent bloating.
42. Always maintain excellent posture. Shoulders back, chin parallel to the ground, and back straight, whether you’re sitting or standing.
43. Keep your walk slow and elegant during evening gown. Remember, it’s at this point the judges will be able to see who that crown will fit on best.
44. Search online for a good "pageant hairstyle". Look at pictures of all the current Miss America or Miss USA contestants for ideas. NO PROM UPDOS!! They just don’t work.
45. Don’t fuss with tons of jewelry. A large pair of rhinestone earrings can be all you’ll need. Search stores like Icing or Claire’s for cheaper accessories because when they have sales they mark some gorgeous jewelry down for dirt cheap.
46. Make sure your gown fits perfectly. This sometimes means waiting until a month or two before competition to buy it because if you lose or gain weight in the meantime, it may not fit right and you don’t want to find that out two weeks beforehand.
47. You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars for a "pageant swimsuit", either. Stick with solid colors that compliment your skin tone and hair color. Something that has a touch of sparkle to it will look great.
48. Your evening gown shouldn’t look too much like your typical high school prom dress. Look at the type of dresses Miss America contestants wear. They are elegant, often with long trains, and they have at least a touch of sparkle. You can find these gowns among the many prom-type gowns but it can take a lot of searching to find the perfect one.
49. Do your research. There are lots of good pageant resources online, but finding them can be tough. Google will be your friend.
50. Talk to the current titleholder about what she does to prepare for competition. She’s already done it so she’s bound to have some excellent pointers for you.
51. Don’t do a pageant just because someone else wants you to. You won’t win and you won’t be happy. You have to want it.
52. Want a pretty crown? Buy one on ebay. Being a titleholder can often be a big responsibility, so be prepared.
53. Don’t spend thousands on cosmetic dentistry. Get some Crest Whitestrips if that will make your smile more confident. If you’re worried about the appearance of your teeth, see an orthodontist. Braces aren’t all that bad and you’ll be happy you had them because your mouth will be prettier and healthier.
54. Show your personality both in the interview and on the stage.
55. Get plenty of beauty sleep during pageant week!
56. Never get yourself down because you think the other girls are "better" or "prettier". We’re all more critical of ourselves.
57. You don’t to sing or play an instrument to win. Dancers and monologues do quite well, also. A unique talent will really set you apart, too. Are you a baton twirler? Juggler? Yodeler? Give it a shot because you’re bound to stand out among all the boring song and dance routines.
58. Afraid to go to the beach in your swimsuit? Probably not. So why is the stage any different? Those heels are just like sandals and at least on stage you can wear some sort of body makeup, boob pads, and butt glue. That stuff won’t fly down in Daytona and I bet you wouldn’t let that stop you from having fun there, either.
59. Make friends with the other girls! Don’t be catty or talk behind backs. Miss Congeniality is an even more honorable title than Miss America.
60. Don’t stay out late the night before the pageant. Dark circles under your eyes can only be covered up to a certain extent.
61. If and when you win, you are representing a group of people. Be a good representative and don’t do anything you might regret later or that might force the pageant to strip you of your title.
62. 99.9% of your interview will probably be based on your fact sheet. Just FYI.
63. Even though most of your interview will be based on your fact sheet, still be aware of your current events just incase they pop one of those questions on you. Don’t know what’s going on in the world most of the time? Then fill up that fact sheet so they’ve got more things to ask you.
64. Keep your answers short and concise. If you’re asked, "Do you take criticism well?" don’t answer with a one minute speech about the time when you were criticized and it made you feel bad. No one word answers, though. The more questions the judges can ask you, the more they get to know you, and the better you’ll do.
65. A little extra padding can go a long way. I think that statement’s self explanatory.
66. Make sure you have extra nylons. You never know when you’ll get the runs.
67. Don’t be afraid to make the judges laugh a little! Sharing something humorous will lighten the mood and make them feel more comfortable.
68. The judges are often just as nervous as you are, or even more so. They have a huge decision to make that could change the lives of the girls competing.
69. Still feeling nervous? Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Deep breathing relaxes the body. Another thing you might try is listening to a favorite song or watching an episode of your favorite comedy on your ipod beforehand.
70. Only tell a story if it is relevant and doesn’t take too long to tell. Remember, you’ve only got a matter of minutes for these judges to get to know you.
71. Read books that are geared towards people looking to improve your job interview skills. A pageant is just like a job interview. You are being interviewed for the job of Miss Whoever.
72. Have your friends and family pop interview questions on you. The more practice, the better.
73. Is there a local title you really want to win but don’t have much experience? Try entering an open pageant (one in which anyone in the state can enter). The competition will be MUCH tougher and it will give you some valuable experience. The girls competing may be quite experienced and can give you plenty of advice.
74. Watch pageants on TV. See just how these girls do it.
75. Still don’t feel like a queen? Buy a plastic crown and wear it while you practice that evening gown walk. It may seem silly, but it can be a confidence booster!
76. You don’t need to be 5’9", blonde, and have a white gown to win. You can win no matter what your size, shape, color, or social status. The judges don’t know how much money you have or if that’s really your natural hair color or not.
77. Make sure you have tons of fun! If you aren’t having fun, maybe this pageant thing isn’t for you. It shouldn’t seem like a chore. You should enjoy it.
78. While working on your platform, make sure you know the names of organizations that are somehow connected that you can get into contact with. If you’ve got such connections it’ll be very impressive to the judges.
79. Search Yahoo or any news site for current events relating to your platform. If your platform’s cancer and someone very famous died of cancer last week, you might want to know this. If your platform is AIDS and they’ve discovered a new treatment a couple days ago and if you can include that in the interview, it’ll wow them.
80. The competition is a performance! Put on a good show. You want to entertain as well as impress.
81. You should use some sunless tanner to get some color in your skin if you’re very pale. The color accentuates your muscle tone and makes you appear to be thinner.
82. If you’re still feeling self conscious about something "jiggling", rub Preparation H on it. It tightens the skin temporarily so use it before you go on for swimsuit.
83. Use a shimmer lotion on the front of your legs and your arms for a slimming effect.
84. If you want to know how you’re doing, ask the pageant directors. Hopefully they’ll be honest with you.
85. I know it’s ridiculous, but… "BE THE CROWN!! You ARE the crown!!"
86. Wear heels everywhere. It’ll help your walk immensely.
87. Pump iron. Weight training along with cardio will keep you toned and burn more fat. If you’re in good shape you’ll be more confident!!
88. Remember that often times the judges are at foot level. Have a nice, neat pedicure. Use a light pink polish if you are unsure as to what color to use. It looks classy and goes with everything.
89. Keep double stick tape and super glue in your dressing room. You never know when it’ll come in handy.
90. Your talent costume should be comfortable but also a little flashy. In the pageant world, a little sparkle here and there (or a lot of sparkle, whichever you like best) goes a long way.
91. Pageants are a great way to earn scholarships. Look for pageants that reward scholarships for all contestants participating so you’re guaranteed to get something back out of it.
92. Fake eyelashes are great for the stage, but don’t wear them in the interview. The interview is a much more professional setting so wear a nice suit, small earrings, and little makeup. Your makeup should be just as much as you might wear on an average day.
93. Whether you’re an A cup or a DD cup, you don’t need plastic surgery to win a pageant. Don’t be like those girls on MTV’s Tiara Girls who think they need lip injections to do well. Have you noticed that those girls usually don’t win?
94. Don’t scoff at first runner up. First runner up means you beat out everyone else except one, and that’s nothing to cry about!
95. You never know what’s going to happen. Don’t prepare to win or to lose. This set of judges might make one decision and another set of judges could make an entirely different decision!! A girl who was fourth runner up at a local pageant was awarded the crown when the winner was stripped of her title for some reason and the three girls ahead of her were ineligible because they’d already won other titles. This girl recently became Miss Kentucky.
96. If you make a mistake, try to act like it never happened. The audience may not notice and if the judges notice but see how quickly you can pick up your composure quickly afterwards they might be impressed.
97. Be on time. There is no such thing as fashionably late in the pageant world.
98. Not everyone is as nice as they appear. Be nice to everyone during the pageant and if someone turns on you don’t seek revenge. No matter what, always strive to be Miss Congeniality. It will take you far not only in pageants but also in life.
99. Be prepared for everything. I suggest bringing a large Rubbermaid container and pack everything but the kitchen sink because you never know what you might need backstage.
100. Don’t change anything during pageant week. Make all of your final wardrobe decisions beforehand and you’ll feel prepared and confident!
101. Last, but most certainly not least…HAVE FUN!
2. While on stage, hold your head high and pretend that crown’s already on your head.
3. Scan the judges, scan the audience, then once again scan the judges.
4. If you find it difficult to look the judges in the eyes, look at their foreheads.
5. Remember – it isn’t the most talented girl who wins the talent competition. It’s whoever has the best stage presence.
6. Don’t compare yourself to the other girls, because you’re only being judged on you.
7. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to get a pageant winning dress. Search ebay or your local mall for sales. If it is elegant, sparkles on stage, and it makes you feel like a queen, then it could be your winning gown.
8. Swimsuit isn’t about who is the hottest girl on the stage. It is about who has the most confidence walking out on a stage in what can feel like underwear.
9. If at first you don’t succeed, try again. Most pageant winners have competed before, often many times.
10. It is good to exercise and eat well before a pageant, but there is no need to starve yourself because no matter what your size, your confidence and poise is what will take you on to the next stage of competition.
11. DON’T LIE ON YOUR PAPERWORK OR IN THE INTERVIEW. If you get caught in a lie, or one of the judges is an excellent poker player, your bluff will cost you.
12. Be true to yourself. The judges want to see girls who are real, not girls who sound rehearsed.
13. On your fact sheet, don’t give it all away. Make statements somewhat vague so the judges have something to ask about!
14. Practice, practice, practice. The more you practice, the more prepared you are, the better you’ll do.
15. You don’t have to have perfect grades or have something super impressive on your fact sheet to impress the judges. What will make you stand out is something unique that not many people have done or can do. Play the accordion? Race go carts? Breed hamsters? Write it down.
16. Have someone proofread your paperwork before you turn it in.
17. Perform your talent for as many people as you can. The more advice you can get, the better your performance will be.
18. Choose a platform that really means something to you, not just something you think will impress the judges.
19. Know your current events and important issues that are being discussed in the news.
20. Even if you don’t get the crown, you’re a winner just for competing so if you don’t win, don’t feel like a loser.
21. If you want to begin to eat healthier before the pageant, do some reading on proper nutrition. Surviving on tiny salads and diet soda will only slow your metabolism and you won’t lose fat that way.
22. Diet pills do NOT work. Enough said.
23. Every girl has a little "junk in the trunk". If you jiggle, don’t worry about it. Even the skinniest girls have a little jiggle room back there.
24. Cover any and all tattoos and remove any piercings other than up to two holes in your ear. You aren’t supposed to be judged on such things but unfortunately some people will. Sure, those people are stupid but there’s nothing you can do about it.
25. You don’t need to hire some expensive pageant coach to win. Anyone can do the same job and with a little reading and some research you can learn all you need to know about pageants.
26. Read up on some famous titleholders, especially if you’re competing in the Miss America or Miss USA systems.
27. On stage question is not as tough as it might seem. Often times the stage lights are so bright you can’t see the audience anyway so just pretend they aren’t even there.
28. If you don’t feel confident on stage, try and get some friends and family to be your "cheering section". This will definitely give you a confidence boost while on stage!!
29. In order to create a natural smile rather than a "plastic look", think of something funny before you go on stage. I kept a picture of David Hasselhoff from his Baywatch days backstage. This struck me as funny and kept my smile from looking unnatural.
30. The interview isn’t an interrogation, but rather a conversation where the judges can get to know you better.
31. Know your platform inside and out. You never know what you’ll be asked.
32. Be sure you understand just what the responsibilities of the titleholder are. You don’t want to win and discover that you can’t handle the job.
33. Don’t be afraid to ask questions in the interview if you don’t understand. The judges will be glad to clarify for you.
34. Try and think of all of your positive traits first before you write your paperwork. It’ll help a lot!
35. Never portray yourself in a negative light in any part of the competition. You want to be confident, not self-depreciating.
36. Does this pageant charge you to compete? Then forget about it. It’s only a scam.
37. Make sure your talent is not too long. If you have to change it the day before competition you might not perform very well.
38. Form opinions on EVERYTHING, from your opinion on the death penalty to what your favorite color is.
39. Use the bathroom before the interview and before the show. Trust me, you’ll appreciate it.
40. Keep your clothes organized and hung up so you can find things and they remain unwrinkled. When you have to change fast you won’t be stressing out about where you put your strapless bra or that your suit is wrinkled.
41. Don’t drink any carbonated drinks on competition day to prevent bloating.
42. Always maintain excellent posture. Shoulders back, chin parallel to the ground, and back straight, whether you’re sitting or standing.
43. Keep your walk slow and elegant during evening gown. Remember, it’s at this point the judges will be able to see who that crown will fit on best.
44. Search online for a good "pageant hairstyle". Look at pictures of all the current Miss America or Miss USA contestants for ideas. NO PROM UPDOS!! They just don’t work.
45. Don’t fuss with tons of jewelry. A large pair of rhinestone earrings can be all you’ll need. Search stores like Icing or Claire’s for cheaper accessories because when they have sales they mark some gorgeous jewelry down for dirt cheap.
46. Make sure your gown fits perfectly. This sometimes means waiting until a month or two before competition to buy it because if you lose or gain weight in the meantime, it may not fit right and you don’t want to find that out two weeks beforehand.
47. You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars for a "pageant swimsuit", either. Stick with solid colors that compliment your skin tone and hair color. Something that has a touch of sparkle to it will look great.
48. Your evening gown shouldn’t look too much like your typical high school prom dress. Look at the type of dresses Miss America contestants wear. They are elegant, often with long trains, and they have at least a touch of sparkle. You can find these gowns among the many prom-type gowns but it can take a lot of searching to find the perfect one.
49. Do your research. There are lots of good pageant resources online, but finding them can be tough. Google will be your friend.
50. Talk to the current titleholder about what she does to prepare for competition. She’s already done it so she’s bound to have some excellent pointers for you.
51. Don’t do a pageant just because someone else wants you to. You won’t win and you won’t be happy. You have to want it.
52. Want a pretty crown? Buy one on ebay. Being a titleholder can often be a big responsibility, so be prepared.
53. Don’t spend thousands on cosmetic dentistry. Get some Crest Whitestrips if that will make your smile more confident. If you’re worried about the appearance of your teeth, see an orthodontist. Braces aren’t all that bad and you’ll be happy you had them because your mouth will be prettier and healthier.
54. Show your personality both in the interview and on the stage.
55. Get plenty of beauty sleep during pageant week!
56. Never get yourself down because you think the other girls are "better" or "prettier". We’re all more critical of ourselves.
57. You don’t to sing or play an instrument to win. Dancers and monologues do quite well, also. A unique talent will really set you apart, too. Are you a baton twirler? Juggler? Yodeler? Give it a shot because you’re bound to stand out among all the boring song and dance routines.
58. Afraid to go to the beach in your swimsuit? Probably not. So why is the stage any different? Those heels are just like sandals and at least on stage you can wear some sort of body makeup, boob pads, and butt glue. That stuff won’t fly down in Daytona and I bet you wouldn’t let that stop you from having fun there, either.
59. Make friends with the other girls! Don’t be catty or talk behind backs. Miss Congeniality is an even more honorable title than Miss America.
60. Don’t stay out late the night before the pageant. Dark circles under your eyes can only be covered up to a certain extent.
61. If and when you win, you are representing a group of people. Be a good representative and don’t do anything you might regret later or that might force the pageant to strip you of your title.
62. 99.9% of your interview will probably be based on your fact sheet. Just FYI.
63. Even though most of your interview will be based on your fact sheet, still be aware of your current events just incase they pop one of those questions on you. Don’t know what’s going on in the world most of the time? Then fill up that fact sheet so they’ve got more things to ask you.
64. Keep your answers short and concise. If you’re asked, "Do you take criticism well?" don’t answer with a one minute speech about the time when you were criticized and it made you feel bad. No one word answers, though. The more questions the judges can ask you, the more they get to know you, and the better you’ll do.
65. A little extra padding can go a long way. I think that statement’s self explanatory.
66. Make sure you have extra nylons. You never know when you’ll get the runs.
67. Don’t be afraid to make the judges laugh a little! Sharing something humorous will lighten the mood and make them feel more comfortable.
68. The judges are often just as nervous as you are, or even more so. They have a huge decision to make that could change the lives of the girls competing.
69. Still feeling nervous? Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Deep breathing relaxes the body. Another thing you might try is listening to a favorite song or watching an episode of your favorite comedy on your ipod beforehand.
70. Only tell a story if it is relevant and doesn’t take too long to tell. Remember, you’ve only got a matter of minutes for these judges to get to know you.
71. Read books that are geared towards people looking to improve your job interview skills. A pageant is just like a job interview. You are being interviewed for the job of Miss Whoever.
72. Have your friends and family pop interview questions on you. The more practice, the better.
73. Is there a local title you really want to win but don’t have much experience? Try entering an open pageant (one in which anyone in the state can enter). The competition will be MUCH tougher and it will give you some valuable experience. The girls competing may be quite experienced and can give you plenty of advice.
74. Watch pageants on TV. See just how these girls do it.
75. Still don’t feel like a queen? Buy a plastic crown and wear it while you practice that evening gown walk. It may seem silly, but it can be a confidence booster!
76. You don’t need to be 5’9", blonde, and have a white gown to win. You can win no matter what your size, shape, color, or social status. The judges don’t know how much money you have or if that’s really your natural hair color or not.
77. Make sure you have tons of fun! If you aren’t having fun, maybe this pageant thing isn’t for you. It shouldn’t seem like a chore. You should enjoy it.
78. While working on your platform, make sure you know the names of organizations that are somehow connected that you can get into contact with. If you’ve got such connections it’ll be very impressive to the judges.
79. Search Yahoo or any news site for current events relating to your platform. If your platform’s cancer and someone very famous died of cancer last week, you might want to know this. If your platform is AIDS and they’ve discovered a new treatment a couple days ago and if you can include that in the interview, it’ll wow them.
80. The competition is a performance! Put on a good show. You want to entertain as well as impress.
81. You should use some sunless tanner to get some color in your skin if you’re very pale. The color accentuates your muscle tone and makes you appear to be thinner.
82. If you’re still feeling self conscious about something "jiggling", rub Preparation H on it. It tightens the skin temporarily so use it before you go on for swimsuit.
83. Use a shimmer lotion on the front of your legs and your arms for a slimming effect.
84. If you want to know how you’re doing, ask the pageant directors. Hopefully they’ll be honest with you.
85. I know it’s ridiculous, but… "BE THE CROWN!! You ARE the crown!!"
86. Wear heels everywhere. It’ll help your walk immensely.
87. Pump iron. Weight training along with cardio will keep you toned and burn more fat. If you’re in good shape you’ll be more confident!!
88. Remember that often times the judges are at foot level. Have a nice, neat pedicure. Use a light pink polish if you are unsure as to what color to use. It looks classy and goes with everything.
89. Keep double stick tape and super glue in your dressing room. You never know when it’ll come in handy.
90. Your talent costume should be comfortable but also a little flashy. In the pageant world, a little sparkle here and there (or a lot of sparkle, whichever you like best) goes a long way.
91. Pageants are a great way to earn scholarships. Look for pageants that reward scholarships for all contestants participating so you’re guaranteed to get something back out of it.
92. Fake eyelashes are great for the stage, but don’t wear them in the interview. The interview is a much more professional setting so wear a nice suit, small earrings, and little makeup. Your makeup should be just as much as you might wear on an average day.
93. Whether you’re an A cup or a DD cup, you don’t need plastic surgery to win a pageant. Don’t be like those girls on MTV’s Tiara Girls who think they need lip injections to do well. Have you noticed that those girls usually don’t win?
94. Don’t scoff at first runner up. First runner up means you beat out everyone else except one, and that’s nothing to cry about!
95. You never know what’s going to happen. Don’t prepare to win or to lose. This set of judges might make one decision and another set of judges could make an entirely different decision!! A girl who was fourth runner up at a local pageant was awarded the crown when the winner was stripped of her title for some reason and the three girls ahead of her were ineligible because they’d already won other titles. This girl recently became Miss Kentucky.
96. If you make a mistake, try to act like it never happened. The audience may not notice and if the judges notice but see how quickly you can pick up your composure quickly afterwards they might be impressed.
97. Be on time. There is no such thing as fashionably late in the pageant world.
98. Not everyone is as nice as they appear. Be nice to everyone during the pageant and if someone turns on you don’t seek revenge. No matter what, always strive to be Miss Congeniality. It will take you far not only in pageants but also in life.
99. Be prepared for everything. I suggest bringing a large Rubbermaid container and pack everything but the kitchen sink because you never know what you might need backstage.
100. Don’t change anything during pageant week. Make all of your final wardrobe decisions beforehand and you’ll feel prepared and confident!
101. Last, but most certainly not least…HAVE FUN!
posted by DSLR MASTER @ 6:12 PM
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