quote

“I am going to be pretty kick a$$ by the time I’m thirty, and I can’t wait!!” -Rose McGowan

biography

Rose McGowan was born in Florence, Italy, on September 5, 1973. The daughter of an Irish artist and a French writer, Rose was raised in the Italian chapter of the Children of God cult.

The McGowan family (including 6 children, with Rose as the second oldest) relocated to Oregon when Rose was ten years old. Five years later, Rose left the commune and took off to live on her own, supporting herself with several odd jobs.

Living on her own also meant being forced to live on the streets, but she then got her act together and attended Art and beauty school. Rose headed to LA, where she had a chance encounter director Gregg Araki, outside of a gym.

Araki cast Rose as the lead in his film, The Doom Generation, despite the fact that the only acting experience she could claim at that point was a bit part in 1992’s Encino Man. The Doom Generation was a 1995 Sundance Film Festival entry, and although it received lukewarm reviews, it was enough to launch Rose’s career.

In 1996, Rose was cast alongside Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox Arquette in the hit thriller, Scream, as well as the tacky Pauly Shore comedy Bio-Dome. In 1997, Rose appeared in another Araki film, Nowhere, and she starred in Lewis & Clark & George and the film short Seed.

Rose co-starred with Ben Affleck in Going All the Way and Phantoms, and starred in Southie and the made-for-TV movie, Devil in the Flesh, both in 1998.

But it was in 1999 that Rose was given the chance to shine (albeit in a pretty dark movie), in her starring role as Courtney Shane in Jawbreaker, alongside Rebecca Gayheart. She then co-starred with Heather Graham in the low-budget flick Kiss and Tell, and starred as Jackie-O in the JFK assassination-based video for Marilyn Manson’s “Coma White”.

Speaking of the shock rocker himself, Marilyn Manson (a.k.a Brian Warner) has been romantically linked to Rose for the past couple of years, and their romance has been highly publicized. The two were engaged in February of 1999, after the singer proposed to Rose while in the bathtub together.

Rose was last seen in Ready to Rumble, The Last Stop and Monkeybone.

A former child model and presently a spokesmodel for the fashion line BeBe, Rose is presently working on her next film role, starring in Rat in the Can.

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quote

“There’s this idea that if you take your clothes off, somehow you must have loose morals. There’s still a negative attitude in our society towards women who use a strength that’s inherent — their femininity — in any way that might be considered seductive.” -Demi Moore

biography

Demetria Gene Guynes was born on the November 11, 1962, in Roswell, New Mexico. Not only was her family poverty stricken, but her entire family life wasn’t much to cheer about. The future soap opera actress’ childhood was a drama in itself.

By the time she was 18, Demi’s family had experienced divorce, poverty, alcoholism, and suicide. Her father left the family before she was born and her mother married Danny Guynes, a newspaper ad salesman. His unstable job forced the family to move around from time to time, and whatever money he did make was lost to gambling.

demi moore works as model

To add to her less than positive upbringing, her cross-eyed condition, which was finally corrected thanks to two operations, did not help her much. After her surgery, Demi used her looks to earn some money modeling in Europe (after dropping out of high school), and put her now trademark raspy voice to work as a collection agent.

Demi’s 18th year was marked with a funeral and a wedding. Her father committed suicide, and Demi married rock musician Freddy Moore, who was 12 years her senior. Her short-lived marriage did more than make Demi “Mrs. Moore”; it’s what led her to pursue an acting career. Demi and Freddy lived next door to actress Nastassja Kinski, who inspired Demi to become an actress.

demi moore on general hospital

Demi earned her start as an actress on the soap opera General Hospital (which also later triggered the career of Vanessa Marcil). After appearing in a few unsuccessful films and as Michael Caine’s daughter in Blame It on Rio, Demi left General Hospital in 1984.

That same year, Demi became a member of the Brat Pack with a role in St. Elmo’s Fire. For a while, she played a dual role as a cocaine addict, both on- and off-screen; she finally kicked the habit after receiving an ultimatum from the film’s director. The ’80s were marked with an engagement to Emilio Estevez, a marriage to Bruce Willis and some more film roles, but none as memorable as her role in Ghost.

demi moore in ghost

Demi’s star rose to the top of the box office after the commercial and critical success of 1990’s romantic tearjerker, Ghost. Her role in the courtroom drama A Few Good Men (1992), co-starring heavy hitters Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise, secured her standing in Hollywood and made audiences forgive her for her 1991 roles in Mortal Thoughts, Nothing But Trouble and The Butcher’s Wife.

In 1993, Demi starred in Indecent Proposal, which garnered her an MTV Movie Award for Best Onscreen Kiss (shared with Woody Harrelson). The next year, she co-starred with Michael Douglas in Disclosure, in which her physical assets were disclosed to audiences worldwide.

What followed were a string of box-office disappointments, with The Scarlet Letter (1995), Now and Then (1995) and The Juror (1996). The buzz and hype surrounding her controversial film Striptease (1996) were the only reasons to flock to the theaters — well, aside from the obvious fact that Demi was playing a stripper. This was the film that placed Demi among the highest paid female actresses, with a salary of $12.5 million.

demi does striptease and g.i. jane

After her role in Striptease, Demi disappeared from the spotlight, only to resurface with the lead role in G.I. Jane (1997) and a highly publicized separation from her husband of 11 years, Bruce Willis (in 1998).

Demi is not only an actress and former model, she is also an avid doll collector (she hopes to someday open a doll museum), a businesswoman and a mother to her three daughters with Bruce Willis — Rumer Glenn, Scout LaRue and Tallulah Belle.

Demi’s time in the spotlight is also due to her behavior in the media. She appeared nude in the ’80s for the magazine Oui and twice on the cover of Vanity Fair; once while seven months pregnant, and a second time covered in body paint.

Demi also appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman before the release of Striptease, wearing nothing but a bikini and the “Top Ten” list cards covering her, successfully disproving rumors that she was too fat to appear in the movie. And just as the Demi-hype calmed down in the media, she again proved to audiences that she was fit enough to star as a Navy SEAL in G.I. Jane, by doing one-arm pushups on the Late Show.

demi moore in charlie’s angels

Demi returned to the spotlight after a three-year hiatus, this time in 2000’s Passion of Mind. After reprising her role as Esmeralda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame II in 2002 (by lending her voice) and hooking up in real life with much-younger Ashton Kutcher, she made her much-anticipated screen comeback as the villain in Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle in 2003.

demi moore is back

Well into her 40s, Demi is in her prime, looking sexier than ever. In 2005, she can add Half Light and The Magic 7 to her resume.
 

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According to the direct Sales Association approximately seven hundred and fifty thousand new people join network marketing companies every single year - that’s over two thousand people every day. They join in industries as diverse as telecom, nutrition, merchant services, and legal services.
 
And every year, there are thousands of new individuals going through the usual MLM pitfalls. Nine out of ten people fail within their first 90 days of business. They might as well make a large donation to these MLM companies - open up their entire bank account to them.
 
They’re failing not for a lack of efforts, commitment, or consistency - they’re hard working people. So what’s the problem? These new comers are failing because they are not being provided adequate MLM support and training
on how to market a product or service in this industry.
 
Let’s take a look at one of the most common techniques taught for mlm prospecting: the 3-way call.
 
There are three major flaws with this:
 
· First, when you attempt to call your upline leader to close the prospect for you, there is always the possibility that he might not available when you need him or even if you could find him, he might not do a better job than you could. So you’re counting on a system for mlm prospecting that is not that reliable in the first place.  
 
· Second, you invite more mlm pitfalls because you grow more dependant on your upline because 3-way calling doesn’t teach you how to become a fully functional marketer yourself.
 
· Third, you miss on the opportunity to set yourself up as the expert. Every time you bring your prospect to a 3-way call, you destroy your credibility, your image as the person to seek out and transfer that perception to your upline mentor.
 
Thanks to 3-way calling and the edification that takes place, your upline leader’s visibility expands at your own expense and effort.
 
When you’re taught to recruit by leading with the opportunity in this business, that automatically position your upline leader as the expert and you as the gopher who bring more prospects to hear him talk about how much money he is making.
 
3-way calling among other techniques in network marketing was not designed for you in mind, but rather for the upline who capitalizes on your time, your efforts, and energy.  This technique was never meant to work for you in the long run, but rather to keep you hoping and wishing that you’d some day, some how reach the top, too.
 
So what you should do instead?
 
Groom yourself to be the leader, the expert promoting the products and/or services you’re marketing. When you learn to market your products based on their merits on those products two things happen:
 
1. You can now position as the expert based on your knowledge of those products, not on the money potential of the business.
 
2. You won’t need to 3-way call your upline leader because you can expertly talk to a consumer based on his desires and needs for what you’re marketing and not on the off chance that person is going to earn any money.
 
By becoming an authority on what you’re promoting, by learning all the intricacies of your products, you can enhance your position as the leader people would want to follow.
 
If you are tired of spending money on methods that have been proven not to work and would like to change things around, then you should fundamentally change how you view your business, the industry, and the techniques you’re taught.
 
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

quote

“I only have to do three things to look halfway decent: curl my eyelashes, fill in my eyebrows and put some lipstick on.” -Courteney Cox

biography

Courteney Bass Cox was born in Birmingham, Alabama on June 15, 1964. The youngest of four children, Courteney was closest with her father, Richard, who was a contractor (he passed away in 2001). Her parents were divorced in 1974 — her mother Courteney remarried Hunter Copeland, a businessman, in 1976, while her dad remarried in 1975. Courteney remained in Alabama with her mother and stepfather.

Courteney attended Mountain Brook High School and kept busy with activities like tennis, swimming and cheerleading.

courteney cox the model

In 1982, Courteney graduated from high school and began studying architecture at Mount Vernon College in Washington. She dropped out after a year to pursue a modeling career as a Ford model. Her portfolio includes magazine covers like Tiger Beat and Little Miss, as well as commercials for Maybelline, Noxzema and Tampax — as a matter of fact, she was the first person in American TV history to utter the word “period” on the air.

While living in New York in the early ’80s, Courteney met Ian Copeland, her stepfather’s nephew. The two worked at F.B.I. (Frontier Booking International), a concert booking agency in New York, in 1984. That same year, Courteney gained national exposure when director Brian De Palma selected her from a group of over 300 contenders to star as the girl Bruce Springsteen pulls onstage to dance with him at the end of his “Dancing in the Dark” video.

courteney cox on family ties

In 1985, Courteney appeared in the NBC series Misfits of Science, which was canceled several months later. In 1987, she landed the role of Lauren Miller, Michael J. Fox’s girlfriend on Family Ties.

When Family Ties ended in 1989, Courteney tried to build a career in the film industry, but she was unsuccessful. The disappointing movies on her resume from 1988 to 1993 include Cocoon: The Return, Mr. Destiny, Blue Desert, Shaking the Tree, and The Opposite Sex and How to Live with Them. Courteney claims that her romance with actor Michael Keaton, which lasted from 1989 to 1995, was one of the reasons behind her failed film career, as the relationship was too time-consuming.

courteney cox in friends

That all changed in 1994, when she starred as Jim Carrey’s girlfriend, Melissa Robinson, in the hit film Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. That same year, she could be seen as Monica Geller on NBC’s Friends, which remained her ultimate role until the show ended in 2004. Interestingly enough, Courteney actually auditioned for the role of bratty Rachel Green, which went to real-life best friend, Jennifer Aniston.

While Courteney was enjoying the benefits of Friends‘ incredible success (each cast member successfully negotiated their way to a $1 million per episode salary), she appeared as journalist Gale Weathers in 1996’s Scream, and reprised the role in the film’s sequels in 1997 and 2000.

courteney weds david arquette

Scream was more than a success — it was where Courteney met her husband, David Arquette. Arquette starred as geeky Deputy Dwight “Dewey” Riley, and married Courteney on June 12, 1999.

In addition to roles in The Runner (1999), 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001), The Shrink Is In (2001), Get Well Soon (2001), Alien Love Triangle (2002), and November (2004), Courteney had a bit part in 2005’s The Longest Yard.

courteney cox does mix it up

In May 2004, millions of viewers tuned in to watch the Friends finale, which couldn’t have come at a better time, as she gave birth to daughter Coco Riley Arquette on June 13, 2004.

Courteney has still been keeping busy with her interior design show, Mix It Up, which she co-produces with David, and roles in movies like 2005’s Alpha Dog and 2006’s Barnyard and Zoom.
 

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Aida Yespica was born on July 15, 1982, in Caracas, Venezuela. Her knockout good looks quickly opened several doors for her, and it’s pretty clear she’s in it for the long haul. And with a body like that, who can blame her? It wasn’t long before she entered the industry that she started working on Venezuelan television and modeling all over South America.

Since she burst onto the scene, her biggest accomplishment has certainly been winning the Miss Amazonia pageant in 2002, which is the achievement of a lifetime for a would-be model. Immediately after waltzing into the limelight with that enviable title, “would-be” quickly blossomed into “prominent.” Aida modeled for Nissan, Braun and Ras, and even walked the sexy catwalk for Ferre and Pearl.

Her ambitions include both modeling and acting, and if history is any indication, the U.S. and Europe never ignore the spellbinding exoticism produced by the South American modeling industry.

It may be slightly depressing for all roving bachelors out there, but she’s engaged to Deejay Francesco, an Italian writer and singer. However, she clearly has no qualms about nude modeling, so we’re very happy — for them and for us.

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William Shakespeare once observed: “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” The latter was certainly true for Lucy Katherine Pinder.

The busty babe and one of her friends were minding their own business on a beach in their hometown when she was spotted by a freelance photographer. As Lucy recalls, “I don’t know why we agreed, but he took some pictures of us on the beach, and sent them off to The Daily Star and The Sun. The Daily Star wanted some more photos and on the back of that I got a contract.”

Lucy’s face and curvy physique have been seen nearly everywhere since that fateful day in August 2003. She has appeared on the covers of magazines such as Loaded, Nuts, ZOO, Ice, and Fast Car, and she has appeared in prominent ads for PlayStation 2, the Yellow Pages and the National Lottery.

Her own website has also been doing a steady business of late, generating over 25 million hits a month. So what’s next for Lucy? “I’d like to move up to something else… maybe presenting,” she says. “I mean I’d love to be an actress, but then everyone says that and it’s not very realistic.” That may be true, but not everyone has a 32G bust and a body that would make even the devil sweat. In the meantime, look for Lucy to continue making appearances in The Daily Star, as well as in a handful of other top magazines.
 

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quote

“I was, like, forty at birth. When I wasn’t even a year old, I spoke, I was potty trained, I walked and talked. That was it. Then I started school and drove everybody crazy because they realized I had popped out as an adult. I had adult questions and wanted adult answers.” -Sharon Stone

biography

Sharon Stone was born on the March 10, 1958, in Meadville, Pennsylvania. The second child of four (she has an older Michael, younger sister Kelly and younger brother Patrick) to parents Joseph and Dorothy Stone.

Sharon’s mother wanted her brilliant child (Sharon is said to have an IQ of 154) to rise beyond the small-town, blue-collar fate of her and her husband, who were respectively a homemaker and Avon employee, and a factory worker.

sharon stone as sex symbol

Sharon did rise well above to the status of one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actresses and sex symbols, but not without some flops along the way.

Initially a creative writing student at Edinboro State University in Pennsylvania, Sharon entered on scholarship and graduated with a fine arts degree. In addition to her passion for literature, she also loved classic film.

Her foray into acting went the beauty pageant route, after beauty pageant promoters discovered her. Sharon didn’t succeed as a beauty queen, so she tried modeling instead. She became a Ford model, which raised her recognition factor and gave her experience in front of the camera, but was not stimulating enough for the future MENSA member.

Sharon made her film debut as the pretty girl on a train in Woody Allen’s Stardust Memories (1980), and starred in movies not even worth mentioning, such as 1981’s Deadly Blessing, 1985’s King Solomon’s Mines and 1987’s Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol. She did, however, make audiences take notice with a bit part in Irreconcilable Differences, in 1984.

TV audiences may remember Sharon from several ’80s shows in which she appeared, such as Remington Steele, Magnum P.I. and T.J. Hooker. After more roles in Made-for-TV movies, Sharon was cast as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “wife” in 1990’s Total Recall, which helped word of a new, sexy blonde actress get around Hollywood. Posing for Play.boy in the early ’90s didn’t hurt her cause either.

sharon stone in basic instinct

It was her role as bisexual author Catherine Tramell opposite Michael Douglas in the 1992 film Basic Instinct that not only made ice picks and going commando famous, but also made Sharon Stone a sex symbol and Hollywood’s newest “it” girl.

The MTV Movie Awards named Sharon the Most Desirable Female and gave her the award for Best Female Performance in 1993, but despite the slew of films that Sharon starred in, maintaining her reputation in Hollywood was difficult.

With bombs such as 1993’s Sliver, 1994’s Intersection, and 1995’s The Quick and the Dead (which was made by her production company, Chaos), skeptics of Sharon’s talent had more ammunition.

But she bounced back in 1995, with her memorable role as Ginger the hustler in Casino, co-starring Robert De Niro. The Academy Awards honored Sharon with a Best Actress Nomination, and she won the Golden Globe and the Women in Film Crystal Award that same year.

With highs come the lows, marked by ill-advised choices such as 1996’s Diabolique and Last Dance, 1998’s Sphere and The Mighty, 1999’s The Muse, Gloria, and Simpatico, and 2004’s Catwoman. Sharon’s ability to choose movies has been questioned — while her ability to deliver good performances remains intact.

Despite commercial highs and dips, Sharon has made a name for herself as a supporter of breast cancer research and is a gay-rights activist — she received a humanitarian award from the Human Rights Campaign, for her role in 2000’s If These Walls Could Talk 2, in which she played Ellen DeGeneres’ lesbian lover.

Sharon Stone reprised the role that made everyone take notice of her way back in 1992. She returned as Catherine Tramell in 2006’s Basic Instinct 2, proving that at she’s still got what it takes to maintain her sex symbol status.

sharon stone and phil bronstein

In real life, Sharon wakes up to husband Phil Bronstein, a newspaper editor who wed Sharon on Valentine’s Day 1998. The couple adopted a baby boy together in 2000, named Roan Joseph Bronstein. This is the second marriage for Sharon, who was previously married to associate producer Michael Greenburg from 1984 to 1987.

Sharon has already been romantically linked to singer Dwight Yoakam and actor/comedian Garry Shandling.
 

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What the heck is Bluetooth ? Bluetooth is a new technology that allows different devices from different manufacturers to “talk” to each other on a shared wireless platform. A low powered radio signal, essentially, Bluetooth allows wireless access to certain devices from about 30 feet. Sounds complicated and boring, but the effect of this technology is convenience for those who rely on handheld electronic devices such as phones, cameras and PDAs.

The advantage of Bluetooth-enabled devices is that Bluetooth is a standard operating system. Various devices from different manufacturers can communicate wirelessly. For example, Bluetooth makes it possible to use your keyboard with and Apple Power Book. Also, Bluetooth-enabled camera(or camera/phone) you can wirelessly transfer photos to any Bluetooth printer and get instant prints, transfer files, music or photos to any Bluetooth from camera to camera or computer to computer or phone to phone.

With Bluetooth enabled phones you can wirelessly transfer contact information, email messages to other paired devices.

From the automotive perspective, Bluetooth offers the ability to utilize you personal cell phone through a in-car system. Auto makers who currently offer Bluetooth as factory installed feature are Chrysler, Dodge, Ferrari, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus Maybach, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Toyota. The automobile Bluetooth is so appealing because of its low cost. For example, Chrysler’s system is calls Uconnect; the option costs is about $290 and consists of Bluetooth receiver, a microphone and a small control pad mounted to the dash.

Using the Bluetooth technology, you can make and receive calls from your car using your existing cell phone number. You use minutes in the normal way and the charges show up on your regular cell phone bill.

The potential of Bluetooth technology seem almost limitless. Bluetooth could be a technology that offers a safe compromise between those who desire to yak and those who job it is to protect us from those who yak on the phone while driving a huge chuck of steel and glass.

If your shopping for a new phone, PDA or camera, find one with Bluetooth capability. In the end it will make your life mush easier.

electronicsbydrjoe 
 

www.articleavenue.com

quote

“I’m carded for R-rated movies. And I get talked down to a lot. When I try to go rent a car or buy an airplane ticket or other stuff adults do, I get ‘Okaaaaaay, honey.’ I remember when I was 18, getting crayons in a restaurant.” -Kristen Bell

biography

Kristen Anne Bell was born in Detroit, Michigan, on July 18, 1980. Like Veronica, Kristen knows what it’s like to come from a broken home: her parents split when she was just 2 years old.

It didn’t take long for Kristen to demonstrate the strong will that would help her succeed as a young adult. When she was 4, she decided she didn’t like her first name anymore. At the time, she was a big fan of the Smurfs cartoon, so she decided that she wanted to be referred to as “Smurfette.” Fortunately, her mother talked her into using her middle name, and Kristen became “Annie.”

The outgoing Annie went to her first audition at age 11. She won a dual role as a banana and a tree in a suburban Detroit theater’s production of Raggedy Ann and Andy.

kristen bell on broadway

It didn’t take long for her gigs to improve. Her mother started checking out modeling agencies after several people said her daughter would look great in pictures. Before her 13th birthday, Annie had an agent and began to appear in newspaper advertisements for several Detroit retailers, including Kmart. In little time, these snowballed into TV commercials and private acting lessons.

She graduated from a Catholic high school near Motor City, where she sang as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. After graduation, Kristen headed to the Big Apple to attend the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. Just three years later, in 2001, she made her Broadway debut as Becky Thatcher in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. In 2002, she appeared on Broadway in The Crucible, opposite Liam Neeson and Laura Linney.

kristen bell in spartan

Kristen took her act to Los Angeles and scored a few guest-starring roles, appearing on Everwood, American Dreams and The Shield in 2003. In 2004, she was in the cable film Gracie’s Choice, playing a girl forced to help raise her sickly siblings while her mother tries to overcome a drug addiction. That same year, Kristen played the president’s kidnapped daughter in director David Mamet’s thriller, Spartan.

kristen bell is veronica mars

Then along came Veronica Mars, the role that thrust Kristen into stardom. Veronica is a 17-year-old high school student who’s gone from “in crowd” to outcast almost overnight. Her best friend was murdered. Veronica’s dad, the local sheriff, accused the victim’s father, the wealthy owner of a software corporation. After another man confessed to the crime, Veronica’s dad lost his job in a special recall election. The family lost its home. Mom disappeared. Veronica was shunned by the people she had called friends. But her spirit isn’t broken as she continues to pursue the real killer.

kristen bell in fifty pills

In 2005, we’ll be seeing more and more of Kristen. She was cast as Mary in the Showtime version of Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical, a role she had already played onstage, and will be appearing on the big screen in Deepwater and Fifty Pills.

In 2006, Kristen Bell can be seen in Roman and Pulse.

Kristen is dating Kevin Mann, an independent film producer and high school swimming coach. They live together in Los Angeles when she is not in San Diego working on Veronica Mars. Mann served as a producer for Fifty Pills.
 

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quote

“I love clothes. I can’t control myself. I have a huge fetish for shoes and clothes and makeup. I’m the kind of person who doesn’t like to wear things over and over again.” -Hilary Duff

biography

Hilary Duff was born on September 28th, 1987, in Houston, Texas. The younger of two sisters, she is representative of her family’s knack for the entertainment business (her mother is a producer, her sister a musician). It was during a ballet tour at the age of 6 that Hilary realized that she wanted to become an actress.

After a commercial appearance and much hard work, she landed her first role, in the made-for-TV movie True Women. It was certainly a mark of success for a 10-year-old; little did anyone suspect how much further she would take her career.

precious and precocious

Advancement came quickly for Hilary. After a solid turn as the titular witch in the made-for-TV movie Casper Meets Wendy in 1998, Duff appeared in the TV movie, The Soul Collector and received a Young Artist Award for Supporting Young Actress in a TV Movie or Pilot. But the real turning point in her career was her lead role in the Disney Channel’s successful show, Lizzie McGuire.

By all accounts, Lizzie McGuire took Hilary to the top ranks of young entertainers. Aside from becoming the Disney Channel’s No. 1 series, it broke records in its time slot (it also spawned a hit feature film in 2003). The series has given Hilary fame, fortune and — more importantly, she might argue — the opportunity to break into another passion of hers: music.

getting in tune

Duff contributed her vocals to the Lizzie McGuire television soundtrack album, for the song “I Can’t Wait.” Not surprisingly, it became a hit. After the less-successful Christmas album Santa Claus Lane, Duff returned to the recording studio to work on her real accomplishment: her debut album, Metamorphosis.

Continuing Hilary’s streak of nearly unprecedented success, Metamorphosis hit No. 2 on the Billboard charts upon its release, and soon afterward spent its fair share of time in the top spot. Featuring a variety of styles from a variety of talented producers and songwriters (including Hilary’s sister, Haylie), the record showcases Hilary’s adaptability to many musical styles. She has toured North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia in support of the album, and has long since been a regular on shows like MTV’s Total Request Live.

not sitting on her duff

Throughout her pop stardom, Hilary hasn’t given up acting. In 2003, she starred in both The Lizzie McGuire Movie and Agent Cody Banks, alongside Malcolm in the Middle’s Frankie Muniz. She will no doubt draw more attention to herself when the remake of Cheaper by the Dozen and A Cinderella Story are released.

Hilary shows no sign of relinquishing any of her endeavors. In fact, she has put notable efforts into charity work, not to mention social appearances. She is only 16, but Hilary Duff’s got the career of a thirty-something superstar.
 

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Can Voice over IP (VoIP for short) help your business? What is it and how does it work? Read on to find out how VoIP can save you money and enhance your business.

Introduction To Voice Over IP (VoIP)

The way we make phone calls is changing. In fact in many circumstances things have already changed. Take long distance calls for instance, many service providers are
already using a technology called Voice Over IP or VoIP for short. If you have never heard of Voice over IP (VoIP) before, then the following article will change the way you
think about how long distance phone calls are being made now, and about how all phone calls will be made in the future. Voice Over IP (VoIP) is a method for turning analogue audio signals into digital data that can be transferred over the internet.

You may be asking yourself how this new VoIP technology is useful. Well think about it for a few seconds. If it is possible to turn analogue signals into digital data, then
VoIP can turn a standard internet connection into a method for placing phone calls anywhere in the world virtually free, except for your internet service fee, enabling you to bypass the phone companies entirely.

Voice Over IP (VoIP) has the potential to completely revolutionise the way the worlds phone systems operate. There are many VoIP service providers that have been around
for a while, and are growing steadily. Now the worlds leading telecommunications operators are waking up to the endless possibilities of this new technology, setting up
VoIP calling centres around the world and promoting the sales of Voice Over IP phone systems.

Making a call

With VoIP phone systems it is possible to make a call in one of three ways:

ATA (gateway) – The simplest way to make a VoIP phone call is through the use of ATA’s (analogue telephone adaptors) sometimes called gateways. These devices enable you to make use of your existing standard analogue phones. You simply plug your standard handset into the ATA (gateway) then connect the ATA to your computer or your internet connection, enabling you to make VoIP calls.

An ATA takes the analogue signal from your standard phone and turns it into a digital signal that is ready for transmission over the internet. Some ATA’s (gateways) come with additional software that is loaded onto a host computer, enabling you
to configure it for VoIP accurately.

IP Phones – These handsets look just like normal standard handsets. They have an RJ 45 Ethernet connector instead of the standard RJ 11 connectors. These phones have all the necessary software and hardware to handle VoIP calls already built in them. They connect directly to your router, providing a very fast and cost effective entry into
the world of Voice Over IP.

Computer to computer – This is the easiest way to make use of the VoIP technology. There are many companies offering cost effective software that you can use for this type of VoIP. Usually the only charge you pay is the monthly one from your internet service provider, even for long distance calls. All you need is a microphone, speakers, a suitable
sound card and a fast internet connection.

Chances are that you have already made a Voice over IP (VoIP) call without even realising it. The major phone companies already use VoIP to route thousands of long distance calls through a circuit switch and into an IP gateway. This is then received by a gateway at the other end and then routed to another local circuit switch.

More and more companies are installing VoIP phone systems, and the technology will grow and grow until it finds its way into every business and household across the globe.

Voice over IP (VoIP) Features

Because with VoIP you can make calls from anywhere you have access to a broadband connection, users can take their IP phones or ATA’s with them on trips and still have access to what is essentially their home phone.

Some people use a softphone to access their VoIP service. A softphone is a specially developed software application that loads the VoIP service onto your desktop computer or laptop. Some even have an interface on the screen that looks like a traditional phone. These softphone applications allow you to place VoIP calls from your laptop; anywhere in the world you have access to a broadband connection.

Most traditional phone companies charge you for extra features that are added to your account. With VOIP service providers these usually come as standard. Features such as:

1. Caller ID

2. Call Waiting

3. Call Transfer

4. Repeat Dialling

5. Return Call

6. Three-Way Dialling

Some VoIP service providers also offer advanced call filtering features. These additional features allow you to decide how calls to a specific number are handled by using
caller ID information. They allow you to:

1. Forward the call to a particular number

2. Send the call directly to voicemail

3. Give the caller a busy signal

4. Play a “not-in-service” message

Many VoIP services also allow you to check your voicemail over the internet or attach messages to an e-mail that is sent to your computer or PDA. It’s best to check with VoIP
phone system suppliers and service operators exactly what features they offer as package and service prices vary greatly.

There are many other cost saving benefits that arise from a streamlined Voice over IP (VoIP) phone system network. For the network administrators, a VoIP phone system means they only have one network to maintain instead of two. The portability of the phone system is also greatly simplified.

This is because most VoIP phone systems can be configured using a web interface, which can be managed by the network administrator. The MAC (move, add, change) process is made much easier, and you will not have to call your system/service provider for every MAC you carry out. All this means lower ongoing costs for your company.

Another cost saving for companies who implement a VoIP system is, because multiple offices, no matter where they are in the world are seamlessly connected, they can share
many of the features VoIP can offer, such as:

1. One single receptionist

2. Auto attendant facilities

3. Voice mail system

Choosing a VOIP phone system

If you have decided that a VoIP phone system is the right step for your company, next you need to determine which of your existing telephone equipment you are able to keep. The potential cost savings that can be made through using any existing digital equipment are huge. Many digital phone systems can be IP enabled using minor hardware additions and software upgrades.

When shopping around for potential systems you need to be certain of the features they provide as standard and which are optional cost extras. You also need to be certain of
exactly what is included with the system. Many suppliers claim to include everything you need, but standard components can vary from one company to the other. So you need to sure you are comparing equivalent systems when approaching potential suppliers.

You will also need to enquire about the compatibility of existing equipment. The technology used in many VOIP systems may affect the implementation of any existing
telephone hardware.

You will also need to ensure that any devices such as fax machines, credit card processors, and security systems etc can be integrated into your new VoIP phone system. You should make any potential vendor aware of such devices so they can provide you with a suitable phone system for your requirements.

Finally, do not try to save money by buying used VoIP phone systems. Remember Voice over IP (VoIP) is a new technology, so even last years equipment is outdated. Also the installation cost will still apply whether the system is new or second hand, and the service costs may even be higher due to reliability issues. To put it simply it just isn’t worth the hassle, the higher secondary costs will wipe out any potential saving.

Thanks for reading,

About The Author:

Jason Morris is co-author, search engine optimization and marketing consultant of Business Phone Systems Direct. Specialists in the supply and installation of quality business phone systems and accessories from leading manufacturers. For a free quotation on one of our range of Panasonic phone systems and for free technical advice click Panasonic Phone Systems
 

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quote

“I love to dance. I can dance for, like, four or five hours nonstop without even drinking water. It’s a beautiful, beautiful thing.” -Petra Nemcova

biography

Born and raised in Karvina, in the Czech Republic, Petra Nemcova has taken the modeling world by storm. Ever since a modeling scout discovered her on the streets of her native country, she seems to be plastered in every magazine layout and advertisement.

Petra won the opportunity to model “swimsuits” for Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue in 2002, which was her second appearance in the magazine that has launched several modeling careers.

get a glimpse of her

In addition to her work for SI, the Next agency model has graced the pages of Elle, Harper’s Bazaar and the French model Madame Figaro, and is a model for companies like Max Factor, La Perla and Cartier.

Her first American TV appearance was on the Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, where the smitten host (who announced his love for her and British singer Dido) predicted that she would make the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue in 2003 — and he was right.

In December 2004, Petra and her boyfriend Simon Atlee (a British fashion photographer) were caught in the devastating Asian tsunami disaster. Their hut on the Thai beach resort of Khao Lak was swept away by the tsunami, leaving Petra holding on to a tree for eight hours while the water washed by. She was rescued and taken to a hospital to treat a broken pelvis and several internal injuries. Unfortunately, Simon Atlee is still considered missing (as of January 4, 2005).

Petra considers herself “lucky to be alive,” and she is giving back to those who were not as lucky, by posing from her hospital bed for US Weekly as a fundraising effort that will donate $200,000 to tsunami relief efforts.
 

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quote

“When I decided to resume acting, I had become Mrs. Travolta in many people’s eyes so I had to prove myself all over again.” -Kelly Preston about where I’ll be tomorrow. I try and stay in the moment.”

biography

On October 13, 1962, the world said aloha to Kelly Preston (nee Palzis) who was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. Preston’s biological father drowned when she was only three years old and her mother, a mental health administrator, married Peter Palzis (and eventually divorced in 1976). The future model/actress majored in drama at the University of Southern California when she was growing up.

At the age of 16, a fashion photographer discovered Preston and helped her get gigs in commercials and an audition for The Blue Lagoon. Although she lost the role of Emmeline to Brooke Shields, Preston received attention for her comedic roles in films such as Mischief and Secret Admirer, both released in 1985. Preston first entered the scene with her role as a general’s daughter on the 1983 television drama For Love and Honor.

In 1988, she was offered the role of Marnie Mason in the comedy Twins, opposite Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Although this seemed like a big break for her as an actress, the script didn’t offer a specific character description and the role was not the one to boost Preston’s acting career. This didn’t stop her from winning more roles, such as Arthur Miller’s The American Clock, a 1993 made-for-tv-movie in which her incredible acting talents were hard to miss.

As for romance, Preston’s love life didn’t include many long-term relationships, except for her present (and permanent) role as John Travolta’s wife for the past nine years. Preston met her first husband Kevin Gage at age 23, when they were both cast in the film Space Camp. After being Mrs. Gage for almost three years, Preston moved in with actor George Clooney. They lived together with their pet pig for a year until Clooney reunited with a former girlfriend. It is unknown who kept the pig. Preston moved in with Charlie Sheen, whom she was briefly engaged to. She was accidentally shot in the leg in their apartment. Her luck began to change when she met Travolta in 1987 while they were filming The Experts in Toronto. They ran into each other again in Vancouver three years later when she was filming Run and Travolta was working on Look Who’s Talking Too. They were married on September 5, 1991, in Paris by a French Scientology minister, but they had to renew their vows a week later in Daytona Beach, Florida, since their marriage in France was not considered legal. Their first son, Jett, was born April 13, 1992.

In 1996, Preston was cast in the Cameron Crowe hit Jerry Maguire as Tom Cruise’s sex obsessed icy girlfriend. After that, the roles began pouring in for Preston as she was cast in Addicted to Love, Nothing to Lose, Holy Man, Jack Frost, and Bar Hopping. She was last seen in the baseball romance For Love of the Game, co-starring Kevin Costner. Preston’s next role will be in this summer’s sci-fi movie Battlefield Earth based on the novel written by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Preston and her husband are both high profile Scientologists. They recently celebrated the birth of their second child on April 3, 2000, a baby girl named Ella Bleu.
 

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quote

“She has never gotten hard and jaded. No diva trips with Heather.” -How Heather’s business manager describes her

biography

Heather Dean Locklear was born September 25, 1961, in Los Angeles, California. The youngest of 4 sisters, Heather is the daughter of Bill, the Dean of the School of Engineering at UCLU (Heather’s former school), and Diane, an administrative assistant at Disney.

The blue-eyed blonde originally attended UCLA as a psychology major, when a casting director caught eye of the all-American beauty and encouraged her to take a commercial acting class. By the end of her freshman year, she began to do guest TV spots, and decided to pursue acting full-time.

spelling’s sweetheart

Heather started out with guest-appearances on a slew of early ’80s television programs, such as Chips, Eight Is Enough and The Fall Guy, as well as with a role in Twirl. But it was her work for uber-television producer Aaron Spelling that launched the actress’ career. In 1982, Spelling cast Heather as Samantha Josephine Dean Carrington Fallmont, or “Sammi Jo,” in the long-running primetime soap, Dynasty.

In the 1980s, she also landed the role of Officer Stacy Sheridan on T.J. Hooker, but her 7-year role as Sammi Jo was considered her claim to fame. As for the big-screen, Heather landed a role in Firestarter, the horror film starring Drew Barrymore, as well as 1989’s The Return of the Swamp Thing. Her role as Abby Arcane garnered Heather a 1990 Razzie Award, for Worst Actress in a Film.

Heather may have appeared in the made-for-TV movie, Rock ‘n’ Roll Mom in 1989, but she became a Rock ‘n’ Roll wife in 1985. Heather wed Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee (pre-Pam), which rebelled against her wholesome image.

The rock star wife was still appearing in television, with roles on made-for-TV movies Rich Men, Single Women, Lethal Charm, Dynasty: The Reunion, Highway Heartbreaker, and Illusions.

heather the rescuer

Aaron Spelling saw Heather’s television star potential in the 1980s, and wanted her to improve the ratings of the primetime soap, Melrose Place. Heather thought she was too old to join the twentysomething cast of town house residents, but as blonde vixen Amanda Woodward, Heather was just what the show needed to boost its low ratings and add some spice to the plot.

Amanda was the character audiences loved to hate, while Heather was the woman every woman wanted to hate, but couldn’t. It was clear that critics loved her, as Heather was nominated for Best Actress in a TV Drama for 4 consecutive years, for her work on Melrose Place.

While working as Amanda Woodward from 1993-1999, Heather guest-starred in the film Wayne’s World, as Wayne and Garth’s most schwingable babe; appeared in an uncredited role in The First Wives Club; and starred in Money Talks and Double Tap.

spinning round

Once Melrose Place’s successful run came to a close, Heather was invited to join the cast of the ABC sitcom, Spin City. The chemistry between Michael J. Fox and Heather made the show a hit, and as Caitlin Moore, Heather proved that once again, she was TV star material. Heather is now co-starring with her Money Talks co-star Charlie Sheen, after Fox’s departure from the show.

As for her married life, Heather and Tommy Lee got divorced in 1992, and in the tradition of falling for rock ‘n’ rollers, Heather married Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora (post-Cher) in Paris, in 1994. The couple welcomed their first daughter, Ava Elizabeth, into the world in 1997.
 

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Houston and many other communities are talking about “Wi-Fi.” What is it and how will it affect us? Is it all good, all bad, or somewhere in between?

According to the Wikipedia, “Wi-Fi is a brand originally licensed by the Wi-Fi Alliance to describe the underlying technology of wireless local area networks … based on … (certain) specifications. It was developed to be used for mobile computing devices, such as laptops, in LANs, but is now increasingly used for more services, including Internet and VoIP phone access, gaming, and basic connectivity of consumer electronics, such at TV’s and DVD players, or digital cameras. More standards are in development that will allow Wi-Fi to be used by cars in highways in support of an Intelligent Transportation System to increase safety, gather statistics and enable mobile commerce.

Wi-Fi and the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo are registered trademarks of the Wi-Fi Alliance - the trade organization that tests and certifies equipment compliance with… (certain) standards.”

In looking over the advantages and disadvantages listed in the article, there are some things we should be aware of before we fire up our Wi-Fi enabled electronics. Certainly, there are some advantages. The biggest one seems to be that Wi-Fi is a global set of standards. Unlike cell phones, the Wi-Fi client works the same — all over the globe! Wouldn’t it be great if our cell phones worked this way Because of Wi-Fi’s range, more — and different types of — people are able to utilize it. This brings more equality to the use of technology. Another advantage revolves around the virtual uncrackability of Wi-Fi’s encryption (system for keeping your private info private, even though it is being sent over common carriers).

When everyone uses the same system, more innovation can take place, because they are not wasting time overcoming “system interference” (Again, think of cell phones — cell phones can only be understood by their own towers).

However, all is not “sweetness and light” in the world of Wi-Fi. There are some rather serious issues. I’m surprised that there are so few voices opposed to the proliferation of Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi uses a lot of power and there is “pollution” — something I’m already seeing in some high-density neighborhoods. This is the interference of a closed/encrypted access point with other open access points in the area. An example I’m familiar with is the Wi-Fi access of a local sports bar interferes with the private access in folk’s homes and offices (again, in Houston).

The Wi-Fi disadvantage I want to make you aware of has to do with the Wi-Fi Access Points’ default mode. That means that they typically default to an open — unencrypted mode. Most newbies to the world of Wi-Fi may not be aware that they are offering “open wireless access to their LAN” (local area network). Hackers can monitor Wi-Fi networks, read and copy data (including personal information) transmitted over the network, unless encryption is used.

So what is the bottom line? Well, Wi-Fi is not going away. Like most new technology, we need to learn to work with it — to reap the benefits, when we can, and avoid the dangers. The first thing we need to do — after figuring out how to open the box — is to learn how to encrypt everything!

OK, I’ll take Wi-Fi. But can someone please tell me why I need a television at 25 or more points in a grocery store? Or better yet, why do I need a television blaring when I’m purchasing gas for my car? For my money, this is technology run amuck.

Marylouise teaches a variety of courses to seniors and owns a website (www.EasyOnlineOrdering.com), where she sells a broad selection of consumer products.

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quote

“I did try to get a few of those teen high-school movies, but they just didn’t like me. I guess I wasn’t a certain type.” -Leelee Sobieski

biography

Leelee (short for Liliane) Rudabet Gloria Elsveta Sobieski was born June 10th, 1983, in New York City, to mother, Elizabeth, a French artist and father, Jean Sobieski (who is somewhere in the royal line for the Polish Crown).

She claims that her family never had much money, but was raised in both France and New York’s posh Upper West Side and attended private school. The young actress whom will forever be compared to Helen Hunt appearance-wise, was discovered by a talent scout in the cafeteria of her New York City school.

keep your eyes wide open

After this chance encounter, she became a candidate for the role of Claudia in Interview with the Vampire (which she eventually lost out to Kirsten Dunst). Still, the discovery led to other roles in some smaller movies such as Tim Allens mindless Disney dribble, Jungle 2 Jungle and eventually to her first big break in 1998’s awful apocalyptic epic Deep Impact, opposite Lord of the Rings star, Elijah Wood.

She next landed the role of Joan in the CBS miniseries, Joan of Arc, which garnered her Golden Globe and Emmy nominations (not bad for a then 17-year-old). While filming J of A in the Czech Republic, she made up for the loss of working with Tom Cruise in Interview with the Vampire to land the role with Tom, Nicole, and a little director named Stanley Kubrick, in the legendary director’s last film, Eyes Wide Shut.

take us on a joy ride

Leelee was officially a star with a dedicated following. She went on to star with Drew Barrymore in the eternal chick flick, Never Been Kissed, in 1999, Here on Earth in 2000, and four films in 2001 including The Glass House and Joy Ride.

Leelee has several projects in the works and in the can including Hoffman, and Samantha Lang’s L’Idole. With a full plate of work ahead and a dedicated fan base, Leelee is sure to be around for a while (and maybe people will even stop mentioning Helen Hunt in every piece about her).
 

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quote

“As a model, you’re so used to taking your clothes off that you just don’t care.”
- Tyra Banks

biography

Tyra was born in Los Angeles on December 4th, 1973, into a loving and supportive family. Despite the divorce of her parents when she was only 6 years old, and the torments of her older brother Devin, Tyra’s youth was happy and trouble-free.

Though it might be hard to believe, Tyra was tall, skinny and awkward as an adolescent. She was constantly teased by her brother and her classmates, and often ran home crying to her mother for comfort. But late into her high school years everything changed. Tyra filled out her skinny frame, began to work out and finally decided to become a model. She pursued that goal with the determination that now marks all of her activities.

After being turned down by four modeling agencies because they didn’t think she was photogenic, Tyra finally signed with Elite Model Management at age 17. She had her foot in the door and she was ready to push right on through. Instead of beginning her freshman year at Loyola Marymount College, Tyra moved to Paris for a year and modeled for many of the big names in fashion, including Ralph Lauren and Chanel. She then moved back to the States and continued modeling, rocketing her way up through the ranks.

tyra banks in sports illustrated

Once Tyra hit the modeling scene, it was clear that she was born to be there. Some of her most notable modeling contracts started with Victoria’s Secret and Sports Illustrated — in 1996 she was the first black woman to be feature on an SI swimsuit issue cover.

Tyra has strutted her stuff on runways in London, Paris, Milan, Tokyo, and the United States, for all the big names from Anna Sui and Dolce & Gabbana to Richard Tyler. Tyra is also credited with numerous magazine and print modeling appearances for her work for Cover Girl, Swatch and Nike, just to name a few.

Tyra was meant to grace the covers of magazines and grace them she has; Seventeen, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, GQ, Cosmopolitan, Essence, ELLEgirl and ELLE are among those that have hosted her image.

Despite her obvious success as a runway and magazine model, Tyra walked the walk for the last time at a 2005 Victoria’s Secret runway show, putting her modeling career behind her. In February of 2006, Tyra celebrated her 10th anniversary of being on the cover of Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue by recreating her debut shot on the beach in the Bahamas.

tyra banks and america’s next top model

Modeling just wasn’t enough for Tyra and soon after her picture-perfect career began she tackled television. This affair began with a recurring role on Will Smith’s Fresh Prince of Bel-Air where she played Jackie Ames, Will’s ex-girlfriend. In this early years, Tyra was one of Barker’s Beauties on The Price is Right, and she also appeared on Felicity and on an episode of MADtv.

Since then Tyra has turned her television love affair into a full-fledged relationship. In 2000 she became the producer, hostess and head judge of America’s Next Top Model, a reality show that brings together bright young modeling talent from across the nation to compete for a Cover Girl contract and cash prize. The show has spawned spin-offs around the globe, including Australia’s Next Top Model and Canada’s Next Top Model.

Tyra also has her own talk show. In 2005, The Tyra Banks Show began and has had much success ever since. Tyra, following in Oprah’s footsteps, has created a talk show that promotes the female body and mind no matter what the size, shape or color.

tyra banks in coyote ugly

Tyra’s first substantial movie role came in John Singleton’s Higher Learning. She played Omar Epps’ track-running girlfriend and, although it was a small role, critics were impressed by the intensity she brought to the screen.

Tyra was definitely not just another supermodel playing at being an actress — her performance was the real thing. She even did some distance-running training, in order to deliver a more believable performance. When the film came out, more offers began to roll in.

Tyra went on to a small part in Love Stinks. Then, in 2000, she landed a supporting role in the popular independent film Love & Basketball, and a starring role in the made-for-TV Disney movie Life-Size (in which she played a doll brought to life by a wish).

A prominent part in Coyote Ugly (2000) brought Tyra back into the movie limelight.

tyra banks on people’s most beatiful

Tyra made People Magazine’s “100 Most Beautiful” list not once, but twice, and even wrote a revealing book about her life, Tyra’s Beauty Inside & Out. She also had a few high-profile relationships, first with John Singleton and then with pop singer Seal. Tyra is rumored to have gone out with Kobe Bryant, Rick Fox, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and… Mark Messier? Strangely enough, yes.

In interviews, Tyra often says that she has a preference for normal guys, albeit tall ones — she measures 5′11″. Tyra has also expressed her desire to find Mr. Right, get married and have kids one day.

tyra and her weight

Unlike most other models, Tyra claims that doesn’t watch what she eats; she has gone on record stating that she eats barbecued ribs, fried chicken wings, ice cream, and even fast-food.

So how does Tyra stay in shape? She plays lots of sports, particularly basketball and tennis, and makes sure she always has fun while exercising.
 

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Born in Tennessee on May 16, 1986, Megan Denise Fox started taking drama and dance lessons at the age of five and thrived from the very beginning. Despite a move to Florida when she was 10, Megan’s parents did not let their youngest daughter forego her talent, and so the future actress continued her training.

By age 13, her dancing led to modeling opportunities and Fox excelled in this new arena. In 1999, she won several awards at the American Modeling and Talent Convention in Hilton Head, South Carolina. With this new credit, Fox began venturing into acting, and after she moved to Los Angeles, a future career in showbiz looked probable.

Fox made her acting debut in 2001, appearing in the straight-to-video release Holiday in the Sun, a Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen film. She then garnered a recurring role in the low-key soap opera Ocean Ave. and appeared in an episode of the Amanda Bynes series What I Like About You. 2004 was the year Fox joined the legion of female teens overtaking Hollywood, as she appeared alongside Lindsay Lohan in Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, did the TV movie Crimes of Fashion and secured a spot on the Kelly Ripa-led sitcom Hope & Faith.

As Hollywood began to take notice of this budding star, Megan started joining the ranks of her fellow female actresses by posing in photo spreads, like her 2005 shoot for FHM. The following year, the magazine named her No. 68 on their 100 Sexiest Women of 2006 list. And in 2007, she continued her lasting relationship with the magazine for another spread in their March issue.

Megan’s biggest break, however, came in 2007 when she was cast as the lead actress in the highly anticipated Transformers movie, in which she plays Shia LaBoeuf’s love interest.
 

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One of the greatest joys for any photographer is to hold their finest photograph in their hands, or—better still—hang it on the family room wall. But when it comes to photo printers, you have almost as many choices as when you picked out your camera. Here are some features to consider when buying a photo quality printer:

1. Size of print. Printers are categorized by the maximum size of the print they can produce. Common choices are a) 4×6 “snapshot,” b) up to 8 1/2 x11, or c) up to 13×19 inches. The bigger you go, the more you pay.

2. Number of ink colors. The best photo-quality inkjet printers use six or more ink colors.

3. Ink type. Dye-based inks offer slightly brighter, more saturated colors compared to pigment inks.

4. Longevity of prints. Pigment inks last longer than dye-based inks, though life is influenced by the paper used, too. Most of today’s printers will produce prints that will last as long or longer than standard photo prints.

5. Price range. As with all things electronic, we get what we pay for. Printers get faster, handle larger paper and have more inks as price goes up.

6. Print speed. Don’t be fooled by the hyped speed usually displayed with photo printers at the store. This is usually for draft, non-photo quality. Look for specific photo-quality speeds.

7. Direct printing. Many printers offer the possibility of printing directly from your camera (look for the term PictBridge) or a memory card, so you can print without going through a computer.

8. Resolution. This is measured in dpi (dots per inch) and is a minor factor, as all photo-quality printers today have enough resolution to create beautiful prints.

Learn more about photo quality printers before you make a purchase.