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Archive for the ‘Arts and entertainment’ Category

How Do You Make a Paper Gun

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Kids live what they learn!   This is so clear bearing in mind the kind of world we live in these days.  We are so developed to the point where people call or email each other from various regions of a house.   Kids no longer spend time playing family games or fooling around the house.  Instead, they are stuck in their allocated quarters browsing the internet, playing video games or watching movies.  Movies are filled with action that quite often is gun related and as such kids have developed a interest for guns.  Boys specifically have a an obsession for toy guns.  Due to the rise in popularity of this unsafe weapon, new versions have been produced to meet the needs of the eager little boys.  One such version is the paper gun.  Paper guns can also be enjoyable for kids to create so it comes with added fun in creating it then playing with it.

Paper gun creation can be a good connection strategy for parents and children particularly father-to-son connection.  For children who are fascinated with guns and movies depicting the use of guns extensively, creating a paper gun is far better and inexpensive than to purchase one.  They are safe, exciting and easy to create.  There are also different methods to make paper guns.  Follow the guidelines provided on how to make a paper gun and sooner or later you will become skilled at the craft.

Materials Required:

2 sheets of letter size copy paper (you can also use origami paper if you prefer).

Directions:

1.Fold one sheet of paper in half lengthwise.
2.Fold the paper in half again lengthwise.
3.The half-size paper that you now have, fold it in two another time lengthways.  You should have a long paper like a ruler.
4.Take the other sheet of letter size paper.  Fold it in two lengthwise, and then fold in half lengthwise again.  Fold it another time to get the exact results like you did with the first piece of paper.  Therefore you should have two long pieces of paper.
5.Take one of the papers that you folded and fold it the opposite way, that is, across the width ensuring that the left edge joins the right edge.   Crease the paper well.  This will create the barrel of the gun.
6.Take the next sheet of paper and fold over each end at a 90-degree angle.  Leave about 4 inches space in the centre.  The two ends must be even and equally aligned.
7.Take the paper in hand and fold the two 90-degree folds exactly in two in the middle space.  Both ends of the paper must be equally aligned and even.
8.Take the piece of paper to be used as the gun barrel and place it over the 90-degree angles so that it fits into the pockets created by the 90-degree angles when folded together.
9.Pull it back and slide forward to form an L-shaped gun.  Your gun is now finished and ready for combat!

Tips:

You can let children to colour the paper in the colour they prefer their guns to be to make it more exciting. You can even use markers to outline the gun to make it look more interesting.
You can try other types of paper like notebook paper or origami paper.  There are metallic types of origami paper that will effectively make the gun look more realistic.
You may experiment with various sizes and shapes to come up with different kinds of gun once you learn the primary gun making technique.
If you want your gun to be more stable, you can use glue or staples to hold the folded areas in place.
Search online for how to make a paper gun and find various techniques in making the craft.

Written by admin

January 4th, 2011 at 11:04 pm

Bollywood Movies

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Bollywood Movies

If you’ve never watched Bollywood movies, you should give one or two of them a try.

“Bollywood” is the term used to describe the Hindi film industry based out of the Indian economic and financial hub city, Mumbai, though you might know it better as Bombay. The term is used wrongly by westerners to refer to the entire Indian movie industry, though India is a country with so many different sub-cultures and languages, that it truly only refers Hindi-speaking productions.

Bollywood Film Characteristics

These films tend to be musicals filled with catchy musical numbers, as well as song-and-dance routines. For American lovers of musical cinema, it’s worth it to see if your love of the genre translates to another language and transcends cultural boundaries.

Other conventions in Bollywood cinema includes comedy aspects, love triangles and romance, lots of melodrama, and thrilling sequences. Hindis call them “masala”, or mixture of spices, because these productions tend to mix action, romance, and comedy in one storyline. Indians expect to get their money’s worth when they go to the public theater, and that’s what Bollywood stories give them.

North American movie buffs who don’t mind mixed genres or 3-hour extravaganzas should take a look at a few Bollywood DVDs or blu rays. One other note: you’ll find these Bollywood producers tend to borrow heavily from popular American movies and successful foreign films. For instance, imagine the Hindi knock-off of Reservoir Dogs, but with musical numbers and dancing.

Written by randy

December 23rd, 2010 at 8:07 am

Three Great Action Movies to See

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Action adventure movies are popular among masculine motion-picture fans. Here are a few of our favorite action movies.

Enter the Dragon

Bruce Lee does not always look like he is enjoying himself. One spectacular exclusion to that rule is 1980′s ‘Enter the Dragon’. Bruce Lee is genuinely enjoying beating up nine or ten guys at the same time, and it shows on his face and in his body language. ‘Enter the Dragon’ is a pure action film, with almost no dialogue and nothing in the way of a character arc. You want an hour of perfectly choreographed fighting? Look no further than ‘Enter the Dragon’. Most fanatics of Bruce Lee would probably point to ‘Fists of Fury’ as the greatest Bruce Lee action adventure motion picture, but I think this final chapter to his film career fits better into the action genre. Too often, Bruce Lee’s earlier movies are lost on Western audiences. This has nothing to do with language and everything to do with style. movies made outside of Hollywood look nothing like our familiar Hollywood fare — ‘Enter the Dragon’ is the most agreeable Lee movie for us Americans to swallow.

Top Gun

In the mid 80s, Tom Cruise starred in this homage to weaponry. ‘Top Gun’ is an elementary choice for the best action films ever–guns, explosions, bikes, and beautiful ladies with plenty of male bonding thrown in for good measure. Top Gun has the simplest of plotlines and from time to time the dialogue is best turned off, but you Don’t view ‘Top Gun’ (or most action adventure movies for that matter) for the writing. You get a great deal of up close and personal shots of F-14 fighter jets, shiny and brilliant, surrounding Tom Cruise like an awful and deadly glove. All of Tom Cruise’s movies are similar — Tom Cruise’s character works through his daddy issues — but even without a unique or compelling plot, Top Gun is a monstrosity of an action motion picture.

Hard Boiled

The title of ‘Hard Boiled’ is an allusion to one of the more action heavy genres of fiction — hard-boiled fiction was at one time the realm of outstanding pulp authors like Raymond Chandler. Terrific detectives such as Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe developed out of the hard-boiled tradition. The star of the film, Chow Yun-Fat, is notoriously charming, at once handsome and brutal, fascinating and venomous. In the climax of ‘Hard Boiled,’ the audience finds our hero in a hospital battling dozens of villains with a pistol in one hand and a baby in the other hand. John Woo’s movies are well known among action movie fanatics for their stylized and gorgeous ferocity and choreography. ‘Hard Boiled’ serves up all of the best of John Woo and Chow Yun-Fat, though this film is early in Woo’s career and is a little raw. The fighting is at once true-to-life and pretty, the pacing is terrific, and if there is not much of a plotline, who cares?

Written by randy

December 8th, 2010 at 9:42 am

The Best Scrabble Strategy

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Scrabble Strategy Tips

If you are searching for Scrabble tactics, pointers, and secrets, then you likely desire to win more often at Scrabble. We offer a few winning Scrabble hints here, and we are mostly certain that they’ll help you win at Scrabble more often. Even implementing just one or 2 of the strategies on this page will help you win more often.

Memorize Two Tile Words

If you will take the time to learn the 124 two letter words that are acceptable moves in Scrabble, then you will have a large edge over any other opponent who doesn’t know these words. 2 letter words don’t appear important, because they are not ordinarily worth a lot of points, but you can use them to play when the game board seems blocked. You can also earn startling numbers of points by making parallel plays. An online Scrabble dictionary can be a useful too.

Know When to Make a Lower Score on a Move

Frequently the best scoring word you can play is the appropriate move, but not always. One thing to consider when deciding what play to make is which letters will be left in your rack afterwards. If a word would wipe out all of the vowel tiles and only leave you with consonants, then that’s not a optimal move, because it will hamstring your next move. A mnemonic trick to help you remember letters which would be worthwhile to keep in your rack at all times is the word RETAINS. It features all the most crucial pieces, and you should attempt to keep at least some of those letters in your rack at all times.

Triple Word Scores

When you make a play that leaves your adversary the chance to utilize a triple word score space, you’re giving up a lot. Don’t forget this while you are playing, but do not disregard potentially great plays just because they open up a triple word score for your opponent.

Realize What Hooks Are

A hook is any letter of the alphabet that can be located at the beginning or end of a word in order to make a longer word. For instance, you could add the tile S to the word PLATE to make PLATES. Or you can add a S to the end of RELATE to make the word RELATES.

Skipping Your Move

Some Scrabble players waste turns by skipping their turn so they can draw a new rack of letters. This is ordinarily a good way to waste your turn without getting much of an advantage. But sometimes skipping your turn and getting a new rack is a good move. You ought to be scoring more than 10 points per play if you have a respectable rack of letters. If you’re not scoring much, then it might be time to trade out your tiles for some new pieces.

Written by randy

December 6th, 2010 at 5:11 pm

Get Lite Street Dance

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Getting Lite

Getting Lite also named getting dark, lite feet or getting heavy, is a street dance currently gaining popularity in urban and street groups, that began in Harlem, NY. It usually occurrs when a group of individuals meet and clap a variation of a clap a four count beat over and over. Dancers can then go into the circle and perform moves that are similar to Jerkin, the chicken noodle soup, and the Harlem shake.

Steps to learning Getting Lite:

It s simple and about anyone can do it

Non-dancers should be happy to realize that though the moves of getting litre mimic the movements of already existing dances, they are not the dances themselves. Therefore it is a whole lot simpler to hide an error or to

simply have fun getting lite when in fact you might have no idea what you re doing. People who are thought to be greatest at getting lite are original, so while youtube and other video blog video posts are a good place to get the basic principles, they should not be copied precisely. To put it simply, if you have seen it, at least half of the people who you would end up getting lite with would have seen it too.

Integrate other dance moves :

There are various versions of the moves when it comes to facial expressions. Some people prefer to look silly; sticking out their tongues or looking surprised whenever they perform a move. Others will seem like they are doing the most complex thing with a perfectly stern look on their faces.

Don’t forget your feet:

A movement that is present in all the dancers ways is quck foot movements (hence the name lite feet), incorporating hopping, jumping and crisscrossing. If you are stumped watching the professional videos online where dancers will appear to looks so much better than you think you do, and you need step by step instruction figuring out getting lite, there are tutorials that can can provide a walk through. You can replay them as many times as you need until you are comfortable doing the moves. Just keep in mind, that in reality, originality is still key and there are no rules or limits to what you can do. It’s all about self expression and having fun.

Use your props

Props are also big in getting lite. Dancers will use hats, shirts, shoes, backpacks and jacket’s to emphasize their movements, throwing into the group of persons gathered or jumping over them

Touch the ground:

At some point, an item or the individual getting lite will make contact with the ground or take an item up off the ground. This may be difficult to do in time to the beat, but if you do it, you’re well on your way to get lite.

Practice and have fun with it:

Get lite is about having fun, even if you check the videos on youtube, you will see the dancers stumble, and there’s nothing wrong with it. You can always step out of the circle if you’re in a group of persons or fix areas when you feel you may be awkward at home where no one can see. Anyone can learn how to do the Get Lite dance.

Written by admin

June 17th, 2010 at 9:44 pm

How to Build a Kite

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Kite flying can be a really relaxing past time and though ready-made kites are cheap and easy to get, it can be really rewarding to make one from scratch with your own two hands. The process is very quick and easy so if you are up for it, here are a few things to get you started on a diamond-shaped kite.

How To Build A Kite

Required Tools

Markers, paint or crayons

Knife/saw

Scissors

Required Materials

String

Scotch tape or glue

1 sheet of strong paper/plastic (102cm x 102cm)

2 sticks of bamboo or wooden doweling 90cm and 100cm

Strong cord

Instructions

The first phase is to make the frame of your kite. Lay the 100 cm stick on a level surface and put the 90 cm stick across it. The 90 cm stick should be about 2/3 up the 100 cm stick and should be the same on both sides (basically you should have the shape of a cross). Keep in mind that you are making a diamond shape therefore the 90 cm stick should be over the middle of the 100 cm stick.

Once the sticks are lined up use the string to wrap around them and secure them into position. Use a knife/saw to cut tiny nicks into the 4 ends of the frame big enough for string to fit in without jumping out. Now tie the end of the string to one of the sticks and run the string right around the frame. Put the string into a notch, wrap it right around the stick so it remains in position and move on. Do this on all the sticks, then tie the string and snip it with a knife or scissors.

Now take the paper/plastic and put it down and then lay the frame on top of it. Use your scissors to cut the paper/plastic to equal the frame, leaving about 2 cm extra right around. If you plan to paint or color the kite, this is most likely the best opportunity to do so as it will be simpler to make patterns while the paper/plastic is lying flat as opposed to waiting until it is wrapped around the frame.

After you are done with your painting/coloring and the paper/plastic has dried, fold the extra paper/plastic over the strings and tape or glue them down so that they cover the string frame, ensuring that the paper/plastic is properly stretched and rigid.

Tie a piece of string around the top and bottom of the 90 cm stick, however, leave a bit of extra string loose in the middle (for example as the stick is 90 cm long, make the string about 100 cm long). Tie another section of string around the top of the 100 cm stick and around the bottom too as with the 90 cm stick but leave additional string at the bottom for the tail (about 25 cm longer). Locate where both strings cross each other in the middle. This is where you will tie the string that you will be holding onto while the kite is flying.

Finally use ribbons to decorate the kite tail; besides looking pretty the ribbons will add weight to the kite and keep it from spinning out of control when in the air. When this step is finished tie the cord you will be holding around the 2 strings mentioned earlier and your kite is ready to go.

Tips and Warnings

When running the string to create the kite’s frame, make sure you do not draw the string so tautly that you warp the frame of the kite.

If the kite keeps dipping or spinning out of control the tail may be too light or too heavy as such experiment with it until the kite flies steadily.

Here you can find more information on how to build a kite.

Written by admin

June 6th, 2010 at 10:49 pm

How to Build a Ballista

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A ballista is a very old kind of crossbow which was used in times of combat by mostly the Greeks & Romans. The ballista functions by propelling heavy darts or stones to damage the enemy. Persons carry out projects on ancient societies which might require them to feature certain objects from the Greeks and Romans, in such instances the ballista may be needed for a presentation. These tools may also be used in screenplays and movies that display ancient times while for others this feet might just be to open up a creative enlightenment by attempting to make objects that symbolize antiquity. You can make a ballista by purchase a ballista-making kit but it is much more fulfilling to construct one by yourself from scratch with all the materials and equipment. This will allow you to expand on your resourcefulness as well as relive a situation of the early days of conflict.

How To Build A Ballista

Required Tools:

Hammer

Measuring tape

Required Materials:

Thin rope

Piece of strong nylon

Nails

2 washers

2 hoop hooks

Wooden block 12” high and 12” wide, 24” long; the base

Block of wood 3”x3”x12”

Block of wood 2” x 2” x 24”

2 blocks of wood 2” x ¼’’ x 12”

2 – 2” cubes of wood

1 length of wood about the same size as a standard pencil

2 wooden cylinders approximately 2” diameter and 2” long

2 – 2” long poles made of metal

Instructions are as follows:

1. First you need to construct the bottom section of the ballista. Place it onto the work table and line up the 3 inch block of wood to the 12 inch edge of the base and connect both pieces of wood together using the nail and hammer.

2. Now position the block so that it is resting with the 3 inch block on the bottom then use the nail to attach the 2’x24” section of wood to the top middle section of the base.

3. Use the hammer and nail to connect the first 2”x12” piece of wood to the 24 inch piece so that both pieces form a T.

4. Place the 2 cubes of wood between the horizontal wood of the T-shaped design. These pieces should be nailed about three inches from where the two parts connect.

5. Place the left over 2”x12” section of wood atop of these cubes. Put a single nail into this wood, then into the blocks, then into the first 2”x12” piece.

6. Put both wooden cylinders on whichever side of the horizontal ends of the T shape.

7. Put a washer on each end of the horizontal bar of the T, about 3 inches apart from each end. Nail them in place.

8. Attach a hoop hook between your wooden cube and the wooden cylinder on the inner section of the horizontal piece of the T. then place in the rope into each hook, and start to wind the rope. When you have twisted it halfway up the length of the rope, wind the pencil-like piece of wood into the rope, then tighten it securely around the wood.

9. Place the rope through the wood and through the washer. Place your metal pole atop the hole in the washer so that it settles in a horizontal plane. Knot the ropes and lock them to the poles and cut off the other ends of the rope. Connect each of the ends of the nylon or rubber to the pencil-like portion of wood.

Tips and Warnings

* If you are deciding to use the ballista only do it in a well open area, and never inside. Make sure that there are no humans or animals near by.

* Try out different objects to see which goes the farthest or produces the most impact.

Read here for more information on how to build a ballista

Written by admin

May 26th, 2010 at 3:46 am

How to Build a Roller Coaster

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All good roller coasters start with a model; a model shows prospective customers what the ride will look like, how firm it will be, and aids their choice on whether to purchase it or not. So here are a couple steps in making a roller coaster model that can afterwards become a real roller coaster ride.

How To Build A Roller Coaster

Required Tools

Super glue

Normal marker

Permanent marker

Wire cutter

Required Materials

Paint

Your preference of material for the model (e.g., clay, tin)

1 yard of wire

Scenery pieces such as artificial trees, miniature people, plants etc.

Plexiglass

Small pieces of plastic

Instructions

Settle on the sort of roller coaster you want to make and pick the material you wish to use to build a roller coaster. You can use clay, some type of metal, or some persons even use popsicle sticks and toothpicks, so select which you want to work with and begin.

Use the normal marker to draw the shape of the track on the plexiglass, – the lift hill, inversions (loops), secondary hills, etc, and once you have settled on the shape, use the permanent marker to go over it to keep it from getting rubbed out. The structure, tracks and support are all very essential pieces of the model and must be laid out plainly here. Now you can start building.

Using the clay or other material of your choosing start putting the model together. Take your time to put in each piece and install support pieces where needed to guarantee the model is sturdy and firm and does not collapse.

Every roller coaster begins with a very high hill dubbed the lift hill, this is because roller coasters generally are driven by gravity and the lift hill is the only location on the track that an electric motor is used to get the coaster to the top and then gravity takes over. So it is important to perfect the height and shape of the lift hill.

To build the lift for your model, use a wire cutter to cut 3-4 pieces of the wire and lay them side by side in the center of the lift hill. Next pick 2 areas at the top and bottom of the lift hill that the lift will run through to connect under the tracks. Then to the side of the lift hill, thread the wire below the supports to form a kind of chain until both ends join. Glue the ends together and permit them to dry.

Using the glue place 2-3 more pieces of wood on the top section of the lift hill as the launch area of the track, and additionally on the inversion and turn sections of the track. Lastly take the small pieces of plastic and glue them one by one along the inner area of the chosen track to symbolize the magnetic mechanisms used to launch roller coasters. Paint and decorate your roller coaster, make a small train for aesthetics and your model is complete.

Now it is time to get out there and find a client to make your model into a real ride!

Tips and Warnings

Since gravity is what keeps the coaster rolling, the length and height of the lift hill will be what supplies the drive to keep the coaster going. So bear this in mind when designing the height and slope of the lift hill.

Build your model on a surface that is the color of the ground, either brownish for dirt or green for grass.

As you make the model, compare it to the plexiglass outline to make sure that all the track areas and supports are where they ought to be and none are missing.

Written by admin

May 24th, 2010 at 1:28 am