Lottery Laws Animal

As I am an only child I have a bit of a problem when it comes to attention – I’m always seeking it. This however is socially accepted as ‘only child syndrome’ so I think I can get away with it. Unfortunately I can’t seem to get away from the fact that I am the most un-photogenic person on the planet, so I won’t be draped over the bonnet of a new Mitsubishi anytime soon. In any crowd, at any party or social occasion you can think of I’m there, in the front gurning uncontrollably in front of the camera.

Just a few years ago this wouldn’t have been much of a problem as the photos would be condemned to the family photo album or remain imprisoned on a friends’ memory card. Nowadays with the advent of social networking sites such as Myspace and Facebook I’m splattered all over the place looking ugly as sin.

Short of some drastic facial surgery or being pinned to the ground and forced to remain solemn I’ve been struggling to think of how to get attention whilst maintaining my dignity and not pulling stupid faces in public. The good news is I’ve found the answer, it comes from Japan and is now in its tenth incarnation: the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X (That’s ten in roman numerals to the uninitiated).

The Mitsubishi is undoubtedly a brilliant car as it appears on the showroom floor, but I’m a big fan of history and heritage and the Evolution models have a more extensive and impressive lineage than most. Formula One has always been accused of lacking excitement and being controlled by computers more and more as the years go by. The world of rallying however couldn’t be more of a polar opposite, sheer cliff drops, mud splattered cars and windscreens, sheep causing spectacular crashes and the only navigation the drivers have is a petrified co-driver reading the directions from a clipboard.

This is where the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution models come in. For years the Evo and its arch rival the Subaru Impreza slugged it out on the rally circuits before resuming round two on the public roads. For me though it was always Mitsubishi who I waved the flag for and in particular Tommi Makinen, who won the World Rally Championship four times in 1996, ’97, ’98 and ’99 – every time in his Mitsubishi. It was a time when I was a young teenager developing my love of cars and the sight of Makinen winning the championship in Wales of all places will stick with me forever.

Perhaps now you can see why I’m so passionate about the latest Lancer Evolution, although it’s not purely based on my boyhood memories. In recent years the Mitsubishi/Subaru battle has moved firmly into Mitsubishi’s favour with Subaru’s stylists’ seemingly going blind judging by the exceedingly ugly cars it’s produced. Mitsubishi on the other hand has toned down (ever so slightly) its aggressive styling, made the Evolution one of the best handling cars money can buy and then stuck a price tag on it that undercuts anything that could rival it by at least ?40,000.

The Evolution X is pure PlayStation generation styling with big wheels and spoiler, a front grill that could plough through snow and headlights that give the car the look of Mike Tyson in his prime. However it is still a more subtle offering than previous models and the more grown-up feel continues inside. Yes it’s not the most inspiring cabin I’ve ever seen, it’s a typical workmanlike Japanese offering rather than Italian flair, but crucially everything on the X is far better quality than its elders.

Whereas build quality may have been in question previously, performance certainly wasn’t. Needless to say, the latest model doesn’t disappoint, with the snappily titled Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FQ-360 GSR the one in the range to plump for. In fact it’ll get from 0-60mph in a mere 4.1 seconds, which is a damn sight faster that 99 percent of the competition and much faster than you can say it’s name.

Yet despite this Ferrari beating performance the Mitsubishi’s best feature is how it handles. The most accurate way I can describe it other than that overused word ‘perfection’ is to say it manages to handle like a rally car should but won’t break your spine on the shopping run either. It is a racing car for the everyman (or woman). Well if the everyman (or woman) has ?37,999 spare. Yes it’s not cheap initially but when you’re beating Ferrari’s with the wife in the front, two kids in the back and your shopping in the boot having paid at least ?70,000 less than Ferrari man you’ll see where I’m coming from.

Besides with the credit crunch I’m hoping the prices will plummet on used versions. I just hope I can cope with all the attention I’ll get.

Although anyone can visit and enjoy a zoo, farm, or aquatic event, these places generally cater to the animal lover in children. A party with an animal theme can generate a lot of creative ideas. Noah’s Ark is an obvious choice for a child’s animal party. According to the book of Genesis in the Holy Bible, there was an excess of 30,000 animals (2 per each species) aboard the vessel that was deemed the sole survivor of a flood that swept the land. With so many animals in the world, guests to such a party could have a significant number of options for costumes.

An animal party doesn’t have to focus on real animals. An animated animal party theme can prove to be just as fun. The host can choose a particular cartoon show or movie and have the partygoers arrive dressed as their favorite character. For a children’s party, coloring books, giving all the children gifts, and decorating the venue with accessories from cartoon characters are all ways to spice up this type of animal party. A party with an animal theme should have activities that focus on animals. An old game, but definitely a goodie is Pin the Tail on the Donkey. Filling a pi?ata in the shape of an animal with candy and allowing a child swing at it blind folded is also an old party favorite.

A twist on a party with an animal theme is to have a toga party like the one featured in the famous college movie, Animal House. This film, which depicted a humorous portrayal of fraternity life, was the first of a string of movie hits from college students who published the college magazine, National Lampoon. Of course, employ the zany and over-the-top antics from the movie at your own discretion.

You may be fascinated with pictures of animals in the wild. At one point in your life you might have imagined yourself taking pictures of animals that are rarely seen in the city. You might have seen documentaries where professional photographers slowly crawl on the bushes just not to disturb a feeding lion or a sleeping bear. You may never know, you might get a chance to take pictures of animals freely walking in the wild. If you do get that chance you may want to consider the following tips or rules.

First of all, a lot professional photographers give respect to these animals and the environment they are in. Just be reminded that you should respect the animals and the environment; when they are provoked these animals may bite or hurt you.

Keep in mind that you are taking pictures of real, live, wild animals. When provoked, an animal wild or tamed does bite to protect themselves. You must be sensitive in taking their pictures. With that in mind, be gentle in all your movements. Do not in anyway feed, interfere, or interact with animals that are sleeping, feeding, and animals who are caring for their young and most especially when they are breeding.

Be conscious. Some animals tend to leave their home when threatened, leaving their offspring unattended and helpless.

If you will be going to a place where it is privately owned, it will be best to get the owner’s consent first before you start taking pictures.

Change the flash of your camera to natural lights, so the animals will not be startled or surprised when you start shooting. Animals do not react well when they are surprised.

Be very observant and patient. Make sure you are aware of the changes in action of the animal and his moods. Be familiar with the subjects’ natural habitat, and never, ever provoke an animal.

Now if those rules are clear, it is time for planning. When you are going to capture pictures of wild animals in their habitat it is better to plan ahead, schedule and prepare when you will be taking your photo shoot. Also consider the weather, some animals do not go out when it is raining and some animals love the rain. So, a little research on the weather will not hurt. You should consider taking pictures after sunrise and before sunset. Now if the animal is nocturnal then you should prepare to battle not only the wild but also the darkness.

If you are planning to leave the city and go venture into the wild, you must really be excited about your wild life adventure. You can go as long as you are well equipped, and you have experts to back you up, and also a permit for doing the photo shoot. If you do not have any of these or if you only have the excitement covered, then maybe you should consider visiting the zoo first. You can take pictures of wild animals in a much safer environment.