You can learn a great deal from watching both bad and good improv. When you go to improv shows, pay attention to what works well on stage and what doesn't. Pay attention to how the audience responds to certain things. Get ideas about characters and personalities that you can develop for your improv.  Going to local comedy shows will also help people become familiar with you. Immersing yourself in the scene is a great way to meet other improv actors and comedians. Most big cities have at least one improv comedy club, but if you're looking for an amazing local comedy scene, you may want to consider relocating to Chicago, LA, or NYC. Some well known improv comedy clubs include Second City, Acme Comedy Theater, ComedySportz, Brave New Workshop, The Bad Dog Theater Company, and Groundlings, just to name a few. Watching these shows will allow you to study some of the best improv comedians and learn what makes a good improv performer. Study the good and the bad, and apply what you've learned when you practice.  Some good improv and sketch comedy shows to watch are Saturday Night Live (SNL), Whose Line is It Anyway, Wild 'N Out, In Living Color, Mad TV, and Chappelle's Show. Keep in mind that most of these performers started on a local level as well. They got better over time, and so will you if you apply yourself. Hang out with the friends that you've met in improv class and watch each other practice. Although it's important for you and your improv friends to work together, it's just as important to watch each other from an outsiders point of view. If you and your friends take turns observing each other, you'll be able to provide feedback from the audience perspective.

Summary: Go to local improv shows to study other performers. Learn from watching improv and sketch comedy on TV. Watch your friends practice improv.


The chemicals in the mortar can burn your skin. In addition to continuing to wear eye protection, slip on a pair of waterproof gloves. Long-sleeved clothing is also recommended to ensure dripping mortar can't reach you. The kind of product you want is labeled as mortar mix. Avoid sand or concrete mixes. Add the amount of mortar you need into a mixing container, such as a wheelbarrow or dishpan. Match the type of mortar you get to the type that's in the rest of your wall, if possible.  Mortar mixes come in different grades. M is the strongest and meant for walls bearing heavy loads. S is a little more flexible, N is for most walls exposed to the weather, and O is for interior and non-load-bearing exterior walls. If you don't know what's in your wall, you might need to guess based on the grading scale. the mortar with water until it's thick. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to figure out how much water to add. Stir the water and mortar mix together with a hand trowel. Try to get the mortar into a consistency similar to peanut butter.  You may also purchase latex additive from a home improvement store and add a little bit to make the mixture stronger. Start with small batches. You'll have an hour or less to use the mortar before it dries.

Summary: Put on safety glasses and gloves. Place dry mortar mix in a bucket. Mix


Individuals with dissociative amnesia may develop suicidal thoughts and feelings regarding their inability to remember key events in their lives. They may even enter a dissociative state as a way to cope with a previous suicide attempt. As a member of this person's support system, you must be on the lookout for signs of suicide:  talking about wanting to die looking for a method to kill oneself (e.g. collecting pills or buying a gun) using more alcohol or drugs withdrawing from friends or family speaking about oneself as if he or she is a burden to others feeling hopeless or like there is no way out visiting others or saying goodbye giving away prized possessions If your loved one demonstrates signs of suicide, you need to immediately contact his or her personal doctor/therapist or the emergency services department. Once suicidal behavior is identified, your loved one's mental health provider will work with him/her and the loved one's to develop a safety plan. This plan will help your loved one and the support system recognize warning signs of suicide, devise any possible coping strategies or distractions to deal with distressing thoughts, and provide a list of contacts whom the person can reach out to for help. As your loved one tries to come to terms with his or her identity and any missing time, it may be practical to remove any weapons, sharp objects, or other items that can be used to cause harm. Those with dissociative amnesia may have previous suicide attempts or have suicidal tendencies. Clearing the home environment of any dangerous objects can help protect your loved one and prevent any self-harm. People with dissociative amnesia are already under duress in their mental state. They are waging an internal war to recall who they are and what events took place in their lives. It is best to offer such a person as much calm and peace in their environments.  Expect distress from the patient at times over the memory loss and be ready to reassure. It is a good idea to limit guests in the home to those that are absolutely required to be there, as too many strangers can make your loved one confused or upset.  Keep the atmosphere relatively quiet and comfortable. Remember, many people with this condition have endured upsetting traumas. Therefore, any loud noises or sudden movements may provoke distress, also. Additional safeguards to help your loved one may include simply taking care of mind, body, and soul. Reinforce healthy lifestyle choices for your loved one, such as regular exercise, eating right, getting adequate sleep, and avoiding drugs and alcohol (which may worsen symptoms). There are many self-care strategies that may be helpful to your loved one.  Journaling can be helpful to bring awareness to what the person is thinking or feeling, and when used with therapy may help to uncover dissociated memories or thoughts. Grounding techniques help the dissociated person who frequently struggles with returning memories or flashbacks to reconnect with the present environment. Tactics may include touching something, smelling something with a strong odor, or drinking water or tossing cold water on his or her face. Mindfulness meditation improves mental awareness of the present moment. If terrible thoughts or feelings occur, the individual can practice mindfulness by orienting his or her attention to slow, deep breathing, sensations in the environment, or by noticing how different parts of his body feel. Visualization allows a dissociating person to use his or her mind to draw up a safe and peaceful place. When upsetting thoughts, feelings, or images arise, he can imagine that he is in a safe place which helps with coping. It is hard looking after someone who suffers from dissociative amnesia. Don't neglect your own emotional needs. Seek support if you feel that you're not coping very well.

Summary: Recognize suicidal behavior. Prepare a crisis plan. Protect your loved one from self-harm. Provide a secure, calm environment. Recommend helpful self-care strategies. Look after yourself and your family.


Click on Window->Android SDK and AVD Manager->Virtual Devices in order to create an Android Virtual Device ( emulator ). Click New, scroll down to the box that says name and assign an Android Virtual Device name such as: My_AVD Next click on the box that says target and use the arrow button and scroll down and select appropriate Android version you want to develop with such as, Android 3.2-API Level 13. Next scroll down to the box that says Skin and Click on Resolution, enter the numbers 420x580 and select Create AVD, this will create your Android Virtual Device ( emulator ), for program testing.
Summary: Once all the components for Android have been updated you will need to create an Android Virtual Device. Congratulations, you should now have the Android SDK setup to work with Eclipse IDE and you can begin developing Android Applications.