Now that you've designed a distinctive alter ego, it's time to walk a mile in their shoes! Practice speaking, acting, and/or writing like your character. Scrutinize your actions and your "voice" - for instance, think about whether your character would walk or talk in a certain way based on their backstory and personality. Gather materials or clothing and make a costume for your alter ego (thrift stores can be a good choice for their low prices and out-of-style clothing).  Only you can decide how far to take your alter ego - with luck, your character may even become more well-known than you! Consider showing your character off at the next costume party or fan convention you attend! Your alter ego will seem more "real" and authentic if you commit to your performance. If you flip-flop between your new identity and your old one, people will see you as a person in a costume, not as an entirely new person. Resist any urges to act like you normally do. This is easier to do if you get in character hours (or even days) before you need to - simply hang around the house or running errands in-character as your alter ego. You'll ease into your new character as you complete simple tasks. More difficult performances will, in turn, feel more natural. Try modifying your daily habits and routines to match your alter ego's. If your character grooms him or herself differently than you do, for instance, make these changes in your own life.  Respected method actors like Daniel Day Lewis are famous for adopting the habits of their character. To prepare for his role in  The Age of Innocence,  Lewis bathed himself in cologne and donned 1870s clothing as he ran his daily errands! Hundreds of figures throughout history have adopted alter egos. If you're lacking for inspiration, look to history books for plenty of examples of how to immerse yourself in your new identity. Many alter egos, like musician David Bowie's famous "Ziggy Stardust" character, have become cultural touchstones for music, fashion, and other forms of art. Others, like actor Sacha Baron Cohen's characters (Borat, Bruno, etc.) have eclipsed their creator in terms of fame and recognition. Understand your historical context - your alter ego is, knowingly or unknowingly, probably influenced by past alter egos.  Feel free to pay loving homage to past alter egos through small references, details, etc., but, as with any work of art, don't plagiarize wholesale from other peoples' creations. It's also useful to look for examples of alter egos that didn't work out. For instance, 90's country star Garth Brooks was widely ridiculed for his darker "Chris Gaines" persona. His alter ego's serious, angsty alt-rock image appeared ridiculous and forced in comparison to his relatively earnest country work up to that point. Try to compile lists of what, historically, has and hasn't worked in terms of alter egos in your field - writing, music, etc.
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One-sentence summary -- Put your alter ego into practice. Stay in character. Seek inspiration from famous alter egos.


This information can help you find the right size hat.  Use a cloth tape measure (or a length of string that you can later measure with a ruler). Place the tape measure around your head in a circle about 1/8 inch (3 mm) above your ears, across the middle of your forehead. This is roughly where the hat will sit on your head. The tape should fit firmly but not tightly. Remove the tape and note the measurement. Hat sizing may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so always try on your hat or consult their sizing chart for specifics. Don't be shy: ask to try on any style that strikes your fancy. You might also get suggestions from the sales staff, which may (or may not) be helpful and give you new ideas. Remember, the final decision is up to you. When you go hat shopping, wear an outfit that is typical for your style. Or, if you're buying a hat for a special occasion, bring the clothes you expect to wear along with you to compare. When you find a style you like, make sure the size feels good. It shouldn't squeeze your head or pop off. Remember, you want a hat you'll feel great in. If the size is wrong, even slightly, you're much less likely to wear it. If the hat is just a bit too large, you might try a hat sizer. These are inserted into the inside of the hat's sweatband for a more secure fit. Gentlemen, remember to remove your hat indoors. Ladies, you can usually flaunt your hat anywhere you please, but do take it off at audience events, where you might block someone's view (besides the obvious exceptions, such as at the race track).
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One-sentence summary -- Measure your head before you go shopping. Go shopping and try on lots of different hats. Make sure the hat feels comfortable. Buy your hat, wear it, and love it!


For a sleepless puppy, you can offer a warm blanket for sleeping. Place a clock that makes a rhythmic ticking sound nearby. You can also try playing the radio softly or use a white noise machine to help the puppy sleep. Consider using a heating pad under half of the crate to provide a warmer corner for cuddling. Since the heating pad is outside and under the crate, the puppy should not be in any danger of chewing on the cord or pad. If you want your dog to sleep in a crate, but he isn't crate-trained it may take some time to get him used to the crate. Do your research and be prepared to teach your dog that the crate is a good place. Put special treats in the back of crate to encourage investigation. Make sure that when you say "kennel" or "crate" you use a positive tone of voice. This tells him that going into the crate to sleep isn't a punishment. If you use it as a punishment, you may find that your dog never grows accustomed to the crate as a relaxing and quiet place. Your dog may be restless at night if he's not getting enough exercise during the day. Depending on your dog's breed, age and fitness level, you may be able to tire him out in 30 minutes or 3 hours (or more). You can exercise your dog at any time during the day that works with your schedule. Although, it's best to avoid a lot of activity the last hour or two before bedtime so that your dog has a chance to settle down. Consider playing a new sport or activity like NoseWork, Rally, agility, tracking or Flyball with your dog. New activities mean learning new skills for both of you. Getting involved will increase mental and physical stimulation which helps both of you with exercise, boredom and will add to your bond. Make sure that your pet has had a chance to urinate and defecate right before bedtime. Feed your dog dinner a few hours before bedtime. This gives him plenty of time to digest and eliminate. Try keeping the hour or so before bedtime nice and calm which will set the tone for the night's sleep to come. If your dog is overly anxious, try giving him Adaptil. This is a product that replicates the pheromones of a nursing mother dog and may help settle your dog or puppy by reducing anxiety. Any changes in sleeping arrangements may take a while to get used to. Making sure that your dog gets plenty of exercise to the point of being tired is a great way to ensure a good night's sleep for you two. Talk to your vet about using an antihistamine like Benadryl to help settle your dog for a few nights during a transitional period.
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One-sentence summary --
Create a good sleep environment. Train your dog to sleep in a crate. Get your dog plenty of exercise. Establish an evening routine. Give it some time.