Looking for a new digital camera to capture your subjects from their very best angles? Consider these key features.

1. Compact or digital SLR? Compacts have a self-contained lens and can slip into a pocket or purse. They offer point and shoot simplicity for $300 or less. With bigger digital single-lens reflex cameras, you can use your choice of lenses. They're for serious shooters who want more options and creative control and who are willing to pay $500 or more to start building a system.



2. How many megapixels? A camera with an image sensor of 3 megapixels or more is plenty for photos destined for the Web or brochures. You don't need a larger sensor unless you plan to produce poster-sized prints.



3. Does it have a wide-angle lens? This should be a key consideration. For real estate, a wide-angle lens—28mm or less—is what you need to capture a whole room or the exterior of a home in a single image. Look for a lens that minimizes distortion.



4. What's the zoom? The more powerful the better. Optical zoom is what the camera can actually see and capture; digital zoom is a software function and isn't quite as sharp. For compact cameras, look for 4X or better. For DSLRs, you can find lenses that give you both wide angles and closeups as you zoom in and out.



5. Do I need extra flash? If you plan on shooting a lot of interiors, you'll want more than the built-in flash. Look for a camera with a hot shoe, which connects and synchronizes an auxiliary flash unit with the camera.



6. How big is the screen? Using a compact camera, you'll rely on the LCD screen to frame some shots, review pictures, and perform basic image editing. Consider both the size—ideally 2.5 inches or larger—and the brightness of the screen.



7. Can I shoot video? Look for the ability to record video at 30 frames per second. Optics are also important; some lenses' zoom doesn't work when you use movie mode.

Las Vegas, Nevada Spring Break
Las Vegas is the desert oasis for all those looking for 24-hour non-stop entertainment. The bottomless drinks, midnight buffets and all-night gambling are just some of the perks of livin’ large in the city of sin.

The city loves its glitz, glam and greed. The hardest thing about Las Vegas is not deciding to go but having to leave. There are so many things to do that you will most definitely have to plan another trip to see and believe this unforgettable city.

In a place where gambling and prostitution are legal, they are awfully strict on fake IDs and underage drinking. If you are not 21 years old, no dice. All of you “under ragers” out there will find it only a slight inconvenience to not be of age, but that shouldn’t stop a sinfully delightful time in Las Vegas. Drinking and gambling are two major players in Vegas, but that isn’t the only thing to do.

Stroll down Venice’s Grand Canal, explore ancient history in Egypt or even do a little sight seeing at the Eiffel Tower. Is this too good to be true? Only the most naïve spring breaker doesn’t know that the city hosts its own impressive array of themed hotels. They are not hard to spot, and each has its own attraction that tries to draw the unknowing tourist into its front lobby. From there the casino will envelope you in its sights and sounds, and when it finally comes time to leave you can’t find an exit. Las Vegas hotels are strategically designed to keep the tourists in the casinos for as long as possible so they will spend their money on gambling. And by the way, the luck is always in favor of the house.

You could spend a week going around to every hotel and seeing what makes them so unique. The Mirage, for example, is literally an island oasis in the desert city. From the waterfalls and fake volcano that are located on the front of the hotel, to the mini-rainforest that you walk through when entering the doors, the Mirage uses over a million gallons of water a day. (They obviously didn’t get the memo about water conservation in the desert.) The Mirage is also the home of Seigfreid and Roy’s famous white tigers, and who would pass up the opportunity to see these two pussies in action? (I’m talking about the cats.)

If a Vegas show isn’t your thing, or maybe Seigfried and Roy are wearing too much clothing for you, then the Tropicana’s Folies Bergere is not only the longest-running show in Las Vegas but the showgirls wear their clothing sparingly.

The MGM Grand hosts sporting events such as boxing and an array of concerts. The Excalibur has the Tournament of Kings, a jousting dinner show that would be great any Knight. Circus Circus is the kiddies’ playground, so the best advice would be to avoid this hotel unless you want to spend money on video games and carnival attractions.

Next is the Treasure Island, which is a main attraction on the strip for the shows they put on every night. They are free of charge, and you can catch them right on the strip outside of their hotel. You watch this pirate scene and a very impressive set with actors, water and fire, etc. This is somewhat amusing, but not worth camping out for or anything. There are so many more attractions that is would be impossible to list them all; suffice it to say Las Vegas hosts 18 of the 20 largest hotels in the United States, so they are all outdoing each other for your tourist dollars.

Spending money in Vegas is absolutely ridiculous, everything will cost an arm and a leg here so don’t waste it all on the roll of the dice. The strip is where the magic happens, a metropolis of bright lights, Vegas shows and souvenir shops. It won’t be hard finding the most exciting attractions close to the strip or a short taxi ride away, so don’t worry about renting a car or needing transportation while you are there.

To save a little money look for cheap flights and even less expensive hotel rooms. Most of the major hotels have incredible mid-week deals that are too good to pass up, so book in advance. Tourism has declined in Vegas recently so all the hotels are looking to give you the best deal, they are out there and it only takes a little work to find them. Another thing to remember: if you spend big, they reward big. All Vegas hotels like to give you complimentary things. The more you spend on the tables the greater likeliness your comp items will start getting better. Start with free drinks and you could possibly score hotel suites, show tickets, etc. The catch, of course, is you have to spend your money gambling, so it might not be a win-win situation.

The greatest thing about Vegas is that at any time of the day someone in Vegas can do things like hire an attorney, have your carpet cleaned, pick up dry cleaning, or get married/divorced. Kiss your single life goodbye if you decided to get hitched in Vegas at one of the many wedding chapels, or find some lucky mate while you are there and tie the knot. It’s good news that you can get divorced as easily as you can get married in Vegas, for all those who may rush into things a little too quickly.

To beat the heat in Vegas (it is a desert) there is a great water park located in the city. If you want an unbelievable high while in Las Vegas you can visit the 1149-foot tallest freestanding observation tower in the US. The Stratosphere is a hotel and lookout tower that has a roller coaster on top and for a minimal charge (wink, wink) you can ride the coaster or, for the more mellow traveler, have a meal in the restaurant.

A little history on St. Patricks Day

Born in Wales, Saint Patrick first encountered Ireland when he was taken there as a slave by Irish pirates at the age of 16. He tended sheep for six years on Slemish Mountain in County Antrim before managing to escape back to England.

He became a priest, and expressed his desire to return to Irish soil so he could preach the faith throughout the island. However, a different Patrick was chosen by the bishop to go to Ireland, but historians maintain that he never made it across the turbulent Irish Sea.

Finally, Patrick got his wish, and his mission in Ireland lasted for 30 years. Afterward, Patrick retired to County Down. He died on March 17 in A.D. 461. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick's Day ever since.
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St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day was first celebrated publicly in Boston in 1737. The international celebrations then became increasingly common after the great potato famine forced huge numbers of Irish folk to America, Australia, and Europe.

Nowadays, the festivities are more of a secular celebration, but it is actually a religious feast day that falls during Lent. Custom has it that fasting was set aside for one day to allow the nation to celebrate their culture and rich harvest.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Holidays-and-Events/St-Patricks-Day/Main.aspx