Dear Home and Away fans,

Ever wonder what happened to the character Ric Dalby? Well, you’ll have to keep wondering about that … But in this exclusive new five-part series of blogs by me, actor and muso Mark Furze (I’m the one who played Ric on Home and Away!), I’ll be sharing some special insights with you into my new life and career in Los Angeles. You heard it here first!

So what do you want to know? What have I been doing since I left the show? Good question!

As far as acting is concerned I've had the opportunity to play some fun roles since "Ric" on Home and Away. I played the part of "Trent" in Underbelly: The Golden Mile. He's a nasty piece of work, the drug addicted party animal boyfriend of Kim Hollingsworth. The character is a horrible person, stealing money from his girlfriend for drugs and hookers, cheating on her and of course killing her beloved Cat! These are actually the most enjoyable parts to play from my perspective as an actor. It's more challenging and rewarding to be someone so different from yourself. And just for the record, I love Cats...

I was also cast as "Damien" in the feature film A Heartbeat Away. Damien is the aggressive, lead singer of the band The Remotes, an alpha male with a real attitude/ego problem. For some reason I seem to keep getting cast as a jerk! ... Art imitating life? I hope not!! There were some fight scenes in this one which I always love and it was also my first feature film. I had an awesome time shooting this and really learnt a lot about the differences between film and TV. Mostly, there is more waiting around on a film ... There are a couple of other differences too ... Haa!

I'm also a voice over artist. If you have your ears peeled you may recognise my voice next time you're in the fruit and vegetable aisle at the supermarket, talking about Bananas. Get it? Peeled, like a banana? ... Never mind. I've lent my voice to quite a few things. I did a whole lot of ads for the University Of Western Sydney and I'm the national voice for Apple Australia, amongst other things.

Musically things are going great! I've really been focusing on my songwriting and singing and I'm stoked that it's paying off. I wrote and demo'd 17 new songs last year for Falcon Road and played a bunch of gigs here in LA. We have a gig at the Viper Room on Sunset Boulevard, February 28, I can't wait! I've also joined a band from New Zealand called Shotgun Alley as their lead singer. I've been mates with the guys for a long time and I’m really excited to start rockin' with these guys. Check them out! We're doing some gigs in NZ in March, be great to see you there!

My main reason for moving to Los Angeles in January 2010 was the opportunity a city like this presents for someone in the entertainment industry. I love Australia and it will always be my home, but there is no denying the amount of music, films and TV that comes from Hollywood. I wanted to give myself the best chance of getting to where I want to be in my career and my life, and what have I got to lose?! It’s certainly been more of a culture shock than I'd expected, but I've learnt to adapt and now I'm making some great progress. It may take a while but I don't plan to fail!

What I’ve learnt most of all from my experience in L.A. and in my career generally is that change is constant but it’s how you experience change that’s important – so embrace change and prepare yourself to recognise and make the most of the opportunities that will come your way.

You’ll find some great information and resources to help you with your own career decisions and to get the life you love at www.aussiecareerweek.com ... plus the latest interviews and videos featuring me! Or check out AusCareerWeek on Facebook and the awesome NCDW video resources on the AusCareerWeek on YouTube. Be sure to take a look at The NCDW Video Series - High Five Messages of Career Development on our YouTube page – there’s one on how to embrace change! And coming soon to our YouTube page ... a brand new series of Aussie Career Week videos featuring yours truly along with Angela Bishop (TV entertainment reporter) and David Wirrpanda (ex-Footy player/ mentor/ founder David Wirrpanda Foundation) providing helpful advice and information for you to get proactive about your own career!

Don’t forget to watch this space for my next blog ... I’ll be sharing some more unique insights into my life and work in L.A., including the importance of networking and where you can get some handy tips - you may even hear some news from a few of your favourite ex- Home & Away cast members I’ve met up with here!

Top Five Tips to Get the Life You Love!

1. Never lose sight of your dreams;
2. Dream big - but in small (achievable) steps;
3. Overcome your fears;
4. Don't measure your own value on other peoples measuring sticks;

5. Have confidence in your ability to have a go!

"Top Five Tips to Get the Life you Love!" provided by Bernadette Gigliotti, President of the Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA).

The National Career Development Week Campaign (also known as "Aussie Career Week") is an initiative of the Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA) and funded/supported by the Federal Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).

Mark Furze is an ambassador for the National Career Development Week Campaign. Go to www.aussiecareerweek.com and get the life you love!

Mark has replied to some of your questions below:.

1. Hey Els, hope all's well at home in Belgium. I've been meeting with a producer who is interested in recording some tracks for Falcon Road and we'll aim to get that done in the next few months. I'm looking forward to it! I'll have the web pages updated so keep an eye out for more details. In the meantime I'm in New Zealand and I've been recording vocals for a band I've just joined called Shotgun Alley today, we will have a release in the next few weeks. Look us up on Facebook and Myspace.

2. Hi Mary. Thanks for your support! It has certainly been a culture shock adjusting to the American lifestyle but it's also very motivating. Cheers

3. G'day Shirley. Well, Ric is still alive and kicking somewhere in the land of Home & Away, maybe one day he will come back!

4. Hey Martin. Thank you mate, I appreciate your support and I do enjoy hearing from you guys. I hope to see you at a gig someday! Cheers man.

If you have a question for Mark write it in the comments section below.