photoshop "actions"

I want to make an action for photoshop that includes a couple different variables, so the out come of using the action will be different every time i use it. Is there any way to do this?
And also, is it possible to record brush strokes with actions? It doesnt seem to work for me.
thanks for any help

You can click on the "Toggle dialog on/off" box next to the "toggle item on/off" box at the left side of each action. That will start the action & wait for your input each time.
I don't see how you can record a brush stroke unless it's on something like a layer mask. In that case you could drag the mask into a new same sized pic.

I havent made any of my own actions but would think that if you dont merge the layers at the end or flatten it then you would be able to edit it each time you run it. Yes? No?

edit it, where "it" = the file?
run it, where "it" = the action?
So, edit the file each time you run the action? Yes, but you could always reclaim the layers by backing up in History as long as you don't go beyond the limits of your History cache.

But the thing is, I dont want to choose the variables each time for the pictures. It might help if i explain what im doing.
Im trying to make digital holga type(as in the crappy film camera) pictures, by using different color filters, to reproduce the look of film that is mis-prosesed, different types of distortion, gaussin blur to create soft focus, the vinegetting associated with them, and a couple other things too. So i figured if i made one big action with all the different possiblities together, it would create a more "holga like" picture because i, in the end wont know what the outcome wil be.
I hope that made sence.

You'd need some sort of random # generator. Failing that, close your eyes & bang on the keypad when the "Toggle dialog on/off" part of the action stops. Sorry! If there's another way, I don't know it.

Alright thanks