What is ACTUAL?

[midlifeflyer]

Just not going to sell me on the fact I can log actual when I am in VMC because I am looking at the panel.

I don't think anyone is. The official interpretation doesn't say that you can log actual in VMC because you feel like looking at the panel or because you weren't taught the basics well enough to hold altitude adequately by outside referencese alone or because you scan the instruments as part of a normal visual cross-check.

It says that you can log actual if and only if you (probably more of an objective typical pilot, rather than "you" personally) =have to= look at the panel to keep control of the airplane because of conditions outside. It has nothing to do with whether you are technically in IMC or VMC.