Posts Tagged ‘lifestyle’

Whirlwind Romances: Love Them Or Leave Them

If this hasn’t happened to you, you’ve at least known someone or read a book or something where it does happen: two people meet, instantly fall in love and then do something extreme, whether it’s dropping their whole lives and running away to Iceland together or simply getting married. Sounds totally romantic, I know. Or does it?

I flip flop about this one. I’ve been in that situation before. When I was younger, though equally as head strong as I am now, I fell, totally and completely, for a man 15 years older than I. After we dated for just three months, I sublet my totally amazing, really hard to find, apartment, moved in with him and started window shopping the engagement rings.

Everything was going well, for about a month, and then he attacked me. Physically. Though I can talk about it now, at the time my whole world literally fell apart. I felt unloved, I was homeless, and I had no trust in my feelings or instincts. I was a stranger to myself. It was sudden and it was intense.

I’ve been told that I should have been more discriminating and not so hasty in my decision. That could be. However, I made it out in one piece. And even if I could go back for a do over, I’m not sure that I’d do things any differently. I go from the heart, I always have, and I always will. That’s who I am. If I put a buffer on my heart I wouldn’t have experienced the emotions that I did; for better or worse.

I think that’s the reasoning that many leaping before looking lovers provide: you take the good with the bad. And never sacrifice the good just to save yourself from potential bad. Otherwise, you’ll end up an old, sad sack of middle-ground. And life is too short to not be extreme from time to time.

Having said that there are two sides to this coin. I’m all about following your heart to unexpected places. You’ll have some amazing adventures. But, and it’s a big but, there’s a big difference between being someone who habitually falls deeply in and out of love and changes his or her whole life around on a whim, and being someone who drops everything for one once in a lifetime whirlwind romance.

I’ve dubbed people like this “love-bleweeds”. Like tumbleweeds, they make a life out of rolling and tumbling around. They build up a relationship and a life with someone only to uproot it months later. Then they reconfigure themselves when the next one comes along. If they do this long enough, they’ll forget what it’s like to be calm and comfortable. Nor will they be able to exercise any follow through whatsoever.

If it makes some people happy to live like this then that’s all well and good. What isn’t okay is the mess they leave behind when they, once again, pull up stakes. When one sets up a life, others get pulled into that life; friends, coworkers, lovers, neighbors and pets. When the next “soulmate” comes along and they drop everything, they’re leaving a lot of people in their wake who are going to be missing them when they’re gone.

It’s too rare and too unspeakably joyful to fall in love in a fast and intense way to not do it when it comes along. If you’re lucky (and go around the block enough times), you’ll perchance learn how to protect the rest of your life when it does, without sacrificing any of the amazing feelings.

This post was written by the staff of the Datepad.com internet dating company where you can find hundreds of helpful dating posts. Click here to get your own unique version of this article with free reprint rights.

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Techniques For Burning Fat Using Effective Work Outs

Using physical work outs can help to increase burning fat functions in the body. Simple activities that allow you to move are ideal. They work by increasing energy production and consumption in the body. It also improves vital functions that help in losing fat. Exercises can improve how weight stored is the body is reduced over time.

There are suitable options that can work as substitutes for professional guided work out routines. You can plan to use interesting exercises to help you burn weight. Take the initiative to raise body movement if you lead an immobile lifestyle. You benefit by getting exercises in this way. It also helps in building more muscles which improve weight loss mechanisms in the body.

Getting an interesting work out plan can help you meet sufficient levels of daily body activity. Some of the ideas you can use include treadmill walking or jogging, swimming at the lake, light or intense running etc. Plan to include any of these activities in your day’s schedule. You can practice for more than half an hour during training.

In addition to getting regular work outs there are useful suggestions that improve how the body benefits from work outs. You can practice taking in air through the nose while training. This avails useful amounts of air to the body which improves how energy is used and created. This enhances how weight is lost in the body.

The reason is that muscles burn more fat easily when there is an efficient and constant supply of fresh oxygen. Another gain is that your muscles work out for longer periods which allow burning of more fat.

The body loses excess weight better when different exercises are combined during training. Aim to train muscles by using weights and lifts during training. This helps in improving the condition of muscle tissue.

Fitness exercises that help to improve the circulatory system in the body help to improve how the body burns fat. They improve how air is used up at cellular levels in muscle tissue. This improves how fat is burnt in the body.

An ideal work out session should start and end with light work outs. Warming up prepares muscles to use oxygen more efficiently. It is advisable to follow this with strength training and finish up with cardio work outs.

The body burns fat more efficiently when cardio and strength training workouts are followed regularly and consistently. Take short breaks during training so as not to overwork muscles. Plan to have exercises at same time during the week. It can be morning or evening. This allows the body to adapt which makes it easier to follow through with the plan.

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History of The Blues in 400 Words

The blues is a variety of music that can be vocal, instrumental (blues guitar) or both. It applies the ‘blue’ notes which are established on a ‘minor pentatonic’ scale quite regularly, otherwise recognised as the blues scale.

Blues music was inferred from the African-American communities in the U.S. out of work songs, spiritual songs, field hollers, chants, shouts and elementary ballads that rhymed. A lot of facets of the blues are indicitive of African influence.

The call-and-response aspect of the music came straight from African origins and there were a lot of lines that would get duplicated thrice or more. This later developed into a line repeating twice and then on the third time around there would be an ‘answer line’. You will be able to still discover these aspects of early blues in modern day music, especially hip-hop.

The term ‘The Blues’ refers to the ‘blue devils’ which signifies down spirits or unhappiness.

The blues guitar brings a fundamental role in blues music as well as contemporary music. It has shaped Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, Bluegrass and even heavy rock genres The original blues of the early 1900’s, otherwise known as “poor man’s blues” was usually linked with hard times, oppressiveness from white folk, ruthlessness of the police, gambling, economic depression, floods, magic, farming and dry periods. This music was fueled by a lot of brokenheartedness and anger. Not uncommonly a lost loved one or an generic harsh environment prompted the lyrics and the tone of the blues guitar.

After the world war, you began to see blues songs that were about relationships and sexual activity. Also, wit was expanded to the mix. Here is a funny example:

“That must be your woman, cause mine don’t look like that… I said That must be your woman, cause mine don’t look like that… Have you seen my baby? She’s so big and fat…”

The blues guitar style came forth from the American South’s instruments of the time which were the banjo and the Diddley Bow. This was a home made one stringed instrument that was favourite in the early 20th century. Figures such as Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, Son House and Blind Willie McTell were a part of the delta blues style which used a lot of finger picking techniques and slide guitar innovations.

Eventually, after WWII ‘electric blues’ became increasingly popular where the blues guitar was played on electric guitars as were the bass guitars. This was most prevalent in the Chicago area.

The history of blues guitar and poor man’s blues is rich with culture and stories of good times and bad. I could go on for days about the history of the blues guitar but let’s make this part 1 so you don’t fall asleep on me!

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The Adorable and Quirky Hybrid Cockapoo

The minute you see the very active and hairy Cockapoo, you can’t help but be mesmerized by it. Its hairy and flappy ears, and dense and shiny coat are just some of the few things you will like about it. Through the ever-adorable Poodle and Cocker Spaniel, the Cockapoo is of existence today.

The Cockapoo is not a standard breed or a purebred but instead is a first degree hybrid. This means that the Cockapoo is the direct result of breeding the Poodle with the Cocker Spaniel. Aussies call this breed Spoodles while the Swiss call it Cockerpoo.

Unlike most new hybrids, the Cockapoo was actually first developed in the United Stated in 1950. After which, its popularity grew all throughout the country and other parts of the world. There are several existing clubs for this breed today and there are 3 active ones in the US.

To have a Cockapoo, crossbreeding should be done between a Poodle and Cocker Spaniel or between a Cockapoo and another Cockapoo. Breeders around the world today are so keen in making this breed stable that experiments in Cockapoo breeding are ongoing down to its next generation offspring. Cockapoo clubs wants every Cockapoo breeders to list down all the information and details of their experiments so that they may have a basis in creating the breed standard in the future.

As an unstable breed, it is but natural for the Cockapoo to have varied appearance and temperament. Some Cockapoos may resemble a spaniel and some may resemble a Poodle. There is no standard height or weight for the Cockapoo since breeders may also use different types of Poodles such as Miniature Poodles or Toy Poodles.

The colors of this breed may come out in different shades of tan, beige, red or brown. Some may also appear in solid colors such as black, white, cream, silver or red. Most Cockapoos come out with a mixture of more than one color with complex markings of a different color on its body such as spots or patches on the muzzle, eyes and legs.

Not all Cockapoos have the same coat types because this will depend on its inherited attributes from the parent breeds. There are dogs that appear to have sleek hair like the spaniel and there those that appear to have curly and coarse hair like the Poodle. Most Cockapoos inherit the Poodle’s low-dander and low-shedding characteristics, making them hypoallergenic dogs.

Despite being adorable and small, the Cockapoos are famous for their agility and tireless energy. They are smart, cheerful and affectionate and they got this from the Cocker Spaniel’s side. This breed is also very friendly and their playfulness is perfect for little children.

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The Ideal Dress Shirt For Your Suit

It is universally accepted that you are judged by your appearance. Nothing else in your wardrobe other than an attractive suit can stand testimony to this statement. But, your suit is complete only when it is donned with the right additional items like, shoes, tie, shirt, etc.

Of these accessories, it’s the shirt (or rather, the correct shirt) which can have the greatest affect in enhancing the overall look of your chosen ensemble. The shirt must be a perfect match for men’s suits to appear as intended. If not, the whole look can be ruined.

It is common these days for celebrities in magazines and on-screen to loosen their ties or undo the top few buttons on their shirts to achieve an air of informality. It is advisable however, to leave that style to the stars. While some individuals have been inspired to imitate this look to appear younger, it rarely fools anyone. But it will encourage others take you less seriously.

Actually, it is quite simple to match your suit and shirt. If your closet can boast of a collection of suits and meticulously selected shirts, you are ready to dress immaculately for any event. Following are a few tips which should prove useful.

With dark colored suit, don shirts that have thin stripes to office and shirts with designs can be worn while participating in social functions. Light hues of yellow, blue, beige and white agree well with black suits. Light blue, pink or off-white shirts lend elegance when worn with brown or tan suits. But, if it is a cream or white suit, light colored shorts might look dull, hence brighter shades are more preferable.

A navy blue suit looks fantastic with a pale pink, pale blue, navy blue or white shirt. If it’s pinstriped or patterned though, go for solid colors.

We may be giving the impression that we are concentrating a lot on looking perfectly attired, instead of trying to appear elegant. But, we are frequently known by how we present ourselves and first impression matters a lot. If you do not succeed in creating the right first impression, you are running behind in the race.

Apparently, these are a few tips of value in the business arena. You have to remember to create the right impact instantly. Donning the well-matched suit shirt will certainly enhance the effect you wish to create.

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Titanium Jewelry – Quick Facts

Today, one of the fastest emerging trends in the jewelry industry is titanium. It is becoming increasingly popular, especially among younger men.

Titanium, sometimes called the space age metal, is a strong, lightweight and corrosion-resistant material. It’s used in a variety of applications, from industrial and aeronautical equipment to medical and consumer applications. By weight, it’s one of the world’s strongest readily available metals, stronger than aluminum and 45% lighter than steel.

In many ways titanium is also a great material for jewelry. It’s 100% hypoallergenic, which means it won’t make your skin discolor or become irritated, it’s rust-resistant, strong, lightweight, durable, and very importantly, much less expensive than gold, silver or platinum.

Titanium is most popular among men. As the hardest natural metal in the world, it symbolizes strength and masculinity in a way even the most manly man can appreciate.

Titanium is also a good choice for couples who are willing to try something a out of the ordinary. If you want something special for your wedding, why not titanium wedding rings. They are beautiful, trendy, and available for both men and women.

Titanium rings come in many different ways and have a great potential for customization. They can have inlays with silver, platinum, or yellow or white gold. They can come with engravings or embedded with gemstones, like diamonds, or any other precious stone. You have many unique patterns, colors and shapes to choose from. One of the most popular choice today are black titanium rings.

Titanium is certainly a good alternative to gold and other standard jewelry materials. Not just because it’s cheaper, but because it’s unique, stylish and just, if not more beautiful. Titanium jewelry has evolved and is here to stay.

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The Best Way to Save a Cigar

If there is one tragedy where a box of high-quality cigars is concerned it would be in their being ignored and going stale. While many people wrongly believe that a sealed box of cigars is impervious to many common problems, the fact of the matter is that they are not packaged to retain their best qualities. This is the reason that the best tobacconists keep their cigars in proper storage cabinets with humidifiers and hygrometers fully engaged.

Something to always consider when buying or receiving cigars is that they are extremely sensitive to environmental conditions and even when only recently removed from the store shelf they may be unsatisfactory for smoking right away. This might be due to the way they were stored in the tobacco shop, the conditions that existed during shipping, or the way your friend or family member kept them before giving them to you.

The next step requires you to buy a bottle of distilled water which is available at almost any pharmacy, and to dampen a brand new sponge with this water. Ring it out well and place this in the bag with the cigars, but be sure that the sponge is not in contact with any of them. Leave this setup in the closet for another week to ten days. This part of the process is going to slowly rehydrate the cigars without overdoing it and causing them to split wide open.

Once the two-week period of slow hydration has come to an end, the cigars can safely be put into a humidified cedar box for permanent storage or aging. They should not yet be smoked, however, and should enjoy at least another thirty days of mellowing to allow them to reach optimal smoking condition.

After this fourteen day process has been completed, the cigars can be transferred to a fully-balanced humidor. They should remain here for another month (at least) before being smoked to ensure that their humidity and flavor have been completely restored.

Dave Sabot is the owner of an online specialty cigar lighters store. With expert knowledge of cigar accessories, including nibo group lighters, Dave also owns a premier online cigar accessories store.

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Lighting Cigars with Cedar Strips

Cigars are an elegant affair from start to finish. A good store always contains not only high-end cigars but high-quality lighters, cutting implements and even some more off-the-beaten-path devices that one may have never before considered. Among those lesser used lighting devices are cedar strips.

To do this, one needs the same devices they normally would require to enjoy a cigar: a high-quality lighter or matches, depending on one’s preference; any one of the numerous types of cigar cutters available; a good cigar; and, of course, some time to enjoy the smoke. Actually lighting the cigar with cedar is no different than lighting the cigar with a match or a lighter; it is in the reasons for doing so that the rationale for the various techniques involved are discovered.

Most smokers who prefer this method have some degree of sensitivity to the taste of the chemicals used in both lighters and matches. Cedar burns fast and hot, has a pleasant, natural taste and, according to many cigar aficionados, imparts no unpleasant taste to their tobacco. For this reason, many individuals who prefer to light their cigars in this fashion also light the cedar strip itself with a match, eliminating altogether any chance of having lighter fluid or other substances discolor the flavor of their cigar. Of course, this method is not the most convenient and is usually something that is done when one smokes a cigar in their home as carrying around all the materials required can be somewhat cumbersome.

If a smoker who objects to any chemicals contacting their tobacco is not at home, the natural choice is a butane torch lighter which, like a cedar strip, imparts no taste to the tobacco owing to the high efficiency of its burning. This is, of course, also enormously more convenient in that the smoker need not light two separate devices to get their cigar smoking.

While cedar does have its advantages, many smokers who are particularly concerned about the taste of chemicals have switched to butane lighters to fire-up their stogies. Like a match or a cedar strip, they impair no taste and there are no chemical fumes emitted by the flame. While high-quality lighter fluids virtually eliminate any such concerns, purists still tend to stick to butane or matches. Butane lighters are much easier to carry about, of course, and aren’t vulnerable to moisture or falling apart as are cedar strips. For adding an old-fashioned touch to one’s cigar smoking, however, there are few things that do it so well as do cedar strips. For a change of pace, consider picking up a few and giving it a try!

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Cufflinks For The Suit. Making A Statement.

Cufflinks look fantastic when added to your dress ensemble. They should be included in the wardrobe of every man who wishes to look smart. That should be every man, but sadly it’s not the case.

Over recent years, cufflinks have grown in status to such an extent that many consider they should be chosen first, and your shirt and tie later picked to match them. They should certainly be considered as part of any fashionable dresser’s accessories.

Look at photographs in magazines and newspapers of those best dressed, often attending gala dinners, Oscar award ceremonies, opening nights and similar events. You’ll see most of the men there wearing designer suits with this accessory.

It is however, not only the rich and famous who are wearing cufflinks. Gone are the days when you had to own a Bentley with your own chauffeur to be seen wearing them. Most men with any fashion sense are wearing them to add that touch of class to the finishing look of their attire. They can set off the whole outfit if chosen correctly. A fine finishing touch.

You must have a nice shirt… no, the perfect shirt and the best, and most stylish men’s suit you can afford. Black suit and good cuflinks is, always has been and probably always will be the correct contrast.

Cufflinks come in as many shapes, style, colors and materials as its possible to imagine. You can buy stylish gold or silver items. Cufflinks resembling miniature ipods. Circles, squares, checkered and barcoded.

There dartboard patterns, as well as styles showing your love for soccer, tennis, poker, drinking, movies, dominoes, golf … you say it, and I am almost sure you can get it.

For a man to be taken seriously, the design of his cufflinks, if anything other than a classic style should be subtle. A man might ruin instead of complement his ensemble if sharply dressed in an Armani suit with silk shirt and tie and cufflinks that don’t fit in such as a pair of giant beer mug cufflinks dangling from his sleeves. That would be bad. Make sure when choosing the cufflinks to have them subtly but excellently compliment the suit, and that the shirt and tie match as well.

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