Do you believe there is an amazing partner out there for you? Or do you believe that you’ve already met your prefect paramour and all you’ve got to do is navigate the choppy waters of that all important first date to get the show on the road? I live in the centre of the universe (London) but the rules of the dating game are the same wherever you live, and if you follow my tips and advice, then it’s a game that you’re going to win.
FOR GUYS. . .
1) Be confident (and if you don’t feel confident - act it!) - women love confidence in a man, they find this incredibly sexy.
2) Take charge and revel in your masculine energy; ladies love to relax on dates knowing that you have organised all the details. It’s up to you to decide where to go, book a table etc.
3) Ask her questions about herself that allow her to open up; listen intently and make sure you nod, um and arrhhh in all the right places.
4) If you really the girs, take her flowers on the first date (the bigger the bunch the more points you score!) Women love romance so if you can romance a lady, then you’re already at first base.
5) Be attentive to her needs, make sure she is not too hot/ cold, that she has a drink etc; women notice small details like that.
6) Look at her as much as you can (no ogling though!); women love attention and they like to feel like they are being admired.
7) If you can afford it, pay for her on the first date. You don’t have to go anywhere expensive - a local gastro-pub will do. But don’t come across a bit of a meanie as first impressions last. 
Take her somewhere on a first date that encourages conversation - perhaps for meal and a nice glass of wine - but in a bar or restaurant that isn’t too noisy. Remember, if you go somewhere like the cinema or a football match, then you wont be able to chat and get to know each other.
9) Women always look at shoes, be sure yours reflect the right image!
10) A great smell can make a lasting impression. I have often heard women talk about a guy’s after-shave so make sure you stock up on the CK1!
FOR GIRLS. . .
1) Wait for a guy to ask you out - this may sound old fashioned but men love the chase, allow yourself to be pursued and enjoy it.
2) Allow him to book a table, open doors, pay you compliments, pay for the meal etc; give him control of the first date!
3) Be happy and be the type of person that men want to be with; radiate good energy, smile and your date will be all the more entranced.
4) Approach the date with the aim of having fun; forget about whether he is Mr Right and focus on just enjoying yourself and having a good time.
5) Compliment a man, the things he is doing for you, the choice of meal etc - men love this.
6) Take an interest in HIS interests. Don’t just talk about yourself and what you like to do.
7) Don’t mention your ‘ex’! There’ll come a time in any relationship when both of you will talk about your past relationships. Unless the guy specifically brings up the subject, a first date really isn’t the time. Turn your mobile ‘phone off. If you’re taking calls from your friends or reading texts, your date will soon lose interest. Only keep your phone switched on if you’re expecting a VERY important call.
9) If the guy has invited you out for a meal, be careful how much you spend on his credit card. You don’t necessarily have to choose the cheapest items on the menu, but don’t order lobster and Champagne either. If a man invites you out for dinner on a first date, don’t use it as an excuse to indulge yourself in a way that you wouldn’t do if you were paying for yourself.
10) Say thank you - in fact you should say it twice; at the end of the date as you’re saying goodnight and then either in a follow-up ‘phone call or by text message the next day. Even if you don’t want to see him again (in which case, thank him by text!), you don’t want to give him the impression that you have no manners.
First Date Tips For Guys & Girls
January 26th, 2010First Date Tips For Guys & Girls
January 23rd, 2010Do you believe there is an amazing partner out there for you? Or do you believe that you’ve already met your prefect paramour and all you’ve got to do is navigate the choppy waters of that all important first date to get the show on the road? I live in the centre of the universe (London) but the rules of the dating game are the same wherever you live, and if you follow my tips and advice, then it’s a game that you’re going to win.
FOR GUYS. . .
1) Be confident (and if you don’t feel confident - act it!) - women love confidence in a man, they find this incredibly sexy.
2) Take charge and revel in your masculine energy; ladies love to relax on dates knowing that you have organised all the details. It’s up to you to decide where to go, book a table etc.
3) Ask her questions about herself that allow her to open up; listen intently and make sure you nod, um and arrhhh in all the right places.
4) If you really the girs, take her flowers on the first date (the bigger the bunch the more points you score!) Women love romance so if you can romance a lady, then you’re already at first base.
5) Be attentive to her needs, make sure she is not too hot/ cold, that she has a drink etc; women notice small details like that.
6) Look at her as much as you can (no ogling though!); women love attention and they like to feel like they are being admired.
7) If you can afford it, pay for her on the first date. You don’t have to go anywhere expensive - a local gastro-pub will do. But don’t come across a bit of a meanie as first impressions last. Take her somewhere on a first date that encourages conversation - perhaps for meal and a nice glass of wine - but in a bar or restaurant that isn’t too noisy. Remember, if you go somewhere like the cinema or a football match, then you wont be able to chat and get to know each other.
9) Women always look at shoes, be sure yours reflect the right image!
10) A great smell can make a lasting impression. I have often heard women talk about a guy’s after-shave so make sure you stock up on the CK1!
FOR GIRLS. . .
1) Wait for a guy to ask you out - this may sound old fashioned but men love the chase, allow yourself to be pursued and enjoy it.
2) Allow him to book a table, open doors, pay you compliments, pay for the meal etc; give him control of the first date!
3) Be happy and be the type of person that men want to be with; radiate good energy, smile and your date will be all the more entranced.
4) Approach the date with the aim of having fun; forget about whether he is Mr Right and focus on just enjoying yourself and having a good time.
5) Compliment a man, the things he is doing for you, the choice of meal etc - men love this.
6) Take an interest in HIS interests. Don’t just talk about yourself and what you like to do.
7) Don’t mention your ‘ex’! There’ll come a time in any relationship when both of you will talk about your past relationships. Unless the guy specifically brings up the subject, a first date really isn’t the time. Turn your mobile ‘phone off. If you’re taking calls from your friends or reading texts, your date will soon lose interest. Only keep your phone switched on if you’re expecting a VERY important call.
9) If the guy has invited you out for a meal, be careful how much you spend on his credit card. You don’t necessarily have to choose the cheapest items on the menu, but don’t order lobster and Champagne either. If a man invites you out for dinner on a first date, don’t use it as an excuse to indulge yourself in a way that you wouldn’t do if you were paying for yourself.
10) Say thank you - in fact you should say it twice; at the end of the date as you’re saying goodnight and then either in a follow-up ‘phone call or by text message the next day. Even if you don’t want to see him again (in which case, thank him by text!), you don’t want to give him the impression that you have no manners.
First Date Tips For Guys & Girls
January 17th, 2010Do you believe there is an amazing partner out there for you? Or do you believe that you’ve already met your prefect paramour and all you’ve got to do is navigate the choppy waters of that all important first date to get the show on the road? I live in the centre of the universe (London) but the rules of the dating game are the same wherever you live, and if you follow my tips and advice, then it’s a game that you’re going to win.
FOR GUYS. . .
1) Be confident (and if you don’t feel confident - act it!) - women love confidence in a man, they find this incredibly sexy.
2) Take charge and revel in your masculine energy; ladies love to relax on dates knowing that you have organised all the details. It’s up to you to decide where to go, book a table etc.
3) Ask her questions about herself that allow her to open up; listen intently and make sure you nod, um and arrhhh in all the right places.
4) If you really the girs, take her flowers on the first date (the bigger the bunch the more points you score!) Women love romance so if you can romance a lady, then you’re already at first base.
5) Be attentive to her needs, make sure she is not too hot/ cold, that she has a drink etc; women notice small details like that.
6) Look at her as much as you can (no ogling though!); women love attention and they like to feel like they are being admired.
7) If you can afford it, pay for her on the first date. You don’t have to go anywhere expensive - a local gastro-pub will do. But don’t come across a bit of a meanie as first impressions last. Take her somewhere on a first date that encourages conversation - perhaps for meal and a nice glass of wine - but in a bar or restaurant that isn’t too noisy. Remember, if you go somewhere like the cinema or a football match, then you wont be able to chat and get to know each other.
9) Women always look at shoes, be sure yours reflect the right image!
10) A great smell can make a lasting impression. I have often heard women talk about a guy’s after-shave so make sure you stock up on the CK1!
FOR GIRLS. . .
1) Wait for a guy to ask you out - this may sound old fashioned but men love the chase, allow yourself to be pursued and enjoy it.
2) Allow him to book a table, open doors, pay you compliments, pay for the meal etc; give him control of the first date!
3) Be happy and be the type of person that men want to be with; radiate good energy, smile and your date will be all the more entranced.
4) Approach the date with the aim of having fun; forget about whether he is Mr Right and focus on just enjoying yourself and having a good time.
5) Compliment a man, the things he is doing for you, the choice of meal etc - men love this.
6) Take an interest in HIS interests. Don’t just talk about yourself and what you like to do.
7) Don’t mention your ‘ex’! There’ll come a time in any relationship when both of you will talk about your past relationships. Unless the guy specifically brings up the subject, a first date really isn’t the time. Turn your mobile ‘phone off. If you’re taking calls from your friends or reading texts, your date will soon lose interest. Only keep your phone switched on if you’re expecting a VERY important call.
9) If the guy has invited you out for a meal, be careful how much you spend on his credit card. You don’t necessarily have to choose the cheapest items on the menu, but don’t order lobster and Champagne either. If a man invites you out for dinner on a first date, don’t use it as an excuse to indulge yourself in a way that you wouldn’t do if you were paying for yourself.
10) Say thank you - in fact you should say it twice; at the end of the date as you’re saying goodnight and then either in a follow-up ‘phone call or by text message the next day. Even if you don’t want to see him again (in which case, thank him by text!), you don’t want to give him the impression that you have no manners.
Unsung Cinematic Gems
January 13th, 2010Richard Roeper did this first in his 2002 book Ten Sure Signs a Movie Character is Doomed, and Other Surprising Movie Lists. He compiled a list of movies panned by most critics but admired by him. Although glancing at the list (including such lemons as Angel Eyes, ughh) sometimes makes me wanna belch, I do find it encouraging. Since I embarked on my journey in film study and criticism, I have also found myself quite often admiring films generally disliked by the critical mass. It is reassuring to know, then, that other critics are also sole champions of booed films. It is universally agreed by critics and film buffs alike that no two opinions will ever be the same, but most professional film writers are too timid to admit their love of unpopular films. Gene Siskel once said that a difference of opinion can only be used as an excuse so much to forgive bad movies. At a certain point, garbage is garbage. With this, I agree and that’s why on my list you will not see Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen or G. I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. Films like those are indefensibly bad. The films on my list aren’t even guilty pleasure. A guilty pleasure is a film you like despite its obvious poorness. Nor are these titles films that I thought weren’t as bad as their reputation suggests. No, the following films are, in my eyes, good to very good movies (I will concede that there aren’t any that I consider masterpieces listed) that for one reason or another struck a sour note with most critics. Take each of my blurbs as a case, rather than a defense, of the films. Hopefully I will get some critics to reconsider or some film buffs some new rental ideas, but even if it encourages you to pick an argument with me I still will be fulfilled. Hollywood Party (1934): None of the directors (including the legendary George Stevens) involved in this plotless musical-comedy extravaganza took credit for the finished product and, sure there are plenty of boring and corny skits and numbers but there are many fun moments and wonderful songs in this potpourri of Jimmy Durante, Laurel & Hardy, The Three Stooges, and even a dancing gorilla. Goodbye Charlie (1964): Vincente Minnelli’s little known and criminally underrated gem. If nothing else, the weirdness of the premise is sufficient to justify a look. Before The Crying Game and Boys Don’t Cry this comedy gave us Debbie Reynolds playing a man. Well, not exactly, she plays a dead man reincarnated as Debbie Reynolds. To add to this emotional confusion we have Tony Curtis, never more likeable, as the best pal of the dearly departed falling for the…girl? The pathos and psychological aspects of the film make for a very fun and sometimes sweet movie. Pete’s Dragon (1977): Sure, it’s no Mary Poppins. No one ever said it was. But what a wonderful family movie it is! Certainly, this is Disney’s best film of the 70s, a charming tale of a boy and his best friend, an animated (sometimes invisible) friendly dragon named Elliott. The songs are fantastic and the cast, made up largely of veteran comedians (Mickey Rooney, Jim Dale, Red Buttons, and Jim Backus) make this an amusing family film. Cruising (1980): Ok, this one pushes some hot buttons so I will begin with a disclaimer. I fully understand and agree with the offense many gay activists took at this film’s false and alarmist portrayal of gays. To add insult to injury, I think it was irresponsible of director William Friedkin to begin filming a year after the assassination of Harvey Milk. To be fair, however, homosexuality was a subject that most people (never mind Hollywood) was inexcusably ignorant of as late as the 1970s. Cruising tried to do the best it could with the obviously slim knowledge it had on the subject. That’s why the film’s most sympathetic portrayal of a gay man (Al Pacino’s friendly neighbor) is, at best, a stereotype. For its more dire depiction of gays, the film was at least sensible enough to stress that they are not representative of the gay community as a whole but of a small faction. Looking past the sensitivity issues (and for some, I acknowledge, this may be impossible to do) you find a tense and often exciting police thriller. Even in the scripting there are some ambiguities and too many things left unexplained that don’t work to the film’s advantage, but it shouldn’t have taken Al Pacino starring in 88 Minutes to make us realize how good Cruising is by comparison. Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983): This one got a bad rap before it even hit the theaters. One group of naysayers took offense at the tampering with an old TV favorite, Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone series. This is understandable and hardly surprising. Then, the tragic death of actor Vic Morrow and two children during production cast a pall over the whole production and some started asking, “was the movie worth it?” Of course not! No movie, no matter how good, is worth human lives! Judging by that yardstick, no movie will ever measure up. The death of Morrow and the children was a tragedy and the result of gross negligence and disregard for safety on behalf of the crew and director John Landis. But, the content of the movie (or, specifically, this segment as the film was an anthology of four stories) should not be judged by an external tragedy. Remember, the death of cast and crew is hardly an unusual misfortune and many films that have caused the death of someone involved (most famously, The Crow with the untimely death of Brandon Lee), have gone on to garner much acclaim. To address the first criticism; well, here they have more validity. To be fair, no remake or cinematic adaptation of a beloved series can ever live up to the source. In view of this, I must say that if one views Twilight Zone: The Movie with an open mind, one will find an effectively chilling and surprisingly loyal updating of three classic episodes plus a new story. Each director (Landis, Steven Spielberg, Joe Dante, and George Miller) bring a distinctive style to their respective segments but the spooky prologue with Dan Aykroyd and Albert Brooks alone is worth the price of admission. Shadows & Fog (1992): Although the late 80s-early 90s was Woody Allen’s second heyday, this obscure gem is hardly remembered in the comedian’s canon and when it is brought up, it is never favorable. But Shadows & Fog (while no one would argue that it deserves a place with Annie Hall, Manhattan, or Hannah and Her Sisters) does not deserve to be ignored. To understand the smartness of Shadows & Fog, one has to be in tune with Allen’s love for German Expressionist cinema of the 20s. In rich black and white photography, Allen recreates a visually stunning homage to the films of Fritz Lang, F. W. Murnau, and Robert Wiene set in a European village in the 1920s, that is austere, intriguing, and often funny. In Love & War (1996): A beautiful romance based on the real-life love affair between Ernest Hemingway and Red Cross nurse Agnes von Kurowsky that inspired Hemingway’s literary masterpiece A Farewell to Arms. As always, director Richard Attenborough’s cinematography of war-torn Italy is absolutely breathtaking as is his period recreation. Best of all, though is how perfectly Chris O’Donnell captures the essence of the young Hemingway and his love for adventure, romance, cockiness, and self-pity. Particularly impressive is the recreation of the Hemingway summer home on Michigan’s Walloon Lake. I suspect Hemingway himself would have approved of O’Donnell’s performance, the creation of his world, and the film as a whole. Fallen (1998): A police thriller with a satanic twist and a great performance from Denzel Washington. The story itself is gripping as any good thriller should be, but Fallen also has a surprisingly effective emotional core made even stronger by Washington’s sensitive performance. The ending is especially clever because it throws two surprises at us while grinning wickedly at the way its manipulating the audience. Bamboozled (2000): By the early 2000s, Spike Lee was starting to sell-out to mainstream Hollywood and running out of critical favor, but I think Bamboozled was his last (so far) high caliber film. It’s imperfect to be sure. I took particular issue with the vilification of Damon Wayans’ character as the TV producer who loses his way when he pitches an idea for a new show reviving minstrel shows, since his intention for doing so was noble at first. He was trying to prove a valid point about the reception of African-American shows in America. That his idea backfired tragically says more about America than the producer’s intent. Still, Bamboozled is a courageous film that raises important and relevant issues. Anytime Spike Lee has something big to say, it has to be worth hearing. Hannibal (2001): Do I really have to say that it isn’t as good as Silence of the Lambs? I hope not, because if I thought it was as good I would be the first to discredit myself as a film critic. Seen on its own, however, Hannibal is a highly entertaining film with a beautiful soundtrack and cinematography. Anthony Hopkins’ performance as everyone’s favorite cannibal is no less amazing than it was in the original and his love for art and history (hinted in the first film) is in full bloom here since the good doctor is hiding out in Florence. I love Ridley Scott’s contrasting of gothic Florence and America’s Beltway. A great cast (Julianne Moore, Giancarlo Giannini, and Ray Liotta) helps to touch on the film’s themes of corruption, character, and integrity. A movie that can actually improve upon the source novel, by the way, deserves props. The Black Dahlia (2006): Based on the real-life murder of starlet to be Elizabeth Short, The Black Dahlia is an atmospheric thriller that was unjustly panned by the critics and ignored by the public. Brian De Palma paints the Los Angeles of 1940s as a decadent city, revealing the dirty and corrupt underbelly of Hollywood’s glamour years. This movie also features Josh Hartnett’s strongest performance and offers some great character studies of a city’s hidden dirt and creepiness.
First Date Tips For Guys & Girls
December 26th, 2009Do you believe there is an amazing partner out there for you? Or do you believe that you’ve already met your prefect paramour and all you’ve got to do is navigate the choppy waters of that all important first date to get the show on the road? I live in the centre of the universe (London) but the rules of the dating game are the same wherever you live, and if you follow my tips and advice, then it’s a game that you’re going to win.
FOR GUYS. . .
1) Be confident (and if you don’t feel confident - act it!) - women love confidence in a man, they find this incredibly sexy.
2) Take charge and revel in your masculine energy; ladies love to relax on dates knowing that you have organised all the details. It’s up to you to decide where to go, book a table etc.
3) Ask her questions about herself that allow her to open up; listen intently and make sure you nod, um and arrhhh in all the right places.
4) If you really the girs, take her flowers on the first date (the bigger the bunch the more points you score!) Women love romance so if you can romance a lady, then you’re already at first base.
5) Be attentive to her needs, make sure she is not too hot/ cold, that she has a drink etc; women notice small details like that.
6) Look at her as much as you can (no ogling though!); women love attention and they like to feel like they are being admired.
7) If you can afford it, pay for her on the first date. You don’t have to go anywhere expensive - a local gastro-pub will do. But don’t come across a bit of a meanie as first impressions last. Take her somewhere on a first date that encourages conversation - perhaps for meal and a nice glass of wine - but in a bar or restaurant that isn’t too noisy. Remember, if you go somewhere like the cinema or a football match, then you wont be able to chat and get to know each other.
9) Women always look at shoes, be sure yours reflect the right image!
10) A great smell can make a lasting impression. I have often heard women talk about a guy’s after-shave so make sure you stock up on the CK1!
FOR GIRLS. . .
1) Wait for a guy to ask you out - this may sound old fashioned but men love the chase, allow yourself to be pursued and enjoy it.
2) Allow him to book a table, open doors, pay you compliments, pay for the meal etc; give him control of the first date!
3) Be happy and be the type of person that men want to be with; radiate good energy, smile and your date will be all the more entranced.
4) Approach the date with the aim of having fun; forget about whether he is Mr Right and focus on just enjoying yourself and having a good time.
5) Compliment a man, the things he is doing for you, the choice of meal etc - men love this.
6) Take an interest in HIS interests. Don’t just talk about yourself and what you like to do.
7) Don’t mention your ‘ex’! There’ll come a time in any relationship when both of you will talk about your past relationships. Unless the guy specifically brings up the subject, a first date really isn’t the time. Turn your mobile ‘phone off. If you’re taking calls from your friends or reading texts, your date will soon lose interest. Only keep your phone switched on if you’re expecting a VERY important call.
9) If the guy has invited you out for a meal, be careful how much you spend on his credit card. You don’t necessarily have to choose the cheapest items on the menu, but don’t order lobster and Champagne either. If a man invites you out for dinner on a first date, don’t use it as an excuse to indulge yourself in a way that you wouldn’t do if you were paying for yourself.
10) Say thank you - in fact you should say it twice; at the end of the date as you’re saying goodnight and then either in a follow-up ‘phone call or by text message the next day. Even if you don’t want to see him again (in which case, thank him by text!), you don’t want to give him the impression that you have no manners.
First Date Tips For Guys & Girls
December 24th, 2009Do you believe there is an amazing partner out there for you? Or do you believe that you’ve already met your prefect paramour and all you’ve got to do is navigate the choppy waters of that all important first date to get the show on the road? I live in the centre of the universe (London) but the rules of the dating game are the same wherever you live, and if you follow my tips and advice, then it’s a game that you’re going to win.
FOR GUYS. . .
1) Be confident (and if you don’t feel confident - act it!) - women love confidence in a man, they find this incredibly sexy.
2) Take charge and revel in your masculine energy; ladies love to relax on dates knowing that you have organised all the details. It’s up to you to decide where to go, book a table etc.
3) Ask her questions about herself that allow her to open up; listen intently and make sure you nod, um and arrhhh in all the right places.
4) If you really the girs, take her flowers on the first date (the bigger the bunch the more points you score!) Women love romance so if you can romance a lady, then you’re already at first base.
5) Be attentive to her needs, make sure she is not too hot/ cold, that she has a drink etc; women notice small details like that.
6) Look at her as much as you can (no ogling though!); women love attention and they like to feel like they are being admired.
7) If you can afford it, pay for her on the first date. You don’t have to go anywhere expensive - a local gastro-pub will do. But don’t come across a bit of a meanie as first impressions last. Take her somewhere on a first date that encourages conversation - perhaps for meal and a nice glass of wine - but in a bar or restaurant that isn’t too noisy. Remember, if you go somewhere like the cinema or a football match, then you wont be able to chat and get to know each other.
9) Women always look at shoes, be sure yours reflect the right image!
10) A great smell can make a lasting impression. I have often heard women talk about a guy’s after-shave so make sure you stock up on the CK1!
FOR GIRLS. . .
1) Wait for a guy to ask you out - this may sound old fashioned but men love the chase, allow yourself to be pursued and enjoy it.
2) Allow him to book a table, open doors, pay you compliments, pay for the meal etc; give him control of the first date!
3) Be happy and be the type of person that men want to be with; radiate good energy, smile and your date will be all the more entranced.
4) Approach the date with the aim of having fun; forget about whether he is Mr Right and focus on just enjoying yourself and having a good time.
5) Compliment a man, the things he is doing for you, the choice of meal etc - men love this.
6) Take an interest in HIS interests. Don’t just talk about yourself and what you like to do.
7) Don’t mention your ‘ex’! There’ll come a time in any relationship when both of you will talk about your past relationships. Unless the guy specifically brings up the subject, a first date really isn’t the time. Turn your mobile ‘phone off. If you’re taking calls from your friends or reading texts, your date will soon lose interest. Only keep your phone switched on if you’re expecting a VERY important call.
9) If the guy has invited you out for a meal, be careful how much you spend on his credit card. You don’t necessarily have to choose the cheapest items on the menu, but don’t order lobster and Champagne either. If a man invites you out for dinner on a first date, don’t use it as an excuse to indulge yourself in a way that you wouldn’t do if you were paying for yourself.
10) Say thank you - in fact you should say it twice; at the end of the date as you’re saying goodnight and then either in a follow-up ‘phone call or by text message the next day. Even if you don’t want to see him again (in which case, thank him by text!), you don’t want to give him the impression that you have no manners.
First Date Tips For Guys & Girls
December 11th, 2009Do you believe there is an amazing partner out there for you? Or do you believe that you’ve already met your prefect paramour and all you’ve got to do is navigate the choppy waters of that all important first date to get the show on the road? I live in the centre of the universe (London) but the rules of the dating game are the same wherever you live, and if you follow my tips and advice, then it’s a game that you’re going to win.
FOR GUYS. . .
1) Be confident (and if you don’t feel confident - act it!) - women love confidence in a man, they find this incredibly sexy.
2) Take charge and revel in your masculine energy; ladies love to relax on dates knowing that you have organised all the details. It’s up to you to decide where to go, book a table etc.
3) Ask her questions about herself that allow her to open up; listen intently and make sure you nod, um and arrhhh in all the right places.
4) If you really the girs, take her flowers on the first date (the bigger the bunch the more points you score!) Women love romance so if you can romance a lady, then you’re already at first base.
5) Be attentive to her needs, make sure she is not too hot/ cold, that she has a drink etc; women notice small details like that.
6) Look at her as much as you can (no ogling though!); women love attention and they like to feel like they are being admired.
7) If you can afford it, pay for her on the first date. You don’t have to go anywhere expensive - a local gastro-pub will do. But don’t come across a bit of a meanie as first impressions last. Take her somewhere on a first date that encourages conversation - perhaps for meal and a nice glass of wine - but in a bar or restaurant that isn’t too noisy. Remember, if you go somewhere like the cinema or a football match, then you wont be able to chat and get to know each other.
9) Women always look at shoes, be sure yours reflect the right image!
10) A great smell can make a lasting impression. I have often heard women talk about a guy’s after-shave so make sure you stock up on the CK1!
FOR GIRLS. . .
1) Wait for a guy to ask you out - this may sound old fashioned but men love the chase, allow yourself to be pursued and enjoy it.
2) Allow him to book a table, open doors, pay you compliments, pay for the meal etc; give him control of the first date!
3) Be happy and be the type of person that men want to be with; radiate good energy, smile and your date will be all the more entranced.
4) Approach the date with the aim of having fun; forget about whether he is Mr Right and focus on just enjoying yourself and having a good time.
5) Compliment a man, the things he is doing for you, the choice of meal etc - men love this.
6) Take an interest in HIS interests. Don’t just talk about yourself and what you like to do.
7) Don’t mention your ‘ex’! There’ll come a time in any relationship when both of you will talk about your past relationships. Unless the guy specifically brings up the subject, a first date really isn’t the time. Turn your mobile ‘phone off. If you’re taking calls from your friends or reading texts, your date will soon lose interest. Only keep your phone switched on if you’re expecting a VERY important call.
9) If the guy has invited you out for a meal, be careful how much you spend on his credit card. You don’t necessarily have to choose the cheapest items on the menu, but don’t order lobster and Champagne either. If a man invites you out for dinner on a first date, don’t use it as an excuse to indulge yourself in a way that you wouldn’t do if you were paying for yourself.
10) Say thank you - in fact you should say it twice; at the end of the date as you’re saying goodnight and then either in a follow-up ‘phone call or by text message the next day. Even if you don’t want to see him again (in which case, thank him by text!), you don’t want to give him the impression that you have no manners.
7 Fat Loss Strategies For Busy Moms
December 5th, 2009Would you like to “jump start” your metabolism and lose your ‘mommy belly’ once and for all? If so, the following seven tips are exactly what you need to improve your workouts and ignite your metabolism. Try some or all of these tips, but beware, the result may be a number of admiring second glances and the need to pull your ‘skinny jeans’ out of the closet. 1. The majority of your workouts should be composed of free-weight, bodyweight or cable exercises. Compared to machines, free-weight, bodyweight and cable movements often require more skill, create muscular balance, and have a greater metabolic cost. For example, it is more difficult to balance the weights, and to coordinate muscles when performing free-weight exercises. Although this may sound like a disadvantage, it is actually a benefit. By balancing and stabilizing free-weights or cables you are working more muscles through a greater range of motion resulting in more muscles developed and more calories burned. 2. Use exercises that work more than one muscle at a time. When focusing on fat loss, you can’t worry about “shaping” exercises, instead you should use exercises that’ll get you the biggest bang for your buck and work as many muscles as possible. Isolation exercises can be used at the end of a workout to work on a specific target area, but they just serve to supplement your core movements. Virtually every savvy fitness professional is privy to the fact that compound exercises recruit the most muscle groups for any given body part. If you seek lean, toned muscles and the increase in metabolism that comes with them, you must choose exercises that work as many different muscles as possible. One of the main reasons why squats are superior to leg extensions for improving your body is that they also work your butt, hamstrings and inner thighs in addition to toning your quadriceps while leg extensions focus on just the front of your thigh and don’t really offer any other benefit. That same rationale hold true for arm exercises too. That’s why dumbell presses and dips will are more valuable for your arms than triceps kickbacks and pushdowns. A good rule of thumb is to use movements that will allow you to use the most weight. These will have a systemic effect on your body that’ll help maintain or increase your lean muscle, and in turn ignite your metabolism. 3. Pair exercises. Pair your exercises together so that you alternate between upper-body exercises and lower-body exercises or between exercises that target opposing muscle groups (e. g. chest and back). This type of approach will keep your workouts short and efficient by eliminating much of the downtime that comes between sets of a single exercise since you are working on one movement while resting from another. This approach can also yield huge benefits in your mission to burn fat. Since you’ll constantly be moving and keeping your heart rate elevated, you’ll be burning far more calories than you would during a typical workout. 4. Keep your reps between 8 and 12. Through research, it has been determined that the best range for building lean muscle is roughly between 8-12 reps. Since the main focus of your resistance training efforts is to gain lean body mass and stimulate your metabolism, this rep range fills the bill perfectly. “High reps for tone and fat loss” is one of the biggest (and most unproductive) training myths! Somehow the aerobics, yoga and Pilates’ community have convinced us that when we perform bodyweight exercises or light resistance training for high reps, our muscles magically take on a beautiful shape without growing or bulging. On the other hand, if you challenge yourself with moderately heavy weights, your body will take on a bulky, unflattering appearance. If you believe this, you probably still believe in the Tooth Fairy!5. Rest only 30 to 60 seconds between sets. When you keep the rest periods under one minute, it’s easier to stay focused on the task at hand and keeps your heart rate elevated. In addition, it forces your muscles to recover more quickly between sets, along with keeping your nervous system revved up. If your first movement in an upper/lower body pair is squats, you might want to rest 60 seconds before attempting your second movement. However, if your first exercise is a fairly “easy” exercise, like lat pull downs, you might only wish to wait 30 seconds before doing the second part of the pair. 6. Perform total body workouts. You must drop the notion that muscle groups work independently of one another. Muscles work together and should be trained that way. Besides, not only does this approach mean less time in the gym, but by working the whole body three times per week, you’ll be maximizing the fat burning effect of your program. 7. Cardio is not the cure-all for fat loss. Cardiovascular exercise aids in the creation of a caloric deficit, but the caloric expenditure during cardio is temporary. Strength training addresses the core of the problem by permanently increasing the rate at which the body burns calories by adding muscle. The best programs will include both strength training and cardiovascular training, but the core or the programs effectiveness is resistance training. Take these strategies and incorporate them into your workout routine. Not only will you save a lot of time, but you’ll also soon see a leaner and more toned body. Not to mention a few more turned heads and the re-emergence of your skinny jeans. Find more information and the club at FitYummyMummy. com
Tips on How to Buy Foreclosure Homes with Success
December 5th, 2009Even though most people are aware of the fact that it is possible to save money by purchasing a foreclosure, they may not be aware of all of the steps that are necessary to successfully buy foreclosure homes. Simply jumping into the process will either result in you being unsuccessful with the purchase or ending up with a property that may be worth far less than what you had originally estimated. That is why it is important for you to hire an agent that will be able to walk you through the process whenever it comes time to buy foreclosure homes in your area. Not only should they be knowledgeable about the area itself, they should also understand the state laws that regulate the sale of foreclosure properties. Research should also be done by these individuals, looking for such problems as tax liens or other financial obligations that they be attached to the property. Finally, they should set up inspections of the property in order to ascertain if any damage had occurred during the time that it sat vacant. Perhaps the most difficult part of the process, however, is when it comes time to actually place the bids on these properties. Knowing what you can bid and what the market will bear will make it much more likely that you will be successful when you try to buy foreclosure homes in this manner. Most times, you will be able to purchase the home for lower than market value but you will also probably be bidding against some stiff competition, so don’t be disappointed if your bid should be rejected. Simply look for another home in the area and start the process over again, eventually your bid will go through with success. Although it can be frustrating and a little bit time consuming to buy foreclosure homes, the fact that you’re getting them at much less than market value will make all the effort worth it in the end. Regardless of whether you are doing it to get started in real estate or if you are simply purchasing a starter home, the current foreclosure market does provide you with opportunities that were not available a few years ago.