Le Credit Lyonnais, A French Bank.

I will add a whole bunch of my European travel pics to the bottom of the blog now.

Scroll to the bottom to see my 2009 European travel pics. At this time, I will just be adding my France pics.

:)

Fruits at a market in France

A farm field in France

A street in France

Reduce Mortgage or Business Loan Debt - How To Prevent Bankruptcy By Reducing And Consolidating Your Debt

You can prevent bankruptcy by consolidating your debt with the help of a loan or debt consolidation agency to reduce your monthly payments and quickly pay off your liability. But before signing final paperwork, you should develop a financial plan and research your options.

Goal Of Consolidation

The goal of consolidation is to lower your monthly payments so you can pay off your debt and avoid bankruptcy. However, consolidation only works if you make it part of a larger financial plan. You have to be committed to reducing your liability and saving for financial emergencies.

Once you have consolidated your loans, it is a good idea to build a financial cushion of six months worth of cash reserves. This ensures that you can pay cash for the inevitable financial emergency and not increase your credit load.

Your next goal should be to make extra payments. The sooner you can pay off your principal the less you will pay in interest payments.

Types Of Debt Consolidation Loans And Programs

The two types of debt consolidation loans are mortgage loans and personal loans. Mortgage loans are ideal since their interest is tax deductible. However, you need to be sure that you have enough equity to borrow against and that you can recoup the cost of up front fees.

The other option is to use a personal loan. Personal loans are based on your credit score and income. Personal loans typically have lower interest rates than credit cards, but are usually higher than mortgages rates.

Instead of a loan, you can also use a debt consolidation service. These companies will negotiate lower interest rates with your creditors. There are no fees involved since these companies are usually non profit. They also provide credit counseling, offering financial advice and guidance.

Debt Consolidation Providers

Depending on what type of loan or program you choose, debt consolidation providers are relatively easy to find. If you are planning to use your home equity, then you will want to search for a mortgage lender. Many lenders offer free quotes online for easy comparison.

Personal loan lenders also can be found online. As with any financing company, you need to research rates and terms to find the best deal. Requesting a quote from a lender does not lock you into a loan. Legitimate lenders will be more than willing to provide this information to help you make a wise financial choice.

You can also get connected with debt consolidation services online. Some directory sites will help you find an agency in your area or you can work with a national agency.

Now that you've dealt with your finances, learn how to get that special girl:
www.tofindadate.com

This is a cartoon of Rasputin singing. The video quality is only fair.

The Romantic Man

Being a man and being labeled a romantic is not always desirable. Or is it? Just because you like pampering your lady doesn't mean that you are any less a man than any other man. You can spend your day finishing your basement, working on your car, just getting your hands dirty so to speak but at the end of that day there's nothing quite like the look of love and care on your significant others face when you cook an impromptu dinner for her. And the benefits of what happens after dinner, or even before you get dinner done, far outweigh any negative connotations being labeled a romantic have.

Being a romantic man is not that hard. In most cases it's the little things that women notice. A glance, a quick touch or brush across her back. Sure, flowers are nice, but haven't they almost become a cliché. That's not to say women don't like flowers because they do, but if that's all you've got then it will only go so far. You have to mix it up, change your style and use your imagination to create romantic moments for the woman you love.

And here's the most important thing to remember. If you truly know her and what her likes and dislikes are then it's easy. Think of something built around something she likes to do. Does she like shopping (not something men even like to think about much less do), fine dining, walks on a beach, watching movies and the list goes on. It's all about doing something she likes with her. And the fringe benefits of doing this are the only reward you will need.

Now here's a little hint. While it seems like you may be doing something you don't necessarily like to do that's not really true. Let's look at the shopping example. And when I say take her shopping it means shopping for her. Don't go to the local home remodeling center, you might find yourself sleeping in the dog house for a few nights. Remember, this is romance.

You take a day to go clothes shopping for her. This is about her, but it is also for you because the idea is to go to the more upscale type of shops. Why? Because you are looking for clothes that she looks good in, that she will ask your opinion on as she models it for you. Not only does she feel sexy but you can see that in how she moves and carries herself. And if by some chance you can guide her into a lingerie shop, well you just might be surprised when she lets you pick out something and she wears it that night at home, or if your really on your stuff, back at the hotel room (now there's an idea: a night away from home).

A romantic man is in a win-win situation. And the best thing is it can be allot of fun for both the man and the woman.

For more great dating advice get my ebook at: www.tofindadate.com

The Rasputin, History class edit.

This is a Rasputin video created from someone's pics of Rasputin they collected from
taking a history class. The music of course is the classic Boney M. song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4LhGx1YPBs

Okay, so you’ve been emailing each other for awhile, maybe you’re text messaging and perhaps you’ve talked on the phone. You feel a certain chemistry and you want to move on to the next step, the FIRST DATE. You can’t decide where to go or what to do. The possibilities for that first date are endless. I’d like to make a suggestion; skip the whole dinner and a movie thing. Try something different. Step out of your comfort zone; out of the box. Remember when you were little and it was okay to color outside of the lines? Try it. It can open up a whole new world. Forget about the standard dinner and movie. Dinner’s nice, but why spend two hours in a theater watching someone else when you can be doing something fun that will help you get to know one another?

Put on your thinking cap and get creative. If you’re not the creative type, ask for help from your family and friends. Not only will something different be fun, but you’ll stand out in the crowd. Your date will remember the fact that you gave some thought to where you were going and what you were going to do. Your first date can easily be a success. There will be plenty of time later on, if you continue to see each other, for dinner and a movie.

Personally, I like bowling. You might be laughing right now, or thinking "no way", but I can tell you that it can be a lot of laughs. Bowling is a gas, and it's a great idea for a first date! It’s also nice that you are surrounded by other people, making your date feel safe. In addition, the fun and laughter around you can be contagious. If neither of you have ever bowled, it can be a learning experience for both of you, and no one will be at an unfair advantage. If one of you has bowled before, it can be an opportunity to be a teacher. On the other hand, if both of you have bowled, you can just relax and enjoy yourself. Throw a little alcohol into the mix (for it is one sport that actually invites you to imbibe) and just have fun. You might each bring a friend, which will also alleviate some of that "first date" stress.

If you’re not into bowling, a picnic can be nice. Now, I understand that picnics usually have a romantic stigma attached to them, but you can change that. Rather than finding a nice little secluded spot in the middle of nowhere, plop yourself down in the middle of a populated park somewhere. Entertain yourselves by people watching. You can make an impression, if you put some thought into it. Think about the menu and the accoutrements. If you’re not so swift in the kitchen, ask someone who is. Try a local deli or gourmet store. Many of them will be only too happy to put the whole thing together for you. Pick a menu and accessories that will make a statement. Forget the styrofoam cups and potato chips. Up the ante a little bit. A bottle of wine or champagne is a nice touch, but don’t forget the corkscrew and the glasses. There’s nothing worse than finding yourself unprepared when you’re trying to make a good first impression. Make a list and check it twice. Remember something to sit on, and make sure it’s nice, clean and without holes or stains. Remember napkins; cloth is nice. Be sure to bring such things as salt and pepper, and ice cold bottled water is always good. Run through your plans with a fine toothed comb and get rid of any snags.

Where you are and the time of year can help dictate where you go and what you do. If the weather is nice you could take a nice long walk or hike, and stop somewhere along the way for something cold to drink. You could go to the beach, walk along the boardwalk and stop for lunch overlooking the ocean. Roller blading or bicycling is always an option, as is a trip to a local winery or a farmer’s market. If it is winter or the weather is chilly, your options might be a bit different. Instead of roller blading, you could try ice skating. If you’ve never skated and you go to a public skating rink, you can find comfort in the fact that you won’t be the only ones falling down. You will be surrounded by others doing the same. If there’s snow around, you could go somewhere nice for lunch where there is a wonderful view. The possibilities, like I said, are endless.

If you plan ahead of time, you can ask others for dating ideas. Your Aunt Mary of Uncle Bob might know just the spot. You can go to your local Chamber of Commerce or Visitors Center for information. Sometimes we have events in our own town that we know nothing about. When the weather is warm, many towns and cities have outdoor concerts or festivals of some kind. There might be someplace historical you’ve never been. Museums and art galleries are good too.

So, if you want to have a successful first date, give it some thought. Don’t be afraid of the unknown. Instead, embrace it. Enlist the help of family, friends and co-workers. Peruse your local Sunday paper or Weekly. Dare to be different. If the date ends up being a bust, at least you’ve tried something new or out of the ordinary. Good luck and happy dating!

For the best dating advice eBook go to:  www.tofindadate.com

Paris

Paris has all but exhausted the superlatives that can reasonably be applied to any city. Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower - at sunrise, at sunset , at night - have been described countless times, as have the Seine and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) differences between the Left and Right Banks. But what writers have been unable to capture is the grandness and even the magic.

Paris probably has more familiar landmarks than any other city in the world. As a result first-time visitors often arrive in the French Capital with all sorts of expextations: of grand vistas, og intellectuals discussing weighty matters in cafes, or romance along the Seine, of naughty nightclub revues, of rude people who won't speak English. If you look hard enough, you can probably find those. But another approach is to set aside the preconceptions of Paris and to explore the city's avenues and backstreets as if the tip of the Eiffel Tower or the spire of Notre Dame wasn't about to pop inro view at any moment.

You'll soon discover (as so many others before you have) that Paris is enchanting almost everywhere, at any time.

Unusual First Dates - Step Out of the Box

Okay, so you’ve been emailing each other for awhile, maybe you’re text messaging and perhaps you’ve talked on the phone. You feel a certain chemistry and you want to move on to the next step, the FIRST DATE. You can’t decide where to go or what to do. The possibilities for that first date are endless. I’d like to make a suggestion; skip the whole dinner and a movie thing. Try something different. Step out of your comfort zone; out of the box. Remember when you were little and it was okay to color outside of the lines? Try it. It can open up a whole new world. Forget about the standard dinner and movie. Dinner’s nice, but why spend two hours in a theater watching someone else when you can be doing something fun that will help you get to know one another?

Put on your thinking cap and get creative. If you’re not the creative type, ask for help from your family and friends. Not only will something different be fun, but you’ll stand out in the crowd. Your date will remember the fact that you gave some thought to where you were going and what you were going to do. Your first date can easily be a success. There will be plenty of time later on, if you continue to see each other, for dinner and a movie.

Personally, I like bowling. You might be laughing right now, or thinking "no way", but I can tell you that it can be a lot of laughs. Bowling is a gas, and it's a great idea for a first date! It’s also nice that you are surrounded by other people, making your date feel safe. In addition, the fun and laughter around you can be contagious. If neither of you have ever bowled, it can be a learning experience for both of you, and no one will be at an unfair advantage. If one of you has bowled before, it can be an opportunity to be a teacher. On the other hand, if both of you have bowled, you can just relax and enjoy yourself. Throw a little alcohol into the mix (for it is one sport that actually invites you to imbibe) and just have fun. You might each bring a friend, which will also alleviate some of that "first date" stress.

If you’re not into bowling, a picnic can be nice. Now, I understand that picnics usually have a romantic stigma attached to them, but you can change that. Rather than finding a nice little secluded spot in the middle of nowhere, plop yourself down in the middle of a populated park somewhere. Entertain yourselves by people watching. You can make an impression, if you put some thought into it. Think about the menu and the accoutrements. If you’re not so swift in the kitchen, ask someone who is. Try a local deli or gourmet store. Many of them will be only too happy to put the whole thing together for you. Pick a menu and accessories that will make a statement. Forget the styrofoam cups and potato chips. Up the ante a little bit. A bottle of wine or champagne is a nice touch, but don’t forget the corkscrew and the glasses. There’s nothing worse than finding yourself unprepared when you’re trying to make a good first impression. Make a list and check it twice. Remember something to sit on, and make sure it’s nice, clean and without holes or stains. Remember napkins; cloth is nice. Be sure to bring such things as salt and pepper, and ice cold bottled water is always good. Run through your plans with a fine toothed comb and get rid of any snags.

Where you are and the time of year can help dictate where you go and what you do. If the weather is nice you could take a nice long walk or hike, and stop somewhere along the way for something cold to drink. You could go to the beach, walk along the boardwalk and stop for lunch overlooking the ocean. Roller blading or bicycling is always an option, as is a trip to a local winery or a farmer’s market. If it is winter or the weather is chilly, your options might be a bit different. Instead of roller blading, you could try ice skating. If you’ve never skated and you go to a public skating rink, you can find comfort in the fact that you won’t be the only ones falling down. You will be surrounded by others doing the same. If there’s snow around, you could go somewhere nice for lunch where there is a wonderful view. The possibilities, like I said, are endless.

If you plan ahead of time, you can ask others for dating ideas. Your Aunt Mary of Uncle Bob might know just the spot. You can go to your local Chamber of Commerce or Visitors Center for information. Sometimes we have events in our own town that we know nothing about. When the weather is warm, many towns and cities have outdoor concerts or festivals of some kind. There might be someplace historical you’ve never been. Museums and art galleries are good too.

So, if you want to have a successful first date, give it some thought. Don’t be afraid of the unknown. Instead, embrace it. Enlist the help of family, friends and co-workers. Peruse your local Sunday paper or Weekly. Dare to be different. If the date ends up being a bust, at least you’ve tried something new or out of the ordinary. Good luck and happy dating!

Get the best dating eBook on the net:  www.tofindadate.com

Mormon Quote out of context.

Ammon and the king Lamoni journey to Middoni--They meet Lamoni's father who is king over all the land--Hostile at first, he relents, and grants great favors.

Daoist quote of the day:

Our practice is one of effortless effort.
It seems as if we do nothing,
yet everything is done.

Why We Date

For most young career people, they find spending nearly 35% of their time at the workplace than at their respective homes. That accounts to almost 9 hours of work, work, and work.

For this reason, most of the people involved in this kind of situation find themselves out of place in the social world because they simply do not have time to meet other people anymore. In fact, they do not even have time for themselves.

That is why it is not such an appalling revelation when some surveys showed how 67.8% of the respondents, all working but in different companies, are into relationship with their colleagues. This goes to show that because of the time constraint that most professionals have and because of the lack of sociable time that they need, most of them divert to the aspect of getting a romantic partner in the office instead.

Most of those who are involved in this kind of relationship contend that their workplace seemed to be a natural breeding ground for romantic couples since they are together for more than 40 hours within the week.

Also, they asserted that creating a relationship in the office is inevitable because most of them get along with each other well based on the premise that they revolve around the same environment that initiates common interests, beliefs, and backgrounds.

However, because of some professional etiquette around the office, some companies despise the idea of having their employees being involved with each other. The bosses believe that romantic and intimate relationships may bring about negligence on their respective jobs.

Moreover, certain flaws are seen on this kind of relationship. There is a higher probability that the couple might have a conflict of concern with regards to their respective duties in the office and their duties and responsibilities with each other.

Therefore, for those who cannot help but fall in love while doing monthly inventories, here is a list of some workplace romance tips to keep you out of the brink of disaster:

1. Think first before deciding

Before deciding on this matter, it would be better to think first, probably a hundred…no make that a thousand times before deciding on it.

Try to contemplate on the possible consequences and benefits that you can get from the relationship. If the relationship will not work out, will you be ready to face the consequences?

2. Evaluate each prospect

Establishing a worthwhile relationship with your colleagues should primarily be based on its being worthy for a date.

It would be better if you will evaluate on the upshots of dating the person based on his or her position in the company, its value, and the possible corollaries of the separation, if ever.

For instance, if you want to ask your colleague on a date, try to contemplate first on the issue of rivalry between you and your officemate and the rough situation that both of you may be in after the breakup.

Also, try to look the possible angle of biasness for bosses dating their subordinates. The issue of “favoritism” may take place.

3. Be smart

Keep in mind that the reason why God placed our minds above our hearts is for the mind to rule above all. So if you are suddenly being snooped with some seniority in the office, do not be deceived yet. Try to test this person for some reliability quizzes and put him more on hot water.

The point here is that if ever he is trying to establish a good romantic relationship with you, it is better to be assured that his intentions are for real and just because he is looking for some diversion in the office.

4. Friendships as the best foundation

For a budding romantic relationship in the office, it is best to keep focused on creating friendships first. This is because some people believed that friendship, as the core foundation of any relationship, is better than just a break-from-work relationship.

Given all that, workplace romance can be really fun and dreamy. However, one or both of them should realize that office romances are not based on a contract that can expires when the time allotted has elapsed. It would be better to hear these kinds of relationships to last a lifetime, even if both of them have already retired from their jobs.

To learn way more get my Dating eBook at:  www.tofindadate.com

The Amazing Cucumber

This information was in The New York Times several weeks ago as part of their "Spotlight on the Home" series that highlighted creative and fanciful ways to solve common problems.


1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

Why You Are Single And Lonely ?

Have you ever wondered why you are single and lonely - have you ever stopped to think that this should not be the case - have you ever cried yourself to sleep believing you are going to be left on the shelf. Well now it is time to stop wondering because your ideal partner is out there but how can they possibly meet their perfect match when you are sitting at home wondering.

What is it that is holding you back apart from yourself - is it the actual approach to ask for a date or is it fear of rejection that worries you?
These are two fear factors you have to overcome if you are to leave your world of loneliness. Why are you single and lonely - do you pine for companionship.

So what - if the opposite sex declines your invite for a date - you are not on your own. There are thousands of people single and lonely experiencing refusals and rejection but continues to carry on regardless till they strike lucky. The good thing about rejection is you have just found out that this particular person you liked is not who you will be settling down with - therefore not your ideal partner. Heartache is involved when dating the wrong partner.

Is it the actual face to face approach that causes you concern. Well stop concerning yourself over trivial matters because there are so many other options for you to  liberate yourself from asking yourself why you are single and lonely.

Okay keep your distance if that`s the way you want it. If you think your ideal partner is across the other side of the room then be sure to send a warm smile over in their direction - if this is responded to with a smile back then fine. This is a great start because you have caught the attention from a confused person who is now a slight unsure as to whether the smile was meant for them. It is now that they may approach to ask about the smile - then you take it from there. (Not in all cases do they come over) Do the talking with your eyes - eye contact along with the facial expression saying I am interested in you can work wonders for most. Don`t be alarmed at some responses you may get by this glance approach because what you may have thought was good facial expression may have come across to the person on the other side of the room like that of a pervert in the corner.

 Practice expression techniques at home in the mirror till you like what see - and if you want to go out with you - then why wouldn`t any one else.

If the thought of being single and lonely worries you then why not try the hand written message tactics. Remember with the right choice of words there maybe a glimpse of hope. Nothing too soppy and not I love me who do you love - this can kill any chance you may have had. If you show enough interest in a certain person in the right way you will get a reaction - not always the one you want but at least you know where you stand.

If only the lonely would choose to mingle - then single they will not be.

For a killer book on dating for single career men go to:  www.tofindadate.com

Pour en rire (in French)

Pour en rire
Trois individus
dont un américain, un britannique et un africain meurent
dans un accident et se retrouvent tous en Enfer.

Quelques temps après, l'américain désireux de savoir

si enfin, Ben Laden a été attrapé, sollicite la
possibilité de passer un coup
de fil vers l'Amérique.
Le diable accepte et aussitôt le coup de fil terminé, il lui facture les trois minutes à 3 millions de dollars.
L’américain sort
son carnet de chèques et s'acquitte de sa dette sans
souci.

Le britannique, à son tour sollicite la même faveur, afin
de s'enquérir de la santé de la Reine Elisabeth... .

Le diable accepte et
lui facture, aussitôt
la conversation achevée, les trois minutes à 4 millions
de livres sterling que notre cher ami britannique
s'empresse de
payer....

Ce fut, enfin le tour du pauvre africain.. Ce dernier
hésitant du fait de la faiblesse de ses moyens, se décide
quand même à demander
l'autorisation d'appeler en Afrique pour avoir des
nouvelles de son
continent.
Satan accepte et là
commence une longue conversation
téléphonique au cours de laquelle notre cher ami apprend
qu'après la guerre
civile en Côte d'Ivoire, une transition interminable
se poursuit, au Congo les
rebelles continuent de semer la terreur dans le Nord Kivu
et ceux du Tchad et du
Soudan se sont armés de plus bel, que le sida continue de
progresser sur l'ensemble du
continent, que les togolais s'affrontent, que la famine
et les criquets sévissent au Burkina et au Mali, que la
grippe porcine est
arrivée au Bénin, que Madagascar a perdu sa stabilité
politique, que les
gens s'entredéchirent au Gabon pour la succession de
Bongo,
qu'au cameroun il
y a eu changement de la constitution et des
dépenses hasardeuses
de paul biya pour ses vacances, etc....La conversation s'achève enfin au bout de dix
heures....
l'africain osant à peine regarder le diable, lui
demande en bégayant, le prix
de la communication c'est combien? Le diable tout
serein
répond: Oh, pour les dix heures ça fait tout juste 150
FCFA.
Surpris, l'africain demande : Mais
co.....co... .....comment ça se fait ??
Le diable lui répond: Et bien mon cher africain, de
« l'Enfer à l'Enfer, c'est un appel
local. » Fait suivre le message pour que d'autres personnes partagent la bonne humeur qu'il a car rire au moins une fois dans la journée Ca fait du bien.

Obtain your TEFL Certificate or Diploma via the internationally recognized SeriousTEFL Online courses!

As long as

you can pay it back with your current income.

Financial quote:

If what you borrow improves your financial status in the long or short run then it is worth it.

Notes on Casablanca:

Casablanca is the place of choice for all Westernized Moroccans. Tourists will get to know the modern Morocco with elegant restaurants, clubs and boutiques. The Portuguese built the first of their impressive settlements in El Jadida, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) further south on the Atlantic.

Times Have Changed: The Automobile, Social Values and Dating

Have you ever looked closely at historic images of cities, say from the 1930's? The social atmosphere is very different. The fronts of buildings were positioned close to the sidewalk, families lived close to the center of town with a place to sit outside to greet the passersby, and the traffic was chiefly pedestrian. As a result, dating has drastically been affected by modern changes in the past 50 years.

The pedestrian and social enemy, the automobile: Since the invention of the automobile, designers and builders had to make space for parking. Well, this was a challenge at best as each automobile requires around one hundred square feet. A person requires approximately four square feet of space. Vehicular lanes had to be accommodated, restricting space for pedestrians, and adding vehicular and pedestrian conflict. Moreover, the vehicle is now regarded as the most important component of our transportation infrastructure with regard to safety and efficiency. What does this do to our social space? After the engineers design a street, and the builders accommodate the parking at the front of the buildings, the once social space turns into dead, vehicular only, depressing places. Imagine walking next to the parking lot of a shopping mall, next to a six lane arterial highway. Not much chance that you will find another pedestrian with which to rub shoulders. Conversely, a historic place such as Boston, is packed with life, and very little suburbs. In suburbia, the place to find your next date, the Circle K convenience store.

Prior to the proliferation of the automobile, people met on the streets. Pedestrians filled the streets with life that we can easily imagine, and is demonstrated in most historic cities around the world. In the historic town of Ybor City in Tampa, an old Cuban cigar manufacturing city, the workers had little houses called "casitas" which exhibited high ceilings, raised floor for air convection, and a quaint and approachable front porch. Every Saturday, the family would walk to the center of town to meet the neighbors, rub shoulders with others, and do the weekly shopping. Vehicles were not necessary, neither were large houses. The outside public spaces served as an extension of the interior space of their homes. This experience is still shared in many towns in Europe.

How are we easily able to meet new people during these modern times of suburbs, proliferation of the automobile, and a new understanding of an internal world. Computers and cell phones have been the crutch for the absence of social places. It would be nice to revive the values we once had, on the safe pedestrian filled streets and plazas.

To Learn a lot more about dating go to www.tofindadate.com

The Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Tacugama Founder Seeks to Raise Funds, Awareness in Europe



The Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which found itself in the center of the fierce civil war that ravaged Sierra Leone for more than a decade, will present its remarkable tale of rescue and rehabilitation to European audiences with a series of public events scheduled later this month in Barcelona and London.

Bala Amarasekaran (pictured at right), who founded Tacugama 14 years ago, will speak on Nov. 13 as part of a dinner event at the Hotel Catalonia Barcelona Plaza (Placa d’Espanya 6-8) at 7 p.m. Tickets are 25 euros each.

That event will be preceded by the launch of a new children’s book by Catalan author Pilar Garriga, Un Estiu a Tacugama (A Summer in Tacugama), which will be held Nov. 11 at the Abacus Cooperativa - Sala Juli Vela (c/ Còrsega, 269) at 7 p.m. The novel follows the exploits of Garriga’s sister, Tacugama veterinarian Rosa Garriga, in a fictionalized plot based at the sanctuary.

On Nov. 21, Amarasekaran will speak at a fund-raising supper at the Royal Over-Seas League (St. James Street) in central London. The evening will include a hot buffet, music and entertainment. Tickets are 25 euros each and can be purchased through the International Primates Protection League (IPPL) – UK .

Amarasekaran’s European tour also includes an appearance at the Sierra Leone Investment and Donor Conference, which will take place in London on Nov. 18 and 19. Organized by the U.K. Government’s Department for International Development (DFID), the conference is designed to promote foreign awareness and interest in Sierra Leone.

For more information on the Tacugama events, please contact info@tacugama.com.

Tacugama was founded in 1995 in response to waves of orphaned chimpanzees that were the result of the bushmeat crisis, deforestation and human encroachment in West Africa. The sanctuary now cares for over 90 chimpanzees at its facility in the foothills above Freetown, and has thrived despite the crippling civil war that plagued Sierra Leone from 1991 until 2002.

Tacugama is a charter member of the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), which was created in 2000 to unite the primate rescue and rehabilitation centers across Africa. For more information, please visit the PASA website or contact info@pasaprimates.org.

Daoist quote of the day:

Weapons of violence are contrary to the common good,
no matter how skillfully used.
So we vow to do no harm.

As human beings we have what can be considered some of the strangest mating rituals in the animal kingdom. Most species hook up with members of the opposite sex to procreate and nothing else. There is no emotional bond that ties them together for the rest of their lives other than the need to continue the species. Now that's not to say that all animals are like this, there are some species out there that do mate for life, but the overall percentage of those types are small.

Sure, you can say that many animals have mating rituals that rival ours. There are male birds that flaunt their colorful plumage trying to attract a female, but is that really dating or just a type of seduction? And in the end isn't that what going on dates is all about, seducing that someone we've had our eye on.

Dating is a form of seduction, only for us humans it can sometimes take a much longer time for the desired results to be had. In the animal world there is a specific time of the year when seduction and mating can take place, and with the exception of humans, dolphins and some primates, animals mate to continue their species and not for the pure pleasure of it. For most animals it is the drive to survive as a species.

We humans have taken the whole dating/seduction ritual to unforeseen heights. Just think of all the things we do to try and impress that special someone. And why do we want to impress them? Because we think we like them and if we don't do our best to seduce them using all sorts of dating tricks and techniques then someone else will and that's just not acceptable.

So why do we date?

To impress someone we are interested in? I would say yes on that one. I can't think of any other reason to spend that kind of time and money other then to do just that.

To continue the human species? This is a far more subjective question. Do we really need more humans on the world? That's debatable. I think for the majority of humans it's for a little more selfish reasons and that's to have someone come after us who carries the family name onward into the future.

Just for the fun of it? Now here's whole another way to look at it. Meeting new people is fun. Particularly if you are attracted to them. Dating is fun and it introduces us to whole new ways of thinking and approaching people.

The why do we date question is a hard one to answer, but whatever your reasons may be it's a part of what makes us human.

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Mormon Quote out of context.

Page 139, Mosiah 3, Chapter 3

King Benjamin's address continued - Another prophecy of the Christ--
More concerning the atonement.

1. And again my brethren, I would call your attention, for I have somewhat more to speak unto you; for behold, I have things to tell you concerning that which is to come.

2. And the things which I shall tell you are made known unto me by an angel from God. And said unto me: Awake ; and I awoke, and behold he stood before me.

Daoist quote of the day:

Once a battle is over we lay our weapons down and weep that this has happened.

Why Flaky Women And Dating Seldom Works

Flaky women and dating do not mix. Although there are exceptions when a woman does have a valid excuse to flake out and a little leeway is appropriate. However this should not be the case all the time.

Dating flaky women can be quite disheartening for most men. Flaky women tend to string men along and at the last minute drop them. This is both frustrating and exasperating for any man.

However there are some men that do live on this type of rejection, especially if a man really loves the woman. In this case, no matter how flaky the woman may be does not seem to discourage the man. But a man that continues to accept this type of degrading treatment can only expect to receive the same treatment every time.

Keep in mind that flaky women may take advantage of this and may even do it on purpose. A man who displays weakness can easily be tricked into believing that a woman likes them. When in fact she is simply toying with his affection.

Things to Remember when Dating Flaky Women

Dating flaky women can be quite confusing. However, the main thing is to be levelheaded and to be composed once a woman starts flaking out. It does not help to go nuts simply because a woman cancels a date at the last minute.

There may in fact be a logical reason for the cancellation. Although this scenario does not happen quite often, it is still better than thinking of the actual truth. As calmly as possible let her know that it is perfectly okay for her to cancel the date. Just keep in mind that there are a lot of women out there who would be more than willing to go out on a date.

Possible Reasons for Women Flaking Out

There are a number of reasons why women flake out. Most of the time some women are not really interested in a guy and have a hard time saying it.

The woman is afraid to hurt the feelings of the man could be possible although not at all times. In most cases, it may be because she simply wants to be friends with a man. Although this happens mainly to women with the men they date, it can also happen to men with the women they ask out on a date.

A man that gets the telephone number of a woman in a bar should not wait longer than three days to call them. Keep in mind that some women have short-term memories and would probably not remember what transpired more than five days ago on their social calendar. At best if a woman forgets, it is best to remind her gently and simply make a joke out of it so as not to appear foolish.

Sometimes it is best to be honest and tell a woman when she is flaking out. Most women are not aware of the fact that they are flaking out unless their attention is called. Doing so can certainly bring to a halt the possibility of flaking out. However proceed with caution, as some women are more likely to take this the wrong way.

The key is to be assertive yet gentle so as to sound dignified. Most women appreciate a man who is tactful and one who knows how to express his thoughts without looking like a fool in public.

Lessons for Dating Flaky Women

A man should never show a woman how eager he is to date her. A man who is too eager to date a woman is a prime target for flaking out. Eagerness at this point is a sign of weakness that the woman may take advantage of. Keep in mind that some women have learned from men the art of stringing men along.

Men should take a hint once a woman has already flaked out several times on a date. In most cases it is simply a waste of time to wait for a woman who does not have the time and possibly the inclination to go on a date.

Bear in mind, there are other women in the world who would gladly show up for a planned date. It is not a case for the man’s self-respect to go downhill, as it is not his fault when a woman flakes out on a date.

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