The choice of fragrances and scents seems to grow wider every day, as manufacturers fight for our attention and try ever harder to distinguish their offerings from the competition. With such a selection to choose from, how does one even begin to know where to start when it comes to buying perfume?

Broadly speaking, all perfumes fall into one of six different categories based on their dominant top notes. Different categories will suit different people or occasions.

Earthy or woody type perfumes evoke smells of the forest, and are usually very refreshing. They often tend to appeal to the older generation, and may make ideal gifts.

Oriental fragrances use strong spicy scents, and are ideal for special social occasions, but be cautious giving them to anyone you don’t know well – these intense perfumes can be a very personal choice.

The so-called “greens” are much lighter than the orientals, and are well suited to more casual wear. Because they make a less dramatic assault on the nose, they are also safer to give as gifts!

Modern “oceanic” fragrances are becoming more and more popular, particularly among younger people who appreciate the intense but often quite unusual scents, which instantly bring to mind seaside scenes. Naturally these are an excellent choice in the warmer months when thoughts turn to holidays.

Spicy fruity perfumes are also a good warm-weather choice, and can be a good all-round choice for the woman who wants to wear something with some traditional base-notes but is a little different to the classic floral scents.

Finally, those classic floral fragrances are suitable for almost everyone and any occasion. But be wary of cheaper brands; this most feminine of all the main groups works best when the ingredients used are of high quality, and that means less expensive brands can smell exactly that.

Ultimately, choosing a fragrance is a very personal choice, and many women prefer to stick with what they know and buy the same thing year after year. But by trying different fragrances from the same group as your favourite smell, you may just discover a new gem.

About The Author Sara Blackmoore is a relationship councellor, and a freelance writer. She lives in London, England with her husband and two children. Sara buys her perfume from http://www.fragrancegopher.co.uk

The term "stupid curve" was coined by former US Deloitte boss Mike Cook in reference to the over-representation of men in management. Ms McPhee said Australia's stupid curve showed the female talent that business had wasted for too many years.

Despite a perception that few women had leadership roles because they chose to become mothers, most women were "pushed".

The Age

That invisible force keeping women out of the top jobs? It's called the patriarchy.

an excellent song by Sara Bareilles desribing the reality of our relations in this period of history... Because the link doesnt work click here.

By listening to the song i thought how depressive could be our love affairs. How easily we are demanding without giving and asking back sentiments that are not there. Our maturity is vanishing when comes to human relations. Even if we are eagger to love and to be loved in return, today relations are difficult to get a meaning. I have several questions through my experience, how people are thinking today on the perspective of being with the someone special.

Are we really get in love? Are we really "need" to be committed? Or we are just trying to feel less "lonely" and we are rushing into relations offering us just a companion to our journey of isolation in a society that everything runs around money?

Does our relations have enough space to grow and flourish or we are always depressed by our life style (including work, leisure and family stereotypes). How many opportunities all of us have to meet this special someone? And if we meet him/her are we ready to take the nessecary steps to come closer? to understand? even to listen of what is happening outside our door?

My idea is that to be in love today is impossible. Hot it could be? Loving a person demands to be in love with life itself. That you really love people. That you like to participate in society and take the pleasures of it. That you are ready to give unconditionally without the expectation of what is coming next.

I dont think that anyone of us is ready for that. Why? Because we live in a society of fear and suspicion. Everyone outside us is a stranger. And in our days we are afraid of strangers.

So what is left? I'm meeting all the time women more and more hesitant to believe that normal people are out there. That existing guys ready to love them. All of them have to tell a story of a "bleeding" love. They are preaching their independence at the same time that only desire is to see the full moon in a warm summer night with a guy that would be in love with them....Oops!!! First mistake, they are expecting the guy to be in love with them? And would they be in love with him? Do you think my question is a stupid male question?

Not at all dear ladies. Because finally you are expecting first to be loved and then to love back. Women are so selfish today that makes it impossible to be in love with them. Even if you would have enough patience to pass the very first interrogation (on your job, your past relations, your views on family and commitment, your preferences in food or if you cook or not) and after you have convinced them that you are not running after their p..ssy (you must not mention sex the very first date and sometimes even longer...) then you have a chance to let you come initially(sic) closer.... Give me a break...Why on earth i have to pass through all this procedure? And how i could be in love with a woman waiting for me around the corner with a gun pointing on my head?

So dear ladies. befoe listening to complaints, further arguments and disappoinment, you must see within yourself to find the answers. Then you could wonder where all men go?

As far as considers me : "i'm not gonna write you a love song ....because you need one!!!"

You need around 500 dollars for these ladies.

I like them and would defiantly think the girl wearing them is all about style, ideas and life. Ok, I made that up, but it does show a sense of style and flair.

Looks like a toe killer though lol

If you got 500 Dollars laying around your wallet then you too can have them too.

These also happen in Mauritius.

In Kenya.

In Morocco. Sri Lanka. Thailand. Honduras. Colombia. Bangladesh.

But even faced with brutal labor repression, labor activists continue to work for unionization and workers’ rights. And activists in North America and Europe can play a vital role in supporting their organization efforts.

If you’re in North America or Europe, here is where you can help.

The EPZs thrived on luring foreign investment and maintaining foreign consumers. So instead of focusing on pressuring the government to act for women’s rights, the workers focused on allies who target the foreign investors and their consumers.

In early example, a CEPZ shoe factory refused to give separation pay to 300 employees. The workers tapped into an international network of parishes, whose members then launched a massive letter-writing campaign to Reebok, which subcontracted from the shoe firm. The external pressure from the consumers and from Reebok forced the zone authorities and the shoe factory to resolve the issue with the workers.

In the past few years, zone authorities have gotten more brutal in their labor repression. Last September 2006, over 300 union members working at two garment factories went on strike after their managements refused to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement. These factories produce sleepwear, t-shirts, blouses, and other clothes for buyers like WalMart. Workers at both picket lines, most of whom were female, were attacked with wooden clubs, punched, and beaten. Many women later reported being molested, and two sustained serious head injuries. At least sixty-six garment factory workers have been fired in the wake of the strike.

Activists with the Canada-based Maquila Solidarity Network and the US-based and the Workers’ Rights Consortium organized a new round of campaigns. They called on WalMart to act in accordance with its own code of conduct by holding its international subsidiaries to international labor standards. WalMart and corporations such as American Eagle Outfitters and Polo Ralph Lauren have released statements condemning the violence and urging the Philippine government to take action against the zone authorities.

The hope is that the threat of bad publicity and public boycotts, as well as the labor disruptions, will make the corporations leery. They will have to support worker rights in order to maintain their consumer base here. Or they could move operations to another country, an option that the Philippine government would not want to happen.

Such campaigns are ongoing, and labor struggles in the economic zones continue around the world.

If you want to help, the websites of the following organizations detail campaigns and what you can do as a member of a society that consumes products made under these conditions:

Maquila Solidarity Network

International Labor Rights Forum

Clean Clothes Campaign

These links take you directly to the campaign pages of these organizations. They detail the actions you can take here to support union workers in areas like Cavite.

The need is urgent. In a report issued by the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (pdf) back in 2006, the group documented 982 cases of human rights violations committed by the Arroyo regime, involving an estimated 80,000 workers.

More than half of these violations occurred in the country's export processing zones.

Please do what you can to ensure that workers around the world do not remain voiceless links in the global supply chain.

]]> http://meenu.wordpress.com/?p=339 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 07:07:41 +0000 Meena Kandasamy http://meenu.wordpress.com/?p=339 An interview with me in the Telugu daily Andhra Jyothy. Neelimaa, the journalist who interviewed me was a firebrand feminist, so this is one of those wonderful interviews where I am ON, full-blast. I have spoken at length about the dalit movement and feminism and the need for a coming-together.

: )

Innabuyog came across a news item in the Internet which reads:

The Arroyo government’s deafening silence on the European Union’s newly adopted directive on return of illegal immigrants proves its lack of concern for Filipinos abroad, according to Gabriela Women’s Party representatives.

“It is unsettling how President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo seems unfazed by EU’s repressive `return directive’. It is unthinkable how her government can sit around while tens of thousands of Filipinos are in danger of being detained in foreign jails and subjected to human rights violations,” Gabriela Rep. Luzviminda C. Ilagan said.

The directive, which was approved on first reading on June 18, permits EU-member countries to detain third-country nationals without proper documents for up to 18 months prior to deportation. If enforced in 2010, it will affect more than 94,000 Filipinos, including women and children.

“What is scary about this new directive is that it treats undocumented immigrants worse than criminals. Men, women and children can be jailed without trials and means, in violation of several universal rights and laws,” Ilagan said.

Ilagan advised Arroyo to follow the example of Latin American leaders who demanded the European community to immediately repeal the new law. The presidents of Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru consider the new law as discriminatory and condemned the European Parliament for its passage. Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez even made threats of cutting off oil exports to the continent.

The Gabriela Partylist representatives also urge the government to undertake immediate measures to protect not only the Filipinos threatened to be expelled from Europe but also those in other parts of the world. Last week, the Malaysian government expressed its plans to chase illegal migrants, many of whom are Filipinos, out of Sabah.

“These undocumented immigrants were forced to leave the Philippines and enter a foreign country at their own risk because of their need for jobs which the Philippine government failed to provide,” Ilagan said.

Innabuyog-Gabriela cannot help but be saddened with the news knowing that a considerable number of Cordillera overseas Filipino workers, mostly women, are in several countries in Europe. Like expatriates from other regions of the country, these Cordillerans left the countryside for the city to look for greener pastures but ended up queuing in foreign embassy offices for tourist or visas other than employment, but were then actually looking for jobs.

In the foreign country they get whatever job that they could lay their hands on not minding the prestige of the profession they have earlier earned in the Philippines. #(NorDis)

SYDNEY -- Pope Benedict XVI's apology for sex abuse by Australian clergymen does not go far enough to address the problems of victims, critics said Saturday.

The pope earlier apologized fully to victims of predatory priests for the first time, saying in a homily in a Sydney cathedral he was "deeply sorry" and calling for perpetrators of the "evil" to be brought to justice.

But Broken Rites, a victims' support group staging demonstrations during the pope's visit for World Youth Day celebrations which have brought 200,000 pilgrims to Sydney, said the apology was inadequate.

"Sorry may be a start but we want to see a lot more," spokeswoman Chris MacIsaac said.

"We want the victims to be treated fairly, we don't want them to feel that they have been shut out, we don't want them to be re-abused by church authorities," she said.

The parents of two daughters abused by a priest in Melbourne described the apology as disappointing.

Anthony and Christine Foster had returned from a British holiday in the hope of meeting the pope to press for better treatment for victims.

The Fosters' daughter Emma committed suicide this year aged 26, after struggling to deal with abuse by a Melbourne priest at a primary school.

Her sister Katie, who was also abused, turned to alcohol in her teens and was left brain-damaged after being hit by a car while drunk.

Anthony Foster said the couple's first reaction to the papal apology was disappointment.

"They are only words -- the same thing we've been hearing for 13 years. It is simply an apology, there is nothing practical there which is what we were looking for," he said.

At a Sydney demonstration against Catholic church policies, Wayne Elliott, who said he was a victim of child abuse but not by priests, also condemned the apology as insufficient.

"It is frankly not worth the paper it is written on. They need to do far more than that and they should have apologized a long time before," he said.

But the apology received support from the Premier of the state of New South Wales Morris Iemma, who told Sky News he hoped the apology would be a turning point.

"Hopefully it will be a sign of righting the wrongs of the past and of a better future and better treatment by the church of the victims and their families, said Iemma.

Broken Rites says 107 Catholic priests and religious brothers have been sentenced in Australian courts on sex charges, and Australian bishops apologized for past abuses in 2002.(PDI)

A normal human hair has a lifespan of two to six years. During this time it grows and rests for some time. At any given time, most of our hair is growing. Then, at the end, they shed off, making space for new one. As a natural process new hair grows and continues the same lifecycle. Losing hundred to two hundred hairs is common. But if amount of hair lost per day increases significantly above this level then it is called as hair loss. It becomes a big issue in women particularly, as apart from protecting the skull; hairs also contribute to their beauty. Thus female hair loss prevention becomes necessary.

Women can try home remedies before going for medicines. As hairs are made up of proteins, consuming good amount of proteins in food is a good solution. It supplies required amount of nutrition for health of hairs preventing those from falling early. Regular massage to hair roots and washing them frequently can also help against hair loss. Women can go for conditioning of hairs, thus providing them nutrition also from outside. This strengthens their hair and improves quality such hairs don't fall easily.

There are various causes for hair loss that are unavoidable. Women loses good amount of hairs during pregnancy and childbirth. So many hormonal changes occur at that time leading to the hair loss. These hormonal changes are very complex and can't be controlled by consuming medicines. Neither it is suggested as; health of a child or mother is put at stake for trivial problem such a hair fall.

Major illness, surgeries can also lead to hair loss. Normally patient consumes a lot of medicines during this time causing a lot of chemical reactions in body that may result in hair loss. Preventing this is also not in much control. Even minor disease like fever can lead to hair loss. Our day today life full of tensions is also a major cause of hair loss. Staying continuously under stress, not following good habits and life style also aids to hair fall. Thyroid disorder can also be one of the reasons. It's a chemical in body that affects many functions ranging from emotional control to physical health. Any imbalance in level of thyroid leads to hair loss. Prevention due to this cause is easier; there are medical pills available to balance out thyroid level. Patient needs to check out with her doctor to go for those.

Though I'm technically on 'holidays', the last thing I could do right now is to relax. Currently, I'm writing an analysis report on Indonesia, democracy, cultural imperialism and Islam. It's something that I like, but when I have to type thousands of words along with some ridiculously structured sources, it's become tedious and annoying.

Things on the news have been the same all over again, with news involving an anus and genital dominating the mass media. It's crazy what politics have become.

Anwar's not that bad, at least he's not with a horse.

I'm probably going to be bombarded by the millions of Anwar supporters for saying this, but I really think that Anwar and Saiful (or his back) did have something 'personal' going on. It's my formulated verdict after reading materials, books about Anwar and the Barisan Nasional.

The latest news also came upon Anwar's refusal to provide DNA, in which he defends he did not want his 'DNA' result, to be manipulated, again.

I'm not a big fan of Barisan Nasional, but I do not think they would actually do that. Sure, call this an amateur logic considering on what they did to Altantuya. But, I do not think Barisan Nasional is stupid enough to venture into this scandal AGAIN, if they have no whatsoever assurance to back it up. I also do no think they would have the nerve to actually manipulate the sample considering the worldwide attention it has gotten.

I am wondering, could it be possible if the case was 'handed' to a foreign country? Thus there is no fear of bias or manipulation in the process.

I mean Pakistan did it with the death of Benazir Bhutto, whereby foreign investigators were called to analyze the case, instead of the untrusted Musharraf regime at the time who were the first to examine the death.

If this happens, Anwar should not refuse to give his DNA sample and Saiful, well, I don't exactly know what they do to him. How do you check if Saiful has been sodomized by Anwar? I have this shameful thought in my mind that I don't think I should share.

So I posted a poll on my blog, relating to the sodomy case and as you can probably see, majority think Anwar is innocent. While the second majority say they think he really did it.

Anwar should really be glad he has the charisma to garner large support. If he hasn't, I don't think he'll still be roaming about free now.

100-year Old Mothers.

Nice cap Grandma, er, I mean, mother.

I have this fascination with bio-technology, cells, clones, genes, and you get the drift. So imagine how fascinated I was when I read the news, infertility can soon be 'cured', which literally means women of any age can still get pregnant.

I don't know am I supposed to feel towards this breakthrough. I mean, it's great that women can bare their fetuses anytime, but seeing how people are becoming in the modern world, I think it's more of a problem than it is a help.

We're going to have more BBA (born by accident) cases in the future, and yes, that include our mothers. How scary is that.

Imagine you're 50, and your mother is 80 and pregnant. 50 years gap to my own sibling? That sounds ridiculous. Besides, what sane old woman would want to have a child when they reach 80 or worse, 100?

As a son, I am not emotionally equipped if my mother was to accidentally conceive a baby when she reaches 80. Can you imagine her coming to me one day and telling me she got knocked up?

The paper says the technology will become a reality in 30 years time.

While curing infertility in women is the main point of this breakthrough, the scientists are also using this technique to create, what I call, 'designer babies'.

This means, you can design how your baby is, this includes their color, hair color, height, and even intelligence. Your baby can even have disease-free genes.

As great as it sounds, I think the whole thing is scary.

People can call this progress, but I think we are seriously messing up the world.

There'll be a new sort of discrimination again. This time it will be between the 'designer humans' and the 'normal humans'.

After reading many history books, one thing I have noticed is that; History is doomed to repeat.

We just keep making the same historic mistake over and over again.

What an anal world.

]]> http://capitalcitychris.wordpress.com/?p=68 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 05:03:59 +0000 Chris http://capitalcitychris.wordpress.com/?p=68 For the longest time - somewhere from 2002 until recently - Cougars (older women who like younger men) were a part of my life.  I'm sure at one point, If I could have, I would have been dumb enough to get a personalized licence plate that reads COUGRLVR (or something close to that).  Hell, I probably still could if I really felt like giving the Ministry of Transportation an extra $235 for no particular reason.  But for me, there's always been something about the lure of the older woman.

Being in my early-to-mid thirties puts my ideal cougar somewhere in the mid-thirties to mid-forties range.  Leather pants aren't necessarily a requirement, but they certainly don't hurt.  (Although I'll settle for leather skirts, denim skirts, shiny tops, etc.)

Now I realize it's more of a Jackie Collins romance novel notion - or even a stylized daydream.  I've gone out with older women and enjoyed their company tremendously.  But as I prepare for The Move to Ottawa, I have been taking stock of what's really important in my life.

I guess I just play the cards I'm dealt when it comes to anything in the romance department.  Things happen for whatever reason and that's the best I can offer up.  While I have some control over things like where I live and what I do, everything else just falls into place.

But in the back of my head, I always wondered if Ottawa was a cougar town.  Having two large universities, I would assume the cub prospect for any wannabe cougar would be a health ratio.  But my university days are long since finished and even going as far as to say that I would only go out with a certain type of woman is limited my options.

As I mentioned, I'm just happy that Ottawa as 7-Elevens.  If it happens to also have a group of good looking women in the forties who wear clothes that get my attention and who find me attractive, then so be it. 

And on a seemingly related topic, I have officially/unofficially charged Jobthingy with a Holy Crusade of her own.  The task at hand is a seemingly easy one which I have total faith she will be able to deliever on.  Her duty is to offer up any and all attractive single (female) friends of hers to me upon my arrival in Ottawa. (And no, they don't have to be cougars.)  I'll buy the first and second rounds.

Anyone else who feels like doing the same is free to join the cause.

When I look at allot of the online dating services I notice one common trend. People take it very seriously into finding there true love. I find it absolutely amazing the amount of people who are looking for there absolute perfect match.

There seems to be so many profiles out there who tell people exactly what it is they want from a partner. Its as if there an owner of a company and there trying to fill a certain job position. They then take and list there requirements and what they expect from a person. If they don't meet those requirements then they think there unsuitable. I think that's crazy.

Dating is about getting to know people and then seeing if you enjoy spending time with them. You will often meet people who you thought you would never date and end up having a strong relationship with them. I'm not saying that it isn't good to have certain expectations. It is good to have an idea of what you want in a partner. I'm just saying you need to have an open mind.

So what should you put in your profile?

Intsead of a whole big list of stuff like this is what I want and this is what I expect, you should have a touch of personality. Sure you will have certain expectations. You need to personalize them, so they just don't sound like your looking for a perfect person. If you like to joke around then add some little funnies throughout your profile. You need to show off your personality. Show people how you see the world and that you don't take everything so seriously.

When you go to a nightclub you don't just go to meet someone, you go to have some fun too. You need to look at online dating in the same way. Have some fun with it and don't take it to seriously. You will make things much easier on yourself.

About The Author Tyler Casselman is an online dating expert. He owns the popular site Online Dating Home. www.online-dating-home.com In order to use this article on your site you must provide an active link back to Online Dating Home. tyler@online-dating-home.com

I grew up poor.  My mother raised 3 kids alone.  Her family was 3,000 miles away from us in Boston, while we were in Los Angeles.  We had very little.  What we had was appreciated, because my mother worked 12 hours a day to buy it for us.  None of us complained.  We all understood how it was.  None of us expected better.

Money is a very big deal in my life.  In my entire psyche.  Keeping hold of it.  Spending it wisely.  I have shared with some of you in the past how I am a total bargain hunter.  I can't stand to pay full price for anything, especially when it comes to myself.  I shop and consider each and every single purchase for myself carefully.  I shop the sale racks.  Worse, I shop the bargain bargain sale racks.  I never look at the full price racks even in the discount stores.  How pathetic is that?  I am not cheap though.  I am generous with others to a fault and will buy for anyone else whatever.

When I have been thinking about purchasing a car for myself, I have been thinking again of going cheap.  I refuse to buy myself a new car.  To me it doesn't make financial sense.  Let someone else take the financial hit of driving it off the lot.  Ill pick up a nearly new car and save myself a bunch of money.  But then I get into even choosing cars to save on gas mileage etc.  I don't even drive much.  I can't make up my mind what to do to be honest, because I can't commit to spending the money.  Isn't that ridiculous?

Some friends were visiting and they were regaling stories of some of my bargain hunting successes.  I thought about it, and it sort of made me sad in a way.  I never "treat" myself to anything really.  It has to be on sale, and it has to be a deal, or I don't buy it.  When I buy designer stuff, I buy it from craigslist, or from consignment or resale shops.  I just don't like to spend the money.  Maybe Im terrible.

My cousin and I do the consignment shops and resale shops in Palm Desert.  Let me just tell you that there are bargains there that would make you cry.  Seriously.  She constantly buys Dior, Escada, St. John for pennies, most with the tags still on.  She looks like she spends an absolute fortune on clothes.  I have purchased quite a few handbags from there too.

However, its a long story but.. I purchased a beautiful Louis Vuitton Wallet from one of these stores for the daughter of someone close to me.  Her birthday was coming up and I just knew she would be over the moon to have such an item.  It was in the box and everything.  Absolutely beautiful.  I honestly would not pay so much for an item for myself.  But I knew this young girl would love it.  It was $185.00.  It had all of the boxes, the tissue papers, the authenticity cards everything included.  I thought wow great deal.  So saved it up all excited and gave it to girl for her birthday.  Only to get no reply.  No acknowledgement.  Nothing at all.  I was so disappointed.  Disappointed for my loved one too because they were disappointed that the present wasn't "THE BOMB" that we both thought it would be.

Recently I got an email from this young girl basically telling me off.  Accusing me of being a "fake".  Just as "Fake" as the wallet I sent her.  Those words cut me to the quick.  I tried really hard to be kind.  If it was a "fake" it was a damn good one.  My cousin and I both agreed it looked bloody good at the time and were both convinced of its authenticity.  Of course she didn't realize I bought the wallet months in advance, having seen it in the shop and thought of her.  She just thought I was trying to buy her something cheap and misrepresent myself I guess.  I don't know.

I wonder through all of this if it is that I am being foolish about spending.  Maybe I should just do what my girlfriends all do and buy myself whatever, from the high end stores as I want it?  Maybe its crazy to scrimp and save and watch every single penny.  Maybe I seem foolish to others for my attitude.  I don't know.  I just have always thought this way.  This is the way my mind works.  Maybe I just too practical and not spontaneous enough?  I don't know.....

According to Paybill News, this new production will be handled by Marc Platt Productions for Universal Pictures: "Universal Pictures production president Donna Langley told the industry paper, "Our goal now is absolutely to make the Wicked film, but much like Judy Craymer wouldn't give up screen rights to Mamma Mia! until the stage show had reached its pinnacle, Marc and Stephen Schwartz are very mindful of the right timing. But we're dying to do it."

Below is the clip Defying Gravity from the musical by the London cast. Just to remind you how amazing the musical is:

]]> http://littlelovebee.wordpress.com/?p=172 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 02:13:17 +0000 littlelovebee http://littlelovebee.wordpress.com/?p=172 So I was out studying with my friend MW. After awhile, we were having a conversation about relationships and dating and he mentioned that after talking to another friend, he was curious about this pressure that girls were feeling. In layman’s terms, he didn’t get it. So in layman’s terms, I began to explain what these girls were talking about when they talk about the “pressure.”

So for females, it’s all a biological, reproductive thing. At 35, our bodies begin to slow down, bearing children is no longer as easy as it was when we were say, 25. So to be able to get to that point, a woman needs to get married around 30, so that she can have a couple of years with the hubbie, and maybe even [spew] out a kid or two. So in order for that to happen, she will have already dated the person for over a year (because really who marries a person without dating them for a year nowadays) and have waited another year while engaged to save up for that “dream” wedding which means that means that she needs to be on the verge of a long term relationship by the time she’s like 27 or 28. And we ALL know that ain’t happening for me – and I’m completely fine with that. Men are trouble, with a capital R.

There are those of you who are like, well, aren’t there medical advances these days? Women are having babies when they are older – look at Nicole Kidman (who’s in her 40s!). Yes, that is true, but seriously? Who wants to be an old mom? I would like to be a young mom. Men drool at the MILF’s, so why wouldn’t you want to be married to a MILF? So men, in order to have young hot mothers, you need to marry young hot ladies – like those in their late 20s.

I read an article that explored the idea that men aren’t afraid of commitment or marriage; in fact, they are more scared of the idea that they will have a bad marriage. Women on the other hand, jump right into it and are willing to make things work – even when the going gets really tough. We just don’t like to give up. What do you guys think?

p.s. When I say men or women, I realize it’s a complete generalization and I don’t mean to say ALL men or women act a certain way, I’m sure there are always the exception to the rule.

This is what I want to tell my girlfriends: It's not you, it really is them. No matter how great you were together, no matter how perfect you compliment each other, no matter how much fun you had together or how much his friends liked you or your friends liked him, if the relationship doesn't take that serious turn, commitment or just lasting, it's not you, it's them (granted that is what you wanted). Women have this tendency to keep working on something until it can't be done anymore. They say that women have a lot more will power than men - and its true, otherwise God would have allowed men to bear children.

So girls, It's not you, its because he's not ready - and there isn't anything wrong with that but if that is what you want, then you gotta move on sista and find someone who is.

disclaimer: this obviously doesn't apply to EVERY relationship, and this only does not apply to relationships that had serious issues etc. but more along the line of "I didn't see it coming..."

I see it all of the time.  Friends of mine meet this guy, and they tell me all about him.  "He's so handsome, charming, fun, romantic, sweet, possessive (isn't that cute) jealous (he lets me know Im his), funny, smart, great in the sack.. yada yada yada...."  

Now, hey thats so great that he's so handsome, charming fun and all of the rest, but what about the huge great big gaping red flags that are waving right before your eyes?  The ones that are telling you RUN.  Run far, run fast as you can?  Why is it that you are ignoring them?  Do you honestly think that somehow he's going to change?  Why would he change?  Because suddenly he loves YOU?  How many other women just like you have said such a stupid thing?

Women do it to themselves all of the time.  They know the man they are with has flaws but they always seek to change the man they are with.  Women can't be happy unless they are unhappy about something!  It's so bizarre.

People change only when they are ready to change and when it comes from within.  Not when they are nagged or pushed into it.  The change isn't real then.  Everyone lives a lie.  Maybe even the person still exhibits the behaviors, behind your back.  If he has been diagnosed with a personality disorder, a mental illness or a behavioral problem it is permanent.  It is not going to go away just because you suddenly come into the picture.  Get it?  There is no magic pill, no amount of therapy that will make it all go away.  It can be helped some, even controlled, but it will always be there in the background.  You have to be ready to accept that when you go into it.

Being satisfied with your partner means accepting them for who they are warts and all.  Part of that is getting to really know them, and not jumping into a relationship and then being stuck with this person who has gone from Prince Charming to Freddie Kruger overnight.  The signs were there if you opened your eyes to look weren't they?  Didn't your friends and your family warn you?  Didn't you have doubts?

A friend of mine told me that you should "date" someone for 2 years at least.  Because then and only then can you truly know the nature of a person.  No one can hold up a mask for that long without letting it slip  once in a while.  I have to agree with that thinking.

So, look at the signs.  Are his parents dysfunctional?  Is he dysfunctional around his family or other people?  Who are his friends?  Does he drink, abuse drugs, or do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable?  Does he lie, or make you wonder about the truth about the statements he makes?  Do your friends and family like him?  Does he treat you well?  Do you have the freedom to spend time with people outside of your time with him?  Does he encourage you to be the best version of yourself?  Is he critical of you, your family, your friends, or your  lifestyle?  Does he make you feel "less than"?  Does he make you second guess your own mind and decision making processes?  Do they talk about their ex-relationships and make the people out to be the villains every time and themselves the victim?

If any of these things are true, all I have to say is Run Girlfriend, Run!!!  Don't look back, don't feel sorry for him, and for God's sake don't ever ever think that you can fix him or that he can be fixed by pills or help of any kind.  Just run as fast and as far as you can.

http://fluffyredrant.wordpress.com/2008/07/16/well-that-was-a-friggen-nightmare/

it is also with reference to text I sent M on the night in question:

My momma told me that good looks and charm can only get you so far-I think I've just put that theory to a very VERY stern test

Now that we have the backround info covered, I shall proceed.

It was supposed to be Dreads going away party and I was supposed to call the lads when I got out there so that they could let me into their compound and give me somewhere to sleep. There were however, some logistical difficulties. Dreads had no credit and in America poor people can't even RECIEVE calls. That was fine though because Steads would almost certainly have his phone handy, which he did, the only problem being that he was unconscious at the bottom of a ditch somewhere and it was ringing out. Oh dear, forget the party-where am I gonna sleep?

The last BART was long gone and you could buy a small country in the bahamas for the price of the taxi ride home. Getting a room in a hostel was out of the question as I had exactly nine dollars and last orders were gone so I couldn't cozy up to anyone and hope they'd put me up for the night-I was properly fucked.

There was only one option, the only other person in Berkley I knew, and I didn't even know her name. She was, and still is, saved in my phone(rather aptly) as 'you really really want to call this girl'. It was half two in the morning, she had to be up for work at five and I still have no idea how I managed to haggle my way onto her couch-especially after I had to ask for directions!

I got the first BART with her the next day, haven't spoken to her since-I don't think she was very impressed and no, I still don't know her name because I didn't quite have the cheek to ask after all that

millions of numbers in the world
care to provide the few that lead to you?
non-existent words; mostly silence
express emotions of true guidance

I never met her before
but I think I like her
like I like a metaphor
I adore her like no other
sincere intentions to jump the broom together

sunshine reigns over me
constant flow from a river
which resides a forgotten forest
picture me floating
lost in the struggle to stay afloat
only sunshine can come down and give me a hug

as long as I have sunshine looking over me
I have faith
you're mute but loud hearty words I still hear
mostly prayers over days and nights
what if it were to be to set new heights?

let not die from fears
don't rush yet, I'm sure there are
clocks ticking for us one day
to dance vividly to the rhythm
in other words I wish to
see each other living
until then my friend
hold breath for we both know who really
is the rare mythical gem

The political correctness of Feminism/Misandry has given American/Western women increased power, but eliminated most responsibility of women. It has given women endless entitlements in the work place, schools, universities, military, police, family court, etcetera because it’s politically incorrect for anybody to disagree with the inequality of these entitlements.

With great power should come great responsibility, but it’s hasn’t been the case with American/Western women. Political correctness has removed most responsibility for indefensible behaviors by American/Western women by making it politically incorrect for anybody to criticize them. Women have been granted unconditional impunity for criminal activity against males, false criminal accusations against males, child rape, child abuse, divorce (no matter the facts of the case), drug/alcohol abuse, manipulation, selfishness, narcissism, shallowness, risky sex, fiscal irresponsibility, etcetera.

Women have even been granted unconditional impunity for the failings of Feminism/Misandry itself. If you chart out the incarceration rate , drug abuse rate , mental illness rate, school violence rate, and rise of Misandry/Feminism in the USA, all five graphs would look almost exactly the same. There has been changes of ruling political parties, changes of economic conditions, etcetera since the start of Misandry/Feminism, but the rise of Misandry/Feminism is the only constant factor during the almost 50 year increase of the incarceration rate , drug abuse rate , mental illness rate, school violence rate and many other problems in American society.

Political correctness has also led to lower standards in the USA. Most women could not do jobs such as Police, Fire Fighters, Military, and Engineering. So, the standards were lowered for these and many other jobs to accommodate the quotas granted to women through endless entitlements. Of course, it’s always been politically incorrect to point out that the standards had to be lowered to accommodate the quotas granted to women.

Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia were two of the worst environments for political correctness ever. It was against the law for people in Nazi Germany to own radios, so that they would only hear what was politically correct to Hitler.. The feminists have made political incorrectness a crime, so that people only know one truth… the political correctness of the Femi-Nazis/Misandry. But guess what my friends, we have a huge radio, a boom box even… it’s blogs and forums like this all over the world… crank it up and let the truth ring to all of those who are willing to listen!!!

ForeignWomenOnly

http://foreignwomenonly.blogspot.com/

I thought that this would make a nice alternative category, one to make you smile.  You can never get enough of those !  Anyway, I hope you can crack a smile here and there, laughter after all IS the best medicine.  If you have anything to contribute, please, feel free to email me or post a comment.

God bless you and yours always,

Meredith - RNC

Women like silent men.  They think they're listening.  ~Marcel Achard, Quote, 4 November 1956

Sure God created man before woman.  But then you always make a rough draft before the final masterpiece.  ~Author Unknown

A male gynecologist is like an auto mechanic who has never owned a car.  ~Carrie Snow

You start out happy that you have no hips or boobs.  All of a sudden you get them, and it feels sloppy.  Then just when you start liking them, they start drooping.  ~Cindy Crawford

Members of the Church and Pastor’s Council shall be loyal male members of the church.

The agenda item number 13 (wow, can't we get a break?) proposes the striking of the word male, which would open up the role to all genders. Yes, everyone of them! ;)

A few thoughts about this.

First, the fact that a woman can serve as a pastor of a local church, but not as a member of the council of a local church makes no sense at all. As Don Warrington likes to say, the issue of women in the ministry for Pentecostals is an unfinished work, and it's time for us to finish it. This really isn't an issue that you can go halfway on. If you do, you end up in the crazy contradiction that we are in. I'm glad that the agenda item is presented with a sound, biblical explanation. Perhaps this will finally pass.

Second, if I was planting a church today, and the church was at a point that it made sense to consider officially organizing, I would have an extremely difficult time organizing the church with the CoG because of this issue as it currently stands. I cannot fathom building a church with one hand tied behind my back (actually more like 53% of my body!). My options would be to either organize as an independent work, or find a way to work around the current position, assuming that the position will change soon. I honestly cannot remember how pastors that want to keep women off of church councils justify their position, but I do remember that it's some of the dumbest rationale I've ever heard. Irregardless of the way the position is espoused I think we all know the real motivation: fear! There are pastors out there that are terrified to open this up in their church.

Third, I am going to feel very encouraged once this passes. Like I said, it's really the one thing that would potentially keep me from organizing a church plant with the CoG. So, I'm going to smoke a proverbial victory cigar on this one in a couple of weeks.

Fourth, sadly, this will not finish the work. We still will not offer to women the highest rank in ordination, the Ordained Bishop. Here again I cannot relate to the mentality on this issue. However, if it helps anyone that has that mentality I will offer this: WWII is over, you got your jobs back, we can quit casting vision for women to leave the workforce and quit pretending that a woman's highest contribution can be found at home. I have been surrounded by many incredible women ministers. I have also been surrounded by many incredible women administrators. In fact, in my experience it is quite common in a marriage for the woman to have more administrative gifts than the man.

Anyway, I will be happy when we take this next step. But I will also lament the fact that we are still in-between on this issue, still contradicting ourselves. So, when it comes to asking the CoG, what about women? The answer will still be, who knows? Because we obviously do not.

It's been written for a while.

Throughout the Crucifixion all four of the Gospels record that the women who have been with Christ throughout his ministry stay by his side even in death.  In fact, John is the only Gospel that records any disciple being present at the Crucifixion.  We can't blame the disciples too much, however, because they were at a greater risk to be arrested because they were men who were close to Christ.  Women who were close to Christ were less of a threat because of their perceived lower status in society.

What I love, love, love about Christ is that even in death he looks down and has compassion on those he loves.  John tells of how Christ looked down from the cross and saw his mother mourning and had compassion on her.  He charged John with taking care of his mother since he would no longer be on earth to care for her himself.  In Luke 23:26-31, Jesus is being led to his death and followed by women mourning his death.  Knowing what is coming for them and not focusing on his current situation, Christ tells them not to mourn for him and warns them of coming tragedy.  I love how in the moment Christ has every right to think of and pity himself, he doesn't.  He doesn't focus on his present earthly struggle, but still takes care of those around him.

Even after the his death, the women follow his body to see where it is laid to rest.  After the Sabbath, several women (the Gospels differ on how many and who exactly went) go to the tomb to anoint the body with spices, but found the stone rolled away from the tomb and angels proclaiming Jesus had risen.  The angels told the women to spread the good news to the disciples, appointing the women with the Gospel message.  Women were the first entrusted to share that Christ had risen from the dead!  What I find even more interesting is that Mark and Luke both record that Christ first appeared to Mary Magdalene!  I have no idea why Christ chose to make his first post-resurrection appearance to a woman.  I like to believe that he did this to make a statement that women are just as important to him as men.  While seems to treat women with more gentleness throughout his time on earth, he treats them with the same respect as men and gives them the same opportunity.  This sends a message to the world that if women are worthy enough to be the first entrusted with the Gospel and the first to see the resurrected Christ, they are worthy of respect from men.