Online Personal Ads - Talking to the Opposite Sex

July 11, 2008 · Filed Under News and Society · Comment 
by Jay Reiss, M.S.W.

As an Online Dating Coach, I read a lot of Internet personal ads that - quite frankly - surprise me! Some of the guys who write Online Personal Ads seem to be writing ads that are designed to sell used cars. And from the women? I often see personal ads that even low-end mail order catalogs would refuse.

Here’s one example. This ad was submitted by a woman in her early 40’s -

professional who enjoys open conversation - 41

“I love to talk about books that have struck you bizarre or interesting. I do want someone to hang out with, and must enjoy talking about politics, books, places and wine. Must love chocolate!”

We can immediately see that this woman likes to communicate (and that’s a good thing, yes?) and she also enjoys “talking about everything” - including “books that have struck you bizarre.” (Are we talking about Stephen King novels here?) In addition to that, it would be great if you (as a guy) can talk about “politics, places, and wine” - but the main thing is that you love chocolate?

It’s hard to imagine what sort of guy she’ll attract with that ad!

Or - take a look at this online personal ad, from a 29-year-old guy who describes himself as a “Tattoo Teddy Bear” –

tattoo teddy bear - 29

“i just want a good girl that knows how to treat a man with respect.”

Short, sweet, and to the point, yes?

After reading ads like this, I can really understand why so many men and women are communicating at cross-purposes!

One of the most important concepts I’d like to convey is this: When you sit down to write your Online Dating Ads, always write them just like you’re having a regular conversation!

Or to express things in terms of what NOT to do:

1. Never write an online dating ad like you’d write an advertisement for a newspaper.

2. Never condescend to your audience!

3. Do not - under any circumstances - submit a 10 or 15-word ad for Online Dating!

Here’s what you SHOULD do:

1. Talk about yourself in terms of who you are as a person, what you enjoy doing on a date, and list some of your hobbies and interests.

2. Tell the reader (without bragging) how he or she will feel when they’re with you. Put yourself in the mind and soul of your reader, and empathize with them. What are they thinking - and what might they be feeling - while reading your ad?

3. Mention some of your best inner qualities to motivate your readers to respond to your ad!

4. What’s the benefit (i.e., the “payoff”) for answering your ad right now? And finally…

5. Last but not least - use a spell-checker and make sure that both your spelling and your grammar are correct before your ad is published!

By following these tips and guidelines, you’ll be on your way to a successful online dating campaign!

About the Author:

Are Couple Compatibility Tests Really Helpful?

July 11, 2008 · Filed Under Relationships · Comment 
by David Clinton

Astrological sign comparisons and compatibility tests can be found everywhere, all claiming to be able to foresee the future of a couple that are in loveyet are these test truly helpful? Though they claim to foresee what the future holds or establish if a relationship will work or not, they have proven to be very beneficial for new couples, couples that are serious and even those who have been married for a long time.

The purpose of a couple compatibility test is to determine how compatible two people will be in a relationship. They are typically taken before a couple decides to get married, just to make sure they agree on many different levels and aspects of life. Couples compatibility tests will test on a number of different topics, including likes, dislikes, habits, home life, future goals, and much more.

Though it is not required for a couple to have all things in common for a relationship to be successful, couple compatibility tests can help determine whether or not a relationship is likely to work. By testing the couple on many different aspects of life and then compiling the two scores based on similar answers, a couple is able to find out what they do and do not have in common.

A couple compatibility test is not likely to be able to establish if the couple will go on to get married and spend their lives together, but it is able to tell a lot about what the couple has in common. It can’t foresee the normal ups and downs of life, the mistakes, fights, or whether the two people will fall in love, but it can say with some accuracy whether two people will get along in the long term.

You can learn a lot about your significant other with a relationship compatibility quiz, because the test is able to focus on so many aspects of life. It is a way to discover the likes and dislikes of two people as well as their ability to deal with money, family, friends, careers and their future goals. By comparing the answers and determining any type of similarity, a couple is able to see if their future together is promising or not.

Both individuals in a relationship take a couple’s compatibility test and the answers are compared to give them an overall compatibility score. This score is based on the number of answers that were given that were similar. Points are also lost for answers that are totally opposite. Partial points are also given for answers that are somewhat similar, and full points are given for those answers that match perfectly. By comparing answers and awarding points for those answers that are similar, a couple is able to realize just how much or how little they have in common with each other.

Even though personal preferences and goals can change over time, couples compatibility tests are a great way to compare likes and dislikes right from the start. With everything from favorite color questions to questions about managing finances and the possibility of having children, two adults can determine a lot about their significant other. They can learn a great deal about their past, present, and future, and determine whether or not their other half is a great match.

Couples compatibility tests can be very helpful, since they can bring a couple even closer together, or help them determine if they should date other people. Although the test cannot predict the future and determine if a couple will succeed, it is a great tool for determining how much a couple really has in common.

About the Author:

Swimming Pool Designs - There Are Many Different Shapes

July 11, 2008 · Filed Under Recreation and Sports · Comment 
by Adam Beaty

Would you like to go to Tahiti but can’t get away? Lounging by a pool there oh what a dream. Or maybe a mountain stream or pond is your thing? No matter what your ideal getaway would be you can create the feeling of it in your own backyards with the swimming pool designs that they have out right now.

A pool can be shaped into so many interesting shapes. The material that can be molded so easily is concrete. There are infinite possibilities in design using concrete. Talk about high maintenance though concrete doe take some work to take car of. More chemicals eve need to be added to maintain water integrity. Concrete has to be scrubbed more and more crackage happens to concrete.

Swimming pool designs are very colorful in vinyl liners you can also have creative designs too. Did you know you could even create your own vinyl liner designs? You can say goodbye to algae if the vinyl liner has algaecide added. This conserves you energy and time on cleaning you pool. The structure is able to adjust to ground movements.

The best choice for a long lasting pool is fiberglass. It is so strong that is can even stand up to earthquakes because fiberglass pools will move as the earth moves. The downside of fiberglass is that in cold climates it does weather well for winter. This is due to the fact that the fiberglass has to have water left in it at all times. Concrete or vinyl lined is the material to use in cold climates.

Whatever form of design you choose you should be able to find plenty of ideas from contractors, online and even in pool stores. Remember your pool and yard actually create an outdoor room extension of sorts to your house. You can actually tie the two styles together if you want. Somewhere in the process of deciding what form your pool will take consult a pool professional to make sure you are on the right track.

If you like the sound of water flowing then waterfalls are a great design feature for you. If ostentation is your thing you can have a waterfall fitting your style by have a waterfall from a marble type wall. Are you the more kick off your shoes and sit a spell type? Then you would want a waterfall that is more to the carefree approach of water coming out through boulders. Watery sounds can lull you into a sense of peace.

If you are going to have a nice deep swimming pool then you may want to have a diving board at your disposal. Step up on the board take a few steps and take that dive and whoosh hit the water. Oh what delightful fun. So check out the diving boards and see what you find today. You need to remember all safety suggestions when it comes to the use of diving boards.

Do you remember ever sliding down a slide into a pool of water? Waterslides were not always around but there were regular slides to slide into water. Oh what great fun we had as kids at the pool climbing the slides and scooting down then that splash into the water.

You may feel the need for further ideas on how to construct your backyard oasis for this summer. If you do contact and pool contractor and or designer. It goes without saying that you always can get out the drawing board and try to design your own if you have enough artistic talents. Go do a cannonball in the pool and laugh.

About the Author:

Should you try colon detox for better health?

July 11, 2008 · Filed Under Health and Fitness · Comment 
by Alexa Shepherd

With our overindulgent diets, unhealthy fast foods, bad habits like smoking and drinking, our digestive systems are thrown off balance. Many people look to colon cleansing to detoxify but the question remains, is colon cleansing really safe and effective?

You may know the colon as the large intestine or as the bowel. They essentially refer to the same body part. This 1 to 2 meter long part acts to help the body get rid of the undigested waste left over from the food we ingest. After all the necessary nutrients have been taken into our bodies, what remains passes through the colon to be eradicated. These remains can be water, undigested fiber or a type of bacteria called probiotics, just to name a few.

Unfortunately, lifestyle and a poor diet can weaken the function of the colon. Digestive problems can stem from stress, a high intake of saturated fats, sugars and excessive salt, lack of fiber, lack of fluids, lack of exercise, too much alcohol and smoking, amongst many other factors. These create an unfriendly environment for the bacteria needed for a colon to function normally. There enters a process called colon cleansing.

The procedure of a colon cleaning or irrigation (as it is sometimes called) acts to reinstate the balance of a normal, healthy functioning digestive system. Before you ask, is colon cleansing really safe and effective, it is important to understand what happens to your body when a colon isn’t doing its job well. Once the balance in our digestive system is disrupted, waste products tend to pass through our bodies at a slowed-down rate. Because of this, toxins have more time to be taken in by our bodies and these toxins might be absorbed into our blood. These pollutants can eventually cause damage to the function of other body parts like the liver and kidney and, serious medical conditions may ensue.

Colon cleaning strives to help the body remove unnecessary toxins in the body and restore the balance and function of the colon. This is supposed to help restore the digestive system and lead you back to good health. Before you put yourself through the process of detoxifying your body’s digestive system, it is important to ask, is colon cleansing really safe and effective?

Evaluate your lifestyle and your health as you find out more about colon cleansing procedures. You will undoubtedly find a range of options available to you, from the clinical approach to the cheaper alternative - home remedies.

It is important to treat a poorly functioning colon because if it is allowed to remain untreated, many other serious clinical conditions can develop. That is why it is important, when seeking for colon cleansing treatment, to find a professional therapist who is up-to-date with the latest knowledge, information and machines to carry out the procedure for you.

Remember that balance is always key. If you overdo it on your colon cleansing treatments, health might not be your reward. As a reaction to overdoing this treatment, your colon area could be inadvertently damaged; bowel movements negatively affected and, dangerous bacteria could be introduced into your already waning digestive system.

While many undertake cleansing their colon to treat a serious condition, there are others who look to colon cleansing as a solution to weight loss because this procedure does tend to remove excess body weight. Whatever your reason for going through this detoxification process, you must ask, is colon cleansing really safe and effective, and be comfortable with your final decision.

About the Author:

Affirmations Not Working For You? How To Supercharge Them - Part1

July 11, 2008 · Filed Under Health and Fitness · Comment 
by Debbie Thomas

Over the last several years, the personal development world has been taken by storm by the Law of Attraction, and while many people have been quietly practicing this for decades, it came into the mainstream with the movie ‘The Secret.’ One of the most important things I’ve learned from everyone from James Ray, Jack Canfield, Joe Vitale, Bob Doyle, Sandy Forster, Bob Proctor and many more is that if you focus on what you want and persistently and consistently tell yourself that you have these things, you will come to Believe it. Once you Believe it, then you will be inspired to take the actions you need to take that will bring what you want to you. Hence the saying, When I Believe it, I will See it.

When it comes to the way our brains learn things, REPETITION is key. Think about it - how did you learn your times tables in 5th grade math - repetition. How does an actor learn his lines - repetition. How did we all learn to walk and talk - repetition. So it stands to reason that if you want your mind to believe in a different way than it currently believes, you are going to have to teach it how to think that way by repeating what you want to believe.

That makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? If you keep repeating something over and over to your self, your subconscious mind should start to agree with you, right? So we start to use Affirmations. Affirmations are simply statements you make about what you really WANT to believe. Almost every personal development expert on the planet has recommended affirmations and THE best tool to ‘Fake it til you Make it,’ and keep up the positive attitude, because the repetition of the affirmation is teaching your brain how to think.

Well, that still makes sense too, doesn’t it. So if we keep on repeating our affirmations diligently, we’ll all be fabulously wealthy, right? Should be simple, shouldn’t it? Then why aren’t we all abundantly wealthy then? Because WE STOP DOING THEM! At least most people stop before they have an chance to take effect. There are two main reasons why this happens:

1. We start the process hoping for instant change, but we don’t really believe what we are saying, so when the instant change doesn’t appear, we stop before we ever even start, and

2. We don’t know how to instantly turn things around when we are thrown into a downward spiral when something happens to upset our plans, and we have no anchor to grab onto, so we stop trying, telling ourselves that ‘this doesn’t work.’

The main reason we don’t keep doing daily affirmations, even though we know repetition is the best way to learn is that the affirmations are aimed at changing deep rooted beliefs. It’s not the same as changing your nail polish. Most of our beliefs about ourselves were deeply implanted before we were 7 years old. So if you have a deep belief that money is the root of all evil for instance, you can affirm that you are a millionaire all day long and all you will echo back is ” Who are you kidding?” it won’t take long before the average person gets bored, too busy or out and out frustrated long before the affirmations can start to work.

Now if you did keep on practicing diligently, you would eventually see a change, but since you belief filters won’t allow you to change instantly, most people give up in frustration far too soon. But it’s really not your fault, at least not your conscious mind’s fault.

You see, your subconscious mind or your ego can be your worst enemy. It likes you just the way you are - warts and all. It doesn’t see any need to change, it hates change and when you are trying to change by stating things like - “I am wealthy, healthy and happy” - the subconscious ‘Belief Detective’ I call it, immediately responds with - “No, we’re not. We’re broke and depressed and I feel like we’re coming down with something”. Whether you know it or not, your subconscious mind has been driving the bus all along. It knows how to operate you and doesn’t want your interference, thank you very much! If you try to force change, it will give you a million reasons why affirmations are boring or too time consuming or just plain stupid. If you can’t get past that ‘Belief Detective’, or at least realize what is going on, your subconscious mind will win and keep you broke, sick and depressed. Ironically, this is how it thinks it is protecting you. Gee, Thanks!!

So…what you need to do, right now while you are reading this, is to start to think of a way of bypassing the belief filters that stop your affirmations in their tracks. How do you do that? Why not try putting your affirmations in a song. Song lyrics are non threatening to the subconscious mind because you suspend your disbelief while you are singing, much like you might do when you see a movie (Ever seen Shrek?). Besides, once you get a song stuck in your head, you usually sing it over and over and over and not get bored with it, feeding your subconscious on autopilot,. Give it some thought right now and stay tuned for Part 2 where we’ll discuss more about how to instantly change your negative attitude.

About the Author:

Help Credit Card Debt Using The Ultimate Debt Guide

July 11, 2008 · Filed Under Finance · Comment 
by Ash Ford

There are only to know about 2 proven methods to get out of debt. Simple, but you might find it hard to get out of debt if you fail to follow the 2 steps.

Spend less and earn more. That’s what it boils down to at the end of the day. You’ve got to spend less than you have coming in. Simple huh? But these tips are the top two from the definitive guide on how to get out of debt called “The Ultimate Debt Guide” available from http://theultimatedebtguide.com

Earn more from other avenues. This is great because you will have cash to put into your plan for getting out of debt. when you learn to spend less and less of your money (and earn more and more), you’ll rapidly build valuable resources needed to get out of debt.

Find legal ways to make more money but spend less of it. I’m sure this is the ultimate debt guide solution in a single sentence. Your primary aim is to get out of debt as quickly as you can.

I’m sure you acquired your debt over a long period of time didn’t you? To know how to get out of debt fast, look at things that got you into debt in the first place. The only issue with simple solutions is that you might not have the necessary discipline to stick with them through to resolution.

Did you spend your cash impulsively? Did you fail to plan and therefore planned to fail? Di you not budget or budgeted poorly? Your debt is now at a scary, insane level and you now want to get out of debt fast. Its taken awhile to get into debt, so why do you think it will take minutes to get out of debt?

Using the tips in the Ultimate Debt Guide and the free tools provided you’ll discover little-known ways to chip away at the mountain that you have created. This analogy holds true for getting out of debt. The more you’re able to persevere, even if it seems hopeless, the quicker your momentum will build until your debt mountain crumbles. More specifically, as soon as you start paying off the compound interest every month and you’re also eating into the capital amount you borrowed.

You might already be work long hours already, so it might not be sensible to take on another job…or is it ? Its a decision only you can make yourself. A second job may bring you more money but you don’t want to wear yourself out.

About the Author:

How To Determine The Best Forex Trading Strategy

July 11, 2008 · Filed Under Finance · Comment 
by Ray Lam

With the popularity of forex trading since middle of year 2004 when it even overtook the interest in futures and commodities trading, we have seen a lot of forex trading systems being developed. As new technology evolved, we have also seen the power of the desktop computer being harnessed for running trading platforms involving all sorts of forex trading systems instead of using computer mainframes.

Fundamental Analysis: It is the forex trading strategy used to forecast long-term trends using indicators of currency values that are given at different times. The disclosure of news makes the market unpredictable; hence the traders should have a close watch on the comments of meetings and reports.

Technical Analysis: In this forex trading strategy the trends in price are analyzed. It depends on charts and patterns to trace the trends. The Simple Moving Average Cross over Method is one of the simple forex trading strategies used reliably to OPEN the position in the forex market. In this method different colours are used for different trend lines. For instance, use blue colour to plot SMA5 and red colour to plot SMA20. When the SMA5 crosses the SMA20 moving upwards it indicates a buying signal. When the SMA5 crosses the SMA20 moving downward it indicates a selling signal.

There is a lesser known way of testing a forex trading system, and that is to actually port the trading system to test it on actual historical individual stock data. In other words, you can use the forex trading strategy to test it on historical stock data and to check how the system performed with stock market data.

Stocks and shares normally have less volatility then forex, the difference being trading stocks and shares would involve a study of accompanying volume. In contrast, we are concerned with price and time action in forex and not volume. Further. many forex traders are more familar with trading stocks and shares, and to use a forex trading system on stocks and shares would allow the trader who is transiting from trading stocks and shares to trading forex, an easier way to learn how to trade forex.

About the Author:

Hydrogen Fuel For Cars

July 11, 2008 · Filed Under Automotive · Comment 
by JW Ray

You can now find hydrogen fuel for your car or cars and experience the many benefits it can provide. Some hydrogen cars are still being tested to prove its efficiency but time will come when these cars will be fully accepted on the road. It would be very beneficial if there are lots of hydrogen stations all over the world; well, who knows perhaps that time will come too.

There will be a rise in demand for hydrogen powered cars once the source of hydrogen fuel becomes stable. You can enjoy driving for about a month without refilling your tank with a hydrogen powered vehicle. Right now, hydrogen cars are not yet available as they are still undergoing rigorous R&D.

Do not fret as existing car engines can be modified and converted to use hydrogen fuel. Car producers are expected to pump out fully hydrogen powered cars that can save you lots of money as well as save the environment.

With very few hydrogen fuel for cars at the moment, the price is too high for ordinary individuals to afford. But no one can really tell if the hydrogen fuel cars will soon be reasonably priced. At the moment, you can have your vehicle converted so that you can get the feel of driving a hydrogen fuel vehicle. Rest assured that you can save lots of money because you will be using water instead of gasoline. If you want to gain 35-100% increase in mileage, have you car converted the soonest.

Driving conditions differ and this is one thing to consider when using hydrogen fuel vehicles. The car of tomorrow will have an HHO fuel cell. This fuel cell can even be made at home. There are HHO car kits so that you can easily build the fuel cells since the building instructions are included in the kit. If you want, you can also purchase the needed materials and then look for the building instructions online.

How do hydrogen fuel cars work? The process is not hard to understand. Once the car is converted, you can now use clean water as fuel. The water molecules are separated and then the gases are forced into a combustion chamber. In the chamber, the gases are burned and in turn, energy is produced. Now, the car has power and you can enjoy driving for as long you like. Not only is the hydrogen fuel car cost effective, but it is also environment friendly as well. It can reduce pollution and the emission of greenhouse gases.

So, if you want to save the environment and cut-down your gasoline costs, have your vehicle converted now. Well of course, you need to consider if there are hydrogen stations in your locality. Otherwise, you will depend largely on your water source at home. You must know your options before you convert the car. It will involve a certain amount of money and you have to be prepared for it. And when new and fully hydrogen fuel cars are sold for the public, you can buy the car; that is, if you can afford one.

You have to learn more about hydrogen fuel for cars. If you want, you can take advantage of the various resources online and gather the needed information. You have to know how the hydrogen fuel car works so that you can appreciate it even more. The environment definitely need help nowadays and the hydrogen fuel cars might be of great assistance.

About the Author:

Denamarin Can Help To Protect And Support A Dog’S Liver.

July 11, 2008 · Filed Under Pets · Comment 
by Rebecca Foxton

We don’t need to tell you the liver is one of the most important organs in the body and also one of the most extraordinary.

If the liver fails in any animal, the end will be soon.

Of all the major organs in the body, the liver is physically the largest, and is instrumental in the body’s metabolism.

Of its many functions the ridding of toxins is one of the most important.

In this way it’s obvious why the liver plays such an important role in the functioning of the body, hence the priority should be trying to keep it healthy.

This is the case in all vertebrates, including dogs and cats.

The liver is amazing organ, and can regenerate itself with extraordinary powers in a healthy body.

But only in a healthy body. In an unhealthy body the liver may well fail, leading to death.

Chronic disease can also afflict the liver. But let’s talk about dogs in particular and how their livers can be affected. Don’t forget too that the liver can be affected by disease.

Chronic Active Hepatitis in dogs can be compared to cirrhosis, the disease that affects many heavy drinkers. The causes are often unknown, but the target is the liver.

The disease causes the immune system to produce antibodies which affect the liver cells, causing blood flow to be restricted in the liver.

When the liver tries to process toxins it cannot and this makes the problem worse, eventually leading to failure.

Specific breeds such as Doberman Pinschers, Cocker Spaniels and certain terriers often get this terrible disease.

Of course cancers and hepatitis can also take control of the liver.

Nutramax Denamarin with SAMe for dogs has been specially formulated to stimulate healthy liver processes by encouraging the production of a powerful antioxidant, glutathione.

It contains S-Adenosylmethionine SAMe which stimulates glutathione production and silybin.

Glutathione is an antioxidant to be reckoned with, and SAMe helps nourish, renew and stop liver cells from dying.

The benefits are two-fold as a healthy liver will eradicate toxins from the body much more speedily.

Don’t forget too that the liver is key in ridding the body of toxins so a healthy liver may in fact prevent disease elsewhere in the body.

Manufactured in three strengths for different sizes of dog, Denamarin could be an inexpensive way to help protect your dog’s health and your wallet.

Who can put a price on that?

About the Author:

Fun Birthday Games for a Boy’s Birthday Party

July 11, 2008 · Filed Under Kids and Teens · Comment 
by Krystie Gina

If birthday parties aren’t something you’re used to planning, it could be challenging to come up with good birthday games for kids. Maybe you’re throwing a birthday party for your son and inviting his friends; you know for a fact that boys can be energetic and rowdy. That’s your starting point: Boys enjoy games that are fun and require activity. Let’s go over a few ideas.

If you are having the birthday party in the summer, or when there is warm weather, a water gun fight would be a blast. You can have the boys split up into teams like the classic cowboys and Indians game. The object of this birthday game for kids is to get the opposite team as wet as possible. In your invitations, you will want to tell your guests to bring an extra pair of clothes, especially if the weather isn’t warm enough to dry everyone off in time for the cutting of the cake. You can find really good deals at your local dollar store. Water guns come in all sorts of fun colors and sizes.

You may be worried that you’ll have to spend a fortune to come up with good birthday games for kids, but that’s not true. One of the most fun games around is also one of the cheapest: Three-legged races. You probably know how it works: A pair of boys get tied together, the right leg to the left leg, and each pair tries to be the first to cross the finish line. If you want to make it even more challenging for older boys, you can turn the race into an obstacle course. To avoid injuries, be sure to match up boys that are similarly sized.

Another fun game is dress-up. You may think only girls would like to do something like this, but that is not the case. You can have boys dress up and recreate a scene from their favorite pirate movie, for example. If you are going along with a pirate theme, a treasure hunt would be very fun.

One last birthday games for kids is the spoon race. All you will need for this game are spoons and something to balance on the spoons, like pieces of fruit, a small ball, or an egg. The object of this game is to have each team pass the spoon with their teeth through the line of your team. The first team to have the spoon reach the other end of the line without hands is the winner. This game may be too difficult for smaller boys though.

Hopefully all these tips for birthday games for kids have given you inspiration. Don’t forget to have fun yourself!

About the Author:

Next Page »

  • Haiti Earthquake Appeal

    #E2001A

    an appeal for £1 million
    to respond to the disaster.

  • Social Networks

  • Tweetmeme

Article Software: WP Chameleon