5 Best Things to Do for Your Relationship

February 21st, 2010 by jennifermcclure

VIA: Oprah.com

When it comes to love, relationships can be like cars: constant care and adjustment (instead of pricey and painful visits to the body shop/marriage counselor) are often the best way to improve and strengthen your bond. One of O‘s staffers gets the lowdown from the experts on five fixes to start making now.
1: “Stop all shame, blame, and criticism. Instead ask for what you want in a clear, specific, and positive manner, and express appreciation for your partner. To elaborate: Men need to feel competent—that they make a contribution and that it is noticed. They like to be told what ‘behavior’ makes you happy. Since men tend to express affection by doing things, you should interpret their actions as love. When men know what to do and are acknowledged for it, they tend to keep doing it.” — Harville Hendrix, PhD, author of Getting the Love You Want

2: “Change from a critical habit of mind, in which you’re very involved with your partner’s mistakes, to a positive one, in which you catch him doing something right. Notice one small thing, and express genuine appreciation. That will change your interaction patterns from escalating negativity and criticism to building a culture of appreciation.” — John M. Gottman, PhD, author of The Relationship Cure: A 5 Step Guide to Strengthening Your Marriage, Family, and Friendships

3: “When your relationship starts to break down, you need AAA: an Apology, Affection, and a promise of Action. You say you’re sorry for what you’ve said or done to hurt or disappoint your partner. You immediately offer a hug, a kiss—some meaningful gesture of warmth. You pledge to do something that matters to your partner (‘From now on, I will…’). And, of course, you stick to that. This whole AAA thing can take two minutes, but in that time you’ve healed the past, built a bridge to the present, and created hope for your future.” — Mira Kirshenbaum, psychotherapist and author of The Weekend Marriage

4: “With books on the market like How to Make Love Like a Porn Star, one of the greatest services you can do for a guy is to reassure him that he doesn’t have to make love like a porn star. You can show him how to have sex like a woman: creative, sensual, non-genital-based, and more pleasure- than orgasm-focused. Lead him to an experience that goes beyond his penis and makes him fully engaged—mind, body, and soul.” — Ian Kerner, PhD, author of She Comes First

5: “All relationships grow a bit stale as time goes by, and the longer-lasting they are, the staler they can get. The best thing you can do is pump in some fresh air. A long weekend in a romantic hideaway would be ideal, but even a few hours in a motel helps. Don’t tell anyone where you are, turn off your cell phones, and unplug the TV. When you get home, you’ll find your relationship has acquired ruddy cheeks.” — Dr. Ruth Westheimer, psychosexual therapist and author of 52 Lessons on Communicating Love

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Kiss Your Wife: Earn More Money, PLus 31 Other Odd Bits of Trivia

February 20th, 2010 by jennifermcclure

VIA: healthyalterego.com

A study conducted in the 1980’s indicates that a man who kisses his wife good-bye before heading out the door to work each morning has a higher income than those who don’t. Similar research also suggests that these same men live five years longer than those that don’t and get in less car accidents.

The suggestion is that men who partake in rituals of affection tend to be more diligent, stable, and more methodical which are all traits of higher wage-earners.

That first nugget of information was something I stumbled on in a New York Times article, but it made no mention of whether or not the study looked at the same traits in women. I came up empty on that research, but it did lead me to a host of other health and wellness trivia, most of which came from the Useless Information Society.

The Useless information Society is said to be made up of “Britain’s foremost thinkers, writers, and artists who explore the world’s most bizarre nooks and crannies to trade and share in useless information.”

Here are some tidbits I thought might either serve to better your health, or make you more interesting at cocktail parties. You decide.

• You use more calories eating celery than there are in celery itself.

• Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient for waking you up in the morning.

• There are more than one hundred chemicals in one cup of coffee.

• Grapes explode when you put them in the microwave.

• Pound cake is so called because the original recipe required one pound of butter.

• The only food that does not spoil is honey. It is used as a center for golf balls and in antifreeze mixtures.

• Eleanor Roosevelt ate three chocolate-covered garlic balls every day for most of her adult life.

• Eating chocolate was once considered a temptation of the devil

• The U.S. government spent $277,000 on “pickle research” in 1993.

• Some toothpaste contains antifreeze.

• It takes a plastic container fifty thousand years to start decomposing.

HUNGRY?

• Pound for pound, hamburgers cost more than new cars.

• The average American chews 190 sticks of gum, drinks 600 sodas, and eats 135 pounds of sugar and 19 pounds of cereal per year.

• The biggest-selling restaurant food is French fries.

• The amount of potato chips Americans eat each year weighs six times more than the Titanic.

• Americans on average eat eighteen acres of pizza every day. Saturday night is the biggest night of the week for eating pizza.

 • In Australia, the number-one topping for pizza is eggs. In Chile, the favorite topping is mussels and clams. In the United States, it’s pepperoni.

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Plane Crashes into Building in Austin, Texas

February 18th, 2010 by jennifermcclure

 

VIA: CNN.com

(CNN) — The latest news as it comes in to CNN from the scene of the crash of a small plane in Austin, Texas. (All times are ET, one hour ahead of local Austin time.)

12:42 p.m.: The pilot of the plane had set his house on fire beforehand, stole the plane and crashed it intentionally, a federal official told CNN.

12:40 p.m.: Federal officials said two F-16 fighter jets were launched as a precaution after the crash, though terrorist intent was not indicated.

12:32 p.m.: Preliminary information indicates that the plane was a Cirrus SR 22, the FAA said. A Cirrus SR22 is a single-engine four-seat aircraft.

12:32 p.m.: The FAA said the plane departed Georgetown Municipal Airport, north of Austin, about 9:40 a.m., and that the pilot did not file a flight plan.

12:18 p.m.: Witnesses described an infernal scene that shook nearby buildings and sent fire and smoke bellowing into the sky. “I just saw smoke and flames,” said CNN iReporter Mike Ernest. “I could not believe what I was seeing. It was just smoke and flames everywhere.”

12:11 p.m.: Harry Evans of the Austin Fire Department said firefighters found “heavy fire destruction in and around the second floor … lots of heat, lots of smoke, lots of fire.”

12:05 p.m.: Two people were transported from the crash site to University Medical Center Brackenridge, said hospital spokeswoman Matilda Sanchez. She could not provide additional information. University Medical Center Brackenridge is the only Level 1 trauma center for adults in Austin.12:03 p.m.: Cynthia Reed, who works in the building next to the one hit, told CNN she saw people who apparently were trapped. “They were hanging out the windows, screaming for help,” she said.

12:02 p.m.: “At this time we have no reason to believe there is a nexus to criminal or terrorist activity,” said Matt Chandler, spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security. “We are in the process of coordinating with state officials and other federal partners to gather more information and at this time we will defer additional questions to local officials and the FAA.”

11:44 a.m.: Firefighters used two ladder trucks and other equipment to hose down the blaze at the building, which police said was located in the 9400 block of Research Boulevard. Traffic on Southbound U.S. 183, which is adjacent to the crash site, started to snarl as black smoke poured out of the seven-story building.

11:36 a.m.: A small airplane crashed into a building in Austin, Texas, Thursday morning, according to Lynn Lundsford of the Federal Aviation Administration.

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Crazy Curling Pants of Norway Draw Notice

February 17th, 2010 by jennifermcclure

VIA: USAToday.com

As of February 17, 2010, 8:00AM

Germany – Gold: 3; Silver: 4; Bronze: 2
United States – Gold: 2; Silver: 2; Bronze: 4
France – Gold: 2; Silver: 1; Bronze: 4
Canada – Gold: 2; Silver: 2; Bronze: 1

Talk of Vancouver: Crazy curling pants of Norway draw notice

Even as his U.S. men’s curling teammates were locked in close competition with Germany, alternate Chris Plys couldn’t help but notice the game beside them Tuesday.

“Norway has the crazy pants,” he tweeted. “Kickin it retro I guess.”

Who knew curlers were such fashionistas? The Norwegians, who were playing Canada and then met the USA later Tuesday, have raised eyebrows in the Vancouver Olympic Centre since practicing in the red-white-and-blue, diamond-pattered pants. The loud trousers are part of the team uniform, picked out by second Chris Svae from the same company — Sonoma, Calif.-based Loudmouth Golf — that outfits golfer John Daly.

Price tag: $90 U.S., $99 Canadian.

“It’s good,” Svae said Tuesday, because “it’s bringing attention to curling back home in Norway more than usual.”

Pointing to his team’s close, 7-6 loss to the favored Canadians, he said, “We played just as well, so we’re not just the clowns.”

The U.S. men, like all the others on the ice, wore black slacks. Lead John Benton expressed fondness for the Norwegians — “They’re pretty loose guys” — but insisted he would “never, ever, ever, ever” follow their sartorial lead.

“Whatever makes ‘em happy, I guess,” said U.S. third Jason Smith. “They’re super nice guys, super outgoing, so it fits their personality well.”

Potter’s plans: At 31, Jenny Potter is the oldest player on the U.S. women’s hockey team. Her daughter Madison is 9.

Wouldn’t it be nice, Potter daydreams, if someday they could play together? Say in the 2018 Winter Games?

“It’s probably unreasonable to think it could happen, but I think it would be pretty cool,” she says. She wrote the goal into an Olympic questionnaire.

“If anyone could play in two more, it would be Pottsy,” said teammate Angela Ruggiero. “She has the work ethic and determination. With all she has to juggle, Potter is a role model to all.”

Potter, a forward, had hat tricks in the USA’s first two games and is still one of the world’s best players. “She keeps herself in great shape hockeywise, then goes home and she has a another life as a mother,” says U.S. coach Mark Johnson.

Madison spends more time as a competitive swimmer than a hockey player, but Potter still imagines them on the ice together. She also has a son, Cullen, 3.

“I’ve got to go home after this and re-evaluate where my family is at,” Potter says. “My husband (Rob) has put his career on hold, sitting in the back seat to support me. It’s not like we have a lifestyle of the rich and famous.”

Says Ruggiero, “If she commits to it, she will be dominant at 35.”

Bilodeau mania: “Bring on the gold,” blares the slogan next to a picture of Canadian freestyle skier Alex Bilodeau, featured in his home country on boxes of Oatmeal Crisp Almond cereal.

Bilodeau, 22, delivered Canada’s long-awaited first gold on home soil. That should deliver him more than $1 million in endorsements. The Globe and Mail devoted a page Tuesday to a “day in the life of a hero.” Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper called him the night he won. Canada Post, the country’s postal service, has a commemorative stamp available today, and the Royal Canadian Mint plans a medallion.

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Cincinnati Region Digs Out From Under Record Snowfall

February 16th, 2010 by jennifermcclure

VIA: Cincinnati.com

Another 1 to 2 inches of light snow will fall on the region Tuesday, piling on to 8.3 inches of snow that was recorded Monday at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport as the official total.

There’s never been this much snow by this time in February. So far this month, we’ve seen 23.1 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. The previous record was 21.4 inches in 1914.

Although snowfall will be light Tuesday, the high will only reach 29 degrees and wind chills will remain in the teens. Winds may be gusty at times up to 20-30 mph, causing blowing and drifting snow.

• Schools running out of calamity days
• Photos: Monday’s snow storm
• School closings, delays
• Weather forecast and current conditions
• Map: Live traffic conditions
• See nationwide flight delays from FAA

Most schools are closed Tuesday. Xavier University and Thomas More College are closed until 11:30 a.m. The University of Cincinnati’s main campus, Northern Kentucky University and the College of Mount St. Joseph are closed until noon. Miami University’s Oxford campus is set to open at 10 a.m. Clermont College is closed.

In Cincinnati, some side streets have not seen snow plows since the first flake started flying early Monday.

“While some of the major roadways are sort of passable, the residential streets are in very bad shape and there’s a lot of accumulated snow, said Janet Walsh, spokeswoman for Cincinnati Public Schools.

“That means there are not only problems for the buses negotiating the streets, it also makes it really hazardous for children out at the bus stops or trying to walk to school. It’s just not safe out there.”

Concerns over safety prompted complaints from several parents of children who attend Fort Thomas Independent Schools, which held class Monday despite the Presidents Day holiday and the weather. By Monday evening the district had decided to cancel classes Tuesday.

While travel Monday was difficult, no major pileups or fatal car crashes were reported.

A man was seriously injured just after 11 a.m. when he was struck by a slow-moving train after his van became stuck in the snow on the railroad tracks near the corner of Augspurger Road and U.S. 127 in New Miami.

Butler County sheriff’s deputies said 46-year-old Robert M. Brown of Hamilton was outside the van trying to free it from the snow when he was struck and thrown 15 feet. The van was also hit and slid about 30 yards beyond the tracks.

Brown was taken by ambulance to Middletown’s Atrium Medical Center, where he was in fair condition late Monday.

Nearly all communities in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky remain under snow emergencies early Tuesday. Boone, Butler, Campbell, Clermont, Hamilton, Kenton and Warren counties are under a Level 2 alert. That means motorists should only go out if necessary. A Level 3 emergency expired at 7 a.m. in Dearborn County in Indiana.

Most main roads and highways are passable but still hazardous Tuesday morning, so those who do drive should do so with extreme caution, dispatchers said.

“People just have to go slow, but other than that they are not too bad,” said Lisa Meeks, a technician with ARTIMIS.

Read more…

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Olympic Curlers Ready to Hit the Ice

February 16th, 2010 by jennifermcclure

VIA: nbcolympics.com

As of February 16, 2010, 9:00AM

United States – Gold: 2; Silver: 2; Bronze: 4
Germany – Gold: 1; Silver: 3; Bronze: 1
France – Gold: 2; Silver: 0; Bronze: 2
Canada – Gold: 1; Silver: 2; Bronze: 1

Olympic curlers ready to hit the ice

VANCOUVER (AFP) China’s world champion skip Wang Bingyu, affectionately known as “Betty”, aims to make a name for herself by adding Olympic curling gold to the world title she has already captured.

Wang’s team of four have been together since 2003 and that consistency paid off with a runners-up place at the 2008 worlds before they stormed to the 2009 title.

Wang was introduced to curling by her ice hockey-playing father in her hometown of Harbin, taking up the sport about nine years ago.

Chinese women’s national team coach Dan Rafael, from Canada, puts China’s success down to a single-minded focus on technique.

“When I first met them, in 2007, their practice schedule was three hours a day of throwing and throwing and throwing. It wasn’t even game-situation shots. It was just sliding rocks, working on their releases,” he said ahead of Tuesday’s opening day.

“What they asked me about most was strategy. They were convinced I had a magical curling book.”

Canada, the 1998 champions, will be skipped by Cheryl Bernard, 42, while Switzerland can also boast an experienced leader in 38-year-old Mirjam Ott, the only curler at these Games, and the only woman in history, with multiple Olympic medals.

Sweden’s skip Anette Norberg , 43, is the defending champion while many eyes will be on Britain’s teenage skip Eve Muirhead.

On home ice in Vancouver, Canada’s men will be pushed by Britain to defend their title.

The host nation will face a British team skipped by world champion David Murdoch who is relishing playing in a country renowned for its love of the sport.

Read more…

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Snow Just Won’t Leave Us Alone

February 15th, 2010 by jennifermcclure

VIA: Cincinnati.com

Authorities are imposing snow emergencies and emergency auto accident reporting requirements as another major snowfall blankets Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Numerous accidents are being reported.

Just after 7 a.m., Cincinnati enacted its emergency accident reporting procedure for snowy conditions. Until the weather lets up, police are only responding to accidents with injuries. Those involved in accidents without injuries are advised to exchange contact and insurance information and report the incident to police once the weather subsides.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for most of Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky until 6 a.m. Tuesday. As much as 10 inches of snow is possible.

• Weather forecast and current conditions
• Traffic conditions
• School closings, delays
• See nationwide flight delays from FAA

Cities and counties are enacting snow emergencies to caution motorists about hazardous driving conditions. Communities are anxious to get cars off of snow routes so they can plow.

Metro service is operating with a few detours, said Sallie Hilvers, Metro spokeswoman. Detours and delays are possible this morning as snow continues, she warned. Three of the four runways are open Monday morning at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, which is standard for snowy conditions, said airport spokeswoman Barb Schempf.

Snow is expected all day and into Monday evening. Snowfall rates could be intense at times after 7 a.m., as much as 1 to 2 inches per hour, said meteorologist Andy Hatzos.

“It’s a good snowstorm. Before 8 a.m. we could have maybe 2, 2½ inches. The bulk of it will be falling this morning and early afternoon,” Hatzos said.

By 1 p.m., most areas should see 3 to 6 inches. As much as 5 to 8 inches could fall by midnight. The heaviest snow should hit along the Interstate 71 corridor.

Overall, 6 to 10 inches could pile up by the time the storm ends early Tuesday. More snow will fall to the north in Warren and Butler counties, and less snow will wind up in Northern Kentucky, Hatzos said.

Road crews across the region have been out pre-treating roads already not treated by recent storms. By 6:30 a.m., dispatchers across the region described main roads as slick but passable. Most highways are wet with partially snow-covered exit and entrance ramps.

Schools and many government offices are closed due to the Presidents’ Day holiday.

Northern Kentucky University, Xavier University, the College of Mount St. Joseph and Thomas More College have canceled classes today. The University of Cincinnati is closing at noon. Day and evening classes are canceled.

Monday’s expected high temperature is 27, Hatzos said. The low overnight into Tuesday will plunge to 18 with a wind chill of 4. Highs likely will remain below freezing until week’s end.

This is the third major storm in a little more than a week. So far this season, 27.1 inches of snow have fallen, Hatzos said. At this time last winter, 21.5 inches of snow were recorded.

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Olympics Start This Weekend

February 12th, 2010 by jennifermcclure

VIA: NBCOlympics.com

Opening Ceremony Starts Friday, February 12, 2010
Coverage Starts at 7:30pm ET/PT

Canada: Ready for its Olympic moment
Hosted by Vancouver, but these Games belong to a nation

VANCOUVER — Framed by sea and sky, a striking tableau that would be all the more brilliant if maybe the weather turned colder and snowier, the 2010 Winter Olympics get underway here Friday, the stage set for a Games designed to elicit but one sure response:

Whoa, Canada.

That caricature of the earnest, pleasant, well-meaning Canadian?

The Canadians have aggressively and repeatedly asserted their intent is to win more 2010 Games medals than anyone else, which would be an Olympic first. And, eh, they just may – though Germany, Norway, Russia and the Americans come to Vancouver deep and strong as well.

 ”The last gold rush around here took place in 1858, I believe,” Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said as part of an address here Tuesday night to the International Olympic Committee. “I predict the next gold rush will begin within one week.”

And then, of course, there is what for many here is the holy grail: gold in men’s hockey.

“There isn’t a Canadian out there who doesn’t have their fingers crossed that on the last day of the Games Canada wins a gold medal in men’s hockey — after winning a gold medal in women’s hockey, in a perfect world,” Vancouver 2010 Chief Executive John Furlong said here earlier this week.

Games organizers, banking on Canadian medals – literally, for the Vancouver 2010 committee has helped fund a win-medals program worth more than $100 million – hope these Games make for moments of inspiration when all north of the 49th parallel are unified in Canadian-ness, however elusive the definition of such a thing might be.

“We very much wanted this project to be a human adventure,” Furlong said, one that would “formally unite the country” and “really let Canadians feel they were part of something great.”

Read more…

 

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Bengals Signs Wide Receiver Matt Jones to a Contract

February 12th, 2010 by jennifermcclure

VIA: Cincinnati.com

The Bengals have gotten an early start in free agency.

Even though the official signing period does not begin for three weeks, the team has signed former Jacksonville wide receiver Matt Jones to a contract in what was first reported by ESPN. It is a one-year deal around $700,000.

Jones worked out and met with Bengals officials this week. He also had a contract offer from Tennessee, but as the process went on, Titans officials believed that he would sign with Cincinnati.

Because Jones did not play last season, he was eligible to be signed before the start of free agency on March 5. While Jones does have talent and potential, off-the-field problems have derailed his career. He was released by Jacksonville last March after violating the terms of a plea deal. In the summer of 2008, he was arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance. Those charges, which were for possession of cocaine, were later dropped after he completed a drug program. The league did suspend Jones for three games in 2008 for violating the substance abuse policy.

During his four seasons in Jacksonville, the former first-round pick struggled. His best season was in 2008, when he caught 65 passes for 761 yards and two touchdowns. His four-year totals are 166 catches for 2,153 yards with 15 TDs.

Jones played quarterback at the University of Arkansas but was converted to a receiver — at 6-foot-6, he once ran a 4.37 in the 40-yard dash. There is no doubt that he makes for a big target who can run quick slant routes, but his 40 speed has not made him a consistent deep threat, which is something the Bengals are lacking.

The Bengals have Chad Ochocinco, who has campaigned the past two weeks to sign Terrell Owens, Laveranues Coles and Andre Caldwell, but Coles struggled last season, which puts his future especially in an uncapped year, somewhat in doubt. They are also lacking a fourth receiver who can stretch the field following the death of Chris Henry.

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Storm Watch: 6 More Inches Possible

February 8th, 2010 by jennifermcclure

VIA: Cincinnati.com

If gray skies and people dressed in puffy coats don’t scream that it’s the dead of winter in the Midwest, then a nice, oh, 14 inches of snow in less than a week’s time should do it.

After up to 8 inches of snow blanketed Greater Cincinnati on Friday and Saturday, Mother Nature has decided we need more.

Maybe 6 inches more.

• Detailed weather forecast

On Sunday, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for most of Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky, from Monday night through Wednesday afternoon. Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky should start seeing snow very late Monday night. One to 3 inches is possible by Tuesday morning rush hour.

Areas north of Cincinnati, including parts of Butler and Warren counties, could get even more than that, the Weather Service said.

The snow might give way to rain on Tuesday, and then turn back into snow when the temperatures plunge again. The snow isn’t expected to taper off until Wednesday. All told, the region could see 6 inches by the time the storm finishes.

And while some Midwesterners might cringe at the thought of more snow and ice to deal with, Mike Mettler said a good snowstorm is the best promotion for his business – Perfect North Slopes in Lawrenceburg.

“When snow is in people’s front yards, its makes them think about us,” Metter said.

He said there was a steady crowd of people hitting the ski, snow boarding and tubing slopes over the weekend.

“People around here don’t automatically think about (winter weather sports) when they don’t see snow – they come up with other things to do.”

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