Archive for December, 2007

My creation12.30.07




My creation

Originally uploaded by swampfoxz

Go to FlickrBikini.com

Posted in pimpedwith No Comments →

Money in Miami12.28.07




Money in Miami

Originally uploaded by runtenk

Bayside Mall in Miami

Posted in pimpedwith No Comments →

18 bikini12.28.07




18 bikini

Originally uploaded by be_my_special_friend2002

10 Things Every Man Should Be Able To Do In A Successful Relationship – Self Help Guide For Men!
By Matt Castle

You see a spider! Do you squish it or jump up and down doing your best cheerleader impression? Hopefully, you know the correct answer to this hypothetical scenario but being a man means different things to different people depending upon their point of view. That said, our basis of “being a man” typically comes from the societal norms of what women want a man to be. After all, they are the ones that hold most of the control in a relationship so this article is devoted to a woman’s perspective of what her man should be able to do. Warning, guys you might not like some of this but if you can do 8 out of 10 of these, you should be in good shape with your better half.

  1. Be a listener, not a problem solver. When your lady speaks to you, listen to what she says and the tone of her voice, her mannerisms, and any other signals available to accurately gauge her emotions. Women do not expect you to solve their problems, but they expect you to understand their plight. So keep your Home Depot Mr. Fix It persona in check and pay attention to her.
  2. Be a provider. Sure, women today are self reliant and don’t need men. However, they choose to have a man (in most cases). Societal norms are ingrained into our psyches and will obviously interfere with your relationship if your job requires the phrase “would you like fries with that” at age 35. Therefore, be a good provider for your mate and future family because a woman’s nesting instincts will be completely shut down if you can’t support an adequate lifestyle.
  3. Be a handy man. I’m not suggesting you need to turn into Bob Vila, but doing simple hands on weekend warrior projects makes your lady feel that she didn’t pick a momma’s boy. I know its stereotypical, but sporting that tool belt might be one of your best friends when it comes to your relationship (hint: a turn on for her). Just remember to avoid the low riding jeans and the plumber’s “vertical smile”.
  4. Be a great father (if relevant). The first time your lady sees you holding your baby while you are passed out in a rocking chair, cradling your baby boy/girl that is wide awake playing with your messed up hair, wrinkled pajamas, and sporting the worst morning breath ever – she will fall in love with you all over again. So be the best dad in the world.
  5. Be a man. Sure, its popular to be a metrosexual in some circles but the reason classics always come back into style is that they’re the best. So wear your version of your “what makes a man a man attitude” with pride. Kick back during football games, play in the mud with your dog, wear your 10 year old college T-shirts, and do your worst John Wayne impression even though she might claim she hates it, she really doesn’t mind. If she loves you and knows you well, the fact that you have fallen into your role as the man of the house will show her that you’re committed to her.

Now that we have some broad topics covered, lets take a different approach by giving very detailed examples of what makes a good man great in his lady’s eyes. These are the stories of worship and praise that make you a legend on ladies nights out or in the twice a week aerobics class.

  1. Its 4am, and your 8 months pregnant wife is hungry. You roll out of bed to make her a peanut butter, pickles and tuna fish sandwich because that is her favorite 4am snack. The smell is horrific, but fortunately you are so sleepy you don’t even notice. This is the supportive side that women are go nuts over. If you do the little things that we men often overlook, you’re set for life with this woman.
  2. You are in a club and encounter your date’s ex boyfriend. He insults her, in front of you and everyone else. What do you do? Common sense and non violent rules should always apply, but nothing impresses a woman like defending her honor. I’m not suggesting you knock the guy out, but stand up for the lady that you brought. If you do knock him out, make sure she’s a lawyer or a orthopedic surgeon because you might need one or both.
  3. Its a dark rainy night and you’re driving back from a great first date and boom! Flat tire. Roll up your sleeves and get it changed without her helping you. Practice in your own driveway if you can’t change it yourself because its incredibly embarrassing to call AAA to change a tire. If you do call AAA, Man Law states that you should be forced to watch Oprah for 24 hours minimum for your lack of basic man skills. While we are on the subject, learn to change the oil in her car and put a roadside safety kit together for her. Its very simple to do and she will love that you are concerned for her safety.
  4. Its your anniversary and you have a well orchestrated special event planned for your lady. Doesn’t matter what the evening entails, but the simple fact that you took the time to plan something in her honor is worth some serious bonus points. It doesn’t mean you’re a wimp or girly-man that you love your lady. Quite the contrary, its one of the best things imaginable to keep a relationship churning on all cylinders.
  5. An evening on the town is planned. You pick up your date, and open the car door for her. You open the door at the restaurant. You pull her seat out at dinner. Yes guys, being a gentleman still works wonders for you. Practicing consistent acts of gentlemanly behavior and chivalry will never go out of style. It might take some time to adjust to this, but remember, only a lazy man’s idea of opening the door for his lady involves pushing the keyless entry button on your car.

The basic point here is to be an all around decent guy, not to be Superman. Being a man is fun, and done correctly its very rewarding on multiple levels. Being a good companion means different things to different people, but at our core, we all crave a certain amount of values and attention so find what your lady likes and build from there. Remember, men are visual creatures and problem solvers so use these gifts to your advantage, remember the concepts here and apply this rules to your current/next relationship and the “he should have” comments will soon be the “oh my gosh, guess what he did for me” comments will make you the envy of the beauty salon.

Matt Castle is a freelance writer specializing in personal finance and various investment strategies. Occasionally, a different topic will find its way onto paper other than financial documents just for entertainment value. Visit his blog at http://chronologyblog.blogspot.com/ for more articles and free advisory services.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Castle
http://EzineArticles.com/?10-Things-Every-Man-Should-Be-Able-To-Do-In-A-Successful-Relationship—Self-Help-Guide-For-Men!&id=867803


Posted in pimpedwith No Comments →

Wild Dolphins12.24.07




DSC_0630

Originally uploaded by Zn (Zinin Alexei)

We Swam With Wild Dolphins
By Michael Klerck

Once in a while one’s karma or destiny lines one up for an experience of a lifetime. In this case we felt it was more like divine intervention than anything else.

Believe it or not in planning a trip to Tasmania and South Australia last year, I had heeded my daughter’s pleas to swim with dolphins by forking out a large amount of money to have us all go out in a boat on a tour, be tethered to a rope, and hope that dolphins would approach us. No guarantees, but money up front; this was to be in Adelaide, after our Tasmanian interlude. It was perhaps the one single planned event that we looked forward to more than anything else. We made our momentous journey over three days, in three planes, and one ferry (great excitement for the kids) over to Tasmania, then to pick up a car and ride across the island to Hobart. Long, but delightful and, yes, I would do it again, frankly.

Meeting up with the cousins in Hobart was no less of an exciting moment that anything up until then. A few days into the holiday, kids mooching around one hot afternoon, my sister-in-law calls out loudly from her deck overlooking Blackman’s Bay. Dolphins in the water. Sixty seconds later, cousins, kids were on the beach and wading into the surf. I followed sensing this was going to be something special.

I soon realised we were all slightly out of our depth. Two of the children: my Antonie and cousin Julia could swim less efficiently than the others. Sadly Julia was ahead of me and calling for assistance. Antonie, now behind, wanted my attention also. I knew he could swim towards me easily, and he was closer to shore, so I made for cousin Julia. As I reached her they got to us. At least three swam in and around our legs. I could feel them “brushing” against my skin, yet without touching me at all. The kids were shrieking and all I could think of doing was diving down below the surface to get a glimpse of one, and to perhaps touch one. They were not going to have that happen and their agility and speed simply astounded me, notwithstanding many dolphins shows and demonstrations since a child: nothing can prepare you for the force and power of their physical presence when so near you, and in the water.

Two sped past and around me, deftly ducking from my outstretched arms. They made straight for Antonie. One must have touched him, albeit gently, and he decided this was just too much. He cried out and made for the shore. My daughter Maria, more or less level with me, saw her brother was in mild distress and forfeited a possible closer encounter with her favourite creature and helped him to the beach. My excuse was to stick with Julia, but I must be honest in saying I was more intent on my own personal encounter with a dolphin than going to Antonie’s rescue, my main justification being that he had just won his first gala at school that year. All was resolved as Antonie could relate his story to his mother on the beach as she nervously aimed the video camera at our shrieks.

Maria was rewarded by being able to return the our pod of humans, while the dolphins repeatedly visited the children by swimming in and around them. I had taken Maria’s goggles from her before she swam to shore, and for those precious, brief few minutes I had been able to focus somewhat on the larger than imagined, highly agile bodies of the dolphins beneath the water surface.

It was breathtaking and humbling. I was constantly aware that these creatures are very much in control beneath the water. And that I was not. As the two that made for Antonie passed me so quickly, they both cocked their heads to check me out. I noticed them swim past him, towards the shoreline. In fact had they not turned when they did, they might have been washed onto the beach. Not likely. I have an indelible memory of their sleek bodies powerfully thrusting forward in order to accelerate madly into the rushing, crashing waves that flowed over them. A sight I shall not ever forget.

My wife stayed faithfully on the beach, until we came out of the water, the dolphins having swam back out to sea. I suggested she swim out and see what would happen. Amazingly, as I filmed her, five dolphins spotted, or sensed her lonely presence from more than five hundred metres out. Even now the sight of them rushing towards her to investigate, filmed from far away, is breathtaking in its sheer moment of excitement and anxiety. She kept her ground and for more than five minutes they swam around and beneath her, before giving a gymnastic display and then disappearing.

Needless to say we cancelled the booked tour in Adelaide.

Michael Klerck is a freelance writer and winner of the coveted Mondi Paper Magazine Writer’s Award for work in Men’s Health. He is also an active promoter of the best luxury resorts membership in the world.
See his live video on the swim now.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Klerck
http://EzineArticles.com/?We-Swam-With-Wild-Dolphins&id=893100


Posted in pimpedwith No Comments →

Travel to Egypt12.13.07




DSC_4361

Originally uploaded by estudiocreativa

Travel to Egypt
By TJ Tierney

If you are planning a trip to Egypt, a cruise along the Nile should be top of your list. The River Nile is a monster of a river that flows through the heart of Egypt. Its history is unparallelled with any other civilization, and the ancient sites are still there to be seen.

Egypt is a country in North Africa, with the majority of the Egyptian population, estimated at over 70 million, living along the river Nile. It has one of the oldest cultures in the world and dates back over 5000 years. Earliest records show that civilization began around 3000BC.

The capital city of Egypt is Cairo, and the one place that all tourists should see is the Museum of Antiquities. This is a fabulous Museum with over a hundred thousand artefacts. Cairo offers all the comforts of modern society but real comfort can be enjoyed all along the north and east coast.

There are over eighty pyramids still standing today in Egypt and most are situated close to the River Nile. The most popular of these are the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Some of these have been built over 3000 years ago, and are by far, the most supreme Egyptian treasure.

Egypt is full of historical sites, temples and artefacts, with the following well worth visiting:

The Valley of the Kings is situated on the banks of the Nile. Located in Thebes, the Valley of the Kings is home to sixty-two tombs, where some Egyptian Pharaohs are laid to rest.

Karnak Temples are also a popular and important historical site. Built over 1300 years ago, it includes three large temples with many smaller ones. The Temple of Amunis by far the most popular.

The waters around the Red Sea Riviera are perfect for all types of water sport, especially windsurfing and scuba diving, and it is also a great destination for sailing and water-skiing.

After your cruise along the River Nile or your trip to the capital, a trip up north to Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera will be an immense pleasure. This scenic coastal area is very relaxing and will make for a perfect vacation for someone who is a little less active. The Red Sea is well known for its luxurious resorts and stunning sun-drenched beaches.

Egypt offers a wide range of accommodation to cater for Western style living, including hotels and lodgings. Price wise, the options range from less than 30 US Dollars per person for a bed to more than $250 per person for a night at a first class hotel.

The national dish of Egypt is thick soup called Molohia. Fish is a popular dish that features on most menus. The Egyptian diet also consists of pigeon, chicken, mutton, camel and buffalo. Minced meat is made into rissoles and kebabs.

Caution is always needed when travelling to a country where Islamic extremists are active. While overall crime is low in Egypt, some Westerners have been targeted by such groups and occasionally bombs have been left in holiday resorts.

TJ Tierney is an award winning photographer and a freelance writer. To find out more information on the Egypt visit his travel guide or his travel directory

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=TJ_Tierney
http://EzineArticles.com/?Travel-to-Egypt&id=876102


Posted in pimpedwith No Comments →

romina and rolando12.13.07




romina y rolando

Originally uploaded by estudiocreativa

Top Ten Ways to Create a Freelancing Empire
By Shama Hyder

Sure, you are great at what you do, but have you ever considered building a freelancing empire around your skill set? If you have ever had a Pinky and The Brain moment about your services, read on.

  1. Set yourself as the Go-To Guy or Gal in a Specific Industry- It is very tempting as a freelancer to offer your services to everyone you meet, but this method will bring you scattered results. However, if you hone in on a certain industry, you can really create a name for yourself. This doesn’t mean that you only work with that niche, but that does become your primary target market. For example, let’s say you choose to do web design for law firms. Now you can focus on that specific target market of attorneys. You can build a name for yourself within that group. Does this restrict you to only working for law firms? No, of course not. But it does help you create a name for yourself in a certain industry and reap the benefits of a strong reputation.
  2. Network Outside of your Regular Group – If you only hang out with fellow freelancers, you won’t get very far in terms of building your empire. It is necessary to spend time with colleagues, but you won’t always get more business that way. If you really want to brand yourself and get more clients, you have to network outside of your regular group.
  3. Always Ask for Testimonials- What do all the top dogs have in common? They have built up one heck of a reputation. And you can too. Always ask for a testimonial for work well done. It doesn’t matter if you don’t need them at the moment or don’t have a place to display them. If they liked your work, get it in writing. Just collect them for future reference. You never know when they might come in handy.
  4. Always Ask for Referrals-If you do a good job on a project for a client, always ask if they know others who could use your services. I am shocked at how many freelancers don’t do this. Don’t assume that your clients don’t talk to others about your work. Most people love to brag about a job well done. Be sure to make it clear to them that you appreciate referrals and would love to be of service to their friends and associates.
  5. Build a Relationship with Clients- Let’s say you bid on a project and win it. The client provides the details, and you do a fabulous job for them. They pay and you move on to the next client…UNLESS, they pay and you keep in touch with them. Every now and then send them an email, and see how that project you did for them is working out. Do they need anything else? If so, you would love to work with them again. Did you mention that you just got married? And did they have a good Thanksgiving? Build a relationship with your clients. Keep in touch and communicate. Let them see you as more than a just a freelancer. If they start seeing you as a friend, the chances of you receiving future work and more referrals skyrockets.
  6. Create a Marketing Plan- If you want to build a freelancing empire; people have to know about you. So, spend time marketing your services. And I don’t just mean having an elevator pitch ready when someone asks you what you do. You should have a full fledge marketing plan in place. What mediums (online and offline) will you use to market your services? How much time and money will you spend with each medium? How will you check to see if the marketing efforts are providing you with a good return on investment?
  7. Think of it in TERMS of a BUSINESS- So many freelancers consider themselves artists-and rightly so. But more than that, they are also in the business of providing a service. If you think of freelancing as one job or project after another-you start thinking short term. It is easy to forget that your services are actually a part of your business! The life of each job ends when you get paid and a new job or project begins. In order to create a freelancing empire, you have to see the separate jobs as a series of projects that are all connected. You are not just a freelancer, but a business owner who freelances.
  8. Seek out Mentors AND Mentees- You may think mentors are strictly for corporate cubicle workers who want to move up the ladder, and not for a freelancer like yourself. But you must seek out mentors if you want to create a freelancing empire. These mentors don’t have to be freelancers themselves, but just seasoned business owners who you can learn from. On the same token, become a mentor yourself. There are plenty of young freelancers out there who could use someone to teach them the tricks of the trade. A big part of building a freelancing empire is giving back to the community. You can start here!
  9. Have a Website/Portfolio and Constantly Update It- You do good work,-display it! I hesitate to tell you the number of “serious” freelancers I have met, who don’t have a website or portfolio. And many of those who do have a portfolio never bother to update it. It is not exactly confidence inspiring in a client when the last piece in your portfolio is dated 2000, and is an ad for Y2K.
  10. Get Good with Numbers- You may hate math (and I did for a long time), but there is no getting around this one. You have to get comfortable with numbers if you plan on building your business empire. At the least, know your costs, your revenues, and your profit margin. I really love Win Web’s free accounting software that is especially designed for freelancers and small business owners. You can check it out at http://www.WinWeb.com.

Here is to you and the start of your freelancing empire!

Shama Hyder is an expert marketing consultant to independent professionals and professional service firms around the world. As the founder of After The Launch, Shama serves clients through her one-on-one consulting work, and through her company’s several online and offline marketing services.

You can get her free report “101 Ways to Market Your Business” at http://www.AfterTheLaunch.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shama_Hyder
http://EzineArticles.com/?Top-Ten-Ways-to-Create-a-Freelancing-Empire&id=872759


Posted in pimpedwith No Comments →

Arabian Sea12.03.07




Vacances Paradiz

Originally uploaded by bakariu

Book Early to Enjoy Your Kerala Holidays
By Mansi Aggarwal

Kerala is one of the smallest states of India that is basically a small strip of land in between the Arabian Sea in the west and the Western Ghats in the east. It is proud of its forty four rivers with unique geographical features that today makes Kerala holidays one of the most popular holiday choices in the world.

It is the unique climate, serene beaches and tranquil emerald green Kerala backwaters and the long shoreline of the entire state that makes their holidays a popular destination for many people. Taking a cruise along the backwaters of Kerala is a must for all tourists in Kerala, no matter which holiday package they may chosen.

Exotic wildlife, waterfalls and lush green hill stations for you to relax in are all highlights of the eastern part of it. This is where you find the Periyar Tiger Reserve and Silent Valley of Kerala that is famous all over the world for its bio diversity. Holidays also include trips to see sprawling plantations, the many historical places, paddy fields and also the many lakes Kerala is famous for.

Besides all this nature that Kerala is famous for, many people go on Kerala holidays not only for leisure, but also for therapeutic reasons. This is because it is a state that is famous world over for its ayurvedic treatment that is famous for curing practically all diseases.

In addition to all this, you are sure to be charmed by the enchanting art forms, exotic cuisine, historic and cultural monuments and magical festivals that are all a few hours’ drive from each other; this helps you cover more of Kerala in less time during your holidays. The best thing to do before leaving for your holidays is to plan your itinerary so that you cover all that it has to offer in minimal time. You can get all your information about this and the many tour packages available here through the internet or your travel agent.

You will have to provide your preferences during the trip, your budget for the trip and the dates for your trip. According to all this information, the travel agent will be able to plan your trip and you, choose the right tourism package for your Kerala holidays. Whichever package you choose, you are sure to have a trip down the exhilarating backwaters, in the famous houseboats of Kerala.

On looking through the various packages available for your Kerala holidays, you will realize why it is rightly called as the land of Coconut, God’s own country, the land of rivers, the land of Ayurveda and the land that is famous for its backwaters and houseboats.

Mansi Aggarwal Recommends that you visit Kerala Tourism for more information on Kerala Holidays and Kerla Tour.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mansi_Aggarwal
http://EzineArticles.com/?Book-Early-to-Enjoy-Your-Kerala-Holidays&id=859866


Posted in pimpedwith No Comments →

  • You Avatar
    more...