"Friends can help each other. A true friend is someone who lets you have total freedom to be yourself - and especially to feel. Or, not feel. Whatever you happen to be feeling at the moment is fine with them. That's what real love amounts to - letting a person be what he really is." --Jim Morrison
Today is Women's Equality Day We say forget all that stuff about gender equality. Men and women are different, and new studies show that women have the upper hand. Science proves what you always suspected, women are superior. They have stronger hearts and more robust immune systems. They also have better memories, more sensitive noses, more refined taste buds and they live longer.
Brain: Certain parts of the female brain linked to language have more nerve cells than a man's, giving women an advantage in reading and speech.
Ears: A woman's hearing is more sensitive and she uses both ears when listening to a conversation, while guys tend to use only one. Also, men start losing their hearing earlier at age 32 compared to 38 in women.
Eyes: Color blindness is less of a problem for women because the most common form of the disorder is hereditary and carried only in men.
Nose: With flatter, smaller noses, women can discern the mere wisp of a smell.
Mouth: Foods pack more of a wallop for women because female saliva enlivens the taste of sweet or spicy foods.
Heart: Women's hearts beat faster than men's, 90 times per minute compared to 80 while awake, and 66 to 56 during sleep.
Armpits: Perfume isn't the only reason women smell better. They perspire less because they have fewer sweat glands.
Hands: Men are more likely to be left-handed, and that makes their lives more difficult since most tools and appliances are built for right-handers.
Liver: Women process medication differently, often enhancing the effect. But they're slower to break down alcohol and so they get tipsy quicker.
Joints: The hormone estrogen heightens the elasticity of women's tissue and joints.
Lungs: Women don't get the hiccups as often as men, and they breathe slower at nine breaths a minute to a man's 12.
Hormones: Estrogen boosts the good cholesterol and lowers the bad kind. It also prevents fatty build-up in the arteries and shields a woman's bones, heart and brain.
Stomach: The female digestive tract works slower, giving the body more time to absorb the nutrients from food.
Immune system: The hardier immune system of the female battles viruses, bacteria and parasites more successfully.
TOP FIVE SIGNS THERE ARE ZOMBIES IN YOUR HOUSE
Strangers walking around like you when you haven't had coffee
Moaning coming from downstairs and you know you turned off that pay-per-view channel
Smell of dead flesh no longer just coming from laundry hamper
Find cookbook in kitchen, called "Low-fat Brains"
You wake up with barbecue sauce on your arm
PLUS IN THE NEWS: THE INTELLIGENT TOILET _ Attention hypochondriacs: Thanks to Japan, you can soon forgo frequent visits to the doctors for health check ups. Instead, simply pee into the "Intelligent Toilet". Engineers have developed a receptacle inside the basin to collect the urine for sugar content and temperature checks, and an armband to monitor blood pressure. The readout is displayed on a wall-mounted computer screen. With the current model, your data is sent automatically to your personal computer, and then you can email it to your doctor. The "Intelligence Toilet" is capable of storing the data of up to five different people and retails for around $4,500 in Japan.
MEN FIND FRUGAL WOMEN SEXY
According to a new survey, men find women who save their money "sexy."
While 61 percent of the men surveyed found a frugal blind date "sexy" and "smart," only 44 percent of the women did.
The survey also found that 68 percent think women are better at managing household finances, but 60 percent think men are better at managing investments.
And, 50 percent of all respondents admitted to being intimidated about investing in the stock market.
"We know that taking sides in a female versus male debate generally isn't a good idea," said Arkadi Kuhlmann, the head of ING bank, who sponsored the survey. "But this time, we agree that being a saver is smart."
SURVEY SAYS: Guys & Romance
In a recent survey, AskMen.com asked some questions about guys and romance:
How often do you make an effort to be romantic?
54 percent -- Somewhat often
24 percent -- Very often
20 percent -- Not very often
2 percent -- Never
Of the choices below, what best motivates you to be romantic?
76 percent -- Feeling close to my partner
16 percent -- The possibility of sex
6 percent -- I'm not a romantic man
2 percent -- It's a good way to apologize
0 percent -- Needing a personal favor
Do your current/past partners recognize your efforts to be romantic?
74 percent -- Yes
26 percent -- No
How often does your partner make an effort to be romantic?
Did you know that the average American woman spends almost $200 a year on her makeup? That's a shocking $13,000 spent over her lifetime. And the kicker: Our guys actually prefer our skin sans accompaniment.
"I love how she looks when she first wakes up, " says Keith, 36, of his fiancée, April. "Fresh, clean, natural. I hate when she piles on that cakey eye stuff. She still looks good, but she just doesn't look as much like herself."
Chris, 23, concurs. "I was actually drawn to [my girlfriend] Stephanie because she didn't wear makeup. She didn't really look like she was trying to be noticed. That was cool, you know?"
"She's never as gorgeous as she is just out of the shower," says Daniel, 30, of his wife, Gina. "When she’s all natural, scrubbed clean, and walking around in a towel — man, I love that. I actually proposed to her in that towel!"
"I absolutely hate lip gloss," says Taylor, 21. "My girlfriend's always trying to kiss me with it on, and it's so sticky! Seriously, why do you ladies like that stuff?"
"Lip gloss is the worst," says Taylor’s friend Rand, 22. "I can never get it off my face! It completely takes the romance out of kissing because I keep thinking about how annoying it is."
IN DATING NEWS ON THE FREAK SHOW....
Match.com has uncovered some fascinating facts about the American dating game. According to the online dating service:
The ideal woman is flirtatious and a thrill-seeker who has an average build with long, light brown hair. She's educated and possesses a college degree. She doesn't smoke, but she does drink socially. She also enjoys public displays of affection.
The ideal man is bold, assertive, and flirtatious. Mr. Right does not smoke, but he is a social drinker. He has dark brown hair, an average body, and a college degree. And one more tidbit: He likes to dance.
DID YOU EVER HAVE TO MAKE UP YOUR MIND?
When it comes to hairdos, gals just can't make up their minds. A woman changes her hairstyle an average of 104 times from age 13 to 65, says a study. That means twice a year, the average woman has her tresses dyed, cut, curled or layered. According to the survey, the reason gals vary their dos are:
Just for a change
Out of boredom
For a confidence boost
Following a painful break-up
To reinvent themselves
To be trendy
To cover up gray
Before or after giving birth
When reaching a special age
For a wedding
MAKING LOVE LAST A LONG TIME
Guys, want to make your relationship last? Men's Health has a list of tips to help you stay on your mate's good side. Here's a few:
When she fills out one of those quizzes in a women's magazine, read it.
Send her a postcard -- even when you're home.
Never agree with her mother when they're arguing.
Let her pick the movie once in a while.
Never bring up her weight.
Have 2 bathrooms.
Keep all her vital statistics on a card in your wallet -- birthday, anniversary, dress size, lingerie size, favorite flowers, etc.
AND LADIES SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT....
5 FASHION TURN-OFFS
Rich Santos isn't just any guy -- he's Marie Claire's Sex and the Single Guy! So, when he offers up 5 fashion mistakes that are total turn offs, you know he speaks for lots of men ...
1. Too Much Makeup -- Good make-up is great...but spackled on, multicolored, mistakes make men think "clown" not "catch."
2. Aggressive Cleavage -- Yes, guys like boobs, but they also like a little mystery. Not every man is a fan of a messy, poppin'-outta-her-top look, and they'd often prefer you leave a little something to the imagination.
3. Sluttiness -- Class is an attractive trait. Skip too-short skirts, slutty stilettos, etc. Slutty tends to be lumped into the "for fun," "stripper" or "not enough of a challenge" categories.
4. Obvious Celebrity Emulation -- A little nod to a classic is one thing -- a hair-cut, clothing style, make-up and Chihuahua is quite another. (Go ahead and rock some Jackie O shades, but skip a full-on copy-cat.)
5. Gaudiness -- A little bling goes a long way. If you're adorned in diamonds, what makes a guy think he can keep you happy with his "pretty good" salary and desire to buy a house (you know, not more diamonds). More importantly, does that necklace really go with your jeans, T-shirt and baseball cap for an outing in the park? Highlight your own style; skip the bobbles.
Ever feel like you and your spouse are speaking two different languages? That's because you are, says Psychiatrist and Researcher Dr. Wilfred Winky and author of the book "What The Heck Are You Talking About?," which sheds light on the communication problems plaguing couples today. Here is a sample of Winky's conclusions:
Translation of women's phrases:
We need. = I want.
It's your decision. = The correct decision should be obvious because I already explained it to you.
Do what you want. = You'll pay for this later.
This kitchen is so inconvenient. = I want a new house.
I'm not upset. = Of course I'm upset, you jackass.
I'll be ready in a minute. = Kick off your shoes and find a good game on TV.
We have to learn to communicate. = Just agree with me.
Is my butt fat? = Tell me I'm beautiful.
Translation of commonly used men's phrases:
I'm hungry. = I'm hungry.
I'm sleepy. = I'm sleepy.
I'm tired. = I'm tired.
Do you want to go to a movie? = I'd eventually like to have sex with you.
Can I take you to dinner? = I'd eventually like to have sex with you.
May I have this dance? = I'd eventually like to have sex with you.
I love you. = Let's have sex now.
I'm bored. = Let's have sex now.
Let's talk. = I am trying to impress you by showing you what a deep person I am so you will have sex with me.
Will you marry me? = I want to make it illegal for you to have sex with other guys.
And if you're sitting there at work completely bored out of your mind because you have the Wednesday rainy blues, take this quiz....
YOUR HIDDEN TALENT?
You may not know it, but you have a hidden talent that helps you meet life's challenges. Discover your secret power by answering these questions:
You love to spend your weekends:
Catching up on unfinished chores.
Watching your favorite TV shows.
Hanging out with friends.
When you're stuck in a traffic jam, you:
Tune your radio to the traffic report.
Relax and listen to music.
Weave around other cars to get an advantage.
If the special recipe you make for a dinner is a flop, you:
Get out the menus and order takeout.
Serve it with a shrug and a smile.
Doctor it up with spices.
If you make a mistake, you think:
What you can do to assure it doesn't happen again.
It's time to give the situation another shot.
Contemplate what you've learned.
Analysis:
Mostly "a" - Your ability to quickly analyze a situation gets you through life's ups and downs. Rather than let your emotions take over, you're able to get to the facts of the matter and uncover a solution that wins the day.
Mostly "b" - You're like the Energizer Bunny who faces unexpected hurdles with optimism and self-confidence. This resiliency has allowed you to achieve nearly every goal you've ever set for yourself.
Mostly "c" - Your creativity and intuition make you a champion problem solver who can adapt to a situation at a moment's notice. You thrive on changing situations as you review your options before choosing a solution.
Emily Battaglia, a writer for the health web site LifeScript, gives us six undisclosed truths you never knew about your guy:
He doesn't like all of your friends -- Chances are he likes your self-involved, basket-case girlfriend about as much as you like his beer-chugging womanizer buddy. He probably wonders why you hold onto the friendship, and he might even wish you'd end it. After all, he's the one you vent to about her. But he's not going to open Pandora's box by telling you his true feelings.
He checks out other girls -- If your guy denies noticing the cute waitress at the cafe, he's probably just sugarcoating the truth to avoid an argument with you. Men like to look at beautiful women – just as women like to admire handsome men. But that doesn't mean he's envisioning a life or even a steamy interlude with the waitress. (See related article: 6 Reasons Why Men Cheat) Nor does it mean he's comparing her to you. Odds are he simply appreciates her beauty, just as you appreciate the great grin of that Brad Pitt look-a-like you always bump into at the fax machine.
He gets hit on -- Women probably flirt with your man. In fact, some may have crushes on him, whether he knows it or not, or tells you about it. Sure, tall, dark and handsome men get hit on more often, but even bald guys with beer bellies can be cute. (If you find him attractive, other women do, too.) He probably doesn't tell you when it happens because he doesn't want you to worry or overreact. Do you tell him every time a man hits on you?
He wants to get married, eventually -- Ball-and-chain jokes aside, most guys do want to get hitched... when the time is right. The idea that all men want to be life-long bachelors is simply untrue. Most of them like the idea of spending the rest of their life with one good woman. The catch is that they also want to sow their wild oats and enjoy the single life first. Men typically want to establish themselves both financially and career-wise, want kids when they're older and want to own a house by the time they get married.
He lets himself go when you do -- He'll probably never tell you, but your guy doesn't adore you regardless of how you look, especially when it comes to weight gain (except pregnancy) or letting your appearance slip. If you stop hitting the gym, trade those short skirts that won his heart for frumpy sweats, or no longer bother to style your hair, he'll still love you, but odds are he'll long for the old you. He might even wonder if you've stopped caring about him if you stop caring about how you look when he's with you. Ask if he thinks you look fat, he'll lie to avoid hurting you, though he may let you know in more subtle ways. Remember, the way you looked when he fell in love with you is the way he wants you to stay forever.
He takes it personally when you nag -- Finding fault with people, especially our loved ones, is easy. So is getting into the habit of mercilessly criticizing your partner. While your guy may joke about your nagging to his friends, he's not finding it funny on the inside. You might think you're offering gentle reminders or that you're being justifiably critical, but the more you nag, the more he'll tune you out because he's genuinely hurt. Pointing the finger at someone else is easier than dealing with your own issues. But never being at fault can be tiresome to a husband who isn't always to blame either.
WHAT WOMEN THINK OF YOUR UNDERWEAR
from Men's Health
A woman might like it if you noticed her underwear, but she should only notice yours subliminally, and it should give her confidence that you are an upstanding citizen who knows how to use a washing machine and, when the time comes, a garbage can.
Do wear boxers or briefs, or that handsome hybrid, the boxer brief. Boxers are slightly more flattering on your average guy who doesn't have a 6-pack, but if briefs are more comfortable, that's fine. Keep in mind that while boxers can age a bit, briefs get old and dingy fast. Replace often.
Don't wear bikini underwear. If you find yourself having any fun at all while you're buying your underwear, you are buying the wrong underwear.
Don't let me see the white outline of your undershirt beneath your dress shirt. You look like that eighth-grade math teacher who read the sports section at his desk all day. This is like the male panty lines!
Do wear tank tops if you are in amazing shape, or if you are from New Jersey. Otherwise, go for plainly styled, subtly patterned, clean.
THE MANLIEST THINGS IN THE UNIVERSE
According to TopCultured.com, here are some of the manliest things in the universe:
Explosions
Hot Chicks
Beards
Cars (The Ford Focus or the Scion? Not so much. We're talking powerful and intimidating... Trucks and Camaros with racing stripes.)
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Magic Nights
