On a radio program last year I was asked several questions, and at a presentation I was asked several, a few the same. It seems to me lots of people are asking questions about poetry nowadays, and one of the questions was:

“Why to I write more poetry than anything else?”

Well that question seemed to be kind of repugnant to me, so I asked “Why not?” And he said, “It doesn’t sell, and there isn’t that big of an audience out there!” There I sat with my wife, and the radio commentator, and thought, and I’m sure he thought he had me stumped, I saw that smirk on his face. And then I said,

“Why do you have me on your program then, and why did you tell me, several universities are listening, and did you realize in the past several years more and more books of poetry are being sold every day, poetry has had it comeback, and it is not over.”

Well as I said that was one question. Then at a presentation, I was asked another question, and it seems people are not asking questions to learn rather to see if they can burn, you-in this case me. To show how smart they are. Anyhow, the question was asked again,

“Why poetry? I mean, what is so special about it, it’s not a big seller, and folks don’t read it, and most people write it as it pertains to them.”

Such questions, can’t anyone come up with something more provoking, original, so I thought at the time: I said,

“First if you can write poetry well, you can write anything well, it is the highest form of writing, or is suppose to be. Second I repeated what I had said the first time, go check the bookstores, they got large sections of poetry. There is art and skill in poetry. And third or forth, poetry is a little story the author is telling you, and yes, they have to condense it, and most often go according to a style, and it can be often times only read by someone who has experience what you have, but then so is prose in a way, it is just that prose is smoother to read. And if you use a lot of adjectives, you might be getting into poetic prose and you don’t even know it.”

Rhyming poetry didn’t come into existence until the 10th Century, where many folks think there has to be a rime or a reason you don’t use a rhyme schema in your stanzas.

Anyhow, I just wanted to share a few ‘questions’ I received from the smart guys, you all know them, there are few reading this right now saying, “Whose he think he is!” (This is not a question, rather a statement). But you good folks, go buy your poetry books, read your best poets, write some, and put the smart guys where they belong, left alone in the back row where they will be asking dumb questions for the rest of their lives-to get attention and so the world how smart they are.

How’s Your Physique?

Many times men tend to work the upper body, chest, and arms to the neglect of the lower body and midsection. This is a mistake for a number of reasons, not the least of which is how it makes the body look unbalanced. There are many guys, whether they work out at the gym, or at home, who have spent a lot of time hitting the bench or push ups, and have made some substantial progress, but, their legs look like they belong to someone else. In addition, I have heard several women make comments about how this very fact is a turn off when it comes to the area of physical attraction. While women do like to see a guy with big guns, they also like symmetry. While they may not talk about it openly to men they are very much impressed with how a guy’s jeans fit him.

Now two lower body exercises that will definitely address this are the dead lift and the squat. These exercises are targeted specifically to the lower trunk, hips, quads, and hamstrings. They both are excellent ways to build muscle mass and improve the appearance of the lower body. Before you start doing these, contact a health professional or professional trainer to determine if you are ready to start either of these.

Exercise #1: The Deadlift

The dead lift is about as primitive an exercise as you can find. It primarily involves movement at the hip, and that’s all. You basically lift something heavy from the floor to your mid thigh level. It’s typically done in the gym with a barbell and is a concentric motion only. Once you pick up the object, you don’t lower it back down, you simply drop it back in place. The deadlift can be done with anything really. It doesn’t have to be a barbell. However, using a barbell does make it easier because of how it’s made. But, creative people can come up with other options. To do this particular movement correctly, the low back needs to be kept straight and in the “neutral position”. This means that your hamstrings need to be fairly long to do the exercise correctly and avoid injury. A stretching program may be needed. Also, when beginning, one should concentrate on form rather than resistance. This means avoid using much weight at all until your body is accustomed to the movement.

Exercise #2: The Squat

The Squat is a more dynamic exercise than the dead lift in that you lift and lower the weight. You’ll be getting movement in the ankle, knee and hip with this one. In addition, the upper body works to a degree because the weight rests on the upper back and shoulders or the upper chest and shoulders. Because the squat is dynamic, the amounts of weight may be limited due to things like knee pain or ankle or knee tightness. As with the dead lift, you will want to start off pretty conservative when it comes to weight. Again, because you need to know how your body will respond. Using your bodyweight, or the weight of the Olympic bar will be fine for this. To do correctly, whether using a bar or not, stand with your feet shoulder width apart or slightly wider. Then, lower your body toward the floor bending at the hip and knee. Your hips will move backward as you keep your knees above and slightly in front of your feet. Lower your body until your thighs are parallel with the ground and then rise to the starting point.

Your chances of avoiding injury are greatly increased when either of these exercises are done in a controlled and consistent fashion. Because of the nature of these exercises and the muscles targeted, they are a great way to increase lower body muscle mass and add symmetry to any physique.

When you find yourself dateless while other women are dating left and right, you will probably ask yourself “Why don’t guys want to date me?” Finding a date could be so easy for some girls but for you, it is not that easy. You cannot understand why you always end up dateless and don’t know how to escape from it. So who is the girl guys want to date? Here are some helpful tips to be the girl every man want to date.

The girl who takes care of her physical appearance. Although most people would agree that inner beauty is more important, you cannot disregard the fact that physical appearance matters, especially when making a lasting first impression. You don’t have to be a supermodel beauty to get the attention of men because there are many women who are not that beautiful but still enjoying the attention of men. Why? Because they know how to groom themselves. When was the last time you upgraded your hairstyle or your wardrobe? Choose a hairstyle that fits your face shape and your personality. Wear clothes that flatters your best physical features. But you have to remember that looking good does not mean you have to show more skin because you do not want to send a wrong message. You want to attract men but for sure you also want to be classy and respected. Dress appropriately and ask help from people who have a good sense for style and fashion. Although there are men who prefer women who are on the heavy side, haven’t you considered to at least shed some pounds and be fit not only for your looks but for your overall health? A healthy fit woman is more attractive. Practice good hygiene and always appear fresh. Upgrading your wardrobe and your physical appearance does not mean you are not being yourself but you are just making a better version of yourself. You don’t have to be perfect or flawless but the way you take care of yourself speaks a lot about you. Of course, the most important thing in improving your appearance is that you are comfortable with it and having fun with it. Take care of yourself and always look good if you want to be the girl guys want to date.

An independent and self-sufficient girl. Although it is romantic to think men as your shining armor, being too dependent will not work on your favor. It can be unattractive for a woman to be always needy and dependent on the opposite sex. A woman who is self-sufficient and has a sense of independence is more attractive and are more likely to be asked for a date. A woman who do not have the tendency to be clingy and has the confidence that she can still live even without a man in her life tend to have greater value in the perspective of men. Of course being independent doesn’t mean you do not want men in your life but being independence makes you more attractive, valuable and challenging. Most men naturally would chase for someone he can’t easily have and value someone he knows he can lose at any moment. Being independent and self-sufficient can help you be the girl guys want to date.

An interesting girl. Yes, you want to succeed in dating men and want to be the girl guys want to date but you can’t just sit there, depressed and do nothing while waiting for it to happen. Do what you love doing while waiting for that dating life of yours to flourish. Become a more interesting person. Go out regularly with your friends and family, create new friendships or expand your social network, create an active and healthy lifestyle, do something for the community and be a better citizen, make time for hobbies you enjoy, learn new things, acquire new skills and excel on your chosen career. An interesting woman can carry out any type of conversation with any person especially with the opposite sex because she has a lot to share and talk to about. If you continue to live a fulfilled life while waiting for your dating life to happen, chances are, this guy you are waiting for is just around the corner watching you and trying to figure out how to be part of your interesting life.

A girl who respects herself. Men may find it hard to trust and respect a woman who would sleep with a guy right away. Behaving this way, may make you more of a hook-up than a date material. But a woman who makes a man work for what he wants and makes him feel that he won her, has his respect and admiration. The way you treat yourself is a clear indication on how you want to be treated and what kind of woman you are. Do you want to be the girl guys want to date? Respect yourself and you’ll earn the respect and admiration of others especially the opposite sex.

A girl who has a positive attitude. This kind of woman is the girl guys want to date because she is jolly, positive and a joy to be around with. She’s happy and contented even if her life is not that perfect. She knows how to handle the imperfections in her life, does not carry bitterness and does not affect people around her negatively. A woman who avoids negativity and embraces a positive outlook and attitude is very attractive. Smile and infect people around you with your positive attitude if you want to be the girl guys want to date.

One of the biggest misconceptions women have is that all people are just full of confidence, are completely comfortable, and have an easy time picking up women, even though this stereotype represents probably less than half of the male population. The interesting thing about this notion is that women in a way are undermining themselves; I can go on record to say that there are a lot more women who have both greater levels of confidence and self-belief, as compared to men. However, moving back to the topic of men, there are many men who just do not have the confidence needed to succeed in life, let alone meet women.

Work with your mirror:)

These types of men have extremely low self-esteem and feel terribly about their ability to do anything successful in their lives. They spend most of their time daydreaming or thinking about all the beautiful women they have come across over their lifetime, but never really having the courage to do anything about it. However, this article will try to help these shy men, by providing them with some very easy to follow tips that will surely change the way they think about themselves. Stop thinking of yourself as not being good enough; rather try to believe in yourself. Forget about all the stuff you have heard over the years about your shortcomings, even though you might not actually have any. Try to be positive and man up. You do not need a shrink or anyone to talk to because shyness is actually a natural occurrence that can be easily treated. Once you are able to look into the mirror and appreciate what you see, then you are only a couple of steps away from breaking the ice and meeting beautiful women left and right.

No Bars

Firstly, do not ever try to pick up women at bars, this only works well in the movies. Bars are probably the worst and last place you will find a woman that you can actually think about dating. They are loud, dirty, and smoky and have many drunken people roaming all over the place. In addition, we all have a good idea of how excessive alcohol can impair our senses, which is one reason why so many men wake up the next morning and say to themselves, “Did I really bring this girl home?” However, what you can do is join some clubs, such as book clubs, movie clubs or sports clubs. Alternatively, maybe joining French or cooking class might be more to your liking. These are great places to find someone you can actually date. However, keep in mind that you need to choose a club or class that is of interest in you, otherwise this method will end up something like the bar experience.

Can you be friends?

Another important tip that a shy person like you needs is to keep in mind is that not every girl you meet should be thought of as your girlfriend. Instead, take your time and develop a friendship with her so you can get to know her somewhat better. Eventually, a certain level of comfort will be developed between you two, which will make it easier for you to make your move and the element of trying to impress her disappears. Trying to impress someone never really works because you usually have to act like someone you are not. Be yourself and you will see how things get better and in no time your shyness will turn into full on confidence.

This is not your regular yoga book! But it’s not a joke either. It’s a serious workout. “Yoga For Regular Guys: The Best Damn Workout on the Planet” by three time World Champion Wrestler Diamond Dallas Page is a fun book that provides the basics to get a great yoga workout. Page wrote the book with Dr. Craig Aaron and even got Rob Zombie to write the Foreword. I found a copy at a used book store and am very glad I did.

First off, the book is aimed at guys. This should be obvious by the title. With that said, there are a few tid bits of locker room humor, but nothing that bad, and as the covers states, there are yoga babes included. Page begins by making his personal case in regards to doing yoga. Why he started, what it’s done for him, and why he thinks it is the best workout you can do. His case is compelling. I agree that yoga is great for you and I hope Page is able to get a lot of regular guys to check this form of exercise and stretching out. He then goes into the first lesson on breathing. This is so important and I’m glad it was included. (If it hadn’t, I’d question the book.)

The bulk of the book is devoted to three routines. The 20 minute workout section, the 30 minute workout section, and the 45 minute workout section. Each of these provides pictures and short descriptions to follow along with and learn the routines. The pictures and descriptions are good, but those that have taken classes or watched DVDs will have an advantage. It is a lot easier to learn movements that way rather than from a book. But for a book, this one is done well. It also has a few pages of the workouts at a glance. These have the pictures without the descriptions to help you remember the sequence of moves.

The book concludes with a section called “Hammers and Duct Tape” which provides some quick fixes for instant stress relief, and a chapter that has some quick information on ice vs. heat, organic foods and juicing, massage, and drinking water. Finally, there is a little inspiration and motivation.

Throughout the book there are side boxes by Dr. Aaron (Yoga-Doc says… ) and boxes by Page’s wife, Kimberly, called “Hot Tip!” These provide additional information and add to the book. The models demonstrating everything in the pictures include Page and his wife, as well as some “yoga babes” as he calls them and some regular guys.

Yoga really is good exercise and you can now take it from Diamond Dallas Page, it’s for regular guys, too. If you have ever been interested in trying yoga, or adding it to your workout regimen, this book might be just what you need to get off the couch and onto the yoga mat. I enjoyed reading it and am including Page’s yoga workouts into my weekly exercise and stretching. Read it and see what yoga can do for you.

These days, purchasing a new car requires a lot of money. For those looking for another option due to the financial output, shopping for a used car may be a good bet. Of course, a previously owned car, no matter how sleek and shiny may have hidden disadvantages.

Below find tips from some finely-tuned insurance professionals on how to go about the task of shopping for a used car.

8 Ways to Get a Good Deal on a Previously-Owned Car

• Decide How Much You Can Spend on the Purchase

Prior to shopping around for a good used car, do a personal financial tally. Then focus only on buys you can afford – whether via financing or full payment method.

• Choose the Right Kind of Vehicle

Unmarried people without kids do not need a big car. On the other side of the coin, married folks with children in tow could use a larger car. Recreational drivers, long-distance drivers and city or highway drivers have different needs as well. Assess your individual requirements, then shop for the car that matches them.

• Check Out Prices and Repair Frequency

Look online to determine what you should be paying for car makes and models according to year and usage. This search will also let you know what type of vehicles requires less maintenance work and what type has less mechanical headaches.

• Learn about the Car’s Past

Research a particular car’s history by putting in the Vehicle Information Numbers. This will get you to a full report about past collisions, owners and even recorded maintenance and repair jobs.

• Test the Car out by Taking it for a Spin

Drive your prospective car purchase over a calculated route that includes hills, bumps, curves and highway maneuvering. This way, you’ll get an idea how the overall driving ability is.

• Get a Professional Mechanic’s Opinion

Enlist your favorite mechanic in the decision by hiring him or her to inspect the car for surface problems that a layman like you may not be able to detect.

• Use Your Price-Negotiating Skills

Utilize the knowledge you have gained from all your research on the car to negotiate a price that fairly reflects its true value.

And Last But Surely Not Least

• Don’t Forget About Auto Insurance

Before completing the buying process, speak to an experienced independent insurance agent about insurance for the vehicle. After binding the policy, sign the contract, pay, and you are good to go. No worries about the possibility of no coverage on the road to home!

Now that you have a new (used) automobile take care of it with good maintenance practices and remember to keep driving safety a priority.

Happy driving!

A lot of people have been talking about P90X over these past few years, and one of the most popular questions I see is, "Can skinny guys build muscle with P90X?" Before I answer this question, you should know that I did P90X for 3 years. Over that period of time, I managed to put on about 30 pounds. Before you jump to conclusions though, pay close attention, because there is some important information that I need to discuss with you. Also, just so you know, this is a review of the program for skinny guys who are looking to bulk up. If this isn't you, then this information may or may not be useful.

Today, I want to talk about the, "Big 3's." I want to talk about the 3 big reasons you can build muscle with P90X, and then the 3 major reasons why you cannot. If you're a skinny guy who's having trouble gaining weight, pay close attention to everything that I'm about to tell you. Even if you decide not to follow the P90X program, this information will still be useful to you.

# 1. You will eat more food.

Naturally, when you begin an exercise program, your body is going to need more food. P90X is no different. When I first started training, I was eating 3,000 calories a day, and for the longest time, this worked. I gained about 30 pounds in 3 years, and I was happy with my results.

# 2. You will lift weights.

For guys who are skinny, lifting anything will help them build muscle. It doesn't matter if you're shoveling dirt, lifting hay, or working out in your living room. Your training program doesn't have to be perfect, and again, as long as you're lifting something, your muscles will grow.

# 3. You will be working out your whole body.

So many guys make the mistake of only working out their chest and biceps. With P90X, you're getting the complete package. You're working out your entire body, and this will help you build muscle quickly.

Those are the good reasons.

As you can see, there are 3 big reasons why you're going to see progress with this program. On another note, there are also 3 big reasons why you're not going to see progress, or you could see better progress with another program.

# 1. You're not doing compound exercises.

Aside from pull ups, you're stuck with push ups, one legged deadlifts, and body weight squats. Unfortunately, these exercise are not going to help you put on a lot of mass. Will you see progress? You will see gains, but your gains will be minimal, and you will eventually plateau.

# 2. Too much cardio.

If you do decide to follow the P90X program, think about removing one of the cardio workouts. In order to build muscle, your body needs to be in a calorie surplus. With all of the cardio in this program, that's just not going to happen.

# 3. You run out of weight.

What I mean by this is, your dumbbells can only get you so far. Even if you have dumbbells up to 100-pounds, what about bench press, squats, and deadlifts? As much as I hate to say it, and as much as I liked working out from home, nothing beats working out at a gym with a barbell loaded with weight. Just think about how many push ups you're going to need to do to feel the burn in your chest, as opposed to doing a 8 to 12 repetitions on bench press.

Final Thoughts.

If you're new to training, the P90X program is a great starting point. You will see some good gains early on, but as you grow into the program, which may even take a couple of years, you're eventually going to want to switch to something more advanced.

The men in our lives are always some of the hardest to shop for when it comes to Christmas gifts. Either they go out and buy whatever they want for themselves throughout the year, or they already have everything that they need and struggle to give you suggestions about what else they could possibly want. When thinking up Christmas gifts for guys, you need to take cues from their hobbies and interests and sometimes think a little bit outside the box for the perfect Christmas gift. This list might help drum up some ideas about what the guys in your life would love for Christmas this year.

Sports Jerseys or Tickets

If you know a guy that loves sports, chances are they can never have enough stuff from his favorite team. Some suggestions would be his favorite player’s jersey, tickets to an upcoming home game, or merchandise from his favorite team such as beer mugs, baseball hats, coasters, cell phone covers and things of that nature. Bonus points for finding wrapping paper in his team’s colors.

Computer and Electronics Accessories

Every guy surely has at least one computer or electronic device that they can’t live without. Give him something to use with his electronics this Christmas that will increase their usability or prolong their use. New headphones, computer bags and cases, tablet cases, iPhone covers, remotes and chargers are just some ideas for the tech guy in your life.

Clothes

If you know the guy well enough, clothes and accessories can make excellent Christmas gifts for guys. Guys tend to only shop when it’s a necessity, so surprise him with a new sweater, jacket, sunglasses, watch, belt, hat or other clothing item that you think he would really love. Always get a gift receipt, just in case he isn’t crazy about the exact color or style you select.

Experience Gifts

Perhaps the best gift for a guy that has it all is no gift at all – no physical gift, that is. Experience gifts are the new go-to item for people that are tough to shop for. You can select any number of experiences to gift, such as learning how to fly a plane to cooking classes. These gifts range in price from extremely affordable options to luxury packages, so there is truly an experience gift perfect for anyone.

Tools and Equipment

The handymen in our lives need tools and equipment to keep their projects going, so what better gift for a handyman than products for home repair and maintenance, camping and other manly pursuits. Find out what tools your handyman needs to avoid buying him a duplicate and make the present extra special by also getting him a special carrying case or some other accessory that would complement the tool or equipment.

Toys for Boys

No matter the age, all men love a great toy. With the high-tech options on the market today, it’s easier than ever to pick up a fun and useful toy. If you’re buying a gift for an outdoorsmen, pick up a handheld GPS. If you have a weather tracker in your life, get an indoor digital weather station. Just make sure to give him batteries along with the gift so that he can open and use it right away.

Okay, ladies: listen up! I am here to tell you what men want for Christmas. It isn’t cologne and it isn’t some awful looking tie. Please! It could be NFL playoff tickets, but we know that prices for them are through the roof. Instead, us guys want stuff that is both useful and practical something we won’t pretend to like and hide away in our closets, but stuff that we will use all the time. I’ve made a list to make it easy on you as I know how hard it can be for us guys to communicate to our gals.

1. NFL Tickets!!! No, wait! You can go to eBay and get “discounted” tickets for a mid-January meeting between the Giants and some other team for a lot less than what you’ll pay through a neighborhood scalper. How many fans do you think will put up with ten degree Meadowlands cold on a January day to see the Giants. Oh, yeah, I forgot: plenty. Tickets are likely to go for one or two thousand a piece!

2. Hockey Time. More down to earth in price are NHL hockey tickets. Heck, the toothless boys sat out the season last year and everyone is chomping at the bit to see them play. With no strike on the horizon, your guy is likely to be able to see a complete game. All that bloodletting and head bashing for a song! For grins, get him Stanley Cup tickets. Nothing beats watching a hockey game in June when it is 93 degrees outside!

3. To The Islands! No, not Staten Island and certainly not Long Island. A January or February trip to a warmer climate will be both reasonably priced and fun. Just don’t pick a place that was trashed by one of the 23 tropical systems that attacked the Caribbean, the Americas and the Gulf Coast this year. No telling what amenities are in place! One rule: have the grandparents come to your house to watch the kid. Junior getting the flu is no reason for you not to go! [Blush!]

4. Get Tools. Yes, if your man enjoys tinkering around the house, get him an electric saw, a power drill, or anything else that he can use to fix that darn, lose railing in the family room! [wink, wink] If you aren’t sure what to get him, a gift certificate will do. Sounds tacky? Well, it certainly beats a “thanks, dear” when he opens up his gift and finds a water pump inside!

5. Stuff For His Truck. What a guy really wants is something for his truck. Nah, let him get his own gun rack and ammo; I’m talking about a cold air intake or a performance chip. Something that brings power to the ole pick up! What am I saying? Get him something that he can really use that will bring a smile to his face. Performance exhaust systems, Altezza lights, roof rails, side window vents, fog lights, truck liners, step rails, brake dust shields, hitches, alloy wheels, a set of new tires, head light covers, hood protectors, and an engine pulley are some of the items that are sure to be hot this Christmas. He’ll be happy and he will think you know something about his truck – hey, you are the one who wants him to talk with you, right?

Still not sure? Then ask. Chances are I already mentioned something that he wants. If you are low on cash a set of new truck mats will suffice, but please let him pick the color.

Some how Summer Rose floor mats just don’t match his Silverado’s interior!

I used to love going to the gym but my life has gotten busy and time had to started to slip away. I eventually stopped going to the gym because of this. But I don't regret it at all. Working out at home has made my life so much easier. To show you the difference let me give you a run down of my typical trip to the gym.

I would get changed, fix my hair (because you have to look good at the gym, I mean the girls looks great?), Hop in the car, drive for 15 minutes, workout, drive for 15 minutes, get home. Pretty typical workout. But did you notice the time cost of going to the gym versus staying at home? That's 30 minutes of wasted time commuting in my car. Not to mention the time it took me to get changed for the gym. If I had stayed at home I would have been ready in a snap! Advantage # 1 Going to the gym takes tracking time where as working out at home does.

The second reason why working out at home is better is that there are other people inside the gym. To further elaborate on that it's the intimidating guys and the extremely attractive girls. As a skinny guy whenever I walk into the gym I get intimidated by the gym monsters that spend the greater part of their life in the gym. They're there flexing in the mirror and lifting weights that would crush me instantly. At home I'm the strongest guy there! I love that feeling and I refuse to give it up.

The girls at the gym are a whole different issue. I just can't stop starring it's as simple as that! I am constantly finding new ways to capture a glance without them noticing (or anybody else for that matter). This detracts and distracts me from me working out. I love them but I prefer to be able to focus, and don't tell me to ignore it and focus at the gym. Females are a site to behold. At home all I have to look at is my own mug. Which I like but it's no Kate Upton look alike. Advantage # 2 Not distractions!

The third reason I like working out at home is that it's cheaper in the long run. At least for me because the amount of weights I can life is not heavier than myself (yet!). Also my local gym membership price is ridiculous. I purchased some cheap weights and a straight bar from a local yard sale (yes mom you did say yard sales are great places for deals). They may not be glamourus but they get the job done. I mainly just do a workout that I found online which is called "the skinny guy home workout". Sp Advantage # 3 … Money !!

Overall working out at home is better because I don't have to commute, I don't get distracted or intimidated, and for it's been cheaper in the long run! Join my in my cause to dump the gym and workout at home!

Thanks for reading !!