DrDNP18's Couch

A buddy of mine met a woman about a year and a half ago. She's an attractive lady who works as a fitness trainer & is also a body builder. She initially represented to him that she was in her mid-30's. He subsequently learned that she was actually in her mid-40's.

The couple is still together, so this lie, at least in this instance, was not a deal breaker. I don't want to judge anyone on what these types of lies mean, or how they can affect a relationship. Obviously there are too many variables involved.

My query involves simply numbers.....what do women lie(when they do) about more...their age, or their weight?

My inclination is to think that if there is no weight issue to lie about...age becomes the obvious lie to perpetrate, simply because those women who are fit, are generally trying to grasp at that fountain of youth, any way they can. Even if it's not true, maybe people will believe they are younger(if they tell people they are...and feel a high, when they are believed!!).  I'd love to hear from women on this topic, & have you "weigh" in, as to your own(or friend's...."wink"......) personal experiences................  

Was it me, or was Rob Malcolm rockin' some crazy duds, during his reports over the weekend?

He was certainly not "news conservative", in his choice of shirts & ties. I personally loved it! The man can flat out, dress! If Rob's get ups struck anyone who may have seen them over the weekend, feel free to comment.

I was involved in a recent discussion(in a bar, of course) in which some comparisons were being drawn between Keyshia Cole & Rihanna. In my opinion, the only comparison that applies, is that both are young women. It should really end there.

I am a huge, lifelong fan of R & B, & classic soul music, with its incredible history. After the release of her 1st 2 albums, I feel that Keyshia Cole has the potential to rank among the all-time greats. She is a prodigious talent, with a unique, powerful, & soulful voice, that comes around only occassionally, in a generation. She writes & produces much of her own material(which further seprates her from other comtemporary songbird divas), & her heart can be heard bellowing, in so many of her songs. I find myself captivated by her voice, like few others have ever done.

Rihanna on the other hand, is a typical fly-by-night, pop princess, whose best qualities are displayed on the cover of teen magazines. She is known more because she has a "look" that sells, as opposed to any true musical talent. She's nothing more than a young model, with a few connections, who gave her some catchy songs, that have received commercial airplay. 

Keyshia's look is very raw, & hardcore street(although she seems to be working on that). She's certainly not built like a model, & her neck & arm tattoos make her appear somewhat intimidating & unapproachable, for the "average" fan to embrace. She is not the girl next door, & that image(as the music industry places so much emphasis on image) may be currently holding her potential super-stardom back, somewhat. However, she is so young & clearly has a great deal of personal growth ahead. As she will no doubt continue to make amazing music with her astonishing gifts, her star will continue to grow,  & carve a place for her name, among the greats in R &B/soul history.

It's Leap Day everyone.....that special day which comes around but once every 4 years! One of those amazing days to celebrate the wonders of life, as we can all appreciate how long it takes the earth to complete a full circle around the sun! The exact time the Earth takes to complete a full circle around Sun is a little longer than a year, 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds. So, once every four years we need to add that extra day to the calendar!

The oddity of this version of leap year is that it falls on a Friday.....making this a very unusual 5th Friday of February!  February 2008 both started and ends on a Friday. Between 1904 and 2096, leap years with same day of week for each date repeat every 28 years, which means that the last time February had 5 Fridays was in 1980 and next time will be in 2036.

So, when you're at the bar later, make an extra toast, in celebration of this rather unusual calendar occasion!! Who knows if we'll see it again?

In recognition of Valentine's Day, below please find the simple, yet brilliant lyrics of John Lennon, on what I believe is one of his most underrated, & great songs. It surely captures  the essence of what everyone seems to want, & wait for, in their lives. If you've found that person, great... if you haven't, don't give up or despair, as love may be just around the corner. Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

All my little plans and schemes
Lost like some forgotten dreams
Seems that all I really was doing
Was waiting for you

Just like little girls and boys,
playing with their little toys.
Seems like all we really were doing
was waitin' for love.

lonely to be alone,
no need to be alone.

It's real love, it's real,
Yes it's real love, it's real.

From this moment on I know,
exactly where my life will go.
Seems that all I really was doing
was waitin' for love.

No need to be afraid,
no need to be afraid.

It's real love, it's real,
Yes it's real love, it's real.

Thought I'd been in love before,
but in my heart I wanted more.
Seems like all I really was doing
was waitin' for you.

lonely to be alone,
No need to be alone.

It's real love, yeah it's real,
It's real love, it's real,
Yes, it's real love, it's real,
It's real love, it's real,
Yes it's real love, it's real,
It's real love, it's real,
Yes it's real love, it's real,
It's real love, it's real,
Yes it's real love....

In a speech to the Florida Renewal Project Monday night, which was live streamed, on the American Family Association’s Website, Presidential Candidate, Mike Huckabee intimated comparisons between America & Nazi Germany. He first implored the audience to renew their “commitment to Christ” and “to our nation, to its heritage, as well as to its future,” adding “do we expect the seculars  to do it? Do we expect the unbelievers to lead us, and if so, how will they lead us and where?” He then engaged in an extended description of his visit to the Israeli Holocaust Memorial Yad Vashem with his 11- year-old daughter, who asked, “why didn’t somebody do something?” Huckabee, who has called abortion a “holocaust,” then issued a dire warning:

… "I pray that no father ever stands over the shoulder of his own daughter and after her witnessing the decline and the fall of a great nation, writes, and sees her write these words, “why didn’t somebody do something?” You see, I believe the reason we’re here is because we are the somebodies. And we’re to do the something and if we don’t, who will? And if we don’t act now, when will it happen, and will it be too late? You leave this conference with this haunting question, and pray that no one would ever ask of you or of me, why didn’t somebody do something".

This is a man, running for the President of the United States, who characterizes part of his potential constituency as "seculars" & "unbelievers"(which I don't even believe is proper English). I'm not sure what is more frightening, a governmental leader of some prominence, who thinks & speaks in these terms, or the fact that his candidacy has some legitmacy(although I believe it to be fading, thankfully) with a throng of supporters & financial backers. Wherever this country is headed remains to be seen, however, I know I will feel better, knowing this crackpot has nothing to do with "doing something", by making any Federal administration decisions!!!

I have stated numerous times on these blogs that I am a Jets season ticket holder, and a long suffering, die-hard fan. I will however, say that I am rooting for our Meadowlands co-tenants, to slice some cheese, in the sub zero temps, expected Sunday Night! What is more fun than having an area team(even if its not mine) play for a World Championship? If they do win, the city buzz will be unbelievable, leading up to the Super Bowl.

What I am am about to say may seem blasphemous to some Giant fans, However, in my opinion, football, perhaps more than any other sport, is a game where the whole must be greater than the sum of its parts. In watching the Giants over the last several weeks of the season and into the playoffs, they are clearly a better team WITHOUT Jeremy Shockey!

It is rare that a team can get better when it loses a Pro Bowl player, but that's exactly what’s happened to the Giants. When Shockey was lost for the season with a leg injury, the Giants offense went from inconsistent to highly efficeient, if not a bit explosive. Why?

Much of the credit for the Giants success in the playoffs, and late season, has gone to the sudden maturity of Eli. Is it pure coincidence that this has occurred since Shockey went down? First, he seems to be in complete command of the huddle, for the first time in his career. Shockey, and his brash, overbearing personality which may not work well with Eli’s Lousiana cool, has been absent. Hmmmmm.

Clearly, Eli is no longer forcing the ball, particularly in an effort to keep Shockey happy, and involved in the passing game. I believe Manning feels pressure to get Shockey involved in the game when the All Pro tight end is in the lineup, and that can lead to forced balls down the middle of the field. It seems tha many of Manning’s interceptions this season have come on late throws, down the middle of the field(Shockey’s area). There have been exactly zero turnovers for the Giant offense in their playoff run. Manning is doing a much better job speading the ball around, particularly including the very impressive young receiver, Steve Smith.

There is no questioning Shockey’s remarkable million dollar offensive skills as a tight end, but they are accompanied with a ten cent head! There have also been virtually no offensive penalties during the playoffs, particularly after the play, personal fouls or unsportsmanlike conduct calls. I can think of numerous instances where Shockey was right in the middle of such unnecessary extra curricular activity. Some Giants fans may defend his actions by stating how "competitive" he is. Spare me such commentary, as he is a highly paid professional athlete. There isn’t a practice squad player under contract in the NFL, who is not "competitive"!

The other thing that has been noticeably better without Shockey is the Giants' pass protection. Shockey rarely stayed in to block, but with Kevin Boss being a lesser threat in the passing game, the Giants have been using him in pass protection. Now when the Giants go to their three-receiver package, Boss often stays in to block, which gives Manning that extra time to feel comfortable in the pocket. When Boss does go on routes, he's been pretty productive in his own right.

The Giants have been a well-organized, smart and very reliable offensive unit over the last 4 or 5 games. They are clearly playing their best ball of the year, and have more than a puncher’s chance to pull the upset in Green Bay. It may have been an injury to an over-exposed, undisciplined, and at times, very selfish player, to give this team the jump start it needed!!! Good Luck Giants!

Please be advised before proceeding with the reading of this blog, that the author, DrDNP18,  loathes & despises clowns! It goes back to a party I was invited to in 1st grade, where the entertainment, was some type of clown who performed magic. I found his presence imposing, make-up disturbing, & his clothes(including giant feet) incongruent. Although I was unable to describe it clearly as a 6 year old, I truly felt some type of confusion & derangement toward the hired "entertainment" for that party. As my anxiety grew, I finally broke down & asked my friend’s mom to call my parents, to come pick me up. The clown was totally freaking me out!!!!

For me, my intense aversion for clowns has never waned. And, although my feelings toward clowns may be a rather amusing topical discussion at a cocktail party, I find when I’m at the circus, the shore, or some event where these freaks are front & center, I truly have no time for them. They never make me laugh, & I suppose in some respects, I’ve acknowledged developing a prejudice toward them(I know, I need to just breathe!). So, that being said, you can only imagine my absolute merriment this afternoon, when reading the following article on Yahoo:

(London)Bad news for Coco and Blinko -- children don't like clowns and even older kids are scared of them.

The news that will no doubt have clowns shedding tears was revealed in a poll of youngsters by researchers from the University of Sheffield who were examining how to improve the decor of hospital children's wards.

The study, reported in the Nursing Standard magazine, found ALL of the 250 patients aged between four and 16 they quizzed, disliked the use of clowns, with even the older ones finding them scary.

"As adults we make assumptions about what works for children," said Penny Curtis, a senior lecturer in research at the university.

"We found that clowns are universally disliked by children. Some found them quite frightening and unknowable."(END OF STORY)

Other than asking whether Charles Manson & Adolph Hitler were evil men, can anyone think of anything else, where a poll of 250 people would be unanimous???  I know I'm not alone with my feelings. This may be step 1 toward the ultimate retirement and burial, of this horrendously non-funny, antiquated form of entertainment, which dates back to the middle ages. It feels great to be on the right side of the results, of this unusual study.(ok, Krusty from the Simpsons can stay, he’s a cartoon…..but all others need to be banished!!)

Although we have yet to complete the first 2 weeks of 2008, we have seen one of the most bizarre stories, not only this new year, but any year. When David Dalaia and James O'Hare tried to cash Virgilio Cintron's Social Security check earlier this week, at a store in Hell's Kitchen on their own, they were told that Cintron needed to be present, in order for the $355 to be released. So, the petty criminals with long rap sheets & histories of heroin addiction, went back to get Cintron from his apartment. The problem was that he had already died, less than 24 hours prior.

Not to be deterred by minor details, the 2 derelicts dressed the corpse in a faded T-shirt, pants they could only get partially on him & a pair of velcro sneakers. They put him in a rolling office chair, covered him partially in a coat & wheeled him down a Manhattan street, directly back to the check cashing store. Hardly Ocean’s Eleven, but what a scheme!!!….all for $355 dollars!!! How did this perfect crime ever go awry?

It goes without saying that these knuckleheads have severe problems. That’s without debate. However, did anyone think about what these creeps were going to do with the money, had this caper been successfully pulled off? Were they going to invest the money in US Savings Bonds, head over to OTB for pleasant afternoon with their pals, or split the cash for a night of big-time ballin’ in the city?

We often catch ourselves in the imaginary place of managing bundles of money, after we buy a Mega-Millions ticket. The point of this blog is a fun, hypothetical exercise in money management, after a more modest windfall(if there was ever a need for a "Businees & Finance" category in the blogs, this would be it). If you were successful in stealing Mr. Cintron’s Social Security check, how would you spend the $355? The more deadly sins you include in the application of your splurge, the more points you receive. Have fun in sharing your imaginary spree!

I came across this brief article, and felt compelled to share with the blogging community, so that we may continue to learn about safety, when riding in a motor vehicle.

CITRUS HEIGHTS, Calif., Jan. 8 (UPI) -- California police said a man who was injured after losing control of his car was not wearing a seatbelt -- but his 12-pack of beer was buckled in snugly.

Officers in the town of Citrus Heights said witness accounts indicated that Alexsandr Gritsyuk failed to negotiate a turn while traveling at about 60 miles per hour on a city road and struck a tree, KCRA-TV, Sacramento, Calif., reported Tuesday.

The police said Gritsyuk, who was treated for his injuries, did not appear to be wearing his seatbelt during the incident, but a 12-pack of beer he was transporting in the car was securely buckled.(STORY END)

Thankfully, the beer did not appear to be harmed from the seemingly significant impact. It's not clear whether the 12 pack was cans or bottles, but safety should be a non-partisan issue,  bridging all racial barriers & be important to all of us. As the 12 pack should certainly be commended for abiding by the "Click-it or ticket"  ordinance, its judgment must still be questioned, in letting a friend drive, without wearing similar protection. It's a choice..... your money, your life or your seat belt!!!  For God's sake, please don't make the wrong one!

Since she joined the Fox5 news team, Andy Adler has been somewhat of an enigmna to me. It seems like she has done a bit of everything from blog debate moderator, to entertainmnet news, to human interest stories, to relationship "expert", to high school sports coverage promotion with Myfoxlocker.

In all honesty, I have been underwhelmed. When I got home last night, I turned on the news & saw she was doing Sports, in Reischea's stead.  I just want to say that I thought she did a really fine job!

She had really good presence about her, reported the action accurately, and displayed a lot of enthusiasm about the games, & particularly the Giant playoff game, later today(plus she gets extra points for the little sleeveless dress...LOL!!!). I have no idea if she has been placed permanently in the Sports department, but from what I've seen, I believe she's found a home, in Sports. She showed great potential, & in my opinion, & will only get better with experience. Develop your talent, Fox5, & give Ms. Adler a shot to stay with sports on the weekend. She's already better than Carl Reuter, and numerous other drab but "serious" sports anchors, spread across news desks in this city! She's a breath of fresh air, & unique replacement for a lost star!