TABOO TRUTHS

I discovered this heavenly combination years ago.  But once in a while it becomes a necessity like the human body needs water!

I had a bit of a scare last night with my youngest.  She was riding a bus on JMU campus that  went out of control.  It crashed through a bus stop shelter, 2 trees finally halting once a cement wall was in its path.  Thank God, my girl is ok.  But it was one of many moments that we as mothers experience.  The reality that our force field of protection has limitations and at times is non-existent.  I’ve had several of these moments with both my girls.  Sitting there after learning the happenings directly from my daughter and her confirmed safety….reality set in.  In one moment, my life could have altered….forever.

So, time to dull the scare!  I partake of red wine for it’s positive health properties but more for  taste!  I had Horton Vineyards “Route 33″ red table wine opened from a few nights ago.  On the side  table was a dish of Dove Chocolate.  Time to get lost in a combined, rich, angelic flavor experience.  Truth be known my absolute favorite combination is Merlot and dark chocolate.  But this marriage definitely filled the void.  Specifically, Dove Milk Chocolate was consumed.  If you’ve never combined these two extraordinary elements together….here’s a little guide.

Step one: Sip red wine, flatten your tongue and slowly push to the roof of your mouth forcing the wine across the entire surface of your tongue.  Swallow slowly. (Ahhh…)

Step two: Take a bite of chocolate, hold it in your mouth until the chocolate begins to liquify.

Step three:  Repeat step one while the chocolate richness is still on your tongue.  (OH YES!!!)

Step four:  Repeat step one through three several times.

There are lots and lots of great chocolates out there.  Dove is a good one but one of my favorites is Gilberts Chocolates in Michigan.  Which chocolate do you fancy?  AND a favorite red wine to pair?

Related articles

• Chocolate and Willpower (lessonsfromtheendofamarriage.com)
• Chocolate Red Wine Cupcakes (teacher-chef.com)

The recent topic of conversations is about a new study titled  The Mere Anticipation of an Interaction with a Woman Can Impair Men’s Cognitive Performance. The study basically states that a mans basic communication or “intelligence” becomes compromised when interacting with an attractive woman.  Even when presented through digital means!  The study purposely addressed the reaction of men, even when they knew there was no physical interaction.  The result, men’s cognitive interactions were not at their best.

These studies are, in my opinion, an opportunity to open conversations.  Most studies of this nature have an extremely limited number of individuals in subject group and take place in a distant location like…the Netherlands!  But I do enjoy listening to the banter justifying whether the findings of such a study are true or even relevant.  You get the hyper male personas who discuss the primal aspects of the male brain for species survival.  Then on the radical opposite end you get the table banging feminist who find the study a joke, lumping all men into a single persona and using our “wilds” for unjust reasons.  Personally, I wouldn’t argue with either direction.

My experience?  When interacting with a man digitally the conversation can be drastically different if he has been exposed to my image.  I think communication between men and woman is definitely effected if each is aware of the others attractiveness.  Without this information my interactions are no different than with anyone I may encounter.  I communicate with men on a daily basis through business.  Before meeting me or seeing my image the conversations are what I would categorize as normal.  But then again…I’m a woman!  Meaning there may be small nuances that escape my notice.  To be completely honest, I doubt it!  I’m a woman beyond the age of 40 and having had my fair share of interactions with men through most communication means…I can definite “pick up” when the conversation takes a turn. I suppose ignorance is possible.

So here’s the real question I’d like to ask.  If this study has a thread of truth and as a woman you agree with the prospect of altering a man’s cognitive performance…have you ever used this to your advantage?

Related articles

• Experimental evidence that men are stupider when they’re around women (3quarksdaily.com)
• Why Interacting With a Woman Can Leave Men “Cognitively Impaired” (scientificamerican.com)
• Straight men get dumber just thinking women are nearby: study (theglobeandmail.com)

If you are so inclined to be entertained by horoscopes and fortunes, you probably already know it is the year of the Dragon!  My understanding is those of Asian heritage find this news very exciting!  The Dragon is believed to be a very lucky sign.  I read an article about how chinese business men were invading Las Vegas and playing to win feeling the influence of the lucky Dragon.

This excites me for two reasons; the first is I was born in the year of the Dragon!  Second, those born under the sign are predicted to have a very special, lucky and prosperous 2012!  GOOD!  I cannot express with more excitement, relief and hope how badly I am due!   It seems that on a few fronts, luck has not been my companion for a couple years.  I do feel the tides changing and with the independent, innovative, passionate and brave Dragon on my side…it is time!

So my tip for today, embrace what may come!  My personality is one that prefers to plan.  I take the time to examine something before making a decision.  If there is one thing that life has taught me, you can’t always see something coming.  You may plan and prepare, but there may be somethings that are thrown in your path making that impossible!  It isn’t in my nature to embrace what may come, so this tip is for me as much for you!  Maybe what comes is an confirmation that what you want and believe is realized.  Maybe what comes is the wind of change, leading to a path not yet known.  The old saying “the only thing that’s constant is change” holds true.  But there is some change that will knock you on your ass!  You’ll never see it coming.  I think the threads of fate are trying to teach me that I need to relax a bit and embrace what may come!  (Easier said than done!)

So, here’s to all you Dragon’s out there!  And to those who are lucky enough to have a Dragon in your life!  We are not an easy spirit to tame…but well worth the effort.  It is our year!  Time for a little luck and days of prosperity!  Tell me what you have planned for your lucky year?  I have some coming

Related articles

• Happy New Year…of the Dragon! by Psychic Arthur (psychicsource.com)
• Year of the… (weeknightwandering.com)