Romantic Weekend Gateways

Physics Tips for a More Romantic St. Valentine's Day

2007-02-14T08:41:00.000-08:00

Six ways that science can make this year's love struck holiday even better.

Science is probably the farthest thing from your mind as you're making plans for how to spend Valentine's Day. Now, how important science is for sex by offering loads of relationship-enhancing suggestions.

Here are a few tips specially selected for Valentine's Day.

Make that romantic meal low fat. When you eat a rich meal of marbled steak and butter-soaked lobster, much of the fat goes straight into your blood. Fatty blood is sticky and thick, which means it doesn't flow as well as it should. Blood flow is critical for arousal, particularly in men of course, but also for women. Reduced blood flow in a woman's genitals can reduce lubrication during arousal. So skip the foie gras on the 14th. Salads and other low fat foods are sexier for your Valentine's Day dinner. See the blog posting "Pumped Up and Ready for Love, part 2" for more information.

Tune your bed and body for better sex. Different beds have different rhythms: firm beds are better for faster sex, and soft beds are better for slower loving. For the most versatility, start with a firm bed and add pillows or thick comforters to slow things down. If you want to take even more control of the pace, experiment with sexual positions. You will find that various positions often encourage distinct natural rhythms. See the post "Sexual Rhythms" for more details.

Mix it up for sensory bliss. The sensory cells that respond to touch, temperature and other information tune out sensations that don't change much. (That's why you may forget about the sunglasses resting on top of your head, for example.) So mix things up in bed – change how and where you touch your lover to keep the sensory cells firing and the excitement levels up. See the post "Sex and Sensibility, part1.

"Keep going longer with sensory repetition. If you or you lover suffer from premature ejaculation, you may be able to stave off the inevitable with the start-stop method. (The method is essentially the opposite of the suggestion above.) Just as the sensory cells and nerves in your scalp soon forget about the sunglasses stowed there, repeatedly taking a man to the brink of orgasm and stopping briefly makes the sensory system less responsive, and can help him last longer in bed. See "Sex and Sensibility, part1.

"Hum a low pitched tune. Human ears can detect high frequencies, but the nerves in the rest of your body can't register sound much over 500 hertz (roughly the B note above middle C on the piano). So if you give the gift of a hummer this Valentine's Day, keep the pitch low for the best effect. The details of this suggestion will be in the upcoming post "Sex and Sensibility, part2.

"If you still need to find Valentine's Day date, try hooking up the physics way. We can't guarantee results, but researchers have found that some approaches are better than others when it comes to cruising for mates. (Valentine's Day is a week away, so you still have one more weekend to try it out.) The details are in last week's post "The Physics Guide to Hooking Up."

Source: http://www.pr.com/press-release/29633

WEEKEND IN NEW YORK | PITFALLS FOR TOURISTS; On the Town, the Wrong Way

2006-12-14T08:17:00.000-08:00

FOR the last six months, this column has described 26 different ways to spend a weekend in New York. But we've ignored one of the most common ways to see the city: badly.

So, here is a guide to spending an utterly hideous weekend as a tourist in Manhattan, taking full advantage of absolutely nothing that the city has to offer, and getting entangled in as many of its provocations and vexations as possible.

But you don't have to plan to spend a wretched weekend; it's pretty easy to find an overpriced hotel with a view of an airshaft. Just make sure it's in Midtown, where the pretzel vendors and thousands of other goggle-eyed tourists will tease out your latent claustrophobia. The New Yorkers who normally stalk these streets on weekdays are off in the neighborhoods south of 23rd Street that you would be staying in, too, if you actually wanted to have a good time.

Also, if you need last-minute theater tickets, be sure to order them full price by phone (or overpriced from brokers) before you leave, instead of checking what the discount TKTS booth has available once you get here.

You will, of course, want to drive here, preferably in your S.U.V., without E-ZPass, preferably through or over whichever bridge or tunnel's gridlocked traffic you did not check on by listening to 1010 WINS every 10 minutes on the ones. Once you give up on Midtown's three or four legal parking spaces, leave the car in a ''Commercial Vehicles Loading and Unloading Only'' or ''No Standing Any Time'' spot.

On Saturday, when you've found your way to the scenic Tow-Pound-on-the-Hudson to reclaim it, you can put it in a garage for $40 to $50 for the next 24 hours. (Definitely leave it in there on Sunday, when free parking on the street is allowed.)

If you arrive by Friday rush hour, that's the perfect time to take a pedicab, as the bicycle-propelled, open-air cabs are called. That will allow you to soak in the neon glow of Times Square as you turn a rare blue from sucking down the carbon monoxide and soot of the car-clotted streets.

Don't chance it with the local cuisine. You'll want to try one of the city's national chain restaurants. The exotic urban setting of an Applebee's or McDonald's is thrilling. But for those wanting to test New York's ethnic cuisines, the city offers a wealth of Italian restaurants for every price range and from every region of Italy. Our suggestion for southern Italian fare: the by-the-pound buffet at Sbarro's. (You could also order in Domino's Brooklyn Style Pizza.) Mexicans represent one of New York's fastest-growing immigrant groups; if you are in the mood to spice it up, have the three for $3 taquitos at the 42nd Street 7-Eleven. The jalapeño cream-cheese variety is especially good.

Turn in early Friday night or, at the very least, don't venture south toward neighborhoods like Chelsea, the East Village, TriBeCa or SoHo lest you actually find some night life and people watching. If you are a night owl, you can find peace, quiet and grossly overpriced diners anywhere in Midtown.

Did you forget anything? It's easy to pick up toiletries and snacks at any of the 24-hour drugstores like Duane Reade, but may we suggest the dusty, overpriced toothbrushes and individual packs of aspirin available at many 24-hour delis?

This is New York, of course, so the next morning you'll want a bagel and cream cheese for breakfast. Easy enough: just look for one of the street-corner carts that sell coffee and an array of pastries. Buried among the buttered rolls and cudgel-like crullers, you'll find a few cold, already-sliced bagels produced en masse by a place that also makes Frisbees, with a square of cream cheese in between to make sure that air gets in to make the bagel as stale as possible. Like your coffee black? Just ask for ''regular.''

If you want to sit, try the Carnegie Deli, where a bagel with Nova Scotia salmon and cream cheese goes for $17.95. Too pricey for just one person? Share for just $3 extra.

What sights you want to see will depend on the weather. On a gloomy, hazy day, the Empire State Building's observation deck will literally put you in the clouds, perfect if you suffer from vertigo or have a kid who wants to be a meteorologist. Postcards of what it looks like on a clear day are readily available, anyway. On a beautiful afternoon, you'll want to hang out in one of Midtown's old, musty twilit Irish bars so you don't get a sunburn. If you must go to museums, try to speed through three or four into a single afternoon to see if you can break four minutes in the Museum Mile.

News Source: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=travel&res=9D01E3D8103EF930A35751C1A9609C8B63

For a romantic interlude, go for the Blu

2006-12-07T07:19:00.000-08:00

I can barely keep my head off the computer . . . z z z . . . keyboard. . . . z z z . . . I know a week has passed but I'm still suffering from some sort of post-Thanksgiving poultry coma.

``Gabe, do you want dark meat or white meat?''

``Yes.''

``Stuffing or sweet potatoes?''

``Yes.''

``A slice from every cake and pie on the table?''

``Do you really need to ask?''

So mustering the energy to head out into the night, I ordered an espresso as soon as I sat down at Caffe Blu. The bartender insisted I mention that they have a ''real Italian coffee machine.'' Finally, the days of being duped by the ''fake'' ones are behind us.

Caffe Blu Mediterranean Bistro & Wine Bar is at 1010 E. Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale. As you can tell from the extra ''f'' in Caffe and the lack of the ''e'' in Blu, this place is not just any java joint.

The slate-covered bar counter is embedded with sparkling fragments of glass. The decor features tiled floors, paintings of strawberry-garnished cocktails and walls covered in a textured paint that ceases to look like real leather only when your nose is inches from it.

The canopied patio is cooled by ceiling fans. The marble tabletops are topped with candles and flowers. On nights without live music, a mixture of light jazz and soulful George Michael songs percolate from all-weather speakers. Enjoy the syncopations of a saxophonist on Thursday nights and lightening licks of a guitarist on Fridays.

The patio is partially enclosed by a thigh-high, wrought-iron fence that gives a feeling of exclusiveness. However, the prices aren't exclusionary. Wines by the glass are $6 to $13, but you can also chug down a $220 bottle of Opus One, Mondavi/Rothschild.

If you're scoping out singles scenes, this isn't the place. But if you already have a main squeeze, this venue is perfect for a quiet night out since its location is just a bit east of the busiest section of Las Olas. And you can walk just a few paces and visit Galler Chocolates at 920 E. Las Olas Blvd. At this upscale chocolate shop, you'll hear classical music, the saleswoman behind the counter wears white gloves and the yummy confections are displayed like museum pieces. Another plus: Galler is open until 11 p.m. on weekends.

If you're looking for a place to impress -- or just want to stop at an impressive place for drinks or dinner, head to Johnny V, at 625 E. Las Olas. The sleek, granite bar is illuminated by recessed high-hats and track lighting. My chiropractor would be proud of the lower lumbar support provided by these simplistic, but artistic bar seats.

Locals and Las Olas strollers on vacation use an array of pick-up lines until 2 a.m. on weekends at Johnny V. You'll be surrounded by an affluent crowd so memorize the following definitions: starboard (right side of a boat); port (left side of a boat or the full-bodied dessert wine).

A decent vodka and cran will run you seven bucks, but you may spot a couple lingering over a bottle of Chateau Lafite-Rothschild Premieres Cru Classe, Pauillac 1945 for a paltry $3,095. The wine lists offers nearly 400 selections but you can enjoy the classy atmosphere and sip on a glass of wine available at $7 to $19.

While chatting about island getaways, indulge in a choice of three cheeses for $16, five for $24 or seven for $36 (the Drunken Goat comes highly recommended because it's soaked in wine and aged for months).

As for me, I'll remember to use portion control next Turkey Day so I don't feel as if I've been wine soaked and aged for months.

News Source: http://origin.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/entertainment/nightlife/

Romantic Destinations Can Be Found In A Variety Of Ideal Locations

2006-12-04T08:27:00.000-08:00

Whether you're going on honeymoon or are trying to enjoy some quality time alone with your partner, romantic holidays always carry the most pressure. You're required to provide the perfect vacation - and anything less spells potential disaster. However, there are many global romantic destinations to choose from so choose well and you're onto a winner.

Hawaii, for example, is one of the world's most popular destinations with people keen to have a romantic getaway. Fly to Honolulu and visit Hawaii's amazing beaches, lush greenery and volcanic land formations. Hawaii's turbulent natural history, along with its romantic history, makes it a very attractive location for honeymooners and people looking for romantic holidays in exotic locations. Many couples also cite Florida as one of their favourite destinations for a quiet, romantic break. Whether you're sunning yourselves in Miami or having fun together in one of the many theme parks, you're sure to have an exciting vacation for two in Florida.

If you're looking for romantic destinations outside America, you'll find plenty of holiday hotspots around the world that will provide you with exactly what you're looking for. If Eastern culture is more appealing to you, you could enjoy a romantic getaway in Istanbul, Turkey. Often seen as Europe's gateway to Asia, Istanbul provides holidaymakers with an intriguing mix of eastern and western cultures. Whether you spend your time hobnobbing in Istanbul's famous café scene, or exploring the infamous Topkapi Palace, an impressive relic of the Ottoman Empire, you'll love your romantic getaway in Instanbul.

If a historical destination for your romantic getaway is more what you're looking for, choose Cairo. Egypt's beautiful capital is home to an eclectic variety of museums, showcasing the best of its rich cultural heritage. And visits to the legendary pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx are sure to provide a wonderful sight, helping make your romantic getaway all the more memorable.

Bali in Indonesia is an excellent spot for the ideal romantic getaway; for a romantic holiday with a difference, visit Bali's hot springs or have a Balinese massage in one of Bali's famous spas. Enjoy traditional Balinese cuisine and chill out on Petitenget Beach - it's a fantastic way to enjoy some luxury and relaxation with your sweetheart.

Many major hotel chains offer deals on romantic breaks across the globe, so you don't have to worry about your costs spiralling out of control. So remember: if you're looking for the perfect, stress-free 'do not disturb' getaway, you'll always have plenty of choice for where to take that ultimate romantic break.

Source: http://www.ezinearticles.com/?Romantic-Destinations-Can-Be-Found-In-A-Variety-Of-Ideal-Locations&id=374012

City has turned game into a weekend event

2006-12-02T08:01:00.000-08:00

The Army-Navy meeting was, for years, a football spectacle that began with the kickoff and ended with the final play.

No more. Now it is what planners call Philadelphia's bowl weekend, a 3-day event that includes today's 2:30 game. It is, as Philadelphia Sports Congress executive director Larry Needle calls it, a chance "to build up the presence of the event, that even for people who don't have a ticket, they have an opportunity to touch and feel the experience a little bit."

Indeed, turning it into a grand event also gives the service academies the kind of experience that, the city hopes, will keep them coming back. After all, only a couple of years ago, co-chair Ron Naples said, the schools were doing "a pretty major bidding process around the country."

The opening of Lincoln Financial Field in 2003 led to a deal that brought the game to Philadelphia in 2004 through '06, and back here in 2008 and '09 after a stop in Baltimore next year.

Said Naples: "The idea of making it a bowl weekend was part and parcel of the whole pitch that was being made to the academies: Don't just look for somebody who's going to make sure the game's going to go off on Saturday. But look for a community that's going to commit itself to the game."

That has been the emphasis of Naples, fellow co-chair Tom Lynch and the Sports Congress, all working with the city's Convention & Visitors Bureau. Five full-timers and one part-timer work on the arrangements for the city, which results in an estimated annual economic impact of $35 million, and in such events as:

• A Friday pep rally at Liberty Place.

• An Army-Navy Salute at Penn's Landing that runs through tomorrow and includes a visit by Navy ships that will open for tours.

• A Patriots Games competition, pitting teams from Army and Navy in everything from putt-putt to basketball.

• A continuation of the "Red, White & You" program, which supplies tickets to 500 high schools students to see the game and learn more about the academies.

There probably was a time a couple of years ago, Naples said, when the academies "thought we had taken the game for granted."

Are they more satisfied now?

"They tell us they are," he said. "I think they feel like they have a good time when they come here."

How much that feeling translates into making the city a permanent site is unclear. Needle said the city would like people to connect Philly to Army-Navy the way they do the Orange Bowl and Miami and the Rose Bowl and Pasadena, Calif. Talks are under way to forge an alliance beyond 2009, but Needle noted that the schools "need to talk between themselves and figure out a game plan in terms of the next steps."

Naples acknowledged that interest is still percolating elsewhere to hold this game, and that "the reality may be that we give up the game occasionally for a year or so."

Still, the city will look at other ways to expand the related activities and hope that pays off.

"I think their experience with us has been good enough that would like to get to a conclusion with us expeditiously," Naples said, "but we'll just have to see how those interests sort out."

News Source: http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/sports/16146970.htm