It is interesting what people discuss in forums, blogs, or discussion boards on the Internet depending on the topic.

When the topics include sex, there might be comments of pride, praise, disgust, etc. But when it comes to the topic of virginity, there might be responses of “so what”, “get laid”,”being a virgin is overrated”, or “I regret losing it at this age”.

Also, when typing the word “Virgin” on Google, it comes up with 161 Million results compared to Drinking (104 Million), Smoking (113Million), and Killing with 84.1 Million.

So if this topic is getting more attention than it deserves according to some, then where are the people who want to make this social sensation go away?

This topic will probably go on as long as human beings still exist.

For a young girl growing up in today’s society where there are girls who are pregnant in their pre-teens, do you think she might feel pressured to lose her virginity for the sake of saying she is not one anymore?

Or maybe the images from television or magazines might provoke the curiosity to explore sex at a young age. Just think about the news stories about adolescents “Sexting”, texting sexually explicit messages, or sending provocative pictures.

Imagine the repercussions.

If there was a poll study on girls at a junior high and high school in a local town/province, what percentage do you think will be of them who lost their virginity? Would it be a high percentage, or a low one?

For women who are mothers, aunts, cousins, etc, what can they do to help a young girl understand that “it is a personal choice” when it comes to losing virginity?

What do you think about this topic?

Gregory Smith, a 23 year old man, came face to face via video chat with the woman he held at gun point at a check cashing place in Indiana on Oprah.

It would have been an ordinary robbery where the robber takes the cash and leaves, but it ended with Smith on his knees praying for forgiveness.

He even took the bullet out of the gun and handed it to the store employee to prove his remorsefulness.

The reason for the robbery was a dire attempt to provide money for his financially strained fiancée and 2 year old daughter because he was out of a job for almost a year. His fiancée was supporting the whole entire family at the time of the robbery.

Smith has also served in the armed services for four years.

Angela Montez, who is the store employee that prayed with Smith, told Oprah she already forgave him and knew he was a good person.

Montez also said that during the ordeal, something came over her and somehow she was able to talk to Smith that led him to open up to her about his situation.

It could have been described as a divine intervention from a higher power.

By Oprah having this on her show, it might lead people to have a different opinion when judging a person.

With the struggling economy, job cuts and home foreclosures may lead people to decisions that they would not normally do out of character.

Here is another part of the story and look at the comments: click here.

And Oprah link.

So what do you think about this situation?

There is news circulating about a product that lets women re-experience losing their virginity. The product called Artificial Virginity Hyman,

costs less than $30, but it is already receiving criticism.

Do you think this product will become popular with young teenagers? And are there any side effects?

Click on this link for more on this story: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113763459&ps=cprs

I hear this phrase so much these days. Is it really a good thing to share another person with the person you are in a relationship with?

Or is this for self-gratification?

I found this topic on a site I came across
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She Said: Can Open Relationships Work?

Posted by Kay Sea

Okay ladies, we’ve all had that conversation with our men about inviting another woman into the bedroom for some menagè trois action. While some of us are willing to take the plunge, and maybe even have a potential third party in mind, many of us shutter at the thought of sharing our men.

On one hand, maybe an open relationship has its perks. If you invite another women to your bed then this means your man will never cheat, right? This is not to be mistaken as a con to engage in freakish encounters to buffer your guy’s cheating ways, but rather a way to explore sexual fantasies together as a couple. But these scenarios tend to get a little tricky when either you or your man begin to rendezvous with the outsider without warning, then suddenly it becomes cheating.

On the other end of extremes, some couples think it’s healthy to swing around and couldn’t be happier in their relationship. The premise of the sexually open arrangements is most often the “unnatural” rules of monogamy. Maybe the most puzzling piece of all, is most open couples have long-lasting relationships and are more than in love with their partner.

What’s the magic, communication? Clearly no one should even dare dive into this type of venture if the communication isn’t solid to begin with, but if it is, could it work? If you decide to give it a go, is this a one time engagement or have you forever opened pandora’s box?

LiveSteez sat with a group of women and asked, can an open relationship work?

Oh you’ve opened the damn box! My mother always said “don’t start shit you ain’t willing to continue,” and it’s true! If you start messing around with other women with your man, you think that one time is going to be enough to satisfy his greedy ass? No! He going to want different women who do different shit, the freakier the better. Y’all gon’ learn, messing with marriage. One is enough and two is too much. -Karen, 29, Stylist

It really depends on the people’s personalities. Most of us are not secure enough for that kind of relationship, we’re just trained to accept that. We’re [women] trained by society to be monogamous. I think it could work with a lot of communication, but keep in mind that most of us are poor communicators. For the majority of Americans in particular, I would say no. -Dana, 33, Teacher

I would say yes. I think an open relationship can work if boundaries are set and communication is clear about expectations. When I was 20, I had a polygamous relationship, and it was one of my greatest, but I chose to leave. However, the two remained together and have been married for 8 years now and we’re all still really good friends. So yes, these set ups can work. -Liza, 30, Psychologist

I don’t know. That’s a tough call. Not to say that I am desperate enough to do what it takes to keep a man, but what you won’t do somebody else will. I just think in order for an open relationship to work the two people should have similar beliefs, in terms of stringency. If you’re one of those people who’s cool with your man doing his thing from time to time, and you have the clearance to do your own thing too then that’s a perfect match. But you can’t have a swinger and a monogamous person in one couple, it’s bound for disaster. Yea, being “open” is not for me personally, but I do think it could work, but with the right people. -Farrah, 25, Entrepreneur

This topic was from http://livesteez.com/livestyle/read/81/She-Said-Can-Open-Relationships-Work

I was on a website when I came across this topic.

by siderevs on flickr

Is marriage going to be a thing of the past and just living together will be the future?

It seems this will alway be a moot point.

Here’s the story:

[She Said] Is Marriage Just a Paper?

Posted by Kay Sea

Back in the day marriage was a standard, not an option. If a man knocked his girl up, they had a shot gun wedding, continued to have children and more than likely stayed together out of obligation. Today, however, couples have found a loophole to attain all the attachments of marriage without the title.

Here’s a very common scenario that is often debated among today’s young couples and marriage vets of yesteryear: A man and a woman have been shacking up for the past three years or so, and everything is close to perfect. The issue of marriage falls upon them and they figure, why not? We’ve been together forever now so what difference would it make, we might as well. They take the plunge, and a short year later they divorce. The burning question remains, what is it about that piece of paper called a marriage license turns the dynamics of a relationship up-side-down? Young folks today obviously recognize that it’s much easier to commence a marriage than it is to void it, so what’s the point?

As there is nothing new under the sun, the same problems that plagued marriages then could destroy any union today. What has changed is the necessity of nuptials all together. Nowadays a lot of women feel that if maintaining a relationship without the legal title is what it takes keep the love alive, then so be it, because a paper doesn’t determine the love, longevity and livelihood of a marriage.

Livesteez sat down and asked a group of women: Is marriage overrated? Let us know what you think.

Honestly, the only reason why I would get married is for insurance purposes. Like, if my guy had a life insurance policy and I’m having his children and playing house for years, then yea. If he croaks, I’m gonna need to maintain the security of my homelife for my children. I know it sounds terrible, but don’t forget marriage is a business transaction and if my guy has no assets, then marriage is pointless and we could continue to love each other while shacking up. – Nicolette, 29, Attorney

Marriage to me is just one of those things that seems less and less tangible as I get older. You know when you are younger you think I graduate from high school, go to college, find my husband in college and marry him right after graduation and start a family, and live happily ever, but I think somewhere along the way that Disney, cherry-coated, “in a perfect world” fantasy wears off after life starts to get real. You grow up and realize that everything that you thought life was about just isn’t simply achieved…

To read the rest of the post go to http://livesteez.com/livestyle/read/74/She-Said-Is-Marriage-Just-a-Paper

Thanks for reading

Came across this in a forum on Beliefnet.

This past month my husband and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary.  No big deal for MOST people, but for me I see it as HOPE to all of us who have had thier world rocked when their long-time spouse [21 years] walked away from his marriage vows, his kids and his life…all for another woman.

Beliefnet has struggled with many changes over the years and we have lost many of the regular posters, but there are still a few of us who are kicking around and who have much to say thank you for this site.  I poured my heart out on this site and got so much uplifting support from others who had shared the pain of a broken relationship. I made such great cyber friends who reminded me that I am beautiful and deserving of true love. And, I even met my new spouse from one of those cyber friends who saw us as a perfect match. He was right, but the journey took some effort.  I needed to learn to love myself again before I could ever love anyone else.

So, I thought I would post and tell you that I am having the BEST life.  My 2 grown children adore their stepdad and there is such a thing as “Happily Ever After”.  As for the x who left me for a friend of mine……he found the grass is not greener and the relationship he left his marriage for did not last.  He is alone and feels lonely.

To read the responses click here

Fellow New Yorkers and those who are interested in news about New York,  in case you haven’t heard, there are journalists scouring the five boroughs to bring stories that need to be heard to light. NYCity News Service is operated by students from the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism.

It has everything from Print for those who like a good reading, Video for the visually inclined, Audio Slideshows for interactive media enthusiasts.

Here are just some of the stories that are being produced on the site:

New Asthma Fears in East Harlem

It’s being seen as part of a development and job boom for East Harlem.
But a new Costco is also creating concerns in a community with some of the highest asthma rates in the city.

Help and Hope for the Jobless

Brooklyn – As jobs continue to vanish, job hunters in New York City need someone to give them hope and practical advice. For many, Khalil Rashid is that person.

In a government office building on Fulton Street at the Labor Services Resource Room, it is the responsibility of Mr. Rashid and the other labor services representatives to help people find jobs — no easy task as unemployment rises.

A Dream Delayed for Latino Laborers

Queens – The recession has slammed New Yorkers, especially working-class folks without a lot of savings to cushion the blow of sudden unemployment or a reduction in work hours.

Latino immigrants, who are predominately employed in the ailing construction, manufacturing and hospitality industries, are among the groups hardest hit by the downturn. A recent report by the Pew Hispanic Center in Washington found the unemployment rate for foreign-born Latinos rose over the past year, with about 35 percent of working-age people unemployed.

Making Green by Going Green

Manhattan – Standing next to 30-pound sacks of organic soil on the 49th floor of 7 World Trade Center, Dominic Vigliotti talked excitedly how his Long Island company is selling tons of compost for roof gardens.

Ten feet away, Ken Hillman of Green Street Construction showed floor tiles made of recycled glass, and a piece of carpet woven entirely from wool. “It’s sustainable and it grows back every year,” Hillman noted. “Instead of wearing a sweater, we can make a carpet.”

Don’t forget to leave a comment on how you felt about the story.

For other stories, go to the NYCity News Service site.

This phrase is used often today. But is it worth it?

Here is something I came across recently on Psychology Today Magazine website.

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Friends With Benefits
Hara Estroff Marano gives advice on hooking up, clingy moms, and annoying mother-in-laws.

By Zephyri www.deviantart.com

By: Hara Estroff Marano

I have been really good friends with a guy, and although we’ve both talked about having a relationship, we’re not ready. I don’t want to remain just “friends with benefits.” He talks to other girls, which bothers me because he acts as if there is nothing between us, and there is. Sometimes I’m really pissy with him on the phone because I see him hug other girls, but I can’t tell him, “I don’t want you to talk to other girls,” because I’m not his girlfriend. What should I do?

Dahlink, you are already having a relationship, just not a good one. It’s one-sided, without any investment of attention on his part. The thing about friends with benefits is that, often, only one person gets all the benefits. Among the young, who typically do not yet know how to establish equality or mutuality in relationships, friends with benefits frequently functions to service the physical needs of boys while overlooking the more subtle emotional needs of girls. Women are pretty much wired to form emotional attachments to men they are intimate with. That’s why having friends with benefits can get confusing. You feel attached to him, expect him to feel the same about you and so you want him to demonstrate some caring, certainly by not being overly affectionate with other girls. But he won’t even recognize a relationship. Result: You’re distressed. It’s not the sex that makes friends with benefits a bad bargain for young women; it’s the nature of the deal—lack of equal emotional involvement of the partners. At least you’ll salvage your self-respect if you stop the flow of benefits to him completely. Maybe then he will begin to pay you more attention, maybe not. But you will have learned something important: It’s best for your own soul to reserve sexual intimacy for relationships where there are clear signs of affection both ways. Otherwise, you’re just going to keep going down the same one-way street named disappointment.

You can read more of this article with different scenarios at http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-20060719-000006.html

Credit goes to Psychology Today Magazine
Copyright Sussex Publishers, LLC

New Greater Bethel Ministries has a Soup Kitchen/Food Pantry in Hollis. It is a storefront with a sign in the window that is hard to see from far away, whether driving or walking along Hollis Avenue near Francis Lewis Boulevard.

Mother Ruby Graham, 77, is the coordinator, wearing a sea captain’s hat, and does most of the cooking. Her assistant, Sister Curtis, and volunteers Sister Meebam (wearing a magenta hat and blouse) and a retired military veteran (wearing an “I Love NY” shirt), help Mother Graham run the place. It wasn’t easy taking photographs because of the dimly lit place with few fluorescent lights illuminating.

Click Here: http://blogs.journalism.cuny.edu/interactivefundamentals/2008/12/22/hidden-soup-kitchen-in-hollis-queens/

In case you haven’t heard, 20th Century Fox produced a live-action adaption to Akira Toriyama’s “Dragonball”. According to Anime News Network, a second trailer has been released.

Here is the second trailer: http://dragonballthemovie.com/.

And comments on the forum show mixed feelings of this movie.

One commenter might reflect the feelings of some Dragonball fans.

sykoeent

Joined: 17 Jul 2007
Posts: 55

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 1:42 am

Wow… emo Goku with ZERO EXPRESSION!!!…. No wonder why FOX was trying to hold up Watchmen…. Good job FOX!!! You created a new “Fail/Suck” word… “FOX”. If I screw something up, now I will just say, “Aww, I FOX’d it up!” or when I’m telling someone off, “HEY MAN, FOX you!” Or when I’m dropping one in the toilet… “WOW, now that was a big FOX!”
No wonder George Lucas left you guys! I know you guys read these forums… and let me just say, when you’re at the theatre, and this trailer comes up and you hear all those “boo’s”, I’m the one who started it. Have a good day, a FOX you, FOX! FOX you!!!

 

What are you views on the movie?

Feel free to leave comments