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Last Updated: 11/17/2009

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Gender: Male
Status: Single
Age: 28
Sign: Capricorn

Country: US
Signup Date: 9/18/2007

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Tuesday, January 05, 2010 

Current mood:  indifferent
Category: Life
The Final score:  Florida State University 33, University of West Virginia 21.  The 2010 Konica Minolta Gator Bowl, played on New Year’s Day, hosted the Florida State Seminoles versus the West Virginia Mountaineers.   This was a fitting end to Bobby Bowden’s illustrious career as head coach of the Florida State Seminoles.  The Gator Bowl Association has a rich tradition spanning 64 years.

The Mountaineers started the game strong with two first quarter touchdowns to the Seminole’s lone field goal.  But Florida State battled back to end the half with a touchdown and field goal, bringing the score to 14 - 13, West Virginia.

In the second half, the Seminoles came out swinging, driving for a touchdown and kicking a field goal to bring the score to 23 - 14.  The Seminole defense held the Mountaineers scoreless during the third quarter.
Bobby Bowden
Despite their efforts, the Mountaineers could not overcome the growing deficit in the fourth quarter.  West Virginia opened their fourth quarter drive with a field goal, but gave up a touchdown and field goal; and the game ended triumphantly for Bowden’s boys.
New Year’s Day also hosted the oldest bowl game, the Rose Bowl, featuring Ohio State versus Oregon, with the Buckeyes victorious over the Ducks 26 - 17. The Cincinnati Bearcats were crushed by the Florida Gators, 51 - 24 in the Allstate Sugar Bowl also played on New Year’s.

Bobby Bowden is one of the most successful coaches in college football history, with a record of 389-129-4 and is 21-10-1 in bowl games.  Bowden lead the Seminoles to two national championships; 1993 and 1999 respectively, with 14 straight seasons of at least 10 wins.  In his 34-year career as FSU head coach, Bowden had only one losing season, his first in 1976.

Florida State football was brought up from the dust into a dynasty - and we all have Bobby Bowden, ranked second in all time wins in college football trailing the legendary Joe Paterno, to thank.  Thanks Coach Bowden, we’ll miss you.

Stay tuned for the 2010 National Championship featuring the Alabama Crimson Tide versus the Texas Longhorns on Thursday, January 7 at 8 pm on ABC.
Thursday, December 31, 2009 

Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes
For Rent Media Solutions would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year! Its the end of a  decade and we are looking forward to the new year.

Here’s a poem, created by one of our own, to wish you the best in 2010!

It’s holiday time in the apartment biz,
Filled with resident parties and treats for the kids.

With overflowing dumpsters and packages galore,
Your properties are covered in holiday décor.

Residents are filled with holiday spirit,
And each and every one wants you to hear it.

Relax, breath and have no fear,
2010 is almost here.

New budgets, new goals, and bonuses to earn.
It’s a fresh start, and it’s your turn.

Your turn to shine, your turn to glow,
So get ready show all that you know.

It’s a new year, and it’s yours for the taking.
Keep this in mind with the decisions your making.

Now is the time to make it all clear.
Let’s make 2010 an awesome year!
 Happy New Year from ForRent.com
-Jennifer Pendleton, The Sherwin Williams Company (former For Rent Media Solutions employee)
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 

Category: Life
Every city has a sense of pride and landmarks that set it apart from other cities.  You probably have fond memories of a certain landmark or experience in a city that means a lot to you.  It could be Disney World in Orlando, Time Square in New York City, or the Monuments in Washington, DC.  San Francisco has its own share of landmarks, experiences, and history that continue to draw tourism and new residents.   Here  are three  things that San Francisco is known for that you will be proud of when you move to the area:

San Francisco
    1.  The Golden Gate Bridge- Featured in many movies, The Golden Gate Bridge has a rich history and still draws tourists. It was the longest suspension bridge in the world when it was built and it is still has the second longest suspension bridge main span in America. It is the long standing representation of San Francisco and California as a whole. In 1999, it was ranked fifth on the List of America’s Favorite Architecture by the American Institute of Architects.
    2.  The Weather- When you think of California, you probably think of year around heat. San Francisco is a little different. Temperatures only exceed 75 degrees 28 days out of the year. The average high is 63 degrees F and the average lows is 51 degrees F. San Francisco is surrounded on three sides by water, which makes its strongly influenced by the cool currents of the Pacific Ocean which leads to little seasonal temperature variation.
    3.  Cable Cars- The San Francisco cable car system is the world’s last permanently operational manually-operated cable car system, according to Wikipedia. They are used by commuters, but also serve as an attraction for tourists. The storied history of the cable car shows the resolve of San Franciscans, who fought to keep the cable cars even when their use came under attack

San Francisco is a great place to live.  It can be expensive, but living in such a beautiful and historic city is worth it. Get more information and search tips on San Francisco Apartments, or view all Apartments For Rent in San Francisco, CA.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009 

Category: Life
This year won’t be the first year that so many soldiers send their greetings to their loved ones from overseas while a small number will be fortunate enough to make it back just in time for the holidays.

HomecomingWith living and working amidst the largest naval base in the United States, I’ve witnessed deployments and more excitingly homecomings for so many families in the Tidewater area.  Whoever said absence makes the heart grow fonder certainly captured the feelings of military families across the globe and as you can imagine, those emotions are heightened during the holiday season.  Having our American heroes’ home in time for Christmas is the wish of so many around the world and I hope they get just that this year!

Some families have already gotten their wish this season and I’d like to extend a warm welcome back to those who have recently returned home; including the USS Bataan, USS Ponce and the USS McHenry, as well as the 2nd FAST Company Marines!!!  For those suspected to be arriving before the 24th, we wish you safe travels in the coming days and a happy holiday!

Burgess Nichols
Lastly, I haven’t forgotten those who won’t be back on American soil in time for the new year- my thoughts go out to you and your family as 2009 draws to an end and I hope you come home soon!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009 

Current mood:  artistic
Category: Life
The fun doesn’t end after Christmas, for some, it’s only just begun! Celebrated Dec. 26-Jan.1, Kwanzaa is the unique African American celebration that focuses on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce, and self-improvement. Kwanzaa, which means, “first fruits of the harvest” in the African language Kiswahili, was founded in 1966 and is celebrated by nearly 20 million people worldwide!

Each day, during this seven day celebration, honors one of Kwanzaa’s seven principles:

    Umoja (oo-MO-jah): Unity- stresses the importance of togetherness for the family and the community, which is reflected in the African saying, “I am We,” or “I am because We are.”
    Kujichagulia (koo-gee-cha-goo-LEE-yah): Self-Determination- requires that we define our common interests and make decisions that are in the best interest of our family and community.
    Ujima (oo-GEE-mah): Collective Work and Responsibility- reminds us of our obligation to the past, present and future, and that we have a role to play in the community, society, and world.
    Ujamaa (oo-JAH-mah): Cooperative economics- emphasizes our collective economic strength and encourages us to meet common needs through mutual support.
    Nia (NEE-yah): Purpose- encourages us to look within ourselves and to set personal goals that are beneficial to the community.
    Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah): Creativity- makes use of our creative energies to build and maintain a strong and vibrant community.
    Imani (ee-MAH-nee): Faith- focuses on honoring the best of our traditions, draws upon the best in ourselves, and helps us strive for a higher level of life for humankind, by affirming our self-worth and confidence in our ability to succeed and triumph in righteous struggle.

Decoration

Kwanzaa Photo
The colors of Kwanzaa are black, red and green and should be incorporated when decorating your home. African prints can also be hung tastefully around the room. Original art and sculpture may be displayed as well. No Kwanzaa celebration is complete without the following items:

    Kinara: candle holder
    Mkeka: placemat preferably made of straw
    Mazao: crops, i.e., fruits and vegetables
    Vibunzi/Muhindi: ears of corn to reflect the number of children in the household
    Kikombe cha umoja: communal unity cup
    Mishumaa saba: seven candles-one black, three red, and three green
    Zawadi: gifts that are enriching

Kwanzaa Fun!

Looking for some fun activities to do while celebrating Kwanzaa? Try some of these courtesy of Kaboose.com!
    o Egg Carton Kinara
    o Unity Cup
    o Mancala Game
    o Kinara Centerpiece

Find these festive activities and more at http://crafts.kaboose.com/kwanzaa-crafts.html

Interested in learning more about Kwanzaa, visit the Kwanzaa official Web site.
Monday, December 21, 2009 

Current mood:charitable
Category: Life
…and Peace on Earth!

This holiday season philanthropic gift-giving is quite the trend.  This should come as no surprise in light of the recession … as a matter of fact, the loss of jobs for so many Americans has been an eye opener to the needs not only in the United States but around the globe.

Making the transition to charitable gift-giving in lieu of conventional gifts can be a tough one, but we’ve got you covered.  Various non-profits throughout the world have taken advantage of the time of year by offering seasonal gifts with proceeds benefiting their cause to entice current shoppers while others have implemented drives and campaigns as year-end goals.  We’ve listed a few for you that are doing just that.

1. UNICEF Inspired Gifts- When you buy an Inspired Gift on behalf of a friend or family member, UNICEF will send that person a personalized card with a photograph and description of the gift.  Your purchase will then be dispatched to any one of 155 countries depending on the greatest need.  The wide variety of gifts to choose from includes: first aid kits, vaccines for children, water pumps, therapeutic milk, and other essential items ranging in price.

2. Network for GoodTM- the good card® is a gift card that can be redeemed as a donation to any of more than 1.8 million charities.  You simply choose the amount and they choose the cause.

3. National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) - Give your friends and family the experience of playing a personal role in saving wildlife and wildlands.  Some gift options include planting a rainforest tree for $10, rescuing a polar bear for $15, or protecting newborn gray whales for $20.

4. TOMS shoes- This season “CHOOSE SHOES”.  With every pair of shoes you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need.   So, if you are considering purchasing apparel as a gift this year, give shoes a chance.

5. Operation Smile- Give a smile this holiday season.  There are gifts ranging from $20.00 - $600.00 and with every purchase you’ll receive a gift card and e-card to let your loved ones know a remarkable gift has been given in their name.   Imagine, $240 can help pay for a surgery that would end a lifetime of pain and isolation.

This is just a snapshot of the non-profit organizations you can support this holiday.  If you’re still looking for a tangible gift for your friend or family member consider a purchase with charitable proceeds such as (PRODUCT) RED or Livestrong.     Just remember the spirit of the season and give a gift that keeps on giving!
Sunday, December 20, 2009 

Current mood:  fabulous
Category: Life
Williamsburg, Virginia 
 …Williamsburg

Traveling this holiday season or already making plans for next year?  Consider escaping your home or apartment to spend your holiday in a small town.  Their captivating festivals, locally owned stores with unique gifts, and cozy inns decorated to the brim for the season can be enticing no matter what stage of life you’re in.  In our neck of the woods, Colonial Williamsburg is a place of interest.  With being just over 45 minutes/miles from Richmond & Norfolk, Virginia, Williamsburg makes for an easy trip…and they’ve got plenty to see and do while there!  Some of the special events to take place over the holidays include:

    The Grand Illumination, a spectacle of fireworks (18th century style), music, and lights
    Lighting of the Christmas Tree
    Music performances
    Christmas Decorations Walking Tour
    Shopping at Merchants Square or the Historic Area
    Kids’ Weekends: on several weekends, this special program includes dressing up for the holidays in 18th century style, storytelling, caroling, holiday feasts, 18th century popular card game, and more

What small town destinations have you visited or heard of for the holiday season?  We’d love to hear where you’ve been or where you’re going - who knows we may plan a trip there next year!
              

Saturday, December 19, 2009 

Category: Life
Although we might all be feeling the strain on our pockets, it’s hard to resist the temptation to give, especially when it comes to beloved family and friends.  We tightened our spending all year, but with Christmas fast approaching, the International Council of Shopping Centers is estimating that we will beat last year’s numbers by 1 to 2% (still poor compared to years prior), but, nevertheless, we are spending. We still can’t resist a bargain and have refined our gifts to those truly worth the expense. For that reason, it’s hard to ignore the hot gifts of 2009. Here are some of the gifts worth noting.

Shopping BagsEvery year, there is that one gift on the top of every parent’s list. They’ll wait in lines for hours, and despite a “season of giving”, always manage to fight over that prize coveted gift. The Zhu Zhu Pet is one of those gifts.  It is a robotic hamster that squeaks, chirps and crawls around endlessly until you have no choice but to turn it off. Not only have these “pets” made headlines, but they are selling for over triple, sometimes quadruple their original price on secondary markets. A cute fuzzy toy which would have cost you $10, during Christmas, is now costing you up to $50! That’s if you are lucky enough to find a vendor that has some in stock. In addition to the Zhu Zhu, children can’t seem to resist the Fisher Price Digital Cameras and Smart Fit, as well as the Leap Frog Zippity Learning Center.

For those of us over the age of 15, the Zhu Zhu Pet just might not do it for us and the Kindle might be a better option.  The Kindle is an electronic book, the size of a small, thin paperback, weighing a single pound. The perks of this device are bountiful. You can download books directly to the Kindle and in most cases, the e-book is less expensive than a hard copy itself. There is a text-to-speech feature that will actually read aloud in the newer versions. We don’t know anyone who would be upset to receive one of these this Christmas. There are many other gadgets that will speak to the young or techie member of the family, including a Blu-ray Player, Flip Camcorder or of course, the iPod Nano or Docking station. For the video-gaming obsessed, gifts like “Beatles Rock Band”, “Wii Sports Resort” and “Wii Fit Plus” are sure to draw smiles.

For the designer diva in the family, Jimmy Choo made a suede open-toe boot, exclusively for H&M.  As expected, these shoes will probably sell out quickly, but if you have the opportunity to run into an H&M, you might as well take a look.  It isn’t that often that high-end designers like Jimmy Choo make affordable options.

Before you buy anything, think about the practicality of your gift and if it will truly be enjoyed. We highlighted some of the hot items this holiday season above, but that doesn’t mean they are great for everyone. Think practically and use family “wish lists”. What we need is always far more important than what we want. So when you are busy pacing the halls of your local mall, don’t lose sight of what Christmas is all about-relish in the moments you can share with your family and friends.
Friday, December 18, 2009 

Current mood:  cheerful
Category: Life
Holiday Drinks that Won’t Pack on Pounds

It’s the most wonderful time of the year but the lbs. that come with it…not so much. It’s easy to become a little lax about your diet and exercise routine around the holidays especially when it comes to the amount of alcohol calories consumption. “There will be parties for hosting”…. including office parties, happy hours, family gatherings, and New Year’s Eve parties. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do some simple things to help curb some of those empty alcohol calories that your body doesn’t need.

Did you know that calories add up even more quickly for mixed drinks than for beer and wine? The standard 1.5 ounce serving of 80-proof alcohol has 96 calories even before you add any mixers. A 6-ounce serving of orange juice has 84 calories, but add a shot of liquor to make it a screwdriver, and the calories more than double. The mixers, syrups, and sodas are the drinks that really get people into calorie trouble, because most drinks start with 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits that only have around 96 calories.

Attention vino lovers! Most glasses of wine contain 125-150 calories, but that can double depending on the size of the glass size and how full it is. At cocktail or dinner parties, glasses are often refilled before empty, making it especially hard for dieters to track their alcohol and calorie consumption.

Maybe you are a beer lover? Did you know that beer can range from 64-198 calories per 12 ounces? Yikes…light beers might be a better choice!

Here’s some advice on how to deal with the holidays and avoid packing on the LQ lbs.

Five Tips to Restrain Your Alcohol Calorie Intake
    Have a Snack Beforehand. If you do decide to have a cocktail, make sure you have a healthy snack before going off to a party. You’ve always been told to do the same thing before heading to the grocery store, right? This is the same concept. It will level out your blood sugar and help you focus on friends and family instead of food and alcohol. Plus drinking on an empty stomach is not healthy or safe.
    Lighten it Up. Choose wine, wine spritzers, light cocktails or light beer. Select diet sodas (diet coke, diet club soda, diet tonic), low-calorie juices (light cranberry juice, light orange juice), artificial sweeteners, or sugar free syrups as your mixers.
    Drink “Mocktails” in-Between Drinks. Once you finish a glass of wine, light beer or cocktail, replace your next drink with water, diet coke, or diet club soda with a lemon or lime (that looks like the real thing). Speaking of water, make sure you drink plenty of it to keep your body flushed and hydrated. It is recommended to have a glass of water for each alcoholic beverage you drink. This will also help to keep your alcohol intake to a minimum and save you the empty calories.
    Skip the Mix. Try to avoid using a mixer at all with your favorite drinks. Try it on the rocks or stick with light beer or wine. Flavored vodkas are very popular and will allow you to skip a step (aka the mixer).
    Thin it Out. Typically a vodka and cran kinda gal or guy? Try mixing your fav drink with sparkling water, club soda or diet tonic with just a splash of your favorite juice. This will help to dilute your drink. Then garnish your drink with a lemon or lime wedge to add some extra flavor.
How many calories are in drinks anyway?
These calorie counts in some of your favorite drinks are approximate, based on popular recipes, but will vary depending on ingredients and portions:

Holiday Martini

    Cosmopolitan (4 oz): 200 calories
    Chocolate martini: (2 oz each vodka, chocolate liqueur, cream, 1/2 oz creme de cacao, chocolate syrup): 438
    Margarita (8 oz): 280
    Green apple martini (1 oz each vodka, sour apple, apple juice): 148
    Martini (2.5 oz): 160
    Port wine (3 oz):128
    Bloody Mary (5 oz): 118
    Red wine (5 oz):120
    White wine (5 oz): 120
    Alcohol-free wine (5 oz): 20-30
    Beer (12 oz): 150-198
    Light beer (12 oz): 95-136
    Ultra-light beer (12 oz): 64-95
    Champagne (5oz): 106-120
    Coffee liqueur (3 ounces): 348
    Godiva chocolate liqueur (3 oz): 310
    Wine spritzer (5 oz): 100
    Eggnog with rum (8 ounces): 370
    Hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps (8 oz): 380
    Hot buttered rum (8 oz): 292
    Spiced cider with rum ( 8 oz):150
    Vodka and tonic (8 oz): 200
    Screwdriver (8 oz): 190
    Mimosa (4 oz): 75
    Gin and tonic (7 oz): 200
    Long Island iced tea (8 oz): 780
    White Russian (2 oz vodka, 1.5 oz coffee liqueur, 1.5 oz cream): 425
    Mai Tai (6 oz) (1.5 oz rum, 1/2 oz cream de along, 1/2 oz triple sec, sour mix, pineapple juice): 350
    Rum and Coke (8 oz): 185
    Rum and Diet Coke (8 oz): 100
    Mike’s Hard Lemonade (11 oz): 98

Please remember to drink responsibly and DON’T drink and drive. If you or your friends are going to a party and plan to drink alcohol, decide in advance who will be the designated driver. Also, before leaving the house make sure to put a local cab company phone number into your cell phone. If you are the host of a party, offer the cab number to your guests on the invite, a sign near the door, or on mini sized business cards. You can ensure your holiday season is a relaxing, enjoyable and peaceful one as long as you remember to drink in moderation, and encourage your loved ones to do the same.
Thursday, December 17, 2009 

Current mood:  energetic
Category: Life
I’m sure most of you are familiar with The Hanukkah song from Adam Sandler’s movie Eight Crazy Nights. But if you’re not, the song is about celebrities or well known people who are Jewish. If you’re feeling like you’re the only kid NOT celebrating Christmas this year, then take a look at some who might be celebrating Hanukkah just like you!

From the infamous song: David Lee Roth, James Caan, Kirk Douglas and Ann Landers. But here are a few more: Rachel Bilson, Amanda Bynes, Zac Efron, Jake Gyllenhall, David Arquette, Isla Fisher and Seth Green.

So while other kids are waiting to celebrate their Christmas traditions, don’t think you’re alone in celebrating Hanukkah customs. There are TONS of people who celebrate this  Jewish heritage. So light your menorah, sing I have a Little Dreidel, feast on your time-honored latkes and open your eight gifts! And most of all, remember that this time of year is about being with family and friends. No matter how you celebrate it, just enjoy it!



Currently listening:
Erran Baron Cohen Presents: Songs In The Key Of Hanukkah
By Erran Baron Cohen
Release date: 2008-11-18