Proven Blogging System for Newbies and Beginners: The Ultimate WP Blogging System

What is Ultimate WP Blogging?

Ultimate WP Blogging is a system designed for “newbies” and beginners, aimed to teach them about the blogging industry. It is a step-by-step comprehensive system which takes a complete newbie and turns them into a professional blogger.

Unlike other courses where complex terms and industry language is used to impress the readers, Ultimate WP Blogging is written in very simple English and conveys the ideas very clearly to readers. It shows the whole procedure in a very clear and concise manner for starting the first blog and setting up the online blogging business.

Blogging is one of the most lucrative and popular online businesses done by millions of users online. People are making a living out of it and enjoying the freedom it brings to their life. Apart from making money through blogs, one can also popularize themselves in the online world to establish identity and build followers.
Ultimate WP Blogging contains all the steps, procedures, techniques and strategies that are involved in blogging. It walks you through the basics and gives you the whole idea of creating your first blog and making money from it.

What is included in Ultimate WP Blogging?

It has 8 modules which covers every part and explains the entire process with tips and strategies in a sequence. As a newbie, you will find it much easier and simpler to follow the directions mentioned in the Ultimate WP Blogging.

The terminologies used in the course are explained in the appropriate places which makes it convenient for the reader to understand the concept instantly.

The first section walks you through the introductory part which explains about the word “blogging” and the software used for blogging. It also walks you through the basic stuff needed for starting a blog. For example: domain name, webhosting and WordPress.

The 1^stmodule walks you through the procedure for getting a domain name for your blog.
The 2^ndmodule walks you through the procedure for getting a webhosting account for your blog.
The 3^rd module is about connecting the domain name and webhosting account to setup your first blog.
The 4^th module involves the procedure for installing your first blog through cPanel.
The 5^th module explains each and every element of your blog so that you can easily operate and manage your blog.
The 6^th module explains all the ways and techniques that are used to bring readers for your blog which ultimately will make money for you.
The 7^th module shows you all the ways and techniques through which you can make money from a blog.
The 8^th module shows you the secret ways that the author has used to make $20,000/month from his blogs. It also shows you the effective and proven strategies for making money through blogging.

Is there any upsells?
There are two upsells in the course.

Video Series
Furthermore, there is a video series available for readers of the Ultimate WP Blogging system which guides you through the entire process through video tutorials. For each module, there are video tutorials available that can be bought to better understand each and every technical aspect.

Membership Program
There is a membership program where users get access to the private forum which helps them in their blogging career by providing useful Done-For-You services, resources, secrets and strategies every month.
It includes the following:

1. Blog setup and installation service
2. Search engine optimization service for blogs, so that it is ranked on the first pages of Google and other search engines.
3. Technical support – The support team solves any problem related to HTML/CSS or PHP coding for the members.
4. New ideas, strategies and secrets every month.
5. Question & Answer session with successful bloggers every month.
6. Useful tools, plugins and resources.
7. 1 on 1 coaching and Skype chat.

The Ultimate WP Blogging is a complete and comprehensive blueprint which helps a complete newbie to start blogging as a career and make thousands of dollars a month.

My Unknown Tablet is better than your Ipad.

I don't know the name... is it safe? We know that you'll probably feel more comfortable with the idea of well-known branded devices. They have reputation and prestige, and the feeling of a big company behind them. But you may have forgotten that sometimes brands that are big now were once themselves quite tiny, or maybe have been well-known but were not involved in phone manufacture, and sometimes not long ago. Who had heard of phones made by Samsung, LG or HTC five years ago? You may not be aware that phones aren't necessarily only manufactured in factories owned by the brands themselves. In many industries it is common for a branded manufacturer to use the manufacturing facilities of smaller companies, who make products to their design and specification. Often commercial agreements will prevent them publishing their role as a manufacturer for a more well-known brand. In fact, sometimes a larger manufacturer who wants in on a market will go to the existing manufacturer that is unknown to consumers and work with them to tailor a model for their own marketing requirements and branded with their own name. Some manufacturers specialise in producing products for big names to tailor to their own specification and brand as their own. So smaller and lesser-known brand names can be just as good as big brands, even though they may choose to target customers who seek a combination of functionality and value as a priority over prestige. Because they aim to differentiate their own branded items by targeting a value market, they may include a slightly lower-resolution camera, for instance, or headphones that probably won't be the super-duper audiophile quality the top brands sometimes use for bumping up the price excessively – but they'll still be perfectly good quality to the vast majority of people.   AFFORDABLE VALUE TABLET PC AVAILABLE AT  www.92trade.com It depends on what is important to you, but the essential qualities and functionality are very comparable, yet at a much cheaper price. We've carefully picked some outstanding models from up-and-coming or behind-the-scenes manufacturers that we're certain offer excellent value for money as well as the dependable quality you need from a device that is very likely to become a constant companion in your life. For some people, our value brands may enable access to the life-changing convenience and functionality that otherwise might have been too far out of reach. CREATE AN ACCOUNT WITH 92TRADE FOR VALUED TABLET PC AND SMART PHONES (WITH FREE DELIVERY)

Names of Towns with Funny Names

These are a bunch of misjudged names of some places in the world. How funny would it look if someone walked up to you and said "Hello, my name's Chuck and I'm from Horneytown, NC".

1. Anus, France

2. Assinippi, Massassachusetts

3. Assloss, Scotland

4. Bald Knob, Arkansas

5. Ballplay, Tennessee

6. Beaver Lick, Kentucky

7. Big Beaver, Pennsylvania

8. Big Bone Lick State Park, Kentucky



9. Big Knockerstown, England

10. Blackdykes, England

11. Blowhard, Australia

12. Blue Ball, Ohio . . . Blue Ball, Delaware . . . Blue Ball, Pennsylvania

13. Bobbin Head, Australia

14. Boysack, Scotland

15. Brest, France

16. Bumpass, Virginia

17. Busti, New York

18. Buttzville, New Jersey

19. Caulkerbush, Scotland

20. Climax, Georgia



21. Cockintake, England

22. Cockplay, Scotland

23. Cocksgag, Ohio

24. Deep Gap, Tennessee

25. Dickeyville, Wisconsin

26. Dickshooter, Idaho

27. Dicktown, New Jersey

28. Dildo, Canada



29. Dikshit, India

30. Erect, North Carolina

31. Fanny, West Virginia

32. French Lick, Indiana

33. Fucking, Austria


Where's the person on the bike? Oh, no... not in public.

34. Gayville, South Dakota

35. Hookersville, West Virgina

36. Horneytown, North Carolina

37. Intercourse, Pennsylvania

38. Knock Lick, Kentucky

39. Little Dix Village, West Indies

40. Long Dong, China

41. Loveladies, New Jersey

42. Mary’s Inlet, Canada

43. Mount Gay, West Virginia

44. Mount Mee, Australia

45. Muff, Ireland


There really is a diving club in Muff, Ireland.

46. Nipple, Utah

47. Onacock, Virginia

48. Pennis Wood, England

49. Pussy Creek, Ohio

50. Puseyville, Pennsylvania

51. Ramsbottom, England

52. Sexmoan, Phillippines

53. Shag Island, Indian Ocean

54. Smackass Gap, North Carolina

55. Spread Eagle, Wisconsin

56. Sweet Lips, Tennessee

57. Ta Ta Creek, Canada

58. Three Cocks, Wales

59. Threeway, Virginia

60. Pussy, France

61. Condom, France

Questions We Should Ask Ourselves...

Tell me how many women childhood dreams come to past
Tell me how many movies turn out real
There are so many questions
Questions I'll like to ask
So you can understand exactly how I feel

Tell me how many people wish they were someone else
Someone they think the world wants them to be
Tell me how many babies will be born just to die
Leaving me with these questions
Asking why

Tell me how do trees whisper
How do birds learn to sing
And how does the rainbow stay the same
How do bees make their honey
How do they learn to sting
Can a broken heart get back to heal again

How do people get so busy they don't find time to love
What's the truth behind why people go to war
Why is there so much religion yet there's so little love
Will I ever get to know the truth some day

Where's the youth who's gonna dare - where's the elder who really cares
Why do people believe things they know arent true
When you look into the mirror who do you see
Why do we have to grow to be wise

Asa is a multi-talented Nigerian songstress. She brings the soulful nostalgia of Nina Simone and Macy Gray. Questions is just one out of many of her soulful and mind-lifting songs.

Oily Humor

On a lighter note!

15 Ways to Attract Men......Even if You're Overweight!

Are you overweight? Think guys won’t go for you just because of how much space you take up? Think again! Attracting a man doesn’t have to involve a tight, rocking body — it’s all about confidence and positive attitude!

1. If you are only five or ten pounds overweight, you shouldn’t even be reading this article! You are not fat; you just feel self-conscious. Confidence is key when it comes to attracting a guy. There are plenty of skinny women who are still alone too. Why? They’re not confident or outgoing!

2. Play up your best features. True, it’s what’s on the inside that counts, but highlighting your best features will help you look and feel better about yourself. For example, if you have beautiful eyes, apply some black or navy-blue eyeliner to help widen your eyes. If you have shapely lips, apply a thin layer of gloss. Shape your brows. Clear up your acne. Not only will this help you look more approachable, but you’ll feel more confident knowing you like the way you look.

3. Wear your best outfits. You don’t necessarily have to go out and buy a new wardrobe, but you want to look approachable. So dig through your closet and pick out your favorite articles of clothing. Make sure they’re fitted and not too tight or too baggy. If they are, you’ll end up looking even *heavier*, and that’s not good. If you need to, go to your favorite stores and ask the clerks what size you should be buying. They might offer to help you pick out some new threads, too!

4. Make your hair look amazing by giving it a new style or color. Even just neatly brushed hair is great looking. If your hair is curly, you could either straighten it or apply mousse to keep it looking fresh and neat. If your hair is straight, try using a volumizing shampoo to give it a lift. Straight hair looks drab when it just hangs off your scalp. For more fun, try tying your hair into a messy bun or putting it half-up. This works best if your hair is prone to frizz and poof.

5. Your attitude says a lot about you. SMILE! Give men a reason to approach you. Uncross your arms when standing. Participate in conversations or activities so that guys can at least know you exist. Don’t be a hermit! No one will see you! Walk with your head held high and your back straight. Don’t pound around and drag your feet all day. This just makes you look depressed. No one wants to approach someone who looks like they’re mad at the world.

6. If men won’t approach you, approach them! I know it may seem hard, but the best way to overcome this is to just start small by making light conversation. Make sure to pop a mint or a stick of gum beforehand to eliminate bad breath and always be ready. If you’re waiting in line at the grocery store, turn to the cutie next to you and make conversation. (Make a joke or try to get him to laugh. If you just stand there looking bored, he’ll just ignore you.) Ask him questions that won’t lead to a one word answer.

7. If he is someone you’ve had your eye on for a while, wait until he is alone or not busy.Quickly glance at him until he looks at you back. When he does, smile. If he smiles back, approach him and say “hi”. Most of the time, he’ll say “hi” back. You can usually tell if he’s up for more conversation, like if his attention is suddenly directed towards you. Here are a few conversation starters you can use (whilst smiling shyly):

“Hi, you look lonely, so I thought I should just come over and say hi.”

“The weather’s finally nice for once, huh?”

8. Make more friends! Be kind to everyone you see. Men are more attracted to women who are friendly and outgoing. This makes them believe that you’re fun to be around.

9. Don’t focus so much on your weight. He can see that it’s there, so there’s no point in trying to make him think you’re skinny.

10. If he doesn’t seem interested, move on. There’s no point in pursuing someone that doesn’t reciprocate your feelings. Know that it may have nothing to do with your weight — some men just aren’t interested!

11. If you can, try making small talk with different men every day using the conversation starters above. There’s bound to be a handful of guys who will want to keep talking to you. As long as you just talk to them, that’s all that really matters.

• Did You Know: Certain guys may want to talk to you, but are too shy to make the first move! Be the confident one and make the first move yourself. What have you got to lose?

12. Once you’re talking to a guy, casually ask for their number. Don’t contact him too often, or he’ll get creeped out and you’ll lose your chance! And don’t text him all the time. As a matter of fact, try calling him instead. Actually dialing a guy’s number and speaking with him live will get him thinking about you and he’ll admire your confidence.

13. Give it some time and flirt. Give genuine compliments and make eye contact while flirting and sprinkle them in with casual conversation. This will make you seem like you’re interested, but not desperate. When he flirts back, you’ll know it’s time to move on to the next step…

14. Ask them out! Here’s how you know when to ask him out:

• He compliments you first • He tries to make you laugh • He always tries to be near you

• He wants to hang out with you often • He asks YOU for YOUR number • You catch him staring at you

15. If you end up going on a date, congratulations! If he asks you out again that means he likes you. Enjoy your newly found romance! If not, don’t keep asking him out that shows that you are desperate.

Epic Charles Ramsey Interview Music Remix..Enjoy!

Remember the recent interview by Charles Ramsey on the three kidnapped girls found alive? Well just like it was expected, there's a remix of that interview. Mister Ramsey is an hero though and this would even make him more popular. Reminds one of Sweet Brown's miraculous escape....Ain't nobody gat time for that!!

Just a comic relief..

If It's Not One thing, It's Another!

Lola is a 16 y/o girl growing up in the suburbs of a sprawling district in Nairobi, Kenya. She is intelligent, cute and charming. Everyone loves Lola in school and her teachers think she's got a very bright future. Lola comes from a religious family. Her mum is the prayer warrior of the Pentecostal church in the neighborhood. She doesn't talk to her children about sex and its consequences. Lola's dad is an academic. He works as a university lecturer in the city. He's strict yet loving and wants the best for his children. After closing at school one day, Lola hooks up with friends as they find their way home. Being all girls, they discuss about getting boyfriends. "I think I'm old enough to have a guy" says Simbi. "I can't wait to become an adult at last" says another, as the other girls chuckled. They all look at Miriam, the oldest in the group. Rumor has it Miriam has bedded a few guys and could say one or two things about it. "My parents will be traveling to the village next week. We can invite a few guys over" Miriam discloses. Lola listens with rapt attention in the middle of all this. She's trying to figure out how to respond to Miriam's invitation. The troubled teenager is torn between giving in to the yearnings of her raging hormones and making her family proud by keeping her virginity until she gets married. In the end, Lola decides to honor Miriam's invitation. She goes to Miriam's house and meets Jaiye. Now Jaiye, who is as handsome as the devil, has the charm of a red-nosed reindeer and a smooth talking tongue. Behind all these, Jaiye also has the morals of an alley cat. Within minutes, Jaiye is able to break down Lola's final resistance. "Why can't we have some fun? The other guys already got to it. It's harmless" he persuades. Lola falls for him and gives in. A few weeks later, Lola is pregnant. She's devastated. How would she explain this to her parents. She has failed her family. She talks to Simbi and together they go after Jaiye. He suggests an abortion. He's not ready to father a child and Lola isn't ready to be a mother at 16. They find a quack who's ready to do it for a few bucks. Lola goes under the quack's knives and gets rid of the pregnancy. A few days later, complications arise and Lola starts bleeding. She refuses to confess on her deathbed, but as the embers of life start to slowly diminish, she confesses to her mom and mentions Simbi and Jaiye. Soon after that Lola dies!

Amanda is 16 years old. She lives in Alabama, U.S.A. She's a happy-go-lucky kind of girl. Her dad is a busy management consultant who's seldom around the family. Amanda's mum is a nurse who spends most of her time saving lives at the general hospital. Without getting enough quality time to spend with both parents, Amanda falls back on friends. She enjoys all the gossips and exuberance of a bubbling teenager with her friends. Now in senior high school, Amanda wants to try out new things. She finds a willing partner in Amy who shows up with the cigarettes and booze. In the course of this, she gets intimate with a few older guys she meets through Amy. Week-in-week-out, Amanda goes home tipsy but her parents are too busy to notice. Gradually, Amanda slowly ebbs deeper into the world of alcoholism. Her grades begin to drop at school and her teachers start worrying about her. She sees the school counselor who convinces her to retrace her steps. She did. Few weeks later, Amanda meets Amy who invites her to a party being hosted by Jimmy, the most sought-after kid in school. Amanda can't resist. She goes to Jimmy's party and ends up dancing with Jimmy. Now, Jimmy is a spoilt rich kid, and good-looking, too. His dad wants him to go to Harvard and be a successful business-man. Jimmy cajoles Amanda to follow him into the room. Amanda is half-way in the bag and can't resist. A couple of weeks later, Amanda realizes she's been knocked up. She finds Jimmy in school and tells him he's about to be a father. This doesn't go down well with him. That'd be a scandal if his parents get to know about it. It'd ruin their standing in the prestigious yacht club of millionaires. Amanda is crushed. She goes home and cries all day. She's going to have the baby  regardless of what happens. Her mom comes home from work late in the night and finds Amanda waiting up for her. She can't believe it when Amanda breaks the news of her pregnancy. She realizes she hasn't been living up to her billings as a mother. She promises to change. Nine months later, Amanda has a bouncing baby girl and names her Jaimee to remind her of Jimmy. Even though she has a child out of wedlock, she's hopeful and alive!

Being a teenager could be as challenging as riveting. Across the world, from Africa to America to Asia and to Europe, teens face the daunting tasks of sticking to the rules and charting a course for their lives. Unsurprisingly though, the challenges teens have to face differ from one continent to another. African teens are wary of getting pregnant thus putting an end to their education and bringing the family name to shame. A knocked-up African teen is regarded as a failure in most African societies. Most times, they result to having an abortion thereby falling prey to the numerous quack doctors. Which brings up another question. Would it help if abortion were legalized? While getting knocked up in your teens is definitely not something to be proud of, the toga of shame and guilt these teens are made to wear doesn't in any way help them to recover from the trauma of becoming a young mother.

The onus falls on parents and guardians, being the closest to their wards. They should feel free to discuss the consequences of sex with their teens and make them grasp the full picture, and when it goes the other way, help them get back on track. Having a baby as a teen doesn't necessarily spell failure for the mother, what happens after does.

Poznan - My Other City Is My Home

Food, food and food!

Just like the seven blind men called on to touch an elephant and give an account of what they thought they had just touched, studying in Poznan meant a lot different things to the many international students here. To every Rahul, Adebola, Vanessa, Feng or Mohamed though, it all meant one thing: Awe-inspiring. If you're already planning a trip to Poland, having a discernment of Polish hospitality is of considerable importance to you. This is something you really can't find in any guide book, it's to be experienced first-hand and you could probably make do with some of the rules I garnered from my own experience. The first rule: Make sure you go on an empty stomach! You don't necessarily need to have a cast iron stomach but make sure it's empty when you're honoring an invitation to dine with a Polish family. Gracing my first invitation to a proper, traditional Polish cook-out taught me all I needed to know. Luckily for me, I'd left my apartment without having a proper food so that by the time I arrived, my stomach was grumbling loudly. What I saw on the dining table though, was everything but the kitchen sink. Even my grumbling guts miraculously calmed down as we all settled down to chow down the food. By the time the last piece of food had been gobbled, I was ready to roll back to my apartment. I was filled to the brim yet my hosts still insisted I had more food. What!!

Simply appetizing!

Second rule: Wear your heart on your sleeve. When you sit at the feast table with your Polish hosts, feel free and smile. Don't hold anything back but be tactful. One unguarded statement could ruin the fun. Make sure not to reject any food offered, and if you have to say no, say it with your laundry-soap commercial smile. On the table were lots of dishes I'd never tasted. The Polish kielbasa (sausages) looked different from the everyday sausages I was used to likewise the "chrzan" (horseradish). I couldn't reject trying them all out. My task was how to eat them without grimacing and making my hosts feel bad. I looked at the patron of the house who had been around the world and whom I'd been discussing politics with and tried a very old trick. "Sir, the kielbasa looks really different. Is it usually made from veal" I asked. He was eager to proudly tell me what the sausage was made from and thus my trick worked. My plan was to be in the middle of a discourse while I tried out the kielbasa. I'd already put on my poker face and now if the kielbasa tasted really strange, I could grimace without basically betraying any expression on my face. As the patron of the house lectured me about kielbasa, I quickly tried it, found out it wasn't bad at all, saw it off with a gulp of tea and gave my Redford smile again.

Third rule: Don't fail to praise the culinary skills of the cook (who's usually the matron of the family). Well, apart from getting a taste of Polish hospitality, be ready to experience some kind of "old-school love". The old man wouldn't stop telling everyone who sat at the table how his wife bakes the best cake or cooks the best soup in town. I had to take a cue from that. I looked at his wife and told her how much I admired her cooking and how well it tasted.

Fourth rule: Keep a conversation going and bring your table manners along: Don't shuffle your feet, belch loudly or make your phone the center of your attention. Converse lightly about general topics. I muted my phone and buried myself deep in the rituals of chowing down the food. Lighthearted conversations went on while we all dined. Also, remember to keep your guffawing till after the meal. You don't want to expose the spinach that just got stuck in your teeth to your host. Remember, wear your heart at your sleeve but be tactful!

Fifth rule: At the end of the meal, smile, smile and smile. You can tell your hosts how much you've enjoyed the meal even if your tummy is starting to make funny sounds. Don't be an ungrateful guest and brag about how you're not used to eating traditional stuff. Poles like their traditional food and won't take it lightly to it being berated. Another wonderful time to have a taste of Polish hospitality at the dining table is at Christmas. Get ready to be treated to a twelve-dish Christmas eve banquet. Christmas is just a couple of months away and ain't we all looking forward to that again?

To be sure I wasn't hallucinating about my experience in Poznan as an international student, I ventured to ask  other students to examine in contrast how their adventure had been so far and below are the excerpts.

A view of the Malta lake

Me: So, Amy, how's it been like?
Amy: Well, there have been ups and downs and some tribulations at the beginning when I was adjusting but overall, it's been pretty good.
Me: How was it like adjusting here when you first arrived? 
Amy: It's been more of an anticipation scare than reality. I'd never been to Poland before I came here as a student so I was suffering from too much anxiety after reading all the different things on the Internet.
Me: So, do you have a different opinion about Poland and Poznan after you adjusted as a student?
Amy: By all means. I was proven wrong about everything and the good thing was that it turned out to be much better than I expected.
Me: Describe Poznan in three words.
Amy: Culture, motion and spirit.
Me: Thanks Amy!
Amy: Anytime!

That was an account. Let's see what some other person thinks. This time, a guy.

Me: Hey pal! How's it been like studying here as an International Student?
Raj: It's been an experience. Although I wouldn't call it a piece of cake, it's been challenging and interesting so far.
Me: What are the challenges?
Raj: The main challenges for me was the Polish language and the weather. Good thing though is that most locals speak English and I'm fast adapting to the weather. I can't say I miss the food because there's an Indian restaurant downtown.
Me: In your own opinion, what sets this city straight for International Students?
Raj: This city is full of young people from all over the world. It's dynamic, modern and at the same time has a flavor of old European traditions.
Me: Describe Poznan in three words.
Raj: Drive, students, beauty.
Me: Thanks Raj!
Raj: You're welcome!

The bouncing bridge

So like Amy and Raj, Poznan means different things to all of us. The most important thing though, is that we have all come to love this city that presents many life-time opportunities to its teeming student population. And as we all come and go, holding close to our hearts the experience of studying in Poznan, we say from the bottom of our hearts, Venimus, Vidimus, Vincemus - We came, We saw, We will conquer.

Is It The Apocalypse Already?

The wave of deaths and catastrophic events that has swept through the world in the past couple of weeks is really starting to look worrisome. Within three weeks, more than 500 people have lost their lives in fire accidents, collapsed buildings, terror attacks, e.t.c. It started with the Boston marathon bombing in the US which claimed about three lives. A few days after, a fertilizer plant in Texas got fiery and by the time the hullabaloo died down, fifteen people had been killed. Hours later, news media reported that a MIT policeman had been shot dead by the suspected bombers and by the time the angel of death left Uncle Sam, twenty people, including one of the suspected bombers were dead. As if that wasn't enough, the wave of terror swept over the Atlantic to west Africa, Nigeria, where government army forces went to war with extremists in the village of Baga in northern Nigeria. A hundred and eighty-five people went down as collateral damage by the time the last bullet was fired. Next in line was Bangladesh. This time, the messenger of death struck through a collapsed building. An eight-story building housing numerous factory workers crashed and with it two hundred and seventy five lives. While the carnage continued in Syria, another tragedy struck in Russia when a mental institution went Texas on its inmates by going up in flames. It took with it thirty-eight lives. Not done yet, some loon in northern Germany went berserk and shot to death a county mayor before taking his own life. Another thirty people bade the world adios when the bus they were traveling in collided with an oil tanker in Afghanistan. Just today, another building collapsed in India, killing fifteen souls.

Needless to say, the world is on a gradual grind to insanity. Our world is becoming topsy-turvy more than it was thirty years ago. With so much avoidable deaths happening within the space of just three weeks, it can be said emphatically that these are indeed trying times. People get their lives snuffed out of them like chickens, human and man-made catastrophes of unimaginable magnitude continue to occur and man's inhumanity to man has risen to frightening levels. Are we finally nearing the apocalypse? As we offer our condolences to the bereaved worldwide and continue to sympathize with the distressed, the question of who will save the savior remains pertinent as we advance rapidly down the self-destruct slope.

A Poznan of Adventures!

Adam Mickiewicz University

When Aristotle said "a great city is not to be confounded with a populous one", he perhaps was thinking not very far from a city like Poznan. With a population of a little under six hundred thousand, this city enjoys what other cities of jumbo-sized populations relish. What with almost 135,000 student population, 200 majors in 28 universities, a hundred thousand career proposition companies and  one of the fastest growing economies in the country with an unemployment rate of just 4%. And in case you're wondering if a city can have it all, well maybe Poznan is fast turning out to be the unsung darling of Europe and the world at large. It enjoys a mild winter and could also fit in as a paramount summer get-away. Most foreigners who come here describe this city as fait accompli.

During the weeks that followed my night-out, staying indoor had become inevitable. It'd be like sleeping in the middle of a storm. There was too much to see and do and even though studying was primary, other exertions had to be added to it. Everyone knows the story of the proverbial Jack who said something about all work and no play. The following day took me to the old garrison occupied by soldiers during World War II. Walking around the barracks, I pictured in my brain's eye how the soldiers lived during that time. There's an arsenal of armored tanks, fighter planes, weapons and motor-bikes. To the eastern part of the preservation is the fortress in which the soldiers dwelt for the duration of the war. It's something like a substructure built with concrete and steel and it's really huge. On the way out is the cemetery. There's a part where there were graves of only Polish soldiers, another one for Germans and the last one for English soldiers. One that particularly stuck out as typical with that unfortunate time in history was the tomb of an unknown soldier.

WW2 memory

I told my friend that was enough grief for the day and we set out on some adrenaline driving mission. He took me to the old train bridge that lies above the Warta river. Now, only very old trains carrying cargo use this bridge at random as new and modern rail tracks have since replaced it. This is no place for anyone with a fear of heights. I had to stand on a very old bridge that was above fifty meters of a flowing river that was at least two meters deep. Looking down made my head spin and it didn't stop at that. The bridge vibrates whenever a train crawls by giving the feeling that the planks are going to give way to a free-fall into the River Warta sweeping calmly below. At the sight of the first train, the only question I asked my chum was the temperature of the water below us. If at least I was going to fall, I had to prepare for it and in some measure  could still swim to save my life. Then came the train. I'd been hoping it was a short one with a minimum of about five cars but as it groveled along the old tracks, I knew my hope was lost in futility. The bridge pulsed and I grabbed the railings for dear life while I struggled to take pictures. Other on-lookers cheered as they enjoyed the moment but lily-livered me could only fake a smile as my head spun and the only wish I had was to find a balance underneath my legs. Summoning courage, I let go of the railings and looked fixedly at the steel cars clattering in front of me. By the time the last car glided past, my fear had given away to a rush of adrenaline and yells were ringing out from the long line of people standing on the bridge. It felt like something from a Hollywood action movie and even for a moment, I pretended to be some special agent who was on a mission to salvage a chemical weapon hidden on a train. Something my memory related to from the Skyfall movie. On our way to the theater house, I couldn't resist seeing the exotic meat shop. Stuck somewhere close to an open market, this meat shop would quench any meat lover's hunger. There was game of various kinds, so also were mutton, goat, horse and rabbit meat.

River Warta

George Orwell said freedom is the right to say that two plus two equals four. In Poznan, freedom means being a resident. Nothing else had ever felt like freedom.

Train crossing the Old Bridge

Escape the friend zone, move to the lovers zone!

How do you motivate a friend to be "more than friends"? How do you move forward from "just friends" to girlfriend, boyfriend, partner, or lover? How do you escape the friend zone?
I often get questions like these from readers asking how to get out of "the friend zone". I have also been watching the new MTV show Friend Zone lately. So, I've decided to share my own advice for how to transition from being just a friend to a girlfriend, or just a friend to a boyfriend. Read on and learn how to go from a friend to a lover with a few simple techniques...
What is "The Friend Zone"?

For those who don't know the term, "the friend zone" refers to a situation where one individual in a friendship develops more intense feelings and wants to become "more than friends" with the other person. More often than not, the other person is unaware of the friend's desires and quite happy in the friendship-only arrangement. As a result, the person is "stuck" in the "friend zone", unable to transition from just friend to girlfriend or boyfriend.

Being stuck in a friendship and wanting more can be a frustrating position. Sometimes this frustration is sexually-motivated, with one friend desiring a physical relationship with the other. On other occasions, the friends are already sexually involved (i.e. friends-with-benefits), but there is a motivation to transition into a "relationship" as a committed girlfriend or boyfriend. In other instances, both motivations play a role. Nevertheless, in any case, wanting more than you are currently getting is a heart-wrenching situation. The "friend zone" is not an easy place to live!
Why Does "The Friend Zone" Happen?

Before I help you get out of the friend zone, we first need to discuss why people get stuck there in the first place. Essentially, all relationships are social exchanges (for more, see here). This means that people set up give-and-take agreements, usually without discussion, to get what they want from the other person and give what they are willing to give.

When someone gets stuck in the friend zone, they have entered into an exchange friendship that isn't even. The other person is getting everything he/she wants...but the person stuck in the friend zone isn't. In a nutshell, the friend zone person sold himself or herself short. They gave their "friend" everything, without making sure they got everything they wanted in return.
How to Escape the Friend Zone

To escape the friend zone, you must first realize that all relationships involve negotiation - and you are attempting to "re-negotiate" the current exchange. Essentially, you want "more" from the other person. Most likely, you are already giving too much and what you really want is for them to balance the scales.

Fortunately, there are a few influence principles that do indeed balance the scales. Using those principles, we can devise a few steps to get you out of the friend zone:

1) Be Less Interested - The relationship is already imbalanced because you value it more than the other person. Take a step back. Being "needy" is no way to negotiate. Desperate people end up with what others give them, not what they want. So, be less interested and ready to walk away if you don't get the relationship you want. Those who are more willing to walk away have the power to guide the relationship (called the "Least Interested Principle" - Waller & Hill, 1951).

2) Make Yourself Scarce - Spend some time away from your "friend" and do less for them. If they truly appreciate you, then your absence will make them miss you and want you more. This is the principle of "Scarcity" - where people value something more when it is rare or taken away from them (Cialdini, 2009). When you are no longer around as much or tending to their needs, they will most likely feel the loss. This will increase their desire for you and their willingness to meet your needs back. If it doesn't, then they are just "not that into you"...and don't value you. In that case, find another "friend".

3) Create Some Competition - Go out and make some other "friends" of the sex you are attracted to. Broaden your social network. Then, talk about these new friends with the friend you desire. Competition and a little jealousy are another great way to develop "Scarcity" (Cialdini, 2009). People value more what they think they might lose. If you are "busy" with other people, you might just find your friend a bit more eager and motivated for your time and attention. If you don't see any "jealousy" though, then they might not want to be "more than friends". In that case, set your sights on someone new!

4) Get Them To Invest - Ask your friend to do things for you. Contrary to popular belief, people like you more when THEY do favors for you, rather than when you do the favor for them (for more, see here). This is called the Ben Franklin Effect (Jecker & Landry, 1969). The more they invest in the relationship, the more you will mean to them. So, stop doing favors...and start asking for them. Get them to give you a ride, study with you, fix something, etc. Heck, even asking them to get you a soda from the fridge has an impact!

5) Be Rewarding - Don't forget to be grateful and reward your friend when they behave as you desire. After they are good to you, remember to be good to them back. Being attentive and affectionate, only when they do what you like, encourages them to continue those behaviors. Also, ignoring them when they behave badly helps to reduce unwanted behaviors. Always remember to keep anenvironment of mutual gratitude flowing too.

Taking It From There

Applying the steps above will balance the value and exchange in the relationship. It will highlight how truly valuable, desirable, and important you are to your "friend". Essentially, it will raise your status and worth in their eyes. You might even be able to pick up the change in their body language when you are around.

Poznan: The Polish Pearl!

Stary Browar

Jacek (my bud from Chicago) had told me about the fascinating malls in Poznan and I was just eager to feed my eyes as much as I could. To enjoy the most of this city, you'd have to walk around. Don't worry about crowded roads and mad traffic jams as they virtually are non-existent. Poznan has one of the best planned transportation systems and the roads are just a delight to the eyes. The air is unpolluted and the laws are well respected. The Old Brewery popularly known as "Stary Browar" epitomizes what a shopping mall should look like. Awarded the best shopping center in the world by the International Council of Shopping Centers in the ICSC 2008 global awards,, this shopping center is a shopper's delight. It's quite safe to say "Stary Browar"  isn't a far cry from the Siam Paragons, Ala Moanas, GPOs and the West Edmonton Malls of this world. Whoever you are – Food lover, brand lover, it's a one-stop shopping for anything imaginable. You only have to visit to see what I mean.Truth be told, I was marveled at what I saw- many famous brands, continental food restaurants and another architectural master-piece. I strolled around window-shopping, taking glimpses of the brands and smiling back at the radiant Polish broads who exuded all forms of graciousness. It was quite atypical  for what seemed to be the rules of shop attendants who always thought they were doing you a favor by selling their wares. I was just a few weeks old in Poznan but was already feeling at home. The people were benevolent, the city was serene, the neighborhoods were spic-and-span, and there was a lot more to see and do.

Outside of the Stary Browar

The social life here is sublime. Apart from what Jacek and Malgorzata told me, I already knew there was more to it. My place of abode was right downtown (I have something with down-towns..haha) in some street I'd nick-named "the happy drive". That meant I was a stone throw away to most of the night clubs. After being aroused from sleep in the early mornings on one or two occasions by club-goers who were making their way home, I decided it was time to taste the night life. It so happened that the party-goers heading home the next morning  had a knack for waking me up from sleep, but then, they also had some singing talents in them. Taking advantage of the tranquility of the early morning, they mostly gave a rendition of their songs on top of their voices as they walked down the street. On one occasion, shrill voices rendering Maroon's Payphone brought me out of my sub-consciousness. I got up from bed to look down through the glass doors of my fifth-floor apartment to see two guys strolling leisurely down the quiet street giving their "best" rendition of the song. From the way they looked, they were slightly tipsy club-goers who had stayed till early in the morning. As they walked down the street, missing one step or two and not giving a care about anything else in the world, I knew time had come to taste the night life. Happy-hour surely lasts till the early morning in the Poznan night clubs.

Early morning in Poznan Center

It was time to put a call through to Jacek later in the day. I'd promised to let him know of my experience after my first two weeks of arrival. I must have brought him out of bed as he sounded groggy at the other end. "Hey you! What have you been up to?" I asked him. He came alive when he realized it was me. "Heyyyyy! Tell me everything! Have you been to the night clubs? Have you seen Stary Rynek, the castle, the theater and the cathedral?" He responded. I gave him the heads up on what I'd done since my arrival and how I was planning to sample the night life. In response to that, he had several names of night clubs for me. By the time we finished talking, I'd a long list of clubs and I was willing to try them all out. On a fine Saturday evening, dressed in one of my favorite shirts, I stepped into the cool fall air and got lost in the stream of other party-goers. I was going to try out two of the clubs I had on my list. First thing I noticed was that even at 11 p.m, the city was very much alive with people of all ages, shapes and sizes chatting, laughing and ambling down the side-walks. A few meters brought me to a pub. I opened the door and walked into a space full of active, tipsy and happy people, at least I'd just discovered one of the spots where the singing sensations who walked  down "the happy drive" came from. Everyone babbled freely with rounds of laughter intermittently ringing out from the corners of the room. I ordered a whiskey double and chose a quiet seat at the corner. The night was going to be promising!

 Półwiejska street

Whatever floats your boat as far as night-life is concerned, you'll find it here. Latino music dance clubs, hip-hop, R&B, jazz, techno, house, name it all. One thing noticeable though was the idiosyncratic way matters were handled here. Anything done in Poznan was done with utmost seriousness. The city was apparently run by adequate people, studying was weighty and now I realized partying or clubbing was executed in the same imperative style. Did I tell you about Półwiejska street? That's the street lined with exquisite shops and a generous number of clubs, including a go-go night club for lovers of strip-tease dancing. And no, I haven't been there! Apprehensive of what could happen if I encountered drunks amid my quest of trying out the night-life, I'd almost given up stepping out of my apartment, but it was obvious that wasn't going to happen as the only things the boozers were concerned about were their maidens and drinks. Being a lover of football, I'd followed the news about the fear of racial attacks during the Euro 2012 games but as it turned out, it was mere media propaganda. Even though I'd heard unconfirmed stories of racial attacks in some parts of eastern Europe, I wasn't deterred, but for the first time since my arrival, I began to feel the jitters. "It's probably a different scenario at night" I thought to myself. I learned that was totally unnecessary. Police vans were parked in proximity to the night-clubs and even at that, there was no violence. My first conversation of the night happened when two very drunk lads walked up to me. I was half way in the bag myself after the whiskey and our discourse was to say the least, befuddled. We laughed hysterically even when nothing was funny and a couple of minutes later, we ventured into one of the clubs. The night-life here is huge once again. The clubs are always giving it out and the DJs are no disappointments either. I focused on three dancers directly under the disco lights. They were circling around each other and it looked like they were going into a slow motion of an African dance.

By the time I was ready to go home, I knew I'd chosen the right city. For a moment, I toyed with the idea of doing my own "happy drive" performance but dropped the idea because I didn't have enough hooch in my system and me singing would probably result to a nightmare for the sleeping residents of "the happy drive". Poznan offered it all - good education, cheap and affordable commodities, peaceful atmosphere and a wide range of night clubs. Tomorrow, I was going to see the land marks and what else makes this city tick.

Inside the Stary Browar

Poznan: A city of life

The tallest building in Poznan: Altum

So don't get it twisted, Poznan is a place of never-ending fun. The skyline is dotted with roofs of historical, medieval buildings and modern twenty-first century architecture. If you're a lover of historical buildings, there's nowhere but here for you! I could go on to write about the architecture, history and stuff but would have to leave the story for another day (it's always on Wiki, anyways). This write-up basically has to do with the student life in Poznan. Now, there are about seven highly recognized universities in the city of Poznan: Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan University of Economics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan University of Technology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, The Agricultural University of Poznan and The Polytechnic University of Poznan. Each of these institutions of higher learning has a sizable share of international students. When I surmised at the airport that Poznan was indeed a cosmopolitan city, I'd yet to see the student life. Poznan has to be one of the cities in the world with such a colorful mix of global representatives who contribute truly to the vibrancy of the city. As a student from Canada aptly put it, if you haven't experienced the night-life in Poznan, you haven't done much.

A little jet-lagged, I knew I had to drop in at the students' orientation meeting scheduled for the next day and submit my papers to the local immigration to process a temporary residence permit. Since it was early fall and the weather hadn't gone too cold for comfort, I decided against riding a taxi and opted for a leisurely stroll to my university's main building where the students' orientation was to take place. Even though I had a map to take me to my destination, I desired to have another taste of Polish hospitality as the last one I had was from Malgorzata and my body and soul were starting to yearn for more. Relishing the serenity which I'd always craved from the hustle and bustle of downtown Chicago, I asked a middle-aged man for directions to the University. Greenhorns are not strange to the dwellers of Poznan. This city hosts about thousands of them every year. I got enough help from the man who even volunteered to walk me down to the university, an offer which I politely turned down. The orientation meeting like I expected was like another gathering of the United Nations. Each continent was represented.

My documentation with the local immigration was hugely successful. Although the local officials differed slightly from the ones I met at the airport, I eventually got registered as a resident. From the gist going around at the orientation meeting, I wasn't looking forward to facing the local officials. Rumor had it that the office was full of stern ladies who'd rain on your parade. I needn't have worried too much though. After successfully documenting my application, I realized it could only get hard for you if you ran short of one or more papers you're supposed to present.

University of Economics, Poznan

Studying in Poznan is an experience of a lifetime. University of Economics is a trail blazer in Europe, especially if you're looking into a degree in economics, business administration or other management courses. The classes are fun although the time-table seemed hectic for me in the beginning of the semester. The thing that got us laughing at first was each other's funny accents. Since the English language was the language of instruction and with students from all over the world, my classes felt more like a music rehearsal room. Accents from Asia, Africa, eastern Europe and North America all teamed up to sound like an auto-tune from a R&B song. That's not to take away anything from the professors. They are in-depth, articulate and make you learn the ropes easily enough without being flustered. Each university includes physical education classes in their curricula to prevent students becoming lethargic; not that you stood a chance of being lethargic in Poznan, anyways. It's a city full of life! For book lovers, you could grab a book to read in one of the numerous book lockers at the tram stops. For me, I was having enough book at the university, it was time to have some real fun...

Monument to the founder of Poznan University of Economics,
famous Polish economist, Edward Taylor

To be continued...

To Poznan With Love

One of the historical buildings at the Old Market

As my airplane crossed the skies, I shifted in my seat and looked through the window below to the farmlands and roofs. Malgorzata, the Polish lady beside me who had given me a crash course during the flight about the Polish culture and language was catching up on a nap. She had given me my first taste of Polish hospitality when our paths crossed while boarding. "Which city are you headed to in Poland"? She'd asked me, to which I replied "Poznan". She had proceeded to give me the specifics of the picture of the city. I knew little about Poznan except that it was one of the host cities of the Euro 2012 games which were co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine. My Polish friends in Bolingbrook, Chicago had been excited when I told them I was slated for Europe and Poland was my choice. Jacek, whom I had met in very funny circumstances (a story for another day), was especially delighted. He wouldn't stop telling me about the Polish lassies and how much swell time laid in store for me. "You'll find the most beautiful European girls  in Poland" he'd said with a grin. I tried to brainwash him that I was going to Poland not as a seeker of a bride but as an aspirant of an European degree. I didn't give much thought to it when he differed from me owing to the few raunchy acts we'd put up together in the suburbs of Chicago.

The voice of the pilot came over the speakers, announcing our arrival at Lawica Henryk Wieniawski Airport, Poznan. Malgorzata stirred as I re-adjusted my deportment to buckle my seat belt. I flashed her a winning smile to cover up my uneasiness, something that always came over me after a long flight and in anticipation of going through customs and immigration. I was carrying a Nigerian passport which was almost synonymous to crime? and caused terrible delays and bashfulness at most borders. As the airplane descended for landing, I reviewed the most important words I'd learned in my crash course with Malgorzata. Thanks, Hello, I don't Understand and Excuse Me came on top the list. I knew from my miniature travel experience that these words always come in handy whenever you had to speak a language other than English which means foreign to me. At the point of entry, I exchanged phone numbers with Malgorzata as she strolled to the line marked "citizens or passport holders" (I felt a little jealous), and I to the line where other foreigners like me stood. If I had been thinking of Poznan as a Polish city stuck up in the nineties with old grannies and typical country damsels roving the streets, I quickly learnt how wrong I was. The airport was an indicator of how international the city of Poznan was. Everyone had a different kind of passport and spoke different languages. There was a long line of newcomers, who came from different walks of life waiting to be checked by immigration . Behind me was a woman from Brazil, who had a crying baby. I sympathized with her and had to give up my space to allow her scale through immigration fast and attend to the crying baby. I checked my documents again, switched off the iPod, and looked round, soaking up the scene. It was a cool day in fall and the airport felt like a mini United Nations summit. 

Poznan City Hall

The immigration officials must have been working so efficiently as the line moved placidly and in no time, I was standing behind the desk of the Polish immigration. I'd made my skin thick like I always did each time I had to face immigration outside the borders of West Africa. I was aware my green passport brought suspicion and frowns to the faces of these officials. "Dzien Dobry" the woman official began with a professional smile. "Nie rozumiem po Polsku" I replied with a smile. Immediately, and to my greatest relief and admiration, she switched to eloquent English. "Passport, please". I handed her my passport and watched the look on her face. Having disembarked from a plane from O'hare, Chicago, She'd probably thought I was African-American and thus expected a Yankee passport. I was preparing to enjoy the surprise that laid in for her when I handed her my green Nigerian passport but there I learnt my second lesson about Poles. "You are who you are and not where you come from". She browsed through the pages of my passport with professional brilliance, asked me some routine questions, stamped me in and wished me a good time in Poland. What! Just like that! I checked my legs to see if I was wearing my "lucky socks" or something. I walked away from the desk, head held high to claim my luggage with a wide grin. I had already fallen in love with Poznan. "Here I come, Poznan!", I mumbled under my breath.

Next part due soon....Watch out!

Hot and Cold: When Your Guy Can't Make up His Mind about You

If you’re in a relationship with a man who runs hot and cold you’ll be at his mercy unless you get a grip on yourself. Nothing will make you more crazy and desperate than a man who is playing hide n’ seek with your emotions.

The situation is classic. He starts to pull away, you become like a dog with a bone, unwilling to relinquish what you want. You search frantically for the man who was “hot” on you. He must still feel that way — he just doesn’t know it. So your problem becomes how to get him to pursue you like he did before. The trap is believing that there is something you have to make right and that you did something wrong that made him turn cold.

How to get a man to stop this behavior is not the question you should be asking. Rather, you need to understand why he is this way, and then maybe you’ll see that it’s not your mission to change him.

There are men who habitually run hot and cold, oblivious to the “passive aggressive” way they deal with women. It’s so much a part of them they don’t think they’re doing anything wrong or hurtful. As a result, they don’t feel the need to change.

But most hot and cold men are aware of what they’re doing. You can bet that they’ve acted this way before, that women have complained to them an abundance of times. You’re not the first and certainly won’t be the last.

Most of these men haven’t grown up, they’re just immature. They act like they’re still in grade school. They thrive on the challenge of wooing you until you fall for them, but as soon as they think they’ve got you, they get bored and move on. It doesn’t matter how fabulous, beautiful or smart you are, they still get bored because it’s not about you. It’s about the thrill of the chase and you are the prize for a moment or two.

Some hot and cold men may just not be ready for a fully committed relationship. He may like you a lot but be unable to decide if you’re “The One.” Rather than making a decision, it’s easier for him to string you along until he can know for certain. His ambivalence will bring out his hot and cold behavior since he is so indecisive.

The worst offenders are the men who use you for ego gratification. They actually get a thrill watching you suffer over their inconsistent and rude behavior. It makes them feel powerful to know they can treat you badly and then pick up the phone and still have you available whenever they want.

These men are full of pride. They relish the game of cat and mouse they’re playing with you. It gives them a sense of entitlement that they’ve mastered the art of being inconsistent and uncommitted. They love to watch a woman emotionally fall apart over their inconsiderate actions.

Changing these men is not in your job description. Your attempts will just make you lose your confidence and destroy your faith that there are any good men out there. The best thing you can do if you are with a hot and cold man is to cut him out of your life completely.

But beware: a man like this will be triggered by your rejection and turn hot on you again. He may not fully want you, but he also doesn’t want you to set the rules. In the end, you have to know that he’s not for you. He is emotionally unable to make the deep, intimate and life-long commitment you’re looking for.

Ladies, have you dealt with this type of guy? Leave your comments below!

What if North Korea Isn't Bluffing?

If news springing out from various media organisations for the past few days or so is anything to go by, then we might be having a serious conflict/confrontation/altercation/war in our hands in the next few months. Reason is the "king of the diminutives"- Kim jong-un, who I love to call crazy little Kim j has threatened to attack the US mainland, South Korea, Guam and every other American interests his rockets can reach. Pundits have been talking endlessly about the what ifs and stuffs and some even think Kim is just bluffing. After-all some guy on TV recently said Kim is just trying to unite his compatriots more than ever before in the face of the growing influence of their "adversaries".

But what if Kim isn't bluffing? What if Kim makes good his threats to attack Austin, USA and South Korea? What are the aftermaths? I'm no conspiracy theorist, neither am I an alarmist but this trend is definitely worrying. Even though I haven't witnessed any war in my lifetime, I am aware of the consequences of a revolution needless say a full blown war. The ethnic cleansing and genocide of the Tutsi and Hutsi in Rwanda is still a grim reminder of what guns and violence can do. Iraq, The DR of Congo and Afghanistan are examples of countries which will always have to live with the nightmares and horrors of conflicts. Even Japan learnt a lesson after the leveling of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the 2nd world war.

Another reason why a North Korea/US altercation should have us all worried is that an altercation between these two countries will not be limited to them. China the only ally of Kim will only be willing to play the part of a mediator. There's also Russia! The USA has new toys it's willing to test and it looks like Kim has signed the contract of North Korea being the guinea pig of these new toys. This bring me to another question. Are we really nearing the apocalypse? Will a war between the US and North Korea blow up into another world war. Why is Kim threatening to attack the US? What will China and Russia do in the event of a full scale confrontation between the US and Kim? I'm no political scientist or war expert but from the look of it, Kim had better be bluffing.

Signs she wants you to ask her out!

Sometimes it’s hard to know if a girl is sending you signals to ask her out, or if she is just friendly, or is actually obsessed with your friend, or what. But watch closely for these cues, because if she’s throwing them at you, it means she’s probably hoping you ask her out.

So just work up the courage to do it and do it. Godspeed!

1. She starts liking something random you like after you mentioned you liked it. Oh, what’s that? She likes Neko Case all of the sudden? Wowza, what a huge coincidence. She knows all about the Manchester United game even though two days ago she knew sh*t about soccer? Holy smokes. She knows all about the new Kid Cudi album that just dropped after you were just saying how excited you were about it? Yeah, these aren’t coincidences, so don’t overlook them. Don’t make her feel dumb by saying, “Oh please you said you hate soccer!”

Follow her lead. Let her brag about her new knowledge. Teach her something new. Plan a date around it. Because you’re definitely going to want to ask her out.

2. She touches your arm a lot. Sorry, it’s all we’ve got, guys. We want to touch you but many places seem off limits. Touching your face would make us feel like we are in a Hallmark commercial, touching your chest would make us feel like we were in a Lifetime movie, and touching your junk would make us feel like we were in a bado. Basically, that leaves the arm. So we touch it a lot if we are interested. If you can think of something better let us know.

3. She laughs at everything you say. Yeah, even when you aren’t really saying anything that funny. Sorry. It’s something we can’t help and we probably aren’t proud of. It’s not that we are faking it, we are just really giddy to be around you if we have a crush on you. So everything seems a little lighter, a little more fun, and a little more likely to make us bust our gut or snort or… I’m just not going to say it.

4. She keeps asking you to do the most odd, unrelationships things. If she keeps asking you to do non-date things, like going to weird comedy shows that are sort of far away or going to her brother’s baseball game or feeding the neighbor’s cat, she is doing the dance of doing absolutely everything except for asking you out on a real date. So why don’t you do everyone a favor and ask her out? You both will have a better time doing something other than working her hectic charity event or helping her move.

5. She sends you mail. Real mail. She had to get paper and a writing device — which are increasingly becoming hard to come by. She had to write with her handwriting, which she hardly does anymore. She put way more thought into her words since she wasn’t just shooting them out on her keyboard. And she licked and sealed the envelope. That is love. Or at least mega-like. Ask her out, for goodness sake.

6. She always wants to be in pictures with you. Are there a disproportionate amount of pictures of you with her than with other people? Especially guys? She wants be be part of your life. She wants to show you off. She wants you to remember her. She is inserting herself into your life in the only way she can without asking you out.

She has agreed to do anything you have suggested so far. If you’re asking her to do anything with a group of friends or anything non-datey, and you hardly have to finish the question “Do you want to go rock climb…” or “Do you want to grab a bee…” before she says yes, she’d rather be doing these things as your girlfriend.

Especially if she says it like it’s not even a question. Of course she will! With gusto, she’ll be there with bells on! She’s psyched about anything because you will be there.

8. She hasn’t mentioned any other guys in your presence. That’s because she’s not thinking of any other guys. And she won’t even bring up friend boys, because she doesn’t want you to assume they are boyfriends.

9. She brings you something when you're sick or similarly cooks you anything ever. Yeah, she’s showing you her nurturing side. It’s not because she’s filling some gender role, she’s just seizing the opportunity to be sweet. It’s an easy in to make you a casserole or drop by with some ginger ale.

10. You have met her friends and they seem surprisingly psyched to meet you. They are already excited to see you and already know what you do because they have heard about you. In fact, they might be sick of you. They might be thinking, “Will you just ask her out already?” So go ahead and do it.