In Praise of Men

I recently came across this great website/blog, Live The Charmed Life (www.livethecharmedlife.com). With so much male bashing and negative speak towards men, it was a breath of fresh air to read, from a woman's perspective, on her appreciation of the Male Species. Hats off to DeeAnne for focusing on the positive and not on the negative! Enjoy!

In Praise of Men

I love women. I really do. This isn’t something I say lightly. It’s as much to do with the hundreds of amazing women I’ve met in my lifetime, as the ones whose accomplishments I’ll watch in raptured awe from afar. I recently wrote "a love letter to my girlfriends", to thank them for all they’ve brought to my life. It was meant to be a love letter to all women really, and to celebrate all that women do to enrich the world. Whether they’re strong, soft, tough, tiny, athletic, successful, shy, bodacious or a bit of everything combined; girls are a great invention.

However, there’s another equally wonderful invention that makes the world the fantastic place it is. That invention is men. Though they be tall, short, metrosexual, outdoorsy, sport loving, art loving, businessmen, firemen, students, construction workers, teachers, chefs, traditional, cynical, non-conformist, health nuts, couch potatoes, intense, laid back, or anything in between; there is nothing to compare to men. They have so much to teach us about life, if we’ll only take the time to watch and learn.

I think I understand why we may not want to take the time, though. There seems to be an overwhelming amount of distrust between the sexes at times, and a fair amount of man bashing by women who are far too fabulous for such activities, in my opinion. Are there men that deserve a bit of tough talk at times? Yes, and there are women that deserve their share as well. The important thing to remember is that no individual person is perfect all of the time, or is responsible for all of the sins of their gender. They don’t deserve to be mistrusted or mistreated for anything that happened to us at the hands of someone else. The part to focus on is what we can learn from one another, how we can use each other’s strengths to reinforce our weaknesses, and how we can attempt to understand something that may simply be different, rather than wrong.

What follows is a list of a few items that have been called out as differences between the sexes. I’ve taken a closer look to see if there isn’t something we can learn from them.

WARNING: BRAZEN GENERALITIES/MANY EXCEPTIONS EXIST

1. They don’t ask for directions~Men aren’t afraid to go it alone, or to make mistakes. They’re also willing to take either the glory or the gore that goes along with that decision. There’s something to be said for believing in yourself enough to say that whatever happens you know you’ll be fine and you’ll figure it out. Besides, how many new worlds would have been found if a man hadn’t been willing to point his ship to sea and just sail?

2. They say what they mean~How wonderful would it be to say yes or no, I like it or I don’t, without any agenda or games? When he said he didn’t notice your new haircut, he simply didn’t notice your new haircut. It has absolutely nothing to do with whether he liked it or not, or whether he loves or cares about you. No hidden meaning, and innocent honesty, means much more energy for things that matter.

3. They’re “fixers”~Rather than analyzing and reanalyzing, men are better at accepting what has happened, where they currently find themselves, and then looking for solutions. They seem to live by the motto “Fix it, and move on.”, rather than staying stuck in the “what ifs”.

4. They don’t show emotion~Do I really believe men are completely fearless, and without emotion? No. What I do believe is that they’ve been better trained to appear fearless and stoic. I also believe this has as much of an impact on them, as it does on those around them. In other words, they’re affirming/facing what they need to, and not allowing irrational emotions to control them. They’re convincing themselves they’re not afraid, as much as they’re convincing anyone else.

5. They’re simple in their needs~They know what they need, and want, and they do not apologize for it. This may be the most controversial point on the list, but isn’t it interesting that when you really break it down, most of the things that men do are aimed at getting things like food, fulfillment, sex and sleep? If only we were able to break down our needs to such simple categories, and unapologetically go get them, or ask for them.

I see so many wonderful things in men, and I admire them. I especially admire their ability to integrate those things that were once considered too feminine, and that may not come naturally to them. Things like being more active in raising children, showing emotion, supporting their partner’s career, and in many other areas once considered off limits to them. In short, this is a post in praise of men, because life is much to short not to appreciate and celebrate the differences, as well as, the things that make us exactly the same.

Fort Worth Date Night: Fort Worth Date Night: A real piece of work

BY MIKE BLOOMBERG

December 23, 2009

Christmas is on a Friday this year. I’m guessing Date Night this weekend will be “Family Night.” In fact, this may be “Family Weekend.” Not a problem. I understand.

Let’s say you two are not married or are married with no kids. Christmas might be a one-day celebration and you are looking for something to do on Saturday or Sunday. Before I suggest what to do, let me throw out a couple of “what not to do’s.”

If you hear the words “mall” or “store,” run, don’t walk, to the nearest exit. Not that there is anything wrong with shopping. You can only imagine the traffic and congestion near anywhere things are bought or sold. Sure, the bargains may be great, but, the customer service may not be the best as the returns will be the highest of any day. Basically, retail = stress. Anything stress-related is not conducive to a productive Date Night.

Might I also suggest staying away from restaurants? I know what you may be thinking, “But, Mike, you (heart) food!” And, I do. But, Christmas is a big gorging day. Overeating and being miserable is also not germane to a romantic Date Night.

How about this? A Date Night that combines culture, exercise and quality time. The perfect after-Christmas date. Fort Worth has become known for its culture. With its great theater, great music and great art, it’s hard not to find something to enjoy. This is why I’m suggesting one or all three of the major Fort Worth museums this weekend.

If you are looking for modern, then The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth is your place. It has fascinating exhibits, a wonderful cafe and even a movie theater. Should western and American classics be your cup of tea, then, the Amon Carter Museum is your destination. And, to round out the trifecta, you can’t forget the Kimbell Art Museum. As their Web site states, “The Kimbell Art Museum’s holdings include artworks ranging in period from antiquity to the 20th century.”

These three museums are all just a stone’s throw from one another. Depending how much you love art or how much you indulged the previous day, hitting all three in one afternoon is definitely attainable. Or, perhaps, you can approach the museums with a sense of humor, much like that of comedian Steven Wright who once quipped, “I went to the museum where they had all the heads and arms from the statues that are in all the other museums.” Have a safe and romantic holiday and New Year! Go Frogs!

www.themodern.org

www.cartermuseum.org

www.kimbellart.org

Fort Worth Date Night: Fort Worth Date Night: This Sleigh Ride will be one of "Epic" Proportions

BY MIKE BLOOMBERG

December 17, 2009

One of the most appealing aspects of Christmas Eve is the thought of Santa and his reindeer flying through the sky. In a perfect world, the weather would be cold, snow falling and, as you look up, your view would be that of a starry sky with Santa's sled leaving a stream of light as he quickly maneuvers throughout the world. After all, the guy has a lot to get done in a short period. Talk about being in more than one place at a time.

You have to be a little jealous of Santa's view. Can you imagine what the holiday scene on the ground is like from above? Colored lights for miles, glistening snow on the ground and rooftops and white smoke billowing from fireplaces into the sky. Sure, we can get in our cars and drive around searching for the neighborhoods with the best holiday lights and decorated houses. Some areas have gained so much popularity that it might take hours to drive a couple of blocks. Kind of takes away from the holiday spirit, right?

This year, don't make that mistake. This week's Date Night suggestion would even make Santa jealous. Have you heard of Epic Helicopters? The fact that they offer services like flight training, tours, aerial photography and such should be expected. But, it's one little nugget that Epic offers throughout the month of December that might get your Date Night started in a BIG way.

This year, Epic Helicopters is offering two different Holiday Lights tours. Or, as they like to refer to it, "The Ultimate Sleigh Ride." The first is called "Santa’s Sleigh Ride." This tour flies over the most spirited neighborhoods that glow brightly under the stars. The other is the ultimate in VIP "sleighing." This one is called "Santa’s Silver Bullet." According to Epic, "this tour includes the Downtown Fort Worth Christmas tree, Stockyards Christmas tree and numerous glowing neighborhoods. The highlight of this tour is the incredibly popular and brightly lit Grand Prairie Lights, home to over 3 million lights! It’s a sight to behold from the air."

If you think the holiday lights tours are enough, think again. Epic Helicopters also offers some very cool "add-ons" to embellish your ride. Some of these are: Holiday music in the sky, Champagne, red roses and a very cool "Dinner Date" upgrade.

Just picture you and your favorite “plus one” flying through the winter sky, admiring this town and its surroundings like you've never experienced. The anticipation of the date might trump the actual flight. This Date Night will be hard to top. And, just remember, no Grinches, Scrooges or lumps of coal are allowed on board.

For complete details on Epic Helicopters and their tours, please visit www.epichelicopters.com

Ask and Ye Shall Receive: 4 simple tips to asking her out

From time t0 time, I have been fortunate to be asked to guest blog on others' blogs. This has to be one of the highest honors as a blogger. This was posted on Live The Charmed Life (www.livethecharmedlife.com) in December 2009. Thanks, DeeAnne!

I’m very happy to share a wonderful guest post by Mike Bloomberg, The Romance CEO. In asking Mike to contribute an article for Live The Charmed Life, I asked that he write something from the man’s perspective on relationships. After sharing many great ideas, and agreeing that we should collaborate again in the future, we decided on a reprint of one of his most popular articles. What follows is something that everyone can benefit from. If you’re a man, here are some helpful tips on getting up the courage to ask the girl of your dreams out for the first time. If you’re a woman, I think you will gain a whole new respect for what men go through in often being expected to make the first move. Either way, it only reinforces how truly alike we are. Many thanks to Mike, and ENJOY!

Ask and Ye Shall Receive: 4 simple tips to asking her out

You are standing in line at the pharmacy. You turn around just to kill time as the person in front of you is counting out the six-month prescription they just picked up to make sure all the pills are there, and there she is. Blue eyes, dimples, nice smile and what do you do…turn around and face the front. Your mind starts racing. Should I turn back around? Should I just introduce myself? What should I say?

Another scenario might be this. You see her at the gym at the same time every day. She is always on the treadmill when you are on the bike. It started off as a smile, evolved into small talk and, now, there is some flirting going on. Even when you are not at the gym, she is on your mind. Your friends have heard all about her. Your barber has even heard about her. But, still, no action on your part to ask her out.

Guys, we have all been there. Each of us have a different reaction to just the thought of having to do it. For some, it is like breathing. For the rest of us, we would rather have our bodies waxed by Aunt Gertie than to have to do this. I am talking about asking someone out for the first time. Here are a few tips to make this decision a little easier:

Confidence, confidence, confidence! If you are not self-assured and seem as if your skin was custom fit for you, then do not even bother talking to her, much less, asking her out. There is nothing less attractive to a woman than a man who is not confident. I am not talking about being “cocky” when you approach her. She will not be impressed with that. Here’s a little tip…visualization. Don’t worry, you do not have to go to yoga class and meditate for 6 hours. Picture yourself as 100 feet tall when you talk to her. Even now, just close your eyes and picture it. There is something about being above everyone else that invokes confidence. When talking to her, even if you are scared to death, act as is if you were born to do this. Fake it ‘til you make it!

Every breath you take. Do not forget to breathe. Like a well-conditioned athlete, when asking someone out, it is always important to take a deep breath and to continue to breathe throughout the conversation. You do not want to seem nervous or start sweating when talking to her.

What do you have to lose? In the last few years, I have started socializing with a new group of friends. We go to dinner, go bowling, and do happy hours. One of the guys is gay. While at a Super Bowl party, he decided it was time to tell me he had a crush on me…in front of about 10 people. Needless to say, I was speechless. However, I was not offended. In an odd way, I was jealous. So many times, I have wanted to tell this girl or that girl that I really liked them. If a gay guy could tell a straight guy in front of a lot of people, then why couldn’t I just ask someone out when it was just the two of us? I have been around this guy a few more times and we are still friends. Moral of the story…just go for it. At the least, the outcome is going to be the exact same as it is now, except that you went for it.

She may be sitting home like you. There is an adorable girl who works at my gym. O.K, she is hot. She often complained about the horrors of dating in college. Guys rarely ask girls out. Often, dates consist of meeting up with each other at the bar. Recently, she talked about this new guy she has been seeing. She said it was someone she had met socially through mutual friends. While he was funny, she was not initially physically attracted to him. I asked why she chose to go out with him and her response was this, “He asked.” Those two words put everything into perspective. HE ASKED…plain and simple.

A wise man once said that 98% of what we worry about never happens. Never have truer words been uttered. We often think of what the outcome could be and rarely are we correct. How many times have you said, “that went way better than I thought it was going to?” Apply that to your dating life. Even if she is not interested, not available or the timing is just not good, if your approach is that of a gentleman, most women feel honored to be pursued. Wayne Gretzky, hockey great, said it best, “you will miss 100% of the shots you never take.” Go ahead…shoot! You might even score.

Michael Bloomberg, a marriage proposal, dating and romance consultant, is better known as “The Romance CEO” (www.TheRomanceCEO.com) and author of the Romance Rocks!monthly newsletter. Bloomberg has been seen on The Learning Channel, might have been photographed with a Supermodel and definitely writes a weekly column, Date Night, for the Fort Worth Business Press. @TheRomanceCEO is where you can follow him on Twitter.