Kelly Brook

The sexy model stripped off and draped herself in dollar bills for this exclusive pic that will send interest rates soaring.
Million dollar babe Kelly Brook gets buck naked as she covers herself in nothing but cash, the Sunday People reports.
The sexy model stripped off and draped herself in dollar bills for this exclusive pic – one that will send interest rates soaring.
Wearing nothing but a pair of killer heels and a dollar-sign bling ring, she flashed the cash while seductively counting her stash.And being worth an estimated £7million, Kelly is clearly used to rolling in it.

The 33-year-old showed off the perfect curves that have ensured she is one of the most successful glamour models in the country.
The brunette beauty shot to fame as a Page 3 Girl when she was 17 and soon became the face of big brands including Foster’s, Walkers and Reebok.

In 2005 she topped FHM’s sexiest woman poll and went on to forge a career as an actress. In 2004 she starred in movie School of Seduction and Piranha 3D in 2010.
Now Kelly, who has also starred on BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing, is used to being chauffeured around in Bentleys.The Celebrity Juice star is rumoured to be dating rugby heartthrob Danny Cipriani.

It is believed she was reunited with the 25-year-old two months ago following her split from model Thom Evans. They have been seen holding hands several times but the hottie insists she is still single.Kelly was engaged to Titanic star Billy Zane but they called off their ­wedding in 2008. That followed a seven-year ­relationship with actor Jason Statham.

Kent-born Kelly – who has her own range of bikinis for high street chain New Look – last week revealed that she keeps herself perky by having vitamin jabs.
She added: “A vitamin B12 shot in the bum does the job. They make you feel amazing – you go from a little bit groggy to ‘ding!’ It’s probably not that sensible though.”She also told of the secrets behind her size 10 body – a product of her childhood days as a ballerina.

She said: “I did 10 years of ballet every single day – it means I’m quite strong and toned underneath. So if I put on a bit of weight, it doesn’t take long to get it back. All that muscle memory goes a long way.”
Don’t worry Kelly, yours is not the sort of body people will forget easily.

Friends

Daybreak presenter Gethin Jones dating actress who is a dead ringer for ex-fiancee Katherine Jenkins.
Friends said the Welsh heart-throb, 35, has been seeing Charlotte Gooch since a chance meeting at her West End musical.
Daybreak presenter Gethin Jones is dating again… with a beautiful West End actress who looks remarkably like his former fiancee Katherine Jenkins.

Friends said the Welsh heart-throb, 35, has been seeing Charlotte Gooch since a chance encounter behind the scenes at her West End musical Top Hat.Gethin’s mum had accidentally walked into leading actress Charlotte’s dressing room when he took his parents to a night at London’s Aldwych Theatre in January.

A showbiz source said last night: “It was a bit of a strange first encounter, but despite that they hit it off straight away and stayed in contact. He asked her out on a date and they have been out several times since.

“They were trying to keep it a bit low key, but he has started telling people about her and seems really happy. It’s only early days but all the signs are really positive.”

Gethin’s party had been invited backstage by former Holby City actor Tom Chambers, who also stars in the hit musical.Charlotte, from Epsom, Surrey, is Gethin’s first girlfriend since he split from Katherine in 2011 after a 10-month engagement. The glamorous soprano, 32, described herself as “beyond heartbroken”. The source added: “Katherine will want Gethin to be happy, but seeing him with another woman is always going to be slightly upsetting for her.”

Charlotte, 27, who has been dancing since she was three, has appeared in productions of Dirty Dancing and Fly With The Stars. After they met Gethin tweeted: “@Charlotte_Gooch sorry for the changing room intrusion… by my mum! Thanks for a fab show – class …x.”
She replied: “@GethinJones hehe not at all, she was lovely. Glad you liked it, lovely to meet you x.”Ex-Blue Peter host Gethin joined ITV’s Daybreak last year.

Looking good

He said:
If there’s one thing Mad Men excels at, it’s looking good. For a fringe show on an obscure basic cable U.S. channel, Mad Men has caused something of a style renaissance, changing the way the fashion world thinks about clothes and trends, and if nothing else reigniting a love of thick-rimmed glasses, narrow ties and slicked-back hair.

There are plenty of handy dating fashion tips to glean from watching Mad Men.
Gents:

Aim for simple, tailored, well-fitting suits, soft and thick at the shoulders/chest, but tapered at the waist — a classic “American” suit.
Be sure to include a small, smart, white line of linen in the pocket square.
Never deviate from a standard white shirt.
For a truly authentic ’60s look, consider a smart felt fedora, though only worn outdoors — a gentleman should always remove his hat when he arrives at the office.

Ladies:

Aim for elegant, curve-hugging dresses — or, as the series makes its way through to the late ’60s, miniskirts with bright, bold colors.
Consider a cute vintage felt or straw hat to match.
Complete the look with kitten heels.
Head to Banana Republic, who boasts a Mad Men “capsule collection” for the authentic look.
Sometimes a jacket and tie can be a little too formal, especially for a first date, and tastes have since diversified beyond suit-for-formal, polo-shirt-for-casual. And even Don Draper himself is not always dapper — it’s safe to say that checked jackets left the realm of what is cool a very long time ago.

I do think there’s something to learn from Joan, though. The girl is curvaceous and sexy, but she’s never spilling out of her top or baring more of her flesh than she covers up. A little sex appeal goes a long way.

As for miniskirts: Really, John? When you see a miniskirt-clad girl, are you thinking you want to get up her skirt or put a ring on her finger? Ladies, there’s nothing wrong with a miniskirt, just keep it at mini and not micro-mini. A** cheeks are for the shower, yard work in cutoffs and sexy bathing suit mishaps. And, unless you’re built like Megan Draper, take heed of what you pair it with on top. Also, ladies, you know better: No kitten heels. Ever.

Finally, if your date is to a Mets game: All those rules are out. It’s time to buy a fitted T-shirt or tank top to support the team. After all, even Don sheds his suit from time to time — and I’m not talking about that ill-advised checked jacket (Megan seriously needs to reign him in). Plus, you can’t wear a suit or Joan’s sleek skirts to the beach!
About the He and the She

He is: John Nugent is a freelance writer, journalist and blogger living in London, writing about films, music, pop culture and technology. He has written for Little White Lies, Film4.com, The Skinny, Moviescope Magazine and many others. He is obsessed with Mad Men and overly forgiving of Don Draper’s relentless deviancy.

She is: Deirdre Kaye is our Television Editor, freelance music writer and drinking game enthusiast. As a Mad Men fan, she’s spent five season waiting for Joan and John to end up together. She’s never met John but she’s spent the last few days imagining he looks like Don Draper and sounds like Lane Pryce. Don’t ruin things by telling her otherwise.

They think: eHarmony was absolutely brilliant in their decision to contact SheKnows about this article. We’re always game for helping out our single sisters. Plus, we’re always happy to introduce you to a smart, opinionated piece of man candy like John.

Shop designer

Shop designer closets at Re-Fashion Vancouver.
Like most women, Victoria Ronco loves to shop and she isn’t afraid to admit it. The Vancouver-based entrepreneur buys clothing from local boutiques, often shops online, and is a self-professed shoe addict. Her only problem—she lives in an apartment with minimal closet space downtown.

“Every woman I’ve talked to has said the same thing,” Ronco told the Georgia Straight during a recent phone interview. “Everybody has too many clothes in their closet and can’t have a garage sale because they’re downtown.”

Ronco tried selling her clothes on eBay, but found photographing, listing, and managing sales of all her pieces too time consuming. She also considered selling her clothing and shoes through local consignment stores, but didn’t like that she would be losing a large percentage of the profits from sales of her items.

So in 2012, Ronco and her business partner Dave Kelly launched Re-Fashion Vancouver, a one-day community-driven clothing and shoe sales event at the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre (181 Roundhouse Mews). This year, Re-Fashion returns to the Roundhouse on April 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Last year, more than 70 people signed up for vendor spots at the event, selling everything from Hugo Boss men’s blazers and lululemon yogawear to Betsey Johnson dresses and Manolo Blahnik high-heels at deep discounts. Vendor applications for this year’s event have already been finalized, but shoppers attending Re-Fashion (admission is $5) can expect to see clothing and shoes that reflect a wide range of styles and sizes.

“Because we want there to be a good cross-section of sizing and age ranges for maturity levels of clothing…the applications are done by size,” Ronco confirmed.

Shoppers can also look forward to free treats and prizes from event sponsors, including cupcakes by Love Your Cake, canapés from Yaletown restaurant Caché Bistro & Lounge, and mini-manicures from Luxe Beauty Lounge. Last year, Re-Fashion saw more than 800 shoppers, so attendees are advised to go early—and bring cash.

“Most people selling designer items will have high price-points because they price everything themselves,” Ronco said. “So even if you are getting a really great deal on a pair of Manolos, it’s still going to be a pair of Manolos.”

Mad Men’s sixth season is finally upon us! And what a doozy of a premiere it was, both plot- and clothing-wise. We rounded up the episode’s most exciting fashion moments (Harry’s sideburns! Betty’s hair! Those Hawaiian leis!) and talked to costume designer Janie Bryant about dressing the characters for 1967 and 1968.

There were a lot of crazy costume moments in last night’s episode, but Harry Crane’s was particularly amazing.
Janie Bryant: I always loved his transformation from season one and season two, when he was in short sleeves and bow ties, to becoming Mr. Hollywood. He’s kind of douchey. I always think of his character as a wannabe, and so he’s easily influenced by fashion trends.

How did you pick out Megan’s vacation outfits?
I looked at traditional Hawaiian printed maxi dresses, luau dresses, and caftans, that kind of thing. But I wanted Megan to have something different because she is the most fashion-forward character. I actually found a backless halter wrap maxi dress from Ranch Queen Vintage on Etsy, and that’s what she wore. She also wore a vintage bathing suit that I discovered. I wanted her to wear a lot of purple and lavender in Hawaii, because purple was a huge, huge color during this time and so it speaks to her character being very modern and fashionable.

What about those luau dancers?
I designed all of the luau costumes for the dancers and performers, and we had those built. They were all handmade for us. They’re actually belts with leaves affixed to them.

You were saying that Harry is sort of a douchey dresser, and so is Pete, but not to the same degree.
Pete’s always been a pretty elegant dresser, and his sideburns are a sign of the times. He also wore a matching tie and pocket square in this episode, which is just meant to show how meticulous he is, and how his position in the office has become more authoritative.

What kinds of materials did you research from this era when you were coming up with the costumes?
I always watch a lot of movies and look at magazines and catalogues from that time, like Sears, JC Penney, Spiegel’s, McCall’s, Good Housekeeping, Ladies Home Journal, Holiday magazine, and Look magazine. Old issues of GQ and Esquire are good resources for menswear, also. Then of course I have many, many costume history books.

Let’s talk about Betty’s transition from blonde to brunette.
I always think of Betty as being obsessed with Jackie Kennedy, especially now that she’s the politician’s wife and looking for examples of how to build a good façade. Her new hair color will definitely affect her wardrobe. You can even see when she comes into the kitchen with her new brown hair that she’s in this beautiful jewel-tone tweed suit, which is new for her. She used to wear a lot of pastels and cool tones, so it was fun to experiment with the color change for her.

Do you like her better as a blonde or a brunette?
Oh gosh. As a blonde, I think.

We must discuss Henry Francis’s amazing sweaters.
He really does have extraordinary sweaters. I always imagine Betty buying his sweaters. He’s kind of a mama’s boy in the best way. He totally succumbs to Betty’s tastes. He’s always thinking about work, so when it comes to his clothes, he’s like, “Okay, if this makes you happy, darling, I’ll do it.” I love that about him.

Has Peggy gone shopping? Her clothes look more expensive, and polished.
Well she definitely has more money now, and she is really showing more authority and more confidence in her new position. But she’s definitely not fashionable. That’s not Peggy’s priority. She wants to be taken seriously and she’s not a fashion plate — she never has been. That’s not her interest.

I loved Jane’s funeral appearance. That hat!
It’s so beautiful, right? I’d been waiting for a good moment to be able to use that hat. It’s been in her closet for a while. Jane’s costumes are always about being fashionable and having a very rich, rich sensibility. Every time we see that character on the screen, it has to be a “Wow!” moment of a costume that’s rich and beautiful. I mean, that’s what she does all day — she shops, and she’s good at it. She loves beautiful things.

As a 90s teenager that was easily influenced, I recall an anti-fur campaign entitled ‘I would rather be naked than wear fur’. It featured a number of high profile models including Naomi Campbell. Upon researching the campaign further I vowed that I would never wear fur. Some of my girlfriends went a step further, refusing to wear leather shoes, use cosmetics that may contain animal products, or eat animal products of any kind. They lived on lentils and wore plastic alternative shoes to school. I can’t remember now but, thinking back, they must have had some pretty sweaty feet!

According to recent reports worldwide sales of fur went up in 2012 by over $1 billion compared to 2011, reaching a huge $15 billion. During London Fashion Week in February this year close to 200 designers used fur in their collections and approximately 500 designers, including Diane von Furstenberg, Yves Saint Laurent, Marni, Matthew Williamson and Roberto Cavalli, all use fur.

The popularity of fur is highlighted further by the likes of Kate Moss, Carine Roitfeld and Agyness Deyn, who have all been photographed wearing it. In fact, one could say that fur is now a regular front row guest in the world of fashion.

There is clearly plenty of support for fur in fashion, but there are also those who are strongly against its use. PETA are a key organization that speak out against the use of fur in fashion and runs campaigns against its use. I recently received this video from PETA about the use of fur in fashion.

Protests against the use of fur go well beyond online media and marketing; designers that have used fur in their collections have been targeted for doing so by anti fur campaigns for many years. In 2008 Donna Karan was targeted by animal rights campaigners who spray-painted the road outside her Hamptons home.

There are of course some excellent quality faux furs too. I personally own a number of items that use faux and, for me, these offer an alternative to the real thing that provides a similar, but guilt-free, effect.

It’s clear that the use of real fur in fashion ignites strong emotions for those that are for or against its use, and I did consider not writing this piece for that very reason. But I do believe that such topics should be open to conversation.

When all is said and done, it is ultimately the consumer that will decide the success of real fur in the fashion industry. But, for me personally, I will continue to fake it.

What are your thoughts about in fur in fashion? Are you pro or anti? I would love to hear your thoughts.

ONE THING THAT this year’s presidential candidates both get right is that the United States’ plentiful reserve of unconventional natural gas is an exceptional national asset, not only revolutionizing the energy business at home but also benefiting America and its allies abroad.

Over the past decade, new drilling methods have made oceans of fuel once trapped in subterranean rock formations easily accessible. The result is that the United States, which used to worry about importing huge quantities of natural gas, is now producing loads of its own, so much that domestic prices have tumbled and energy companies are asking for permission to liquefy and export some of the country’s output.

That’s good for a variety of reasons, including, as The Post’s Will Englund and Kathy Lally reported Monday, accelerating the decline of Gazprom, Russia’s natural-gas monopoly.

Gazprom finances Russian President Vladimir Putin corrupt political system. Under Mr. Putin’s direction, it has also been a notorious international villain, tying delivery of its precious fuel, a matter of life and death during European winters, to the Kremlin’s political agenda.

But with the United States no longer demanding massive quantities of liquefied natural gas from Russia or anywhere else — thus freeing up fuel for others — and gas production ramping up elsewhere, the economics that enable Gazprom’s abuse are changing.

The company, to be sure, is still a monster. It claimed $44 billion in profit last year — and that’s just what it reported. It provides most or all of the natural gas for many Eastern European nations, and it still has lucrative long-term supply contracts with European customers that link Gazprom’s prices to the price of oil.

However, a recent Brookings Institution analysis reported that a looser natural gas market has already empowered German utilities to renegotiate those contracts; some European customers are even ignoring them altogether and buying cheaper liquefied natural gas on spot markets.

If the United States begins exporting natural gas, it would only encourage positive long-term structural changes in this international trade — away from Kremlin domination and toward a larger and more nimble world market. European countries would not be the only ones to feel this effect. Gazprom intends to enter the gas-hungry Asian market, and it might find that it has less leverage over its potential customers than it had expected to wield.

If the economic case for allowing U.S. natural-gas exports, which we have made in other editorials, doesn’t persuade those fighting to limit them, the possible geopolitical benefits should. With new supply from America and others sloshing around the world market later this decade, Mr. Putin might have to make a choice — between propping up a dysfunctional and decreasingly profitable monopoly or finally liberalizing the Russian energy sector, to the benefit of customers, shareholders, Russia’s neighbors and, ultimately, Russia, too.

Skout, a mobile application for flirting and dating, is already growing like crazy.
But CEO Christian Wikilund has much, much higher aspirations than just a dating app — he wants to build a global network on the scale of Facebook and Twitter.
Right now, it looks like he’s on track — Skout is adding 40,000 to 50,000 new users on the app every single day.
What does he have planned? We caught up with him to find out — here’s what we learned:

• Dating and flirting actually only comprises about 20 percent of Skout’s use cases. Most use it to just meet new friends — though that’s based on a survey, which is a little self-selecting, he said.

• They spend a ton of effort keeping the app clean. Every picture has to be reviewed four times to make sure Skout doesn’t become the next “ChatRoulette” and be a database of nude photos.

• One pivot later, Skout raised $22 million and is ready to grow, well, everywhere. The app already has huge user bases in some international cities, but it’s planning on expanding to just about every international market out there.

Here’s a full, lightly-edited transcript of the conversation:BUSINESS INSIDER: So, start from the top. How did you guys get off the ground?

Sara Khan and Ashmit Patel had gained immense popularity the season 4 of Bigg Boss. The duo seem getting closer by the day, but this proximity went kaput when Veena Malik entered the picture. The Pakistani starlet’s flirtatious ways with Ashmit Patel created a rift between Sara and Ashmit.
After Bigg Boss 4, Veena and Ashmit tried to be together for sometime, but things didn’t work for them. Also, earlier Sara was weathering a troubled relationship with her ex-husband Ali Merchant. But now, Sara and Ashmit are back in the frame of love with their new untitled film, to be directed by Vinod Chhabra. And reportedly, the chemistry between the two seems like a house on fire.
As per close source, the two have an amazing chemistry not only on screen, but also off screen. As per onlookers, the duo like spending time with each other. They share ideas and views about the script and are always by each other’s side. They are also seen in a suburban night club partying together.
Well, it’s time to see if they’ll make the most of this opportunity.

For all that Steven Lopez has accomplished in taekwondo, winning two Olympic gold medals and five world championships, his younger sister Diana describes his approach to women with one word: “shy.” So perhaps that’s why it was such a surprise he agreed to participate in the upcoming Fox reality dating show, “The Choice.”
The show, which will air this summer, features Lopez, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, Rob Kardashian and actor/comedian Finesse Mitchell listening to a group of women who hope to persuade the bachelors to choose them for a date.
“They tell you what you want to hear, and if you like what you hear, you turn the chair around and pick the girl,” said Lopez, whom People Magazine dubbed one of America’s 50 hottest bachelors in 2004.
Lopez said he was pleased with his choice when he turned around and went on a date with the woman, but nothing materialized. “She lives in New York,” the Houston resident said.
All in all, Lopez said it was an entertaining experience that again reminded him how unusual it is to be recognized for his looks as much as his talent.
“It’s strange,” he said. “I’ve put my blood, sweat and tears and sacrificed so much to get on top the podium and it’s like, ‘You’re on People’s 50 most beautiful bachelors, how does that feel?’”
Added Diana: “He gets mothers who come up to him and they’re like, ‘Oh, you’d be perfect for my daughter. Can you sign this for me?’ It’s hilarious.”

Archery has never been exactly what you would call a big spectator sport in America, but it might get a little more attention at the Olympics thanks to two recent Hollywood blockbusters. First, there was “The Hunger Games,” in which young heroine Katniss Everdeen relies on her skills with the bow and arrow. Then, there was “The Avengers,” with the archer Hawkeye on the team of superheroes.
“It’s been huge for archery,” Olympic gold-medal hopeful Brady Ellison said. “I know archery shops across the U.S. are sold out in everything. A lot of my friends who run archery shops say they have to turn people away. It has been huge for us in just the exposure of people wanting to try it. I just hope and pray those people won’t just try it and leave. Hopefully we’ll get a little percentage of those people shooting competitions with us.”
“It’s having a dramatic effect on our sport,” U.S. archer Jennifer Nichols said. “We’ve had such an increase in interest as well as spectator base. We’re really excited going into the Olympic Games having such an explosion not only in focus on our sport but in effect.”
Ellison said he hasn’t seen either movie but has viewed clips and Internet postings. “I really want to see ‘The Avengers,’” he said. “There’s been this post on my Facebook and on different websites comparing my form to Hawkeye’s form and the differences. And one of the quotes is, ‘Does Hawkeye have the worst archery form in history?’
“Any movie that portrays archery is a good thing, and your average person who doesn’t watch archery won’t notice the difference, but to every archer who shoots? Movies drive us nuts. ‘Robin Hood’ with Russell Crowe, he shoots OK. ‘The Hunger Games’ girl, she looks like a target archer, so that’s good. Hawkeye? He’s portraying archery, and that’s good, but as far as you want to go technically and critique his form? Maybe not the best.”
There is a reason Jennifer Lawrence shows good form as Everdeen in “The Hunger Games.” She was trained by Olympic medalist Khatuna Lorig. “The form is incredibly similar to the way I shoot,” Nichols said.
So could Nichols shoot an apple out of the mouth of a roasted pig amid a crowded dining room? “It would depend on the distance, but I think I could handle that,” she said.

Man, Rihanna did it again by going topless in a video shoot! RiRi even shared behind the scenes pictures on Facebook of the Where Have You Been video that showed her sans a top.
Robyn Fenty (real name) can Talk the Talk and walk it as well, with the release of a new track and video. And just to show you how committed she is to bringing fresh media content — and shock — to her fans, she shared this photo with fans on May 12.
The topless picture of Rihanna in the video shoot shows some strategically-placed body paint on her “girls gone wild” pair. However, she left nothing to the imagination, as she is nearly in the buff, citing a Hollywood Life report.
Nonetheless, she can always be counted on for driving publicity around an album or video release. This latest buzz is no exception.
The Where Have You Been video shoot with Rihanna depicts a lush jungle scene with a tribal feel. It has the singer seductively coming out of a body of water, where she writhes around on the ground a bit. And as an added bonus, Rihanna actually does an extended dance scene reminiscent of Janet and Britney choreography. Imagine that?
All of Rihanna’s topless video shoot images can be seen here on Facebook.
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Life is full of funny moments that should always be appreciated. Moments that capture the human spirit and set fire to your soul when the perfect moment and the perfect source of humor collide and explode within you like an atom bomb. A good joke, pets being pets, watching someone trip and fall, watching Sin Cara wrestle, someone falling up a case of stairs, sports bloopers, and everyday, mundane life accidents. These are all moments that when paired with the right company, timing, and sarcastic commentary can ignite laughter in even the most pessimistic person.
Life may be full of funny moments, but it’s sure as hell full of moments that aren’t funny to you, but definitely hilarious to others around you. These moments are notoriously known as awkward moments.
You know, like that awkward moment when you tell someone you watch and/or write about professional wrestling…
Such was the case this weekend when a newly, begrudgingly single William Gullo told an attractive female at a local “watering hole” that he did just that.
The female in question didn’t really have much of a response when I informed her about this particular hobby of mine. Not only did she not seem to care, seem impressed, or even remotely crack a smile, but she came off as a little disgusted, as if I had said something that truly offended her.

Has professional wrestling developed such a stigma that even briefly mentioning it in passing now gets you labeled, looked down upon, and condemned in the eyes of females? This had to be an isolated incident, right? There’s no way that every female has a repressed grudge against professional wrestling. I know female wrestling writers exist. I know female fans exist. But, they usually only exist within the small sample size of the online wrestling community, or can only be found at actual events.

When this particular female left my table, after I had apparently just murdered any interest she had in me, the first face I saw was the face of my friend who had the biggest smile I have ever seen.

My Friend: I can’t believe you told her you write about professional wrestling. You just came right out with that didn’t you? For your sake maybe you should just let people get to know you before you tell them about that particular passion. It’s hilariously clear that wrestling is definitely frowned upon in the female community. Thanks for the laugh though! That was priceless.

Is wrestling that frowned upon within the female community? Can enjoying professional wrestling really be that bad? In a world full of materialistic, shallow, stereotypical television, music, movies, and social media platforms, is wrestling really that big of a social no-no? Would I have been better off telling her I spend my free time going to the gym, tanning, and doing laundry?

What makes wrestling so unattractive to females?

It’s an age old dilemma in the lives of professional wrestling aficionados. How can I successfully convey to and adapt my significant other to the world of professional wrestling? It took me a good, solid year to finally get my last girlfriend to understand, appreciate, watch, and enjoy the WWE. Now, I have to relive the whole process over with a new person! They weren’t kidding when they said breaking up is hard to do.

I began to wonder how many girls at this particular establishment were actually fans of wrestling and how I could go about finding out who was and who wasn’t…

This whole subject got me and my friend to thinking, and like any responsible single males would do in this situation, we decided to experiment with this topic. Over the course of several hours we proceeded to casually and randomly ask multiple groups of females their opinions on professional wrestling. We told them we were writing an article on the subject at first, but as the answers became more and more stereotypical, bizarre, and asinine, we quickly turned it into a game that I’m sure every self-respecting single male, who enjoys wrestling, should play at some point. Just trust me on this.

How to play: Find a friend/wingman who has past or present knowledge of the WWE product. While approaching females use the following scoring system to mentally remember your score as you try to have a coherent conversation with the respective females. The first “player” to reach ten points wins the round. First to win three rounds wins the game.Got completely ignored when you started the conversation with “Did you see Raw last week”? 2 pointsUse a wrestling catchphrase during your conversation? 1 point per phrase. I almost died when I heard my friend respond with, “Woo, woo, woo, you know it” when asked if he lived in the area.Recap the latest news, rumors, and wrestling gossip without being asked? 2 points.Told them all about your days of backyard wrestling, your character, finishing move, and entrance music? 5 points.This might sound like an exercise in frustration or a game designed to make sure you never date anyone ever again, but the truth is, it actually worked…a little. Alright, it briefly works until you start getting cocky and competitive and forget why you started playing in the first place, but it works.I actually found actual females who had just the same amount of passion as I did. Whether their brothers, dads, or grandfathers watched it, they understood and appreciated the love I have for professional wrestling. I was 0-4 with four strikeouts at one point, but eventually you’ll hit a home run, or at least hit a single.Listen, let’s all be honest with each other. If you’re reading this than you’re probably an above average to mildly obsessed fan of professional wrestling. It’s in your blood. You love it, those around you know you love it, and anyone else who comes into your life will at some point have to deal with your passion. It’s only inevitable that wrestling will get in the way of certain plans.

Yes, she’s talking about costar Jack Davenport, who plays director Derek, and yes, she’s kidding. While she wouldn’t spill on who’s donning the infamous Marilyn wig, Megan teases, “There are a lot of cliffhangers, and one number in particular is going to floor everybody.” Is she part of that number? “Maybe,” she coyly answers.
Speaking of Jack, Megan says fans of Derek and Ivy shouldn’t get their hopes up about the couple’s long-term potential. “I think they’re good for each other for right now, but that’s it,” she tells us. “I don’t foresee a huge future for them.”
Of the finale, Christian says fans can expect “a fantastic new song,” which he says may be the show’s best yet, and “some nail-biting, down-to-the-last second drama, whether or not the show will actually even go on.” Messing adds, “It’s chock-full of surprises!”

1. No hanky panky during the game.
I don’t care if it’s an away game. More than likely you had your shot earlier in the day. I’m going to need a full glass of Bacardi and room to jump around frantically in the case of a Collin Klein Touchdown.
2. Don’t make plans for Valentine’s day.
Why, you may ask? K-State might be playing KU in the OOD (Octagon of Doom). What better way of showing my affection than screaming my lungs out in front of 12, 528 of my dearest friends? Suck it up and pretend to like it.
3. Don’t make me meet your Dad at a K-State football game.
What a horrible idea. Guess what? It’s the last game of the year vs. Iowa State. It’s not my job to entertain your dad, in an attempt to force him to fancy me. I’ve got a date with my red solo cup, Jim Beam, and the Chamber (Collin Klein) here in 3 hours. I need to stay focused.
4. Do compliment the dude wearing the natty light cowboy hat at the tailgate.
Listen, we both know he’s an idiot, he can’t help it. Give the guy a break.
5. Don’t walk in front of the washer boards.
My boys Dereck and Dave will cut you for less. This is a major party foul. Save yourself one of your nine lives.
6. Don’t be better than the Wabash.
You know you think it’s cool and you want to join. Start rocking or start walking. You make the call. I’ll scream “next!” faster than, well, someone who screams “next!” a lot.
7. Do compliment me on how pretty I look in Purple.
I don’t care if I’m a dude, I like to hear how nice I look, and how badass my Willie shirt is. In fact, while you’re at it, compliment my friends too.
8. Do enjoy Aggieville.I don’t care what school you went to. There’s nothing like this at your school, unless you’re Texas. I mean we’re in a small town in Kansas, yet sometimes I feel like I’m walking down Bourbon Street. Be impressed, DAMMIT!
9. Do ignore it if a bunch of girls say “hi” to me at the game.I was at K-State for 5 years, so… yeah. If you do the math, the chances are fairly high. Let your mind run wild—I’m Fanning, after all.

11. Do be my designated driver.

Remember when I picked you and your girlfriends up the other night when you were having a “Sex in the City” Marathon? Yeah, payback is a bitch.

12. Don’t mention the sheep bins by the stadium.
Yes, we all see them. Ignore them, I don’t need to be reminded how hickish we are.

13. Don’t complain about me being gone every weekend.

Get use to it, and enjoy your freedom from me. (I can only imagine how tiring it would be to date me.) Last year alone, I was in Miami, Dallas, and Pittsburgh for games. This might be a good time to prospect for other suitors in case things get rocky.

14. Don’t ever make a negative comment about Bill Snyder.
I don’t know how you could, but unless you want to be heckled, just shut your mouth. I will not back you up if this happens.

15. Finally, don’t ever tell me “they tried really hard, maybe next time” after a loss.

Seriously, I have dropped a girl for this. I need time to grieve, and you’re just pouring fuel on the flames of my grief. Give me some time–I’ll get my sh** together eventually.Listen people, I know I might be a bit of a special case when it comes to dating a K-Stater. Truth is, The Football season starts September 1. That’s the day before my birthday, so I just thought I’d give the next girl up a scouting report on me—and for dating like-minded K-State fans as well.As for me, and K-Staters like me, there are just a few choices: stay single, marry a K-Stater, or marry someone out of the family that can follow the rules. I’m the last one to carry the Fanning name, I’ve gotta make this count.

Getting back into the dating game is a much more complex affair for a single mum. What, when and how much to tell the kids are the big issues facing single mums looking for love. And the key, according to family relationships expert Sue Yorston, is taking it slowly.

STARTING TO DATE
Yorston, manager of Relationships Australia in Ballarat, says children don’t need to be told when mum decides to start looking for love again.She says it’s important for single mums to maintain their social networks and enjoy some time away from the children after a relationship split, so it should be normal for her to go out every once in a while. “The children don’t need to know lots of detail,” she says.

WHEN YOU’VE FOUND A KEEPER
Don’t tell the kids you’ve met someone special before you and your new man are sure you’re in it for the long haul, Yorston advises. “You need to be sure in your mind that this is the person you want in your life and you need to be sure that person is ready to take on children, accept the whole package,” she says.
“Don’t tell the kids until you’re sure of where that relationship is going but, when you do tell them, be as open and honest as you can be, relevant to their ages.
“Tell them this person is special, not just a mate, and that you’d really like them to meet him.”

TIME TO MEET THE KIDS
The next step is an actual meeting but again Yorston stresses the importance of not rushing mum’s new man into her children’s lives.She says kids suffer when their parents split. But they repair with nurturing, love and security.Introducing mum’s new love to them too soon can put them at risk of further pain.”If mum comes home and introduces someone, what’s she’s saying is ‘this person is OK, I like this person, I’m welcoming this person into the family and I want you to do the same’,” Yorston says.”So children can very easily become attached and then if it doesn’t work out between the adults they’ve got to go through that again.”Yorston says it’s a good idea to keep the initial meeting casual, such as over a coffee or a trip to the park with younger kids.The length and frequency of subsequent meetings should then slowly be increased.”Don’t expect everybody to sit down to a three-course dinner at the first meeting,” she says. “Conversation might be difficult, the kids might be embarrassed and you’re not quite sure what the reactions are going to be.”

TROUBLE SHOOTING
Yorston says it’s common for kids to fear mum is trying to replace their dad with her new man.The arrival of a new partner will also often shatter a child’s hope that their mum and dad will get back together.She says this comes back to how honest the parents have been with their children at the time of and since the separation.Children should be assured they are loved by both parents but also told that mum and dad can no longer live together and will not be reuniting.She says it’s also common for kids to be jealous of the new man in mum’s life, especially if they have had her to themselves for a long time.She recommends maintaining family rituals and slowly easing the new partner into them.”Kids are very intuitive. They will look at how this person treats their mum and how their mum reacts to this person,” Yorston says.

Scarlett Johansson has a new man … again. The sultry actress must be sick of Hollywood hunks, because she seems to be getting serious with advertising executive Nate Naylor.

SODAHEAD SLIDESHOW: See the best celebrity-real person romances.

“They’ve been dating for five months,” a source told People as photos emerged of the couple taking a romantic stroll in New York City. At a diner last weekend, “They were very comfortable and happy together while eating,” an eyewitness tells Life & Style. “They were definitely acting like boyfriend and girlfriend. It was all very natural, Scarlett and Nate couldn’t stop smiling.”

After splitting from hubby Ryan Reynolds, the 27-year-old actress briefly dated much-older actor Sean Penn. But the star couple never looked as cozy together as Scarlett does with Nate. A source told RadarOnline.com: “They’re keeping it very, very low key. He’s not one for the limelight and fame and she likes that about him.”

PHOTOS: See the latest celebrity pictures to hit the Internet.

From Scarlett and Nate to Vince Vaughn and real estate agent Kyla Weber, let us know: Who has the best celebrity-real person romance?

A new studyconducted by the dating site YanikaBrides.com found that self-described single, conservative Republicans are more likely to achieve orgasm during sex than partisans of any other political persuasion.Liberal Democrats were those least likely to experience fulfilling sexual intimacy, although they reportedly have more frequent sex than their conservative counterparts.

The “Single in America Study” polled 3,000 individuals and found that 53 percent of single conservative Republicans are likely to achieve orgasm during sex, compared with 34 percent of liberal Democrats.

However, conservative Republicans had less sex over the past 12 months than any other group polled in the survey. They were also the most likely to have never had sex.

The study was commissioned by match.com in conjunction with Dr. Laura Berman and biological anthropologist Dr. Helen Fisher.

Some other interesting sociological findings from the study:

Liberal Democrats are more likely to seek out a partner with a sense of humor, a sense of independence, someone they consider their equal and someone who shares a comparable lifestyle.

Conversely, conservative Republicans make similarly reserved choices in their mates, opting for someone with a comparable background and political affiliation who is interested in marriage.

Attitudes about sexual activity also seemed to reflect the larger political stereotypes associated with each group. For example, Republicans were the most likely to report enjoying sex in a married relationship (34 percent). Democrats were the most likely to enjoy sex in a committed but unmarried relationship (48 percent) or living together (36 percent). And those free-wheeling libertarians are most likely to enjoy a “casual hook-up” (46 percent).

And while Republicans seem to change their preference for a political candidate each week, it’s Democrats (65 percent) and registered Libertarians (66 percent) who are willing to have a one-night stand, as opposed to 49 percent of Republican respondents.

Groups including Millom Citizens Advice Bureau, Friends of Millom Ironworks Nature Reserve and the World Owl Trust came together at the speed dating-style event at Millom Network Centre.

Volunteers were given seven minutes to find out all they could about their potential partners before a buzzer sounded, signalling a move to the next table.

Paul Stewart, Millom Network Centre manager, said the format proved a big success with organisations and volunteers.

Mr Stewart said: “There was a lot of organisations looking for volunteers and about 12 people came along looking to volunteer. It was something we’ve never done before and it worked really well.

“We’re trying to develop a culture of volunteering, which can lead to work experience and a feeling of worthwhile.

“We hope we do our best here on a regular basis, with Cumbria CVS.

“Having it in this format helped increase the conversation and networking, getting people to talk to each other. It helps break down the boundaries.

“It’s something we might try again.”

Carol Pugh, the education and training co-ordinator at the centre, hosted a table at the January 26 event.

She said: “From an organisation point of view it was a good opportunity to meet with volunteers and arrange further appointments with them.

“We found the format was ideal and that people enjoyed it as well.

“It was also good for the volunteers to see other like-minded people wanting to volunteer.”

Dating show Take Me Out is back on our screens for a second series, and we’ve already seen two gorgeous Welsh girls on there bagging themselves dates. Emily Woodrow spoke to them about their failed quest to find ‘the one’

SERIAL dater Mimi Rees from Llandudno left her light on for Navy boy Adam from Middlesborough because she liked his accent – and the fact he wears a uniform for a living.

But after failing to find that spark on their date to Fernandos, Take Me Out’s island of love, she’s now back on the lookout for a bloke, preferably one she won’t get bored of easily.

The 20-year-old says: “I go on a lot of dates with guys – I’ve been on roughly 50 in total – but I’m quite independent and I like doing my own thing so it doesn’t usually progress to anything serious.

“I tend to date them for a few months and then get bored.

“I’ve never been in a proper relationship for that reason. I’ve pretty much always been single.

“Falling down the stairs in front of potential boyfriends doesn’t help mind. I did that once, but luckily it was only my pride that was hurt.”

Mimi applied for ITV1’s show Take Me Out as she thought it would be something different and a good opportunity to meet new people.

But despite enjoying her date and getting on well with Adam, she admits she wishes she’d turned her light off for him – the show’s way of showing a contestant’s lack of interest – and stayed on screen a little bit longer.

“I just assumed he’d turn it off, I never thought he’d choose me,” confesses the support worker.

“When I got down to the final two I was really regretting leaving it on.

“I wish I’d waited a bit longer so I could’ve spent more time with the girls and maybe found someone I actually fancied.”

And when it comes to her dream guy, Mimi isn’t asking for much.

She says: “He’d be dark, handsome and Welsh, and preferably a rugby player or something buff like that – a proper man’s man.

“His conversation would have to make me laugh, he’d be good looking, get on with my family, kind, intelligent, have a decent job, spontaneous, exciting, and have the ability to keep me on my toes.

“He’d need both looks and personality to last the distance and keep me entertained.

“And my dream date would be a romantic trip to Paris, but only once I’d got to know him a bit better.

“For the first date I’d be happy with a nice meal, ideally somewhere chilled out that serves chicken. Nando’s would be perfect!”

IKE all of the women on the show, Lizz Penny applied to Take Me Out to find herself a boyfriend.

But although things didn’t quite work out between her and her chosen date Jack from Huddersfield, she claims she has no regrets.

Because although love didn’t flourish for her on the Isle of Fernandos, back in Wales she’s now found who she believes could be “the one”.

Officially Dating.

Pippa Middleton had the press suspecting as much last year when, following her split with ALEX LOUDEN, she went straight up to Alnwick in the northern UK county of Northumberland to spend a weekend with old Edinburgh University chum GEORGE PERCY. Now it seems that it’s official; the sister of new Duchess of Cambridgeshire Kate is dating the heir to the Duke Of Northumberland’s land and money – thought to be some £315 million.

Apparently the pair got together seriously on New Year’s Eve at a party organised by the Middletons. “Pippa sat herself next to George at supper and made sure she was hanging off his arm all night. And then she made her move,” said a source to UK newspaper The Sun. “It was like a shark circling its bait. Some people think she has always set out to do this.” The opinionated source continued “Pippa has always been close to him. There is no doubt this was a huge issue for her ex-boyfriend Alex. After they parted the first thing she did was spend a weekend on George’s estate in Northumberland. But now they are out in the open.”

If she moves up to Alnwick to be with Pecy, Middleton’ll find herself in some very fine surroundings indeed. The area of land Percy is set to inherit one day covers some 100,000 acres and 100 tenanted farms while the castle itself too is somewhat of a salubrious location, with parts of the ‘Harry Potter’ films being shot there.

For only the second time since joining the Western Athletic Conference, the Utah State women’s basketball team captured both ends of the lengthy road trip at San Jose State and at Hawai`i as the Aggies defeated the Rainbow Wahine 69-55 at the Stan Sheriff Center on Saturday night. This is the first time since the 2008-09 season that USU won both of those road games.

USU vs. UH Box Score

With the win, the Aggies are now 15-6 overall and 6-1 in the WAC which is their best start ever. For the first time in school history, Utah State is now 5-0 on the road in conference games. The Aggies have now won six-straight games on the road overall. Hawai`i falls to 8-14 overall and 3-4 in league play.

Junior guard Devyn Christensen scored a season-high 25 points, including the first 15 points of the game. Senior guard Brooke Jackson scored 16 points and added three three pointers. Senior forwards Ashlee Brown and Maddy Plunkett both scored 11 points in the win.

The tough Aggie defense was able to keep Hawai`i’s leading scorer Kamilah Jackson to only two points. She did add 14 rebounds for the Rainbow Wahine. Breanna Arbuckle led all UH scorers with 19 points.

Behind eight-straight points from Christensen, USU jumped out to an early 8-1 lead. The junior would go on to score the first 15 points for USU with nine points coming from beyond the arc. A free throw by Jackson was the first point not scored by Christensen as the Aggies took a 16-10 lead with under 13 minutes left in the half.

After Christensen’s 17th point of the half, USU jumped out to a 23-13 lead with 9:22 left in the half. Four-straight points cut from the Rainbow Wahine cut the lead to 26-19 before a Plunkett lay up stretched the lead to 28-19.

Throughout the first half, the Rainbow Wahine were hampered by poor free throw shooting, ending the half 3-for-10 from the charity stripe.

After going most of the first half without scoring, Brown scored the final six points of the half for the Aggies as Utah State entered the locker room with a 38-25 advantage.

In the first half, Utah State was led by 17 points from Christensen, including nine points from three. Jackson added eight first half points for USU. Brown added six points and four rebounds. Freshman guard Elise Nelson added four rebounds and three assists in the first half.

Hawai`i was led by seven points from Arbuckle who also added two rebounds. The Rainbow Wahine leading scorer Jackson was held to two points in the first half but did bring down six rebounds. Kalei Adolpho led both teams with eight rebounds in the first half.

Plunkett scored the first four points of the half, putting USU up 42-27 and leading to a Hawai`i timeout with 17:56 left in the game. The Aggies continued to maintain a double-digit lead much of the second half. After an Arbuckle lay up, the Rainbow Wahine were able to cut the lead to 60-49 with just over six minutes left. The Aggies used a 7-0 run to help shut the door on the Rainbow Wahine and take a 67-49 lead.

The Rainbow Wahine recovered from their free throw shooting problems in the second half going 11-for-11 in the final 20 minutes of action.

Both Hawai`i natives, Pualei Furtado and Kamie Imai saw playing time for the Aggies as this is their last time on the islands with Hawai`i leaving the WAC next season. Both were able to get on the scoreboard.

Utah State ended the game, shooting 24-of-59 (40.7 percent) from the floor. The Aggies were 9-of-18 from three-point range (50.0 percent), while shooting 12-of-17 (70.6 percent) from the charity stripe. Hawai`i was 19-of-58 (32.8 percent) from the field, going 3-of-15 three (20.0 percent). The Rainbow Wahine were 14-of-21 (66.7 percent) from the free throw line.

After a successful three-game road trip, Utah State returns home for a short two-game home stand. The Aggies take on Louisiana Tech on Thursday. Feb. 9 at 4 p.m. USU will then face New Mexico State on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 4 p.m. Both games are doubleheaders with the Utah State men’s teams. The game against the Aggies can be seen live on KMYU. It will be televised live on KMYU-TV (Comcast Ch. 22, Dish Network Ch. 12, Over-the-Air 2.2) throughout the state of Utah with Mychal Clanton (play-by-play) and Brooks Hansen (analyst) calling the action.

Live stats will be available for most Utah State women’s basketball games through the women’s basketball page , by clicking on GameTracker in the current events box. All home games can be viewed by clicking on “Watch Live.”

By March 2008, after two years of dieting and exercise, Shyanne Reese had shed a whopping 101 pounds from her 5-foot-10 frame and was feeling better than ever.

Nine months later, those feelings had changed to fear, embarrassment and isolation.

She had breast cancer.

And the timing couldn’t have been worse. She had recently lost her job in long-term care insurance sales and was having trouble paying for the continuing coverage health insurance. She said she didn’t really know where to turn for help.

“In my initial diagnoses, I was embarrassed because I felt I had done something (with having the extra weight) and also I’d never been laid off for anything. I felt like, ‘Oh my god, what am I going to do?’ ” said Reese, now 58, of Berkeley.

What came next literally changed her life. Reese, who is African-American, was referred by a young, black hospital social worker to the Women’s Cancer Resource Center in Oakland, an organization that has helped more than 80,000 people since it was founded 25 years ago. The organization aims to help low-income women of color.

“Had it not been for the African-American social worker (at the hospital) I don’t know if I would have related to someone culturally,” Reese said. “Culturally, it’s taboo to discuss (cancer).”

Her own mother, she said, had told her it wasn’t appropriate for women to examine their breasts so Reese had an additional stigma about breast cancer.

“I went outside of my family to gain education. I was feeling responsible and this (was) embarrassing, but because this young woman was black, I related to her and as a result, I could say ‘I don’t know what I’m going to do in terms of my health insurance or financially.’ ”

WCRC Executive Director Peggy McGuire agreed with Reese, saying there is “a tremendous taboo about talking about cancer in the African-American community and the Latino community. Because the women are the matriarchs, there is a reluctance to admit they are ill.”

On Monday, the WCRC is holding a gala at Yoshi’s in Oakland to celebrate 25 years of service, which includes helping nearly 5,000 people annually. Programs are free and include psychotherapy, financial support up to $600 and programs for Spanish-speaking women, African-American women, newly diagnosed women and those dealing with a loved one with cancer.

McGuire said the organization has grown immensely since late WCRC founder Jackie Winnow set up an answering machine in her living room more than 25 years ago to field calls from women dealing with cancer.

“(She) worked at the Human Rights Commission in San Francisco advocating for people with AIDS. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was appalled at the lack of services that were available to women,” said McGuire. “Back then, there were no help lines, no support groups, no educational programs. So she took the lessons she learned from HIV activists and applied them to the WCRC.”

Over time, the organization has grown to have an annual budget of $1.1 million with about 70 percent coming from individual donors and the remaining money coming from foundation grants. The WCRC also holds the annual Swim A Mile for Women With Cancer, which last year raised $382,000. But Monday’s event is the center’s largest in a decade.

“We decided to be bold. There was some concern that with the economy — that this wasn’t the time to take on such a (big) event — but we’ve brought in about $33,000 with 200 attendees so far, and the tickets are selling really fast,” McGuire said.

All of Monday’s proceeds will go to programs and services. That’s important because McGuire said there has been at least a 25 percent increase in the need for services since the economy tanked.

“Not only have we had an increase, but we are seeing women who are sicker and many, many problems that result from poverty, lack of food, lack of shelter and lack of money for transportation,” she said.

They also have seen a boost in the number of women they are helping because of the Community Health Advocate program, where women do outreach for low-income and minority women in the community.

Reese, who had surgeries on both breasts and has been cancer-free for more than two years now, is one of those health advocates.

And more good news: She’s kept most of the 101 pounds off, works out at the gym several days a week and is back to feeling better than ever.

Their kidnappers gave them tea and dried fruit, and talked about religion and tribal rights. The California women were allowed to bring their Egyptian tour guide with them. One even put out his cigarette in the car when a hostage said the smoke was bothering her.

The women abducted for several hours Friday by armed Bedouin tribesmen in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula hesitated to call the men “captors,” saying that the kidnappers were kind, polite and hospitable.

“All of this is an unforgettable memory,” Norma Supe, a 63-year-old nurse from Union City, Calif., told The Associated Press. “Maybe God had a purpose for this. It was probably to encourage more faith in me.”

Supe and Patti Ganal, of Los Gatos, Calif., were snatched Friday from a minivan on a tour of Sinai, a restive region that has seen security crumble since Egypt’s popular uprising last year. There have been attacks on police stations and bombings of gas pipelines running through Sinai.

U.S. women kidnapped in Egypt freed

The abduction happened after Ganal, Supe, Ganal’s husband and two other Americans had finished a tour of the sixth-century St. Catherine’s Monastery, located at the foot of Mount Sinai where the Old Testament says Moses received the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments.

Their Egyptian tour guide, Hisham Zaki, was allowed to go with the women. Ganal, 66, who works as a leader on tours to Egypt, Jordan and Israel, offered herself as a hostage after the tribesmen demanded that two Americans get off the bus. Her husband was too physically challenged to go, she said.

“I was not afraid at all because I know God has sent us here,” Ganal told the AP in Cairo, where the group was continuing with its tour.

Supe also volunteered when she noticed the two other tourists crouched under the van’s windows in fear.

The Bedouins, known for their traditional way of life and hospitality, were dressed in long white robes and checkered head scarves, had Kalashnikov rifles visible, but did not hold their hostages at gunpoint, the women said.

Zaki, who had translated the kidnappers’ demands from Arabic to English, asked to accompany the women as their translator. The kidnappers let him.

The Bedouins drove for a few hours through the mountains, and suggested to the women that they were doubling as new tour guides. “They reassured us, they are just continuing our tour in the mountains,” Ganal said. “I said, ‘Yes, what a beautiful scene.”‘

Ganal, a devout Christian, said she began talking to the men about God and faith while Zaki translated.

The kidnappers said several times they would not harm the women. Zaki said they were seeking leverage to pressure the government to release two relatives, including one of the kidnappers’ sons.

Both women said they were not robbed, denying earlier reports that they were.

At one point, Ganal asked Zaki to tell one of the captors to put out his cigarette since the smoke was bothering her in the car.

“I told her, ‘Are you joking? You are kidnapped,”‘ Zaki said.

She insisted; after Zaki relayed her request, the Bedouin kidnapper threw his cigarette out of the car window.

The kidnappers stopped, made a fire for the women to stay warm and made the women coffee. But Ganal does not drink coffee.

“So they made me tea,” she said. The women were also served pita bread, dates and other dried fruit.

A security official told the AP the Bedouin captors are from the el-Qararsha tribe in South Sinai Peninsula, home to some of Egypt’s most lawless tribes and some of the country’s top tourist sites, like the popular Red Sea diving town of Sharm el-Sheikh. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to release the information.

Bedouins have long complained of discrimination and random arrests by the government and the area was restive even under former president Hosni Mubarak. But security has deteriorated and tensions have spiked, echoing a nationwide trend since Mubarak’s ouster last February.

Earlier this week, armed Islamic militants also seized 25 Chinese factory workers after forcing them off a bus elsewhere in the peninsula, but they were released the next day. The kidnappers were demanding the release of members of their group arrested years before on charges of terrorism.

Egypt has faced a surge in crime since the uprising that ousted President Hosni Mubarak from power last February. The volatility has hit Egypt’s vital tourism industry, which had $8.8 billion in revenue last year compared to $12.5 billion in 2010.

The Bedouins released Zaki and the women after negotiations with tribal leaders in the peninsula, security officials told the AP.

Security officials promised the group from the el-Qararsha tribe that they will take another look at case of the two detained men that prompted the kidnapping. A police official from the Sinai Peninsula said that the two men in custody were known drug dealers who were detained on Jan. 28 in Tor city, the capital of South Sinai governorate. Three police officers were wounded and a Bedouin was killed in their apprehension.

Ganal and Supe were invited by the South Sinai Governor, Gen. Khaled Fouda, for dinner in a hotel in St. Catherine and for a night at a hotel in in Sharm el-Sheikh. The official paid for flights from Sharm el-Sheikh for the tour group.

The five Americans visited the pyramids this weekend and were planning a visit to the coastal city of Alexandria. The group planned to return to the U.S. on Tuesday.

“Even though this happened to us, people are nice to us,” said Supe. “I feel that people here are considering us as family.”

Britain’s largest car park operator, NCP, put together a month-long experiment to determine whether men or women are more skilled at parking cars, and they found that women take home the prize.

Women might take longer to park the car, but they’re better at finding a space, aligning their vehicles to fit in the space, and once they’re parked their cars are positioned centrally within the space, according to the Daily Mail.

The study looked at 2,500 drivers, who were observed through surveillance cameras and rated on various aspects of parking and given a mark out of 20. The final scores were close, but women came out ahead with an average score of 13.4 and men with a score of 12.3.

Men did especially well when it came to speed. It took an average of 16 seconds to park for men, while the average for women was 21 seconds. Researchers also noticed that men were quick to impress. If a female was sitting shotgun, a male usually chose to park in a tighter, smaller space that allowed him to show off his parking skills.

Women were more patient and drove much slower than men when looking for a space and researchers think this allows them to more quickly locate spaces in a full garage.

Nearly 40 percent of women chose to to reverse into a space—the method recommended by driving instructors—compared with 28 percent of men.
Men were much happier with their parking job once they got into a space and were less likely to reposition the car for a more perfect alignment. Only 29 percent of men re-aligned the car, compared to 56 percent of women.
Women were more likely to park in the center of the space, with 53 percent of women parking centrally, compared to 25 percent of men.
Neil Beeson, a senior driving instructor on ITV’s Last Chance Driving School, devised the study for NCP. “I was quite surprised by the results, because in my experience men have always been the best learners and usually performed better in lessons,” Beeson told the Daily Mail. “However, it’s possible that women have retained the information better. The results also appear to dispel the myth that men have better spatial awareness than women.”

Four goals in the last five minutes of an electric international encounter saw an on-song South Africa women’s hockey team and an inspired Belgium draw 3-3 in the final match of the two-Test Series at the Randburg Hockey Stadium on Sunday.

The South Africans were 2-0 up at half-time.

This draw means that Belgium win the series 1-0.

SA kept world record goalscorer Pietie Coetzee in cotton wool for the fifth consecutive match and strikers Dirkie Chamberlain and Lauren Penny scored in the first half before Stephanie de Groof and Jill Boon made it 2-2 five minutes from the end. SA then went 3-2 up through Tarryn Bright before Anouk Raes’s equaliser for the 3-3 final result.

Belgium won the first Test 3-1 on Saturday and needed a draw at minimum while SA had to win to level the two-Test Series, this after the girls in green and gold had comfortably won the Tri-Nations Series five days earlier with Belgium runners up and Ireland third.

Sunday’s clash was a high-level exhibition of women’s hockey at its best and saw SA netted first-half goals through 100-up Test match strikers Chamberlain and Penny in the 12th and 28th minutes respectively.

Just 30 seconds into the match Chamberlain got the first opportunity but didn’t connect. Three minutes later Belgium built down the left and captain Charlotte de Vos got in a shot and the first penalty corner, which was disallowed by London Olympics-bound SA umpire Michelle Joubert for the initial shot being too high after SA captain Marsha Marescia had parried it beautifully on the goalline.

In the 10th minute Joubert dished out a “custard slice” sin-bin yellow card, to Alix Gerniers for dissent and SA had an extra player for five minutes in this high-octane game that both sides were desperate to win ahead of their respective Olympic Qualifier tournaments, SA leaving for Delhi on February 15.

Impressive SA right half Nicolene Terblanche won their first penalty corner (PC) in the 12th minute and a superbly worked set-piece saw Chamberlain deflect in to the net from Kate Woods’s pinpoint shot-pass (1-0).

Midway, Belgium came agonisingly close on two occasions with the superb Sofie Gierts and Barbara Nelen prominent, the initial top-class move brilliantly intercepted by Shelley Russell. With 17 minutes left to the break SA centre back and Player of the Series Woods nailed yet another pinpoint pass from deep, and a lovely move through Marescia, Jade Mayne and Chamberlain saw the 100-up Northern Blues player nearly add her second.

On-fire right half Terblanche, the farm girl from Groblersdal, won another PC and SA then won a third, which Woods drilled towards the far post for Penny to get the touch with seven minutes to half-time (2-0).

Seconds after the break the skilful De Vos almost pulled one back, while Terblanche fired a great pass across the face of the goal that SA didn’t quite latch on to. Marescia then set Terblanche free with a perfectly weighted pass and the right half’s cross came within centimetres of the waiting SA sticks.

SA’s fourth PC saw another precise move and Bright was inches off giving the girls in green and a three-goal cushion. Just 13 left and another neat SA move with Bernie Coston, Kathleen Taylor, Bright and Penny involved almost brought a third goal but did at least win SA’s fifth PC, keeper Aisling D’Hooghe making a brace of sharp saves.

Belgian created a stir when they subbed their keeper and brought on an extra field player, one of the 11 on the pitch now playing “kicking back” and SA nearly made it three when a Sulette Damons effort from close was scraped away from the goalline. Belgium’s extra-player advantage nearly paid off when De Vos earned a great reaction save from SA keeper Mariette Rix but their second PC brought a De Groof goal with five minutes left and seconds later Boon equalised (2-2).

Belgium brought their keeper back on, a wise move as they led the two-Test series 1-0 and only needed a draw. However, with just over two minutes left Joubert played a brilliant advantage after top work by Marescia and Bright put SA back in front (3-2).

But seconds after the re-start Anouk Raes drew Belgium level (3-3) to clinch the two-Test series.