Sure, you can spend the night... but first let me see your Foursquare STD badge!

In a move to bring awareness to testing for STDs, Foursquare has teamed up with MTV to create.... wait for it... a special STD badge. I can hear the date going something like this...



Him: "I really want to be with your tonight, baby".

Her: "Yeah, well I see you have a Player Please badge on Foursquare and now I need to see the GYT: Get Yourself Tested badge!"



The badge itself is lime green and black, with the letters "GYT" emblazoned in the middle. Now, I got tested last month (I'm clean as can be) but am I addicted enough to Foursquare to get tested again just to get the badge? Will I require a man who I'm thinking about being intimate with to have an GYT badge? Dating just got more complicated!



Foursquare users can go to their own health care providers, or they can find nearby clinics by visiting GYT's website at http://gytnow.org and entering their ZIP code.

Amplify’d from holykaw.alltop.com

Getting checked for bumps, lumps, and rashes below the belt just became a bit more public thanks to an STD awareness campaign launched by MTV and Foursquare. Foursquare users who check-in at an STD testing during the month of September earn special badge, and also help break down the stigma associated with sexual health screenings. MTV’s “GYT: Get Yourself Tested” campaign encourages safe sex practices and more open communication surrounding the taboo topic of venereal disease. Yes, the same MTV that has aired countless hours drunken promiscuity aimed at teens on shows like “The Real World” and “Jersey Shore.” Full story at Yahoo. Read more at holykaw.alltop.com

 

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/9ilm

Social Networking 12 Step Recovery Program

The Social Networking 12 Step Recovery Program. This list is based on the 12 step principles for those in recovery from addictive, compulsive, or other behavioral problems developed by Alcoholics Anonymous. If you are reading this blog you have taken the first step to recovery. Of course, if you're reading this blog you probably already have a problem... as do I.  But, have no fear, help is on the way!

1.       Step 1 - Admit we are powerless over our Social Networking addiction (we try to log off of Twitter, Facebook, Amplify, Foursquare and others but we just can't. We keep saying we're only going to check one more comment or respond to more reply and before you know if we’ve lost track of time and our deadlines have passed. YOU MUST BE WILLING TO SAY "Hi, my name is _________ and I'm a social networking Addict" or there is no help for you!)

2.       Step 2 - We believe that a Power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity (only God, a power failure or no access to WiFi can help us now!)

3.       Step 3 - We've turned our will over God (because it's going to take an act of God to get us off of these sites and there are more to join each and every day… will the madness ever end)

4.       Step 4 - We are taking moral inventory of ourselves (We take hard stock in ourselves and ask “how did this happened and why we aren't getting any work done”?)

5.       Step 5 - We admit to God, to ourselves and to others the exact nature of our wrongs (yes, I spend more time on Facebook commenting on my friend's walls than actually meeting with my friends... and I like it)

6.       Step 6 - We are entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character (or to have our Highspeed Internet provider cancel our service and give up our Blackberrys and/or iPhones whichever comes first)

7.       Step 7 - We humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings (before we lose our jobs, clients, friends and family members)

8.       Step 8 - We've made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all (that is... the dog that didn't get walked, the loved on who didn't get the pleasure of our company, the office work that didn't get done, the deadline we missed or the hobby we ignored)

9.       Step 9 - We've made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others (in other words, we make amends, but don't we do it via Twitter if that's going to cause us to spend even more time ignoring our deadlines, pets, family, friends, work, etc)

10.   Step 10 - We continue to take personal inventory and when we are we wrong, promptly admit it (we know we are going to get on the Twitter for hours.. but only after we have done our work and spent time with our loved ones. Wait... that's a little too radical.... let's just say we will keep our social networking visits to an amount of time that doesn't impede our daily activities… baby steps… baby steps)

11.   Step 11 - We seek through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God and acknowledge God's will for us and the power to carry that out (Dear Lord, please let me not ignore my obligations when I'm online... I DO want to have more than a virtual life).

12.   And finally...Step 12 - Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we carry this message to other addicts and promise to practice these principles in all our affairs. (We will let our friends know when they are spending too much time social networking and will not judge those who only check in once a week. Of course, to actually know THEY aren’t checking online WE have to be online and therefore the cycle begins again.)

This 12 step program is based on a real recovery program with a little humor thrown in to lighten the mood. However, if you are suffering from and actual addiction of any kind that is crippling your life please seek professional help or log on to www.12step.org for support. You won't find the Twitter, Facebook or Amplify there yet… listed but give it time... we will have our own, official support group in no time.

Now, go see one of your friends IRL will you please?  My name is Danielle Ricks and I'm a social networking addict.

Posted via email from Thoughts of a Geek Diva, Gadget Girl

Dating in a Digital World - Part II

From time to time I write about dating.  This is my second installment in my Dating in a Digital World posts.  This time I'm focusing on Internet Dating and Dating Protocols.  I have been reluctant to use an Internet dating service. I do pretty well on my own when it comes to dating (never at a loss to have a guy around) but I haven't made that real "love connection" with someone who wants to "love, honer and cherish me until death do us part".  Oh, there have been offers but the key is to find someone who you want to settle down with as much as they want to partner with you.

You would think I, of all people, a woman who works, plays and lives online would be all over Internet dating sites.  For some reason it's been a bit taboo for me. I live in DC where we THOUGHT the ratio of men to women was disproportionately in the guy's favor. Actually, according to SingleMindedWomen.com, an analysis of the major U.S. cities found that DC fell in line as the number two city for single women... who know?  The criteria for  Top 10 Cities for Single Women were as follows:

To earn a spot in the Top 10, an international airport was a requirement. Single-minded women want to be able to get there, wherever there may be, with ease.  Once we pared down our list, we examined industries and employers, and compared cost of living. We then looked at percentage of singles to the general population, as well as ratio of women to men. In addition, we explored venues for social activities, arts, sports, and other entertainment. We also looked at cities from the standpoint of healthy living, with good health taking into account body, mind, and spirit. Finally, we considered other aspects of lifestyle, such as aesthetics, personal style, and community support.

So, come to find out, there are plenty of eligible men in DC... and I'm going after the ones who want to settle down and build a life together. No more, dating for a decade with no ring, cheating boyfriends who don't appreciate me, unavailable men who claim they love me and finally, absolutely no more players!  I'm getting serious about my prospects and I've joined two Online Dating services. In addition, I've solicited my girlfriend as my modern day Yenta.  In fact, she is sending me on a date tonight.  We spoke on the phone for hours last night.  Seems like a nice enough guy... funny... well educated... innovative... homeowner... stable job... oh and, yes, I Googled him.  You can't be too safe these days.  Although this person has gotten the seal of approval from one of my BFFs, I thought it wouldn't do any harm to Google.  Thankfully, I like what I read.  Now I'm excited about my date.  

I'll let you know how all turns out.  This is giving me PLENTY of content to blog about.  So, Internet Dating Services... yes or no AND is it wrong to Google a guy before you go out on the first date?  Inquiring minds want to know. 


Internet Dating on 12seconds.tv

The Clock Is Ticking: Watch a Second by Second Social Media Countdown

This is absolutly mind blowing information.  Now we must ask ourselves, how are we using social media for our brands, products, goods and/or services because clearly this train has left the station!

Posted via email from Thoughts of a Geek Diva, Gadget Girl

Are Working Women Peanlized For Motherhood?

When I was working at a large (not to be named) corporation, I found that I was being penalized for not having a child. Employees with children got to leave early. "No", I can't stay and work late tonight" said Sally, "I have to pick up little Sammy from football". Or, "I can't be at the 8:30 AM meeting tomorrow, you know I have to drop off Kim at school". Then I'd hear from one of the Vice Presidents, "Danielle will do it, she doesn't have to rush home." Well, just because I didn't have a child waiting on a curb somewhere for me did NOT mean I didn't have a life I wanted to live after work.

Apparently, while working mothers (and fathers for that matter) may have gotten a "get of jail free" card to get out of some work responsibilities, this did not go unnoticed by the Executive team. According to this report from the TODAY show, it would appear that working mothers with children are also getting the short end of the stick.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Study Shows Getting defensive is good for men — but not women

Apparently, defensive behavior makes men feel less stressed while women have opposite reaction. Clearly, if men would just admit we are right at all times then we wouldn't have a need to get defensive... I'm just saying! :-)

Amplify’d from www.msnbc.msn.com

You might think that defensiveness — which psychologists describe as avoiding, denying, or repressing information one perceives as threatening — would not be a good thing, and maybe even causes you stress. But a new Canadian study finds men may actually feel better, and less stressed, when they are more defensive. By contrast, women are better off not feeling defensive. The details The study of defensiveness and stress was carried out at the Montreal Heart Institute, where researchers evaluated 81 men and 118 women aged 20 to 64 years. In a laboratory setting, each participant was given stressful tasks to perform while being measured for both defensiveness and stress level, the latter by way of factors like heart rate, blood pressure, and salivary cortisol (a stress hormone). Turns out that men who were more defensive tended to exhibit fewer signs of stress, compared to less-defensive men. Whereas women showed the opposite response: Those who were more defensive showed more signs of stress, including increased blood pressure and heart rate. What it means At face value — if seen purely in terms of defensiveness — the response among the men doesn't seem to make a lot of sense. You would think that defensiveness would equal greater stress in both genders, but it didn't in men, which may have been because they were also being assertive, explains psychologist and principal investigator Bianca D'Antono, PhD. And doing that may have been a de-stressor for them. Read more at www.msnbc.msn.com

 

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12 Secrets To Staying Young

I hate how youth obsessed the United States has become. Now, having said... let me contradict myself by sharing 12 ways women can turn back the hands of time and stay young or even better... live longer.

The mythical fountain of youth discovered? No, even better! Self Magazine ways to live a longer, fuller life with help from antiaging guru Henry S. Lodge, M.D., author of "Younger Next Year for Women" (Workman Publishing). Complete this checklist to see if a few new habits could add years — and fun — to your life

1. How many hours per week do you exercise? Ideal: At least 2.5 Why it matters: If you log two-plus hours of physical activity a week, you’re up to 30 percent less likely to die in the next 20 years than if you do less or none at all. Exercise — even if it’s frolicking in the surf or dancing to your favorite tunes — helps keep weight and blood pressure in check, lowering your risk for disease. 2. What is your body-mass index? Ideal: Under 25 Why it matters: Active women whose BMI (a measure of body fat) falls between 18.5 and 22.9 may be 2.5 times more likely to age free of disease than overweight, sedentary women. Excess body fat secretes proteins and acids that can up your risk for cancer and more. A BMI below 23 is best, but less than 25 is good. Keep on movin’! 3. What is your waist circumference? Ideal: Less than 35i

Why it matters: Having a middle less than 37.7 inches around cut women’s mortality risk by 23 percent compared with larger waistlines. Less than 35 inches is optimal, so skip trans fats — they can boost belly bulge — and go for avocados and yogurt, which may shrink bloat and tummy fat

4. What is your total cholesterol level? Ideal: Less than 200 mg/dl

Why it matters: 240 mg/dl and your risk is twice that of someone with levels below 200. And watch your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol: Above 160 is high and has been linked to increased rates of stroke and heart disease

5. How much fiber do you eat per day? Ideal: 25 g Why it matters: For every 10 grams of fiber you add to your diet, you cut your risk for coronary death by 17 percent, according to a report in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Good sources: legumes (cup of lentils packs 7.8 g) and produce (1 cup of raspberries has 8 g). 6. How many hours of sleep do you get per night? Ideal: 7 to 8 Why it matters: Snooze fewer than six hours a night and you may be 12 percent more likely to die earlier than if you logged six to eight. Getting less than seven hours disrupts hunger-regulating hormones, causing weight gain and related concerns.

Read more at www.msnbc.msn.com

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Stats Show iPhone Owners Get More Sex

Need more of a reason to get an iPhone?  Well, according to wired.com and a survey by dating site OK Cupid, your choice of smartphone directly links to your sex life.

According to OK Cupid’s survey of 552,000 user pictures, digital SLRs make you look more attractive, Panasonic cameras make you sexier than Nikons, while using a flash will make you look 7 years older, and large-aperture lenses make you hotter.

And iPhone users have more sexual partners than BlackBerry or Android owners. By age 30, the average male iPhone user has had about 10 partners while female iPhone users have had 12. By contrast, BlackBerry users hover around 8 partners and Android users have a mere 6.

Seriously folks, I don't make this stuff up!!!

Read More http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/08/gadget-sex/#ixzz0wJRsIxnx

Posted via email from Thoughts of a Geek Diva, Gadget Girl

My Summer Reading

I'm usually reading at least three or four books at one time.  Here are two books that are on my summer reading list.  One book is to help your mind, body and soul and the other one is a quick beach read.  Here's what I'm reading now:

 Amazon.com Review
"The field of meditation has been not just a man's world but a monk's world," write Camille Maurine and Lorin Roche, Ph.D., who assert that the techniques that worked for "reclusive and celibate males" need updating for contemporary women. In Meditation Secrets for Women, they introduce a refreshingly modern, female-oriented approach to meditation that encourages "luxuriating in the sensory world, resting in the simplicity of your own being, enjoying yourself shamelessly." Meditation fills a need that women crave: to carve out time for themselves "to rest, to restore, to settle in." Rather than impose rules and strict discipline, however, the authors encourage women to rejuvenate themselves, open up, and affirm their "womanness" through meditation.

Meditation Secrets for Women presents 12 "secrets" in 12 chapters. Each secret is a theme, such as "celebrate your senses," "claim your inner authority," "ride your rhythms," or "love your body." Each chapter starts with a poem and includes explorations (questions for you to ponder), skill circle (practical tips for skill building), meditations, and reflections. This is a nurturing book, filled with acceptance, warmth, and encouragement. If you've tried to meditate but found it too restrictive, dull, or difficult, this book will give you a different, distinctly womanly, approach.

The authors are a married couple who have been teaching meditation to women for 50 combined years. Maurine is also a dancer and healing practitioner. Roche is the author of Meditation Made Easy. --Joan Price

From BooklistAt 28 years old, having survived a tortured childhood raised by a peripatetic lesbian mother and a career as one of the few black writers for the New York Times and the only one for Politico.com, Andrews has surpassed the stereotype of the strong black woman and been deemed “perfect girl” by a boyfriend desperately trying not to commit. Andrews offers a caustic and humorous running account of her life, mad texting her girlfriends about dates and career horrors, as she navigates the prickly terrain of a modern America getting used to a black First Lady and struggling to rethink its image of black women in general. She recounts adventures with her dog Miles, who apparently—to her embarrassment—hates black men, and her search for Mr. Right, including a date with President Obama's bodyguard. She also offers painful recollections of near-abandonment by her mother, later growing up the only black child on Catalina Island, watching The Cosby Show with longing. Fans of her acerbic wit will appreciate this collection of essays. --Vanessa Bush

New Study Finds That Being Attractive Can Adversely Affect A Woman's Career

I'm not exactly sure what "masculine sex-typed jobs" are but apparently, being attractive doesn't help women land these jobs. A new study finds that women who apply for "masculine" jobs are less likely to get the job if they are good looking. I guess it's a good thing I never wanted to be a buffalo wrangler, male stripper or gigolo because other than these professions I have NO idea WHAT they are talking about.

Amplify’d from www.medicalnewstoday.com

While many see no downside to being beautiful, a professor at the University of Colorado Denver Business School says attractive women face discrimination when it comes to landing certain kinds of jobs.  In a study released in a recent Journal of Social Psychology, Stefanie Johnson, assistant professor of management at UC Denver Business School, found that beauty has an ugly side, at least for women.  Attractive women were discriminated against when applying for jobs considered "masculine" and for which appearance was not seen as important to the job. Such positions included job titles like manager of research and development, director of finance, mechanical engineer and construction supervisor. "In these professions being attractive was highly detrimental to women," said Johnson. "In every other kind of job, attractive women were preferred. This wasn't the case with men which shows that there is still a double standard when it comes to gender."  The study, co-authored by Robert Dipboye, professor of psychology at the University of Central Florida, Kenneth Podratz, an organizational development manager at UPS and Ellie Gibbons, research assistant at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, found that attractive men suffered no similar discrimination and were always at an advantage.  According to Johnson, beautiful people still enjoy a significant edge. They tend to get higher salaries, better performance evaluations, higher levels of admission to college, better voter ratings when running for public office and more favorable judgments in trials. A recent Newsweek survey of 202 hiring managers and 964 members of the public concluded that looks matter in every aspect of the workplace and they mattered more for women. When asked to rate nine character attributes on a scale of one to 10 with 10 being the most important, looks ranked third, above education and sense of humor, the magazine reported.  But in one narrow aspect of life, beauty can be a hindrance, something researchers have called the "beauty is beastly" effect.  "In two studies, we found that attractiveness is beneficial for men and women applying for most jobs, in terms of ratings of employment suitability," according to the study. "However, attractiveness was more beneficial for women applying for feminine sex-typed jobs than masculine sex-typed jobs." Read more at www.medicalnewstoday.com

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