Speedos

With summer around the corner, it's time to start thinking about your swimwear. Along with where you stand on the speedo debate.

So here's the argument against speedos...
*They can ruin a day at the beach if worn by someone who hides the whole thing
*They leave little to the imagination
*They're uncomfortable

And the argument for speedos...
*Some countries think they're the norm, and would actually look at you funny for wearing shorts
*They're easier to swim in
*Offer a better tan line
*Dry faster

So where do you stand on the speedo debate?

Homeless People

The Salvation Army released a report on how Canadians feel about homeless people, not gonna lie, I was kind of shocked by the info!

• 40% of us believe that most homeless people want to live on the street or in shelters
• 30% believe that a good work ethic is all you need to escape homelessness
• 20% think the homeless people are to blame for the situation they're in
• 43% never give money to them
• 40% believe they're mentally ill
• 33% are scared of homeless people

And on the flipside

• 93% agrees that no Canadian should be homeless
• 86% believes housing is a fundamental right for all of us
• 75% acknowledge that once you become homeless, it is difficult to get into housing

I met a homeless man in Vancouver, we sat and chatted for hours about his situation. His ex-wife had taken him for everything, and he was so distressed about his divorce that his employer fired him! It really opened my eyes to the simple fact that not all homeless people made some bad mistakes to lead them to where they are today.

While I think it's great that soo many Canadians step up to the plate and donate to third world countries, or places that are in dire need such as Japan after the latest catastrophe... but don't forget about your own neighbours.

There's so many ways to help fellow Canadians, and the Salvation Army can help you get started!
http://www.salvationarmy.ca/

Finding a Reliable Roommate

It seems in this town that 1 bedroom apartments are the same price as 2 bedrooms! So why not get a roommate and share the expense? Because it's hard to find a reliable and sane roommate.

Everyone's got a horror story about a seemingly nice person who turned into the "roommate from hell," trashing the place, refusing to pay his or her share of the bills or somehow finding a way to make you feel not welcome in your own home. So how do you avoid these walking disasters?

Know your limits

Before you start calling on ads, hitting up your friends or posting your own ad on Kijiji, you need to ask yourself a few questions.

• Do you want a quiet atmosphere at home, or are you looking to have one foot back in the frat house?
• Do you mind if a roommate has his girlfriend spend the night several nights a week?
• Are you looking for a buddy or do you prefer more privacy?
• How will you handle drinking or drug use?

The answers to these questions can help you determine the best place to look for a roommate. If, for instance, you want a quiet place with inexpensive rent and don't mind taking on a few extra errands, you might be able to find a home share with a senior in a desirable area.

However, if you're willing to ask the tough questions and screen applicants carefully, you'll probably attract the biggest pool of qualified people by placing an ad on Kijiji.

Screen for reliability
Once you've narrowed your search and found people you think you can tolerate, you need to make sure you can count on them.

• Run a credit check if you've already got a place and are looking for a roommate.
• Try to substantiate their job and title by calling their current employer.
• Ask for the names and numbers of former roommates who can serve as a reference.
• Do an Internet search for your potential roommates' name and e-mail address. This can turn up scams or warn you about distasteful or dangerous things they do in their spare time.
• Likewise, check out their MySpace and Facebook pages. If they seem too good to be true, it will probably be revealed there.

Agree on the big stuff before you sign
Once you've picked out a roommate or two, you need to make sure everyone's on the same page with the big issues before signing the lease.

1. Rent: What is everyone's share? Who will write the rent check if the landlord will accept only one check?
2. Space: Who will occupy which bedrooms?
3. Household chores: Who's responsible for cleaning, and on what schedule?
4. Food sharing: Will food, shopping and cooking responsibilities be shared? How will you split the costs and work?
5. Noise: When should stereos or TVs be turned off or down low?
6. Overnight guests: Is it OK for boyfriends/girlfriends to stay over every night?
7. Moving out: If one of you decides to move, how much notice must be given? Must the departing tenant find an acceptable substitute?

How can you protect yourself?
Once these questions are answered to your satisfaction, you should spell them out in a roommate agreement letter that is signed by both (or all) of you sharing the house.

If you are renting a place with someone new, having both of your names on the lease and splitting the deposit is a good idea. But don't think this will keep the landlord from coming after you for the full rent if your roommate skips town. It will merely ensure that you can go after your roommate for the money owed you.

Because so much money is at stake, most experts advise asking for a month-to-month or other short-term lease until you can be sure the situation will work out.

Lastly, install key locks on each person's bedroom door as an additional measure of protection. That way there is no cause for suspicion about lost items or privacy.

Found on MSN Money

Things That Ruin Your Sleep

An estimated 65% of Americans say they encounter sleep problems a few nights each week, according to a recent study by the National Sleep Foundation. Sleeping too little is linked with an increased risk for obesity and depression. But before you reach for a sleep aid from the nearest pharmacy, it’s worth reexamining your nighttime routine. Some of your favorite evening rituals could be responsible for that tossing and turning.

Going from Night Owl to Early Bird

Take extra care to maintain your sleep schedule, especially on the weekends. If your bedtime is sporadic your mind won't be properly prepared to snooze.

Bringing Books to Bed

Problem is, your body has likely adapted to that routine—it won't go to sleep until you've logged a couple chapters. The bed should be off limits for anything other than sleep or --- you know.

Facebooking into the Wee Hours

The brightness of your computer screen stimulates the brain. Plus, it's difficult for your mind to stop fretting about your digital to-do list, even once you've logged off. Avoid late-night surfing and shut down your computer. Give yourself time to wind down without any electronics.

Skimping on a Good Bed

A good mattress will cost you anywhere from $500 to over $3,000. Consider it money well spent. A decent mattress—do your homework!—will give you a more restful sleep. The same is true for quality bedding and pillows. Opt for a soft pillow if you're a back or stomach sleeper. Buy a firmer pillow if you sleep on your side.

Setting a Bright Alarm Clock

The looming glare of your alarm clock can be distracting when trying to sleep. The goal is to have as dark a room as possible. Block the bright numbers with a book or consider buying a small travel clock. Your cell phone alarm may also do the trick.

Counting Sheep

When you just can't fall asleep, it's useless to stay in bed. If you've been trying to fall asleep for more than 30 minutes do something mundane, like balancing a checkbook, reading or watching TV. An activity that demands marginal brainpower will lull your mind. Before you know it, you'll be crawling back into bed genuinely tired.

Exercising Late at Night

Daytime workouts will keep you invigorated for hours. That's why you don't want to exercise within three hours of hitting the sack. Intense physical activity raises your body temperature and pumps your energy level—both interrupt a calm transition into sleep.

Found on Marie Claire

7 Best Stress-Fighting Foods

When You're in Gridlock
A Starbucks skim-milk chai latte and half a bagel with cream cheese. The carbohydrates in the bagel provide energy, and they're balanced by protein from the milk in the latte, which makes you feel alert.

When You Have a Big Presentation
Milk, hold the coffee and sugar. Stress may lower your levels of serotonin, one of the body's critical stay-calm chemicals. But milk contains whey protein, which can help boost tryptophan, one of the building blocks of serotonin, by 43%.

When Eating Lunch with the Boss
A manly salad with grilled chicken or fish. Leafy greens are rich sources of B vitamins, which cause feel-good hormones. In fact, a lack of B6 can cause nervousness, irritability, and even depression.

When You Flub a Pitch to a Client
M&M's. And if you have a choice, pick the peanut kind. The chocolate will trigger the release of relax-right-away endorphins, while the nuts will replenish your protein stores to help keep you focused.

When You're Mad At Someone
Eating fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids—salmon, mackerel, trout—can lower the likelihood of feelings of hostility by almost 20%!

When the Game Goes into OT
Any kind of fruit is fine—the sugar in it will give you the little burst of energy that your adrenaline-charged body is craving.

When You Can't Sleep
Oatmeal and a banana. Melatonin is found in only a few foods, and these are two of them.

According to Mens Health