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In any relationship, you have to continue to feed the relationship and show that you care about the relationship that you are in. Keeping the romance alive is certainly one of the items that you need to focus on as your relationship continues to evolve from monthes to years. Here are a few romantic ideas that can you do achieve this.
- Buy some glow in the dark stars from the toy store and arrange a special message on the ceiling above your bed.
- Change the screen saver on the computer to a scrolling romantic message. Highlight the message and change the font to wingdings or other another character font so it has to be decoded by your sweetheart.
- Use ice cold Kool-Aid in a squirt bottle to write a loving message on a snowy lawn or roof.
- Carve hearts in your love's lunch box fruit so they will appear by noon time.
- While your love is in the shower, put their towel in the dryer for a few minutes so it will be toasty warm when they step out.
- Gently scratch his back or brush her hair for a full five minutes before falling asleep.
- Use Rain-X anti-fog (used to keep car windows from fogging up) on a cotton swab to write a message that will mysteriously appear on the bathroom mirror while your sweetheart is showering.
- Use chalk to write a welcome home greeting on the path to your front door.
- In your own voice, record a short book, fairy tale or poetry on tape for your partner to listen to on the way to work or when they are out of town. and the number one way to be romantic is....
- Draw a dozen or more silly pictures of memorable experiences the two of you have shared. Outline in a black marker and then have the pages copied and bound on heavy paper at a copy shop. Give with a pack of crayons.
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| Posted By Drew at 9:34:23 AM EST |
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Are you looking for that special relationship? As with life in general, it is often better to seek out your goals and dreams with passion and determination, rather than just sitting around and hoping they'll find you. No one ever found the love of their life by sitting on the couch, unless they were the cable guy or gal. Whether you actively set out to meet women or men, or you just put yourself in more likely to be met situations, a pro-active approach can be very successful. Here we've listed 10 of what we think are the best ways to meet women or men of your dreams.
REFERRALS FROM FRIENDS: A very lucrative, but tricky method of finding a mate. If you've let it be known that you're looking for a love, invariably some of your friends will tell you of another friend they think you'd be perfect for. The first order of business is to take your friends judgment in to account. It's okay for them to have different tastes than you, but you'll have to determine whether they realize that and are choosing prospects based on your tastes. Another important thing to consider is how the relationship would affect your friendship. If you didn't like them as much as they thought, would your friend be put into an uncomfortable situation? Would a possible relationship affect the friend in a negative way? What is the relationship between your friend and the love prospect? If everything seems okay, ask your friend as many details as you can about the prospective love. Make sure they won't disclose your interest in an obvious way. It's best to make your meeting seem very casual, and definitely NOT A SETUP. This way, not only will your love prospect feel more comfortable meeting you, but there won't be any pressure on you to make a decision. If things don't seem right, you both go your separate ways and the love prospect is none the wiser.
THE SUPERMARKET: Everybody has to eat something. Frozen food sections are excellent locations as your prospect may think it's you causing their goose bumps. The trick here is not to approach the person you're attracted to like you're in a singles bar. Being subtle here is the key. The idea is to strike up a conversation and sustain it long enough to find something in common. If he or she cuts the impromptu conversation short, they're giving you a sign that they're not interested in you, or maybe just not in meeting someone then. Perhaps they have a significant other already. Don't take it personally and don't forget to buy what you need as this is a dual purpose method.
CHURCH, CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS: This is perhaps the best and most natural way to meet someone. By being a member of the same church, club or organization you already have a common interest. If your religious beliefs are strong, the chances that you'll find someone who thinks alike are quite high here. Many single men and women jump at this chance to meet members of the opposite sex in a totally non threatening arena. Clubs and organizations are also a great way to meet people. Especially those that sponsor or promote special outings or activities for singles. People go to these to accomplish things or just have fun, but most are very much aware it's a great place to meet people with the same qualities as they. The activity affords you the comfort of avoiding a "meat market" but also allows you the luxury of getting to know a lot of prospective loves. Make an effort not only to have fun, but to meet as many people as you can. Not just love prospects though. Friends are a wonderful joy in one's life and can also help you with finding love as well.
WORK: I know what you're thinking. This doesn't belong here at all. At first we agreed as well, but with many exclusions, this too must be included as an excellent source to meet the woman or man of your dreams. First, let's list the obvious exclusions. Never, never, never get involved with someone that you work with on a day to day basis. Not only would you see too much of each other, but if it doesn't work out, uncomfortable won't begin to describe how your work environment will suddenly feel. Never, ever date or even approach someone with whom you supervise or have power over or vice versa. It can too easily be construed as, or turn into sexual harassment. About the only work relationships that are okay are those in which you have little daily or even weekly direct contact. This is one great benefit to working for larger companies with many divisions and employees. Your job may also bring you into contact with many people outside your company. As they are not a coworker, they are fair game, but ALWAYS remember to take care of business first and never approach anyone who doesn't return your polite and respectful interest. If they are important customers, leave them be. Only casually met civilians with no particular tie to your company or business make good love prospects. We always hope for the best in relationships, but if mixing business and pleasure you must always think of the ramifications if things don't work out.
PARTIES: Whether it is a huge gathering or a small get together of friends, this is a great way to meet love prospects. The very nature of a party is to have fun and meet with people. If dancing is involved, it provides an excellent excuse to walk up to someone you don't know. If the host or hostess is on the ball, they may also assist you in those pesky introductions. Hopefully they will get the ball rolling by mentioning something they know you both have in common. Parties can take all shapes, sizes and forms. Attend those that you know you'll enjoy. Always thank your host for their hospitality and contribute what you can to the party, whether that be a bottle of wine, help cleaning up or just being the life of the party. That will surely get you not only an invitation to their next party, but perhaps one thrown by one of the host's other guests as well. The biggest downside to parties is that there will usually be a lot of other competition out there. Luckily, no one else there is exactly like you. Relish the unique qualities you have and be honest and forthright. And above all, have fun!
SMALL TALK: An excellent way to make contact with complete strangers, but it does take a bit of bold ingenuity to initiate. Small talk can be about things as simple as the weather, or as complex as recent current affairs. The trick is to keep things light and casual. Either of you should be able to break off the conversation without any awkward moments. If you receive very little to no response, don't push it. They don't want to make contact for whatever reason.
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES: If you play some sort of team sport, make it one that is coed or in which there are members of the opposite sex around. It doesn't even have to be something competitive. Roller blading, biking, walking and skiing are great ways to meet people. It just has to be something where meeting the opposite sex is possible. This type of activity gives you something fun to do before you meet the love of you life!
WAITING IN LINES: Talk about a captive audience. Lines only seem to be getting longer and longer wherever you look. Use this to your advantage. The longer the lines the better as it will buy you more time with your love prospect. A perfect topic to start your conversation is the length of the line. Misery loves company, and with any luck, you'll find the object of your admiration loves your company.
VOLUNTEER WORK: This can be rewarding in other ways besides romance. Look for projects where people of both sexes are needed. Things like local parades and events. Clean up crews or help with the elderly. Choose something you'll find fulfilling so that the work will go by easily and you'll be more apt to find someone who has the same likes and dislikes.
FRIENDPAD.COM: Obviously, I had to throw this in here as it's why we are all here. Friendpad has thousands of members joining together right here for the same cause which is to find love. Give it a try and see where it takes you. It's a free dating service!
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| Posted By Drew at 10:12:58 AM EST |
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So I pulled a dozen or so dating ideas out of my archive and wanted to share them with you. Although mentioned below, a first date does not have to always consist of a dinner and a movie. There are other alternatives that might just surprise your first date and leave the night as a memorable one. Here we go:
- Picnic Basket Date: Don't forget the wine, bread and thou!
Concert Date: Make it music you both love, preferably with a romantic ballad or two in the program.
- Date Movie: No Arnold Schwartzneger here, guys. You know the type of movie required. Pick up on the romantic mood it puts her into and tell her how much she means to you. Going out to the theater will feel more like a special event, but renting a flick can make the romantic repercussions more immediate.
- Festival Date: Something you can both have fun at. There's nothing like sharing a fun day together to strengthen the ties that bind you.
- Amusement Park Date: If you and your date like a thrilling ride, try the multiple opportunities to snuggle close while your date's adrenalin is rushing. There's nothing like facing imaginary perils together to bring you closer.
- Play Date: It's not what your thinking. Make a date to see a play together. As usual, something you can both enjoy. In the days leading up to the event, give her small gifts that reflect the theme of the play you will be seeing. This will give you more mileage off of what can be expensive tickets.
- The Let's go Dancing Date: An activity that is seductive by it's very nature. It allows you to use your body to have fun out in public, and can be very romantic if approached properly.
- Luxury Hotel Date: Okay, so this one is expensive, but for the established couple this dose of pampering and attention to the finer things can be a refreshing and romantic as a full-blown vacation.
- Watching the Sun Go Down Date: Can be very inexpensive, but best accomplished at the end of a mundane activity date. Don't forget guys, while observing the sheer beauty of nature, don't forget to remind her how she makes it pale in comparison.
- Totally Weird Date: For established couples who share a sense of adventure, try something that no one else you know would do on a date. Ever been Bunji jumping? Taken a tour of the city you live in lately? Your imagination is your only limit here. Better clear this one with your loved one first though.
- Kidnaping Date: ONLY to be used by established couples, only on those who would like to be kidnaped and taken away to a mysterious and romantic destination or activity. Blindfold is good. Gunny sack is bad.
- Fun in the Sun Date: This can be anything from roller blading to lying on the beach. Just make sure you live up to its name, it's non competitive activity and it's a beautiful day outside.
- Company Function Date: Yuck, you're probably saying, but accompanying your mate to their company function, making a good impression and showing the room how much you're in love with him or her will only make them feel like a million bucks.
- Lover's Lane Date: This can be very romantic if your loved one feels the inspiration is more than just sex. Enjoy the beautiful night sky. Rediscover the passion of prolonged hot kisses. Love is in the air.
- Wedding Date: Perhaps the most romantic date you can make. Hopefully you will only make it once. Also a great experience for the couples who attend, allowing them the luxury of basking in the romance without actually taking the plunge.
So the next time you schedule a date, remember to try something new and you might find that there are better first dates than just dinner and a movie.
Have Fun Dating!
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| Posted By Drew at 1:16:36 PM EST |
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So a question asked on our flirting article from Heather. She writes:
Thank you for the informative article on power flirting. It was very helpful. I was wondering if you had any information on what signals to look for to know when someone is flirtnig with you.
Thanks again,
Heather
I asked a good friend of mine to comment on this question as I would consider him an expert in the field of Flirting.  John writes:
Heather.. I am no expert on this subject. I dont think any male could even remotely come close, or we wouldnt be as silly as we are sometimes...=) I have however seen some definate signs of flirtation, in my days. I could sit and tell you lists of examples of men flirting, as well as women. But I think the single, most important thing to keep in mind here is your eyes always tell the tale. No one can hide from the truth they know, and the eyes will always reveal that truth. If you suspect someone is attracted to you, you can always look there for the answer, regardless of how much they try to hide it. I hope this help you out a little!!
John
So eyes are an important part of flirting. Eye contact is always something to look for when negotiating a flirt session with your mate. We received some further feedback from Lyndsay who added some additional comments. Lyndsay writes:
One of the ways that work best is to subtlely mime your date. This type of body language shows them sub-consciously that you are very interested in them. An example is the way he/she is sitting. Don't make an obvious effort to mime that position, but rather non chalantly lean back if he is leaning back or cross your legs the same direction. If he takes a sip of wine, that is your cue to do the same. This body language tells them that "I am interested in you and only you". You can see this happening in a restaurant. Pick out a couple that looks romantic. Watch them, (not openly of course, that might be considered rude), notice that when they are eating and conversing the body movements are similar? We all do this at a certain level, but you can make your romance more intense at dinner by trying this technique. See what happens. It can't hurt after all.
Lyndsay
I had to make this observation for myself, and I found that in a lot of cases, those on a date do in fact have this behavior. Give it a try, as Lyndsay mentions, it couldn't hurt!
All in all, whether you think someone is interested in you or not, life is too short not to ask to confirm. Whether you are a guy or gal, by asking your potential mate if they would like to go on a date will certainly confirm whether there is interest. Just keep it simple the first date out and go from there.
Drew
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| Posted By Drew at 7:03:34 AM EST |
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So along the same lines as the previous post of what not to do in a dating relationship or any relationship for that matter is ogling over other women while you are in the presence of your date. Julie leaves us with the following comment from a women's point of view. Guys, if you want to build a relationship for the long term where your girlfriend feels loved and trusts you, you might want to consider Julie's comments:
Please remind men that ogling other women while out on a date not only dampens a woman's desire for romance, it infuriorates her! LOL While it may be understandable that a complete knock-out may cause a man's jaw to hit the ground and his eyes to pop out of their sockets, it is not advisable to do this while out with your sweetheart. She may feel hurt (after all, don't you find her the most attractive creature alive?) and suddenly painfully aware of her own shortcomings. She may even lose trust in the relationship. If you are ogling other women like that in front of her, what are you doing when she isn't there? This rule should apply even if the man has his date in the presence of a group of other men who are ogling another woman. Under no circumstances should he ever join in on the ogling and hooting!
Heheheh.
Julie
I know this is directed towards men mostly, but the women of the world need to remember that this can equally apply to you. Your dating companion needs to truly feel that they are the "one", and if you spend half the time looking at the grass is greener on the other side, she/he will begin to feel insecure in the relationship. So people, keep your eyes in check and life will be good. 
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| Posted By Drew at 3:44:51 PM EST |
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So many of you may know that I had another free dating site years ago, in fact more than 10 years ago. I have dug up some of stories that I had collected as part of that web site years ago and plan to post them here over time because I feel that they are still good advice for all of your entering into the dating arena now. There are some things that time never seems to make old.
Take Chaz for example:
Hello, this is my two-cents on the subject. If you like, please feel free to post it, thanx. The biggest dating mistake I made was, not talking enought and sharing my feelings with her. I honestly belive that men like myself, who rather dont or cant share the their feelings with that someone special, can cause the biggest downfall to any relationship. Take my past relationship for example. I met her thru my best friend, and she and I hit it off. By the third date I knew "this is the one,this is the girl Im going to marry", and for three years after, thats exactly where the relationship was headed. But it wasnt without problems, the biggest being me not sharing my true feeling, evently leading to our brake-up. And even today there is not a day that goes by that I dont find myself wishing that I had'nt been so blind, and given this wonderful, loving lady the greatest thing I could, and thats simply myself, thru the words from my soul. So men if this sounds a little like yourself, then please start to really talk to her. Let her know who you truly are, befour its to late.
Cheers,
Chaz
Chaz made an incredibly important discovery the hard way. Communication is one of the most important aspects of any relationship. It's how openly you communicate that deepens your relationship through trust and understanding that really drives couples to stay together forever. When diving into a relationship, you must always remember to be honest and open upfront. The smallest bit of dishonesty or closure in communication can start to break down what you once thought was so strong.
Thank you for reading, and please feel free to comment on this post.
Drew
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| Posted By Drew at 9:00:34 AM EST |
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So I believe I might have finally put in a system to keep out some of the trouble makers that I have had in the site since I started FriendPad.... I am currently blocking people by individuals and also by country. So, what that means is that if your country causes enough trouble for those within FriendPad, watch out because one day FriendPad might just disappear. Just Kidding .....
I won't mention the problem areas of the world, but I am sure you can guess which countries that I was driven to block completely. With the help of my friend Fidessa from Canada, we put some whoop on these people. I don't think they are going to be bothering us any time soon. Woo Hoo!
So, the moral of this story is this. If someone is bothering you and/or has become just unfit to participate in the dating world, please let me know by clicking the "Report This Person" on each profile that is causing you issue. It's the best way to tell me that there is a problem person among us! I will rid them from your life in an instant if I find that it is really a problem!!!
So have fun out there and remember, I am back here working hard to make this place a better place for you. Send ideas this way!
Drew
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| Posted By Drew at 8:11:00 AM EST |
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So my friends .... here we begin the first blog post of many. This section I have worked on and off for years to be honest. It's your typical blog so this is your chance to share your thoughts openly to the world.
So as you can see when you go to create your first blog, there are plenty of icons at the top of the add new blog dialog.  Cool eh?
So go grab a drink  and sit down  and give it a whirl.... 
Let me know what you think as I am always trying to improve this place.
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| Posted By Drew at 8:33:36 PM EST |
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