Sather

Dont get me wrong: I am very admiring of her as an actress, as a director and as a strong woman in a male-dominated industry who continues to navigate what can only be described as an individualistic, trends-bucking career.

And she doesnt look half bad in a soft close-up, either. But thats another thought entirely. My gripe with Jodie is her insistence on living a closeted life when, as an intelligent, thoughtful woman who seems to understands prejudice and intolerance, she should have appreciation for the value of lesbian visibility.

The Jodie Question is no longer whether or not she is a lesbian. Rather, it is Why Wont She Come Out. In the past, Hollywood lesbians who have toyed indecisively with the closet door have done so in large part because they have had to overcome very real fears about how coming out would impact their careers. Think Portia de Rossi, who by her own admission stayed in the closet for a long time because she knew her career would suffer if and when she came out.

Think Ellen DeGeneres, who practically kicked the closet door down, only to find that her career did indeed suffer so dramatically that she proably should have tried tip-toeing out instead. But think also Melissa Etheridge, whose grand announcement was met with, well, indifference. Not because women the world over didnt care, but because they knew anyway, and because her career was so well established, largely due to her gay appeal, that it made no difference one way or the other.

Rather than Portia or Ellen, Jodie falls in the Melissa category. Ask yourself: what would a candid Yes I am interview in The Advocate do for her career?

Answer: Probably not much.

Its not as if her romantic lead roles will suddenly dry up when last did you see Jodie in a hetro snog? Maverick, of course, doesnt count, for the simple reason that everyone concerned looked so ill at ease as to render the whole film decidedly a-sexual. Ditto Contact, where the sole sex scene was nothing more than a superfluous nod to an odd improbability in the original script. Jodie has gone man-less in her more memorably, and, crucially, most commercially successful movies: Silence of the Lambs, Panic Room, Flight Plan.

It is safe also to say that Jodie probably isnt going to be doing slushy romcoms or romatic dramas in the near future: she simply isnt going to reading for the Jessica Simpson / Kirsten Dunst roles, nor is any dollar-minded director going to be casting her in those roles. So what is the big deal?

Jodie is fiercely private, and obviously has great concern for inviting a media frenzy that could impact on her sons. Fair enough. But by not coming out, what is she teaching her children about honesty and integrity and being true to yourself, not to mention the responsibility of a life lived in public. For as much as Jodie insists on a private life, her livelihood has come from her accessibility on the screen; her invitation to people to bring her into their lives and even into their homes.

She is a role model already, whether she likes it or not. But that kind of role model?

By refusing to acknowledge the truths of her life, she is turning her back on a power that few people have: the power to break stereotypes, the power to promote tolerance of diversity, and, perhaps most importantly, the power to honour honesty and truth.

Reversing a Vasectomy can be done! But - it works best for men in good health who are in their forties or younger, and their partner is able to get pregnant. The results are even better if it has been less than 10 years since their original vasectomy and only a small part of the vas deferens was damaged by the previous surgery. A physical examination, tests, and review of the original vasectomy will need to be undergone to determine if the man is a possibility for this reverse vasectomy surgery. Only about 50% of the time will a man's partner get pregnant after the vasectomy reversal surgery.

It is known that because sperm production continues, sperm debris accumulates in the system after a vasectomy, even though some of the debris is absorbed. The fluid left in the system thickens making it less likely to flow, the longer the interval between vasectomy and reversal. So, the sooner the reversal, the better the result.

Reverse Vasectomy is the most successful when a surgeon uses a microscope to do the surgery. Other factors include microsurgical precision and experience, delicateness and familiarity with the specialist equipment - the equipment and skill of a practised expert team is a major factor together with experience in being able to gently join the vas or epididymis. The reversal operation takes up to one hour each side and is not painful when the individual is awakened from a light general anesthetic. It can be done as an outpatient, but will require several days' recovery at home. At least two full days quiet rest for initial healing, and refraining from intercourse for 3-4 weeks to allow trauma free healing. Ten weeks after the operation the first sperm count is taken and intercourse to obtain a pregnancy can recommence, as accumulated sperms made under pressure will have been passed.

This microsurgical reversal involves joining of the two ends of the vas (vasovasostomy) or, if epididymal obstruction has occurred, joining the vas to a section of the epididymis in which sperm are found (vasoepididymostomy). While the success of reversal can be gauged by the reappearance of sperm in the ejaculate, the only important marker of success is the occurrence of pregnancy in the years following surgery.

The probability of success is related to the years since vasectomy. In the US study, the pregnancy rate over the two years after surgery in men with less than three years between vasectomy and reversal were 76%, while the pregnancy rate was only 30% when the vasectomy had been undertaken eleven or more years previously. Bear in mind that the skill and experience of the surgeon certainly does have an effect on the success rate.

Because of the success rate of Vasectomy Reversals some surgeons recommend that a man make sperm bank deposits before having a vasectomy, just in case he changes his mind in the future about having more children.

The total cost of a Vasectomy Reversal falls somewhere between $4,000 to $20,000, all inclusive. In the United States, US$10,000 is the average cost.

Gay Redmile is the webmaster of numerous health and well being sites. For further important information regarding Vasectomy Reversal visit her site at: http://www.reversalvasectomy.wellbeinginfosite.com or visit http://www.wellbeinginfosite.com for useful information and facts on other well being issues.

Every relationship needs relief from the same old bedroom routine now and then. Here is a collection of tips to boost the Scoville units in your romance.

Get Wet and Wild

The bath or shower can be more than just a place to get clean! It can also be a sexy rendezvous to reconnect with your lover. Taking the time to bathe each other and wash one anothers hair can be a sensual delight. Steam up the bathroom with some erotic accessories inviting to both you and your lover. If you have the available counter space or open shelves, place scented candles around the room. Keep aromatic bath oils and waterproof toys close by. Just be sure you have a private place to store your toys if you have children or expect guests.

One if by Land...

Keep a set of "signal" sheets (or even just a signal pillow) that you or your lover can put on the bed to silently request a romantic tryst. Pick an unusual color, a sexy material like satin or a bold pattern - or a pillow with a sexy come-hither saying on it.

An Appetite for Love

Prepare a dinner that is a prelude to love wearing nothing but an apron and a smile. There are so many foods that have been thought to be aphrodisiacs that you will have no problem planning a menu. Some ideas are oysters, pine nuts, peaches, grapes, walnuts -- even asparagus - or just serve something special to the two of you. More important than the food is that the meal stirs the senses by evoking arousing smells, tastes and textures. Don't forget to play mood music and put candles in every room. You don't even have to make it to the bedroom - why not have a change of sexual venue in the kitchen?

Go Postal!

Buy some pretty or provocative stationery - or use your computer to create an invitation for a romantic date or trip for you and your lover. Include all of the details including the time, date, what to wear and where to meet, but keep the romantic event itself a surprise. Address the envelope to your lover and mail it to him or her. In this era of instant communication with email, text messaging and cell phones, the invitation will be a romantic surprise.

Let's Dance

Remember when a mix tape was sooo romantic? To get you in the mood, make a mix CD of all of your favorite sexy songs or fun songs and have a dance together. Get as wild or as romantic as you wish - your dances can go as far as you like. You can add a bump-and-grind music and do your own strip tease or some salsa and do your own forbidden dance of love.

Reach Out and Touch Someone

Don't forget simple pleasures. Brushing your lover's hair, a light sensual massage or just cuddling can be extremely sensuous. Touching always leads to more touching. Play touching games by seeing how lightly you can run your hands over your lover's body, spell out suggestive words with your finger and see if he or she can guess what you wrote.

Hide and Seek

Take a sexy picture of yourself and hide it with a suggestive note in his or her briefcase, wallet or lunch box. Just make sure not to put it where it may be found by children or coworkers.

Trick or Treat

Costumes are not just for kids at Halloween. There are so many sexy costumes out there for men and women. Try role playing as a pilot and a stewardess - or a teacher and a schoolgirl - or a real estate agent and a prospective home buyer. The possibilities are endless. Fantasy foreplay can lead you to realms of spiciness you never knew existed. Let your imagination run wild.

Romance Zone

Keep your bedroom off limits for everything except sleep and romance. Do not allow it to be a center of the household where you write bills or do work, it should be a haven for you and your lover and a stress-free zone where you enjoy one another and your relationship. Use soft colors and fabrics, fresh cut flowers on your nightstand, mirrors and your favorite art - anything to create an atmosphere of relaxation and sensuality.

Copyright 2005 Katie Rose Intimates Sexy Costumes and Lingerie

Katie Rose is the owner of Katie Rose Intimates - a fine lingerie shop featuring fantasy clothing, leather and lace and intimate apparel in sexy, erotic, romantic and unique styles - with special attention for the plus size woman

ATTENTION WEBMASTERS and EZINE PUBLISHERS - Permission is granted to publish this article on your site or in your Ezine but ONLY if my bio paragraph is included and all links are hyperlinked. I would also appreciate a note letting me know that you are using it, although it is not mandatory, I just like to see where my work is being used.

Over the past five years addictions to gambling have grown at an accelerated rate. Not only adults, but teenagers are gambling with out realizing the consequences. Most States including Connecticut have created agreements with Indian reservations for self gain. The states are now realizing the negative impact the Indian casino reservations are having on their taxpayers.

Gambling is a silent addiction. Most people can go years with out anyone ever discovering that they gambled. Besides the local Casinos people can now even gamble online.

With todays modern technology, if you want to gamble you can so long as you have the resources. Once your resources are depleted and youre in debt, you will begin to seek help. This is where many states are taking notice due to people claiming bankruptcy, not paying their state taxes, getting caught committing petty crimes and even suicide.

The I Stopped Gambling So Can You website continues to receive alarming emails from friends family and the compulsive gambler. The site was developed to help people associated with compulsive gambling addiction.

The alarming rate in the rise of addicted individuals has caused the states to rethink what they are doing and how to help this segment of the population. The individuals who sought help through various programs now know they are not alone. The unfortunate part is in most cases they are starting all over. If the States would reach out and help these people then the outcomes may be different.

If a person goes into a bar and is apparently drunk, the bartenders are not going to serve this person any alcoholic drinks and may even recommend a cab. At a casino, people use the cash machines until they are unable to take out any more money. People cash checks and even take cash advances from their credit cards, but no one at the casinos is willing to step up to the plate and help these people out.

I have talked with hundreds of people who excessively gambled. These people knew they were addicted and always planned to spend a specific amount of money. After being at the casinos with all the lights, bells and whistles they fell into a trance and no longer had any control.

Once the gambler leaves the casino reality sets in. They now realize they've lost a lot of money. They ask themselves: How did this happen? They themselvesthey will never due this again only to repeat the same behavior patterns over and over until they hit bottom and lose everything. These people were spending anywhere from $100.00 to $5,000.00 per week on their addiction. In a majority of these situations they realized they lost everything. Even after filing bankruptcy they still owed a significant amount in back taxes.

The State of Connecticut receives revenues from their two Indian Run Casinos. If a taxpayer wins a Jackpot equal to or greater than $1,200.00 and resides in Connecticut they will be subject to Connecticut State Tax. The Internal Revenue Service lets you deduct your winnings against your losses but not in Connecticut.

The various states are now realizing they created a major problem, but are not willing to discuss it openly. Various news stations have been reporting the negative impact, but due to the revenues generated, no one is willing to step up to the plate and help these people out.

Until the local authorities take action, many lives will continue to be destroyed.

Future articles will address the compulsive gambler, gambling addiction and a search to find a solution to this growing problem.

You may find the following websites helpful:

I Stopped Gambling So Can You http://www.istoppedgambling.com/

Compulsive Gambling Addiction http://www.compulsive-gambling-addiction.org/

Mr. Howard Keith has an extensive background in dealing with compulsive gamblers, relatives and friends of gamblers and teenage gamblers. Mr. Keith believes there are many alternatives to aid in the recovery of a gambling addiction verses a twelve step program. A large percentage of his emails were from compulsive gamblers looking for an alternative to Gamblers Anonymous and twelve step programs. Gamblers Anonymous also helps a significant number of people each year but there is a large percentage that they are unable to reach.

For more information on gambling addiction and stop gambling you can check out

You can also check out Mr. Keiths other website Take Flight with Reliable-Marketing http://www. reliable-marketing.com/