For those turning 12, 24, 36 etc. (the Chinese Zodiac uses a cycle of 12), termed benming nian, or the meeting of one’s zodiac year, traditional Chinese belief is that it can be an unlucky year. To ward off any dangers that might befall you in your benming nian, it helps to wear red. Red is one of the luckiest colors in Chinese traditions, standing for loyalty, success and happiness.

If you’re really traditional, you should wear red every day, all year long. If you’re not a big fan of the color red in your outer wardrobe, red underwear is an easy way to protect yourself against the hazards of benming nian. Better ask your sweetheart for more than one pair!

Although January may have the reputation as the peak month for relationships break up, new statistics show Saturday night is due to be the year's biggest night for first dates.

On top of that, an estimated 70,000 wil turn into a new romance by February.

A survey of 5,000 singles by PARSHIP.co.uk, Europe's largest scientifically-based online dating service, showed Britain's singles will go on 2.5 million first dates this January, almost three times more than in December and twice as many as any other single month of the year.

Another recent PARSHIP poll found four out of five people said they would actively to meet someone in January.

Almost half said they would look for a committed relationship, more than one in ten for a casual relationship and one in five for any type of relationship.

Nearly half of singles, 45 per cent of men and 50 per cent of women also admitted to feeling particularly lonely in January.

Dr Victoria Lukats, psychiatrist and PARSHIP.co.uk's dating expert, said: "These findings are consistent with previous surveys. We know that more people join internet dating services in January than any other time of year.

"We also know that internet dating has now become the single most common way of finding a partner.

"The explanation could be down to the post-Christmas malaise, pressure from well-meaning friends and relatives or New Year's resolutions."

The study found that, regardless of race, juveniles with the least popular names were more likely to engage in criminal activity.

The report, entitled First Names and Crime: Does Unpopularity Spell Trouble? and published in the journal Social Science Quarterly, states that the names themselves are unlikely to be the cause of criminal tendencies.

Rather it is other connected factors that could increase the likelihood of criminal behaviour such as being from a deprived background or single parent household.

The study also notes that youngsters with less popular names could be more inclined towards crime because they “are treated differently by their peers, making it more difficult for them to form relationships,” the journal’s publisher states.

Or young people with unpopular names may “act out because they consciously or unconsciously dislike their names”.

The authors conclude that: “First name characteristics may be an important factor to help identify individuals at high risk of committing or recommitting crime, leading to more effective and targeted intervention programmes.”

Maybe you don't want to spend all that time taking classes in obscure subjects while hoping to find your calling and piling up student loan debt. Maybe you don't really care so much about college. You just want to work and make money.

You can do it.

No test can tell an employer how good you might be at some of these lines of work -- real estate broker or fashion designer, for example. That's why a degree is less important to a potential employer than field experience and demonstrated past success. Either you're good at it or you're not.

Here are jobs that can earn more than $100,000 without college:

1. Real Estate Broker

90th Percentile Income: $187,000
75th Percentile Income: $151,000

Only two jobs on this list have a six-figure median wage. This is one of them. Although you have to get a license, you need only be a high school graduate and at least 18 years old to apply for one, and you have to pass a written test. Expect to work evenings and weekends. Competing for clients with more experienced and established brokers won't be easy either. The economy isn't the best for brokers now, but as it bounces back, there may be great opportunities.

2. Air Traffic Controller

90th Percentile Income: $186,000
75th Percentile Income: $156,000

This and real estate broker are the only two jobs on this list with a six-figure median wage. Stress abounds. Just getting in the door requires drug screening, background checks, medical exams, attending a Federal Aviation Administration-approved education program and a pre-employment test. Once you've got the job, the benefits and pay are both healthy.

3. Small Business Owner/Operator

90th Percentile Income: $167,000
75th Percentile Income: $119,000

Casual dress, flexible hours and unlimited use of the company car make this a potentially very sweet deal. Expect to use every skill you have and develop a few along the way. Customer service, graphic design, sales, finance and leadership are just the entry-level survival skills of the commercial jungle.

4. Fashion Designer

90th Percentile Income: $141,000
75th Percentile Income: $104,000

If this is your cut, you should probably move to New York or California. These jobs are geographically concentrated and nearly one-fourth are self-employed. It's a very competitive field. The popularity and glamour of design attracts many, and a two-year degree definitely helps. Employers also want designers with knowledge in textile fabrics, ornamentation and fashion trends.

5. Plumber, Pipe Fitter or Steamfitter

90th Percentile Income: $130,000
75th Percentile Income: $94,500

One of the largest and most well-paid pursuits in construction. The training you need can come from an apprenticeship, tech school or community college, and not all states require licensing. If you want to make that six-figure wage, expect to work late, as the job often falls short of $100,000 before overtime. Get a good reputation, and maybe a little skill in welding, and the jobs should start pouring in.

Click here to see the full list of Jobs That Can Earn More Than $100,000 Without College.

A team of 15 artists spent two months working on the sculpture to draw attention to the plight of the Arctic mammal and the impact of global warming on the icecaps. The work was commissioned by Eden, a new digital television channel devoted to natural history programming. Wildlife broadcaster Sir David Attenborough said: "The melting of the polar bears' sea ice habitat is one of the most pressing environmental concerns of our time. We need to do what we can to protect the world's largest land carnivores from extinction"

Buy a reusable toothbrush. You replace the head, but the handle can be reused again and again.




The new Dentek Natural Floss Pick is the first 100 per cent biodegradable and recyclable floss pick. The handle is made of starches from sustainable crops so it decomposes in less than 180 days. The floss is made of polyethylene, which is recyclable.


Use washable organic muslin face cloths, which are great for the skin too. You can also buy organic biodegradable cotton buds with paper stems: www.ethicalsuperstore.com




As well as checking that products don't contain parabens, phthalates and GM additives, your best bet is to opt for a reputable organic range that by law must be free from the most damaging chemicals. For certified ranges, visit www.soorganic.com

For hand soap, try an organic soap that's free from artificial colour, fragrances, synthetic preservatives and parabens.

Buy brands that use glass containers because they can be easily recycled.






Turn on the tap. UK tap water is safe and has to meet stringent quality standards. If you live in a hard water area and are put off by the taste, filter and chill your water first.




Buy seasonal produce from local farmers' markets. Speak to the farmers there, too. Many small producers practice organic farming, but haven't paid for official certification from the Soil Association. If you don't have a farmers' market near you, check the country of origin label for fruit and veg in the supermarket aisles.



Go natural with your cleaning. Use white wine vinegar or bicarbonate of soda mixed with water to dissolve household grease and dirt.




Use public transport to get to the gym, or incorporate the walk there and back as part of your warm up and cool down routine. Outdoor exercise such as walking, running and cycling are green alternatives to gym membership.



There are more than 200 certified eco-friendly fish products in supermarkets that come from sustainable sources. Before you buy, make sure your fish has the MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) eco-label.

Look for milk in a recyclable plastic bag with reusable jug. It's a mainly cardboard container that has a carbon footprint 48 per cent lower than a standard plastic bottle. Otherwise, make sure you recycle your plastic milk bottles.

Try soy, beeswax or vegetable-based candles that are smoke-free and biodegradable.

features:
speakers, fiberglas mannequin, 1/8 stereo jack, power/volume knob, hand-built solid-state stereo amplifier
36" x18" x12"
2008

As part of my object remix series, this stereo forces the music source into the center of attention and creates a radically new user interface.

Want one?

No matter how often it's written that penile size doesn't matter, and that women aren't attracted to a man because of the length of his organ, the average male continues to think the same way.

It is also worth noting two points about women:

* some women really dislike the idea of a large penis, and may be frightened by one that is too long.

* some women are much more impressed by the thickness of a penis, rather than its length. This is because some females like the sense of feeling stretched round the entrance to the vagina – so if a guy is quite broad at the base of his penis, this can feel very exciting and satisfying to such women

The trouble is that every man sees his own penis in a foreshortened view. The angle at which you look down inevitably makes your penis seem shorter than it is.

But when you glance at another man's organ, there's no such foreshortening effect, so very often it'll look as though the other guy is slightly better endowed.

Average penis length

A non-erect penis usually measures between 8.5cm and 10.5cm (3-4 inches) from tip to base.

The average figure is about 9.5cm (3.75 inches), but this kind of precise measurement is rather valueless. Many factors can cause a temporary shrinkage of two inches or more, for instance cold weather or going swimming.

Most people think that a tall man will usually have a large penis, but this is not entirely true. The distinguished American researchers Masters and Johnson measured the penile lengths of more than 300 men.

* The largest organ was 14 cm (5.5 inches) in the flaccid state. It belonged to a slim man who was 5' 7" tall (170 cm).

* The smallest penis measured 6cm (2.25 inches). It belonged to a fairly heavily built man of 5' 11" (180cm).

It's also worth pointing out that there is no correlation between penile size and race.

Average size of erections

Interestingly, most penises are very much the same size when erect.

* The man whose non-erect penis is smallish will usually achieve about a 100 per cent increase in length during sexual excitement.

* The man whose non-erect penis is on the largish size will probably manage about a 75 per cent increase.

* This means the great majority of penises measure between 15cm and 18cm (6-7 inches) when erect, with the average figure being about 16.5cm (6.5 inches).

Sex and women

Virtually every man forgets that it doesn't matter how long or how short your penis is, because the vagina will accommodate itself to any length.

It's famous for its resident herd of giraffe. You can enjoy Nairobi’s finest kitchens and bump heads with a giraffe or two. According to their website, the Giraffe Manor is the only place in the world where you can enjoy the breathtaking experience of feeding and photographing the giraffe over the breakfast table and at the front door.

Named the Dog Bark Park Inn, and the shape of a beagle. Guests enter the body of the beagle from a private 2nd story deck. Some of the decorations and furniture inside the hotel are made by an artist to fit in with the hotel’s theme.

Perhaps one of the most luxurious places you can stay in is the Hotel Everland. It's located on the roof of the Palais de Tokyo museum. The hotel includes bathroom, a king-size bed and a lounge, being only available one night. The view is one of the most magnificent - Seine and the Eiffel Tower shining bright at night. You can only make reservations online, just one random hour a day.

Named the Marmara Antalya. This is Turkey’s most prestigious chain, taking pride in stunning views, great architecture and warm service. The exciting detail is that each of the two dozens room spins slowly so that guest take in the entire view.

Named the Cappadocia Hotel, a building literally carved into the Yunak Evleri mountain cliff. It offers cave houses, just like the Flintones had, and a 19th century Greek mansion - complete with 30 rooms dating back to the 5th and 6th century.

It is likely the place where hobbits stayed while shooting Lord of The Rings. You can stay in one of the two hillside burrows that are almost identical to the ones J.R.R. Tolkien talks about in his books.

The name says it all: you get to stay in wagons equipped with bathrooms, kitchens, and satellite TV. Wagon Stays offers the atmosphere of an early settlers wagon combined with modern facilities to maximize your comfort.

The official name is Hang Nga Guesthouse and gallery, but locals refer to it as the crazy house. This house is indeed strange. It has unexpected twists and turns, roofs, and rooms. It looks like a fairy tale castle, it has enormous 'animals' like a giraffe and a spider, no window is rectangular or round, and it can be visited like a museum. The base of the building is a tree.

1. Ice hotel - Sweden
You sleep in a thermal sleeping bag on a special bed of snow and ice, on reindeer skins. The Icehotel features artwork that is sculpted from massive blocks of ice, harvested from the Torne River towards the end of each winter. These blocks are stored in a giant refrigerated warehouse during the off-season, so as to be immediately available when construction work on the next hotel begins.

2. Tube hotel - Ottensheim, Austria
It offers three 10-ton segments of drainage pipe, each 6.5 feet in diameter for you to stay in. Basically just gigantic concrete cylinders with a hole for air & light and a front door, one of the other ‘features’ is under-bed storage.

3. Canopy tower - on top of Semaphore Hill
Dominating the roof is the 30 foot high dome with an observation deck surrounding it from which you can see the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal and the skyline of Panama City.

4.Tree house hotel - outside of Cave Junction, Oregon
Named Out ‘n’ About Treesort & Treehouse Institute. It offers 18 treehouses you probably couldn’t have dreamt up as a child. Many rooms have bathrooms and refrigerators. Some are located at an amazing height of 300 feet. Nothing better for a serene vacation than living it up in the woods.

5. Lighthouse hotel - Harlingen, Netherlands
After climbing the 80 or so steps, you uncover a 3 story luxury haven, providing all-round panoramic views from your bedroom. You would be alone up there because this lighthouse only has one bedroom.

6. Capsule hotel - Hague, Netherlands
Your room is a bright orange survival pod which once saw service on an oil rig platform. It's 4.25 meters in diameter and unaltered apart from the addition of a lock on the outside. Each pod is supposedly enough room for three. Inside you can expect to find sleeping bags and an ‘emergency’ chemical toilet.

Another capsule hotel - Shinjuku area of Tokyo
It allows only men. It cost Y3,800 for the "room" and bath. There are many buttons and knobs in the capsule. One turns on the light and a knob dims the light. One turns on the TV, another button flips through the channels. There is a big red button that costs Y300 to press. That's the porn button. There is a radio and an alarm clock built in. At the end of the capsule there is a screen you can pull down to "lock" yourself in. The entire capsule was about 6 to 6.5 feet long.

7. Under and above water hotel - 1 km out on the lake Malaren
Called the Utter Inn. An underwater hotel and floating hotel all in one. This floating island retreat has one underwater room with twin beds and a table. Solar panels on the roof provide electric and heat. There is an inflatable canoe so you can tour around the lake and visit the uninhabited island.

This can be an inspiration to us all.

Both the new president and first lady are regular exercisers, managing to squeeze in workouts despite their hectic schedules. It's difficult not to admire their dedication.

Obama, 47, combines his love of basketball with treadmill workouts and weight training.

Obama told Men's Health magazine in its November issue that his typical routine includes working out for 45 minutes, six days a week, including cardiac-strengthening routines and weight lifting. That's in addition to his famous basketball games -- played whenever possible and always on election days.

According to press reports, Michelle Obama gets in 90-minute workouts three times a week. When in Chicago, the new first lady was said to begin her day with a 4:30 a.m. gym workout.

The Obamas have an incredible opportunity to influence fitness among adults and children.

You would never serve supper at noon, but you might have dinner at midday -- although today it makes more sense to call that one lunch.

In earlier times, dinner was a heavy meal that farm laborers ate to sustain themselves through a long afternoon. Its use has changed with modern life, but it can still suggest a fuller evening meal, while supper can be lighter evening fare.

Barrack Obama has made headlines all over the world by his spectacular inauguration. Now, let's enjoy Barrack Obama as action-figures, below. (click to enlarge pictures)

Check out the full photo set on the (Japanese language) Gamu Toys site. The doll is a 1/6 scale (roughly 12") figure produced by the Japanese Hong Kong based DID Corporation.