Whether you’re starting a new relationship or already married, there are some things that don’t change, like the need to feel sexy, appreciated and needed. And it’s not just women who want these things—men do too! Below are seven things you can say to a man, at any stage of your love life, that will leave him glowing.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if you knew how the person you are talking to is processing your conversation?

NLP eye accessing cues can provide an enormous amount of insight into someone’s preferred method of processing information. NLP (Neuro-Lingustic Programming) was developed by Richard Bandler and John Grinder in the 1970’s and is modeled on the gestalt therapies by Fritz Perls, Virginia Satir and Milton Erickson. Though NLP is a controversial form of psychological therapy, it incorporates some interesting techniques that can assist in more effective methods of communication. Many of the techniques encourage becoming aware of various postures, behaviors, and physical cues that clue one into a person’s internal mental process. These are a few NLP techniques to better understand what exactly is going on inside the mind of that person you are talking to or observing. Continue reading...

A certain woman in my life wants to know what guys are thinking when a breakup goes down. So here it goes. We think about beer. And drinking it. And how drinking said beer will help us get lucky with the la-a-dies. The ladies with the righteous hoots.

Alright, fine. That was a sweeping gender generalization.  A crude, cheap oversimplification of the masculine condition… But that doesn’t stop it from being true.

Has your life gone haywire in the last week? Communications amiss? People from the past randomly showing up? Feel like you might be losing your mind, as no one you know seems to make any sense to you any more? Fret not, it’s not you, it’s the universe — yes, blame the cosmos, as Mercury, the planet of communication, halts and appears to go backwards, causing all sorts of chaos on mankind.

Frightfully, this bizarre phenomenon happens three times a year and fortunately, this will be the last time in ’08. Officially beginning at 7:18 Universal Time on Sept. 24th and lasting until October 15th, the effects can be felt up until October 31st. What does this mean? In general, it means a period of pandemonium for all things regarding communication. That’s right, forget trying to make any major decisions — and definitely don’t sign any contracts (unless the deal comes from someone in the past or is renewing), backup your software, expect problems with travel and don’t rely on any of the information you get at this time.

Why didn’t he call?  What did I do wrong? Do you think he likes me? If I had a nickel for every time I asked my BFF these questions, I’d be rich. While I may pointlessly fritter away my imaginary nickels on high-heels, it turns out that I’ve definitely been wasting my energy and time, not just the money I’ve spent, on the wrong lovers. According to an article in The New York Times by Sarah Kershaw, “Girl Talk Has Its Limits,” constantly looking for a sympathetic ear may be sabotaging your relationships. While getting validation for your vagina troubles can be comforting, stewing in your confusion with your girly support group may do more harm than good. Apparently, psychologists have concluded that over-analyzing situations can be a recipe for cyclical negative thinking and even increase anxiety, especially in teen girls. Rather than formulating plans of action or simply living in the moment, chewing on every morsel of your relationship with your girlfriends cooks all the little bits into juicy gossip. While your bitches may give you the emotional band-aid you’re looking for, placing that much social significance on each twist and turn in a tawdry affair can suck the fun right out of all that sucking face. Not to mention, technology has made “co-rumination” as instantaneously easy as an email, phone call, or text message. Nowadays, you can chitchat mid-rendezvous like a sports announcer calling the shots at a match. Granted, love is a game we’re all playing, so clearly labeling relationship reflection as merely “girl talk” definitely has its sexist problems. After all, you know, men smack-talk it up, too!  Alas, the researchers claim that when guys open up to each other, albeit less frequently, it actually helps their romance. So, somehow, our need to constantly communicate with our gal pals has created a glass ceiling for love. Ugh! Well, ceilings need vents, dammit.  [Scarleteen]

The text message: the worst invention to ever happen to dating. Well, it’s at least a close second to the chastity belt. This technological form of “communication” has already left a trail of tears amongst my gal pals. From late night sex solicitation to crazy guys who use the stilted language as a crutch for their fears, the text message has been taking relationships down a notch. Now it’s bullying poor Jennifer Aniston. Everyone’s watched her ex John Mayer put on a show of his breakup blues. He’s been seen around town covering his puffy eyes with stupid sweaters and scarves.  But what about Jennifer? She’s been keeping the highly publicized romance classy by keeping her mouth shut. But since her friends don’t share her tact, they’re dishing all the dirt, and apparently, she got dumped via text! It all started with a heated argument where John admitted he didn’t share her “first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in the baby carriage” plan. After hanging up the phone he texted her, “That’s it—the end.” Say it to her face! What a wuss. Damn you text messages, you let another one slip through our fingers. [Denver Post]

According to Dr. Sue Johnson (not to be confused with the old Sex Talk’s silver fox, Sue Johanson), there are three types of sex.  Short and sweet, long and aerobic, drunken and sloppy? Well, that’s what we thought!  But the doc breaks it down a little more scientifically. Sue says emotional presence is the biggest aphrodisiac and it defines the degrees of intercourse.  The freedom of speech you can achieve with a partner actually informs your Big O. With that in mind, here are the sexy levels of sex—whether you’re in a relationship or not—as Doc Johnson sees it, after the jump…

From now through February 19th, Mercury turns retrograde because of Aquarius, aka your life is going to get seriously messed up. Watch your mouth and back up your computer files because for the next three weeks communication will get more damaged than Britney’s kids.  But don’t freak out, because now is the perfect time for introspection.  You should be chock full of ideas, focus, and independence. Just don’t let all that personal empowerment make you so stubborn you screw up your plans with other people. Namely, your boyfriend. Now is the perfect time for a huge, dish-throwing, drag-out fight. [Blog Her]