verbatum five fingers

can actually maximize the effects of your workout. Because these shoes separate your toes and lack the heavy heel structure of typical running shoes, barefoot running shoes provide better stability for the lower body. This in turn prevents injury, improves posture, and protects muscles and joints. What is more? Because both Vibram Five Fingers place feet closer to the ground, runners can generate better starting speed.

These shoes can be used both inside and outside, and Vibram also offers special sweat-wicking socks with separated toes for those who want a bit of extra padding inside their barefoot shoe.

verbatum five fingers 2

In addition, the shoes come in a range of colors and styles, with different designs suitable for different sports. At just around $100, these shoes also won’t cost more than your average running shoes, and the thin fibers that make up the shoes are actually incredibly long lasting, so you are guaranteed to get the most for your money.

Marilyn Monroe Cannes film poster

The Face of the Festival de Cannes’ Official Poster this year will feature non other than the timeless Marilyn Monroe.

While the 65th annual festival is scheduled to kick off the 16th with the world premiere of Wes Anderson’s ‘Moonrise Kingdom’, a 1960s-set tale of childhood romance. Some additional highlights are:

Un Certain Regard will kick off on May 17 with Chinese director Lou Ye’s Mystery, with a Jury which awards top prize of festival’s ‘original and different’ selection lead by Tim Roth Reservoir Dogs star,  joined by Leïla Bekhti, Tonie Marshall, Luciano Monteagudo & Sylvie Pras.

As there is simply too much excitement during this week long event to write about be sure to visit their site for a full breakdown.

Here however it the 2012 Official Selection:

Known to his fans as “Captain Ketch,” British adventurer James Ketchell has big plans in store for the year 2013.  A lifelong extreme sports fan and motorcycle-racing enthusiast, Ketchell’s taste for the extreme was almost ended in 2007 when he was involved in a devastating motorcycle accident in which he broke an arm, both legs, and dislocated an ankle. Having been told by doctors that there was a good chance he would never fully recover from his injuries, Ketchell has made it his mission to do more than just recover.  Not to be dissuaded from his ambition for adventure, beginning in January 2013 as the culmination of a grueling five years of post-accident training, Captain Ketch will begin a yearlong trek across the globe in which he plans on rowing across the Atlantic Ocean, climbing Mt. Everest, and cycling around the world…and he intends on doing it all in less than a year’s time.

Atlantic Route

This type of adventuring isn’t new to Ketchell; he has previously rowed across the Atlantic in 2010, as well as climbed his way to the peak of Mt. Everest in 2011, so he is familiar with what the year has in store for him.  It seems that those extreme adventure trips weren’t enough for Ketchell, even though he had only of late recovered from the very serious injuries that he sustained in his accident, and in fact had just the opposite effect.  According to Ketchell, his ambition for adventure only increased after rowing across the ocean, leaving him more enthusiastic than ever about his first expedition up Mount Everest. And after his first trips across the Atlantic and up Mt. Everest, Ketchell says that he had such great experiences that he’s been planning on repeating them ever since. Add to that plan a lifelong desire to circle the globe on his bicycle, and a new plan for the ultimate round-the-world adventure that Ketchell calls “Pushing Limits” was born.

James Ketchell

Ketchell plans to start in on his global triathlon in January 2013 by rowing across the Atlantic accompanied by his good friend Chris Gleghorn, who is an ex-Royal Marine in the British Navy. Their sea-faring journey will begin in the Canary Islands, from which point they will paddle up and row approximately 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, taking between 50 and 60 days, and ending up in Barbados.  Traversing the ocean during January and February will allow Ketchell and Gleghorn to take full advantage of the current and wind patterns that exist during that time of year. After the first leg of his adventure, Ketchell plans to move on to Nepal where he will be taking on his next assignment which is climbing to the peak of Mt. Everest, a journey that will find him hiking across some very unforgiving terrain and that he estimates will take him over three months to complete. That is going to take some serious skill to survive and make it to the destination along the treachery paths. But having made the climb once before, Ketchell is confident in his abilities to do this again and show to the world that he still has in him to achieve  feats he is known for. Ketchell plans on climbing with the same Sherpa he climbed with in 2011, and in addition to the climb itself, he intends to document the culture and story of the people of the Himalayas. For the final leg of his colossal trip, Ketchell will come back to London from where he will begin a round-the-world bicycle trip all the way through 20 countries, in which he plans to travel 18,000 miles in six short months, and returning to London before the beginning of January 2014.  If all goes as planned, Ketchell will have completed his entire awe-inspiring journey around the globe in less than 365 days.

Although his “Pushing Limits” project won’t begin for several more months, Ketchell’s story is already an inspiration to many people.   Due to the devastating nature of the injuries sustained in his motorcycle accident, doctors had given Ketchell a not-so-promising prognosis, warning him that he may never get back his ability to walk without some type of impairment.

Now, after having completely recovered from what appeared to be a career threatening injury, Ketchell plans on making a comeback by doing much more than just walking, and he plans to capture his ultimate adventure story on the documentary “Pushing Limits” that will air in 2014 after he returns from his journey. It is going to be a six part documentary, detailing everything about his expedition to all these destinations. And for those of his fans who can’t wait until next January to watch him begin his round-the-world adventure, Ketchell plans on cycling across the United States from San Diego all the way to Miami in July 2012 as part of his training for the upcoming year. Fans will be able to follow Captain Ketch’s cross-country adventure on his documentary called “Coast to Coast.”  Ketchell also finds time amidst his training efforts to egg on and encourage others by speaking at various venues about topics such as setting and reaching goals, meeting challenges, achievement, overcoming adversity, and helping others along the way. This man knows how to create an impact in humans. He sure does.

James Ketch Route

Although pushing his own limits and living his dream adventure is certainly a huge goal for Ketchell, neither personal fulfillment nor the hope of being an inspiration to others are his sole objectives in the upcoming year’s journey across the world.  Aside from adventuring, Ketchell’s biggest passion is raising funds for children’s charities. This tough man has a softer side too. Doesn’t he? On his first solo trip across the Atlantic, Ketchell raised almost £10,000, or $16,000 for the NSPCC, an organization that helps prevent child abuse, and he has similar plans for his “Pushing Limits” project.  Ketchell states, “Throughout the journey I will be linking schools around the world sharing stories of adventure and educational information, while raising awareness for a wonderful children’s charity ‘The ELIFAR Foundation.’”  The ELIFAR Foundation is a children’s charity that has the goal of improving the quality of life for severely disabled children by providing financial assistance to families to purchase specialized equipment and pay for therapies that would not otherwise be available. So if you can’t wait until January 2013 to see what Captain Ketch is up to, you can find more information about his upcoming journey, as well as make donations to The ELIFAR Foundation, on Ketchell’s website. Fans can also follow Ketchell on Twitter

Mark Tripple

Mark Tripple’s Underwater Project has been generating a significant amount of buzz lately, and for good reason. Tripple’s stunning underwater photos examine marine life and diving practices from a whole new angle, both literally and figuratively. According to Tripple, the project initially began on a whim: he would often bring a video camera with him while surfing or diving to try and document his experience. After much trial and error, as well as few mishaps and near injuries in the water (his camera, which weighs over ten pounds, takes much of the blame for this), Tripple gradually began to perfect his technique. He is now able to capture rare moments in a surfing excursion, such as that calm right before a perfect swell hits or a person’s expression after riding (or missing) a massive wave.

Mark Tripple Underwater Project

Even he will admit that many of the greatest shots are left up to chance, but he has managed to photograph some amazing images, from the inside of waves to the tumult underwater when person becomes disconnected from their board and crashes below the surface. His work can be seen in a new book, The Underwater Project, which contains over thirty of his original photos.

Mark Tripple Underwater Project

1. The Bar Scene in Vilamoura – one of the best nightlife spots in the region, Vilamoura is teeming with bars for those all-important holiday drinks. Pure Bar and the Liquor Lounge both have a huge range of cocktails, as well as all of your favourite beers. Café Sete, owned by footballer Luis Figo, is a great place to spend the evening at the marina, or there’s the Casino for cabaret shows and the chance to win big on your night out.
2. Get Competitive with Golf – golf in the Algarve is everywhere, and you’ll see why once you’ve taken to the greens yourself. Hotspots for playing with the guys include Quinta da Ria and Quinta de Cima, which are two lush courses surrounded by Algarvian countryside, and Boavista in the Western Algarve, which has views of the Atlantic Ocean from most holes. Set aside an afternoon to get into the swing and see which of you has the best handicap.
3. Hit the Race Track – in Portimao City you’d be crazy to ignore the huge Autodromo Algarve, which hosts superbike and rally car races throughout the year. Visitors can watch events during peak season, or test out bikes on the tarmac on regular track days. Fancy riding a Honda CBR 1000 RR or getting behind the wheel of a Porsche GT3? It can be done here.
4. Go Clubbing Outdoors – one event not to miss in the summer is the amazing pop-up outdoor club on the outskirts of Vilamoura, called Bliss. Every July and August you’ll find the hottest DJs and acts playing to a field full of revellers until the small hours, including Swedish House Mafia for 2012.
5. Unwind in the Sun and Sand – if you’ve got a friend who’d prefer to keep things a little less active, let them know about the region’s great record for weather, which has enough sunshine to rival California. The best beaches include the remote Praia do Barril, reached by boat from Tavira, Praia do Alvor, with its own cliff-side bar, and Praia da Falésia, next to the buzzing town of Albufeira.

With a classic mixture of sports, sun-drenched days and hot nights in the local bars, the Algarve is ideal for a men-only holiday with your friends. Now you just have to work out which activity to do first…

Here’s our pick of top ten must-see parties:

La Tomatina

La Tomatina

La Tomatina

What: No one really knows how it all began – practical joke? A prank? Or a harmless food fight between 2 merchants? Nobody knows but this messy party has been a popular tradition since the late 1940s. In August on the last Wednesday, approximately 30,000 people come to this little town to take part in possibly the world’s biggest food fight. If you never had that huge canteen food fight when you were little, here’s your chance.

When: August (last Wednesday)

Where: The small town of Bunol in Valencia, Spain

Bring: Unwanted clothes and goggles – trust us, tomato juice in the eye really stings!

Full Moon Party

What: Rumour has it that the Full Moon Party began as a privately held birthday party in the late 1980s. Then the backpackers decided to return over and over again. Soon enough, word quickly spread and every month, thousands of backpackers would head to Ko Pa Ngan to party. Some people will tell you it has lost its charm over the years but for a genuine dose of all night partying in Thailand, this is the place!

When: During the monthly full moon

Where: Ko Pa Ngan, south of Thailand

Bring: Throw-away clothes, drinking shoes, a couple of red bulls and face paint.

Burning Man

What: This must be the ultimate arts extravaganza! An eight day festival culminating in the burning of a gigantic wooden man, Burning Man is where you can certainly cut loose. There’s a different theme every year and last year some 50,000 people decided to join the great fun.

When: Eight days before the US Labour Day in September

Where: Nevada, USA

Bring: Absolutely everything bar money! This party runs on a total barter system and you can only buy water and ice. Apart from the obvious supplies you would take camping, other essentials include sunblock and goggles.

Songkran

What: The Thai New Year is widely known as Songkran. It’s a spiritual festival intended to cool you down and more importantly wash away the sins of the passing year. There is no better way of doing that than by committing a couple of new ones! Songkran is celebrated all over the country with everybody embarking on probably the largest water fight in the world.

When: 13-15 April

Where: Anywhere in Thailand (Bangkok and Chiang Mai have the best, biggest parties)

Bring: Anything to wear only once, a water pistol, cold water and a good attitude.

Glastonbury Music Festival

What: A three-day music festival held to celebrate the earth, the arts and music, Glastonbury brings in people from everywhere in the world. Last year’s event attracted nearly 200,000 people and some 700 musical acts.

When: The last week of June

Where: Pilton, UK

Bring: Your tickets, a sleeping bag, tent, food and anything you need to have a good time.

Holi

What: Similar to Songkran, Holi is a 2-day Hindu festival taking place in northern India. People mark the first night with bonfires and spend the second day splashing water and flour over everyone. The locals say it’s a renewal celebration.

When: During the full moon in March

Where: Northern India

Bring: Green, orange and red flour, loads of water and clothes you no longer need!

Bay to Breakers

What: It’s a seven mile costume party and keg race going through central San Francisco. It started in 1906 to cheer people up after a major earthquake and the locals have since been keeping it well alive. Almost 80,000 people congregate in costumes and trolleys filled with kegs. There’s some serious fun to be had.

When: The 3rd Sunday in May

Where: San Francisco

Bring: A stupid costume and loads of beer!

Australia Day

What: The Aussies love 2 things: beer and BBQs. There is no day that brings out the best of the two than Australia Day, when everyone celebrates the first European settlement in Australia. A highly festive bunch, the Aussies kick it up a notch across the country with BBQs, beer and music. They’re really all out in full force. If you ain’t got no Aussie mate to take you under their wing, head to the nearest beach with beer and make some!

When: 26th January

Where: Anywhere in Australia

Bring: Your Aussie passion, a crate of Carlton draught and something for the all important grill.

Queen’s Day

What: The relatively reserved Dutch on this particular day cut loose to celebrate their the long-awaited birth of their Queen. The day was originally designed to celebrate the birth of Juliana but it now instead celebrates the birth of Beatrix whose birthday in January makes it too cold to party. Across the country, the Dutch flock outside with their favourite beer and music, flood streets in the lovely orange before cruising up and down the long canals in revelry.

When: 30th April

Where: Holland (Amsterdam has by far the biggest party)

Bring: Orange stuff!

Calgary Stampede

What: A ten-day rodeo which attracts nearly one million people during its course. This festival involves a massive parade and is the biggest event in Canada. But don’t just come to watch the rodeo, the party is a lot more fun! The massive crowds flocking to Calgary are there for the beer, the revelry and the girls (or lads).

When: 2nd week of July

Where: Calgary, Canada

Bring: Your craziest cowboy outfit and a bit of a tolerance for annoying country music.

Last week I was having a conversation with a good friend of mine. He explained that even though he was “scoring” fairly regularly, he never managed to keep dating the same person longer than 2-3 months.  He was very puzzled as to why the women in his life lost interest after a period of time.  It was quite obvious – he was driving them away.

A few months gives a women plenty of time to “really know you”, it’s here when she decides if you are a worthy investment. If, by her standards, you’re not promising, she loses interest.

Although you believe you’re doing everything right, the women that you’re dating seem to differ. This article discusses the most common reasons men drive women away. I’ve split them up into 2 categories, physical turnoffs and behavioral turnoffs and will be detailing both types in this article. You might think some of them are obvious but pay close attention to the ones you didn’t know about as they might just be the reason you are losing out.

Physical Turnoffs

Before we get into this subject, I want to make it clear that by physical turnoffs I’m not talking about your belly, weak arms, inability of benching 180kg etc. More often than not women are not looking for the strongest/most beautiful guy in the room; they just want a man with class, confidence and proper etiquette.  Do you think she would go out with you for a month if she cared about your invisible six-pack?

Here are some of the things you need to avoid if you want your “relationships” to be longer.

Bad bodily habits

Yawning without covering your mouth – Do you think she wants to look at your tonsils every time you’re tired? No and this also shows her that you lack proper etiquette.

Burping Loudly – Unless you’re Chinese (many other Asian cultures) and you’re complimenting the restaurant chef or her cooking, constrain yourself from doing such “activities” as in most western cultures that’s just disgusting.

Spitting – Regardless of how bad you think you need to do it, try NOT doing it when she’s around.

Clearing your phlegm throat loudly and incessantly – Avoid this by drinking some water or not talking, if you really have to do it, just excuse yourself for a moment and sort it out at the toilet.

Picking in/around your nose – This is a common thing that your kindergarten teacher was telling you not to do however, when you start to feel comfortable around a person (after 1-2 months or so) you begin to forget about controlling yourself and you start doing things without even realizing.

Displaying nervous ticks – Nervous ticks can be anything from biting nails to blinking profusely. Such bodily habits are not easy to control and if you can’t avoid them, best is to pray she’s not bothered by them.

Eating with no etiquette – It’s considered common sense to eat with your mouth close, to hold the fork and knife properly and not to talk with your mouth full. No girl wants you’re chewed puree in her hair.

Blowing your nose – Some people consider this as being normal and are ok with doing it in public however, most people consider it disgusting. If you have to do it, do it in private. If you must do it in front of her, make sure you excuse yourself.

Scratching inappropriate areas of your body – Do you think a woman would feel attracted to a man that scratches his testicles or butt in public? I didn’t think so either.

During the first few dates, you might keep a lid on these things but slowly you forget and that’s what drives them away. Always, when you’re with a woman and you feel the need to fulfill any of these bodily urges, simply excuse yourself and do your business in private. Think about it, would you still feel attracted to her if she did anything on the list? Exactly and that’s why you shouldn’t be doing them either.

Bad Appearances

Eye crust – You can easily avoid this by simply washing your face in the morning.

Bad breath –At least at some point in their life, over 85% of people suffer from halitosis (bad breath). Try to take every precaution – floss, brush your tongue and use mouthwash.

Sweaty Pits – These are very disgusting and some guys just can’t avoid them. If you sweat profusely even though you use a lot of deodorant, try wearing light color clothes (or plain black) as sweat stains are less visible on them.

Clothes issues – These can be anything from stains and or wrinkles on clothing, holes in underwear, undershirt and/or socks. Avoid them at all costs as they can only make you look bad.

Dirty, long fingernails – Women look at hands all the time and no woman wants to see a guy whose hands look like he’s been gardening all day. When it comes to long fingernails, unless you rock that classic guitar, you have no excuse.

You should focus on these issues all the time, not just when you’re on a date. In the future, make sure you take those extra 15 minutes in the morning or before you go out in public; the result will be well worth it.

Behavioral Turnoffs

Constantly talking about yourself – It’s true, she does want to know you but, she wants you to know her too. Try asking her questions about your life and be genuinely interested in her existence.

Not listening to her – During these first months do your best to listen, it may seem hard but it has to be done. Women love a guy that listens to them.

Being very vague – Constantly talking about yourself is no good but remember, she does want to know you too. Let her in on the interesting stuff but not your entire life story.

Checking out other girls and making remarks – You’re out with her because you’re interested in her. If you keep looking at other women she’ll just think that you find her unattractive. Why should she be with a man that doesn’t find her attractive?

Complaining about every aspect of your life – Think about it, if you hate your life, why would she want to be part of it?

Not introducing her to people you know – She wants to be part of “your world” that’s what makes her fall in love with you. With you she can meet people and do stuff she wouldn’t have done with anyone else. Don’t keep that away from her.

Laughing like a hyena – She might have great sense of humor but laughing so hard that everyone in the restaurant looks at you, will only embarrass you both.

Insulting women and exes – This only shows how you will talk about her when she’s not there. Also, never talk about your ex, regardless of the pain and suffering she put you trough, those stories are for your friends. Talking about your ex only tells your new girlfriend that you’re still in love with her.

Having a one-track mind – A man should always stand by his beliefs but he must also be opened to new possibilities, you don’t have to agree with her, but at least acknowledge her valid point of view.

As exhaustive as this list may seem, you’ve surely heard your female friends complain about some of the items on it. This list helps women decide whether a guy is boyfriend material or a one-time date.

You can also use this list for yourself, you might like her a lot but if she’s doing some of the things here its best you stay away.

What now?

Always remember, it’s not just the first few dates that require your constant attention, it’s the first few months. Eventually things dwell down and you can be yourself.  Hey, if she had the chance to know you and like you for who you really are, she might even tolerate some of your bad “qualities” but before that happens, do your best not to drive her away.

This is the sort of stuff I discuss on my blog and in the free eBook I give out. If you want to increase your success with women, visit http://ThePlayerGuide.com – a place where the dating mindset is thrown out the window in favor of more direct and fruitful methods of meeting and seducing women.

The painting, which stands over twice as high as Schwien, is a testament to her drive and talent, and was quickly snapped up by an interested buyer. The aim of the project, according to Schwien, was to depict the bike from an unfamiliar angle, as though the viewer is looking up into the motorcycle from below.  The vivid colors and precise detail make her work resemble a kind of hyper-realism, art that walks a fine line between photography and oil painting.

Indeed, the inspiration for Schwien’s painting was originally a photograph she had taken of an art collector’s bicycle. While the Ducati is her largest and most renowned work to date, Schwien is also becoming well-known for her smaller motorcycle art as well as her landscape paintings. Those interested in seeing the range of her work will have to travel to Texas or California to do so, but this young artist is predicted to expand her repertoire and contribute to art galleries across the country in the coming years. To see her current work visit her web page at:

www.gueneveres.com

Click here to view the embedded video.

The WaveJet is on the cusp of changing the way we view and play water sports, increasing the speed and the thrill of everything from surfing to kayaking. The WaveJet is a lithium-battery powered device that can be attached to your surfboard, boat, or scuba diving fin, and works to propel the user through the water, up to four times faster than they would normally move. This ability can help surfers reach waves they might otherwise not be able to paddle to in time, and it can help kayaks, canoes, and scuba divers cover more ground in a shorter period of time.

WaveJet

The device is easy to transfer from one watercraft to another, and is controlled by a light, waterproof device that resembles a wristwatch.  Though it increases the speed and excitement of many water sports, the WaveJet is also incredibly safe, as it will turn off the instant that the person wearing the controller falls from a boat or is disconnected from a surfboard.

Moreover, it also improves the safety of many water sports activities overall, preventing users from being swept away by strong currents. Want to feel the ‘adrenaline rush’? Get it on and hit the water in style.

Flying Cars: No Longer the Stuff of Futuristic Fantasy

Though many people associate flying cars with futuristic cartoons and movies, recent technological developments have led to the real development of a car/airplane hybrid prototype. This model currently named the “Transition” and created by the Terrafugia Corporation, can shift from a car to an airplane in under a minute as its wings are designed to fold up and out in a matter of seconds.

Transition flying car by Terrafugia

It is made of a light carbon shell, durable tires, and plastic windows similar to those used in large aircraft, though at 185 km/hour, its speed is not quite up to that of a commercial airline and it is only capable of carrying just over 300 pounds in total weight.

Developers actually envision consumers in the near future housing these vehicles in their home garages, and driving them to nearby airfields for takeoff.  The smaller car/plane hybrids will operate below commercial planes, so pilots will not have to worry about navigating air traffic amongst larger planes.

Transition Flying Car on the roadDevelopers actually envision consumers in the near future housing these vehicles in their home garages, and driving them to nearby airfields for takeoff. The smaller car/plane hybrids will operate below commercial planes, so pilots will not have to worry about navigating air traffic amongst larger planes.

Terrafugia hopes that, barring any future setbacks, licensed pilots should be able to purchase these within the very near future. Since the high-tech Jetsons-style cars are estimated to cost about a quarter of a million dollars, though, interested parties should start saving now.