Nobody likes a cheater

Is it possible for a human being to be monogamous? Ponder that question for a moment and while you do so, think about past relationships you've had where you cheated or got cheated on. If neither applies to you, don't read any further. Ok, just kidding, you can read on if you like. For those of you who have been a victim or culprit in cheating, I invite you to pay close attention.

To answer the question of monogamy, it's certainly possible for a person to be loyal to their partner without going astray. In fact, I'm sure we've all been in relationships where cheating wasn't even a factor. However, once you've been with someone who has cheated or you have committed the act of betrayal, it can potentially change your perspective of relationships for the rest of your life.

If you have cheated once before, realized it was a mistake and corrected that mistake, we all commend you. You've changed to become a better person. Unfortunately, not all people are like that. Repetitive cheater's or people who cheat in almost every relationship they're in, possess the inability to change there behavior. Furthermore, partners who are in a relationship with someone and have cheated on that person multiple times are no different. Once a cheater, always a cheater. I'm sure you've heard that saying before and sadly it applies to millions of people. If you're brave enough to admit being a "repetitive cheater" and want to change, you're taking the first step toward a healthier lifestyle.

First, let's examine the traits/characteristics of someone who is unable to be loyal in a relationship. It's safe to say that a person who cheats on a regular basis is unhappy with themselves and/or their partner. However, it's cowardly to betray your partner because you're unhappy with them. The mature thing to do would be to communicate with them about the things that dissatisfy you and work towards correcting them. If a resolution can not be met than go your separate ways, rather than staying together and continuing the pattern of cheating. Next, someone who cheats even if they are satisfied with their partner is a person with more deep-rooted issues.

Compulsive cheaters who are happy with their significant other are clearly unhappy within themselves. They starve for attention even if their partner gives them ample. Therefore, they seek out others to satisfy this craving. In addition, cheaters lack greatly in the morals and values department. Honesty, loyalty, trust, respect, dignity and most importantly love, are all things a routine cheater has no grasp of. These important aspects of a relationship should've been instilled in them at some point in life. The failure to possess these types of qualities can lead one to believe a severe lack of maturity exists within a person who often cheats. It's also apparent they do not care about the consequences of there actions or how they hurt their partner, especially if they continue to betray.

Last, let's evaluate the victims of betrayal in relationships who continue to stay with their cheating partner. It’s a no-brainer; someone who sticks with a repetitive cheater doesn’t have the inner strength to let that person go. Also, if you’ve dated people who continuously cheated, you become accustomed/conditioned to those types of relationships. Why would you stand by someone who continues to hurt you? Victims of multiple cheaters/cheating who cannot part with their significant other have some deep-rooted issues of there own.

Self-respect, self-worth, confidence, and an overall idea that they believe they deserve someone better are values they lack. Most people will tell you it's hard for them to let go of a cheating partner because they love them. However, with that “L” word comes much responsibility. Trust, honesty, loyalty, etc. are all associated with that word. Remember, someone who vocalizes “I love you” to you, breaks that commitment when they repeatedly cheat. In addition, when you take back a cheating lover multiple times, you’re giving them the opportunity to hurt you again in the future. With that being said, they don’t really love you if they have no problem breaking your trust on multiple occassions. Know within yourself you deserve better and better things will come.

Outdoor Wrestling

The temperatures hovered in the mid-50s.

Fans wore hooded sweatshirts, and some brought blankets for added comfort. They carried lawn chairs in case the seating that was provided on the track surrounding Lake Highland's football field was not sufficient.

As they gazed at the scene in front of them two days after Thanksgiving, what they saw was unique.

Wrestling mats, 16 in all, placed end zone to end zone.

"Having a tournament like this outdoors under the lights gives it such a different feel,'' said Richard Jenkins, the father of Lake Highland wrestler William Jenkins. "The atmosphere is more electric.''

No doubt. Twenty-four high school teams and 450 wrestlers in all competed in the "O-town Showdown,'' a two-day tournament that was moved out of the school's gym for the first time. In conjunction with the event, USA Wrestling hosted a children's tournament for ages 5-12.

"I'm trying to grow Central Florida wrestling,'' Lake Highland coach Mike Palazzo said. "Hopefully the parents and kids have a good time and see how cool a sport wrestling is.''

Said Oviedo's Chase Gordon, who won the Class 3A 140-pound state title last year and went 8-0 last weekend: "This was a great idea for a wrestling tournament. It was more exciting outdoors.''

The vibe was certainly different. About 800 to 1,000 fans attended, which is 300-500 more than a normal meet in the gym, Palazzo said.

Oviedo edged Winter Springs for the team championship. Besides those schools and Lake Highland, other area schools that competed included West Orange, Lyman, Liberty, Celebration, Cypress Creek, Olympia, Lake Howell, Freedom, Poinciana and Boone.

"It's like a little festival," Palazzo said. "We've got food vendors; the Marines are here."

Said Winter Springs wrestler Matt Nereim: "The atmosphere outdoors is more exciting and sometimes [more] chaotic than wrestling indoors."

Why wouldn't it be? Consider that in a gym, a regulation basketball court -- roughly the area used for wrestling -- is 94 feet long. That's about a third the size of the field that was covered in mats this past weekend. And more activity means more to see.

Still there were some obstacles. One wrestler complained of the sun getting in his eyes during a daytime match, and mats sometimes would get damp because of the cool temperatures.

"We plan to work out some of the kinks for next year," Palazzo said.

Still, most left satisfied.

"I think this tournament will help to shed light on the sport," said Ken Ray, whose son, Corey, is a freshman wrestler for Oviedo. "My son was really excited to participate."

He was not alone.

Platonic friends

We've all had our fair share of short-term relationships; one's that lasted maybe a month or two, also known as a "fling." Smile, you know you've had one. Throughout your dating life you’re going to have relationships that are short and long term, some serious and not-so-serious. However, in between all of your relationships and maybe even during, did you ever have a friend who was always there for you in more ways then one?

This scenario can go both ways for a guy or girl. This friend could get your mind off of your girl or guy problems, they were easy to talk to and have fun with, you always felt comfortable around them and sometimes engaged in sexual activities. Wait, what?

You have sex with them? Well, that makes them a little more then just a friend. I’ll allow you the freedom to label what you would call this type of friend but that’s beside the point. It’s easy to maintain this type of physical relationship with this “friend” when you’re in between relationships or in one of those “flings.” Eventually, and this will happen as you get older, you’re going to enter a relationship that is more serious then all the rest. The one where you think he/she is the “one,” whether it works out or not.

Once you get to this point in your life you’re going to have to make a decision about that friend of yours you have. You know the one you have sex with. If this new relationship you’ve entered is getting serious and is certainly more real then all those flings from the past, you’re not going to want to jeopardize it by remaining intimate with your side buddy. In other words, you don’t want to be a cheater. Therefore, talking with your friend one on one is the most mature thing to do.

First off, it’s important you both come to an agreement that you’re going to remain friends without the physical activities. If either one of you feel you can’t be friends without having sex, then you really weren’t true friends in the first place. It’s also extremely immature to write someone off, especially a friend who’s been there for you, just because you’re no longer intimate.

All fully functioning (mature) adults in society should be able to maintain a healthy relationship with a true friend without anything physical; it’s called platonic friends, duh. It’s also important to still have your hangout time with this person whether your new relationship partner is involved or not.

Here’s where it can get complicated. How do you let your new boyfriend/girlfriend know about this good friend? It’s real simple, be honest!

Ok, maybe not that complicated as long as you’re up front with your new partner. If you try to hide this friend and go behind your partner’s back to see them, you might as well call it cheating. The serious relationship you’ve established should have trust; otherwise, it’s not serious and defeats the entire purpose of this article. As long as you have this key ingredient (trust), you should have no problem telling your significant other about your close friend. In fact, make an effort to spend time all together. In return, your partner should feel at ease and not threatened by the friend you have nor get upset if you want to spend time with your pal one on one.

The last piece to this puzzle is of course telling your significant other if you’ve had sex with this friend. If you don’t feel you’re far enough along in your relationship to disclose that type of information, by all means, wait until you’re ready. Remember, honesty and trust are key, talking to your partner and including them in all aspects of your life is important. Whenever you decide to tell your other-half about your friend, be honest and assure them you strictly have a platonic relationship regardless of what you’ve done with this person in the past.

Debut of the Orlando WingGirls

It's official, the Orlando WingGirls are now out. What exactly is a WingGirl? Young, attractive and outgoing females who assist single men in finding there next love connection. That's right, a lady who helps a guy find another lady, like a wingman; hence "WingGirl."

Friday April 30th was the coming out party for the WingGirls at Dragon Room Cocktail Boutique. Hosted by Exposed PR & Events, the WingGirls were out in full effect. Speed dating took place from 9-10PM, ladies drank free until midnight, and of course the beautiful WingGirls were impossible to miss.

"I hope this event will show Orlando singles this type of service exists and get people out from behind the computer," said owner and founder of the WingGirls Jeannette Conrado. Conrado, a 24 year old graduate of UCF feels that "technology is great, but its really hindered the way human's socialize."

"I feel young, 21-35 can really benefit from our service because they're free to go out and aren't usually tied down," Conrado stated.

WingGirls are not escorts, they're simply a neutral factor that assists the man in finding his next catch. They will go out with you and "the boys" and get girls flocking to you. This innovative concept benefits females as well. Women are less threatened by a group of guys with cheesy pickup lines when they have an attractive WingGirl invite them over for a drink.

"Living in Orlando I figure this is the perfect market to test it out." Conrado eventually wants to see WingGirls expand to different markets such as Miami, Vegas, and L.A.

For you ladies who might be interested in becoming a WingGirl, Conrado looks for someone who is attractive, outgoing, knows the right things to say, and can appeal to both men and women.

Conrado is also in the process of creating a reality show about WingGirls. "We've partnered with Wright Entertainment Group and they're going to help co-produce a show about the concept."

Look for the WingGirls to be out and about here in Orlando. For more information about the company and prices please visit orlandowinggirls.com.

Dating your Mistakes

There are an estimated six billion human beings on this wonderful planet Earth. It's safe to say there is someone out there for all of us with those kind of numbers. However, in order to find that "special person" you're going to have to weed through others first, and no one said it was going to be easy.

Relationships you enter that may not go the distance should not always be considered failures, especially if you are still able to maintain a friendship with that person. More importantly, every relationship that does not make it must be learned from so you can make better decisions for future partners. Therefore, a previous relationship can be considered successful as long as you learned something from it. Catch the drift?

Interesting outlook, but so true. There is no such thing as a perfect partner, but there is such a thing as someone who's perfect for you. Everyone has different qualities, values, and morals they seek and expect from a partner. Let's face it, were all works in progress, but we as a human race and most individuals share a common interest in doing things everyday to better ourselves and community. So, wouldn't you want to date someone who is doing just that? A person who is driven, motivated, passionate, and ambitious about achieving goals and making themselves and others better.

If you've ever dated someone who flat out was doing nothing for the betterment of others or themselves, better yet, someone who had no motivation to improve their quality of life or had been given chances to improve their well-being over and over and failed to capitalize, it's ok because we've all dated losers before. The bigger question is what did you learn from dating this person? Did you find out things about yourself? Maybe you realized how much more ambitious, goal-oriented, or more mature you were overall compared to this person.

Listen, everyone makes mistakes. It's what we learn from them that defines us and helps us to grow in life. In addition, the experiences we take from past relationships will help us to better understand who we really want to be with in the future. Look at the dating game as a trial and error process where the ultimate goal is to weed out all those "losers" and get you to the person who most closely fits what YOU'RE all about, which is hopefully someone who is constantly seeking ways to better themselves.

There are some problems that can make this theory in-effective, and for these particular problems I'm not a psychiatrist so I cannot prescribe anything to fix you. However, with an in-depth look into yourself, you may be able to figure it out.

Problem 1: There are several people in this world who don't have any morals, values, standards, ambitions, goals, or many positive qualities or attitude. Problem 2: There are also people who fail to learn from the mistakes they've already made and repeat them over and over. Problem 3: There are people with both of these issues.

Say for example you're fed up with the types of guys/girls you've been dating over the past however many years. They all seem to be the same...yup, losers. Why can't you break this dating trend? You jump from relationship to relationship, run into the same problems, try the same methods to fix them, and it still all ends in the same result, complete disaster. You swear though your next partner isn't going to be like the last one, you refuse to date someone who carries the same traits as your previous partner, you promise yourself over and over the next one will be different, yet you still continue to date the same type of people that have failed you before. You need to change the type of people you're dating! Remember "weed out the losers," so you can get to prince or princess charming. Well, you'll never get to the charming ones when you repeatedly date the losers.

I understand it's hard to tell right from the get-go if a potential partner carries the same types of traits that didn't work in your previous partners, but after a couple of dates if you recognize something that has consistently failed you over and over, RUN!

Many people have this problem where they cannot recognize, or refuse to recognize any potential problems in a mate they've already run into before. In other words, they basically refuse to learn from previous mistakes (sign of immaturity) and will settle for someone who they know deep-down isn't good for them. Hence, "dating your mistakes."

It's not entirely determined why someone would put themselves through tortuous relationships over and over and fail to recognize the types of traits, things, and people (mistakes) who have already failed them. The truth may lie within THAT PERSON and not the people they're dating, but themselves, get it?

You must look within yourself, love yourself, and understand who you are and where you're going before you can give your heart to someone else. If you are someone who is lost, has no guidance/direction, doesn't set goals to achieve, or isn't driven and motivated, then guess what? You're more then likely going to date someone who is just like you.

Unfortunately, many people aren't satisfied within themselves, whether it is related to a low self-esteem, lack of confidence, or just an overall fear of being alone. These type of people will settle for almost anyone when searching for a significant other, therefore, making the same mistakes to fulfill a false need within themselves.

Furthermore, if you cannot and will not learn from the mistakes you've already made in your past relationships, you're going to continue to repeat them. Break the cycle within yourself and you will break your repetitive dating cycle. Set goals, become motivated, and guide yourself toward a better future. In return, you will find that if you do these things, you will want to find a partner who is also doing the same. Therefore, you will break the cycle of dating those complacent fools and be on your way to finding Mr. or Mrs. right.

ALL SHOW, ALL GO

BY ADAM FISHMAN

Valencia student Vince Minko, 25, has always had a knack for re-inventing himself. The same goes for his three rides. Minko owns a 2000 Acura Integra GS-R, 2004 BMW M3, and 2004 Subaru Impreza STI. All three of his “babies” would never fit his personality if they weren’t modified, and your average import modifications are certainly what these cars are not. Minko has created three beautiful machines that not only re-invented him, but re-invented the import car scene as a whole. Any import enthusiast might give their pinky finger for one of these cars, possibly give up sex, and that goes for girls or guys. They might even kill to own one of these engineering/modified geniuses. If Minko did ever decide to get rid of one of his cars, you can acquire one for a large sum of money; keep your pinky finger.

Minko began his expedition as an import enthusiast at the ripe age of 15. “I had always been into cars since I was young, my parents weren’t going to help me get no V8 Mustang, and so I had to go with an import.” His first car was a 2000 Toyota Celica GT. He was the first enthusiast in the U.S. to modify the new body style Celica with performance exhaust and cold-air intake. Minko wasn’t satisfied with the quickness of his first car; he decided to trade in the Celica for what would become his first lengthy project, a 2000 Acura Integra GS-R. He acquired the Integra, also known as the “Teg,” in August 2000. “I’ve been through so much with that car.” Minko has transformed the Integra numerous times until he molded it into what you see today. The first thing that catches your “try not to stare too hard” eye is the custom design wide body kit. The “teg” also features custom offset Volkray rims, 18 inch x 8 inch in the front and 18 inch x 9 inch in the rear. The frontend of the vehicle has been JDM converted, along with JDM headlights. That’s Japanese conversions for those of you that don’t speak import. The interior has a full roll cage, four point harness racing seats, and DVD/Navigation system. The most important part of the vehicle, the engine, has been custom built along with an intercooled turbo system that boosts the car to a compelling 500 HP. All the hard work, debt, and sleepless nights that went into making the Integra have reaped its benefits. Minko’s “teg” was used as an extra vehicle in a street racing scene during the filming of “2Fast 2Furious.” His car also had a six-page feature in the popular import magazine, “import Tuner.” The Integra won hottest Acura at Hot Import Nights in Orlando in 2008 and in Miami in 2006.

Owning a vehicle like Minko’s Integra GS-R would satisfy most, but Minko always strives for more. His “daily driven” vehicle is a 2004 BMW M3. “The bimmer is my favorite out of all my cars as far as looks, style, and overall appeal.” Minko acquired the M3 in February 2007. The most striking aesthetic component of the vehicle is the color. The M3 features a Laguna Seca blue; 1 of 12,000 in America. The upgrades Minko has on the M3 are all done by the European tuner Hamann. The rims on the car are Hamann limited edition chrome 19 inch x 9 inch in the front, and 19 inch x 10 inch in the rear. Minko’s M3 has all Hamann cosmetics such as a front lip and eyelids over the headlights. He also threw on a titanium exhaust to amp the “bimmer” to a modest 350 HP. If you stop into Fields BMW on south O.B.T you will see Minko’s M3 prominently displayed on one of their Televisions. Not bad for a daily driver, huh?

Minko pushed the import game to another level in March 2009 when he acquired his third vehicle. He added a Subaru Impreza STI to his stable of pedigrees. “My STI is just ridiculous.” Minko’s M3 and GS-R are enough to make head turns, the STI completes the trio of beauties causing people to break necks. Minko’s STI has a Chargespeed wide body kit straight from Japan. The STI has custom 20 inch x 10 inch Mayas rims in the front and rear. The interior features all black suede, four point harness racing seats, DVD/Navigation, detachable race steering wheel, and built in scrambler, so the cops can’t actually prove you were going 105 MPH in a 65. Minko’s STI also comes equipped with a Greddy T67 turbocharger. Oh yeah, not to mention he has four 20 gallon Nitrous tanks tucked conveniently under the passenger seat. All in all, his STI pumps out around 600 HP. His work on the STI has also paid off, Minko claimed hottest Subaru at Hot Import Nights in Orlando in 2007.

“The whole import scene and subculture has had such a positive impact on my life, I’ve been in a movie, magazine, and I got to travel to other countries. People come up to me that I don’t even know, they ask me questions about my cars, it’s like I’m a celeb in the import world.” Throughout Minko’s success as an import enthusiast, he always remains humble and doesn’t have the typical ego most car enthusiasts possess. He continually strives for more, “one day I want to own a R34 Skyline or a Ferrari F430.” “It would also be nice to own a house that can hold more cars then what I have now.” If you’re lucky enough to catch Minko out in one of his rides, it wouldn’t be advisable to try and compete with him. His cars are all show and all go, don’t hate.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State

By: Adam Fishman

Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to Danbury, Connecticut Baptists on Jan. 1, 1802. The letter contained the famous “wall of separation between church and state” metaphor. The Bill of Rights was ratified on Dec. 15, 1791; the first amendment contained in the document vehemently states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” Conflicts have always been present in U.S. society in regards to the separation of church and state. What exactly does the separation of church and state mean?

According to Americans United for Separation of Church and State, it is a concept in law whereby the structures of state or national government are kept separate from those of religious institutions. The concept has long been a topic of political debate. What exactly is Americans United, that they can make such an interpretation? Americans United is a non-profit educational organization founded in 1947 by a broad coalition of religious, educational, and civic leaders. Americans United aim is to protect the idea of separation between church and state. They believe that all Americans have the constitutional right to practice the religion of their choice, or to refrain from practice as their conscience dictates. The government must remain neutral on religious practices. This has been a guiding principle of Americans United since the organization was founded.

The organization is located on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., with a staff of more than 40 employees. Americans of all religious and philosophical backgrounds have joined forces under the Americans United banner to defend the separation of church and state. The separation between church and state must be upheld in America today and throughout the rest of our years as a nation. Americans United is at the forefront of defending the concept, tackling real life issues such as “faith-based initiatives,” church politicking, government-sponsored religion, and religion in public schools.

Faith-based initiatives are a euphemism for taxpayer-supported religion. The initiative funnels taxpayer dollars to religious social service providers without adequate safeguards to prevent proselytism. In addition, these groups seek to discriminate in hiring based on religion even though their programs are publicly funded. Church politicking is when houses of worship attempt to intervene in partisan politics by endorsing or opposing candidates. Pulpit-based electioneering not only violates federal law, many believe it corrupts the true mission of our faith communities.

The Constitution bars government from meddling in religion. Government should be neutral on theological matters and not seek to sponsor, promote or further faith, therefore, government-sponsored religion is illegal. In addition, religion in public schools is inappropriate. Public schools serve children from a variety of religious and philosophical backgrounds. The classroom is not the place for school-sponsored worship. School officials should not prescribe prayers, or teach religious doctrines such as creationism in the classroom.

More information can be found about Americans United for Separation of Church and State at www.au.org.