My Content: Hubs, Answers, and Forums
2What to Expect When Bringing Home a Rescue Dog
Adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue is one of the most rewarding experiences; but also one of the most challenging. Here are a few tips that I picked up when rescuing our first puppy.
4The Best Modern Lesbian Spoken Word Poets
The women's lib movement has found a home in spoken word performances, and some incredibly talented feminist and/or lesbian poets have emerged over the past decade.
3Where to Find Inspiration for Tattoos
How many times have you thought to yourself, "I want another tattoo, but I don't know what?" I've found myself in that predicament many times since I first started getting tattoos. Everyone who has at least one knows that tattoos are an addiction; even though they are painful, you always want more--even if you don't know what to get!
3What to Expect When Bringing Home a New Puppy
Raising a puppy can be one of the most joyful, rewarding experiences short of raising an actual child. But it isn't all fun and games, and it's important to be realistic about what to expect when bringing a new puppy home.
9How to Successfully Detox Off Methadone
If you have reached a point in your recovery where you are reading to start decreasing your daily dose, here are a few important tips to keep in mind to ensure a successful detox.
2Tattoo Ideas: Symbols and their Meanings
Why is it that our minds adhere to a specific symbol above all others? For me, the stars and the constellations always held fascination. Travelers obeyed the stars long before there were maps or GPS devices; a star guided the Three Kings to Bethlehem, helped navigators plot their course. I'd spent many hours of my childhood lying in my back yard and gazing at the stars, so maybe this is why I ended up with 13 star tattoos.
18Do Deceased Loved Ones Visit Us in Dreams?
Our minds are trained to think logically. Our mantra is, I'll believe it when I see it (although a more accurate motto should be I'll see it when I believe it.) But when something truly spiritual happens, you can't deny the tug at your heart that tells you, "This is real."
10Tattoo Ideas: Pet Memorials
There are many ways to memorialize the loss of a beloved pet. I had a friend who got her precious dachshund stuffed by a taxidermist after he was tragically hit by a car. He lived on her dresser. Some people prefer to get a tattoo honoring their deceased cat or dog, the same way you would get a tattoo of a cross or someone's name along with date of birth and date of death. You can find a ton of different and creative ways to ink a pet memorial tattoo.
2Tattoo Ideas: Bible Verses
Some Christians argue that it is against the word of the Lord to carve anything into your flesh; other Christians say, "Why not? Why not go crazy for God?" Instead of having to find a Bible and open to your favorite page, or recite it from memory, why not just tattoo the quote somewhere on your skin, that way you can always see it when you need it most?
5Tattoo Ideas: Kurt Vonnegut
"It came to me in a flash that everything that ever has been always will be, and everything that ever will be always has been."
11Matching Tattoo Ideas for Couples
If you and your significant other are thinking about getting matching couples tattoos, but are hesitating because you're wondering, "What if we're not together in the future?", then I encourage you to focus solely on how you feel today. It's 2011...
9What to Do When the Skin Around Your Piercing Turns Gray
I was a teenager when I got my cartilage pierced, and I was horrified when the skin around it started turning a grayish color. I thought it was an infection, but cleaning it with hydrogen peroxide or saline solution did absolutely nothing. Although...
0Great First Date Ideas: The Palm Beaches, FL
When I first moved down to Florida three years ago, I was staying with my grandparent's in St. Lucie County. Because it was primarily a retirement community, there was absolutely nothing to do other than go to the beach (which was great, I'm not...
12Literary Tattoo Ideas: Poem Tattoos
The first poem I ever wrote, at the tender age of nine, was about a man and a woman standing in the darkness of their living room late at night, unable to sleep for reasons unknown, and the final sentence went something like: Look at them, their...
165 Wrong Reasons to Get Off Methadone
*A follow up to the hub, "5 Good Reasons to Get Off Methadone" Once again, in this series of hubs I am specifically referring to people who are on a methadone maintenance program for treatment of opiate addiction at an accredited clinic. I...
225 Good Reasons to Get Off Methadone
In this hub I am specifically referring to people who are on a methadone maintenance program for treatment of opiate addiction at an accredited clinic. I understand that many people abuse methadone, they buy it illegally on the street or have a...
13Literary Tattoo Ideas: Quotes from Books
When I was little I used to beg the adults in my life to read to me. I'd approach my mother, my grandmother, my Godfather, with a book in hand and puppy dog eyes every chance I got; very luckily, I was blessed with a family that never told me no....
12Harry Potter Tattoo Ideas
During my travels this past week I've been seeing a lot of billboards ominously proclaiming: Harry Potter 7, Part 2 -- It All Ends 7.15. Although I saw the first three movies and radically enjoyed the third one, I never quite got into the series the...
4Tattoo Ideas: 80's Cartoon Ideas
Growing up in the 80's, we definitely didn't have the technology and plethora of options that kids have today. I regularly see my 12-year old brother playing Call of Duty on his Xbox, chatting away with other gamers across the world on his headset, then pausing the game to pull up a YouTube walkthrough video on his laptop. I didn't have iPods or iPads or wireless internet or cell phones. Some of my best memories are of playing in a box.
0Tattoo Ideas: The NeverEnding Story
If you were a child of the 80's and did not fall in love with "The NeverEnding Story", I don't want to know you. After my very first viewing of this 1984 adventure masterpiece, I was immediately hooked. I can't even count the number of times I...
1Tattoo Ideas: Symbols of Growth, Change, New Beginnings
I once went to a psychic who told me I was living the equivalent of two lifetimes in one. She said that at some point these lifetimes would diverge, and a decision would have to be made. I would be faced with a moment of great change, and the path I...
1Aries Tattoo Ideas
Historically speaking, I tend to get romantically involved mostly with fire signs. There's been a Leo thrown in here and there over the years, but mostly I've found myself attracted to Aries. These have been great matches for me on a physical level;...
7Tattoo Ideas: Ambigram Tattoos
An ambigram is a typographical design where a word or phrase has a meaning whether it's viewed right side up or upside down. It can be the same word read either way, or it may be one word right side up and a totally different word upside down.
7Tattoo Ideas: Hebrew & Latin Bible Verse Tattoos
The most beautiful thing I've ever seen entered my vision years ago when I came across a photograph of a girl who had tattooed 1 Corinthians 13 down the entire length of her back.
3Tattoo Ideas: Japanese Tattoos
Japanese tattoos can be used to simply describe a tattoo that employs Japanese images. Typical Japanese images include symbols such as the following...
5Tattoo Ideas: Quotes and Lyrics about Pain
 I've been through a normal amount of pain in my life: the pain of sickness, the pain of addiction, the pain of loss, love, disappointment, regret. There have been moments where I've felt I was on the brink of insanity, and I've literally fallen to...
9Tattoo Ideas: Lyrics about Love
Love. The most powerful drug of all. Who in this world cannot say that at some time or other they've heard a beautiful song with a slow, rolling intensity that builds to a soaring crescendo and contains inspiring lyrics that tout the pain of loss or...
11Tattoo Ideas: Tim Burton
I was seventeen when my best friend introduced me to her favorite movie of all time: The Nightmare Before Christmas. She popped it into my VCR and sang along quietly while I watched enthralled for the first of many times to come. I was into it, and...
3Tattoo Ideas: New Jersey Pride
Ah, New Jersey. The land of all night diners and grease trucks, the Turnpike, the Parkway and I-295, where we enthusiastically pump our fists, not our gas. Mistakenly identified by the rest of the world as "New Joisey", the Garden State is in a...
8Tattoo Ideas: Signature Tattoos
The people showcased in this hub did not hesitate; they, too, thought it best to honor someone's memory with a signature tattoo. Some proudly wear their mother's signature or the signature of a friend who died young. Others chose to get the signature of a celebrity they admired, or a famous artist whose work they appreciated. No two signatures are alike, and each signature is as unique as the person whose memory it represents.
6Great Party Recipes: Deviled Eggs
Planning a party can be fun but intimidating. I personally do not recommend a sit down dinner event for more than four or six guests, unless that's the designated activity and plan for the evening. It can be hard to plan an entire dinner, especially...
0Great Party Recipes: English Muffin Mini Pizzas
Planning a party can be fun but intimidating. I personally do not recommend a sit down dinner event for more than four or six guests, unless that's the designated activity and plan for the evening. It can be hard to plan an entire dinner, especially...
3Great Party Recipes: Twice Baked Potato Skins
Planning a party can be fun but intimidating. I personally do not recommend a sit down dinner event for more than four or six guests, unless that's the designated activity and plan for the evening. It can be hard to plan an entire dinner,...
3Tattoo Ideas: Zombie Tattoos
My favorite movies in the entire world are zombie flicks. I'm not kidding. I like independent films, drama and psychological thrillers as well, but for me nothing beats a good zombie adventure. It all started when I saw "28 Days Later" in theaters...
1Tattoo Ideas: Gargoyle Tattoos
When I was in high school some friends of mine told me about an abandoned mansion along a dirt road off Route 537 in Springfield. It was shrouded behind trees, opposite a corn field that came in handy for hiding a car in between the rows of...
4Tattoo Ideas: Zodiac Signs -- Gemini
The third sign in the zodiac, Gemini originates from the constellation of Gemini whose sign looks like a roman numeral two to represent "the twins". Because of the dual nature of the twins, Geminis can be very complex and contradictory. Enlightened...
3Tattoo Ideas: Zodiac Signs -- Pisces
Pisces, represented by two fish swimming in opposite directions but held together at the mouth by a cord, is the twelfth and last sign in the zodiac, which originates from the constellation of Pisces. The symbol of the two fish is an excellent and...
2Tattoo Ideas: Zodiac Signs -- Taurus
Taurus is the second sign in the astrological zodiac and is represented by the symbol of a bull. It is an earth sign, and those born under this sign are ruled by the planet Venus (which also rules Libra). When illustrated, the Taurean symbol is a...
3Celebrity Tots: High End Luxury Furniture for Babies and Kids
Even if I saved every penny I earned for the rest of my life, I still wouldn't be able to afford most of the baby and children's furniture shown here. But it's fun to dream, and dreaming is what I do best, so I like to imagine a world where my...
9Illustrated Guide to Neck and Nape Piercings
An ex-girlfriend of mine decided to get the back of her neck pierced in 2003. It was a spur of the moment decision, made mostly because she already had jewelery in her tongue and lip, and multiple piercings in her ears, and was staunchly against...
8Best Sites for Free Crochet Patterns
When I first learned how to crochet six months ago, I never dreamed I'd ever be able to follow a pattern. I barely knew how to make a chain! I didn't know the difference between single crochet and double crochet, I didn't understand the purpose of...
- 2
How to Crochet a Duck Pattern
Finished Size: 7 1/2" tall MATERIALS: Worsted Weight Yarn White - 1 1/2 ounces Yellow - 15 yards Black - small amount Crochet hook, size G (4.00 mm) Polyester fiberfill for stuffing 1"w Ribbon Round 1 (Right Side): With...
98Tattoo Ideas: Quotes on Religions, God, Faith
After writing over two dozen hubs on tattoo ideas that showcased pictures as the majority of the content, I started noticing that a large portion of the comments were from people asking for ideas on what to say, not so much on how to say it. Like...
343Sleep Paralysis: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
One day last year I was taking a nap on the couch when I heard my mother come home from work. I woke up and saw her walk through the front door, and I tried to say hello to her. I was distirubed to find that I couldn't speak; my tongue was frozen...
62Tattoo Ideas: Quotes on Addiction, Sobriety, Recovery
After writing over two dozen hubs on tattoo ideas that showcased pictures as the majority of the content, I started noticing that a large portion of the comments were from people asking for ideas on what to say, not so much on how to say it. Like...
5Tattoo Ideas: Quotes on Death, Heaven, Mourning
After writing over two dozen hubs on tattoo ideas that showcased pictures as the majority of the content, I started noticing that a large portion of the comments were from people asking for ideas on what to say, not so much on how to say it. Like...
25Tattoo Ideas: Quotes on Dreams, Hope, Belief
After writing over two dozen hubs on tattoo ideas that showcased pictures as the majority of the content, I started noticing that a large portion of the comments were from people asking for ideas on what to say, not so much on how to say it. Like...
727Tattoo Ideas: Quotes on Life
After writing over two dozen hubs on tattoo ideas that showcased pictures as the majority of the content, I started noticing that a large portion of the comments were from people asking for ideas on what to say, not so much on how to say it. Like...
63Tattoo Ideas: Quotes on Love
After writing over two dozen hubs on tattoo ideas that showcased pictures as the majority of the content, I started noticing that a large portion of the comments were from people asking for ideas on what to say, not so much on how to say it. Like...
2264Tattoo Ideas: Quotes on Strength, Adversity, Courage
They say what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger and stranger, and if that's true then wouldn't you want a permanent reminder of the fact that you survived? The important thing to remember about quote tattoos is that they can't be too long....
126Tattoo Ideas: Breast Cancer Pink Awareness Ribbons
When I was in elementary school in the early 1990s I remember seeing neighbors tie yellow ribbons around the trees in their front yard. My grandparents told me it was in support of our troops, who were overseas fighting in Operation Desert Storm. In...
0How to Crochet a Puff Stitch
When I first learned how to crochet six months ago, I never dreamed I would one day be learning more advanced techniques like changing colors at the end of a row, piecing together granny squares and (attempting) a ripple pattern. The first technique...
505In Loving Memory: Memorial R.I.P. Tattoos
When I lost a very dear friend of mine at the unfathomably young age of twenty-six, I started thinking about getting a tattoo to honor her memory. Just after her funeral, when I was still reeling over the sudden shock of her untimely passing, I came...
36Reincarnation: Recognizing Past Life Dreams
My first girlfriend started breaking my heart in 2001 and didn't stop until five years later. Over the course of our two-year relationship and ten-year friendship, we played out a sick series of events involving addiction, codependency and insanity...
24Really Bad Quality Tattoos Part 2: The Sequel!
Welcome all to the eagerly awaited follow-up to the notorious "Really Bad Quality Tattoos". At it's height, that hub was receiving in excess of 5,000 hits per day and fielding dozens of comments, both good and bad. The good comments said something...
50Funky Clothes -- Where to Buy Online
A comprehensive guide to unique, original, eccentric, unconventional and all around funky attire. You can buy funky clothes at a number of retailers worldwide, but online shops are a much easier one-stop shop for anyone who digs those funky threads.
12Designer Diaper Bags
Designer diaper bags are the latest in a line of products being made for parents who are now tapping into the "baby couture" trend. Sophisticated and stylish yet still practical and functional, designer diaper bags come in several styles and a variety of patterns.
16Online Scrapbooking Monthly Kit Clubs
Online scrapbooking kit clubs are a quick, easy wide to have a wide assortment of scrapbooking products delivered directly to your door each month. Scrapbooking kits are ideal for busy scrapbookers who enjoy the craft but don't have the time to...
51Scrapbook Furniture for Organizing and Storing your Supplies
My very first scrapbooking area consisted of two sofa tables purchased from Ikea for $20 each, and a bunch of stackable plastic bins. I threw everything into one bin or another, trying to maintain some semblance of organization but it usually failed...
134John Edward: Psychic Medium or Cold Reading Fraud?
The title of this hub suggests that I am calling the validity of John Edward's mediumship into question. From a journalistic standpoint, indeed I am. I want to examine all available evidence and present an argument both for and against his psychic...
0Haunted Places: Winchester Mystery House
In Stephen King's 2002 thriller "Rose Red", a group of gifted psychics are invited to spend the night in an ancient mansion that is said to be haunted. The former mistress of the mansion allegedly went crazy after her husband died, and kept...
27How to be a Good Kisser
In the movie "Hitch", Will Smith's character, Alex ‘Hitch' Hitchens, is a date doctor who counsels Albert, played by Kevin James, on how to get the girl of his dreams to notice him. Once that's over, he coaches Albert on how to behave during...
3Second Life Tips & Tricks: Creating an Avatar
Unlike Another Youniverse, a fictional computer simulation featured on "Law and Order: SVU" that does not actually exist, Second Life, seen on a recent episode of "CSI: NY" is real. Second Life is a virtual reality 3-D world that was created in...
17Home Remedies for Acne and Pimples
Persistent acne plagues millions of people each year, adults and adolescents alike. It can cause permanent scarring and low self-esteem if left untreated. Even those with otherwise clear complexions are prone to the occasional zit once in a while,...
24Home Remedies to Brighten Dull, Dry Hair
Brutal winter weather and the forced air that comes from central heating systems can result in hair looking lifeless and dull. To help combat the wintertime effects, make sure you're shampooing your hair with a product that is rich in linseed oil,...
46Home Remedies to Reduce Puffy, Red Eyes
Whether it's an evening of heavy drinking or a sleepless, restless night, fluid retention and stress can lead to red, puffy eyes in the morning. Also caused by allergies and changes in your hormones, puffy eyes happen when there is increased blood...
2Drug Abuse: How to Stage an Intervention
For those who haven't seen the "Intervention" true life documentary series on A&E, an intervention is a counseling technique designed to encourage someone who is suffering from addiction to seek professional help. Although typically used for drug...
5Halo 3: How to Find the IWHBYD Skull
Having made their first appearance in Halo 2 for X-Box, skulls are essentially "eastereggs" that are scattered throughout the game. Picking one up originally created an unwanted effect against the player. In Halo 3, however, picking up one of the...
3Top 10 Costume Ideas for Infants Age 0-6 Months
Nothing is cuter than a little baby dressed up as a kitten for Halloween, but getting the costume to stay on without a struggle is quite the challenge. The 0-6 months demographic won't do well in fancy outfits requiring wings and strings and other...
32Top 5 Best Ghost Photos Ever Taken
It is very, very difficult to capture the actual image of a ghost on film. In order to capture a picture of a ghost, you would have to be in the presence of an apparition, and visual apparitions are extremely rare. I have been ghost hunting for...
64Lesbian Pregnancy: Pros and Cons of Using a Known Sperm Donor
Unlike the majority of straight couples, lesbian couples who are thinking about starting a family are not going to have the easiest time of it. Unlike straight women, they don't have a built-in sperm donor in the form of a husband or boyfriend who...
403How to tell if you have Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric condition characterized by severe disturbances in mood. People suffering from bipolar disorder, a term which has replaced the outdated ‘manic depression‘, go through episodes of mania (exaggerated highs)...
6Top 10 Adult Couples Costumes for Halloween
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays because it gives me an excuse to wear corsets, wings and fangs dripping with blood (not all at the same time, although that would be an interesting disguise.) However, for the past two years I have declined...
3Tattoo Lettering Ideas: Deciding what to Get
Tattoos are a form of self expression and the human body is an empty canvas. You can paint it, pierce it, brand it, and accentuate it with metal, ink and a variety of other body modifications. Most people get an idea in their head and then visit a...
24Top 5 Best Zombie Movies
I usually keep my sick fascination with zombies at bay, but with Halloween quickly approaching I decided to let it out and share my picks for the top five zombie movies ever made. Although able to walk around, zombies are undead corpses that lack a...
468How to Break Up with your Girlfriend
Breaking up with your girlfriend is a daunting task because it almost always has ramifications. It's hurtful and nerve-wracking, it's painful for you, it's painful for her. She may have been your first love or the person you lost your virginity to...
34Tattoo Ideas: Famous Works of Art
It's no secret that most artists are insane, or that brilliance borders madness.
4Tattoo Ideas: Good Luck & Lucky Items
Everybody has a different idea of what's considered lucky. Traditionally, the standard symbols of luck and good fortune are horseshoes, a rabbit's foot, the number seven, a four-leaf clover, diamonds and dice. There's a slightly lengthy...
15Tattoo Ideas: Banksy Graffiti
The works of graffiti artist only known as Bansky (an anonymous Englishman whose real name may be Robert Banks) first began popping up on city walls in England in the late 1990's. Allegedly born in Bristol in 1974, Banksy is a freehand artist who...
65Tattoo Ideas: Hello Kitty
My girlfriend's sister gave birth last year to a beautiful baby girl and named her Katherine in honor of a late aunt. The baby's nickname, however, also in honor of that relative, is Kitty. From day one, even before she was born, the cartoon...
32How to Choose the Best Mattress for your Body Type
The power of a good night's sleep should never be underestimated. As we sleep, our body's serotonin levels are restored, our immune systems are rejuvenated and our memories are sharpened. Because sleep is so integral to our everyday functioning, it...
174Tattoo Ideas: Sparrows and Swallows
First and foremost, let's understand the difference between swallows and sparrows. They are NOT the same thing. They are not the same bird and have vastly different meaning between them. The words swallow and sparrow cannot be used interchangeably....
6Video Game Tattoos: Super Mario Bros.
I was seven-years old when Super Mario Bros. came out for Nintendo and I've been hooked ever since. I quickly went through Super Mario Bros. 2 and 3 and Dr. Mario, with a little bit of Donkey Kong thrown in for good measure. Of course, over the...
89Extreme Body Mod: Surface Piercings
As opposed to a traditional nose or tongue piercing, a surface piercing has both entrance and exit holes that go through a flat area of skin such as the arm, leg or sternum. Corset piercings are one popular type of surface piercing, and according to...
81The Sims Cheats, Codes, Tips + Tricks
I became addicted to "The Sims" computer games way back in the 90's when "SimCity" made you the mayor and charged you with building roads, developing communities, and putting out fires from a bird's eye point of view. The makers at Electronic Arts...
7Tattoo Ideas: Stars II
A search for star tattoos on BMEzine reveals 10,446 images. Trumped only by the Tribal and Blackwork Tattoos category (which boasts a staggering 14,475 pictures), the stars section is absolutely overflowing with inspiration and ideas. Stars on...
55Tattoo Ideas: Blacklight UV Glow-in-the-Dark
If you don't know what a blacklight is, then either you didn't grow up in the seventies or you've never been to a Spencer's Gifts. Spencer's has a blacklight section at the back of all their stores, an area that is decorated with glow-in-the-dark...
12Scrapbooking Ideas and Inspiration -- Scraplifting
With so many pictures and so little time, it can be tricky coming up with new scrapbook page designs off the top of your head. So I'm going to reveal to you the Holy Grail of scrap booking, whether you're doing it traditionally on paper or...
24Digital Scrapbooking Freebies
A list of twenty-five links to the hottest FREE digital scrapbooking sites on the web.
2Digital Scrapbooking: How to Download Digital Kits
Although I've been a traditional scrapbooker for years, I have only recently begun dabbling with the art of digital scrapbooking. I have several reasons for doing so -- 1.) It's cheaper. Plenty of digital scrapbooking kits and elements can be...
3Tattoo Ideas: Blackwork Tattoos
Blackwork tattoos, although commonly grouped together with tribal tattoos, are not to be confused with the markings that were originally worn by Native Americans to indicate one's belonging to a particular Indian tribe. Standard colorless tattoos...
10Butterfly Tattoos
A search for pictures of people with butterfly tattoos on bmezine.com results in 2,766 images. Trumped only in numbers by the star tattoos category, with Japanese kanji tattoos running a close second, butterflies seem to be the tattoo of choice...
15Ghost Hunting: How to Capture Good EVPs
Capturing your first EVP (electronic voice phenomenon) can be a thrilling experience, if a little unnerving. I'll never forget the very first disembodied I caught, and to this day it remains one of the best we've collected in the nearly four years...
4Tattoo Ideas: Angels
Appearing most frequently in Christianity and Judaism, angels are the spiritual messengers of God who serve as the guardians to mankind. In Catholicism, angels are physical manifestations of God's divine love, bringing good news and delivering...
1Tattoo Ideas: Fairies
Fairies (also known as faeries, fae or fey) are magical, mythological creatures that began appearing in romantic literature and folktales in Europe as early as the 15th century. Fairies are small, sprite-like beings with wings that otherwise...
161Tattoo Ideas: Children, Kids, Parents, Motherhood
Mother is God in the eyes of a child. There is perhaps no greater love that exists in the world than the love shared between mother and child. How often have we heard that love isn't logical, that it bends not to reason or rationalization? Love...
143Tattoo Ideas: Lord of the Rings Elvish Script
J.R.R. Tolkien was a genius. What other author that lived in his day constructed an entire new language that he later included in each of his infamous books? Tolkien did have an advantage, however, having studied and created languages as a hobby...
109-11-01 September 11 Memorial Tattoos
One unremarkable day at my former place of employment, I was helping a member pick out furniture for his living room when I noticed a small tattoo on his inner wrist. This gentleman was a very clean cut, suit-and-tie kind of guy, classic style, with...
3Best Weekend Getaways in Lancaster, PA
When you think of Pennsylvania you undoubtedly call to mind the lovely city of Philadelphia. Home of the Eagles, the 76ers and the Liberty Bell, Philadelphia is a mecca of American history that no list would be complete without. However, there is...
51Tattoo Ideas: Wedding Ring Finger Tattoos
When my ex-girlfriend and I started dating, she had a tiny black and red tattoo that haunted my days, though I'd try to convince myself otherwise. It was a tattoo of the letter "N", and it was the first initial of her previous girlfriend. Likewise,...
17Angelina Jolie Celebrity Pics & Tattoos
Angelina Jolie is an actress best known for her lead roles in "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider", "Gia", "Girl, Interrupted", "Hackers", her marriage to super celebrity stud Brad Pitt, and the incident where she made out with her brother after winning the...
176Lip Piercings: Labret, Lowbret, Madonna Pictures
You may have thought that humans only have one set of lips, comprised of two separate entities, but lip piercings actually fall into eight separate categories. Lip piercing is an ancient body modification, still common among certain African tribes...
863Tattoo Ideas: Greek Words & Phrases
Greek is one of the oldest languages in the world; it has been spoken in Europe since the year 2000 BC. Several different forms of Greek have been spoken since then, including classical, Hellenistic (spoken during the days of Alexander the Great),...
165Illustrated Guide to Navel Piercings
A navel, or belly button piercing, passes through the rim of the navel. Although typically done just above the navel on the top ridge, belly button piercings can go anywhere around the outside of the navel wherever there is a fold or "lip". Navel...
47Guide to Nose Piercings: Nostril, Septum
When you hear about a nose piercing, chances are you think of a nostril piercing, which is the most common, or a septum piercing, which is the second most common and looks like a bull ring between the nostrils. You'd be correct on both counts, as...
20Illustrated Guide to Eyebrow Piercings
The earlobes and cartilage are not the only places that can be pierced on an ear, the center is not the only spot that can be pierced on a tongue, and the eyebrow is not the only place that can be pierced on, well, an eyebrow. Before we begin,...
48Illustrated Guide to Tongue Piercings
When most people think of a tongue piercing, they conjure up an image of a single barbell inserted through the middle of the tongue, front and center. Despite the long-standing myth that says if the piercer accidentally impales a certain vein in...
1202Tattoo Ideas: Italian Words + Quotes
Italian tattoos come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The Italian cross, the Italian horn, the green, white and red Italian flag (including a number of variations of it, like the flag condensed in an outline of Italy or in an outline of stars). ...
640Tattoo Ideas: Gaelic Words + Phrases
Like their Native American counterparts did with tribal tattoos, Scottish and Irish warriors also defined their rank or commemorated a particular battle by tattooing permanent marks onto their skin. As far back as the 1600's Scots were using...
1393Tattoo Ideas: Latin Words + Phrases
Although extinct, Latin was once the universal language spoken in Europe as early as the 1st century B.C. It is a language that we can all relate to as many modern day words are derived from Latin.
482Tattoo Ideas: Arabic Words + Phrases
Although it is not uncommon to see Arabic lettering tattoos in the United States, many people residing in Middle East countries like Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia (particularly followers of Islam) are staunchly against it. Informed readers may be...
1736Tattoo Ideas: Hebrew Words + Phrases
The Hebrew tattoo craze exploded once mega-celebrities such as Madonna and Britney Spears began practicing Kaballah and Victoria Beckham and her soccer superstar husband, David Beckham, got matching Hebrew tattoos as a testament to their love and...
234Truth vs. Myth About Methadone Treatment
The stigma surrounding methadone maintenance as treatment for opiate addiction is strong. This hub seeks to dispel some of the myths related to MMT.
226Drug Addiction Treatment: Suboxone & Subutex
For a long time, methadone detox or methadone maintenance coupled with Narcotics Anonymous meetings was the only way to treat drug abuse long-term on an outpatient basis. Clients with a bed at an inaptient rehab facility, however, had access to a...
46Tattoo Artists: Kat Von D
Kat Von D, whose real name is Katherine Von Drachenberg, was born in Nueva Leon, Mexico on March 8, 1982 before moving to Colton, California with her family at age four. Her father and mother, Rene Drachenberg and Sylvia Galeano, are both...
24Tattoo Parlor Etiquette
In a recent hub I explained how to go about getting a tattoo for the first time, discussed the decision-making process and reviewed how to be assertive with your ideas. But I only touched briefly on tattoo shop etiquette, and it is certainly a...
383Guide to Ear Piercings: Definitions & Diagrams
When I was six months old my mother took me up the mall to get my ears pierced. What began as two small gold studs in each lobe grew into a second hole at age 12, a cartilage piercing as a teenager, and a forward helix hoop when I began college. I...
50Tattoo Ideas: Words & Phrases III
In the form of words either done in English or translated into another language, lettering tattoos can be words, names, dates, phrases, lyrics.
70Getting Your First Tattoo
This past weekend I had the honor of taking my best friend to get her first tattoo. I planned on taking her and her girlfriend (who was going to be getting her second tat) to my favorite parlor, "Il Bacio" in Trenton, NJ. I'm not sure if most...
14How to Make a Good Collage
I was introduced to the art of collaging when I was thirteen-years old. A friend of mine was spending the night at my house and asked if I had any old magazines I wouldn't mind cutting up. Of course, at that age, I had dozens of periodicals such...
32Haunted Places: Waverly Hills Sanatorium
There is always something eerie about insane asylums and historic hospitals. And haunted or not, there is something even creepier about abandoned insane asylums. But an abandoned mental institution that is also notoriously haunted? Now that takes...
2Tattoo Ideas: Sci-Fi
With the recent release of movies like "Transformers", it's no surprise that there has been a resurgence of Autobot and Decepticon tattoos among fans of the popular 1980's cartoon series. My little brother is only eight years old, but he is so...
1615 First Date Ideas: Philadelphia
Although I grew up in north Jersey, I had an accent that was slightly different from those around me. When my family moved to south Jersey fifteen years later, I discovered the nearby city of Philadelphia, and quickly learned that the natives who...
8520 Fun First Date Ideas: New York City
A first date should be a memorable experience. It is a starting point, a jump off into eternity, and a day that might just determine your destiny. A first date can lead to fifty years of bliss, or it can end after five hours of togetherness. ...
43Ghost Hunting 101: Using a K2 milliGauss Meter
In Season 3, episode 12 of the SciFi channel's hit series, "Ghost Hunters", Jason and Grant, founders of The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS), invited psychic medium Chris Fleming to accompany the team on the investigation of a home on Cielo...
34Tattoo Ideas: Hands, Fingers, Palms
How many times have I seen the words "love" and "hate" tattooed across the knuckles of each hand? Honestly, I've lost count. It's fairly common placement for a fairly common phrase, and although it fascinated me the first time I saw it, it has now...
115Tattoo Ideas: Face, Neck, Head, Ears
Have you ever seen footage from a prison yard or a black and white mugshot photo of a man with a black tear tattooed just below his eye? This is a common gang- and prison-related marking. The number of tears you have represents the number of...
304Tattoo Ideas: Words & Sayings IV
The other day I was watching a documentary on VH1 called "RockDoc: The Last Days of Lisa Lopes". Lisa Lopes, better known as "Left Eye" from the all-girl hip-hop group TLC, was killed in a car crash on April 25, 2002 when she and her crew were...
9Understanding Men: Dating Body Language
Body language makes up 55% of our communication with others. The movements our bodies unknowingly and subconsciously create speak volumes about the way we're feeling mentally and emotionally. When a couple is in the midst of a heated argument and...
6Understanding Men: First Date Body Language
Body language makes up 55% of our communication with others. The movements our bodies unknowingly and subconsciously create speak volumes about the way we're feeling mentally and emotionally. When a couple is in the midst of a heated argument and...
8Tattoo Ideas: Geeks (Video Games, Math, DNA)
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines geek as: "an enthusiast or expert especially in a technological field or activity". Wikipedia, on the other hand, offers a slew of definitions, particularly focusing on the difference between the words geek...
17Great Lesbian Movies: Foreign Films
This highly controversial German film from 1931 is the original tale of lesbian love between teacher and student, detailing a crush that is overwhelmingly intense and unfortunately unrequited...or is it? It's hard to tell whether or not Elizabeth...
17Haunted Places: Charlie Brown's Steakhouse, Hackettstown, NJ
In 2006, my mother and I attended the New Jersey Ghost Hunters Society annual ghost conference in Hackettstown, NJ. In addition to visiting the Washington Theater (abandoned for thirty years but recently restored to it's former glory) we were also...
8Haunted Places: Burlington County Prison Museum
Burlington County Prison (which has now been transformed into a museum) was built in 1811 and operated for 154 years before shutting down permanently in 1965. Until 1908, the darkened, solitary cell on the third floor was used as a death row for...
27Haunted Places: Eastern State Penitentiary, PA
If you've ever seen the episode of "Ghost Hunters" on SciFi where they visit Eastern State Penitentiary, you'll recall the shadowy figure they caught on video up on the catwalk. Apparently this particular catwalk, like a number of other locations...
1How to End Scrapbooking Writer's Block
Non-scrapbookers or those not familiar with the craft may be asking themselves, "What does writer's block have to do with scrapbooking?" Scrapping isn't just about arranging photographs in chronological order and selecting pretty paper to match. ...
20How to Cut Curly Hair
There's nothing wrong with wanting to mimic the haircuts of famous celebrities. They visit the hottest stylists and the best colorists, they sport the latest cuts and they make it look awesome. But because of this, we mistakenly think that their...
30Tattoo Ideas: Cartoon Characters
It's a well known fact that cartoons aren't just for kids. In fact, producers of Disney and Pixel flicks have stated point blank that they make cartoons for kids that parents can enjoy as well, since parents are the ones taking their children to...
26Tattoo Ideas: Music + Bands
Music themed tattoos come in several different variations: band logos, music notes, lyrics, and musical instruments. I'm going to tell you something right now. Getting a band's logo (like the Hatebreed logo and AFI symbols seen here) is usually...
11Tattoo Ideas: Tribal Tattoos
When I hear the words "tribal tattoo", I immediately think of a college frat boy with a black armband tattoo around his bulging bicep. In the 1990's, tribal armbands were practically the official uniform for Frat Boys of America. However, I was...
1Tattoo Ideas: Dragons
Dragons are a very popular choice of tattoo design. The word "dragon" comes from the Greek drakon, meaning a serpent with a gaze like lightning. The dragon is an important symbol in Chinese culture, seen as a powerful protector and ally. In...
2How to Measure Window Blinds
When I worked at the wholesale club Direct Buy, one of my jobs was to help our members order blinds for their home. It was the members' responsibility to provide me with the exact measurements of their windows, however, and I can't tell you how...
12Understanding Body Language
I'll never forget a scene from my sophomore year. A group of friends and I were part of a peer counseling group led by the school social worker. Two girls out of the five of us had serious problems--family issues, divorce, abuse, etc.--the...
9Ghost Hunting 101: How to Avoid Getting Arrested
Ghost hunting is a interesting, intriguing, enjoyable experience that can expand our understanding of the paranormal realm. Exploring haunted locales and dark cemeteries as dusk falls, then turns into pitch black night, is a serious adrenaline...
5How to Relieve Stress: Facial Relaxation
I used to work with a guy who had a permanent furrow in his browline, just over his eyes. He had been at the company for twenty years and had been feeling the debilitating effects of workaholism for nineteen and a half -- and it showed. Other...
22Weird but True: Strange and Unusual Tombstones
As a Catholic who is also a firm believer in reincarnation, I do not think that our final resting place is a hole in the ground at a plot in a cemetery -- and yet I have always been drawn to these locations. Maybe it's the ghost hunter in me, but I...
35 Things Not to Say During an Interview
Most people know the basics of a good job interview -- dress professionally, sit up straight, give the interviewer a firm handshake, be confident, outgoing and friendly, highlight your expertise and ask a lot of questions about the position. But...
332How to See Auras
If you are unable to see auras before practicing the tips outlined in this hub, do not fret -- try instead to sense the aura. You probably already do this all the time without even knowing it. Have you ever walked into your parent's bedroom after...
75How to Find the Right Hairstyle for Your Face Shape
Going to the hairdresser can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if you arent' sure what you want. Ease your nerves by doing some research ahead of time, browse women's magazines or the internet for examples of the style you're looking for,...
8How to Make Your Own Body Oils
Despite the terminology of the phrase, body oils do not actually make your skin greasy and untouchable. In fact, body oils that are applied once you've towel-dried after bathing are very nourishing, and serve as thirst-quenchers for an expanse of...
10How to Make Your Own DIY Facial Masks
Applying a facial mask 1-2 times per week can drastically improve the quality of your complexion. Dry skin can benefit from hydrating masks consisting of milk and honey, and a mud or clay mask can work wonders for oily skin. The best part is, for...
6How to Buy the Best Bathing Suit for Your Body Type
The key to looking classy and feeling sexy in a summer swimsuit is by choosing a suit that accentuates your figure and highlights your assets. Wearing a bathing suit that is designed for your particular body type can be a huge confidence booster,...
26How to Improve Your Psychic Abilities
Have you ever tried to call a friend on the telephone, received a busy signal and later found out it was because she was trying to call you at that exact moment? Do you finish other people's sentences or instinctively know what they're going to say...
7Decorating on a Budget
Whether you're moving into a new apartment or redecorating an existing room, home design can be a little tricky and very costly if all you do is shop at places like Pier One and Huffman Koos. However, if you're willing to put a little backbone into...
5Great Lesbian Date Movies: Coming of Age
Oh heartbreaking, adolescent, closeted lesbian days of yore. Once upon a time you were twelve-years old and didn't understand what you were feeling; or you were thirteen and couldn't comprehend why all your girl friends were crazy about spending...
12Great Lesbian Date Movies: Heartbreakers
In the land of Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock, "tearjerkers" or "heartbreakers" are defined as films, usually of the romantic genre, which prompt one to cry their eyes out over the tragedy of love gone wrong -- before, of course, both parties reunite...
8Where to Buy Fun & Affordable Household Items
IKEA and Urban Outfitters are two popular places to buy modern, contemporary household goods for decorating any room imaginable. Unfortunately, although IKEA is very affordable, there is not an IKEA branch in every city, and Urban Outfitters tends to be a little expensive. Here is a comprehensive list of locations both online and offline that offer fun, affordable household items.
117America's Most Haunted -- Gettysburg, PA "Devil's Den"
On July 1, 1863, Confederate General Robert E. Lee led his troops from Northern Virginia up to south central Pennsylvania, to a small, rural town called Gettysburg. He was confronted there by Union General George G. Meade, and although a scrimage had not been planned, a three-day battle suddenly ensued that was extremely violent and ultimately very bloody.
34Tattoo Ideas: New School vs. Old School
I've been struggling for weeks to come up with a way to explain the difference between old school and new school tattoos, and I have finally figured it out! The Old School style of tattooing seen in the earlier half of the 20th century used symbols that celebrated patriotism and similar values and were done by electric tattoo machines...
10Tattoo Ideas: Words & Shelley Jackson's SKIN Project
Although certainly not a new concept, the use of typography (lettering) in tattoo designs has exploded in popularity over the past decade or so. Shelley Jackson's "Skin" Project, Ineradicable Stain, is a movement that has been in progress since...
21Top 5 Myths About Ghost Hunting
Ghost hunting can be a fun and intriguing experience that blends spirituality with science to create an interesting investigation.
3Gay Nightclubs in Philadelphia, PA
Ahh, Philadelphia: the City of Brotherly Love -- at least it was known as such until it became the brunt of one too many gay jokes, at which point it was changed to Philadelphia: the City That Loves You Back. Despite it's name change, Philly is still home to a gay and lesbian nightlife scene rivaled only by New York and San Francisco.
14Feng Shui: Charms for Money & Wealth
To improve wealth and prosperity, these Feng Shui items are to be placed at the workplace or in the home office, on the North end of the desk or near the cash register.
2Feng Shui Decorating Ideas for Business & Office
Basic Principles of Feng Shui According to the Bagua diagram, the front middle of the room is the gua, or section, that rules career. If you are using the Bagua diagram to plan the layout of your entire house, it is best to place your home office...
2Feng Shui Decorating: Love & Marriage
According to the Bagua diagram, the rear right corner of the room is the section, or gua, that rules love, relationships and marriage. Focusing on this area can foster the growth of a present relationship as well as bring about a new one. The most...
0How To Survive a Breakup
"It's not you...it's me." "I just can't do this anymore." "I can't give you what you need." "The timing is all wrong." "Maybe in another life, we could have been very happy together." Break-up excuses; we've all heard them. Whether it's on...
13How to Straighten Curly Hair
If your hair is naturally curly or wavy and you don't feel like taking the steps to work with and control your curly locks, there are ways to artificially straighten your untamed tresses. Some people opt for chemical straightening, or relaxing,...
219How to Control Curly, Frizzy Hair
My hair is naturally very curly, like everyone else in my family. I never really paid it much attention--until I entered middle school, and looks began to matter. It was the mid-1990's. Alicia Silverstone, the actress from the movie "Clueless"...
7Feng Shui Decorating: Front Door Entrances
In feng shui, the main door is the most important aspect because it allows the energy, or "chi", to enter the home. It is the "mouth" of the house, taking in positivity and nourishment. The direction in which the door is facing determines the...
3Feng Shui Decorating: Colors & the Bagua Diagram
Once you've learned the basic principles of feng shui, it is time to start obeying the almighty bagua. The bagua is a diagram divided into nine sections that guides the practices of feng shui placement. Each segment is assigned to at least one...
7Feng Shui Decorating: Basic Principles
Feng shui (pronounced fung shway) is an ancient Chinese practice dating back over 7000 years that, literally translated, means "wind-water". Used primarily in architecture, landscaping and interior decorating, feng shui is the art of placing...
2Tattoo Ideas: Sports + Cars
Die hard sports fans are insane. They paint their stomachs green and stand in the bleachers without their shirts on freezing cold Sundays, they have superhuman voice boxes that allow them to scream their lungs out for several hours and never tire...
15Tattoo Ideas: Portraits
If you've ever watched the show "Miami Ink" on TLC, you'll be familiar with renowned tattoo artist Kat von D, who specializes in portrait tattoos. Customers seek her out when they want a facial reproduction of an idol or loved one tattooed on their...
12Tattoo Ideas: Hearts
Oh, the things we do for love. When my girlfriend was in high school, she got her first tattoo--a heart on her upper arm along with a banner containing her best friend's initials in it. In an incredibly courageous move that I could never have...
10Tattoo Ideas: Religious Symbols
Although religious symbol tattoos are fairly commonplace in many parts of the world, there is debate among Christians as to whether or not they are an abomination of the body. Leviticus 19:28 states, "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh...
12Tattoo Ideas: Chinese Kanji Characters
Kanji are Chinese characters used in a modern form of Japanese writing. Although they have recently exploded in popularity among Western civilization, kanji tattoos are practically unheard of in China and Japan. Chinese writing is way more...
23New Body Piercings: What to do When Something Goes Wrong
Modifying your body with a piercing is a little more tricky than modifying it with a tattoo. Although a piercing is a quick pinch that's over in an instant, the pain and discomfort afterwards lasts much longer than the pain inflicted by a tattoo. ...
0How to Be a Successful eBay Seller: Writing a Good Title
Most places will tell you that writing a good description and having several clear photos of the item is the key to ensuring that your eBay items will sell. That is absolutely true, but tantamount to that is writing an effective title. When a...
96Really Bad Quality Tattoos
The only thing that qualifies me to be an authority on the subject of what makes a bad tattoo is that I have thirteen myself and think they're all pretty cool. Granted mine are small and pretty hard to mess up. However, I've met a number of...
53Compatibility Between the Elements
Most people are familiar with the zodiac and how their sign defines personality, dictates days or determines compatibility with other sun signs. There is also a moon sign to tell you which house of the zodiac the moon was in on the day you were...
3Understanding Astrology Elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water
Most people are familiar with the zodiac and how their sign defines personality, dictates days or determines compatibility with other sun signs. There is also a moon sign to tell you which house of the zodiac the moon was in on the day you were...
0Unique Gift Ideas
Flowers, chocolates and jewelry are timeless gifts that will never go out of style. Diamond rings propose marriage or commitment, chocolates are signature Valentine's Day indulgences, and roses will always be your "get out of jail free" card. And...
1Kurt Halsey's Widescreen Paintings
Kurt Halsey Frederiksen, who looks an awful lot like the characters he creates, is a 29-year old pencil, pen and ink artist from Portland who I discovered through his LiveJournal fan base. His drawings are simple and sweet almost-cartoons with a...
5Kurt Halsey Fan Tattoos
Kurt Halsey Frederiksen, who looks an awful lot like the characters he creates, is a 29-year old pencil, pen and ink artist from Portland who I discovered through his LiveJournal fan base. His drawings are simple and sweet almost-cartoons with a...
10Kurt Halsey Drawings
Kurt Halsey Frederiksen, who looks an awful lot like the characters he creates, is a 29-year old pencil, pen and ink artist from Portland who I discovered through his LiveJournal fan base. His drawings are simple and sweet almost-cartoons with a...
5Kurt Halsey Paintings
Kurt Halsey Frederiksen, who looks an awful lot like the characters he creates, is a 29-year old pencil, pen and ink artist from Portland who I discovered through his LiveJournal fan base. His drawings are simple and sweet almost-cartoons with a...
8Banksy's Amazing Indoor Paintings
Although primarily known for his outdoor street graffiti, Bansky (an anonymous English graffiti artist whose real name may be Robert Banks) has also produced a number of indoor paintings as well. Possibly born in Bristol in 1974, Banksy began as a...
10Banksy's Amazing Street Graffiti
The works of Bansky, an anonymous English graffiti artist whose real name may be Robert Banks, primarily litter the streets of London but have made appearances in the U.S. and Israel as well. Possibly born in Bristol in 1974, Banksy began as a...
16Reading Your Aura Color: Yellow
STEP ONE: What is your Life Color? Click the link to take the test to discover your "Life Color". Auras are composed of many different colors that may change from time to time depending on your mood or environment. But the band of colors closest to...
2Reading Your Aura Color: Magenta
STEP ONE: What is your Life Color? Click the link to take the test to discover your "Life Color". Auras are composed of many different colors that may change from time to time depending on your mood or environment. But the band of colors closest to...
7How to Make Your Own Body Scrubs
If you've visited a shopping mall in the past several years, chances are you've been stopped and accosted by a Mediterranean man working one of the little booths. Sea salt scrubs supposedly made by the therapeutic salt found in the Dead Sea are...
0Graduation Day Quotes & Advice
My cousin, Todd, graduated high school this week, and as I was making out the greeting card to give to him at his party this afternoon, I found myself thinking that the best gift I could give him, the most important and the most valuable, would be...
34Munchausen by Internet: Faking Death Online
With the advent of the Internet there came an insurgence of new and unlimited possibilities--you can connect with loved ones across the world in the blink of an eye, meet new people, join communities. But there also came a whole new set of...
2Getting Started With ATC's
Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) are small, miniature works of art measuring 2.5" X 3.5" that are traded among friends and/or sold via the Internet. They are unique works of art, usually signed, dated and titled on the back by the artist who created...
12Reading Your Aura Color: Orange
STEP ONE: What is your Life Color? Click the link to take the test to discover your "Life Color". Auras are composed of many different colors that may change from time to time depending on your mood or environment. But the band of colors closest to...
24Tattoo Ideas: Wings (angels, butterflies, fairies)
Butterflies represent freedom, fantasy, and flight; change and transformation. A caterpillar surrounds himself in a self-made cocoon only to emerge as a beautiful butterfly free to fly wherever his heart takes him. Archangels are our ultimate...
353Tattoo Ideas: Words & Phrases II
To me there is nothing more beautiful than the written word personified, inked permanently onto one's skin as a necessary wound that is not meant to heal. Images are lovely as well, a properly done tattoo can evoke feelings of remembrance and...
0Mirabilia: Events That Inspire Wonder
Rob Breszny, author of my favorite astrology column ever, FreeWill Astrology, recently wrote a book titled "Pronoia is the Antidote for Paranoia: How the Whole World is Conspiring to Shower You With Blessings". In it, among other things, he puts...
1The Pick Up Artist's Worst Enemy
This morning while getting ready to start my day, I picked the book up and leafed through it. It was written in 1971 and although the preface startled me, I found other parts amusing. It was pretty funny. But as the book goes on, I realized what a screwed up culture our country had not thirty years past. Or maybe it's just this one particular screwy excuse for an author.
1Sketch Your Way to Better Scrapbook Pages -- 3
If I had discovered the beauty of sketching out my scrapbook pages before sitting down to actual create them, I wouldn't have wasted two years' worth of paper and material producing, well, crap...
