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	<title>Lika Starr &#187; health</title>
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	<link>http://likastarr.com</link>
	<description>Gay Culture-Entertainment-Politics. Lika’s Take - An Offbeat Opinion</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:06:26 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>Let&#8217;s Talk About Penis, Yours!</title>
		<link>http://likastarr.com/lets-talk-about-penis-yours</link>
		<comments>http://likastarr.com/lets-talk-about-penis-yours#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:57:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lika Starr</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[college]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fitness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sex]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[male body]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[penis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[penis enlargement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[size matters]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[survey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[university]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://likastarr.com/?p=3979</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[McGill University of Montreal Canada is conducting a survey on the penis and genitalia area.  It&#8217;s a study that appears to be the first of it&#8217;s kind in that its focus is on the male genitals and how this area relates to the overall male body image. Via email from the McGill University, Laurence Dinh-Williams [...]


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://likastarr.com/penis-enlargement-that-works-guaranteed' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Penis Enlargement that Works &#8211; Guaranteed!'>Penis Enlargement that Works &#8211; Guaranteed!</a></li>
<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/the-popes-penis-say-what' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: The Pope&#8217;s Penis &#8211; Say What?'>The Pope&#8217;s Penis &#8211; Say What?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/team-hoyt-a-transcending-inspiration' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Team Hoyt &#8211; A Transcending Inspiration'>Team Hoyt &#8211; A Transcending Inspiration</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>McGill University of Montreal Canada is conducting a survey on the penis and genitalia area.  It&#8217;s a study that appears to be the first of it&#8217;s kind in that its focus is on the male genitals and how this area relates to the overall male body image.</p>
<blockquote><p>Via email from the McGill University, Laurence Dinh-Williams &#8211; Thus far, the study of men&#8217;s body image has been largely restricted to the dimensions of adiposity and muscularity. Recent research has found that features such as head hair, body hair, height and penis size may be important in one&#8217;s evaluation of self, with penis size satisfaction being highly correlated to overall appearance self-esteem.</p></blockquote>
<p>Do our genitals really have that much of an impact on the worth we place in our own self image?  That is one of the questions the McGill study hopes to answer.  Common sense tells us it is is all about self-confidence. If a man is obsessing over the notion that his penis is too small then he can lose confidence in himself.  But, how far does that loss in confidence go?  Does it translate into a major aspect of total body image?  The survey doesn&#8217;t dive into the emotional aspects of body image.  Instead it focuses on the more physical aspects like appearance, taste and scent.  This makes sense because physical features are what initially feed our perceptions.</p>
<p>Earlier today I asked a friend, Rick Daley, if he would participate and share his thoughts.  I use him as an example for two reasons.  He will soon began writing for this site and I found his answer to be very realistic.</p>
<blockquote><p><a href="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Dick-Daily-prof-001.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3978" title="Dick-Daily-prof-001" src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Dick-Daily-prof-001.jpg" alt="" width="121" height="121" /></a>Rick Daley: Burbank, Ca &#8211; As a sexually and socially active male in my twenties staying healthy and fit are my primary objectives in maintaining a positive self image.  Only hair loss, obesity or a little cock could shatter my body image.  It sounds shallow but it is true we think others see in ourselves what we do.</p></blockquote>
<p>Dinh-Williams says little is known about the specific role that &#8216;male genital satisfaction&#8217; plays in male body image concerns, and which aspects of the genital area, beyond size, may be important for these &#8216;genital perceptions&#8217; or one&#8217;s satisfaction of his genital area.</p>
<p>There are many other things to take into consideration such as lifestyle, social interaction and cultural expectations that might weigh in on how a man views his own body.  Hopefully one day we&#8217;ll get the complete picture.  This survey doesn&#8217;t claim to that it is definitely an integral part of the big picture.</p>
<blockquote><p>Laurence Dinh-Williams &#8211; Our study will determine which features of the genital area are important for &#8216;genital perceptions&#8217; and male body image, and further investigate the factors that may influence one’s evaluations and perceptions [such as] sexual experience, erectile dysfunctions, premature ejaculation, STD&#8217;s etc.</p></blockquote>
<p>If you would like to participate in the survey the University says it only takes 15 minutes.  Rick suggests having fun with it by reading the survey before you actually answer it.  Then take some time either alone or with a partner making sure to get your measurements and focus on the details like pubic hair color, color of testicles, penis head shape, taste, smell, etc.  Rick&#8217;s time to complete the survey with a partner &#8211; one hour and thirty-four minutes.</p>
<p>If you&#8217;re like Rick and use his method to aid in answering the survey make sure your answers are your own thoughts about you and not your boyfriend/lover.  Be prepared to be asked some questions that you might not expect on a survey.  All are straight0forward and if you are uncomfortable with any of them you can skip those.  It&#8217;s also a good idea to measure your penis in its flacid and erect states before taking the survey.  You&#8217;ll also need the girth, curvature and angels.  We&#8217;ve included the instruction provided by McGill University for your convenience. See the illustration gallery at the end of this article or you can download the <a href="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/McGill-Penile-Measurement-Instructions.pdf" target="_blank"><strong>PDF version here</strong></a>.</p>
<p>McGill is offering entry into a drawing that will give away three $100 Amazon gift certificates for survey participants who wish to enter the drawing.  The survey itself is completely anonymous but if you enter the drawing you will be asked to submit your personal details so you can receive your prize if you win.  There is no correlation of data between the two so if you enter the drawing there is no worry of your personally identifying information being linked to the data on your survey.</p>
<p>Important links:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=v1VyUlajaAHoSfBH2jCcEEl2JDJs9crkU6rYvtYbw9o%3d&amp;" target="_blank"><strong>The Survey</strong></a> &#8211; Male Body Image Study</p>
<p><a href="http://www.scienceblog.com/cms/blog/9437-mcgill-male-body-image-study.html-0" target="_blank"><strong>Science Blog</strong></a> &#8211; More about the Male Body Image Study</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mcgill.ca/classified/?ShowAd=1368732" target="_blank"><strong>McGill University</strong></a></p>

<a href='http://likastarr.com/lets-talk-about-penis-yours/mcgill-penis-measurement-004' title='mcgill-penis-measurement-004'><img width="150" height="150" src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/mcgill-penis-measurement-004-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="mcgill-penis-measurement-004" title="mcgill-penis-measurement-004" /></a>
<a href='http://likastarr.com/lets-talk-about-penis-yours/mcgill-penis-measurement-003' title='mcgill-penis-measurement-003'><img width="150" height="150" src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/mcgill-penis-measurement-003-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="mcgill-penis-measurement-003" title="mcgill-penis-measurement-003" /></a>
<a href='http://likastarr.com/lets-talk-about-penis-yours/mcgill-penis-measurement-002' title='mcgill-penis-measurement-002'><img width="150" height="150" src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/mcgill-penis-measurement-002-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="mcgill-penis-measurement-002" title="mcgill-penis-measurement-002" /></a>
<a href='http://likastarr.com/lets-talk-about-penis-yours/mcgill-penis-measurement-001' title='mcgill-penis-measurement-001'><img width="150" height="150" src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/mcgill-penis-measurement-001-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="mcgill-penis-measurement-001" title="mcgill-penis-measurement-001" /></a>
<a href='http://likastarr.com/lets-talk-about-penis-yours/dick-daily-prof-001' title='Dick-Daily-prof-001'><img width="121" height="121" src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Dick-Daily-prof-001.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="Dick-Daily-prof-001" title="Dick-Daily-prof-001" /></a>



<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://likastarr.com/penis-enlargement-that-works-guaranteed' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Penis Enlargement that Works &#8211; Guaranteed!'>Penis Enlargement that Works &#8211; Guaranteed!</a></li>
<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/the-popes-penis-say-what' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: The Pope&#8217;s Penis &#8211; Say What?'>The Pope&#8217;s Penis &#8211; Say What?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/team-hoyt-a-transcending-inspiration' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Team Hoyt &#8211; A Transcending Inspiration'>Team Hoyt &#8211; A Transcending Inspiration</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Penis Enlargement that Works &#8211; Guaranteed!</title>
		<link>http://likastarr.com/penis-enlargement-that-works-guaranteed</link>
		<comments>http://likastarr.com/penis-enlargement-that-works-guaranteed#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:10:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lika Starr</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Other]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hot-guys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sex]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coffee]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[date]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://likastarr.com/?p=3849</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[List of materials needed: 1. Hot cup of caffeine free coffee 2. Moisturizing body wash 3. Towel 4. Bearskin or cowhide or sheepskin rug (a towel will suffice) 5. Fireplace (with fire) Instructions: 1. Remove all articles of clothing 2. Take a hot shower using a moisturizing body wash 3. Lightly towel dry just so [...]


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<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/sexy-sunday-not-today' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Sexy Sunday &#8211; Not Today'>Sexy Sunday &#8211; Not Today</a></li>
<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/lets-talk-about-penis-yours' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Let&#8217;s Talk About Penis, Yours!'>Let&#8217;s Talk About Penis, Yours!</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_3850" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 580px"><a href="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/penis-enlargement.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-3850" title="penis-enlargement" src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/penis-enlargement-570x378.jpg" alt="" width="570" height="378" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Penis Enlargement - a la naturale</p></div>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<p>List of materials needed:<br />
1. Hot cup of caffeine free coffee<br />
2. Moisturizing body wash<br />
3. Towel<br />
4. Bearskin or cowhide or sheepskin rug (a towel will suffice)<br />
5. Fireplace (with fire)</p>
<p><span id="more-3849"></span></p>
<p>Instructions:<br />
1. Remove all articles of clothing<br />
2. Take a hot shower using a moisturizing body wash<br />
3. Lightly towel dry just so that you&#8217;re not dripping<br />
4. Lie down on the rug or towel facing the fireplace<br />
5. Cock your leg upward to allow a free flow around your genitals<br />
6. Let the heat radiate into your body<br />
7. Do this for 10 minutes</p>
<p>It is important to take the hot shower and not completely dry off.  Your skin will thank you it drinks in the moisture.  As the heat from the fire permeates throughout your body the blood will begin to flow more freely as the vessels expand.  As a result your penis will elongate even in its flacid state.  You should also notice in turn that your testicles will hang further from your body as your scrotum relaxes and becomes more loose. The result will be a fully engorged manhood in all its glory.  This is especially beneficial for growers as the result of the penis length can be that of its erect state but while it is still flaccid.</p>
<p>There&#8217;s nothing hotter than some good ol&#8217; fashioned penis enlarging, roasted nuts and a hot cuppa joe a cold winter evening.</p>
<p>Suggestion:  Plan an evening at home with your lover.  Invite him or her over and 20 minutes before your date is arrives send a text telling them you are slaving over a hot stove so you&#8217;ve unlocked the door.  Take a hot shower and gather the materials above and get into position.  When your date arrives he or she will forget all about dinner and go directly for the desert.  The desert is you!</p>
<p>Things that could go wrong:</p>
<p>1.  Your mother comes barging through the door screaming why you didn&#8217;t answer her call.<br />
2.  You forgot to pay your rent and your Landlord stops by to catch you at home during the evening. They always seem check if the door is unlocked before they knock &#8211; Pervs!<br />
3.  You don&#8217;t look like the guy above.</p>
<p>(Tip:  Get some Chinese take-out just in case.)</p>


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<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/sexy-sunday-not-today' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Sexy Sunday &#8211; Not Today'>Sexy Sunday &#8211; Not Today</a></li>
<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/lets-talk-about-penis-yours' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Let&#8217;s Talk About Penis, Yours!'>Let&#8217;s Talk About Penis, Yours!</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>World Aids Day A Time For Hope</title>
		<link>http://likastarr.com/world-aids-day-a-time-for-hope</link>
		<comments>http://likastarr.com/world-aids-day-a-time-for-hope#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:12:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lika Starr</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Inspiration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[equal-rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[holidays]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[humanity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[international]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sex]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shopping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[aids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hiv-aids]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://likastarr.com/?p=3211</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Every year here at LikaStarr.com we change the Express Yourself &#8211; Protect Yourself photo residing in the sidebar of this site in honor of Aids awareness.  We do this every December 1st in recognition of World Aids Day.  Today will be our third year and we hope to have many more Decembers to come. This [...]


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<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/more-on-huckabee-and-aids' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: More On Huckabee And AIDS'>More On Huckabee And AIDS</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/express-yourself-0031.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-3222" title="express-yourself-003" src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/express-yourself-0031-240x300.jpg" alt="express-yourself-003" width="240" height="300" /></a>Every year here at LikaStarr.com we change the <em>Express Yourself &#8211; Protect Yourself</em> photo residing in the sidebar of this site in honor of Aids awareness.  We do this every December 1st in recognition of World Aids Day.  Today will be our third year and we hope to have many more Decembers to come.</p>
<p>This year we want to do something a little more special in addition.  We have partnered with <a href="http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-2932829-10518406" target="_blank"><em>Love and Pride</em></a>, the largest retailer of gay themed design jewelry on the planet &#8211; their outreach is global.  More importantly, their size allows them to some great things on a grand scale.  Things like help raise money for valiant charitable organizations.  Over there years <em>Love and Pride</em> have given thousands and thousands to charities like the Mathew Shepard Foundation, GMHC (Gay Mens Health Crisis), Lambda Legal and others.</p>
<p>World AIDS day is a time of hope, a time to help and a time to act.  If you want to help out with World Aids Day there is no better way than to help our gay brothers suffering with AIDS at the same time.    You can do this and get something to back in return.  Something that you can cherish, be proud of and to remind yourself and others that we should all continue to care.</p>
<p><em>Love and Pride</em> donates 100% of the net proceeds of its &#8220;A Time for Hope&#8221; watch to the GMHC foundation.  It really is a beautifully inspired watch that adorns the famed red ribbon on its face and sports a deep reaching hue of blue in the classic band.  It is a watch to be proud to wear at any gay themed event, political, charity or otherwise &#8211; everyday if you are so inclined.</p>
<p><a href="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/time-for-hope-watch.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-3213" title="time-for-hope-watch" src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/time-for-hope-watch-299x300.jpg" alt="time-for-hope-watch" width="299" height="300" /></a>The watch retails for $125, not bad especially considering all of the net proceeds go to the GMHC.  To encourage you to help we&#8217;re offering a <a href="http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-2932829-10518406" target="_blank">30% store-wide discount</a> until December 3rd at 3:00 pm EST.  Just enter the *coupon code, 301130 when you&#8217;re ready to check out.  That means the watch is yours, the donations are made and all you pay is $87.50.  Throw something else in your basket that bring the total to $100 or more and you get free shipping too.  That additional item could be the awesome tell-it-like-you-feel-it &#8220;Erase Hate&#8221; pendant in which 100% of the net proceeds are donated to the Mathew Shepard Foundation.</p>
<p>Of course Love and Pride has tons of fashionably hot jewelry to choose from. We&#8217;ve simply chosen two items that fit the day.  While you&#8217;re there you might want to pick up some other items for yourself or gift for that special person in your life.</p>
<p style="font-size: 14px;">To easily find the watch and pendant simply click on the link at the top of the <a href="http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-2932829-10518406" target="_blank"><em>Love and Pride</em></a> home page that reads <em>&#8220;<span style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: normal;">10</span>% of all proceeds supports equality for all.&#8221;</em></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px;"><em><a href="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/erase-hate-pendant-003.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-3214 alignleft" title="erase-hate-pendant-003" src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/erase-hate-pendant-003-150x150.jpg" alt="erase-hate-pendant-003" width="150" height="150" /></a><a href="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/erase-hate-pendant-002.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-3215 alignright" title="erase-hate-pendant-002" src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/erase-hate-pendant-002-150x150.jpg" alt="erase-hate-pendant-002" width="150" height="150" /></a><a href="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/erase-hate-pendant.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-3220" title="erase-hate-pendant" src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/erase-hate-pendant-150x150.jpg" alt="erase-hate-pendant" width="150" height="150" /></a></em></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px;"><em>*Coupon code does not apply to the &#8220;Erase Hate&#8221; pendant.<br />
</em></p>


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<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/world-aids-day-is-today-december-1st' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: World AIDS Day Is Today December 1st'>World AIDS Day Is Today December 1st</a></li>
<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/more-on-huckabee-and-aids' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: More On Huckabee And AIDS'>More On Huckabee And AIDS</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>In Support Of World Aids Day</title>
		<link>http://likastarr.com/in-support-of-world-aids-day</link>
		<comments>http://likastarr.com/in-support-of-world-aids-day#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:48:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lika Starr</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[bloggers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gay blogs]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[hunks]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://likastarr.com/in-support-of-world-aids-day</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#160;December 1st, 2008 &#8212; World Aids Day, a day to remember, to spread the message of prevention and hope for the future.&#160; Get the word out, not just today but everyday.&#160; Don&#8217;t shun the thought of discussing HIV and AIDS.&#160; So many have forgotten, so many have died.&#160; *** When I started this blog last [...]


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<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/world-aids-day-a-time-for-hope' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: World Aids Day A Time For Hope'>World Aids Day A Time For Hope</a></li>
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</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div align="center"><img style="max-width: 800px;" src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/aids-day-anniversary-2008.jpg" /></div>
<p>&nbsp;<br />December 1st, 2008 &#8212; World Aids Day, a day to remember, to spread the message of prevention and hope for the future.&nbsp; Get the word out, not just today but everyday.&nbsp; Don&#8217;t shun the thought of discussing HIV and AIDS.&nbsp; So many have forgotten, so many have died.&nbsp; </p>
<div align="center">
<div class="youtube-video"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eU2w2V-qaFw&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eU2w2V-qaFw&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></div>
<p>***</p></div>
<p>When I started this blog last year I made a promise that I would spread the message 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, year after year.&nbsp; At that time I placed the following image in the sidebar of this blog and it has remained there since.&nbsp; Now it&#8217;s time to change that image to a another one on this World Aids Day anniversary.&nbsp; I choose old well circulated images for a specific reason &#8211; they stand out.&nbsp; People will see an old photo they&#8217;ve seen years ago and think, &#8220;that&#8217;s old, what&#8217;s the deal?&#8221;&nbsp; Then they look and see the message &#8211; simple but effective.</p>
<p><img style="max-width: 800px; float: left; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/express-yourself.jpg" />It&#8217;s time to say good-bye to the 2007 version and bring in the 2008 which will stand its place on this blog.&nbsp; It will stay there throughout design changes as the previous one has witnessed 3 blog redesigns.&nbsp; </p>
<p>Other bloggers have asked me why I keep it there.&nbsp; I tell them because it&#8217;s important.&nbsp; So many of our gay brothers have forgotten or are too young to know what it was like in the 80&#8242;s with the onset of HIV &amp; AIDS; the scare; the shock; the death.&nbsp; I was just a kid but I remember very well all the headlines.&nbsp; At the time as a teenager I was just realizing that I was attracted to boys.&nbsp; All I heard on the news were that gays were dying at an alarming rate.&nbsp; It was considered a homosexual disease at the time.</p>
<p>Today, drug cocktails keep people with AIDS alive and healthy more than ever before.&nbsp; That&#8217;s great but it still kills too.&nbsp; Not everyone is lucky.&nbsp; That&#8217;s why it is so important, yet many younger gay men, including men of my age group think nothing much of it anymore.&nbsp; I&#8217;ve heard men say, &#8220;So what if I get AIDS, I&#8217;ll just take the drugs and have sex with other HIV positive guys.&#8221;&nbsp; With some guys it&#8217;s really that superficial to them.&nbsp; That&#8217;s a real shame in my opinion.&nbsp; I say to them; what if it doesn&#8217;t work?&nbsp; You can still die, sometimes the drugs don&#8217;t work.&nbsp; And, who wants to take countless pills everyday for the rest of their lives.&nbsp; Even sadder is that if the subject comes up it seems almost taboo to talk about.&nbsp; Guys don&#8217;t like discussing it.&nbsp; But worse than that, a lot of guys today don&#8217;t even think about it at all.&nbsp; </p>
<p>Time to bring in the new 2008 version of the Express Yourself &#8211; Protect Yourself banner.&nbsp; Please feel free to distribute on your blogs or other pages.&nbsp; All I ask is that the photo not be hotlinked.&nbsp; Please copy and upload it directly.</p>
<div align="center"><img style="max-width: 800px;" src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/express-yourself-2008.jpg" /></div>


<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://likastarr.com/world-aids-day-is-today-december-1st' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: World AIDS Day Is Today December 1st'>World AIDS Day Is Today December 1st</a></li>
<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/world-aids-day-a-time-for-hope' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: World Aids Day A Time For Hope'>World Aids Day A Time For Hope</a></li>
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</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Check Your Balls &#8211; It Could Save Your Life</title>
		<link>http://likastarr.com/check-your-balls-it-could-save-your-life</link>
		<comments>http://likastarr.com/check-your-balls-it-could-save-your-life#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 Jul 2008 06:40:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lika Starr</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[health]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[This is an awareness message for all of my friends and readers of this blog. Check your balls guys! I&#8217;m being serious. A friend of mine was just diagnosed with testicular cancer a couple of weeks ago. He&#8217;s only 22. He should be OK because he did find it early before it spread. The bad [...]


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://likastarr.com/world-aids-day-is-today-december-1st' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: World AIDS Day Is Today December 1st'>World AIDS Day Is Today December 1st</a></li>
<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/in-support-of-world-aids-day' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: In Support Of World Aids Day'>In Support Of World Aids Day</a></li>
<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/florida-says-1-in-22-gay-men-have-hiv' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Florida Says 1 in 22 Gay Men Have HIV'>Florida Says 1 in 22 Gay Men Have HIV</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="youtube-video"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UpDvx2GlBE0&#038;hl=en&amp;fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UpDvx2GlBE0&#038;hl=en&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed><br />This is an awareness message for all of my friends and readers of this blog.  Check your balls guys!  I&#8217;m being serious.</p>
<p>A friend of mine was just diagnosed with testicular cancer a couple of weeks ago.  He&#8217;s only 22.  He should be OK because he did find it early before it spread.  The bad news is he&#8217;ll lose the affected testicle.  But&#8230;in the grand scheme of things, it&#8217;s a small price to pay for getting to keep his life.</p>
<p>There&#8217;s not enough awareness and education out there for us guys.  If you have a blog please share this message.  If you do not want to post the video because it does contain graphic imagery you are welcome to link back to this page.  If you don&#8217;t have a web site then email your friends or at the very least bring up the conversation in person or online chat and discuss testicle self-examination.  You never know, it could be you that saves a friend&#8217;s life.</p>
<p>If you do find something you think is abnormal in a self examination do see your doctor and get a professional opinion.  After finding about my friend another friend who is only 19 admitted to us that he found a small lump over a year ago but never saw a doctor.  He said it hasn&#8217;t changed in size  since he first discovered it.  But he also admitted he was too embarrassed to tell his parents or have his family doctor do an exam.</p>
<p>We convinced him to see a doctor and luckily for him it turned out to be a harmless cyst.  He is very lucky indeed.  Because if it had been cancer, he probably wouldn&#8217;t be here today.</p>
<p>I didn&#8217;t even realize the importance of this until now.  We all get busy and get caught up in our own little worlds.  Don&#8217;t take life for granted, get the word out friends.    <br />  </object></div>


<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://likastarr.com/world-aids-day-is-today-december-1st' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: World AIDS Day Is Today December 1st'>World AIDS Day Is Today December 1st</a></li>
<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/in-support-of-world-aids-day' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: In Support Of World Aids Day'>In Support Of World Aids Day</a></li>
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</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Time To Trim The Fellas</title>
		<link>http://likastarr.com/time-to-trim-the-fellas</link>
		<comments>http://likastarr.com/time-to-trim-the-fellas#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:23:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lika Starr</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[personal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reviews]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[This is more of a review than anything else. I really couldn&#8217;t think of a catchy title for this post so to avoid any confusion I&#8217;ll clear that up right way. &#8220;Fellas&#8221; is reference to cock and balls. Yup, I trim &#8216;em. If you find those words offensive, I suggest you move on. So there [...]


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</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This is more of a review than anything else.  I really couldn&#8217;t think of a catchy title for this post so to avoid any confusion I&#8217;ll clear that up right way.  &#8220;Fellas&#8221; is reference to cock and balls.  Yup, I trim &#8216;em.  If you find those words offensive, I suggest you move on.  So there you have it.  Now on to the post.</p>
<p class="youtube-video">
<div class="youtube-video"><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wGzVBhZYqXU"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wGzVBhZYqXU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></div>
</p>
<p>Some guys do, most guys don&#8217;t.  I do.  It all started about 8 years ago when I started freeballin&#8217;.  All my life I&#8217;ve loved the freedom that only being naked can offer.  Both as an adult and in my later teen years. From skinny dipping to walking around the house to nude sunbathing, I&#8217;ve done it.  Never really being a fan of boxers, I&#8217;ve always worn briefs.  But I didn&#8217;t really like that either, too constraining, too humid especially in the Texas heat.  So about 8 years ago I ditched &#8216;em and went commando or freeballing as they say.</p>
<p>Although I was much more comfortable letting my stuff swing free in my jeans it didn&#8217;t come without problems.  I would frequently zip my pubes up when putting on jeans.  Ouch, that hurts!  I learned my lesson to be careful after catching actual skin a couple of times.  I quickly learned to pull the zipper out and up to avoid that disaster.  But there&#8217;s only so far out you can go when getting close to the top so every now and then I&#8217;d catch a couple of pubes and that doesn&#8217;t feel so good either.  The solution; trim it.</p>
<p>I purchased a trimmer by Whall, the only major brand at the time that I can remember.  It was the perfect solution.  No more trapped hairs in my zipper.  I was a happy freeballer&#8230;Yay!  At first I just trimmed the pubes above my cock but realized that aesthetically it looked ridiculous.  Short pubes on top and a few longer ones on the shaft and even more on my balls.  After a few months I started trimming it all as evenly as I could.  I would trim the hairs to leave about 3/4 of an inch.  That way I only had to trim every three or four months.  The more times I trimmed it seemed to grow faster and longer.  Eventually my schedule leveled off to every two months where it stayed for years.</p>
<p>About a year ago, the topic of freeballing came up with a friend.  He said he used to let &#8216;em hang too but stopped because his inner thighs became discolored because of it.  He proceeded to tell me about these weird dark brown spots on the inside of his thighs caused by his balls constantly rubbing against them.  I was shocked at what he was telling me because I had them too.  I had no idea what it was caused from.  I had even mentioned it to and shown my physician once before and he didn&#8217;t know what it was either but said it didn&#8217;t look harmful.  Come to think of it, it&#8217;s probably because I wore underwear when I saw him&#8230;haha.</p>
<p>My friend tells me that after he started wearing briefs again the discoloration went away.  I didn&#8217;t like it on myself either but the spots didn&#8217;t hurt or cause irritation and no one had ever complained about it.  So it really wasn&#8217;t a problem.  Still, it bothered the more I thought about it. By this time, mens underwear had come a long way since the days when I stopped wearing them.  After a few weeks of this mentally growing on me, I decided to try a few different brands and styles of underwear.  I was able to find some that I liked and thought, &#8220;Why didn&#8217;t underwear make <em>real </em>pouches before.&#8221;  I remember the transition well.  When men&#8217;s fashion underwear started getting popular the companies had to compete and continue to innovate.  Before the pouch became popular, it was contoured briefs but even those were too constricting for my liking.  Once the pouch caught on, there was hope.  But all pouches are not created equal.  Currently my favorite is the Trophy Shelf by C-IN2 made with Bamboo material.  It&#8217;s designed to hold your stuff up and out.  But I learned if I buy a size up and after a couple of washings it lets me hang freely &#8212; Yes!!!  There are other brands and styles that work nicely too, but for my money I can&#8217;t beat the feeling of the bamboo mesh fabric.  It&#8217;s like wearing nothing at all.</p>
<p>Once I started wearing briefs again I thought all my problems were solved.  The brown spots faded over a couple of months and I didn&#8217;t have to trim anymore.  Not that I really minded trimming but I had gotten tired of it.  A trim-free life was short-lived because within a few months my pubes had grown back out and they were longer than ever before.  I began to notice that after sitting for a while, the hairs would on occasion get caught in my foreskin.  Then sometimes when I would stand up, my cock would actually tug on the hairs.  A quick adjustment would take care of it but the longer they got the worse it became.  To the point it was really uncomfortable when it did happen.</p>
<p>I brought out the ol&#8217; hedge trimmer and whacked it off.  Fast forward until a few weeks ago my aging trimmer started to pull on occasion.  That&#8217;s not good.  <img src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/norelco-bodygroom.jpg" style="max-width: 800px; float: left; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" />It was time for a replacement.  When doing my research I ran across the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&#038;location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB000EG8HLE%2F&amp;tag=lika-20&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325">Bodygroom by Norelco</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lika-20&#038;l=ur2&amp;o=1" style="border: medium none  ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" border="0" width="1" height="1" /> for $35..  It has over 500 mostly positive reviews on Amazon.  All the guys really liked it with the exception of a few who have really thick pubes or those who try to use it on their scalps too.  It clearly states it&#8217;s meant for the neck down.  I decided to order it and I&#8217;m very glad I did.</p>
<p>I received it a few days ago but used it today for the first time.  Probably a little TMI, your reading the words of a freshly trimmed guy&#8230;haha.  And, it feels great!  The Bodygroom&#8217;s ergonomic shape makes it super easy to hold onto while trimming at different angles.  It can be used wet or dry but does perform better dry especially if you&#8217;re going to be cutting any hairs that lay close to your body.  Though it worked perfectly in the shower for my pubes.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s rechargeable which means it will be always ready when I am.  Of course, to extend the battery life it needs to run down before recharging.  An eight hour charge allows for 50 minutes of shaving/trimming.</p>
<p>It comes with three comb attachments to allow for different lengths but can also be used as a close shaver in either a push or pull motion.  The blade design is ingenious.  There are two sets of trimmers that allow for shaving in either direction without the combs.  In the center is a foil shaver for a closer cut without nicks.  I will mostly only be using the comb attachments for my needs.  But for those wanting to shave things a little closer the Bodygroom promises to accommodate you too.  There&#8217;s a humorous and popular <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&#038;location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fcdp%2Fmember-reviews%2FA2NOPUL736XW45%3Fie%3DUTF8%26sort%5Fby%3DMostRecentReview&amp;tag=lika-20&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325">user review</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lika-20&#038;l=ur2&amp;o=1" style="border: medium none  ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" border="0" width="1" height="1" /> on Amazon that states: &#8220;The &#8220;Bodygroom&#8221; is Shaft, Beanbag, and Starfish safe. No nicks or any pain&#8230;no worries.&#8221;  The comments on that review are even more hilarious, especially the guys questioning<br />
 what the word <em>starfish </em>means.</p>
<p>A couple of tips; if you&#8217;ve got thick pubic hair, start slow and take your time.  The trimmer should work well as a maintenance tool after the first cut.  Or you could use a regular trimmer to get it near the length you want to keep it.  The trimmer blades are small.  Much like those found on face shavers (the pop-up sideburn trimmers).  So they&#8217;re meant for maintenance rather than heavy duty cutting.  If you&#8217;re going to trim or shave body hair, it&#8217;s best to use it dry but you can experiment with your hair type.</p>
<p>I absolutely love the Bodygroom.  Now I&#8217;m able to completely cut off the edge of my pubes that stuck out of my underwear at the leg openings.  Hey, that&#8217;s better than saying &#8220;bikini line,&#8221; right?  Before when I tried this with my old trimmer, the blades were hot and burned my skin to the point of being very uncomfortable.</p>
<p>For some closing entertainment, here&#8217;s a bold music video by Phillips Norelco about the Bodygroom.  Guys shave their bodies for many different reasons.  For me it is to solve real problems, but maybe you just like the look and feel of an all over shave.  Whatever the reason, if you&#8217;re looking for an <em>everywhere</em> body shaver/trimmer, you won&#8217;t go wrong with the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&#038;location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB000EG8HLE%2F&amp;tag=lika-20&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325">Bodygroom by Norelco</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=lika-20&#038;l=ur2&amp;o=1" style="border: medium none  ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" border="0" width="1" height="1" />.</p>
<p class="youtube-video">
<div class="youtube-video"><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cpEsNrYEssw"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cpEsNrYEssw" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></div></p>


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<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/more-personal-posts-to-come' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: More Personal Posts To Come'>More Personal Posts To Come</a></li>
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		<title>12 Year Old Girl Granted Court Approved Sex Change</title>
		<link>http://likastarr.com/12-year-old-girl-granted-court-approved-sex-change</link>
		<comments>http://likastarr.com/12-year-old-girl-granted-court-approved-sex-change#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 25 May 2008 00:37:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lika Starr</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[bloggers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[I definitely have something to say about this. See Lika&#8217;s Take below. Australia &#8212; The Daily Telegraph reporting. A 12 year old girl has been granted permission by a judge to undergo a sex change operation. Obviously the patient is too young to make this decision on her own so the mother filed the paperwork [...]


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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/sex-change-png-250.png" style="max-width: 800px; float: left; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" />I definitely have something to say about this.  See <strong><font color="#990000">Lika&#8217;s Take</font></strong> below.</p>
<p><em>Australia</em> &#8212; <a href="http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23752262-5006009,00.html" target="_blank">The Daily Telegraph</a> reporting. A 12 year old girl has been granted permission by a judge to undergo a sex change operation.  Obviously the patient is too young to make this decision on her own so the mother filed the paperwork to allow medical procedures to begin.</p>
<p>So far she has only begun hormone treatments which is the first step, followed by surgery several months down the road.</p>
<p>No one close to the 12 year old opposed the decision to seek court approval except for the girl&#8217;s father.  But he could not afford an attorney to legally represent his objections.  The father says the girl is too young to make this decision.</p>
<p>An endocrinologist, a psychiatrist, a family counselor, a State Government watchdog and a lawyer acting for the child all supported the girl and her mother.</p>
<p>Her mother says she is saddened expresses concern for her daughter but says she will stand by her. The girl&#8217;s lawyer said she believes her client is mature enough to make an informed decision in regards to the procedure.</p>
<p>The court order also grants the 12 year old to obtain a new birth certificate with a new gender identity and name change.  She will also be able to obtain a new passport and Medicare card.  The sex change procedure will be funded by tax payer dollars.</p>
<hr /><font color="#990000"><strong>Lika&#8217;s Take:</strong></font></p>
<p>I read this and thought &#8220;OMG &#8211; WTF, is this real?  &#8212;  Seriously!  The girl is TWELVE years old!  What is wrong with these people and more importantly what is wrong with the judge, lawyer, doctors and most importantly, the girl&#8217;s mother.</p>
<p>Maybe my reaction to this story is because I have a 13 year old daughter myself and I just cannot imagine her making a decision like this at that age.I understand this girl has felt she should have been a boy all her life.  I fully support people who decided to go through a sex change.  I&#8217;m sure it is daunting and I am also sure that the earlier it&#8217;s done the better off the person would be&#8230;but 12?  Come on!  That&#8217;s just insane.</p>
<p>At 12 years old she is probably just developing or did so recently.  Maybe that&#8217;s it, maybe she doesn&#8217;t want to <em>develop </em>into an adult woman.  I can even understand that&#8230;but 12?  Come on!  Insane, I tell you!  I&#8217;m not saying she&#8217;s insane for wanting this but everyone else around her has got to be for allowing this to go this far this soon.</p>
<p>There is a lot more to a sex change then just the mental side of things.  There is also a very strong physical side.  I&#8217;m talking about sex and sexual function.  There is no way this girl knows about this in a fully mature (as in adult) way yet.</p>
<p>A female to male transgender cannot achieve <em>natural </em>erections.  Well, they can somewhat but it is nowhere near the real thing to my understanding.  They also cannot experience male ejaculation or orgasm the way a naturally born male can.  There is the decision of whether to use your own tissue to form new genitalia or have it enhanced with prosthetics.  I&#8217;m not saying these things should deter a transgender transition.  But I am saying there is no way that a 12  year old can fully understand this without first becoming an adult and through life experiences, etc.  What if when this child grows up, it&#8217;s not what all she thought it to be and thinks she made a mistake.</p>
<p>Anyone who has read any part of my blog knows I fully support equal rights for just about anything.  I am a firm believer in human rights all the way.  I do support this 12 year old&#8217;s feelings, needs, desires and wishes.  I fully understand how it would feel to trapped in the wrong gender.  But I just think in this case it&#8217;s too fast, too soon.</p>
<p>The article indicates a counselor was involved so I assume the girl has had therapy.  But was it enough?  I wouldn&#8217;t think so, not at just 12 years old.</p>
<p>As a parent I would encourage my child to be who she/he feels they are on inside.  There is no way I would allow a 12 year old to proceed medically with something like this though. Counsel, yes, but medical procedures&#8230;no!</p>
<p>Because of my strong objections to this as a parent I also have to ask myself at what age would I condone procedures to begin.  Using this case as an example I would probably agree for her to begin medical treatment around the age of 16 and then surgery after she turns 18.  I would want to make absolutely sure my daughter is doing what is right for her.  Even 16 sounds a little young to me.  But if she had been seeing counsel for 4+ years and she had already developed as an adult physically and mentally then and only then would I commit to any type of medical procedures.</p>
<p>If I am to be totally honest with myself, I&#8217;m not even sure I&#8217;d do it then.  I would probably tell her that I support her completely but she&#8217;s going to have to wait until she can make this decision as an adult.  I would also ensure her that I would wholly support her decision and help in anyway that I could.</p>
<p>It would be a difficult decision as a parent to deny a child something that means so much to them.  But the consequences are just too permanent to make a mistake at such a young age.  I can&#8217;t even begin to imagine what our lives would be like if at 20 or 30 years of age my child came back to me and said I ruined her life forever by allowing this when she was just a child.</p>
<p>Lastly, I do not know this child and I am not her parent.  So the extenuating circumstances are probably beyond my understanding.  I just cannot see any conditions that would warrant it.   Yet, at the same time a part of me tells me I have no <em>right </em>to say what I&#8217;ve said here.  With that thought, this is merely my opinion as if I were faced with this situation as only I can imagine it.</p>
<p>Lika Starr</p>
<hr /><strong>[Update: 05-25-2008] </strong></p>
<p><em>As this story develops more information will be added to this post. </em></p>
<p>Additional sources: <a href="http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/255166" target="_blank">digital journal</a> &amp;  <a href="http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23752701-661,00.html" target="_blank">heraldsun</a></p>
<p>The girl will not be allowed to undergo sex-change surgery until she is 18 years of age.</p>
<p>The hormonal treatments will prevent the girl from developing further into a woman, including breast development and widened hips, etc.</p>
<p>A cousin of the family who claims to have lived in the girl&#8217;s household between 1999 @ 2001 says the mother brainwashed her daughter into being a boy.  He says when he lived in the home, the mother purchased boy&#8217;s underwear and clothes for her daughter.  If this is true, the girl would have been about 5 years old at the time.</p>
<p>It is also said that the mother experienced postpartum  depression after the birth of her daughter and has always told her that she wanted a son and is glad that she acts like one.</p>
<p>The girl has a younger female sibling who refers to her as her older brother.</p>
<p>The girl reportedly sent a text message to her father stating that she would kill herself if she has to grow up as woman.</p>
<p>The mother and her two daughters live in public housing, which is why the procedures are being funded by tax dollars.</p>
<p>The cousin is trying to help the father obtain the resources so that he can appeal the court&#8217;s ruling.</p>
<hr /><font color="#990000"><strong>Lika&#8217;s Take Two:</strong></font></p>
<p>As I find more information on this story, I think I&#8217;m beginning to understand where my viewpoints are stemming from.  We&#8217;re all different<br />
.  We live in and endure different circumstances throughout life.  When I first read this story I sensed something was out of place.  I now know what that is.   I think it&#8217;s safe to say this family has experienced some troubling times financially, emotionally and possibly even physically.  By physically, I mean physical hardships, not abuse.  My thought is this might raise some stability issues in both the parents and possibly even the girl.  I&#8217;m quite sure extensive psychological evaluations were done, but was it enough?</p>
<p>Even if the above is true it does not merit a decision on it&#8217;s on.  But I do think it warrants some consideration and maybe those considerations were observed and accounted for.    Usually I&#8217;m unwavering on my opinions but circumstances can make a difference. In the case of the girl I still feel like a decision was made too hastily by the court.  The court proceedings only lasted two days and opposition was not sought out (not that it&#8217;s required).  Yet I feel the court should have at least &#8220;heard&#8221; all sides for the sake of the child.</p>
<p>I read another <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1540842/Unhappy-as-a-boy,-Kim-became-youngest-ever-transsexual-at-12.html" target="_blank">story</a> about a young boy who is undergoing transgender treatments.  His family has an entirely different background.  Upon reading that story, I was compelled to agree with with the parent&#8217;s decision.  Almost to the point where I might rebuke my own opinions on the matter as a whole.</p>
<p>Lika Starr</p>


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		<title>Hoping The Best For Ted Kennedy</title>
		<link>http://likastarr.com/hoping-the-best-for-ted-kennedy</link>
		<comments>http://likastarr.com/hoping-the-best-for-ted-kennedy#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 May 2008 20:26:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lika Starr</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[On May 17th, Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy was rushed to the hospital after having a seizure. Since then his physicians have diagnosed Senator Kennedy with a malignant brain tumor. His prognosis is not publicly known. In a statement from the hospital his options are radiation and chemotherapy. At this time there is no mention of [...]


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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style=''><img style="max-width: 800px;" src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/ted-kennedy-500.jpg" /></p>
<p>On May 17th, Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy was rushed to the hospital after having a seizure.  Since then his physicians have diagnosed Senator Kennedy with a malignant brain tumor.   His prognosis is not publicly known.  In a statement from the hospital his options are radiation and chemotherapy.  At this time there is no mention of surgery which is often heavily considered with malignant brain tumor cases.</p>
<p>Stories are breaking across the world from politicians and others wishing Kennedy well, expressing their admiration and documenting the Senator&#8217;s life accomplishments.  These articles confirm what a great man he is, yet they are almost sad as most speak in a past tense.  </p>
<p>The Senator dedicates himself to better the lives of every man, woman and child through equality and legislation. He gives those without a voice the opportunity to be heard and recognized.  I would like to say Ted Kennedy is still with us and miracles do happen.  Senator Kennedy deserves our support, prayers and hope of recovery. </p>
<p>Lika Starr  </div>


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		<title>The Gay Community</title>
		<link>http://likastarr.com/the-gay-community-%e2%80%93-god%e2%80%99s-wrath-on-humanity</link>
		<comments>http://likastarr.com/the-gay-community-%e2%80%93-god%e2%80%99s-wrath-on-humanity#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Jan 2008 01:17:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lika Starr</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gay]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[The title of this article is strong and there Related posts:Gay Pride Misunderstood World AIDS Day Is Today December 1st Scissor Sisters DVD &#8211; A Year Of Ta-Dah


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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center"><img src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/crystal_cross_hiv.jpg" alt="Crystal_Cross_HIV" /></p>
<p>The title of this article is strong and there</p>


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		<title>Team Hoyt &#8211; A Transcending Inspiration</title>
		<link>http://likastarr.com/team-hoyt-a-transcending-inspiration</link>
		<comments>http://likastarr.com/team-hoyt-a-transcending-inspiration#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jan 2008 23:07:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lika Starr</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Inspiration]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[I came across the story of Dick and Rick Hoyt, a.k.a. Team Hoyt, about a year ago on a national network. Upon that first viewing I was touched deeply and I believe I cried (yeah, I do that sometimes). Rick is the son of Dick Hoyt and the duo makes an astounding example of the [...]


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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="center"><img src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/team_hoyt.jpg" alt="team_hoyt" /></p>
<p> I came across the story of Dick and Rick Hoyt, a.k.a. Team Hoyt, about a year ago on a national network.    Upon that first viewing I was touched deeply and I believe I cried (yeah, I do that sometimes).  Rick is the son of Dick Hoyt and the duo makes an astounding example of the love and compassion between a father and son.</p>
<p>Rick Hoyt was born in 1962 with cerebral palsy resulting from being strangled by the umbilical cord during his birth.  Rick had no control over his limbs nor would ever be able to speak.  His parents were told their child had no chance of development and it was recommended that Rick be institutionalized.  Rick&#8217;s mother and father, Dick and Judy Hoyt, wouldn&#8217;t hear of it.  They were determined to give their son a normal life as much as possible and they did just that.</p>
<p>What would happen over the next 45 years is more than a story of relentless love and compassion.  It&#8217;s a story of determination and motivation that transcends the world of the handicapped and parenthood.   They Hoyt&#8217;s &#8220;you can&#8221; motto and attitude is the ultimate inspiration in itself and can encourage anyone in everyday life &#8211; yeah, it&#8217;s that powerful.</p>
<p>His parents knew it all along but at about age 10 engineers from Tufts University learned that Rick could communicate when they told him a joke and he laughed.  With $5000 raised by his parents the engineers built an interactive computer that Rick could control with his head.  His first words when they brought the computer home were &#8220;Go Bruins.&#8221;  At the time the Boston Bruins were in the Stanley Cup finals and it was at that moment his parents knew he liked sports.</p>
<p>A few years later Rick told his dad he wanted to participate in a 5-mile to benefit a lacrosse player that had been paralyzed in an accident.  Rick&#8217;s out of shape father agreed to push his son in a wheel chair.  The pair came in second to last but in their minds they were second to none.  Rick told his parents that while they were running he didn&#8217;t feel handicapped.</p>
<p>It was that feeling of freedom that inspired what would become Team Hoyt.  Now at ages 67 and 45 the father and son team have completed nearly 1000 events.  Including a cross country trek on bike and foot for 3,735 miles in 45 days in 1992.  That&#8217;s a milestone by the highest standards.   There is no end in sight as the Team Hoyt&#8217;s calendar indicates.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s started out as short runs and then led marathons and triathlons which meant that Dick had to learn to swim for the first time.  He said when he first started training for the triathlons he&#8217;d sink like a rock.  Whether Dick is pushing his son Rick in a wheelchair, riding a bike with his son strapped to the handlebars or swimming with his in a boat tied to his waist they always cross the finish line.</p>
<p>The media coverage always focuses on Dick Hoyt being the hero and Rick Hoyt is the first to agree.  In an interview he typed, &#8220;No question about it, my dad is the father of the Century.&#8221;</p>
<p>While that is certainly true it also goes a lot deeper than that.  They inspire each other and set the perfect example of what can be achieved through dedication and commitment.</p>
<p>They don&#8217;t just do this for themselves either.  It may have started out that way but now it&#8217;s just as much about helping others too.  And not just in the world of handicapped individuals.  Team Hoyt is regularly out on motivational speaking tours across the US where they speak not only for handicapped and athletic organizations but also large corporate functions for the pure motivational aspect.</p>
<p>Rick Hoyt has also had his own of impressive accomplishments.  He graduate Boston University and is now employed at the Boston College computer lab where he is helping to develop an eye-controlled system to be used by patients in controlling mechanical devices such as wheelchairs.</p>
<p>Lika Starr</p>
<p style="border-style: none none solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in 0in 1pt">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="color: #993366">Lika</p>


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		<title>America &#8211; Land Of The Free, Home Of The Fat!</title>
		<link>http://likastarr.com/america-land-of-the-free-home-of-the-fat</link>
		<comments>http://likastarr.com/america-land-of-the-free-home-of-the-fat#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 22 Dec 2007 20:16:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lika Starr</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[food]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com Just a quick post to remind everyone to &#8211; Watch what you eat!   This video really has nothing to do with the Holidays but when you consider that this time of year we Americans tend to really pile the plates I thought it appropriate to post a little [...]


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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><center><embed src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=475f433a432239a1b2784a" quality="high" scale="noscale" wmode="transparent" name="FLVPlayer" salign="LT" flashvars="&amp;p=475f433a432239a1b2784a&amp;skin_id=1011&amp;host=http://www.onetruemedia.com" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" height="284" width="320"></embed></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-family: verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 20px; padding-bottom: 15px; width: 320px; text-align: center"><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&amp;utm_source=emplay&amp;utm_medium=txt1" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none">Make an on-line slide show at <span style="text-decoration: underline">www.OneTrueMedia.com</span></a></p>
<p></center>Just a quick post to remind everyone to &#8211; Watch what you eat!   This video really has nothing to do with the Holidays but when you consider that this time of year we Americans tend to really pile the plates I thought it appropriate to post a little deterrent.  With all the extra food we take in from Thanksgiving to New Years it&#8217;s probably a good idea to stay away from the fast food franchises and be a little more aware of exactly what we&#8217;re eating.</p>
<p>This is a public service message from Lika Star &#8211; Eat Responsibly!   Enjoy the Holidays <img src='http://likastarr.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif' alt=':D' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>


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		<title>The Mother of Ryan White Wants To Talk With Mike Huckabee</title>
		<link>http://likastarr.com/the-mother-of-ryan-white-wants-to-talk-with-mike-huckabee</link>
		<comments>http://likastarr.com/the-mother-of-ryan-white-wants-to-talk-with-mike-huckabee#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:02:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lika Starr</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[health]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[Ryan White was a poster child for non-homosexual AIDS victims in the 1980’s. At 13 he contracted the disease via a treatment for hemophilia. At the age of 18 in 1990 Ryan’s life would end at the mercy of AIDS. Ryan’s story did help a lot of people overcome the fear of being around those [...]


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://likastarr.com/more-on-huckabee-and-aids' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: More On Huckabee And AIDS'>More On Huckabee And AIDS</a></li>
<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/viral-video-gems-huckabee-wham' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Viral Video Gems &#8211; Huckabee &#038; Wham!'>Viral Video Gems &#8211; Huckabee &#038; Wham!</a></li>
<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/world-aids-day-is-today-december-1st' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: World AIDS Day Is Today December 1st'>World AIDS Day Is Today December 1st</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="left">Ryan White was a poster child for non-homosexual AIDS victims in the 1980’s.  At 13 he contracted the disease via a treatment for hemophilia.  At the age of 18 in 1990 Ryan’s life would end at the mercy of AIDS.</p>
<p>Ryan’s story did help a lot of people overcome the fear of being around those who have AIDS.  He should forever be remembered for his bravery and struggle to help others.</p>
<blockquote><p>“Because of the lack of education on AIDS, discrimination, fear, panic, and lies surrounded me” ~ Ryan White</p></blockquote>
<blockquote><p>“It was difficult, at times, to handle; but I tried to ignore the injustice, because I knew the people were wrong” ~ Ryan White</p></blockquote>
<p align="left"> Mike Huckabee’s comments from 1992 in a questionnaire recently made headlines.  In which he said carriers of the virus should be isolated [quarantined].  More on this can be found on my blog.  After the headlines broke, Huckabee was interviewed of FOX News where he said he does not recant his views but would state them differently in retrospect.</p>
<p>On Tuesday the HRC (Human Rights Campaign) had sent a letter to Mike Huckabee asking him to meet with White’s mother.  The Huckabee Campaign declined any response so far.</p>
<p>The HRC letter followed a phone call on Monday by the Associated Press who spoke with Jeanne White-Ginder, Ryan White’s mother.  White-Gender told the AP &#8221;We have to treat this disease like a disease, and like Ryan always said, not like a dirty word.&#8221;</p>
<p>White-Gender said, “It’s so alarming to me,” in reference to Huckabee’s views on AIDS.  She stressed, “It&#8217;s very important to me that we don&#8217;t live in the darkness,” talking about a time when HIV/AIDS was thought to be transmitted by casual contact.</p>
<p>[UPDATE:]  Huckabee agrees to meet with Jeanne White-Ginder, mother of Ryan White who died in 1990 of AIDS contracted by hemophilia treatment derived from blood.</p>
<p>&#8220;I would be very willing to meet with them&#8230;I would tell them we&#8217;ve come a long way in research, in treatment,&#8221; Huckabee said.</p>
<p>Huckabee told reporters that he doesn&#8217;t want to hurt any families of AIDS victims.  He said, &#8220;I certainly never would want to say anything that would be hurtful to them or anyone else. I would have great regret and anxiety if I thought my comments were hurtful or in any way added to the already incredible pain that families have felt regardless of how they contracted AIDS.&#8221;</p>
<p align="left">&nbsp;</p>
<p align="left">Lika Starr</p>
<p align="left">We should be assured that the HRC will do everything they can to ensure this meeting takes place.  But what does all this mean?  It means that Huckabee is doing what he does best &#8211; being Likable.  I am almost certain he would not agree to meet with this mother had her son been older and a homosexual that contracted AIDS through sexual contact.  America should not be fooled by his acceptance of the meeting.  Huckabee is fully aware that this was an &#8216;innocent&#8217; child that touched the heart of America.  He is using that as a basis reach out to those same Americans.</p>
<p align="left">However, it does not change the fact that he refuses to recant his views of 1992 and to this day stands by his convictions against homosexuality.  It does not change that he feels carriers of the virus should be isolated.  It does not change that he believes homosexuality is a sin and does not support same sex unity personally or in the eyes of the law.</p>
<p align="left">&nbsp;</p>
<p align="center">***<br />
<center><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JtznPypt4Lc&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x402061&amp;color2=0x9461ca&amp;border=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JtznPypt4Lc&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0x402061&amp;color2=0x9461ca&amp;border=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br />
</center></p>
<p align="center"> ***</p>


<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://likastarr.com/more-on-huckabee-and-aids' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: More On Huckabee And AIDS'>More On Huckabee And AIDS</a></li>
<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/viral-video-gems-huckabee-wham' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Viral Video Gems &#8211; Huckabee &#038; Wham!'>Viral Video Gems &#8211; Huckabee &#038; Wham!</a></li>
<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/world-aids-day-is-today-december-1st' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: World AIDS Day Is Today December 1st'>World AIDS Day Is Today December 1st</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>More On Huckabee And AIDS</title>
		<link>http://likastarr.com/more-on-huckabee-and-aids</link>
		<comments>http://likastarr.com/more-on-huckabee-and-aids#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 08 Dec 2007 18:20:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lika Starr</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[The latest story breaking today on Huckabee is regarding a 229 questionnaire submitted to Mike Huckabee as a candidate in 1992 for a U.S. Senate seat. At that time he suggested a quarantine and said celebrities should fund more of AIDS research out of their own pockets.Huckabee said, &#8220;If the federal government is truly serious [...]


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<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/viral-video-gems-huckabee-wham' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Viral Video Gems &#8211; Huckabee &#038; Wham!'>Viral Video Gems &#8211; Huckabee &#038; Wham!</a></li>
<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/bush-says-congress-acting-like-a-teenager' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Bush &#8211; Says Congress Acting Like A Teenager'>Bush &#8211; Says Congress Acting Like A Teenager</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/huckabee.thumbnail.jpg" alt="huckabee.jpg" align="left" />The latest story breaking today on Huckabee is regarding a 229 questionnaire submitted to Mike Huckabee as a candidate in 1992 for a U.S. Senate seat. At that time he suggested a quarantine and said celebrities should fund more of AIDS research out of their own pockets.Huckabee said, &#8220;If the federal government is truly serious about doing something with<br />
the AIDS virus, we need to take steps that would isolate the carriers<br />
of this plague.&#8221;  He also said that in the first time in history AIDS is a plague that has not been isolated.</p>
<p>At the time when Huckabee submitted his answers it was widely known that AIDS could not be transferred by casual contact &#8211; thus making a national quarantine unnecessary.</p>
<p>On his views of homosexuality Huckabee said, &#8220;I feel homosexuality is an aberrant, unnatural, and sinful lifestyle,<br />
and we now know it can pose a dangerous public health risk.&#8221;</p>
<p>As a 2008 Presidential Candidate Huckabee offers the following statement regarding AIDS on his website.</p>
<p>&#8220;My administration will be the first to have an overarching strategy<br />
for dealing with HIV and AIDS here in the United States, with a<br />
partnership between the public and private sectors that will provide<br />
necessary financing and a realistic path toward our goals.&#8221;</p>
<p style="border-style: none none solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in 0in 1pt">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="color: #993366">Lika’s Take:</span></strong></p>
<p>Huckabee Schmuckabee &#8211; nuff said!</p>
<p>Lika Starr</p>


<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://likastarr.com/the-mother-of-ryan-white-wants-to-talk-with-mike-huckabee' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: The Mother of Ryan White Wants To Talk With Mike Huckabee'>The Mother of Ryan White Wants To Talk With Mike Huckabee</a></li>
<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/viral-video-gems-huckabee-wham' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Viral Video Gems &#8211; Huckabee &#038; Wham!'>Viral Video Gems &#8211; Huckabee &#038; Wham!</a></li>
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</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>World AIDS Day Is Today December 1st</title>
		<link>http://likastarr.com/world-aids-day-is-today-december-1st</link>
		<comments>http://likastarr.com/world-aids-day-is-today-december-1st#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 01 Dec 2007 19:39:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lika Starr</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[&#8220;Stop AIDS.  Keep the Promise.&#8221;  A couple of weeks ago I wrote an article about the increase in HIV/AIDS in the US. At that that time I suggested that we all (especially bloggers) need to do our part to up the awareness level because the message has faded over the years. With the new drug [...]


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<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/florida-says-1-in-22-gay-men-have-hiv' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Florida Says 1 in 22 Gay Men Have HIV'>Florida Says 1 in 22 Gay Men Have HIV</a></li>
<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/check-your-balls-it-could-save-your-life' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Check Your Balls &#8211; It Could Save Your Life'>Check Your Balls &#8211; It Could Save Your Life</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="center"><a href="http://www.worldaidscampaign.info/index.php/en/home" target="_blank"><strong>&#8220;Stop AIDS.  Keep the Promise.&#8221; </strong></a></p>
<p> <img src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/express_yourself.thumbnail.jpg" alt="Express_Yourself" align="left" />A couple of weeks ago I wrote an article about the increase in HIV/AIDS in the US.  At that that time I suggested that we all (especially bloggers) need to do our part to up the awareness level because the message has faded over the years.</p>
<p><img src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/redribbonvsm_lightbox.thumbnail.jpg" alt="redribbonvsm_lightbox" align="right" />With the new drug cocktails that have been developed over the years people have wrongly assumed the risk has lessened.  That is simply not true.  To make matters worse, there are strains of the disease that modern medication may have little effect on.  Also there seems to be a common thought amongst some sexually promiscuous homosexual men that if they get AIDS then all they have to do is take the meds and not have to worry about it anymore.  There are bareback clubs in particular that have been formed for this purpose &#8211; to get AIDS.</p>
<p>I&#8217;ve been told by several people usually in their twenties that AIDS is no longer a big deal.  &#8220;That was in the 80&#8242;s,&#8221; they say.  They are wrong.  The numbers are creeping back up because we no longer &#8220;think&#8221; it&#8217;s a big deal. It&#8217;s time to wake up.  Again.</p>
<p>To top it off our current compassionate President, Mr. Bush, has vetoed additional spending on AIDS awareness.  It&#8217;s up to us to inform each other.  When I wrote that article I pledged that my blog would support HIV/AIDS awareness.  I wanted to do something special so I created a graphic.  Although I designed the graphic for my blog shortly afterwards and placed it on my blog I didn&#8217;t want to officially announce it until now.</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><img src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/express_yourself.jpg" alt="Express_Yourself" /></p>
<p>The graphic above is part of what will be an ongoing AIDS awareness campaign for this blog.  About the design: I found the photo doing a Google search. I wanted a photo of two hot guys kissing for my project but I wanted to keep it clean but intense at the same time. I&#8217;m really not fond of &#8220;scare&#8221; tactics used in other campaigns.  Instead I prefer to promote safe hot sex to sell the message.  The photo I selected came from <a href="http://www.queerty.com/queer/the-netherlands/gay-lovin-required-of-muslims-immigrants-20060314.php" title="Queerty" target="_blank">Queerty</a>.  It was from an old story back in 2006 about Gay Muslins seeking political asylum in the Netherlands.  Gays seeking asylum had to watch videos of two men kissing in a park to prove they were gay.</p>
<p>&#8220;Express Yourself &#8211; Protect Yourself&#8221; is a slogan I really liked because it promotes sex while promoting safety.  I also like the song, Express Yourself, by Madonna.</p>
<p>Of course I think we should all be creative and come up with our own projects/graphics for this cause.  Uniqueness is key but if you like the graphic I made please feel free to use it with or without credit to me.  I&#8217;ll keep it located near the bottom left-hand corner of my page for now.   Since this is an ongoing project I figure its okay if it&#8217;s located near the bottom.  Besides how many of us guys do you think won&#8217;t notice it no matter where it&#8217;s placed.  If I&#8217;m looking at a page with mostly text and there&#8217;s a photo of two hot guys kissing I&#8217;m going to see it (and take a closer look) no matter where it is.  *grins*</p>
<p>Lika Starr</p>


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<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/check-your-balls-it-could-save-your-life' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Check Your Balls &#8211; It Could Save Your Life'>Check Your Balls &#8211; It Could Save Your Life</a></li>
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		<title>Florida Says 1 in 22 Gay Men Have HIV</title>
		<link>http://likastarr.com/florida-says-1-in-22-gay-men-have-hiv</link>
		<comments>http://likastarr.com/florida-says-1-in-22-gay-men-have-hiv#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 Nov 2007 07:04:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lika Starr</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[A study by state health officials in Florida say that for every 22 gay men in the state one of them has the HIV virus. The official varied numbers look like this: One in 11 gay white men in Broward County have HIV, as well as 1 in 17 gay black men and 1 in [...]


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://likastarr.com/world-aids-day-is-today-december-1st' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: World AIDS Day Is Today December 1st'>World AIDS Day Is Today December 1st</a></li>
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</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/men-kissing-1.jpg" alt="Men_Kissing" align="left" />A study by state health officials in Florida say that for every 22 gay men in the state one of them has the HIV virus.  The official varied numbers look like this:</p>
<p>One in 11 gay white men in Broward County have HIV, as well as 1 in 17 gay black men and 1 in 16 gay Hispanic men.</p>
<p>In Palm Beach County, 1 in 13 gay black men have HIV, as do 1 in 29 gay Hispanic men and 1 in 34 gay white men.</p>
<p>Gay activist groups argue the correctness of the numbers because no one really knows how many gay men there are.  The study was generous with its assumptions where it speculated that 10 percent of the state&#8217;s population of males are gay.  The activist groups fear that number may be too high which would make the percentage of gays with HIV even higher.</p>
<p>Regardless of who&#8217;s right or wrong the numbers are staggering and prove that HIV awareness is failing.  Flyers and pamphlets no longer work says activists.  This holds especially true with men who hook up over the internet via mediums like MySpace and other social networkds.  The younger guys aren&#8217;t being taught prevention like they should be.</p>
<p>Overall it&#8217;s disappointing news for the Gay Community since Florida ranks somewhere in the lower top 20 US cities as having the highest number of gay men living in its larger cities.  If the reports are correct, then it is undoubtedly true in other metropolitan areas of the country as well.</p>
<p style="border-style: none none solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in 0in 1pt">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="color: #993366">Lika’s Take:<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p>
<p>Hopefully this will spark a newly designed AIDS awareness campaign geared towards how gay men meet online due to the social boom on the internet.  I can think of a few ideas.  Social networks like MySpace already target their members with ads according to their profile criteria and what they read on the site.  Google Adsense and others like their system target content to display their ads.  Other sites like gay photoblogs target ads by nature of the site content.  Other gay news sites are contenders to campaign as well.</p>
<p>I think all gay bloggers should step and run an HIV/AIDS awareness ad free of charge.  The social sites should do it to as well as advertising programs like Google Adsense.  I spend most of my time on the internet and rarely do I ever see anything promoting safe sex for gays unless I&#8217;m searching for the term.  It&#8217;s time to shape up guys and get with the program.  It&#8217;s almost as if it has been forgotten amongst the internet explosion.  I will pledge to start my own campaign very soon!</p>
<p>Lika Starr</p>


<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://likastarr.com/world-aids-day-is-today-december-1st' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: World AIDS Day Is Today December 1st'>World AIDS Day Is Today December 1st</a></li>
<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/world-aids-day-a-time-for-hope' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: World Aids Day A Time For Hope'>World Aids Day A Time For Hope</a></li>
<li><a href='http://likastarr.com/the-mother-of-ryan-white-wants-to-talk-with-mike-huckabee' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: The Mother of Ryan White Wants To Talk With Mike Huckabee'>The Mother of Ryan White Wants To Talk With Mike Huckabee</a></li>
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		<title>Herbal Sex Pills Could Put You Six Feet Under</title>
		<link>http://likastarr.com/herbal-sex-pills-could-put-you-six-feet-under</link>
		<comments>http://likastarr.com/herbal-sex-pills-could-put-you-six-feet-under#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 13 Nov 2007 06:23:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lika Starr</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[culture]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[As an alternative to Viagra many men turn to the &#8220;all natural&#8221; supplements advertising sexual stamina for men. Getting it up could put you down according to recent FDA findings. The problem is many of the herbal cocktails like Stamina-RX and Vigor-25 contain unregulated versions of the drugs they are supposed to replace. At greatest [...]


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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial">As an alternative to Viagra many men turn to the &#8220;all natural&#8221; supplements advertising sexual stamina for men.  Getting it up could put you down according to recent FDA findings.  The problem is many of the herbal cocktails like Stamina-RX and Vigor-25 contain unregulated versions of the drugs they are supposed to replace.</font></font></p>
<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial">At greatest risk are the estimated 5.5 million American men who take nitrates due to heart or blood pressure problems &#8211; generally older and more likely to need help with getting or maintaining erections.  The all-natural advertised message can be appealing to such men who have been warned by their doctors and TV commercials not to take Viagra, Cialis or Levitra.  When mixed, nitrates and impotency pharmaceuticals can slow blood flow catastrophically, leading to a heart attack or stroke.</font></font></p>
<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial">Though the more serious risks are associated with older men who take nitrates the danger doesn&#8217;t stop there.  Younger men are also attracted to the advertisement claims of these sexual stimulant alternatives.  The real possibility of an erection lasting for hours appeal to many men who live their lives as free sexual beings.  The herbal all-natural alternatives have become common place in &#8220;sex&#8221; parties.Younger men have ended up in emergency rooms because of severe headaches, chronic nosebleeds and erections that persist and won&#8217;t subside.</font></font></p>
<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial">Prescription pills generally retail at pharmacies for between $13 and $20, while herbals can cost less than $1, up to about $5.</font></font></p>
<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial">Since the herbal alternatives are unregulated some of them contain as much as twice the amount of of pharmaceuticals like sildenafil citrate, the main ingredient in Viagra.  Moreover most of the alternatives have not been thoroughly tested.</font></font></p>
<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial">Currently the FDA has no real power over dietary supplements.   It can ask companies to recall such supplements if finds may be a danger but at this time it is voluntary and the company can choose to participate or not.</font></font></p>
<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial">What makes these supplements different from most other natural herbal products is that the manufacturing companies are using the unregulated versions of the same pharmaceuticals found in their prescription counterparts.   This can either be exact copies of the active ingredients or restructured in the molecular makeup to ward off FDA investigations.  In other words, they are laced with real drugs.  Consumers may be promised an Asian exotic mix of herbals when in fact they are getting the real deal as a bonus and in some cases twice as much.</font></font></p>
<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial">Some companies that sell the herbal sexual enhancers warn their customers not to take pills if they&#8217;ve taken blood pressure medications withing the last 6 hours.  But doctors warn that most blood pressure medications are time released and the warning should be at least 24 hours which is the very reason the prescription versions of the enhancers are not usually recommended for some patients with heart disease or high blood pressure.  </font></font></p>
<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial">According to the Associated Press, spiked pills have turned up in Thailand, Taiwan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and the United States, according to testing done by Pfizer Inc., the New York-based pharmaceutical giant that developed Viagra. The company said that 69 percent of 3,400 supplements it purchased in China contained sildenafil citrate, the main ingredient in Viagra.</font></font></p>
<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial">There have been prosecutions when the FDA has been able to prove the knock-off drugs.  V. Vigor Corp., the Long Island-based maker of Vigor-25. While the product was advertised as containing Asian ginseng, lycium fruit and Chinese yam rhizome, FDA testing indicated that the pills contained sildenafil.</font></font></p>
<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial">Michael Peng, CEO of V. Vigor Corp.,had agreed to stop selling Vigor-25 2004, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. But not after 4.5 million pills were packaged for distribution, an affidavit said. According to prosecutors, Peng thought he could evade tests simply by switching from the sildenafil citrate he imported from China to Levitra&#8217;s active ingredient, vardenafil &#8211; a shipment of which U.S. Customs intercepted from Thailand.</font></font></p>
<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial">Peng, who said through his attorney that he was &#8220;unaware that there was anything other than natural supplements&#8221; in Vigor-25, faces a charge of misbranding &#8211; in this instance, claiming that a pharmaceutical is a dietary supplement.<br />
Another man, Jared Wheat, who is free under &#8220;home confinement&#8221; is facing federal charges in Atlanta the he peddled knockoff pharmaceuticals manufactured in a Central American lab.  Prosecutors asserted Wheat contemplated killing an FDA investigator and bribing a prosecutor in an attempt get his bail denied.  The prosecutor&#8217;s pleadings were denied and Wheat was granted bond after surredering $7.5 million in cash and property.</font></font></p>
<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial">Sex is big business and these all-natural sexual enhancers get a large piece of the pie.  Since 2001, sales have risen $100 million, to $398 million last year.  This includes includes primarily safe herbal mixtures, according to estimates by Nutrition Business Journal. The safer herbal mixtures claim to work gradually over weeks; it&#8217;s the herbals marketed for immediate results that are often laced with real drugs.  </font></font></p>
<p align="center"><font size="2"><font face="Arial">&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;- </font></font><font size="2"><font face="Arial">Lika&#8217;s Thoughts &#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;-</font></font></p>
<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial"><br />
While this is important news I have to wonder how many men will take this as an opportunity to self-medicate themselves.  The risks involved are usually due to mixing the herbals with nitrates which causes the blood pressure to drop significantly.  So some men might think, &#8220;if I stop taking my blood pressure medication and start taking these herbal enhancers then I could lower my blood pressure and sport a nice boner to boot&#8230;ahh &#8211; heaven!&#8221;</font></font></p>
<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial">Nah, it wouldn&#8217;t work because these herbals aren&#8217;t time released.  Hmmm&#8230;.A business idea? I can see the slogan now:  &#8220;24 Hour Erection&#8221;  I&#8217;m joking.  Really, I&#8217;m joking.</font></font></p>
<p><font size="2"><font face="Arial">Lika Starr<br />
</font></font></p>


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		<title>Wild Night Drinking &#8211; Morning After Cure</title>
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		<pubDate>Sat, 29 Sep 2007 12:39:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Lika Starr</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[Sunday morning can be a bitch after a night out with the boys and or girls. Last night was a blast but now you&#8217;re awake and your head is throbbing. You feel like your head is inside that massive club speaker you were shaking your ass to the night before. Only now it hurts like [...]


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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="MsoNormal">Sunday morning can be a bitch after a night out with the boys and or girls.  Last night was a blast but now you&#8217;re awake and your head is throbbing.  You feel like your head is inside that massive club speaker you were shaking your ass to the night before.  Only now it hurts like hell.  What do you do? You could try going back to sleep, but that never works unless you’re able to sleep while riding a train tumbling down a mountain side. They say sleep it off.<span>  </span>I say it just doesn’t work!<span>  </span>Here’s my top 10 sure-fire hangover cures.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center"><o:p> </o:p><a href="http://likastarr.com/archives/105/42_below_blog/" rel="attachment wp-att-107" title="42_below_blog"><img src="http://likastarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/42_below_blog.png" alt="42_below_blog" /><span id="more-58"></span></a></p>
<ol style="margin-top: 0in" start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><strong>Hair of the Dog</strong> – At the risk of dependency      you could do this.<span>  </span>It’s one of the      oldest “tricks” in the book.<span>  </span>Drink      more alcohol.<span>  </span>If you do, drink the      clear stuff like vodka and then try sleeping it off.<span>  </span>It has fewer impurities than beer, etc and      can alleviate your current symptoms because you’re putting your body back      on notice.<span>  </span>Be warned though…if you      wake up too soon, you’ll brunt the inevitable return of the hangover.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><strong>H2O</strong> – There’s nothing like      water.<span>  </span>It is what sustains life so      drink plenty of it.<span>  </span>Part of the      symptoms of a hangover is caused by dehydration.<span>  </span>It’s also a good idea to drink a glass      of water before you go to sleep after your night out.<span>  </span>This will reduce your symptoms the      following morning.<span>  </span>Just make sure      you’re not so drunk that you won’t wake up if you need to take a      leak.<span>  </span>Otherwise, you might find      yourself in a funky dream where you think you’re going to the bathroom      only to wake up hours later lying in a smelly wet mess…nasty!</li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><strong>Fresh Air </strong>– Short of an oxygen      tank this is your best bet.<span>  </span>Put      your sun shades on and go outside for a while.<span>  </span>Free your mind and relaxing using this      one with any of the others listed here except, of course number 1.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><strong>Prickly Pear</strong> – Strange?<span>  </span>Not really.<span>  </span>You can find this in the supplements      area of your drugstore.<span>  </span>It is very      helpful at relieving nausea, loss of appetite and reverses dehydration.<span>  </span>Keep a bottle on hand it truly does come      in handy.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><strong>Bananas &amp; Fruit </strong>– Ahh….bananas!<span>  </span>High in potassium which helps with      hydration and awareness plus the sugar gives an added energy boost. Mix it      up with other fruits if you like.<span>  </span>Most      other fruits are high in vitamins and have a high content of water and      sugar.<span>  </span>But remember, banana is king      when it comes to hangovers.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><strong>Vitamins </strong>– B6 and B12 included in      a multivitamin will do you good on any morning but especially one that includes      a hangover leaves you feeling like you’ve been pounding your head against      every wall in your bedroom.<span>  </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><strong>Painkillers </strong>– OTC of course!<span>  </span>Aspirin, Tylenol, Advil or your favorite      drugstore concoction.<span>  </span>This one is      simple. Just don’t over do it or you could end up upsetting your stomach      more than it already is.<span>  </span>This one      is best used in conjunction with other hangover cures for the maximum      results.<span>  </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><strong>Raw Eggs</strong> – Do you swallow?<span>  </span>You might want to get some practice in      for this one.<span>  </span>Blend ‘em up or crack      and swallow, either way raw eggs contain an amino acid that will enable      your body to rid itself of the poisons introduced by the alcohol.<span>  </span>So suck it up and swallow!</li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><strong>Greasy is better </strong>– Get out the      frying pan.<span>  </span>Bacon and eggs,      sausages, etc.<span>  </span>Lots of calories to      replenish lost energy.<span>  </span>While tried      and true at relieving hangover symptoms this one is sometimes hard to stomach      especially if you’re feeling nauseous.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><strong>Milk </strong>– Milk really does do the      body good and especially your stomach during a hangover.<span>  </span>Alcohol is bad for your stomach and rips      the lining away leaving you with a miserable feeling.<span>  </span>Milk helps to sooth your stomach while      it heals itself.<span>  </span>This is my      favorite of all.<span>  </span>Use it with any of      the above suggestions except number one.<span>       </span>See below for my own personal remedy.<span>  </span>I call it the BoyBlaster Combo.</li>
</ol>
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<p align="center">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>BoyBlaster Hangover Combo:</strong><span>  </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p>Shake ingredients<br />
1 ½ cups of whole milk<br />
1 scoop of protein powder<br />
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract (omit if powder is flavored)<br />
1 whole banana (sliced)<br />
1 raw egg<br />
¾ cup of strawberries (halved)</p>
<p>Non Shake ingredients<br />
8 oz or more of water<br />
4 – 250 mg Prickly Pear capsules<br />
2 – Advil Liquid Gel capules<br />
1 – Good multivitamin</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Directions: <span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Take the Prickly Pear, Advil and multivitamin orally with the water before you begin to prepare the BoyBlaster Shake.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Blend the milk, protein powder, vanilla extract, banana, egg and strawberries in a blender or use a hand blender with a large container.<span>  </span>Blend until the fruits are liquefied and blended equally with the other ingredients.<span>  </span>The consistency should be somewhat thick and creamy – Enjoy it outside on the patio while breathing in some fresh air!<span>  </span>It actually tastes very good.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Notes:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1. Don’t worry about the raw egg in the shake.<span>  </span>You won’t be able to taste it.<span>  </span>The consistency of the egg is masked by all the other ingredients.<span>  </span>So just don’t think about the “egg” and you’ll be fine.<span>  </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2. I use Advil Liquid Gels because they’re fast acting.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span>  </span>Make sure you take the pills before you even peel the banana or get out your container for the shake.<span>  </span>This gives the pills a chance to start doing their thing before consuming the shake.<span>  </span>I’ve found it works better this way instead of taking them with the shake.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.<span>  </span>I drink the BoyBlaster Shake nearly everyday for breakfast without the egg.<span>  </span>No, I don’t tie one on every night.<span>  </span>I drink the shake because it’s healthy.<span>  </span>I don’t add the egg because I don’t want the cholesterol; otherwise I would since in my opinion it makes it better.<span>  </span>It’s richer and creamier and doesn’t taste like there’s a raw egg in it.<span>  </span>For a weight loss variation you could use something like SlimFast instead of the protein powder.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.<span>  </span>Cautions:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in">a.<span>  </span><span> </span>If your protein or other powder is already vanilla flavored you shouldn’t use the vanilla extract.<span>  </span>It will be too strong and ruin the taste.<span>  </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in">b. <span> </span><span> </span>If you’re lactose intolerant you shouldn’t consume this shake as prepared here.<span>  </span>You should know how to substitute and change it to meet your needs.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in">c. <span>  </span>For the hangover combo, check your vitamins and make sure you’re not over doing it.<span>  </span>Compare your protein shake and its vitamin content.<span>  </span>Don’t forget, the banana has lots of potassium.<span>  </span>Unless you deal with hangovers every day this shouldn’t be a big deal but I thought I should mention it just in case.<span>  </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in">d.<span>   </span>Finally, I am not a dietician or a medial professional.<span>  </span>I am only listing here what I’ve personally used to ease my own symptoms of a hangover.<span>  </span>If you use any of these methods or remedies that I have listed here, you are doing so at your own risk.<span>  </span>It is your responsibility to know or seek professional help with what you should or should not consume for your own symptoms.<span>  </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>


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