What about that first date?

I recieved an email from a listener, lets call him 'Sam' who stated that after 3 years of being freshly divorced from an 18 year marriage, he was ready to start dating again. The problem he was having was that he didn't know where to take his 'date'!

He asked what he should do, where he should go, etc. Now, it's been more than 20 years since 'Sam' has had to get out there and do something like this, and I can only imagine his hesitation!

Not to worry we got a lot of GREAT suggestions and ideas from all you wonderful listeners and I've forwarded them along to 'Sam' along with the following list. While cruising the net after the show this morning, I stumbled across this list.

Top Ten Best First Date ideas! (How appropriate and timely!)

No.10 - The great outdoors On your first date you want to show her who you are. So take her somewhere you like to go and do something that you like doing. If you're the outdoorsy type, go kayaking or take her on a hike -- in the winter try snowshoeing or skiing. Just make sure whatever you have planned isn't too strenuous.

No.9 - Flea market A first date is also an opportunity for you to get to know her. What are her tastes? What does she find funny? Flea markets are filled with cool, quirky stuff you can explore and discuss, providing a great chance for you to get to know one another. No.8 - Skating rinkIce skating is a classic first date, as evidenced by its appearance in 97% of all romantic comedies. (at least enough to avoid embarrassing yourself). Roller-skating is a good alternative if you can find a rink to hit up for your first date locale.

No.7 - Sporting event It may seem counter-intuitive, but a sporting event is a great first date locale. You'll have ample time to talk to each other, but the game action will give you a breather if you need it. You don't need to take her to a big league game either; college basketball or minor league baseball will work just as well.

No.6 - Breakfast Joint It's an unconventional twist on the traditional dinner date, and it works particularly well for that girl you met at the club the night before. Take her to your favorite greasy spoon for unforgettable French toast or outstanding omelets.

No.5 - Amusement park Where you take a woman on your first date sends significant signals. Take her somewhere she's been a dozen times before and she'll think you're just like every other guy. Take her somewhere unusual, like an amusement park, and suddenly you're the source of new and exciting experiences.

No.4 - The park Pack a picnic and include a decadent dessert. Buy a kite and assemble it together. Teach her how to throw a Frisbee. Plan a few different activities and you'll be sure to keep her interested at this first date locale.

No.3 - The zoo Most people -- especially single people -- haven't been to a zoo in years, so your date will absolutely be original. Even better, all the animal antics will give you lots to talk about. And who doesn't have fun in a monkey house?

No.2 - Bowling alley Bowling meets just about every criteria of the best dates: it's fun, unusual and easy for everyone to do. Even if one or both of you turns out to be a terrible bowler, who cares? You want to show her you can make anywhere a fun place to be, and you need to know if she can do the same.

No.1 - Miniature golf course The miniature golf course is another relaxed environment that makes for a great first date locale. Plus, your date probably hasn't played mini-golf since she was a kid, which makes it an original date locale.

Most of all remember, it doesn't matter if you've been dating for years, or if you're just getting back in the pool, take your time, enjoy yourself and HAVE FUN!

Rock on with your bad self,

H

Tie on the feed bag boys - it's time to put your hotdog where your mouth is!

So, the big day is finally here...

Franks Frankfurter Feeding Frenzy.

You vs. me.

I don't know if I should feel like a bride before her wedding or a gunfighter walking into a strange town. Don't suppose it much matters though, I signed up for it, and I'm going to follow through with it. I'd like to make it known that I have no predictions for this contest. I have NOT made any bets with Bill regarding the outcome, as I am busy lately and don't really care to have to wash his friggin car on Preble Street again...that pretty much sucked.

Anyhow, I agreed to do this contest, because I really do like hot dogs! I often ask Carl at Whip's to make me up a couple on the grill with relish and spicy mustard. He also puts cheese on them, which is quite nice. I had hoped that I would just get two dogs, in buns of course, with the tasty relish/mustard combo that I'm so fond of that I could sit and savor while you (the contestants) battled it out with one another! Since I can't win the prize anyway, why kill myself over it? I don't want to be sick any more than you do.

So, I had it all worked out with Carl. Bill heard me talking about it this morning when I was going over the final details with Carl, and, of course he said...
"Uh...What're you planning?..No.....I don't hardly think so... You're going to eat those dogs just like the contestants are!"

I tried to tell him how funny it would be if I sat and slowly ate mine, taking my time, dabbing with a napkin, and he was having NONE of that! So, now, I have to do it. And, since I have to do it, you better lookout. I may not get the prize but, I still get bragging rights if I beat you!

Knowing full well that I could win if I kept these secrets to myself; I am choosing to share them with you dear listener, so everyone has a fair and fighting chance. Hot dogs are as beloved to Americans as apple pie. So are the competitive eating contests that go along with them. There are people who win eating contests consistently, and it's never about their size; it's about their technique. First of all, it is important to note that The International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE for short, and YES it is a real federation) discourages anyone under 18 years old from speed-eating at all.


Here's how you can become a hot dog eating champion in your neck of the woods.

1.) Before any speed-eating competition, it is important that you have a large dinner and good nights sleep before the event. Preferably a meal with lots of meat and potatoes. Well, maybe the potatoes aren't really that important, just eat lots and lots of meat. Steaks, roast, anything that requires a lot of chewing. You really want to exercise those jaws before the event, so you don't pull a muscle or something. If you're not sure after a few steaks that you're going to be OK with the muscles, feel free to eat a few more helpings, but just make sure you get to bed right after you put down the fork, you need to rest!

2.) Make sure to eat a hearty breakfast. That way your stomach has a good amount of time to 'warm up' before you start really packin it in. Oatmeal is a good choice, but make sure the ones you prepare are the steel cut oats. These are heaviest and stay with you longest, making your stomach work extra hard. The business going on in your belly after eating this breakfast will feel like the 'fullness' you have after eating Thanksgiving dinner - but not to worry, that isn't a true feeling of 'fullness'. It is actually the feeling of your stomach working to digest the oats. It takes a little while to get your stomach warmed up, that is why the steel cut oats are the best choice. The stomach attacks that oatmeal more rapidly than anything else you eat, and because it is so busy in there, you feel full. Not to worry. If you start feeling this 'fullness' before you're done eating breakfast, that just means your belly is acting just as it should. Keep on eating, you'll need your strength. Especially if you were up late eating tons of steaks while exercising your jaw muscles. Exercise makes you really tired. Maybe you should have a big glass of milk with your oatmeal. You need to stay hydrated while you're exercising.

3.) Hot dog eating contests are not about taste or appetite. They're about control. Pack it down. Wiggle your body as you're eating to help the food down people refer to this as the "Kobayashi wiggle". Use your hands to eat and drink as quickly as possible, make sure to take really big drinks and do so often. You're still going to be dehydrated from the exercising you did last night, and since you're stomach is already working on that oatmeal what's a few bottles of water?

4.) Lastly, vomiting during the competition will guarantee a loss. Just train your mind to ignore the urge to upchuck.

There! Now everyone can be even and all have a fair chance...
Good luck to you, and may the best radio host win!

I am going to get my oatmeal ready for tomorrow. See you at 7:45!

Rock on with your bad self!
Heidi