Learn the Art of Seduction

Learn the Art of Seduction

Brought to you by Sari Locker and Match.com!

Ever wish you were one of those lucky people who oozes sensuality and knows how to make just the right romantic move at the perfect time? Well, you can be. The art of seduction is well within anyone's reach. All you need to learn are a few simple techniques that will exert such a powerful force, you won't know how you ever dated without them. Read on for the scoop, then get ready to be a smooth operator when wooing your special someone.

Reach out and touch someone
When you feel ready and raring to get closer to your date, touch is often the ticket. Not only does it forge an instant physical connection, the warmth of your hand on the small of your date's back, shoulder, or knee will get his or her mind racing. Matt, of New City, NY, has often used this technique with great results. "When I'm talking to a girl and I find myself wanting to take things further, I start playing with her hair," he says. "We'll be sitting on the couch, and I'll be next to her stroking her hair. When it feels right, I'll rest my hand on the back of her head and gently pull her in for a kiss. Because I'm already playing with her hair, it feels like a natural next step, not like I'm suddenly putting the moves on her."

Turn down the volume on your conversation
You can also use conversation to cast a spell on the object of your affections. In this case, it's often not what you say, but how you say it. People who talk loudly and jovially can be the life of the party, but speaking softly actually packs much more punch in the turn-on department. Your date will probably lean in a little closer to catch what you're saying--and that's always a plus. He or she may also get the feeling that you don't want anyone else to hear what you're saying, adding a nice umbrella of privacy and intimacy to your conversation. Even better, try whispering in your amour's ear--a move that always gets things going for Guillermo of Fort Worth, Texas. "It lets her know what it will be like to be close to me and lets her feel my warm breath on her ear," he explains. Both of which can really get your date?s senses tingling. And you don't even have to try to say something smooth and sexy--that, in fact, can be overkill. Have fun with it, advises Guillermo. Try something a little goofy like, "I have a secret I want to share: Sometimes I watch Gilmore Girls. But that's between you and me; promise??"

Take it slow and sensual
Seems obvious, but it's easy to forget: Getting your date hot and bothered largely boils down to tapping into your natural sensuality. Says Melissa, of Tarpon Springs, Florida: "For me, being seductive is about making everything I do a bit sexual--though not in an overt, double-entendre way," she says. "I kind of remind myself to slow down and be sexy when I walk, or to take a bite of food and look at him at the same time." To help this along, steer date night conversation away from topics like bird flu and focus on more sensual topics, like your trip to Costa Rica or how amazing your tiramisu tastes. Enhance the sexy mood by looking at your date's lips or into his or her eyes...and think about what it would be like to be kissing. Trust me, your date will notice a difference, and things will shift to a more intimate level.

Smooth-talk your way into a kiss
Leaning in for that first kiss is largely a leap of faith--you never truly know if your date's glad you did until you pucker up and go for it. But believe it or not, smooth operators have come up with some strategies to ease into it. "When I want to seduce someone, I'm kind of playful about it," says Mark, of Hill City, South Dakota. "At a point during the night when I want to kiss her, I'll whisper, 'What would you say if I kissed you right now?? It tells her that I want to kiss her, builds some sexual tension--and if she doesn't want to kiss me, she can say so before I go for it."

Go for the give-and-take
Seductive types send "I want you" signals early and often--a tap on the knee or arm to emphasize a point or a compliment like "You look amazing in that shirt"--and they wait for the object of their affections to respond before inching ahead. As Mike from Santa Monica puts it: "Seduction is a give and take. I don't think it's necessarily up to the guy to make all the moves. Seduction should be a slow, sexy exchange." With the last woman he dated, that was definitely the case. "Our dates didn't consist of me putting the moves on her, but rather a back and forth flirtation," he recalls. "For example, over dinner, I would tell her how beautiful she was, then she would touch my arm, and then I would pour her wine. When we finally hooked up, it was amazing because the buildup was so drawn out. Plus, since we both participated in the seduction, we knew our feelings were mutual."

Sari Locker is a sex educator, TV personality, and author of the bestseller, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Amazing Sex. She has an M.S. in Sexuality Education and was the host of Late Date with Sari on Lifetime Television. Her website is www.sarilocker.com.

Open-wheel star Tracy inks five-race NBS deal

Open-wheel star Tracy inks five-race NBS deal

Team Release
January 20, 2006
12:04 PM EST (17:04 GMT)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- After over a year of speculation as to whether or not Paul Tracy would make his way into NASCAR, Tracy has inked a 5-race deal that will see him behind the wheel of a stock car in the NASCAR Busch Series.

Frank Cicci Racing with Jim Kelly will be fielding the No. 34 Chevrolet Monte Carlo for Tracy's five-race NASCAR stint.

Tracy will make his debut at Daytona and then follow up with appearances in Mexico City on March 5, Las Vegas on March 11, Indianapolis on Aug. 5 and Fontana on Sept. 2.

Sport Clips will be the primary sponsor at Daytona International Speedway, Indianapolis Raceway Park and California Speedway, with American Crew taking over as a co-primary sponsor with Sport Clips at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

American Crew will appear as an associate sponsor in all of Tracy's races.

Frank Cicci's No. 34 car does not have a sponsor for Mexico City, but with former Mexico City Champ Car winner Paul Tracy in the car, it should make the sponsorship search considerably easier.

"I'm very excited about my first opportunity to race in NASCAR, especially in the biggest race of the year at Daytona. Then moving on to race at Las Vegas, which is my former home, and then on to Mexico City, where I am a former winner in the Champ Car Series," Tracy said.

"I am thankful to Sport Clips and American Crew for believing in me and making this work. I also want to thank Frank Cicci and Jim Kelly for putting me in quality equipment and supporting me. I would especially like to thank Doug Barnette for finding the sponsors and bringing the parties together and making this happen."

Sport Clips CEO and founder Gordon Logan was equally excited about the relationship.

"We are extremely pleased and excited about partnering with Paul Tracy for his NASCAR debut in the Busch Series. Paul brings an excitement and passion to the sport that will greatly expand the fan base for the Busch Series, resulting in an increased awareness of Sport Clips in all of our markets.

American Crew vice-president of sales John Mulgrew concurred.

"American Crew is extremely excited to have the opportunity to work with an American institution like NASCAR, combined with the ability to have a respected and recognized driver like Paul Tracy at the helm of our car.

"This takes the recognition of our brand and the recognition that Paul creates for us to an exciting new level."

NASCAR set to use unleaded fuel in 2008

NASCAR set to use unleaded fuel in 2008

Official Release
January 21, 2006
05:11 PM EST (22:11 GMT)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR on Friday announced that a special unleaded fuel has been developed and will be used by the start of the 2008 season as a result of its partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its fuel supplier, Sunoco.

"We've been back and forth to the drawing board for several years to find an unleaded fuel that is compatible with NASCAR engines. NASCAR congratulates Sunoco and is proud of the progress it made on developing a fuel that works in NASCAR engines," said Gary Nelson, NASCAR's vice president of research and development.

NASCAR tested a number of possible alternative fuels in recent years, but none that didn't cause engine problems. NASCAR tested an unleaded product in its NASCAR Busch Series in the late 1990s. However, the tests were unsatisfactory and required the sanctioning body to conduct further research. Other fuel solutions were incompatible and led to engine failure.

The unleaded fuel, Sunoco 260 GTX, will be used in Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck events. Nelson also said it is already being used in the Grand American road racing series. NASCAR began testing the fuel last fall at its Research & Development Center in Concord, N.C.

"Sunoco came up with a formula that really seems to do the job," Nelson told The New York Times. "It does a very good job inside the engine."

The racing series has used high-octane leaded fuel for decades, but has been testing a new fuel for a few months, the newspaper said. NASCAR has been searching for an alternative for years, even though it is exempt from the 1970 Clean Air Act -- which required all automobiles to use unleaded fuel.

Still, NASCAR was criticized by advocacy groups for its continued use of leaded fuel.

The move followed an appeal by the advocacy group Clean Air Watch to the Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday to begin testing the air quality for lead at NASCAR events," the Times reported.

"It sounds like it's a step to bring NASCAR into the 21st century with stopping use of an old-century fuel," said Frank O'Donnell, executive director of Clean Air Watch.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

'Car of Tomorrow' still on track for '07 race debut

'Car of Tomorrow' still on track for '07 race debut

By Dave Rodman, NASCAR.COM
January 20, 2006
09:41 AM EST (14:41 GMT)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR is expected to announce Monday a deployment strategy for its "Car of Tomorrow" that will see the groundbreaking design phased into use in the Nextel Cup Series over three years, beginning in 2007.

Several highly-placed sources from NASCAR teams participating in Preseason Thunder testing earlier this week at Daytona International Speedway confirmed discussions with NASCAR about using the Car of Tomorrow first at road courses and short tracks in 2007, followed by two-mile and longer tracks in 2008 and intermediate speedways in 2009.

"Our typical way of doing business is to service our customers, before we open it up to the rest of the world, so I'm sure a lot of -- if not all of the owners -- have been talked to," Nextel Cup Series director John Darby said. "And the way to best service our customers with a plan like this is to deploy it to the path of least resistance -- or to what's easiest for the car owners.

"Through their input and cooperation, as well as that of the manufacturers, the car will race in '07, just as we've said all along. Where it races first is almost insignificant because you can make a lot of arguments about it and they all make sense."

Thursday, NASCAR's Car of Tomorrow prototype tested at Daytona, as usual driven by Brett Bodine. It was joined by Dodge's model, which is being developed by Petty Enterprises and was driven by Kyle Petty.

It was the second consecutive week at which NASCAR's prototype tested at Daytona. Thursday, the cars executed a planned test program of alternating using rear spoilers and rear wings, while leading and following each other and comparing driver feelings and computer data.

"It's different the way it sucks up in the draft," Petty said. "It's different the way it feels around other cars. The nuance of the car is just a lot different."

"We're just here to do multi-car runs, try to evaluate its effect on the second car," Bodine said. "All the aero configurations that we worked on last week, we're letting Kyle do all the analysis. He was just here [Wednesday] with his current car, so he's got a good feel for the differences between the two."

While both tests were open to any organization that wanted to participate, several team principals this week said they were waiting until NASCAR zeroed in on the final specs of the car a little more before they expended more time and resources on development.

Petty is among the drivers who tested his team's prototype last October at Talladega Superspeedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway.

"We can learn a good bit with two cars," Bodine said. "Kyle's been working with us since the beginning with this project. We've had a really good working relationship, and just the fact that there's only two cars, we can still learn a good bit about them. We already have."

"We're trying the wing, we're trying the spoilers," Petty said. "You're trying a lot of different stuff and I think you're still in that stage of development. I think that's a big thing. How do you know [what's going to happen] until you come up with the end product?

"I think every time you take it to a racetrack, you get closer and closer."

To date, the Car of Tomorrow has tested at the .750-mile short track at Richmond, 1.5-mile tracks outside Charlotte, N.C., and Atlanta and the superspeedways at Talladega and Daytona.

"I think the chassis, the frame and roll cage and where the major body parts are mounted on the car is pretty well locked-in," Darby said of the car's ongoing development. "The part we're still working on, from NASCAR's side, is that we'd like to keep the car as adjustable as possible.

"Because the more adjustments the teams have externally, that eliminates the need to adjust it by bending and shaping and twisting body panels. You can feel comfortable about building a car that's in a straight line because you've got devices, like the front splitter or a spoiler or a wing or whatever it might be, to get the car to work."

NASCAR's idea with the Car of Tomorrow is for owners to be able to use the same chassis anywhere the circuit races: Short tracks, road course, intermediate ovals or superspeedways.

"One-size-fits-all is fairly accurate," Darby said. "Obviously, teams will still have a half a dozen to 10 or a dozen cars still on board. The difference is, the cars will be so similar that if they do get behind the eight-ball, they'll be able to pull another one out of inventory and keep going."

Darby said the Car of Tomorrow would not be an "IROC Series" of identical cars and that once manufacturers placed their decal kits and brand marks on them, they would maintain their unique identities.

He cited Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford and Toyota when referring to the future identification of Nextel Cup cars.

Toyota is expected to announce its move from the Craftsman Truck Series into competing with cars in NASCAR on Tuesday evening during the Lowe's Motor Speedway Media Tour.

Martin, Stewart among Cup stars in IROC field

Martin, Stewart among Cup stars in IROC field

The Associated Press
January 20, 2006
09:28 AM EST (14:28 GMT)

TINTON FALLS, N.J. -- Five-time and defending champion Mark Martin heads a 13-man field for the 2006 Crown Royal International Race of Champions Series.

Martin, who holds the series record with 13 victories, will be joined in the four-race invitational series by reigning NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart, former champion Matt Kenseth and budding star Carl Edwards, who finished third last year in his first full Cup season.

Also named to the all-star lineup from NASCAR were two-time Busch Series champion Martin Truex Jr., who will be a rookie this year in Cup, and Craftsman Truck Series champion Ted Musgrave.

Rounding out the field will be 20-time World of Outlaws sprint car champion Steve Kinser, seven-time ARCA stock car champion Frank Kimmel, Indy Racing League stars Sam Hornish Jr. and Scott Sharp and road racers Max Angelelli, Wayne Taylor and Max Papis.

In a first for IROC, Taylor and Papis, teammates and series champions last year in the Grand American Road Racing series, will share a ride, with each driving two races.

The 30th IROC season, with drivers vying for a $1 million championship purse, will open Feb. 17 at Daytona International Speedway. The series will also include events at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, Daytona on June 29 and Atlanta Motor Speedway on Oct. 28. The second Daytona race will be run on the track's road course, the first road race in the IROC series in 14 years.



Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Waltrip, Jasper form ownership company

Waltrip, Jasper form ownership company

Waltrip-Jasper Racing to field Waltrip's No. 55 Cup car
Team Release
January 20, 2006
05:29 PM EST (22:29 GMT)

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- President and CEO of Michael Waltrip Racing, Inc., Michael Waltrip and president of Jasper, Doug Bawel, announced Friday they have formed Waltrip-Jasper Racing Company, LLC. Waltrip-Jasper Racing will field the No. 55 NAPA Auto Parts Dodge in the 2006 Nextel Cup Series, driven by Waltrip.

Bawel has been in racing for more than 15 years, previously as an owner of Penske-Jasper Racing Company's No. 77 Kodak Dodge. Bawel will serve on the Board of Directors and will be active in business management and sanctioning body relationships for the new company.

Bawel, as the listed owner of the No. 77 that he fielded with Roger Penske in 2005, has a guaranteed starting spot in the first five races of 2006 by virtue of finishing 34th in the 2005 owner points.

"I have been in the sport as a driver for 22 years and the logical progression for me was ownership at the highest level, the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series," Waltrip said. "This is such a big step, that I wanted to partner with someone who has intimate knowledge about ownership at this level. Doug Bawel and I have been friends for a number of years and I have always respected the way he handled himself in the garage and with NASCAR."

Bawel is just as happy about the partnership.

"I learned quickly that Michael is a goal-oriented person," Bawel stated. "When we began talking about the possibilities of teaming up, he started dialing the phone and making things happen immediately. He is a talented driver and a proven NASCAR Busch Series car owner, but most importantly as he moves into NASCAR's premier series, he is a man with a vision that likes to take ideas from paper to reality. I am delighted to lend my experience and management support to Waltrip-Jasper Racing."

Waltrip-Jasper Racing has contracted Bill Davis Racing, who Waltrip originally signed with to drive the No. 55 car, to be the source of cars, engines and personnel.

Additionally, Waltrip-Jasper Racing has created their own team of people. The foundation of Waltrip-Jasper Racing is sculpted with experienced people vested in NASCAR. Ty Norris, former EVP of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. will serve as the general manager overseeing the operation. Waltrip's long-time confidant, Bobby Kennedy will serve as the competition director and Larry Carter, a veteran crew chief, has also been contracted by Waltrip-Jasper Racing to be a part of the team.

"I know how intense this business is and I am prepared for the challenge," Waltrip said. "I am committed to being successful as an owner and I think the industry will recognize that when they see the caliber of personnel and sponsors I am bringing into this organization. But, there are a lot of days when I anticipate I will need my sense of humor, so I believe I will keep it."
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Bill's Comment: To me, this lays the foundation for the possibility of Toyota entering Nextel Cup in 2007, as has been speculated basically since Waltrip departed DEI. Time will tell.

How to Treat a Guy Right

How to Treat a Guy Right
Brought to you by Jerusha Stewart and Match.com!

Know a woman who always seems to be in perfect sync with the guys she dates--they laugh at each other's jokes, are considerate of one another's feelings, and are lovers and best friends to boot? Well, the reason this gal's so lucky in love is pretty simple: It's because she treats her guy right, and he can't get enough of her company. Now, when I say she "treats her guy right," what do I mean? She treats him like a friend, giving him the same five-star support, understanding, and (yes) slack we automatically extend to our girlfriends. If you want to reap the same benefits in your own love life, try some of these tips, and, trust me, you'll notice a difference.

Share an activity
For women, it's second nature to invite their girlfriends along for a shopping spree, yoga class, spa day, you name it. But activity-based bonding shouldn't be relegated to females only. Guys love jawing over a joint pursuit, and while he might not be up for a mani/pedi (nor you for a day watching basketball), there are plenty of other options. Becoming gym buddies is a no-brainer (and can be that extra kick-in-the-butt you need to go more often), or if you two usually dine out on a Saturday night, consider delving into a cookbook and taking a crack at a recipe that's a bit of a challenge, like duck terrine with wine-glazed shallots. Whether it turns out terrific or so odd you end up resorting to takeout, the fact that you've worked toward a common goal together builds team spirit. And, by investing in a history of shared experiences with your partner in crime, you'll increase the things you have in common and experience a deeper bond.

Cheer him on
Women take great pains to make their girlfriends feel great about themselves, showering them with ego-boosters from "You look amazing; that is the best color on you" to "Of course, you should e-mail that guy--he'd be lucky to have you!" And while we might think the world of the men we date and even brag about them to friends and family members, telling him so doesn't often occur to us. Maybe it's because we assume guys possess impenetrable egos--but the truth is, they can be just as insecure as your female friends and would probably appreciate a compliment now and then. So, if he just got a promotion at work, toast him at dinner and tell him exactly why he deserved it. Or, try a simple "You look so good in that shirt--it really brings out the color in your eyes." Don't be surprised if he suddenly seems to be around a whole lot more often, basking in your presence!

Let him be himself
Most women find it hard to love guys just the way they are. We want to change their hair, their clothes, their job, and sometimes even their friends to fit our ideal. With our own pals, we're more accepting of differences, actually proud to have a tech nerd, yoga snob or fashion slave as part of our collection of confidantes. Ruthanna Hall, a sales associate in New York, has learned to relax and appreciate distinctly male behaviors with great results for her relationship. "When we go out, I might feel more like drinking a cool cocktail uptown, but then all he'll want is a beer at the neighborhood bar," she explains. Rather than sulk all evening about his lack of class, she'll focus in on the funny conversation they're having. "Sure, most guys do things that cause girls to go 'uggghhh!' But that's just the way they are," she says. 'Why not get on with it and have fun?"

Tell him what you think
We don't expect our best buds to always know what we're thinking. In fact, we actually enjoy swapping thoughts, hopes, and fears--that's most of the fun! But why, then, are we so disappointed when our boyfriends don't exhibit ESP 24/7? We've all been guilty of harboring romantic notions like "If he's been listening to me, he'll know exactly where to take me for dinner on Valentine's Day" or "If he were truly paying attention right now, he'd know I'm freaking out about this virus on my computer and offer to come over and help." But trust me, you'll save yourself a lot of disappointment by just telling him where you want to dine out on Valentine's Day, or by asking him to come over with his anti-virus software. After all, it's common knowledge that two heads are better than one, so just because you've decided he's the one, don't go mum and add major guesswork to your communications.

Give him his space
Sometimes, girlfriends just go MIA for a while. They get so busy at work that they don't return your e-mail. Do we give them flack for it? Nothing serious. But for some reason, the rules change for guys: We rail on them for not promptly returning phone calls, take offense if they want a guy's night out. But remember, achieving a balance between "me" time and "we" time will make the time you do spend together even better. Bridget Cunningham found her relationship got so much mellower once she stopped stressing about where her boyfriend was every hour. "I don't hold it against him when he wants to have his own time," she says. "You don't cut your friends off when they do things with other people, so why shouldn't it be the same with the person you love? Meanwhile I'm free to go running off with my girlfriend and blab about girl stuff. We meet afterwards for coffee, and we're both feeling refreshed and fulfilled by spending time apart...and that much happier to be spending time together again."

Jerusha Stewart, a.k.a. The Last Single Girl in the World, reveals how to be singularly sensational in her upcoming book, The Single Girl's Manifesta.

Man Charged for Stalking Ex-'American Idol'

Man Charged for Stalking Ex-'American Idol'

By Associated Press
17 minutes ago

TAMPA, Fla. - A California man stalked a former "American Idol" contestant, sending her threatening voice mail messages and showing up at her grandmother's Florida house uninvited, authorities charged.

Daniel Robert Young, 59, was being held without bond after his arrest Tuesday.

Police said Young had placed at least 38 voice mail messages since mid-September to former "AI" top-ten finalist Jessica Sierra, police said.

In the calls, police said, he told Sierra, 20, that he loves her and was willing to go to jail for her. He sent her a necklace, a bracelet and dozens of long-stemmed roses after seeing her singing on the Fox talent show, police said.

"It was like the more I stopped answering my phone and stopped talking to him, he got even more mad," Sierra said. "He was like, `Answer your damn phone when I call you.'"

Sierra, a Tampa native, appeared on the show last year.

When he arrived in Tampa on Tuesday from California, Young called Sierra's cell phone twice and asked her to pick him up, a police spokeswoman said.

"I told him, `I'm not coming to pick you up,'" Sierra said. "He said, `If you don't come pick me up, I'm taking a cab to your grandparents' house.'"

Sierra then alerted police, who met Young at the home, the police spokeswoman said.

Young was booked into jail Tuesday with bail set at $500 on the misdemeanor stalking charge, which is punishable by up to a year in prison.

But Wednesday, a judge revoked the bail after a prosecutor said Young had two prior arrests for violent crimes in California. It was not immediately known if Young had an attorney.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Studio Where Presley Recorded to Be Razed

Studio Where Presley Recorded to Be Razed

By Associated Press
1 hour ago

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The studio where Elvis Presley recorded "Heartbreak Hotel" is being torn down.

And some say it's just heartbreaking.

"I'm disappointed that the studio is being torn down," Gordon Stoker of the Jordanaires, Presley's primary background vocalists from 1956 to 1968, told the daily newspaper The Tennessean. "But you can't hang on to everything your whole life."

The studio at 1525 McGavock St. near Nashville's Music Row was purchased in 1999 by auto-dealership owner Lee Beaman, who had been leasing the half-acre property until recently, when he decided the dealership needed more customer parking.

Doug McClanahan, president of Beaman Automotive Group, said the area will be paved over within the next 60 days.

The studio, used by RCA in the mid-1950s, isn't the city's oldest or most famous, but it played a part in the recording of many hits.

During Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" session on Jan. 10, 1956, Presley also recorded Ray Charles' "I Got A Woman," according to John Rumble, senior historian at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

In 1957, Jim Reeves cut one of his biggest hits there, "Four Walls." Chet Atkins, the Everly Brothers and Hank Snow also recorded at the McGavock Street studio.

The studio's success led RCA in the late '50s to open its famed Studio B, where Presley, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride and others recorded. That studio, in the heart of Music Row, has been preserved as a popular cultural and tourism attraction.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.