Twenties Life

When it comes to sex, people from every corner of the world have their own stigmas, morals, beliefs, and in many cases even laws.  There is merit in many or at least some of these beliefs, but some are just bizarre.  You start to wonder what the motivation behind them is.  I’m going to explore a few different ideas that relate to sex and rules.

Sexual Double Standards

This is probably the most prevalent sexual stigma in western civilization today.  It is quite commonly accepted that men will engage in sexual activity before marriage, and frankly they are rewarded socially.  It is seen as some sort of accomplishment.  But when a woman engages in the same amount of sexual activity she is seen as “slutty” or “whorish.”  Why is this?

I have a crazy theory.  In our society women aren’t supposed to enjoy sex.  They are especially not supposed to enjoy sex outside of marriage.  Women are supposed to engage in sex only to please men.  This is why you’ll find that both men and women condemn a woman of “loose morals” while only (some) women will condemn a man of the same actions (although this is also evidence that women judge each other more harshly than men do, but that’s a topic for another day).  Our patriarchal society has deemed it appropriate, (i can only assume because of a man’s insecurity), for men to engage in as much sexual activity as they possibly can, while women are meant to be selective and only have sex under certain constraints.

Sexual Stigmas

There are way too many stigmas here to possibly try and explore them all, but a few stick out in my mind, so I’d like to explore them.  First off, sex without emotional and/or physical commitment.  It has been made appropriate (whether by religion, morals, or whatever) that in order to not be a whore, one must be in some sort of committed and faithful relationship.  Why is this?  What difference does it make if I say I love you before I have sex with you?  Why does me not having sex with anyone else make it ok for me to have sex with you?  50 years ago the stigma was sex outside of marriage, but something changed.  Had it been the same as before, I might consider that it had something to do with religion or at least the sanctity of marriage, but that is obviously not the case.  So tell me, why is it important to be committed to a person before sexual activity is deemed appropriate?

Sexual Orientations.  Some people are gay.  Some are straight.  Some are bisexual.  Some are transsexual.  Some are trans-gender.  Some are confused.  Some are sure.  Some are just pleasure seekers.  Some are filling a void.  But here’s my question for you: why do you care?  How does any of this affect you?  What makes you so arrogant that you think you know better, or that somehow by being who and what you are you have the right to tell anyone how to live his or her life?  Assuming that these people aren’t hurting anyone, what gives you the right to oppress them with your beliefs?  Please, do tell…

Sexual Fetishes. Similar to different orientations, some people are into different sexual fetishes.  You might argue that they are oppressing others or “crossing the line,” but I think we both know that there is no line.  What you find degrading, someone else might find liberating.  What you find to be immoral, someone else might find exhilarating.  Again, assuming that nobody is being hurt (or engaging in an activity that they do not want to), what right do you have to try and control or limit, or even judge silently, their actions?  Remember that religion is not an arguing point, because you cannot force YOUR religion on someone who doesn’t believe the same.

I might be Muslim, Christian, or Jewish, but in America where there is no religious law, what right do I have to express or oppress my views on others?

Sexual Legislation

In some countries it’s illegal to be gay.  In some countries sodomy is illegal.  There are places where it is illegal to be in possession of a sex toy.  There are places where group sex is illegal.  Maybe you can help me understand this.  Why, where, and how would it be a good idea for a country to impose legislation on the sexual lives of it’s citizens?

Here’s an example I know of personally.  In Saudi Arabia it is illegal to be a homosexual.  The reasoning for this is that Saudi Arabia is a country of Islamic law, and it is forbidden in Islam to be homosexual.  As an American, I would wish that all countries had the freedoms that I have, but I know that this isn’t possible.  Or maybe it isn’t wanted by everyone else in the world.  What do you think?

I think we often take on the beliefs of our parents and elders unknowingly, and we never stop to question them.  But in the society we live in today, we need to question.  Because questioning leads to knowledge, and knowledge leads to understanding and appreciation.  I might not be gay, but I appreciate a persons right to live how they feel fit, so long as nobody else’s rights are infringed upon.  Do you feel the same?  Why or why not?

When I first heard of the iPad, I wondered why anyone would be willing to pay the price for it.  It’s expensive, and seemingly not nearly worth the cost.  Plus have you ever met an Apple Fanboy?  They are basically the biggest losers of the tech world.  But everything changed when I got one for free (I won a drawing for one at my apartment complex…).  I was excited at first, just because I’ve never really won anything before.  But when I started using it (I’ve had it for a week now), I realized that it could fill holes in my life that I just got used to, but never should have.  As you’ve probably heard before, it fills voids that you didn’t know existed.  Now granted, it doesn’t really do any of them better than a device dedicated to doing the same thing does, but it also means you don’t have to carry 20 devices.  Allow me to explain a few:

Books and Magazines

Plain and simple, books and magazines look awesome on this thing.  This is actually something I could fall in love with, since I’m the kind of guy that loves to have at least 1 book and magazine with me at all times (I love to read).  Sure, I have to pay for them all (or share with a friend), but now I have about 40 books and 15 magazines with me everywhere I go.  My reading productivity will definitely increase.

Videos and Music

Youtube, Netflix, ABC Player, iPod, and iTunes.  Basically you can watch or listen to whatever you want.  The screen is crisp and bright and looks great.  I have the Wifi version and it streams fantastically, as long as you have decent internet service.  I heard that there is even a DJ software that you can use, and the iPad can become the only hardware you need to power your party.  I’m no DJ, but that sounds pretty awesome to me.  And even with the 16 gb version, you can fit plenty of music and videos on this bad boy.

News Reader

As a young professional as well as a citizen of this world, it’s important that I keep up with current events, politics, and other worldly news.  With the iPad and a few trusty news apps (BBC, USA Today, Fluent News, NYTimes, AP News, Newsweek and Wired), I can keep up with everything going on around the world without having to head to my office or boot up my laptop (I’m not a paper reader).  All of these apps are free and will keep you connected to your fellow humans.

References (or B.S. checker)

A perfect bet settler or just reference tool, the iPad has access to apps that can help you reference just about anything you are looking for.  With apps like Wikipanion, Google, Dictionary, Google Earth, and WebMD you can find whatever you need, and fast, faster even than you could with your computer.

Internet Browser

I’ll be honest: I owned an iPhone when the first generation one came out.  I kept it for about a year, then switched to  Blackberry.  I loved the iPhone, but I couldn’t stand typing on a touch screen (responding to emails and such).  The thing I missed most about the iPhone was it’s amazing internet browsing.  It’s unbeatable… unless of course you own an iPad.  This thing is the greatest internet browsing tool I’ve ever used.  It’s faster than Chrome, which in my experience is the fastest browser for PC (I’m not a mac user).  I love browsing on the iPad.  Other than it not having flash (which I’m not a huge fan of anyways), it just works well.

Gaming

I’m a bit of a gamer, so I really wanted to test this aspect.  I haven’t played many games on this thing yet, but the games I’ve played are ok.  They are fun and I’d definitely play them if I was waiting in line or just sitting around, but I haven’t played any that I’d choose over booting up the PC for some hardcore action.  Anyone have an iPad game they love?  Recommend a good one to me.

My Favorite Tools

I’m a computer nerd.  You probably aren’t.  But in case you are, you’ll enjoy these tools which make the iPad really fun for me.  TwentiesLife.com is a WordPress blog; there is a WordPress app for iPad, which means I can now be a mobile blogger.  I invest with Etrade; there is an Etrade app that makes investing and managing my money a breeze.  I am a Dropbox addict, and the ipad Dropbox app is just about the greatest app of all time.  I love Stumbleupon, and of course there’s an app for that.  I also love watching TedTalks, and there’s an app for that.  There are plenty more, but I won’t waste your time explaining them all.

Overall

The hardware of the iPad is great, but it’s not groundbreaking.  I don’t think they’ve squeezed anything super amazing into this thing.  What makes the iPad so amazing is the App Store.  The developers of the iPad apps are the ones who make it something worth having.  Basically you pay $500 (or whatever they cost) for access to the simplest, greatest mobile apps you could get your hands on.

You can grab your iPad here!

I’ve come up with an idea that I think will rock on TwentiesLife.  I would like to have writers talk about all of the taboo topics that twenty-somethings face in real life.  I mean the big ones.  Everything from abortion to religion to politics to various sexual topics.  And not only do I want to explore these ideas, but I want opinions.  People with strong opinions always inspire debate and things often get heated.  And that’s just what we need here at TwentiesLife, a place for people to talk about their passions, their beliefs, and their ideas.

Now this is obviously going to get ugly.  But life isn’t always pretty.  And as long as we can be civil and stay on topic, rather than resorting to petty name calling and insults, I think TwentiesLife is going to be a great medium for some hardcore debating on Taboo Topics.

So look forward to some hot opinions, in-debt debate, and mind blowing perspectives.  It’s all coming soon!

Thanks to everyone that entered the contests for the Lenovo computer giveaways.  You all came up with some brilliant entries and made it a very difficult decision.  But without further ado…

The Lenovo A63 with Dual Monitors goes to: Edward Tiburon of Newark, Nj!

And

The Lenovo A70z All-in-One goes to: Rosanna Draper of League City, Tx!

Congrats to the winners of the contest, as you had some stiff competition.  To the rest of you stay tuned as we always have other giveaways coming up at TwentiesLife.  But if you just can’t wait, here are a few more sites giving away some great Lenovo computers.

Gear Live / 11-Jul - 15-Jul
The Art of Accessories / 12-Jul – 16-Jul
HackCollege / 13-Jul - 17-Jul
Neowin / 14-Jul - 18-Jul
Absolutely Windows / 15-Jul - 19-Jul
SDR News / 16-Jul - 20-Jul
Gear Diary / 17-Jul - 21-Jul
ClintonFitch.com / 18-Jul - 22-Jul
OSNN / 19-Jul - 23-Jul
ActiveWin / 20-Jul - 24-Jul

Wow! As if giving away one awesome lenovo computer wasn’t enough, we’ve got another one for you! This one is super cool as well. It’s a Lenovo A70z all-in-one computer (read about it here). It’s sleek, sexy, and free to one of our loyal readers. So how do you win it? Here’s how the contest will go:

1. Subscribe to TwentiesLife here.
2. Become a Facebook Fan.
3. Create a funny theme song for TwentiesLife.  Look over the site, get an idea of what we are all about, and write (and perform if you have the equipment) a funny theme song.  If you have a webcam we’d love for you to sing the theme song, and if not just set the song to a common tune (like mary had a little lamb or old mcdonald had a farm…) and send us the lyrics. ]
4. Leave a comment below telling us why TwentiesLife is so awesome…!

send all entries to admin[at]twentieslife[dot]com

Entries will be judged on how funny, clever, and original they are.  Entries with video will receive higher points.  Good luck and have fun!  I know I will!

Contest ends July 14 at 11:59 p.m. central time.  Good luck!

Alright folks, the time you’ve been waiting for is here.  We’re giving away an awesome Lenovo A63 and two matching 19 inch monitors to go with it.  This is the perfect solution to your small business computing needs.  To learn everything you need to know about this computer check out this review.

So here’s how to win it

1. Come up with a small business plan.  Send your plan to admin[at]twentieslife[dot]com  (replace [at] with @ and [dot] with . )  Remember that the more details and the better thought out your plan is the better chance you have of winning.  This is not a random contest.
2. Leave a comment below using your correct email address exclaiming that you entered.  Also give me 1 good tip on how to improve TwentiesLife.com.
3. Become a fan of TwentiesLife.com on facebook

That’s all it takes.  The contest will run till Tuesday, July 13 at 11:59 p.m.  The winner will be announced as soon as he/she responds to the congratulatory email.  Good luck to all and thanks for reading TwentiesLife.com.

Get those business plans ready.

Cloudless sunny days, ice cold drinks, beautiful cheery people, tons of memories to be had, and the only time in the year when less is actually more in regards to fashion. Give your suits and sports coats a vacation, let your button-ups breathe, kick off the shoes and socks, and say adios to all the trinkets that adorn your body. Its summer time let the good times roll!

In the midst of all the nonchalance, it is absolutely bewildering to see the ways how we can take an innocent concept, turn it on its side, and cause the most fashion failures when our bodies are allowed to breathe. Due to the constant “surprises” found during the summer season, summer fashion comes with a set of faux pas all their own. Listed below are the most common broken rules that need to be dealt with immediately!

Socks and Sandals

The most commonly violated summer faux pas. One’s feet are typically covered and wrapped up every day of the year, why would we do an injustice to ourselves and bundle them up in warm thick socks? Summer stands for sockless.  Sandals have openings for a reason, if they didn’t they’d be shoes. Get it? Wearing socks and sandal causes heaviness and draws a person’s eyes downward, away from the face. This resulting effect is a shortening and widening the body.

If your feet are not looking their best, fix them. Go to the spa (yes, men go to spa’s) and clean yourself up. There is no excuse to have nasty feet, so stop being lazy. This is a part of grooming, all the seemingly little things add up and make an impression.

Speedos/ Banana hammocks/ tiny shorts

No! No! No! If you are a violator of this rule, there is no forgiveness. There is no reason for a man to be walking anywhere (beach, city, at home, etc.) in any form of short shorts. If you walk around, and hear the Royal Teens “Short Shorts” playing around you, time to look for an alternative.  Look for a pair of board shorts (Not too baggy) that fit properly and end a little above the knee crease.

Cargo Shorts

Oh, the memories of stuffing everything but the kitchen sink into the two billion pockets at your disposal. But let’s keep it that way; a memory. Cargo shorts are great for the school-age kiddos but are black listed for the twenty-somethings. Why, you ask?

Cargo shorts with the huge pockets don’t do any justice to one’s silhouette. It makes the wearer seem big in the hips causing a “squished” appearance. Cargo shorts also make the wearer appear unkempt, leave the cargo shorts for the hiking trips and miscellaneous adventures.

Now-a-days, shorts are cut slimmer and have a wide range of patterns. A great pair of men’s casual shorts should follow an imaginary line straight down from the hips, and the hem should end about an inch form the knee.

Strong Fragrance

A common misconception among men is to wear a strong masculine scent 24/7. On top of the strong scent, taking a bath in it is the next violation that typically follows. Read (The last frontier) for the full breakdown of the when and where certain scents fit in your day-to-day life. A weighty scent on hot days can be sickening to ones that have to endure its pungent odor. One simple request from all of us who have to smell you, please keep it at a 3 spray maximum.

Tank tops

A tank top is meant to worn as an undershirt. That’s it. An undershirt. You’re not at the gym and you’re not a Jersey Shore joke, you’re better than that. Thank your lucky stars. Say no to the tank top as an outer shirt. Want to wear something light? Try a colored T-shirt or a light weight polo that accentuates your good points.

Wrap-Around Sunglasses

If you’re going out for a game of tennis, a round of golf, or the Terminator, then by all means terminate your opponents! On the other hand, if you’re not trampling the naysayers at the sport of your choice and all you want to do is take in the sights and sounds of the locale; buy some styles shades. A pair of sunglasses that perfectly frame your face are just as important as the shirt you buy. Don’t buy a pair that covers your face and makes you seem like a fly. Be patient when shopping for the perfect pair, it might take awhile. Once you find them, the compliments will start flying.