8 Things That Define A Gypsy Soul Relationship

1. They love unconditionally.
No matter what they do or how they behave. If they are currently in a good or bad place. They will never judge each other. They accept each other for who they are. Their love for one another is unquestionable and undeniable. Their love for each other is something they both can rely on.

2. They will ask each other deep questions.

They are in search of the deeper meaning of things. They are curious. She asks things like: “What’s your life philosophy? He asks, which phase of your life did you like best? They both ask each other What’s your biggest regret?” They both see the deeper meaning behind each others words and want to know what they really mean.

3. They both have a heart for the vintage things.
She admires vintage designs and clothes. She likes old things because they have history and meaning. In turn he, finds old movies, screwball comedies, and other things people nowadays consider outdated. They enjoy each other within these things by being curious.

4. They both are collectors of moments.

Material things are not important to them. They can live almost anywhere as long as it is clean, decent and they share in providing for the costs. They both understand it takes a village to survive in the 21st century. They don’t like a lot of fancy clothes and designer clothes. Just a few outfits to play dress-up once or twice a year for those very special moments.  They cherish special moments, with everyone in their lives, by collecting them every year.

5. They both stare life in the face.
Taking everything as it comes. Trouble makes them stronger as they work together to resolve each challenge that comes their way. They welcome these challenges as a natural part of life. They are bound to happen. 

6. They both believe that something good is always waiting around the corner. She is what comes to mind when you hear the word optimist. People usually say that he watched too many romantic movies. Not everything is so peachy. She is always on the lookout for that one little miracle that will change everything for the better. Optimism is food for both of their Gypsy Souls.

7. The Gypsy Soul Couple's Wish:

To underline all of these things, we can sum up everything we realized about this Gypsy Soul Couple with a quote from Brooke Hampton:
“She likes stormy nights and full moons. He likes wolves and wild water. She likes to wander and he likes adventures. She likes unpredictable kisses and conversations full of unexpected truths late into each night. He likes things that have soul and deep meaning. Together they make each other feel free of the world's chains.”

8. The Gypsy Soul Couple Creed: 

"My soul honors your soul.
I honor the light and peace within you, as it is also within me.
We are connected, we are the same, we are one."

WILL CALL:
A woman of this nature is my ultimate desire in this world. Not for money but to hang out and chill with while we eat home made dinners, drink wine and smoke cigars while watching great movies under the moonlight each Friday and Saturday night.

I'm sending this message to the universe now.

Jerry Flanagan
(The VIP Gypsy)

http://www.TheVIPGypsy.com
http://www.JerryFlanagan.com
http://www.BuildingABusiness.com

Movie Night: Jame Bond: From Russia with Love Movie Night

There is nothing better than a premium cigar, watching a classic James Bond film while sipping on a class of Rum. Just finished a classic spaghetti and meatball dinner and now sitting back puffing on the famous Tatuaje Havana VI cigar. Slide the leather lounge chair back and watch James Bond kick some Russian butt in classic cold war spy style.

Dinner:
Spaghetti and Meatballs: I hadn't made spaghetti & meatballs in a while because it took too much time & effort. This recipe is so quick & easy I can't help but make it often. I added a bit of chopped onion and just a tiny bit of chopped garlic, instead of a whole clove the 2nd time I made this recipe. I used my cookie scoop to shape the meatballs & it made things go even quicker.

INGREDIENTS
1 lb. ground beef
1/3 c. breadcrumbs
1/4 c. finely chopped parsley
1/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan
1 egg
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
2 tbsp. olive oil, divided
1/2 c. Onion, finely chopped
1 bay leaf
1 35-oz. can crushed tomatoes in puree
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 lb. spaghetti, prepared according to package instructions
DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, combine beef with breadcrumbs, parsley, Parmesan, egg, garlic, salt and pepper flakes. Mix until just combined and form into 16 balls.
In a large pot over medium heat, add 1 tbsp oil. Add meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes.
Remove meatballs and reserve on plate. Add the remaining olive oil and onion and saute until onion is translucent. Add bay leaf and crushed tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. 

Add the meatballs back into the pot, cover and simmer until the sauce has thickened, 8-10 minutes.

Serve pasta with a healthy scoop of meatballs and sauce. Top with Parmesan and serve.
Online REF: http://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a55764/best-spaghetti-and-meatballs-recipe/

My Drink:
The Kraken Black Spiced RUM: AS IT IS TOLD, The Kraken Rum is an imported rum from the Caribbean blended with secret spices. Named for the sea beast of myth and legend, The KRAKEN RUM is strong, rich, black and smooth.

IT IS SAID that a ship carrying one of the largest quantities of black spiced rum ever to be brought over from the Caribbean islands, for unexplained reasons, never reached its destination. Stories were plentiful, and while an attack by the Kraken is suspected, no stories were ever confirmed.

Barrels carrying this black spiced rum drifted off the ship into the sea and the rum was renamed after the Kraken as a tribute (some say as a “sacrifice”) to this beast’s unchallengable power and might. There are few first-hand accounts of encounters with the Kraken, as most who encounter the Kraken do not live to tell the tale.

AS THEY SAY, “To not respect the power of the Kraken is to not respect the sea.” So drink with respect.

Proof (US): 94
Flavors: Caramel and Other Natural Flavors.
Parent company: Kraken Rum Co, Jersey City, NJOnline REF: https://www.reservebar.com/the-kraken-black-spiced-rum

Movie Pick:
From Russia with Love: British Agent 007 (Sean Connery) is back in the second installment of the James Bond series, this time battling a secret crime organization known as SPECTRE. Russians Rosa Klebb (Lotte Lenya) and Kronsteen are out to snatch a decoding device known as the Lektor, using the ravishing Tatiana (Daniela Bianchi) to lure Bond into helping them. Bond willingly travels to meet Tatiana in Istanbul, where he must rely on his wits to escape with his life in a series of deadly encounters with the enemy.

Release date: May 27, 1964 (USA)
Director: Terence Young
Screenplay: Jason Filardi
Music composed by: John Barry, Matt Monro
Box office: $79 million USD

Online REF: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057076/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Movie Cigar
Tatuaje Havana VI cigars are produced under the direction of renowned master  blender, Jose Pepin Garcia, in a selection of traditional shapes. Patiently made by hand in Señor Garcia's Nicaraguan factory, the cigars are blended to impart the flavor and aroma of fine, medium-bodied Cuban cigars. Each Tatuaje Havana VI cigar comprises the most select Nicaraguan long-filler and binder tobaccos seamlessly rolled in an attractive Nicaraguan wrapper that's finished with a traditional, Cuban-style triple-cap.

Its going to be a good movie and smoke! Enjoy.


Jerry Flanagan
(The VIPgypsy)

http://www.TheVIPGypsy.com
http://www.JerryFlanagan.com
http://www.BuildingABusiness.com

Movie Night: BBQ Tri-Tip and Bringing Down the House

So this weekend I'm going to enjoy some great BBQ Tri-Tip, Food Network style, while sipping some Knob Creek bourbon whiskey. Then sit back and roll into the Montecristo premium cigar while watching the movie "Bringing down the House", staring Steve Martin and Queen Latifah.

Dinner:
BBQ Beef Tr-Tip, a Central California staple since the 1950s, tri-tip has become increasingly popular across the nation for its low cost, lean meat, and bold flavor. Follow these six simple steps for a perfectly grilled tri-tip using Kingsford® Charcoal.

Ingredients:

1 whole beef tri-tip, about 2 pounds
3 tablespoons beef rub of your choice (see recipe)

Online REF: https://www.kingsford.com/how-to/tri-tip/

My Drink: Knob Creek is Laurence Bourne bourbon whiskey produced by Beam Suntory at the Jim Beam distillery in Clermont, Kentucky. It is one of the four Jim Beam small batch bourbon brands targeted for the high-end liquor market.  The one I'm drinking tonight is the high-end 9 Year Small Batch stored in Reserved Single Oak Barrels. This whiskey is unblended to show off the singular nature of each hand-chosen barrel.

Proof (US): 120
Introduced: 1992
Parent company: Beam Suntory
ONLINE REF: https://www.knobcreek.com/our-products/single-barrel-reserve/

Movie Pick:
Bringing Down The House: Lawyer Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin) wants to dive back into dating after his divorce and has a hard time meeting the right women. But he lucks out with online dating and meets a fellow lawyer. The two agree to meet in the flesh, but the woman he meets -- an escaped African-American convict named Charlene (Queen Latifah) -- is not what he expected. Peter is freaked out, but Charlene convinces him to take her criminal case and prove her innocence. Along the way they learn to become friends.
Release date: March 7, 2003 (USA)
Director: Adam Shankman
Screenplay: Jason Filardi
Music composed by: Lalo Schifrin
Box office: 164.7 million USD
ONLINE REF: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0305669/?ref_=nv_sr_6

Evening Cigar:
MONTECRISTO ESPADA GUARD happens when tobacco legends get together. Espada is the first 100% Nicaraguan Montecristo cigar; spicy, rich and complex, this puro's tobaccos hail from all over Nicaragua...and that's where Nestor Plasencia joins the fray. World-renowned for premium handmades, Plasencia contributes only the choicest aged and refined leaf to the project, rolled to the exacting standards of Montecristo's Grupo de Maestros blending team. 

Now time to enjoy the movie while sipping on whiskey and smoking my cigar. Good night my friends and Peace be the Journey.

Jerry Flanagan
(The VIP Gypsy)

United States Aircraft Carrier Memorial

Aircraft Carrier Memorial

Artist: T.J. Dixon & James Nelson
Location: San Diego, California
Year Established: 1996

 Near the former site of the old Fleet Landing, between Navy Pier and the G Street Mole, the Aircraft Carrier Memorial commemorates all the U.S. Navy's aircraft carriers and all who have served in them and flown from their decks.

 A nine-foot polished black granite obelisk stands as the centerpiece to the memorial and includes the engraved names of all 164 carriers, from the pioneering U.S.S. Langley (CV-1) to U.S.S. Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), America's newest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

Two life-size bronze sculptures by noted artists T.J. Dixon and James Nelson represent a naval aviator and a sailor and add a human dimension to the monument.

The memorial fittingly overlooks San Diego Bay, homeport to Pacific Fleet carriers since the earliest days of naval aviation. From its vantage point, visitors can gaze across the bay and see today's mighty flattops at North Island, preparing for future missions in support of peace and freedom all over the world.

The memorial was sponsored by the Aircraft Carrier Memorial Association.

Necessities While Enjoying Your Desires in Life

you deserve to be happy!

Sometimes, I roll down the street (in my Cadillac SRX)
thinking about how easy it is to make money. I know a lot of my friends and family find it hard to make money. However, believe me, one of the things that I have learned over 50 years on earth is that everyone in your circle makes money either at a $12 an hour or $300 an hour. Even homeless people make money when they beg others for spare change while out on the town. It doesn't matter, everyone in the United States earns money in small or large amounts.

So, what does that mean for your savings? Well, it means
"Control Thy Expenditures". That's right, very simple.
However, so many people in my circle want to have fun.
I like to have fun too! However, you have to have a "spending plan" to afford your necessities while enjoying your desires in life at the same time.

The keys are:
1. Balance
2. Discipline
3. Spending Plan

1. BALANCE:

George Clason, (who wrote the book* "The Richest Man in Babylon") teaches us how
not denying yourself the pleasures of life is very important while working hard to make money.
I agree, to reach true happiness you have to find pleasure in spending money on the things
you desire most in life and leave you fulfilled each day, week, month and year.
Otherwise, why are you working your "butt-off" to make money in the first place.

In other words, "Enjoy Spending Your Money, you earned it and you deserve to be happy!"

2. DISCIPLINE:

George Clason, also teaches us to maintain discipline while having fun.
What does that mean? Well, if you make $2,000 a month (for our example in this blog).
That means you have to plan on living and partying with $1,800 a month.
The other $200 dollars you put in an investment account of some kind and you don't
touch it until you "REALLY" need it. The key phrase here is "really need it".
If you could give yourself a pep talk every time you tried to spend that $200 dollars
it would go something like this:

"I agreed to a spending plan (a.k.a. Budget) for myself to have fun without going broke
every month. Living paycheck to paycheck is depressing me!"

Believe me, you say this to yourself enough times each week and you will start to
visualize that living off of $1,800 a month really does work for saving your money each
week, month and year. Again, this amount is an example for this blog. You should
apply the one-tenth rule to your specific monthly income model.

3. SPENDING PLAN
(nine-tenths of your earnings):

So, write down all the things you desire in life including your food, home, car, drinking
with friends, shopping for clothes/shoes, mini vacations, etc.

Then select those that are necessary and the ones that can be purchased through
nine-tenths of your income ($1,800). Anything that does not fit within the $1,800 dollars
must go unsatisfied until you can afford it. Don't regret this decision because your
greatest desire should be to save $200 dollars a month. Before you know it, a year
has gone by and you have $2,400 dollars in your savings (not bad, right?).

Believe me, this year is going by so fast, one year will speed right past your income
with or without your savings. Less stress equals some of your money in the bank for you
to fall back on, not living paycheck-to paycheck.

Go have fun people! Peace.

Jerry Flanagan
(The VIP Gypsy)

Movie Night: Coconut Shrimp Dinner & Brewster's Millions

Dinner:
Coconut shrimp is a shrimp dish prepared using shrimp and coconut as primary ingredients. It can be prepared as a crunchy dish with the shrimp coated and deep fried, pan-fried or baked, and as a sautéed dish using coconut milk and other ingredients. What you will need:

2 pounds of Raw Wild Caught Shrimp
1/3c Organic Coconut Flour
1/3c Organic Cornstarch or Arrowroot powder
1t Baking Powder
1/2t Sea Salt
1/2t Black Pepper
Pinch of crushed red pepper
1T Organic Coconut Sugar
1/2c Organic Coconut Milk
Water
Organic Shredded Coconut (approximately 2c)
Fat for Frying (Coconut Oil, Palm Oil work great)

My Drink:
The Cuba Libre is a caffeinated alcoholic highball made of cola, lime, and dark or light rum. This cocktail is often referred to as a Rum and Coke in the United States.
Main alcohol: Rum (Bacardi Gold Label is recommended for this dinner)
Ingredients: 4 oz Cola, 1/3 oz Fresh lime juice, 1 2/3 oz rum
Preparation: Build all ingredients in a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with lime wedge. Served: On the rocks; poured over ice, Standard garnish: Lime wedge, Drinkware: Highball glass

Movie Pick:
Brewster's Millions: After losing his position as a minor-league pitcher, Montgomery Brewster (Richard Pryor) learns his great-uncle has left him $300 million. To inherit it, Brewster must spend $30 million in 30 days under a complicated set of rules that forbid him from donating too much to charity or retaining any new assets when the period is up. Unable to share details about the will's odd conditions with anyone, Brewster sets out to spend his money under the stern eye of paralegal Angela Drake (Lonette McKee). Initial release: May 22, 1985, Director: Walter Hill, Adapted from: Brewster's Millions, Story by: George Barr McCutcheon, Producer: Lawrence Gordon, Budget: 20 million USD, Box office Sales: 46 million USD

Evening Cigar:
Don Carlos. Named in honor of its legendary creator and Fuente family patriarch Carlos Fuente, Sr., Arturo Fuente Don Carlos cigars are one of the world's finest smokes. Vinatage tobaccos are hand selected and aged as much as 10 years. Flawless African Cameroon wrappers and master blended Dominican Republic tobacoo makes these cigars rich and flavorful to the palette. A perfect selection for my Coconut Shrimp and Cuba Libre cocktail for the evening.

Now time to enjoy my 1985's version of the Brewster's Millions movie. Good night my friends and Peace be the Journey.

The VIP Gypsy

Movie Night: Italian Risotto Dinner and Harlem Nights

Dinner

Risotto is a dish that's become associated with fancy high end restaurants, but really, it's the epitome of Italian home cooking and comfort food. Knowing how to make a good risotto is something we think every cook should have in their back pocket, if only because it's one of those dishes that's so satisfying and easy to prepare, and it never fails to impress. What You Need

Ingredients

1 small onion
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups arborio, carnaroli, or vialone nano rice
1/2 cup white wine
6-8 cups vegetable or chicken stock
1-2 tablespoons butter
1 cup cheese (Parmesan is classic, but you can use any kind)

My Drink:

To go with my Italian Risotto I reached out to the Vineyards of South America and they tossed me the exquisite 2008 Gryphus Sauvignon Blanc white wine to compliment this dish. This wine is light and citrusy while still presenting a full body that stood up well to the strong and spicy flavors of the Risotto. The lime in the wine and the Parmesan complemented each other well and this is overall a refreshing spring wine.

The gryphus, or Andean condor, is the national symbol of Chile. This enormous mountain bird, largest in the Western Hemisphere, plays a cultural role similar to that of the bald eagle in North America. On the front label, though, there is actually a mythological gryphus (or griffin), which has the body of a lion and the head and talons of an eagle. Folklore, culture and mythology aside, this is one tasty Sauvignon Blanc. The fruit, from the cool climate Rapel Valley, is picked separately and fermented separately by lot. Winemaker Andre Caballero may find himself in the New World, but his palate, if this wine is any indication, lies squarely in the Old World.

Movie Pick:

Harlem Nights: In the waning days of Prohibition, Sugar Ray (Richard Pryor) and his adopted son, Quick (Eddie Murphy), run a speakeasy called Club Sugar Ray. When gangster Bugsy Calhoune (Michael Lerner) learns that Sugar Ray's place is pulling in more money than his own establishment, the Pitty Pat Club, he pays corrupt cop Phil Cantone (Danny Aiello) to close Club Sugar Ray down. Quick doesn't exactly help the situation when he falls for Calhoune's gun moll, Miss Dominique La Rue (Jasmine Guy). Initial release: November 17, 1989, Director: Eddie Murphy, Screenplay: Eddie Murphy Budget: 30 million USD, Box office: 95 million USD

Evening Cigar:

Finish watching my movie with the NUB Connecticut 358 Cigar from Nicaragua. Manufactured by the Oliva Cigar Co., the concept is a cigar which, instead of just having a 'sweet spot,' is in its entirety a 'sweet spot.' Sporting a light, creamy Connecticut wrapper and a Nicaraguan core, this Nub renders a smooth, medium-bodied smoke laced with complex woody and toasty flavors. Goes very well with my after dinner palate of Italian Risotto and Chilean white wine.

Now time to enjoy my Harlem Nights movie. Good night my friends and Peace be the Journey.

The VIP Gypsy

From a Woman’s Perspective

There is no roadmap for men to follow to get inside

of a woman’s head, because half of the time,

women don’t know either. Let’s take a trip into the

woman psyche. For women who have been in a

long-term relationship, they begin to find themselves

as one with their partner. Naturally, because of the

day-in-day-out influence of their significant other,

both partners begin to pick up minute habits,

and even character traits (which may pend on the

more dominate partner). Even an action as simple

as brushing ones teeth in the shower can be a habit

to pick up. Either way, both partners will always

alter a portion of their behavior due to the influence

of the other partner.

Thus, the woman will unconsciously or consciously

begin to mold herself into a different version of herself. She is, in a sense, two different people;

herself, and the person she has molded herself into, marginally different from the way she

was before. When a woman is in a long term relationship with a partner, she unites and

they become a team; this factors in with personality molding. In the event of a breakup,

this has a colossal effect on the woman both physically and mentally.

Overall, when enduring a breakup, her mind is consumed with agony and will only be

liberated with time, support, occupancy, and strength. As she begins to go through

the recovery stage, she will try to reinvent herself because she suddenly realizes that

this whole time she was involved with this person, she became another her and now

has to decide which diminutive traits or habits she wants to filter out. The stronger

and more intellectual a woman is, she will already have done some auto-filtering

while exposed to certain habits from her partner during their relationship.

Therefore, in the event of a breakup, she has already filtered out the character traits

that she does not wish to keep, or, filtered in the traits she wishes to keep.

During this recovery stage, when the woman begins dating, she will struggle with

acceptance and openness towards the new guy because she will constantly compare

him to her ex. Unfortunately, in the beginning, the ex will always win the comparing

battle because that’s what she is use to, and that’s what she knows. She will continue

to go back to the “smelly nest” because everyone wants to go back to what they are

used to, and what they know, no matter how unsatisfying. Opening up to something

new is work and time, it’s a new mentality. Even though this may pour a little salt on

the wound, she may desire to step out, date, mingle and have fun. She will need to feel

that sense of confidence in herself. She has to approach this in a totally new perspective

because it is not common. She doesn’t know this person; he has no idea about her.

Now, she has to open up. It’s about asking questions, it’s about the chemistry.

Chemistry is something that cannot be planned for, it’s just what comes, and it’s natural

only if the shoe fits. So now the big questions is, where can I find someone that I ‘am

physically and mentally attracted to and we just have a connection? Where can I find

someone who doesn’t possess all of my little pet-peeves and all those little idiosyncrasies

that I dislike? It’s going to take time and willingness to date.

Some women are confident and intelligent enough to know that there should be no

regrets, we learn from every experience and every relationship. People come into our

life for a reason, a season, and a lifetime. We all learn from everyone and should be

filtering in and out the good and the bad. There is no roadmap, we cannot predict the

future, we cannot read minds, but we can stay tuned in to ourselves and our partners.

Strength, independence, openness, growth, and communication are essential.

CigarPlayer

(a.k.a. Jerry Flanagan)

Shout Outs:

(a.k.a. people that helped present this blog post):

1. Thanks to Erika Hendrickson, for writing the article.

2. Thanks to Jacquelyn Clement for the styln photo shoot.

3. Thanks to all my 10,000+ fans in social media land! Appreciate you. Peace.

Appreciate Life!

Appreciation: “thanks or gratitude; assessment of the true worth or value of persons or things.”

Appreciate Yourself

It’s soothing to sit and reflect or meditate in a quiet, peaceful place of comfort, like the beach; or in a certain special dwelling, turning off all of the noise to think about life and the things that you have; maybe even listening to some jazz. But everyone should have their own special place to go to. For many, it’s the simple things in life that make them happy: looking at the ocean, watching the sun set, spending some time outside under the evening stars, and just honing in on what you have accomplished. Sit back and reflect on what you have done as an individual, the things you have accomplished,and then you will begin to realize that life is wonderful.

Appreciate Your Family

Appreciating the family members you have in your life and appreciating the fact that there is someone who is always going to genuinely be there for you to lean on or just listen with all of their heart because they have invested ample time in you and you, them. That’s what family is all about- “family doesn’t leave family behind”.

There are many families out there that are separated, that don’t speak to one another for years because of the resentment. But if you really focus on appreciating all of your family members, especially the ones you haven’t spoken to in a while or that you are feeling animosity towards, you will find it is way easier to love than hate. Even a simple gesture as just going up to that family member and saying “I appreciate you” or getting a thank you card and simply just thanking that person for being in your life will bless you and those around you.

Appreciating Friends and Loved-ones

Appreciating the fact that your friends or loved-one knows you completely and has chosen to be in your life and that they choose to spend time with you through the good and the bad times, is necessary. There are definitely people who may be friends or acquaintances who want to be friends with you for unpretentious reasons like money, social status, but you will know who the real genuine people in your life are. Just take some time out of your day to call, text, email, social network, or the good old fashion way- speaking to them face to face to say I appreciate you for being in my life and for caring about me and about what happens to me. A simple statement like saying “I appreciate you” goes a long way.

Appreciate Your Career

How quickly can you get angry or frustrated at your boss, coworkers, or others within your company? For many, this happens everyday. If you have your own business, you need to appreciate your customers because they are the ones making your business successful, but at the same time if you are an employee and you work for a company, be thankful that your boss even hired you and brought you on-board to bring value to their organization. Whether you are working at McDonalds or a big organization, appreciate the fact that you are there receiving the benefits. Appreciate the free knowledge that you are gaining, the networking, the experiences that you wouldn’t otherwise have, the events throughout the day that make for great subjects of conversation. At the end of the day, you could be in a worse situation. Be appreciative today and go up to your boss, coworker, or employee and say “I appreciate you.” Even a nice gesture like treating the team with Starbucks, beagles, or a card will go a long way. Overall, just appreciate what you have and life will be wonderful because you will look within yourself and know that the value that you add to everyone’s life and all  these subject areas will definitely give you light.

CigarPlayer(a.k.a. Jerry Flanagan)

Shout Outs:(a.k.a. people that helped present this blog post):

1. Thanks to Erika Hendrickson, for writing the article.2. Thanks to Ralph Nordstorm Photography for the photos >http://ralphnordstromphotography.com/3. Thanks to all my 10,000+ fans in social media land! Appreciate you. Peace.

Enjoy Spending Your Money, You Earned It

and you deserve to be happy!
by CigarPlayer (a.k.a. Jerry Flanagan)

Sometimes, I roll down the street (in my Cadillac Escalade)

thinking about how easy it is to make money. I know a lot of

my peeps find it hard to make money. However, believe me,

one of the things that this book* has taught me is that

everyone in your circle makes money either at a $10 an hour

or $300 an hour level. Even homeless people make money

when they beg others for spare change while out on the town.

It doesn't matter, everyone in the United States is making money

in small or large amounts.

So, what does that mean for your savings? Well, it means

"Control Thy Expenditures". That's right, very simple.

However, so many people in my circle want to have fun.

My peeps will tell you I obviously like to have fun too!

However, you have to have a "spending plan" to afford

your necessities while enjoying your desires in life.

The keys are:

1. Balance

2. Discipline

3. Spending Plan

1. BALANCE:

George Clason, (who wrote the book* "The Richest Man in Babylon") teaches us how

not denying yourself the pleasures of life is very important while working hard to make money.

I agree, to reach true happiness you have to find pleasure in spending money on the things

you desire most in life and leave you fulfilled each day, week, month and year.

Otherwise, why are you working your "ass-off" to make money in the first place.

In other words, "Enjoy Spending Your Money, you earned it and you deserve to be happy!"

2. DISCIPLINE:

George Clason, also teaches us to maintain discipline while having fun.

What does that mean? Well, if you make $500 a week (for our example in this blog).

That means you have to plan on living and partying with $450 a week.

The other $50 dollars you put in an investment account of some kind and you don't

touch it until you "REALLY" need it. The key phrase here is "really need it".

If you could give yourself a pep talk every time you tried to spend that $50 dollars

it would go something like this:

"I agreed to a spending plan (a.k.a. Budget) for myself to have fun without going broke

every month. Living paycheck to paycheck sucks butt!"

Believe me, you say this to yourself enough times each week and you will start to

visualize that living off of $450 a week really does work for saving your money each

week, month and year. Again, the $450 dollars is an example for this blog. You should

apply the one-tenth rule to your specific income model.

3. Your Spending Plan
(nine-tenths of your earnings):

So, write down all the things you desire in life including your food, home, car, drinking

with friends, shopping for clothes/shoes, mini vacations, etc.

Then select those that are necessary and the ones that can be purchased through

nine-tenths of your income ($450). Anything that does not fit within the $450 dollars

must go unsatisfied until you can afford it. Don't regret this decision because your

greatest desire should be to save $50 dollars a week. Before you know it, a year

has gone by and you have $2,600 dollars in your savings (not bad, right?).

Believe me, 2011 is going by so fast, one year will speed right past your income

with or without your savings. Less stress equals some of your money in the bank for you

to fall back on, not living paycheck-to paycheck (at any level $10 an hour or $300 an hour).

Go have fun people! Peace.

CigarPlayer
(a.k.a. Jerry Flanagan)

Shout Outs:

(a.k.a. people that helped present this blog post):

1. Thanks to George Clason, for writing "The Richest Man in Babylon".

2. Thanks to Ralph Nordstorm Photography for the photos >

http://ralphnordstromphotography.com/

3. Thanks to all my 10,000+ fans in social media land! Appreciate you. Peace.

Sometimes Being Alone Is A Good Thing

Edits by:Rob S, animals rock, Flickety, Glutted

If you're reading this you're probably really bored and, at the moment, have no one to be with.

On the other hand, you may have spent the last 3 months partying (and spending a lot of money) with every friend in your social circle and you just need a break. Either way, "sometimes Being Alone Is A Good Thing".

Whether you long for a boyfriend or girlfriend,
miss your family and friends,or need a break,
this blog post will guide you on how to cope with living alone. Keep in mind that humans are indeed social animals however, that doesn't mean that we can't be perfectly happy outside of society too.

TIP 1: Be happy.

Easier said then done right? Remember, its a state of mind. Live a life of optimism.
Happiness comes from within regardless of your situation, so don’t use any excuses,
such as being alone. In fact, being alone gives you time to think about how cool you really are and what you bring to the table once you do hang out with your friends, family and co-workers.

TIP 2: Get out and do something on your own.

Do everything you would normally do with a partner or friend. Many times it
isn't the partner or friend you are missing, but the activities and hobbies you
shared. Take yourself out for a date. For example, if you would have gone out to
dinner or to a movie with someone, then take yourself out to a movie or to a nice
restaurant. Don't hold yourself back.

Also, don't be afraid to get out there on your own. A lot of people stay in doors
because they are afraid of what other people will think if they are out on the town
by themselves. Don't worry about other people, enjoy finding new places or doing
new things on your own first. Then later you can share with your friends.



TIP 3: Learn something new.

Learning is the most important aspect of living alone. It helps to keep
the boogeyman away, and also gives you something to talk about when you do
socialize.

Learning is also incredibly more efficient when you don't have social
responsibilities like family to take care of, or a girlfriend or boyfriend to
entertain.

Learning isn't just exclusive to books (although they are a great source of
knowledge). You can learn to do anything by just practicing. Enrolling in classes
is fun and also helps with your social life because you will meet new people in your
classes. If you're not so much into the "meeting people" thing, then the Internet is a great way
to learn pretty much everything (i.e. YouTube, eHow.com, Yahoo Answers, etc.).

Consider learning: Indoor Activities: A Foreign Language, Painting, Yoga,
Mathematics, Science, Art Appreciation, A Musical Instrument such as piano or flute.
Outdoor Activities: Gardening,Fencing, Tennis, Golf. Or Combination -
things you can do indoors and out: Photography, Drawing.

TIP 4: Get a pet.

Humans need affection, without it they become bitter and hate the world around
them. Pets are always a source of affection and will give loads of it endlessly.
Pets also provide someone to talk to. No, it's not weird that you talk to your pet,
it's weird if you don't. Just be cautious that your pet doesn't talk back. If so,
seek professional help.

If you are aloof and self-sufficient, tropical fish, hamsters, budgies or
finches are great choices. If you like a little interaction, but not a lot of
maintenance, try a cat. If you want to be very hands-on, spend lots of time and
get lots of feedback, a dog is for you.



TIP 5: Listen to lots of music.
If you are a music fan then you can enjoy being alone by listening to music
you enjoy or music that brings back memories of certain events (happy or sad).

This tip is great if you love all sorts of music genres like: Jazz, Blues, R&B,
Country, Hip-Hop, Salsa, Reggeaton and of course rock-n-roll (50s & 80s and
some 21st century songs)

Really good music will get you jumpin' and groovin' in your own home, at the beach,
bus stop or just standing in line with your iPOD headphones on. Your spirits
will be lifted real fast to a great song.

Finally, go outside.

It's a big world out there, and you're only seeing a small fraction of it.
Forget the people, just enjoy what life has to offer. Go to a new part of the city,
drive to the next city over from yours, drive two cities over from yours,
go to a different "county" or "country", go to different venues/restaurants/bars
in your town and other towns.

Once you do that, then people will want to know and be with you. Frankly, you won't
have a choice but to have friends!

Peace be the Journey,
- VIP Gypsy

The next five years will give you what you want

"Create a vision of who you want to be, and then live

into that picture as if it were already true."

~ Arnold Schwarzenegger

1. WOW! This is a great quote from a man who has been

at the top of his game since winning

Mr. Universe - 7 times, being one of the biggest

stars in Hollywood and the Governor of California.

2. All I can say is...being the best is where it’s at people!

3. I often thank god for blessing me with a life I have led thus far.

I've been on earth for a few decades and have seen a lot

in that time. I have more to see, travel and do but, wanted to take

this moment to remember the past. The past offers wonder, stress,

happiness and knowledge.

4. Take time to remember your past, and then vision the future as being

a bright stage of lights for you to shine. The next five to ten years

will give you what you want.

Peace be the Journey!

=========================================

Photos provided by Ralph Nordstorm Photography

http://ralphnordstromphotography.com

=========================================

I Need Some Good Sad Songs?

QUESTION from Shaddy:

I need some sad sad songs? I got rejected and im tired of listening to the
same old songs; so anyone anything?







ANSWER from The VIP Gypsy:

Hey girl! I love listening to sad songs when I'm down too.
Valentines Day is always looked upon as a happy day. However,
a lot of people have lost a lover and this is also a sad day
for them. Sad songs can help heal.

My favorite song site is http://www.elyrics.net
It has all the sad song lyrics for you to read while
listening to them online.

Remember by Josh Groban
http://www.elyrics.net/read/j/josh-groba…

Seperate Ways by Journey
http://www.elyrics.net/read/j/journey-ly…

Lights by Journey
http://www.elyrics.net/read/j/journey-ly…

Take My Breath Away by Berlin
http://www.elyrics.net/read/b/berlin-lyr…

Tonight by Phil Collins
http://www.elyrics.net/read/g/genesis-ly…

When Doves Cry by Prince
http://www.elyrics.net/read/p/prince-lyr…

The One That Got Away by Pink
http://www.elyrics.net/read/p/pink-lyric…

What's Up Lonely by Kelly Clarkson
http://www.elyrics.net/read/k/kelly-clar…

I'm old school but, read the lyrics to the above songs
and try to listen/feel them in your heart & soul. Broaden your horizons.
This will also help you forget the pain in your heart.

Peace be the Journey.
The VIP Gypsy

How can I discreetly not drink around people who are drinking?

============================================


Question from Jessy:

How can I discreetly not drink around people who are drinking?

Yeah, It's not that I care what people think, it's just that it gets annoying
because people treat you differently when you don't drink and they're always
trying to get you to have a drink!!

I really don't like to drink alcohol as it really doesn't seem to agree with my
body and rather than giving me a buzz, it tends to make me feel like crap.
I do, however, enjoy social situations that are based around drinking, such as
going to clubs, bars and parties. I have no problem being sober around drunk
people etc., I still enjoy myself fine and have fun, but people can tend to get
on my case about not drinking. It's not like I want to pretend I'm drinking so
people will think I'm "cool", but I don't want to put a downer on things always
saying, "Oh, I don't drink." I don't like to drink soft drinks either, so I
can't really just pretend a coke is a rum and coke. I also want to know what
to do if I guy sends me a drink, and I am interested, I just don't want the
drink! And what about when everyone at the table is doing shots? I don't want
to look like the boring teetotaler, because I'm not like that, I just don't drink!

If anyone has any suggestions on how I can deal with this, that would be great!

ANSWER from CigarPlayer:

Piece of cake girl. Check this out:

1. Clubs: Just ask for virgin versions of famous drinks.

Virgin Bloody Mary is tomato juice (V8) without the Vodka
Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri is without rum.
Virgin Rum & Coke is Root beer
Virgin Shot is Root beer or Jello cube
Or try Non-alcoholic beverage website like this one for more choices: http://bit.ly/6GQzjU

2. House Parties: Just drink kool-aid ice cubes or Jell-O cubes.
That's because you don't drink soda. Also, bring your own drink
mixes for non-alcoholic drinks (see website link). This way
your friends don't have to fuss and you have fun mixing them.

3. Friends: At the end of the day they should respect your wishes and just have fun.
In high school I did not drink and just substituted Root Beer a lot.

Have fun. Peace.

- CigarPlayer

Men would you feel offended if your wives tell you to wash up?

===========================================
QUESTION from Friend:

Men would you feel offended if your wives tell you to wash up?
before sex, I mean if there's going to be oral sex.I think my
husband was mad at me for it. I usually take a shower before
but he doesn't

ANSWER by CigarPlayer:

No way should a guy feel offended when his woman asks him to wash up!

It's a known fact that men are not as clean as women. We don't
take baths 2 - 5 times a week. Showers everyday are not the same as
taking a bath.

Also, Oral sex is the best! Both partners should be clean before hand
unless its spontaneous like on a beach, in the car on a road trip or
something. Next time ask if you both can take a shower together.
That's a good, sexy way to get clean with a little foreplay.
(hubba, hubba! LoL!)

He will get over it girl. Have fun. Peace.