You have been plugged in...

While the Internet provides millions of opportunities for people to meet, you must remember to use common sense. It's easy to get swept-up into a fantasy world, but reality begs for us to use caution. Like the offline world, the online world has its ups and downs - good people and bad people. While the majority of people can be trusted, we must all be aware of the scammers, liars and the rare but present predators. While there are risks, hiding from the world is not the answer. There are many ways to protect yourself and find someone online! Here are several tips for you to remember.
Online Dating in General...
1) Use caution when choosing a handle. Select a handle that will attract the kind of person you are interested in meeting. Using a handle that has a sexual connotation will get noticed - not always by the type of person you'd like to have a relationship with, much less a conversation with. A gender-neutral handle may also be a plus and help fend off the jerks and creeps.
2) Never, ever give out personal information. This may be the most important thing for you to remember. Your personal information includes your real name, telephone number, personal email or home address. If they want to send something to you through the mail, get a post office box. They're not expensive! No matter how nice the other person may seem, you do not know them. While most people are decent, you can never be absolutely sure. Don't risk having this information fall into the wrong hands.
3) On the telephone?
* Activate your caller ID blocking feature to keep your number private.
* Don't call collect! Your number will show up on their phone bill.
* If you want the other person to be able to contact you, get a pager.
* Use a payphone. It may be a hassle, but well worth it!
4) Location is everything. You haven't told the other person your name, phone number or any other personal information. But, you've told them all about living in Anytown, USA with a population of only 1,102. Think someone who really wanted to could find you? The answer is yes. Telling someone that you live in a small town, even omitting your actual address, is not the way to go. On the other hand, saying you live in New York is probably a pretty safe bet!
5) Get a current picture. Use a current picture. This may not exactly be a safety issue - but more of an honesty issue. Be honest and post a current photo even if you've gained a few pounds! If the other person's picture seems to be outdated, and they refuse to update it, you must put them in the "dishonest" pile. Even if you do not have a scanner, there's a variety of cheap and easy ways to get a photo scanned. There's no reason for someone to lie, unless they're hiding something. Don't put up with their dishonesty.
Communication and Red Flags...
1) Get the details. Feel free to scrutinize the emails and chat sessions you have with another person. If they seem too good to be true, they probably are. If they're vague about their life, try to non-intrusively get some details. Red flags are people who are vague, talk in circles, or answer questions with questions. Be very cautious with these types of people. They may be playing hard to get, or they may not be on the level.
2) Are they hiding something? If the other person can only meet and chat with you in the middle of the night, they may have a secret. If you call them and they talk in a hushed voice or "have to go" all of a sudden, they may not be as single as they claim. If you call at a non-designated time and they get angry, feel free to assume that they're hiding something from you. Red flags are anyone who uses fancy footwork, excuses, or evasive maneuvers when asked straightforward questions. If they cannot be honest with you from the get-go, don't count on them to ever be forthright.
3) Instant love may not be what it seems. While you may feel an instant connection or powerful attraction to a person online, this does not qualify as falling in love. It may however fall under puppy love, infatuation, and even lust. But scammers and con artists have used the "I'm in love with you" angle offline for countless years. What's stopping them from going online to make their next score? Love takes time no matter what the fairy tales imply. Red flags are people who, after minimal online contact, express their undying love. Other hints may be that shortly after talking about being in love with you, they also mention how broke they are, how they just got laid off from work, or how their accountant took off with all their money. While the other person may just be a lonely soul who's truly attracted to you, you can never be sure. Slow things down and don't let "love" rob you blind.
4) Get their background checked, especially if you’re planning to take the next step and meet the other person face to face. By that point, you should know their name, so put your mind at ease with a background check. You can find several services online, many for a reasonable price. Even if you don't notice any red flags or get a gut instinct to back off, it’s a matter of respecting yourself and your safety. Your only red flag here will show up in black and white.
5) Don't put off meeting in person. While online relationships can be full of romance and intrigue, your ultimate goal is to meet someone, date them and possibly more. Why put it off? Why invest in a relationship online if it's going nowhere offline? Make sure the spark you get from your chat sessions and email also exists in the "real world". Red flags are anyone who puts it off or avoids answering your questions about meeting. And remember, if you do not have the money to invest in a long distance relationship, don't start one. Online dating requires that your brain and your heart work together to make the best and safest decisions for you.
Going Offline for a Meeting...Safety First
1) Once you've agreed to meet face to face, don't ask the other person to pick you up. Get yourself to and from the date, even if you have to beg a ride off of a friend or take a taxi.
2) Before you go, make sure that several friends and family members know where you're going, who you're going with and when to expect you back. Make sure everyone writes down the information so that there are no misunderstandings.
3) Always meet in a public place. A public place does not mean a parking lot - they are not monitored closely enough to be considered safe. Make your first meeting a lunch or coffee date. If the sparks don't fly, it's much easier to say that you have a meeting or some other commitment that requires you to end the date prematurely. 4) Stay in a public place. If they pressure you to go elsewhere, say NO. If they pressure you, they obviously don't care about your feelings - don't spare their feelings. End the meeting and leave. If they start to follow you to where you've parked, stop and hail a cab. Come back later for your car with a friend or family member.
5) If possible, bring a cellular phone. If you need help or feel a little nervous, excuse yourself to the bathroom and call for back up! Put together an instant, "accidental" meeting with a friend. They're also good for emergencies or in case you think your online love is an offline stalker who's following you home. Use the cellular phone to call the police - just don't head back home. Keep the person far from there. Drive to a police station if you feel it's necessary.
6) Never leave your personal belongings unattended. A purse or wallet contains all of your personal information. In your jacket pocket could be your keys. Just don't take the risk.
7) Do not leave your beverage unattended. If you do, nonchalantly ask for another drink.
8) Stick with non-alcoholic drinks. Being drunk is not a good way to be safe.
9) If all goes well, set-up another date before the first one comes to an end. Use your best judgment and gut instincts to determine whether or not the other person is worthy of a second date. Be sure that this second date (and any others thereafter) incorporates all of these safety tips. You're worth the effort! If the other person truly cares about you, they'd expect nothing less.
A Thousand Miles from Home... Extra Tips for Meeting a Long Distance Interest Be sure to use all of the tips mentioned above, plus the following tips if you plan to travel to meet your online interest:
1) DO NOT plan to stay at the other person's home for your visit. If you cannot afford a hotel, do not go.
2) If you've made hotel reservations, do not tell the other person where you're staying. They don't need to contact you there. You can contact them.
3) Let them meet you at the airport, but do not get in a car with them. They can help you with your baggage and help you hail a cab. Use cabs as your mode of transportation throughout your trip.
4) Be sure to keep in touch with friends and family. Have a schedule in place as to when you should call. And make sure they know where you're staying and how to reach you. Again, this is a good time to carry and use a cellular phone.
5) Just in case...keep your valuables in an in-room safe or in with the front desk - they often have safety deposit boxes available for free or a minimal charge.
6) When you leave, just to be sure, meet them at the airport to say goodbye.

This past Thursday, I saw a guy at Club Infinity with a t-shirt and this quote written on the back. I thought it was funny and wanted to share it with everyone.

The "Jaunt for Josh" is a fundraising event which supports the Muscular Dystrophy Association in their efforts in the treatment and cure of the 43 different muscular and neuromuscular diseases covered by MDA.
The "Jaunt" began in 1989 when the Lutheran Youth Organization of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church sponsored the first "Jaunt," naming it in honor of, my cousin, Joshua Schmidt, a member of Trinity who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Since that first "Jaunt" over $125,000 has been raised by the supporters of the "Jaunt."
This year, WNY celebrates the 18th Annual "Jaunt for Josh" which is set for June 17, 2006. You can walk or bike several routes through the countryside of Newstead. After the "Jaunt" enjoy a complimentary lunch on the church grounds. Incentive prizes will be awarded to those who raise funds $50 or more.
Your efforts really make a lifetime of defference to someone with Muscular Dystrophy. Please be a part of this year's
"Jaunt for Josh"

When: Saturday, June 17, 2006
Where: Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church,
4809 S. Newstead Rd. Akron, NY 14001 : 542-9828

Paricipants may choose from several different ways to "Jaunt:"
Note: All participants must check in 15 minutes prior to start time.
WALK: 9.3 mile (15K) begin at 9:00am
or 3.1 mile (5K) begin at 10:00am
BIKE: 18.6 mile (30K) begin at 10:15am,
9.3 mile (15K) begin at 10:15am or 3.1 mile (5K) begin at 10:15am

REGISTER TODAY

Fill out a Registration/Waiver form and mail it today to: MDA, 5500 Main St, suite 343, Williamsville, NY 14221
All participants are asked to help raise funds for MDA and can use the pledge form for donations that is attached to the Waiver.

Forms can be obtained by calling the Church at 542-9828,
the MDA office at 626-0035 or from myself.

**Fri 17 Mar 06**
ROYAL LINEAGE: A LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF QUEEN

BUFFALO NEWS 3/17/2006 - Jeff Miers

June 6, 1971 - Queen gives its first public performance, in Hornsey Town Hall, London, England. The theatricality that will help catapult the band to the top - and the blend of searing, regal guitar tones, powerful vocal harmonies and propulsive rhythm section - is already in full evidence.

July 6, 1973 - Queen's self-titled debut album is released. It includes timeless tunes like "Keep Yourself Alive," "Great King Rat," "Liar" and "Jesus."

May 17, 1975 - The band grabs its first U.S. Top 20 hit, the eclectic "Killer Queen," from its third album, "Sheer Heart Attack."

Dec. 27, 1975 - "A Night at the Opera," the band's career-defining masterpiece, tops the U.K. album charts, partly on the strength of the groundbreaking seven-minute mini-opera "Bohemian Rhapsody." The band has officially broken through to the big time.

Feb. 4, 1978 - "We Are the Champions," backed with "We Will Rock You," both culled from the album "News of the World," is held back from the No. 1 spot on the U.S. singles chart by the dulcet disco tones of the Bee Gees' "Stayin Alive."

Feb. 23, 1980 - Queen finally gets its first U.S. No. 1 hit, "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," from the massively successful "The Game" album. By September, "The Game" will top the album charts, where it will reign for five consecutive weeks.

March 3, 1984 - The band's "Radio Ga-Ga" hits the U.S. Top 40. The band will perform the song as part of its show-stealing set at the Live Aid concert, a few months later.

Aug. 9, 1986 - Queen plays its final show with Freddie Mercury, a powerful gig before an appreciative audience inside Britain's Knebworth Stadium.

Nov. 24, 1991 - Shortly after the release of his final album with the band, the passionate return-to-form "Innuendo," Freddie Mercury dies of AIDS-related illness, at his home in London.

March 19, 2001 - Queen is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the 16th annual ceremonies by Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters.

March 17, 2006 - Queen, with new vocalist Paul Rodgers, came to the HSBC Arena, for its first Buffalo show in 24 years.

Freddie's gone but was not forgotten, last night at HSBC Arena, a little less than 24 hours ago. It didn't take long for the mood to lift for just as the black curtain dropped and the band rocked with such naughty favorites as Tie Your Mother Down and Fat Bottomed Girls the croud roared with excitement. New singer Paul Rodgers of Free and Bad Company was backed up by some monstrously loud playing from Queen guitarist Brian May, and Queen drummer Roger Taylor, both decked out in head-to-toe white. The trio was also joined on stage by ex-Blue Oyster Cult bassist Danny Miranda, guitarist Jamie Moses of the Brian May Band, and longtime Queen sideman Spike Edney on keyboards. (Queen bassist John Deacon retired from touring.) Rodgers, naturally, really shone on the Bad Company anthem Feel Like Makin' Love, filled out by lovely harmonies from the other band members, not to mention monster playing by both May and Taylor. He later rose from the stage, playing a piano for Bad Company, and quickly followed that up with another great Bad Company hit, Can't Get Enough. But the first really poignant moment in the show came when May walked out to the tiny stage on the floor to play acoustic guitar and sing on his own. At least initially.

"You guys are great, fantastic, thank you for this welcome back," said the guitarist, 58. "I sincerely thought it would never happen. This is a great bonus in my life. I hope it's a great night in yours."

"This is for Freddie," said May before launching into Love Of My Life, which saw him accompanied by the crowd's voices. May then strapped on an electric guitar and was joined by Rodgers and Taylor, both 56, and the rest of the band for Hammer To Fall, which May described as "my little old song of peace." Taylor even took over on lead vocals on I'm In Love With My Car, after a drum solo, and These Are The Days, which saw black-and-white vintage footage of Mercury playing on video screens behind him to huge cheers from the audience. Speaking of Mercury, he would later return again to sing a videotaped concert version of Bohemian Rhapsody, before Rodgers and the rest of the band eventually took over the song live. This was a wise move on everyone's part given the song's legendary challenging vocals.

The Set List:
INTRO BEAUTIFUL DAY
REACHING OUT - FAT BOTTOMED GIRLS - TIE YOUR MOTHER DOWN - I WANT TO BREAKFREE - TAKE LOVE - CRAZY LITTLE THING - LOVE OF MY LIFE - HAMMER TO FALL - FEEL LIKE MAKIN' LOVE - UNDER PRESSURE (first time on US soil) - DRUM SOLO - I'M IN LOVE WITH MY CAR - GUITAR SOLO - LAST HORIZON - BAD COMPANY - CAN'T GET ENOUGH - ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST - DRAGON ATTACK - DAYS OF OUR LIVES - RADIO GA GA - SHOW MUST GO ON - BO RAP

Encore: WE WILL ROCK YOU - ALL RIGHT NOW - WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

"Once you've seen this every event movie from May to September will seem that little bit duller. " -- Harry Guerin, RTE INTERACTIVE (DUBLIN IRELAND)

V FOR VENDETTA: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE, from Warner Bros. Pictures, has been digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience through proprietary IMAX DMR technology. It was released in select IMAX theatres March 17, 2006, concurrent with the release in traditional 35mm theatres.

Set against the futuristic landscape of totalitarian Britain, V For Vendetta tells the story of a mild-mannered young woman named Evey (Natalie Portman) who is rescued from a life-and-death situation by a masked vigilante known only as "V." Incomparably charismatic and ferociously skilled in the art of combat and deception, V ignites a revolution when he detonates two London landmarks and takes over the government-controlled airwaves, urging his fellow citizens to rise up against tyranny and oppression. As Evey uncovers the truth about V's mysterious background, she also discovers the truth about herself - and emerges as his unlikely ally in the culmination of his plot to bring freedom and justice back to a society fraught with cruelty and corruption.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING...

There are some great, brilliant action scenes, but this is more thoughtful and darker and more in the vein of Batman Begins. And that's a very good thing." -- Richard Roeper, EBERT & ROEPER

"Movies based on comic books are getting more thoughful and challenging in their stories. And after Batman Begins and Spider-Man 2, V for Vendetta is one of most intriquing so far." -- Roger Ebert, CHICAGO SUN TIMES

"V packs an urgent filmmaking energy that pins you to your seat." -- Peter Travers, ROLLING STONE

"It's an amazing movie. Not in exactly the way The Matrix was (howtired would that be?), but in a new way. It's a fascinating picture,dark and exciting, and it will almost certainly be an enormous hit." -- Kurt Loder, MTV

"The most faithful and literal adaptation of an Alan Moore graphic novel...a potent combination of action, emotion and wry political commentary." -- Edward Douglas, COMMINGSOON.NET

"Entertaining and solidly crafted." -- John DeFore, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER