Highs and Laos

By: WordsnCollision (View Profile)

Laos is one of the last “off the beaten track” destinations for tourists and travelers who have become jaded with the creeping homogenization of global culture. This has much to do with the Southeast Asian nation’s historic inaccessibility, modern politics and the legacy of warfare that continues to haunt this faraway land.

For the adventurous traveler, however, Laos has much to offer. Friendly people, stunning archeological sites and astounding natural beauty have enticed and entranced visitors from time immemorial. This mountainous, heavily forested nation of 6 million has been called by some “the tropical Shangri-la” after the semi-mythical Tibetan paradise sought by many but found by few. It’s no secret that getting to landlocked Laos is no simple thing. There are no railways and the roads (especially those in rural areas) are not always reliable, especially during the rainy Monsoon season that stretches from May through November. Most visitors to Laos enter from Thailand, the country’s western neighbor and chief trading partner. There are few viable alternatives for Western tourists as Laos also borders on Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar (formerly Burma) and China. You may have to do some searching, both online and off, to work out a travel itinerary. Don’t forget to investigate Visa requirements and any recommended vaccinations while you’re at it.

The history of Laos is as shrouded in mystery as the land is shrouded in forestry. Countless Monsoon storms over the millennia have washed away most evidence of Laos’ ancient past, leaving only tantalizing reminders of her culture’s past glory. One that remains is the Plain of Jars located in the Laotian highlands. Literally thousands of stone jars lie scattered across the broad Xieng Khouang plain, some standing alone and others in groups. These are no mayonnaise jars; some are as big as a small car! Who built them, and for what aim? Archeologists speculate they were crafted over a period of several hundred years nearly two thousand years ago. The culture that built them remains unknown - the ancestors of the present-day Lao had not migrated to the area from their original homeland in southern China. Were they immense water jugs, intended to save water from the Monsoon rains for use in the dry season, or did they have another, more sinister purpose... the silence of the Jars provides no clues.

Visitors to the three government authorized viewing sites have stated that gazing across the silent, windswept plain was an otherworldly experience. Unfortunately, one wrong step and you might find yourself transported to another world - literally. The U.S. Air Force extensively bombed the Laotian highlands during the Vietnam War and the plain is strewn with unexploded “bombies”, as the locals refer to them. The cute nickname belies the horrible damage done by the ordnance, which is still “live” and quite dangerous after 30+ years. For a culture that has been so severely buffeted by the tides of history, the Laotian people remain gentle, open and helpful to foreigners.

Things have been looking brighter for Laos and her people of late. The government, while Communist in name, has embraced free market economics and little by little the benefits are trickling down the ladder. In a country where 80 percent of Laotians still till the land to survive, tourism is providing jobs and higher incomes for both city and country dwellers. The authorities are doing their best to balance the need to provide infrastructure for tourism while preserving the unique way of life and ethereal beauty that has moved the United Nations to name Luang Prabang and Wat Phou as World Heritage sites.

Not all that many Americans have even heard of Laos while even fewer know where it is - perhaps this was Mike Judge’s motivation for having an immigrant Laotian family move in next to Hank Hill on the animated series “King of the Hill”. If stimulating culture shock is your cup of tea, then a trip to and through Laos should really hit the spot. No, it’s not easy to get there, but this is one case where the journey and the destination are mutually rewarding!

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The Best Tech Tools and Fitness Plans to Get in Shape

If there's one thing geeks and non-geeks alike all share, it's an aversion to exercise. No matter how much you'd like to slim your waistline and lose the belly, it's difficult to find a workout routine that not only works, but one that fits your needs and is easy to stick to. Over the years we've covered several fitness plans along with free and cheap technology to help you get in shape and stick to a training plan, and I've used many of these tools to help run two marathons. Read on for a look at the most simple yet effective plans we've covered—along with the best tech tools to help you get and stay in shape. Photo by luiginter.

This isn't a "How to lose 200 pounds in a year" article, but it could be. Despite the proliferation of diet plans and expensive exercise equipment, the key to fitness is and always will be healthy eating, portion control, and a solid exercise routine. (But, a solid exercise routine need not be hard or expensive.) Here are some of the tips and tools we've covered at Lifehacker over the years, many of which I use regularly.

From Couch to 5k to Marathon

If you've never done much running or exercise, getting started can be a bear. The key is baby steps, and the Couch to 5k running plan gets you ready to run your first 5k (that's three miles) in just six weeks. (Original post)

If you're beyond the 5k, I'd recommend giving a marathon a try at least once (or, if that seems a touch ambitious, a half marathon). Twenty-six miles may seem insane, but if you can run a 5k, you can probably do a marathon. Running expert and writer Hal Higdon's free marathon training guides are a perfect place to get started, and when the marathon actually comes around, check out how I hacked the Chicago marathon. Photo by Chicago Producers.

Zero to One Hundred Push-Ups in Six Weeks

Whether you like doing them or not, the push-up belongs in your fitness routine. Unfortunately the push-up has always been a difficult nut to crack, not least of which because of the embarrassment of hardly being able to finish a small set. Much like the Couch to 5k running plan, web site One Hundred Push Ups provides workout routines designed to take you from zero to one hundred push-ups in six weeks. The push-up works your whole body, which means whether you take the 100 push-up route or not, it's worth integrating into your workout routine. (Original post)

Work Your Entire Body with a Sledgehammer

Probably the most embarrassing part of my workout routine (at least when I'm explaining it) involves shovelgloving, a daily, full-body workout that requires just 14 minutes and a sledgehammer wrapped in a sweatshirt. The brainchild of a guy who just wanted an exercise routine he could do from the comfort of his bedroom, shovelgloving is a surprisingly effective exercise routine for working your entire body. Shovelglove exercises are also fun to do, incorporating old-timey routines like the butter-churn, wood-chop, and (naturally) shovel. (Original post)

Map Your Workout

Whether you're running, biking, hiking, or skipping, mapping your workout is an excellent way to track what you've done, workouts you've enjoyed, and even calories you've burned.

My go-to tool for this purpose has always been MapMyRun, a site with a huge set of features for setting up a training plan, mapping your runs, calculating the calories you've burned, and more. The site's massive feature set has made it a little more intimidating for first-time users, but if all you want to do is quickly map out a run, just jump straight to the route creation tool. (Original post)

If you're not keen on the web-based route, the Mac-only TrailRunner is an incredible desktop application that tackles many of the same features with a quick and very attractive interface. TrailRunner even integrates with Nike+ iPod, Google Earth, and your GPS (though MapMyRun does GPS, too).

Pick the Right Running Shoes

If you've decided to take a serious stab at running, the only significant, unavoidable expense is shoes. Sure you could just stick with your aging pair of gym shoes, but running is hard on your body, and a good pair of running shoes can go a long way toward preventing injury and keeping you comfortable while you run, which also means you're more likely to stick with your workout. With that in mind, it's important to know how to pick the right running shoe for your feet. (Original post) Photo by jordanfischer.

Pump Up the Jams

Whether it's an iPod, Walkman, or even radio, take full advantage of the distracting and motivating power of music when you're working out. Fill up your MP3 player with a playlist full of great workout music. They shouldn't all be over-the-top motivators like Gonna Fly Now or Born to Run—those are really just for the times you need them. Try different songs and pick out what kind of music works best for you, and reserve your motivators for the times you really need an extra boost. If you take the Nike+ iPod route, you can actually set a song as your big motivator that you can instantly skip to when you need it. If you don't have Nike+, the same idea applies: Make it easily accessible so you can get that instant pick-me-up when you need it. If you're looking for suggestions, check out our readers' favorite workout music. If you've taken to burning more calories with interval running, set up your very own interval running playlist in iTunes. Photo by Geff Rossi.

Nike+ iPod

I've been using the Nike+ iPod since January and am loving it. It's easy to use when you're already running with your iPod anyway, and it makes tracking and graphing my progress over time dead simple. All of that extra information—like that I've run about 320 miles so far this year—is surprisingly motivational. At only $30 for a Nike+ iPod sport kit, it's not terribly expensive (provided you've already got a supported iPod), and you don't actually have to buy Nike shoes to use it. I dug a hole in the insoles of my running shoes and stuck the Nike+ dongle inside, but if you don't want to mutilate your shoes the Nike+ iPod shoe mod may be just the ticket.

Track Your Fitness on Your Computer

Our very own Kevin has covered several ways to track your fitness progress with free tools. My favorite, which he mentions in his feature, is web site Traineo. Traineo is there to help you stick with your plan and motivate you to achieve your exercise and fitness goals. (Original post)

3 Kinds of Sex All Men Crave

Clueing in to your guy's covert bedroom urges can make the difference between mediocre and mind-blowing nooky

You may be convinced that you have your man's carnal code cracked, but there isn't just one way to unlock his passion. In fact, his lusty leanings can change with his hormones, stress levels, and even the time of day, explains Los Angeles psychologist and sex therapist Geoffry White, PhD. Get a read on exactly when — and how — your guy wants to be wowed in the sack by checking out our sexy hints. You'll reap the pleasurable benefits too.

Animalistic Sex

His mood clues: After your man whups his pals on the basketball court or nails an important deal at work, he's likely to crave an uninhibited quickie against a wall or a lusty shag anywhere there's a smooth surface. The reason? His alpha instincts are taking over.

"When men win at sports, even when they're just watching a sport and their team triumphs, or when they have success like a promotion at work, testosterone levels tend to go up," says anthropologist Helen Fisher, PhD, author of Why We Love. Translation: He's revved with T-juice and dying to throw you (gently) down on the bed for a serious pleasure session.

Your guy may also be prone to be hungry for some randy roughhousing before breakfast. "Levels of testosterone tend to be higher in the very early morning," says Fisher. Sex drive often builds to its highest point from dawn until around 10am. "He's likely to wake up already turned on and feeling assertive."

How to rock his world: When he's flushed after a win or starts gloating about a mini success, bait him by slowly stripping off your clothes across the room — in his eye line but out of his reach. "Just looking at your naked body can further raise a man's testosterone, feeding his desire," says Fisher. Let him watch you touch your own erogenous zones, which will make him hot and give you satisfaction too.

When you've tortured him for a few minutes, let him get his hands on the championship prize: you. Then initiate a primal move that fuels his frisky craving. "Standing sex, where he holds you up against a wall with your legs wrapped around his lower back, gives him an animalistic challenge," says Yvonne K. Fulbright, author of The Hot Guide to Safer Sex. Your man is in the aggressor role since he's holding you up with his arms and lower bod, and he also gets the visual thrill of watching your breasts bounce during the act.

Kick it up a notch by letting yourself revel aloud about how hot he's getting you or tell him a specific thing you want him to keep doing because it feels so good, suggests Fulbright. "Verbally boosting his ego can help build orgasmic intensity for you both."

Supersensual Sex

His mood clues: Women aren't the only ones who desire slow-burn sexual intimacy. In fact, one of the biggest complaints among men is that women don't touch them enough during sex, which is a common way of maintaining emotional closeness in a relationship, according to The Hite Report on Male Sexuality. The trick is nailing down exactly when your guy longs for steam-up-the-windows romantic sex.

Surprisingly, men crave this type of intimacy after experiencing something new or unusual. "Having novel experiences with your man releases dopamine, which triggers lust and desire," says Fisher. That's why your dude may suddenly feel the urge to get superclose when you're in a new locale, whether it's diving into your hotel bed or snuggling under the stars on a camping trip.

Another lust trigger for slow, body-meshing sex is in the aftermath of something scary. "The novelty of a dangerous situation you'd see in a horror movie or after trying a slightly risky, adrenaline-fueled activity together can also feed dopamine levels and make him want to feel emotionally closer to you via sex," says Fisher.

How to rock his world: Next time you try anything new, from rappelling down a mountain to seeing a spine-tingling flick together, take him home and introduce a sensual new move that feeds a mental and physical connection, like the Kama Sutra position Yab-Yum. Here's how: Sitting in his lap face-to-face with your legs wrapped around each other's back, you and your guy can gaze into each other's eyes as your hands roam freely. All the while, your private parts press sensually against each other, furthering intimacy.

"This is an all-access position that allows him to see and touch your entire body," says Fulbright. "And because it provides more direct stimulation of the clitoris, the woman is more likely to orgasm than in the missionary position."

Don't-Lift-a-Finger Sex

His mood clues: Chances are, if your guy's been placating annoying relatives, wigging about finances or dealing with a demanding boss, stress is likely to make him crave low-maintenance sex (where all he has to do is unzip his fly, if that).

"Anxiety's onset drives up levels of dopamine and, thus, testosterone, which combined with workday exhaustion is likely to leave a man craving sexual release without much effort," says Fulbright.

Unfortunately, today's high expectations for male sexual performance may instead heighten his stress level. "Since men are so programmed to work for sex, he'll feel relieved of performance pressure when you catch him off guard with this low-maintenance brand of sex," says White. "If a guy can lie back and feel sexually taken care of, it can improve his overall state of mind as well as the sensations his body is capable of experiencing."

How to rock his world: When you sense your man is stressed, help him unwind by telling him he doesn't even have to get off the sofa. Then take the reins by stripping off his shirt and slowly kissing him from his neck down to his waistline, followed by some below-the-belt action.

To make his head spin as you're pleasuring him, try this trick: "Break away every now and then to drag your tongue along the crease between his pelvis and inner thigh, which will flood his lower body with increased sensation," Fulbright says.

Next, slide onto his lap in reverse cowgirl position with your hands balanced on his thighs for support. Much like doggie-style, he'll be able to revel in watching your tush and touching your breasts — but without expending any lower-body energy.

This pose also gives him supereasy access to pressing your hot buttons. "As you move forward and back in this position, his member will directly stimulate your clitoris with minimal effort on his part," says Fulbright. "Just remember to squeeze your PC muscles as you thrust because it can help you both have bigger, better orgasms more quickly."

5 Times He'll Pass Up Passion

Hard as it is to believe, hopping into the sack isn't always at the top of a man's list.

You emasculated him in front of his friends. "But honey, it was so cute when you cried during Million Dollar Baby."

He walks into the bathroom carrying three collector's issues of sports magazines and a bottle of antacid.

He stuffed himself silly at your "romantic" dinner. Eating rich, heavy food is said to be a sex-drive killer.

You just mentioned your ex and his old habit of doing multiple one-handed pushups...naked.

You forced him to sit through a new reality TV show: Extreme Makeover: Penis Enhancement.

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