Shute

Heather met Jason in the stacks in the campus library. She was looking for information on Poe for a paper she was doing for her Great American Writers class -- so was he. Wow, something in common and he's cute too.

Heather and Jason studied in the library together a few times and they even went out for pizza with some of Heather's friends.

Jason passed the friend test.

So Heather was looking forward to their first real date. She had been thinking about it all day. What should she wear? What would they say? She was excited.

Jason arrived on time and they headed out for their date. On the way Jason said he had forgotten his wallet. He had to have his wallet, so Jason made a detour to his apartment.

Jason invited her up saying it would only take a second. Heather went with him. She really was curious about his place and how he lived.

Inside the apartment Jason began to show her around -- the wallet forgotten.

He clearly had something else on his mind. Heather became a little nervous, anxious perhaps. Jason wasn't acting like the Jason she knew. She decided to leave.

Jason grabbed her and before she knew it, he had her on the couch. He was strong. And he was heavy on top of her. And he definitely had one thing on his mind and he was going to get it.

Suddenly Jason grabbed his eyes and rolled to the floor giving her a chance for escape. She took it...

What happened?

Well, Heather was smart; she was prepared. Sure, Jason seemed like a nice guy, he was cute, and he had even passed the friend test. But Heather's mom had taught her well and given her the tools that she needed including a beautiful onyx ring which she religiously wore on her right index finger. Heather's mom raised her to be confident, strong, and certainly no one's victim.

And that's what happened. Young confident Heather wearing her beautiful onyx ring went out on a date -- hopeful, but not blind -- with Jason who seemed like such a nice guy.

Jason thought he could do what he wanted; he had before.

But Heather was different. She listened to her mother and she wore her ring.

With her beautiful onyx ring, Heather stopped Jason with a blast of temporary pepper spray pain right in his face.

While Heather and Jason aren't real people and this isn't a real story -- it could easily be. Date rape is a fact of life especially in college life. Heather could be any college girl -- she could be you, your friend, your daughter. And Jason? He could be any college boy...really. What does a date rapist look like? Do you know one?

Date rape, sometimes called acquaintance rape, goes unreported most of the time because the girl feels ashamed, embarrassed, or perhaps that she somehow "asked for it." But even in the unlikely event that a date rape is reported, too many college police departments don't take it seriously simply because the girl knew her attacker.

So what can be done?

Be like Heather's mom. Talk to your friends, sisters, and daughters. Help them to be prepared, not paranoid -- just prepared. And give them the self defense tools that they need like a pepper spray ring.

And be like Heather...Stand up for yourself -- Refuse to be a victim.

Amy Herndon is an authority on self defense. She has two web sites that have more information, as well as, tools that you can use to protect yourself. www.azhselfdefense.com and www.azhsurveillance.com

It seems like everybody wants to visit Cancun, Mexico at some point or another. Whether it's when you're in high school, on college spring break, or finally getting around to that second honeymoon, Mexico can sound quite appealing. What is it about this Latino country that draws in spectators and tourists from around the globe? Is it the warm climate, the lack of grass, the all-night fiestas, the beautiful waters, or the lack of age-limit on drinking? Oh yeah, that last one is pretty much it. I can't even imagine how many youths visit Cancun for this very luxury. Where are your teenagers heading for spring break or summer vacation?

Cancun is the ultimate hotspot! Between this tourist attraction and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico must pull in a great deal of cash. These are the spots taken advantage of by so many Americans and foreign travelers alike. There must be some appeal to that warm sun, sandy beaches, and endless margaritas. I can certainly attest to that! I've been to Mexico four times, while visiting Cancun twice, and I loved every minute of it.

When planning your visit, research the area you intend to stay prior to your trip. Definitely find out which spots are the most recommended and which are typically avoided before you visit Mexico. It's up to you to keep your loved ones and yourself safe at all times. Of course you want to have a blast and take in the new and amazing sites, but don't let your guard down. It's imperative to remember that you're not a native. So plan that ideal trip; visit Cancun, Mexico and have the time of your life, but remember to steer clear of shady areas and eerie individuals you don't know.

Of all the places that you've visited in your lifetime or plan to visit, Cancun will definitely rate as one of the most memorable.

For more information regarding Cancun, visit the Cancun Information Resource

Many times males find themselves in over their head. They strike up a conversation with an attractive female and before they know it the opportunity has presented itself for sexual intimacy to occur. When sudden and surprise encounters like this happen, even a good lover can be thrown off his game. And someone who may sometimes suffer from premature ejaculation (like many men do) this experience can turn into a very nervous ordeal. This shows the importance of learning, and training yourself to permanently be able to last as long as you want no matter what situation arises. But in the meantime, here are a few tips on how to avoid premature ejaculation in the heat of the moment:

1. Foreplay and Pleasuring her: You can really go far by extending foreplay while focusing on pleasure for the female. If you accomplish this correctly, then when further sexual intimacy is occurring, much of the pressure will be off you, and you'll be able to not only last longer, but enjoy the experience more fully. Focus first on her and her desires, and try to accomplish those desires during foreplay.

2. Carry a special backup condom: The backup condom method requires that you have a certain kind of condom on hand. There are condoms which contain numbing cream already inside them so all that is required is throwing on the latex, while allowing it to "de-sensitize the situation". This accomplishes two things: Mentally knowing that you have the backup condom, will ease off a lot of nervousness and stress. Thus when it comes time, you may find you won't even need the special condom. But if you do, it is there and can get you through the night prolonging intimacy which would otherwise be cut much too short. Of course, ideally one should not have to rely on the backup condom repeatedly, but rather should learn how to avoid premature ejaculation permanently so that whenever an intimate encounter arises, he can confidently go into the situation, and come out of it as a great lover.

To learn how to permanently avoid premature ejaculation and last as long as you want, see http://having-sex-longer.blogspot.com/ Here you'll find the easiest and most effective online cure to last long and strong. http://having-sex-longer.blogspot.com/

Irish registration numbers account for a large proportion of number plate sales throughout the UK. The registrations are issued in Northern Ireland by the DVLNI and display 3 letters followed by up to 4 numbers to create a unique registration plate.

Buyers are attracted to Irish number plates for many reasons. The registration numbers are very distinctive and give great finishing touches to vehicles of all ages. NI registration numbers display the letters I and Z which the majority of their DVLA counterparts do not. This leads to popular combinations such as GIL, WIL and DIG registration plates being available.

Some drivers want to disguise the age of their car by assigning a dateless registration number to it and many opt for an Irish registration to do the job. Irish number plates are classed as dateless registrations meaning they can be assigned to any roadworthy vehicle, regardless of age. Compared to many DVLA prefix and new style number plates, Irish registrations provide a great solution to buying cheap number plates. The cheapest dateless DVLA number plates retail at over 500 pounds however a cheap Irish cover plate can be bought for less than 100 pounds.

Transferring an NI number plate to your vehicle on the UK mainland is easy and typically takes 4 weeks to complete. The current fee for Northern Ireland transfers is 80 GBP. Applications for transfer must include a signed V317 form and documentation for both donor and receiving vehicles. Number plates from the Republic of Ireland are no longer eligible for the transfer scheme.

Wilsons Auctioneers release the most prestigious Irish number plates at their auctions every few months. Reg numbers such as GIL 1 and WIL 1 were both released at these events and attract lots of attention. Sean McCrory snapped up the registration BIG 1 at auction for over 100,000 GBP, and added BIG 2 and BIG 3 to his collection as well.

Whilst many drivers in England, Scotland and Wales want to buy Irish number plates the opposite is true for residents in Northern Ireland. Drivers across the water often buy DVLA private plates for theirs cars and have them transferred onto their vehicles.

DVLA registrations that are already assigned to a car on the mainland can easily be transferred vehicle to vehicle into Northern Ireland for a set fee of 80 GBP. Registration numbers held on a DVLA certificates however must be assigned to a car on the mainland first and then transferred vehicle to vehicle. As two transfers are involved an additional 80 GBP transfer fee must be paid and the buyer in NI must have a car to use as a donor vehicle on the mainland.

Certain number plate dealers such as http://www.capeplates.co.uk/ can supply a donor vehicle for use in the transfer process and handle all the paperwork involved. This takes the hassle out of the transfer and you have the knowledge your application is being handled by professionals. These Northern Ireland transfers take approximately 8 weeks as two transfers are involved and completion is confirmed when you are in receipt of the new tax disc.

Before the transfer commences its best to have your current number plate valued as certain combinations of Irish number plates are worth several hundred pounds. Many people sell their Irish plates and put the money towards the new reg that they have found. Most number plate dealers offer free valuations and can sell you number plate for you.

Ross ODonnell writes for Cape Plates who provide a dedicate Northern Ireland Number Plates transfer service for all number plates owners. Cape Plates have a fleet of vehicles that are used purely for Irish transfers so if you need a number plate assigning, let Cape Plates do the work for you! The website offers access to thousands of Irish number plates as well as millions of DVLA registration numbers.