set_your_own_example

I would like to drastically change my lifestyle to get in great shape. I would like to get a little bit bigger, but much leaner and more cut, with much more muscle definition. However, I live in a two-bedroom apartment with my wife and 3-year-old. I don't have room for weight equipment, although I do own a 30 lb. kettlebell. I also don't really have a lot of money for a gym membership, nor do I really feel comfortable working out at a gym (although the guidance from a trainer to start would be great). Are there any good options out there for me?

BTW, I am 5'11", 170 lbs, with an average build (not really overweight, but fat enough to have little muscle definition).

I work in a factory that produces plastic car bumpers, and on many of the products we produce, we have to use propane torches to flame the excess plastic on the parts. Every shift that I work on a part that requires flaming with a propane torch, the back of my throat swells and gets sore, and I have a lot of trouble swallowing, and a little trouble breathing if it gets bad. The torches are supposedly made to eliminate propane fumes while burning, but I don't understand why I'm having these problems. Could it be from fumes from the burning plastic? Or maybe just inhaling the hot gas? I don't know. I'm lost, I really don't know what to do. I'm afraid that if they determine that I can't work around these torches, that I'll lose my job and won't be able to take care of my family. What should I do?

My fiance and I would like to learn to ballroom dance for our first dance at our wedding reception. We would like to dance to the Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle version of "A Whole New World." Yes, it's cheesy, we know. We were curious as to what type of ballroom dance would be best suited for this song. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

I am 24, and I never graduated high school, but I am an intelligent human being who has been a victim of circumstance. I do have my GED. I have a 2-year-old daughter, and I will be married in August of this year. I have been at my current job for almost 3 years as a temporary employee, with no apparent hope of being hired. I would really like to go back to school, but I attempted this once in the past, and failed miserably, just because I couldn't motivate myself to go to class when I had no idea why I was even going. However, I have a strong passion for music, and unfortunately, when I went to college a few years ago, I listened to everyone who told me that getting a music degree was a waste of time and money. Now I wish that I could go back to school for music education, but due to family and financial constraints, I can't find any possible way to go back to school full-time, not to mention time to participate in 3 different ensembles' concerts and practices, recitals, private lessons, etc.

I know that most music students jump into their degree programs with both feet, allowing themselves the time to take on everything... but is it possible to take a music program much more slowly? Instead of taking 22 credit hours per semester, maybe 10 or 12, or even less? I don't necessarily need to complete the program in four years... I could really use some help. This is my dream and my calling, and I'm quickly learning that I really don't have the drive or desire to pursue any other type of degree.

Many thanks in advance!

I would like to go back to school, but I have a daughter and a wife-soon-to-be and must hold a decent job to keep us fed. However, I am too smart for my job... I drive a forklift. Even though I got my GED, I always got high scores on my aptitude tests in school... I just didn't apply myself enough in class to graduate. Now that I'm put in the situation of having to take care of my family, I also want to become successful. As of now, I make decent money ($25k a year), but I could be laid off at any time. Not to mention a dread my job. I would like to do something that I have a passion for, but I don't have the time to sit in a classroom, let alone take double the course load studying something like music education. What are my options as far as going back to school? Any ideas?

I would first like to thank everyone who answers this question in advance. A little detail about my situation:

I am a 23 year old male, engaged to be married, and father of a beautiful 2-year-old daughter. I drive a forklift at a factory to support my family, which doesn't pay badly, but is usually extremely stressful for me. I have been with the company I work for for a total of 3 years as a TEMPORARY employee, making significantly less than full-time hires and absolutely no benefits. I have been laid-off numerous times for numerous reasons, sometimes for a week or two, sometimes for 3 months or longer. I am tired of my position and the company I work for, simply because they obviously don't appreciate my value as an employee beyond the cost to cut my paycheck. Although I am ready to move on to a better career, I have found it extremely difficult to do so, as I am the major breadwinner of the household. The job I hold is currently one of the better paying ones in the area for someone who has only a high school diploma/GED, and I cannot afford to make less than I do right now.

So, being in this situation for some time now, I have come across a couple of options:

Go back to school, or join the military.

I have since been rejected from the Air Force and Navy, respectively. This was due to minor medical reasons I was unaware of from birth which were apparently unwaiverable, although I had scored a 97 (of a possible 99) on my ASVAB and had shown the aptitude to qualify for any career in the military. As a (future) husband and father, I have no desire to be shot at as an army soldier or a Marine. Nothing against school, I was just confident that the military would take care of me and my family and put me in a good direction to start a career. That obviously didn't work out.

So now I've decided that I need to go back to school, but this poses its own problems. I don't have the time to raise a family, work a full time 3rd shift job AND sit in a classroom, unless I give up sleep almost entirely. Also, based on multiple personality tests, I am better suited to a career that is creative/artistic in nature (musician, painter, etc.). However, I am more worried about bringing home the bacon, so to speak... as an avid musician for 15 years, I would love to play for a living, but my family and I enjoy a few other conflicting pastimes, such as keeping warm, not sitting in the dark, and eating. Being as such, personality tests aside, I am more suited to a job with financial stability.

As you can see, it seems to be that I have painted myself into a proverbial corner.

I apologize for the long-winded explanation of my situation, but I felt it was necessary to fully understand it.

Any help with this conundrum would be greatly appreciated!

I have just taken the ASVAB and I'm currently kicking around ideas for what I might like to do in the Air Force, and I am looking seriously at the Airborne Cryptologic Linguist AFSC. Does anyone know how difficult it is to get this job? I have not yet taken the DLAB, but I project that I will do well. I got a 97 AFQT on the ASVAB, with line scores of M:98, A:97, G:97, and E:97. I have not yet had a chance to speak with my recruiter about my interest in this job, so any information would be greatly appreciated.

Also, how difficult is it to get jobs in Aircrew Ops in general?

I took the ASVAB at MEPS yesterday, and I got a 97 AFQT. My Air Force scores were:

Mechanical: 98

Administrative: 97

General: 97

Electrical: 97

I understand that the job I end up with is partially based on my decision and the needs of the Air Force, but I really can't decide. I plan on taking the DLAB and the EDPT test just to see if I can broaden my options even more... but what are some good options in the Air Force for someone with my projected aptitudes? I'm just looking for suggestions or maybe experiences from other people who have scored high or know someone who scored high.

Also... with a high aptitude score, will the Air Force try to "strongarm" me into certain jobs where a high aptitude is required?

A guy friend of mine picked up a pair of panties in PacSun today while I was looking at shoes, and dared me to wear them if he bought them... so being crazy as I am, and refusing to back down, I accepted his challenge. They're white panties with tattoo style designs on them (a "Sailor Jerry" style bluebird tattoo on the hip, and another bluebird with a banner that says "CUTIE" on the butt). Actually, here's a link:

http://shop.pacsun.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/P...

When I put them on, they fit rather well, with some adjustment for male differences of course. I also prefer to keep myself shaved down there, so that's wasn't a problem. I came out in nothing but the panties, everyone laughed, and I fulfilled the dare... but I almost didn't want to take them off, because I thought it was sort of sexy. Any thoughts, girls? This is not a joke...

I will be honest... I am becoming very, VERY ill at ease about my appearance. I went through a phase (shortly after a breakup about 2 years ago) where I became very concerned with my appearance, and I felt much more confident during this time. I did quite well with the way I dressed to fit my style, the way my hair was fixed, the jewelry and shoes I wore all went well. It came natural to me.

Then tragedy struck in March of last year, when my cousin (and one of my best friends) was killed. I became very depressed, and I gave up on many things in life, including my appearance.

I'm finally settling into a situation where I feel better about myself, but it is being severly hindered by unhappiness about the way I look. If I look better, I will feel better. Can anyone help?

Maybe first things first: what to do with my hair. It's really thick, and it's sort of wavy to the point that if I grow it out, it curls like mad, unless I straighten it everyday, sometimes twice a day.

Thnx!