Exercise Programs and Diabetes    Travel Tip    Football Funnies

Talking Points

Online chat rooms are a popular way to meet new people and discuss topics that interest you. But it pays to be safe when online. Next time you log on for some conversation, keep these safety tips in mind.

• - Always keep your personal information confidential. Don't reveal things such as your name, age, address, phone number, place of employment, schedule or photo.
• - Choose a user id that does not reveal any of this information about yourself. Never share your password with anyone.
• - Register an alternative email address for use in chat rooms if you want to have a way for others to contact you directly. Don't give out your regular email address. You can get free anonymous email addresses to use at sites like hotmail.com or yahoo.com.
• - Don't use a signature line that includes personal information.
• - Instruct your children on internet safety. They should never reveal personal information, including details about their school or activities. Let them know that they should come to you if they feel uncomfortable or suspicious of any online communication.
• - If you ever choose to meet someone you've met online in person, do so only in a public place away from your home and only after you've established his or her identity. Take along a friend and let someone else know where you are going and when you will be there. Don't go home with your new acquaintance or take him or her to your home.
• - And finally, if you ever feel suspicious or uncomfortable at any level of your online chatting relationship, immediately stop responding and take steps to report any suspicious activities or communications.

Exercise Programs and Diabetes

If you have diabetes, the American Diabetes Association recommends that you talk to your doctor before beginning a new exercise program. If you are over age 35, have had type 1 diabetes for more than 15, or have had type 2 diabetes for more than 10 years, you should also have a physical exam.

This is important for two reasons: First, your doctor needs to evaluate whether any conditions relating to your diabetes could be cause for concern if you increase your activity level. These include heart or kidney disease, nerve damage (especially in your extremities), or eye damage. These conditions may necessitate a need for a lower activity level than you are planning.

Second, regular physical activity can decrease the amount of insulin or other diabetes medication you require. By informing your physician of your new exercise program, you can plan for follow-ups which will help both of you determine the proper amount of medication and exercise for you.

Travel Tip

Traveling during the off-season can be a great way to save some big bucks, but be sure you know what you are in for. Many resorts cut staff and services during the down months. Weather can be a factor, and you may find that your resort or hotel is under construction during these months, making your stay a bit less relaxing. Your best bet is to do some research. Find out what type of weather you can expect, ask which services will be cut, and try to find people who have traveled to your destination during the off-season to talk with. If you are willing to forgo a less than prime experience and you know what to expect, you will find that you can still enjoy yourself while saving some cash.

Football Funnies

Football season is going strong! Sometimes what the players do off the field can be as entertaining as what they do on the field. Check out these quotes from famous people in the world of football.

"I want to rush for 1,000 or 1,500 yards, whichever comes first." -- New Orleans Saint RB George Rogers when asked about the upcoming season

"Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein." -- Joe Theismann

"I'm going to graduate on time, no matter how long it takes." -- Joe Theismann

"You guys line up alphabetically by height." -- Bill Peterson, a Florida State football coach

"I'm going to send the injured reserve players out for the toss next time." -- Mike McCormack, Baltimore Colts coach, after the team's co-captain, offensive guard Robert Pratt, pulled a hamstring running onto the field for the coin toss against St. Louis.

"I'm not allowed to comment on lousy officiating." -- Jim Finks, New Orleans Saints General Manager, when asked after a loss what he thought of the referees.

"I was going to write myself in, but I was afraid I'd get shot." -- Lincoln Kennedy, Oakland Raiders tackle, on his decision not to vote.

"He's a perfectionist. If he was married to Raquel Welch, he'd expect her to cook." -- Don Meridith

"I wouldn't ever set out to hurt anybody deliberately unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." -- Dick Butkus

"When it's third and ten, you can take the milk drinkers and I'll take the whiskey drinkers every time" -- Max McGee

"There are two types of coaches. Them that have just been fired and them that are going to be fired." -- Bum Phillips

"Anybody who watches three games of football in a row should be declared brain dead." -- Erma Bombeck

"Sharks are as tough as those football fans who take their shirts off during games in Chicago in January, only more intelligent." -- Dave Barry

"Sure, luck means a lot in football. Not having a good quarterback is bad luck." -- Don Shula

"The Green Bay Packers never lost a football game. They just ran out of time." -- Vince Lombardi

"American football is an occasion at which dancing girls, bands, tactical huddles and television commercial breaks are interrupted by short bursts of play." -- London Times

"Football isn't a matter of life and death - it's much more important than that." -- Bill Shankly