just4moms.netExciting News Every Mom Should Know…

Q. I met a woman online a couple of months ago, and we met up for coffee. Sparks flew, lightning struck, and the angels wept — from my side anyway. since then we have been not dating. I say “not dating” because she has set up some boundaries that she says have to do with a previous relationship, an on-and-off sort of deal with a guy who was emotionally abusive and an alcoholic. She says she is not yet ready to date. That said, we see each other almost every weekend for a benign brunch or walk in the park. We e-mail and text each other almost every day. To me this feels a lot like dating except without the physical part. I’m in no rush to get to that part, but I am in a rush to get to know her. That said, most of our non-dates end with some smooching. The last time we met, the kissing was a bit more intense than before. Yes, I feel like a 9-year-old even putting it this way, but there’s a reason why I bring it up. I’m not 9, by the way. We’re both in our 40s, both divorced and with children.

Last weekend we had a picnic that I carefully organized, complete with flowers and caviar. At the end of the afternoon we talked about where we are in our non-relationship, what we’re doing, and what we should expect from each other. She may have even warmed up to the idea of going out at night (dare to dream).

My problem is this: It feels like I’m getting a lot of ambivalence from her. The “I’m interested” signals are there, with some texts and e-mails telling me how excited she is to see me. But the “stay away” signals seem equally strong, with all of the boundaries, and occasional gaps in the communication.

Continue reading below

I am so intensely drawn to this woman that I can’t sleep at night. It’s not that I want to move in with her or anything. I just want to have a chance to play this out and see what could develop between us. But it’s not clear to me whether her ambivalence is solely because of bad history or because of reservations about me. A big part of me feels that if she were really interested, we would be having much different dates, and we’d be having some of them in the bathtub rather than squeezing in a couple of hours every week to have coffee and a Danish. That part tells me that I just can’t come to terms with the fact that she’s not interested, and that the wise thing would be to move on. There are other women out there after all.

Based on those tiny shreds of information, what do you think?

Basking in the Glowof her Ambivalence,Massachusetts

A. You have to tell her that you’re at a breaking point. She has to take some steps forward — like in the next week or two — or it’s over. You’ve gone out of her way not to rush her. You’ve been respectful of her schedule. I understand that you’ve already had a talk about where she is with all of this, but what about where you are?

My advice is to be specific about what you want. if you want a dinner date, tell her you need one soon. if you want to be making out horizontally, please ask. You’re human. You’re in your 40s. You want to move this to the next level. It’s understandable. You’re allowed to say, “I feel like you’re ambivalent about me. if you’re not, I really need more.”

I have to admit that when I first read this letter I thought, “She’s enjoying the attention but not that interested.” then I remembered that I was once in a similar situation. I was like your woman, trying to delay the inevitable so that I could remain safe. When I was finally confronted with a “make out or else” conversation (he said it much more sensitively than that) and I realized that my self-protecting behavior had turned into selfishness, I cut it out. I pounced — rather literally. I didn’t want to lose him, and the pouncing was not as scary as I thought it would be.

I can’t promise you that she’ll pounce. But she might plan or accept a dinner date. and dinner dates lead to bathtubs.

If she continues to move at this pace and remains all talk and no action, you must bail. soon. Because you’re right — there are other women out there, and you sound fantastic. Your needs are just as important as hers. start asking some very specific questions.

READERS RESPOND:

Sounds like her playing hard to get has gotten the best of you. Take a week off from contact with her. if she gets back to you, then continue. if not, she’s just using you for her confidence.MIKEOXBIGG

There’s an old wives’ tale that says playing hard to get makes a guy want you more. I guess the old wives are right. CHICKENLITTLE

Dude, you have a lot of patience. The conversation Meredith is suggesting should have taken place after a few weeks. Fish or cut bait. You’re in your 40s, and Boston is crawling with available, hot women who want to get horizontal now.OLDERNOWISER

Talk to her. tell her what you need from her. Accept no less. JUST-ANOTHER-BOSTONIAN

It’s only been a couple of months. She warned the letter writer that she wasn’t ready to date and told him why. The dates are progressively (if slowly) getting more romantic, and she seems to be warming up to the idea of actually going out on a date at night. It’s too soon to tell if she’s not really interested or if she just moves very slowly. I don’t think the letter writer should confront her and pressure her to give him more. he needs to respect the pace she feels comfortable with. CARA121

This is simple — you are not listening to her. She is telling you exactly what is in her head — she is excited to see you and is interested but wants boundaries. She is at a healing point and is going hot and cold, as she tries to figure out her next steps. You are trying to take this away from her and are looking for something she simply can’t give you right now. SUPERCHICK

Picnics with caviar?? I’m giving my number to Meredith to pass along. GOLDIE31

try BostonGlobe.com today and get two weeks FREE.Edited and reprinted from www.boston.com/loveletters. Meredith Goldstein can be reached at mgoldstein@globe.com. She chats online Wednesday at 1 p.m.

This past week, my office threw me a baby shower. … If you couldn't tell from the pictures, my best moment this week was the baby shower thrown by my office.
www.ashleysisk.com/…/pregnancy-story-baby-shower-at-offic…

… your vehicle's inner workings will get you a one-way ticket to nowhere. Ensure a smooth ride with today's deal from Meineke Car Care Center in North Rich…
www.livingsocial.com/cities/20…/358578-three-oil-changes

Thursday, 7 June 2012, 4:18 pm Press Release: Stetson Group

Media release: Thursday 7 June, 2012 Stewart &Tricia Macpherson for THE STETSON GROUP present:

OH WHAT A NIGHT! AMusical Tribute To Frankie Valli & the four Seasons

Direct from Las Vegas , the “ OH WHAT A NIGHT!– A Musical Tribute To Frankie Valli & the four Seasons”show arrives in New Zealand for the very first time, in whatwill be a whistle-stop 14 day, 10 date Tour that is sure tosend the crowd berserk, just like the real Jersey Boys didsome 40 years ago.

OH WHAT A NIGHT! is ahighly-successful production written by Independent Motownproducer and creative consultant George Solomon (also in theshow) and award-winning producer/director Michael Chapmanwith choreography by Paul Holmquist.

This sensationaltribute show features all of the original hits includingFrankie Valli’s biggest solo hit from the blockbustermovie GREASE as well as earlier hits such as Sherry, RagDoll and Walk like a Man, through to 1970sfavourites Who loves You and the more melodic lovesongs, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You and My EyesAdored You.

Producer, Stewart Macpherson says “Givenrecent interest in four Seasons’ music, it is gratifyingto be able to take this hit show to much of New Zealand .”Four seasoned performers complete the line-up: GeorgeSolomon, Chris Anderson, Thomas Bevan and Josh Woodie.Between the scores of recognizable tunes, the foursomedeliver spirited, informative and often hilarious banter.

Solomon, who has performed / written with major starsincluding Diana Ross, bill Cosby, Tina Turner, StevieWonder, Harry Connick Jr. and Liza Minnelli says OH WHAT ANIGHT! is one of the best all-around feel good shows he hasever been involved with and people “just go crazy forit”.

“You can’t go wrong with the music of FrankieValli and the four Seasons because when people are watchingthe show they can’t believe how many hits they have,”says Solomon.

Also, the appeal of our show isn’tlimited to any age group. You can bring the entire family.the four of us will be appearing in New Zealand for the veryfirst time and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity toperform for your crowds.”

The Tour commences inAuckland on Thursday August 23 and will visit Rotorua,Hamilton , Napier, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Wellingtonand Invercargill before concluding in Christchurch onTuesday September 4.

Tickets go on sale at 9:00am onThursday 14 June. for full event and ticketing informationsee www.stetsongroup.com or www.ohwhatanight.co.nz (live from 14June).

DATES, VENUES & TICKETING INFORMATION:

Thu 23 August Auckland Bruce Mason Centre Ticketmaster 0800 111 999 Fri 24 August Rotorua CivicTheatre Ticketmaster 0800 111 999 Sat 25 August Hamilton FoundersTheatre Ticketek 0800 842 538 Sun 26 August Manukau Genesis Theatre Ticket Direct0800 224 224 Tue 28 August Napier Municipal Theatre Ticketek 0800 842 538 Wed 29August Wanganui Royal Opera House Opera House 06 349 0511 Thu 30 August P.North Regent on Broadway Ticket Direct 06357 9740 Sat 1 September Wellington Opera House Ticketek 04 384 3840 Mon 3September Invercargill Civic Theatre Ticket Direct 03 211 1692 Tues 4 September Christchurch Aurora Centre Ticketek 03377 8899

IN BRIEF:

• OH WHAT ANIGHT! A Musical Tribute To Frankie Valli & the four Seasons• 10 shows Nationwide in August / September2012 –Auckland ( North Shore , Manukau), Rotorua, Hamilton,Napier, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Wellington ,Invercargill, Christchurch • Tickets on sale9am, Thursday 14 June, 2012 • for full showinformation go to www.stetsongroup.com or www.ohwhatanight.co.nz (active 14 June) • Promo video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1xW9LbrSeQ&feature=related• Follow updates on twitter @stetsongroup andkeep up to date via the NZ Facebook group

-ends-

© Scoop Media

It looks like Kim Kardashian is not the only one to somehow pick up the pieces from her 72-day marriage and move on.

Despite a denial from Kris Humphries himself – after photos leaked of him and a woman on a beach in Miami and he claimed she was someone he only met that day – TMZ confirms the power forward DOES have a new girlfriend. her name is Myla Sinanaj.

Sinanaj and Humphries have reportedly been dating since January, with the latter providing courtside seats for his new woman and her family to watch him play basketball.

Sources say she the pair met at the fancy new York City hotel where Sinanaj works. we can only assume this hotel does not ever get Internet access.

Or newspaper delivery. or cable. or any medium that would identity Humphries as the immature bonehead he has proven himself to be.

No comment so far from anyone in either side of the couple’s camp.

Welcome to Mayport Car Care on Facebook. Join now to write reviews and connect with Mayport Car Care.
www.facebook.com/pages/Mayport-Car…/304798249613994

A couple of years ago, I had a cold for about four months. I thought I had somehow caught five colds in a row, which I thought was no big deal, because they were just colds after all.

But then I started dropping a lot of weight while eating a lot of chocolate cake. My hair started falling out, and I had the shakes so bad that my handwriting—which I used to be proud of—became illegible. My short-term memory stopped working. it was difficult to have a conversation, because by the time I neared the end of a sentence, I had already forgotten what I was talking about.

Things were bad, but I had no health insurance, which I thought meant that the only thing to do was try to ignore it, and hope that whatever was wrong with me would go away on its own. Each new symptom added another few hundred dollars to the imaginary doctor’s bill in my head, which meant that as things got worse, I had more incentive to pretend that I had some sort of temporary bug that would eventually go away.

Then one day, I got up to go to work— at the time, I had a part-time job copyediting product labels and PowerPoint presentations—but I couldn’t make it out the door. about halfway through my morning shower, I started panting, and my heart was beating out of my chest. it was as if I had just run a mile, when I had actually just walked 20 feet from my bed to the bathroom. There had been signs before this incident: The day before, I found myself so nauseous and out of breath during my four-block walk to work, that I turned around and went straight back home. 

It took near-complete incapacitation for me to bite the bullet and go to the doctor. it turned out that I have Graves disease, a congenital, autoimmune hyperthyroid condition that I’ll have for the rest of my life. Missy Elliot, George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush also have it. Graves disease affects every cell in your body, so it gets bad if it goes untreated. but it’s very manageable as long as I take my pills, see my endocrinologist and get a blood test every six weeks.

As a freelancer, I still don’t have health insurance. but at this point, I’ve gone to a bunch of doctors, and have learned some things along the way about getting health care without health insurance. The more I know about the health care system, the less I do stupid things like get so sick I can’t function anymore.

1. Doctors aren’t just for the insured.

If you don’t have health insurance, the immediate reaction is not to go, and to chew on a couple of echinacea pills and hope for the best. I thought of health insurance as some kind of entry card to the entire health care system, but it doesn’t work that way. Plain old cash can get you through the door too. A trip to a doctor costs around $150–$200, or about the price of a nice dinner.

If you’re too broke to go for nice dinners, then look for community health clinics, like Ryan-NENA in New York City, which has a sliding scale for people without health insurance. I used to go there for routine check-ups when I was a student, and they were very nice. I don’t remember getting a bill for more than $5. If you’re skirting the poverty line, which is an annual income of $10,890 for a single person, then you might qualify for Medicaid, and you should definitely apply.

The other thing to keep in mind is that unless it’s a true emergency (severed limbs, heart attacks), don’t go to the emergency room. go to an urgent care clinic for things like broken bones, pink eye, and other non-life threatening illnesses, or a private walk-in clinic. They’re more pleasant, faster, and much, much cheaper. Call ahead to ask how much, but they usually fall in the $150–$200 range to see a doctor. I went to one in San Francisco, and they were the ones who ended up diagnosing my illness. Last time I had a tear in my cornea, I went to this place in Manhattan.

Sometimes specialists don’t cost much more than a generalist, depending on what you need. The endocrinologist I go to in New York charged $300 for the initial consultation, then $175 for each visit afterwards. While general practitioners are accessible and great, it’s nice to have a specialist who knows a lot about my disease. If you’ve had insurance before, you may have heard that you need a “referral” before going to a specialist. That’s insurance provider bureaucracy, and you don’t need one if you don’t have a health insurance company to answer to.

2. Always ask for a discount at the moment when you are handing over your debit card.

Even if you’ve made a huge deal since the moment you walked into the doctor’s office that you don’t have health insurance, they often won’t give you a discount unless you ask for one, point-blank. If you’ve called ahead to make sure they give discounts, be sure to ask again at the counter. It’s up to their discretion, but the discounts I’ve gotten have been around 20 percent off. and since I go to doctors pretty often, I’ve had a chance to test this out. when I’m too shy to ask for a discount, I usually end up paying more.

The trick is to remember that you’re making them do less work because you don’t have health insurance. They don’t have to pay an administrator for filling out insurance paperwork. They don’t have to wait for the insurance company to send a check. They don’t even have to send out a bill. when the office gives you a discount, they’re not just being nice: You’ve saved them from doing a lot of work, and deserve one.

3. Blood tests are very expensive, but they also offer big discounts.

I really hate needles, but the thing about blood tests that scared me the most was the bill. before I got the right diagnosis for my illness, I went to a doctor who ran $1,200 worth of blood tests. They were all the wrong ones, and told me nothing useful, but I still had to pay for them. it was horrible. I didn’t know that discounts existed, so I didn’t know to ask for them.

These days, I still have blood tests every six weeks, but my doctor gives me a form to fill out called the “Patient Financial Assistance Application,” which I send to Quest Diagnostics, a testing company. I declare my income, and depending on how much I’m making with my footloose and fancy-free freelance job(s), I fall into either the 50 percent off bracket, or the 75 percent off bracket. Instead of paying around $400 every six weeks, I pay around $100.

4. Drugs can be really, really cheap. Don’t assume that you can’t afford any medicine at all without health insurance. 

As with everything else on this list, it all depends on what you have and what you need to treat it, but if the patents on your drugs have lapsed, the generic version will be dramatically cheaper. I got a prescription for alprazolam (generic Xanax) for anxiety related to a spike in hyperthyroid symptoms, and a bottle of 30 pills cost $20. Cheap.

5. Medical tourism isn’t as sketchy as it sounds, and it is less sketchy than just being sick for years.

You know how health care costs so much more in America than anywhere else in the world? That’s a huge topic that can and should be talked about, but here’s how it played out for me. After getting a blood test that showed that my thyroid levels were completely out of whack, I was told that before I could start treatment, I needed to take two more tests. Large machines and radioactive liquids were involved. That sounded expensive.

I called a specialist to ask how much it would cost without health insurance. They estimated that it would be $3,000 to $7,000. not just expensive, but prohibitively expensive.

I’m from the Philippines, and my cousin is a doctor there, so I called him. he was appalled at the price that I was quoted, and told me to go to the Philippines to get these tests. Here’s why: Each of those two tests cost $20. For a total of $40, or the price of a cheap meal for two in the U.S. and—just to give you some perspective of relative prices—$40 is the price of a nice meal for two in the Philippines. Add the price of a ticket, some doctors fees ($14 per visit) and a trip to the beach, and I spent maybe $2,200. My doctor was the head of endocrinology at a big hospital there, and was educated in the U.S. she was, by far, the most capable and knowledgeable doctor I’ve dealt with so far. The experience was easy, pleasant and safe. There was even a man playing a grand piano in the lobby of the hospital.

There are risks (and probably some discomfort) to going abroad, sight unseen, to get medical treatment, so do your research. but with limited access to health care and rising costs in the U.S., medical tourism is something that millions of people do each year. I suggest involving your doctor in the U.S. Mine wrote down exactly which tests I needed to come back with, and I called my endocrinologist in the Philippines before booking my tickets to make sure that all the logistics worked out. If you don’t have a connection in another country, there are whole associations dedicated to facilitating medical tourism, and there are a couple of hospitals who have made their name treating foreigners, like Bunrumgrad Hospital in Thailand.

Everyone’s health care experience is going to be different, but the aim of this is to demystify the health care system enough to help you start using it. just because you don’t have health insurance, it doesn’t mean you’re not going to get sick. Remember that you have options.

Aurora Almendral is a freelance writer in New York. she loves economics and has a coral named after her. Photo: Shutterstock/ampyang

As a participant in CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund’s China Exchange Program, Chinese fashion designer Uma Wang is currently enjoying six weeks of industry training in New York City, in a whirlwind tour that culminated with a spot on the red carpet at the CFDA Fashion Awards on June 4, the industry’s equivalent of the Oscars.

“This is such an eye opening experience for me to see for myself and learn from the American way of making fashion,” Wang said in an interview with China Daily. “This will have a great influence on my work and my own way of making fashion.”

The fashion fund, which was established in 2003 to give a boost to emerging design talent, has previously honored notable designers including Prabal Gurung, Rodarte, Thakoon, Patrik Ervell and Alexander Wang. later this year, Proenza Schouler designers Jack McCollough and Lazara Hernandez will travel to China to similarly learn about the Chinese fashion industry, a market in which many Western brands are increasingly exploring.

“To succeed as a designer today, you can’t think of boundaries anymore,” said Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA, in an interview with China Daily. “Every designer is now saying, ‘China, China, China,’ so for us this is an opportunity to help bridge between the US and China. It’s about collaboration and mutual benefit.”

Uma Wang at W Hotel in New York. [Provided to China Daily] 

The exchange was inspired by a dinner conversation between Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour and Silas Chow, a partner at Michael Koors, Kolb said. Chow spoke about the many Chinese designers he believed could benefit from an exposure to the international market; the idea for the program was hatched, Kolb said.

Wang’s training in New York has included hands-on experience with Michael Kors, Theory and J. Crew, among other brands; a few days behind the scenes with executives and buyers at up-scale shopping haven Barney’s; and a day with Google, learning about Internet commerce and social media.

The designer, who launched her eponymous label in 2005 and is known for distinctive knitwear, has shown in Paris, Milan, London and Shanghai.

“This experience will help [Wang] plan her presence here in the US,” Kolb said. “She is a working designer, so it’s not as though we are starting from scratch, but we do hope to accelerate her progress.”

The CFDA has stated that Wang is positioned to become the first internationally successful Chinese designer.

“Uma was selected because of her level of confidence in her ability as a designer and businesswoman,” Kolb said. “I think that given the right bridge to the US and this market, Uma and other Chinese designers can succeed. the tools are there and the opportunities are there.”

Wang believes that the reason China has lagged behind the West in producing great designers is that the country is more focused on building its economy, she said.

“Everyone is so involved in the economy; art and fashion has to wait,” she said. “Once the infrastructures are in place, art and fashion will have the opportunity to flourish. I can see that China is ready to produce some great international designers, and the Western world is more receptive to fashion in China. Young Chinese designers have fresh, new ideas that will resonate anywhere.”

McCollough and Hernandez of Proenza Schouler will also benefit from the opportunity to delve into the Chinese market, Kolb said.

“Chinese consumers are becoming stronger in terms of spending power, and that can definitely fuel success for Chinese designers and can fund international growth,” he said.

Wang agreed. “China is becoming a great market and there are a lot of things we can learn from each other,” she said.

For a long time, Western culture and fashion played a huge role in influencing her own style, Wang said.

“I am happy now to have found my own style, where are Eastern influences and references as well, a good mix of the two I hope,” she said. “Balance is always important.”

Her time in New York will also be a mix of business and pleasure, with plans for private tours at the Metropolitan Museum and the Museum of Modern Art.

“New York is such a fantastic city, full of vibrating energy,” she said. “It inspires me — the people, the buildings, the cultures.”

If time permits, she hopes to play a basketball game in the city before she leaves, she said. She has played for years.

“That would truly be a special bonus for me.”

kdawson@chinadailyusa.com

Airtime, the social video chat startup created by Napster founders Sean Parker and Shawn Fanning, unveiled itself today after a long period of poorly-kept secrets and barely-muted hype.

Think of it as a less-icky Chatroulette with a $33 million wind at its back. and today, we finally got to see it in action.

Parker calls Airtime the “best and fastest way to video chat with your friends on any platform.” It’s web-based, so you don’t have to download a separate applications; frictionless, since you can get started immediately without much setup; and perhaps most importantly, it relies on Facebook’s social graph, so it’s connected to identities people are already using online.

At Milk Studios in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood this morning, Airtime gathered press and notable NYC personalities to officially unveil Airtime.

Late night star Jimmy Fallon first hit the stage to introduce Parker and Fanning, calling them the “Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren of the Internet.” (If you don’t get that reference, watch some 80′s action movies, kids.) Parker told the tale of how they first met online in a chat room and bonded over their interest in hacking and computers.

“We understood the potential,” Fanning said when Fallon asked if they realized how important Napster was at the beginning. but he went on to say that the pair were mostly just having fun by developing the music sharing service.

What the heck is Airtime?

“We’re actually building a network service,” Parker said as he began a presentation explaining Airtime. “This is different from a consumer hardware product or a consumer software product… We’re actually opening up to the world and beginning the process of constructing that network.”

Parker went on to say that despite the massive rise in social media popularity, he can’t help but feel we’ve taken a step back. many online services have us spending more time processing information than interacting with information, he said.

With rise of both broadband and webcams, Parker says now is the perfect time to pursue true social video chat.

He railed against social games from companies like Zynga that aren’t exactly real-time, but are instead all about taking turns. “There’s all kinds of things people could be doing if there was a platform for synchronous interactions,” Parker said. This seems to be the crux of what Airtime is all about.

Security is a big part of Airtime’s core principles (Parker listed it four times on his slide for emphasis). the service avoids the problems of Chatroulette (inappropriate behavior, indecent exposure) since it’s tied to your Facebook identity. if you’re a bad actor, Airtime can easily kick you off the service. the company also has people monitoring the service for bad behavior.

As for utility, Parker stresses that Airtime is all about making new friends.

“Facebook isn’t helping you make new connections, Facebook doesn’t build new relationships,” he said. “Facebook is just trying to be the most accurate model of your real life social graph.”

When your demo fails, call the celebrities

To demonstrate how Airtime works, Parker called actress Olivia Munn using the service. the call connected quickly, but it may have helped that she was just sitting backstage. Airtime’s interface is fairly simple: your video video is on the left side, the person you’re calling is in the center, and your list of friends is on the right. when the call first connected, Airtime displayed a few related interests (which slowly faded away) and then Parker seamlessly shared a few web videos with her.

Munn came on stage and tried to surprise the audience by calling rapper Snoop Dogg. her first few tries failed (I think because she was trying to call a Facebook user pretending to be Snoop Dogg), but eventually Snoop himself called. Munn showed off her Snoop impressions, the crowd politely laughed, and we moved on.

Munn then called comedian and actor Joel McHale, who ended up coming onstage instead of chatting over Airtime. Unfortunately, his appearance set off a string of technical errors that halted the demo for several minutes.

“Sean Parker is literally a genius and I love it that he has to pull wires out of the back of the computer to make it work,” McHale quipped as several event staff members tried to get the demo going again. once things started working, he called actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who then came on stage to ring up fellow actor and comedian Ed Helms. (We get it Sean Parker, you have many very important friends.)

Helms called singer Alicia Keys over Airtime, and they were able to successfully chat for several minutes. (Unlike most of the other celebrities, she wasn’t hiding behind the stage.) Helms then tried to call Parker’s Airtime offices, but unfortunately nobody picked up. Eventually, a disheveled Jim Carrey wearing a gas mask successfully called Helms.

“So where do I click to download music… to destroy the music industry,” Carrey quipped while chatting with Parker.

Throughout all of the demos, there were occasional connection and network issues. It’s hard to blame Airtime for all of the trouble, since relying on venue Wi-Fi for demos is often a disaster.

Wrapping Up

Parker capped off the demo with an obligatory video featuring a catchy indie song, which shows the potential for Airtime much better than the on-stage demos.

In the end, it was probably a good thing Parker had a bunch of comedic geniuses to help distract from the buggy demos.

“I can’t actually thank you guys enough,” Parker said to his celebrity crew, the Huffington Post reported, “because you took a completely fucked-up situation where everything was going to shit and actually salvaged it.”

Despite the trouble with the service today, it’s clear to me that Airtime has a lot of potential. perhaps it’s because there’s a big idea driving Airtime: Technology is here to help us, not to flood us with information. Airtime is the logical evolution of social media technology — it’s something that actually brings us closer together, even with complete strangers thousands of miles away.

Military deployment can raise any number of questions an active duty soldier can’t readily answer. There’s no telling when you may be called to serve, where, for how long, or if you’ll be placed into combat. for many servicemen and women, it can also mean leaving a family back home for extended, indefinite periods of time.

One of the most important things a deployed service member has to consider is if their family is financially secure and prepared while you’re on a tour of duty. Is your current savings account enough of a safety net? Are all your affairs in order, including a last will? how about insurance policies? What about special military family benefits?

Here are a few money management tips to consider if you’re being deployed:

Set goals and budget accordingly. You may realize that you or your spouse have never sat down to figure out a budget. Now’s the time to start. if you’ve been assigned to a six-month deployment, ask yourselves how much money will your household need to live on for that period. if you have other expenses like landscaping or dry cleaning, in addition to necessities like groceries, utilities, and childcare, prioritize your finances to see what you can and can’t live without for a few months. for emergency expenses, experts recommend a reserve of around $2,000. Setting up programs like automatic bill pay can help ease the trouble of keeping up with due dates of bills.

The Military Wallet suggests that you may want to consider appointing a power of attorney to a family member you’d like to be in charge of finances while you’re gone. however, this can come with certain restrictions; consult with your Judge Advocate General’s Corp office.

Ensure you’re insured. a good life insurance policy is absolutely essential if you’ve been deployed and leaving family behind. Military Wallet says to check with your policy provider that your contract doesn’t include a clause stating your family won’t be paid benefits if you’re killed in action. It’s a terrible thing to consider, but necessary for your family’s financial future. Do you have traumatic injury protection? a power of attorney may also be helpful in deciding who’ll make your healthcare decisions if you cannot. at this time, make sure your last will and estate plan is also up to date and in order.

Also, check other insurance policies in your name—is there a car, for example, you won’t be driving while you’re deployed? if so, you could temporarily cancel insurance on items that won’t be in use, saving you and your family money. if you’re single, the Military Connection website even suggests placing your belongings in storage and paying rental insurance, saving you the cost of rent on an entire apartment.

Special military programs. You may be able to take advantage of services offered specifically for deployed service members. some, like the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, may offer you or your family a break on things like apartment leases, or delay civil proceedings. Through special considerations, the deployed military service member may also qualify for lower rates on mortgage or auto loans, or even credit cards, too. regardless, it’s best to check with your creditors about any and all breaks they can offer you during your deployment.

If you’re being deployed, check with organizations like the PenFed Credit Union for their savings and loan rates. if it’s a mortgage you’re fronting, you could qualify for special programs like the credit union’s Dream Makers Grant, available to all active duty service members.

Investments and additional income. There’s a program called the Savings Deposit Program (SDP) that you may qualify for. The Military Times says that service members deployed to designated combat zones may be eligible to deposit as much as $10,000 of their unalloted pay and allowances into the SDP. Additionally, check for other sources of income you may have coming. The Times says your family may be entitled to Family Separation, Imminent Danger, or Hardship pay. once you’ve confirmed that extra pay, the publication says to consider how your family can use that extra cash flow— the Combat Zone Tax Exclusion may apply.

Separate but equal. In the case of a military deployment, one can’t understate the need for joint accounts between you and your spouse. Setting up separate accounts in your name, and your husband or wife’s name, allows your spouse to easily take care of expenses while you’re away. This can clear up confusion over money matters and makes managing your finances easier for the whole family. It’s bad enough to deal with the stress of a high-risk deployment— don’t let your family fall into debt over a money discrepancy.

Active duty deployment means you’re serving your country when it matters most. It’s an assignment that any enlisted soldier can be proud of. it can be both an exciting, yet uncertain opportunity. Deployment is hard enough that worrying about your family’s finances shouldn’t be a cause for concern. by following these simple tips as a start, you can make sure that your affairs, your money, and your future as an active duty service member are in order.

Paul Sisolak writes for www.GoBankingRates.com, which provides readers informative personal finance and investing content, as well as the best interest rates on financial services nationwide.